Parent Communicator

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of St. Francis de Sales, as a member of the Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati, is to provide every student a Catholic education. This will empower Desales students to enter society as reverent, respectful and responsible citizens possessing academic, social and technological skills needed for success in a changing world. (Staff Approved February 13, 2009)

ST. FRANCIS DE SALES IS A FULLY ACCREDITED SCHOOL BY
OHIO CATHOLIC SCHOOL ACCREDITATION ASSOCIATION (OCSAA)

The entire staff at St. Francis de Sales wish our students and parents a Happy New Year!

CELL PHONES AT SCHOOL - All student cell phones must be turned into the office each morning to ensure safety. We do not want classroom interruptions during the school day. Cell phones will be confiscated if a student does not follow this policy. Please consult page 10 of the Student Handbook for details

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM - Many thanks to Mrs. Angeline Wheeler, our staff and students for all their hard work and tremendous amount of time spent on our concert. Thanks to all the parents, relatives and friends that attended and for your fantastic support.

END OF GRADING PERIOD - Our second grading period and first semester ends Thursday, January 12. Parents can pick up report cards at the P.T.O. Meeting/Open House on Tuesday, January 31, 2012.

CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR OUR CHILDREN - A special thank you to St. James the Greater Parish for the donation of gifts for our students in the primary grades. The generosity was tremendous and unselfish.

TEACHER INSERVICE AND MARTIN LUTHER KING JR., DAY – The Staff will have an In-service meeting on Friday, January 13. Monday, January 16, 2012 is Martin Luther King Jr., Day. There will be NO SCHOOL for students on both of these days.

PTO NEWS - Thanks for all your support with Market Day. The next Market Day pick-ups are on Saturday, January 7 and Saturday, February 4, 2012 from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM. Thanks to Mrs. Sheila Lewis, Ms. Effie Harris, Ms. Dominikki Morris and Ms. Beverly Parker who made our Santa Shop a success this year.

A BIG THANKS TO ALL WHO HELPED MAKE LUNCH WITH SANTA A GREAT SUCCESS - The PTO Board would like to thank all our parents, parishioners and friends who volunteered their time with the decorating, lunch, candy, chaperoning, etc.

A special "thank you" to Bill and Louise Stakelin, Mr. Curtis Smith (De Sales Art Teacher) for the great art work, Mr. David Abaad for the beautiful photography and to Mrs. Jane Smith for her time and expertise.

Our next general P.T.O. Meeting/Open House is scheduled for Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 6:30 PM with Market Day samples beginning at 6:00.

African American Fair will be held on Sunday, February 26, 2012 from 2:00 - 4:00 PM.

EMERGENCY AND CALAMITY WEATHER PROCEDURES - In case our school would need to be closed or delayed, please watch and/or listen to one of the following stations. These will be the only ones that we will notify of our closings or delays. Closings and/or delays will be announced as:

NOTE: If Cincinnati Public is closed because of bad weather, then St. Francis de Sales School will also be closed. If school is closed for any other unforeseen reason or emergency, the closing will be announced on the radio and TV as St. Francis de Sales – Cincinnati. Please do not call the school. You will also be able to access information from our telephone system - dial 961-1953 and then select number 2 from the menu.

REGISTRATION 2012-2013 – We will begin our registration for our existing students on January 12, 2012. Packets will be sent home with the students the week of January 9. We are NOT mailing the packets, so PLEASE be sure to check your child/children’s book bags. If you do not receive a registration packet the second week in January, please call the office so we can send one home with your child/children. Registration for new students will begin on February 1, 2012. Make sure you register before February 1 or your child/children could lose his/her seat in the classroom.

EDCHOICE - EdChoice students MUST turn their renewal form into the office and be registered at

St. Francis de Sales School before April 13, 2012. The EdChoice registration period for the 2012-2013 school year will begin on February 1, 2012 and will shut down on April 13, 2012. If you do not turn in your renewal form to the school office before that date, you will lose your voucher from the State of Ohio. EdChoice Program will make no exceptions after the deadline!

All families are required to fill out a Tuition Aid Form no matter what your income is. You may receive some tuition aid. Only EdChoice families whose income is 200% below the Federal Poverty level must fill out a Verification of Income form. the Poverty list is on the EdChoice Website. www.edchoice.ohio.gov

December Students of the Month

The following students have been selected by their teachers for the month of December:

The above students' pictures will be on display and they will receive special recognition from the Principal at the Awards Program. Also, they will have a special breakfast with the Principal.

ST. FRANCIS DE SALES IS A FULLY ACCREDITED SCHOOL BY
OHIO CATHOLIC SCHOOL ACCREDITATION ASSOCIATION (OCSAA)