Dear Parents:

On behalf of the students, faculty, and administration of Saint Francis DeSales High School I would like to wish each of you  a happy Catholic Schools Week; moreover, I wish to express my sincere gratitude for your unquestionable dedication and commitment to Catholic education.

As a faith community we are blessed each year to get a jump on the national celebration of Catholic schools week by celebrating the Feast day of our Patron Saint on January 24th.  This Mass is always powerful as it is traditionally led by our Bishop and our feeder school Pastors.  Such was the case last Tuesday as we welcomed The Most Reverend Frederick Campbell and our Pastors who led us in a beautiful celebration of the Eucharist. The day was made complete with a luncheon attended by our feeder school Pastors, Principals, and students. The luncheon provided our student leaders with an opportunity to address the impact that Catholic education has had on their lives.  To say I was proud of them would be a large understatement.  My conversation with the kids following the luncheon provided me with additional evidence that they truly understand the responsibilities inherent to their faith-based education; moreover, they appreciate and embrace the leadership role they will be asked to play as young people as they endeavor to make our community and world a better place. 

The feeling of energy and hope that I received at this event has been affirmed by the various activities associated with our Catholic Schools Week celebration.  Once again our students have chosen to celebrate this festive week by serving others.  As you are aware, our students are currently involved in a Military Care Package Drive for the soldiers who are serving in Afghanistan and they also raised funds for Breast Cancer research.  It is especially gratifying to see them demonstrate the Gospel values through their actions.

As we bring a successful close to our week-long celebration of Catholic Schools Week I wish to thank you, our parents, for cultivating appreciation in our young people for what the gift of a faith-based education empowers them to do in their lives. Please know that our students, faculty, and administration hold you and your family in our prayers.

Peace and God's Blessings,

Dan Garrick '79

The Mothers Club is a service organization that is open to all women involved in the St. Francis DeSales community.  We are involved in many school activities such as the Mother/Daughter Luncheon, the Father/Son Luncheon, After Prom, and Spirit Day.  We organize the Used Uniform Sales, student birthday signs, Campbell's Labels for Education Program, and the Cat's Meow collectible series.  We also fund scholarships including the Barbara O'Riordan Memorial Scholarship and senior scholarships at the luncheons. We use any profits from our events to purchase items to enhance the school.  In the past, the Mothers Club has paid to repair the air conditioning in the chapel and the trainer's room.  Most recently, we purchased new drinking fountains and hand dryers for the restrooms near the gymnasium. 

The Mothers Club meets the second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 pm in the Franciscan Center. Our next meeting is on February 8, 2012.   Please join us!  We are in need of volunteers to help with our upcoming events.  Please consider helping with any of the following:

Mother Daughter Luncheon - Chairperson Tracey Moody: traceymoody@att.net

The event will be held on Sunday, March 25 at Villa Milano from 1:00-4:00.  Help is requested in planning the event, donating items for gift baskets, or working at the event.

Father Son Luncheon - Chairperson Kris Ryan: keryanteach@att.net

The event will be held on Sunday, April 29 in the SFDHS Cafeteria from 1:00-3:00.  Help is needed in planning and working the event.

After Prom - Chairperson Kris Ryan: keryanteach@att.net

The event is held on Sunday, May 20 at  Magic Mountain from 12am - 3am.  Help is needed in planning and working the event.

Bake Sale - Contact person:  Peggy Griffith: griffith@cdeducation.org

Bakers are needed!!  The first Mothers Club bake sale will be held during lunch periods on Wednesday, February 15.  Baked goods can be sent to school that morning.  Send all items to Room 112.  Thanks in advance for your help!

School Uniforms

We have been noticing some issues with our student's uniforms of late and we ask that parents please help us to get all our students into compliance.  We are seeing some students wearing tennis shoes and remind everyone that the dress code calls for black, brown or tan DRESS shoes only.  We are also noticing that some of the young ladies skirts are shorter than the one inch above the knee that the handbook states they should be at.  We ask that all skirts are in compliance on Monday. We will be writing uniform violations for those who do not comply.  The young men should have their collars buttoned and their ties up so they cover the first button on the shirt.   Please refer to the link below if you have any question on the permitted colors for shirts, socks or tights.

http://www.stfrancisdesaleshs.org/teacher-web-sites/dean-bill-steller 

Traffic Flow After School

Please be aware that the traffic pattern from 7am to 3:30pm is one way, entering from the north driveway and exiting through the south driveway.  There are parents trying to exit the north driveway afterschool and it is creating a dangerous situation for those following the traffic pattern and the students exiting the building.  It would be terrible if a student or parent was hurt in an accident due to the carelessness of an impatient driver.  Please follow the one way traffic pattern for everyone's safety.

Procedure for students who are feeling ill during school  

Students should report to the office to speak with an administrator. An administrator will see the student and give them the ok to call home if they feel they should go home. Students are NOT to text or call parents to pick them up without an administrator's approval. Students who text or call their parents from their cell phones will receive a cell phone violation.  

2012 Alumni Awards of Distinction: St. Francis DeSales High School would like to celebrate the accomplishments of members of the DeSales family with the 7th annual Alumni Awards of Distinction.  If you feel you know someone deserving of this award, please honor them with a nomination. The nomination deadline is March 16, 2012.  Applications are available on the DeSales website under the Alumni & Friends tab. 

Attention Juniors: Otterbein University will host a week long workshop for academically talented rising seniors. The seminar is called the Martin Essex School for the Gifted and Talented. It will be held June 17-23 at the cost of $500. Scholarships are available. See Guidance Counselor Ms. Costello for more details. Deadline is February 15, 2012.   

The Shamrock Club of Columbus Msgr. J. Colby Grimes Memorial Scholarship has arrived in the Guidance office. One student from each of the catholic high schools who is a current freshman, sophomore or junior who meets the criteria is eligible. To view more information about the scholarship requirements as well to download the application, please click here. A reminder that all scholarships not funded by the school's benefactors can be found on the school's website on the Guidance page. Click here for listing.    

CiCi's Pizza proudly supports the SFDHS Business Club! Come to CiCi's Pizza (Stoneridge in Gahanna) on February 6 from 4-9 p.m. and mention our school and the Business Club. 10% of the sales will go to the club. If you order take out, sales will also be donated to the Business Club. Check out their special: 3 medium (one topping) pizzas for $9.99!     

An Ohio Graduation Test Preparation workshop will be offered the week of February 13. Please contact Assistant Principal Jim Jones at 614-267-7808 ext. 115 or jijones@cdeducation.org to sign up. Attached is the OGT workshop calendar.