Superintendent’s Newsletter
September 2019 Parent Newsletter #4
2019 State of the Academy Presentation
State of Academy Presentation May 14th 2019
Academics
Google Classroom/Chromebook (Grades 5-8)
Student Guide to Google Classroom
How to Connect Your Child’s Chromebook to WiFi at Home
Student Quick sheet to Google Classroom
Overview of Reading Program, K-2
The teaching of reading in grades K-2 is a careful combination of phonics instruction and lessons in comprehension. For phonics, we use Wilson’s Fundations, a systematic and multisensory phonics program which incorporates both spelling and handwriting. Grades K and 1 have been using Fundations already and grade 2 will join in using it for school year 2019-2020. For comprehension, this year we will begin using Wit and Wisdom with our K-2 students. Wit and Wisdom teaches students both comprehension skills and content knowledge through rigorous anchor texts that students read and re-read to develop as critical thinkers and effective communicators. Wit and Wisdom emphasizes both writing and speaking. Wit and Wisdom does have key assessments, including writing tasks, vocabulary quizzes, and discussion circles. However, you will notice fewer weekly assessments than in year’s past.
A critical component to learning to read is practice. Fundations and Wit and Wisdom are teaching the building blocks of reading, phonics and comprehension, but our students need plenty of time to practice what they are learning. We will be giving students time in the afternoons to read independently and put into practice what they are learning in the morning with the two programs described above. In order to foster students’ learning and keep our school to home connection strong, your child will be asked to read 15-20 minutes a day at home. A child that reads this often (5 days a week) will have 87 hours of reading time clocked each year. Reading this frequently, and at these earliest grades, is a huge predictor of academic success later on in life. Studies show that these students, by middle school, will outperform their peers in college readiness. We want to be partners with you in your child’s reading success.
Fountas and Pinnell will continue to help us assess your child’s reading performance. We assess students informally several times throughout the year to identify growth and be an indicator of student struggle. We will continue to use Fountas and Pinnell to guide our K-2 students’ reading growth this year.
Go Math (Grades K-6)
Please note that Student Editions and Practice Books are combined in our Go Math Program so pages may be incorrect. Please use the chapter and section as your guide.
Kindergarten: Student Edition | Practice Book (HW) Animated Math Models
1st Grade: Student Edition | Practice Book (HW) Animated Math Models
2nd Grade: Student Edition | Practice Book (HW) Animated Math Models
3rd Grade: Student Edition | Practice Book (HW) Animated Math Models
4th Grade: Student Edition | Practice Book (HW) Animated Math Models
5th Grade: Student Edition | Practice Book (HW) Animated Math Models
6th Grade: Student Edition
Sadlier Religion Textbook Resource
Please note that this is not a digital edition of the workbook, yet rather a resource to be used to help supplement the children’s instruction.
National Junior Honor Society (Grades 6-8)
The purpose of the Sister Maura Clarke National Junior Honor Society is to create enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote leadership, to develop character, and to encourage good citizenship in the students of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy. Learn More
Fountas and Pinnell Leveling
At Saint Francis de Sales Catholic Academy, we use the Fountas and Pinnell Leveling system to determine each child’s reading level. It is very important for each child to be instructed at their individual level. Leveled books allow students to read and comprehend various types of texts, exposing them to information and vocabulary they can understand. This allows them to gain background knowledge that will help them move onto higher-level texts. It also promotes reading success for all students!
– Literacy Overview
– 10 Ways Families Can Help Their Children Become Better Readers
– Independent Reading Guidelines
Test Results
2018 Terranova Results: Grade 3 | Grade 4 | Grade 5 | Grade 6 | Grade 7 | Grade 8
2019 Terranova Results: Kindergarten| 1st Grade | 2nd Grade
2018-2019 New York State Testing Comparison
| 2019 NYS
Testing Program |
New York State
(includes all Public and Charter Schools in NY State – no Nonpublic Schools data) |
New York City
( only NY City Public Schools – no Charter Schools, no Nonpublic Schools data) |
Diocese of Brooklyn
(Academies and Schools within the Diocese with appropriate grade levels tested) |
St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy |
| Grade 4-ELA | 47.7% | 49.6% | 54.7% | 52.3% |
| Grade 6-ELA | 47.1% | 48.4% | 59.8% | 54.4% |
| Grade 7-ELA | 39.7% | 42.7 % | 54.9% | 53.6% |
| Grade 4-Math | 50.4% | 49.4% | 51.3% | 62.8% |
| Grade 6-Math | 47.0% | 43.9% | 43.7% | 66.7% |
| Grade 7-Math | 43.5% | 42.1% | 42.4% | 57.1% |
| Grade 4-Science | N/A | N/A | 93.9% | 100% |
| Grade 8- Science | N/A | N/A | 69.7% | 95.2% |
| Earth Science Regents | N/A | N/A | 72.9% | 82.9% |
| Integrated Algebra Regents | N/A | N/A | 89.8% | 100% |
Curriculum Enhancements
Starting in the 2018-2019 School Year our Junior High Students will have the opportunity to work on their Foreign Language skills both in school and at home through Rosetta Stone Education. Through this blended approach students with limited or no exposure to a language develop everyday conversational skills by
- Self-paced immersion environment
- Lessons, games, activities, and stories
- Technology-assisted learning
- Vocabulary building
This also allows students to refine and expand their existing language skills by
- Promoting literacy and thought processes
- Advanced oral production
- Writing for specific purposes
- Supports transition to proficiency
Our 6th graders each spring particpate in BALLROOM BASIX which is a non-competitive, arts-in-education initiative headquartered in Harlem that is committed to the development of students social and fitness skills through the fundamentals of Ballroom and Latin dancing. By reinforcing the etiquette inherent in partner dance rotationally and respectfully. The program instills self-worth, physical well-being and cooperation among all the children it serves. The experience is further enhanced by the history, geography and multiculturalism included in our fun-filled, creative curriculum.
LabLearner™ is a 100% research-based, comprehensive, hands-on science education system aimed at illuminating and clarifying science in a way that is most understood and retained by students in the Preschool to 8th grade range. Developed by scientists and educators with years of experience and research in their fields, LabLearner combines scientific evidence with classroom trends to create a science program that’s easily absorbed and applied. LabLearner aims to promote interaction and experimentation in a laboratory setting to encourage diverse learning and thinking strategies, fostering a community atmosphere of learning!
Useful Information
Volunteering
For the safety and well being of each and every child in our school, all volunteers must go through the following process:
1) Read and sign a code of conduct
2) Have a background check
3) Take part in the VIRTUS program. (Register at virtusonline.org. Download the registration guide.)
After completing the VIRTUS Program we ask that you please bring to the office a copy of your certificate for us to keep track of in our database. We hope that this is not an inconvenience for anyone, but we need to be sure that all adults who interact with students are in compliance.
Lunch Duty Volunteer
Thank you to all who are willing to participate in the Grades 1-8 Lunch Program for the 2017-2018 school year. You may pick up to 2 slots every week.
You will be reminded of the slots you have chosen via email a day before the assignment.
The following is a review of how the program works:
The lunch period runs from 11:55am to 12:25pm (Grades 1-4) or from 12:30pm to 1:00pm (Grades 5-8) each full day of school. Please come to the school between 11:40am and 11:50am or 12:15pm and 12:25pm respectively.
Some days classes will be in the classroom while other days classes will be in the Small Hall.
The Lunch Program book and an index card for the available classes will be on a table in the entrance hall at 11:40am and 12:15pm. Take a card for one class, sign your name in the book, and list the class that you will be supervising. At the end of the lunch period, return your card and you will be reimbursed $10 from the lunch fee paid in January 2017.
St. Vincent de Paul Christian Service Program
This program is designed to help develop the junior high students into people of compassion and knowledge, people committed to justice, and people for others. During three years at Saint Francis, students will provide service to the greater communities of Belle Harbor, Breezy Point and the Rockaways. The hope is that through service, the students will become aware of their responsibility to be of service to all. The development of community, both within and outside the walls of Saint Francis, is a vital goal of the St. Vincent de Paul Christian Service Program and Saint Francis de Sales Catholic Academy. This service is also part of preparing our students for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Learn More
Bus Information
Bus info at New York City Office of Pupil Transportation
Immunization Information
As of June 13, 2019, public, private and parochial schools and child care programs in New York can no longer accept requests for religious exemptions from school immunization requirements. This law applies to students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade and to all child care settings. Schools and child care programs will continue to accept medical exemptions.
Children who had a religious exemption and who will be returning in the 2019-20 school year must meet immunization requirements in order to attend school. Children who have not received all required immunizations must receive the first dose in each immunization series within 14 calendar days after the first day of school or enrollment in child care. Within 30 calendar days of the first day of school, parents or guardians of such children will also need to show that they have scheduled appointments for all follow-up doses.
Medical Exemptions: The Immunization Medical Exemption Form from the DOH must used when parents are requiring a medical exemption.
This Medical Exemption Form must be given to the nurse upon receipt from the parents.
Annual Physical Examination Form (CH205)
PDHP and St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy present the following offerings for the 2019-2020 School Year
SINGLE SESSION WORKSHOPS FOR PARENTS
Preventive Parents: Monday October 28th (7pm-8pm)
What you should know about drug trends and how and when to speak to your child about them
See You Later, Alligator: Monday May 11th (7pm-8pm)
Strategies for letting go, skills for supporting, and self- care for connecting for the early childhood parent.
FAMILY FUN NIGHT: Thursday March 12th 2020 (6pm-7:30pm)
Families of Grades K-6
Maximum 50 participants
Interactive Activities and Games to Enhance Social Skills, Physical Literacy, Cooperation, Communication, and Family Bonding
Guiding Good Choices: Two Offerings
Offering #1: Thursdays October 10th, 17th, 24th, and November 7th, 14th 7pm-8:30pm (Makeup session: 11/21)
Offering #2: Thursdays January 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th and February 6th 7pm-8:30pm (Makeup session: 2/13)
Parents of 4th-8th Graders
Are you a parent of a “tween?” A “tween” is a youngster who is too old to be called a child and too young to be called a teenager; they are certainly “be-tween.” If you are the parent of a “tween,” then this workshop is for you. Guiding Good Choices is a five session workshop designed to: Empower parents, Support each other, Learn tools, Strengthen family connections, and help children develop healthy behavior as they approach adolescence.
Our presenter for all the above will be Cary Anne Fitzgerald, the Parent and Community Outreach Coordinator for the Program for the Development of Human Potential (PDHP).