Dear Parents,

We are excited about the 2016-2017 school year, and want to make sure you have everything needed for a great start.  We are in office daily until the first day of school.  Please feel free to contact us if we can assist in any way. 

May God bless your family this summer as you prepare for the new academic year.

Sincerely,

Nathan Wright
Principal
Our theme this year is "Remain in Me"

"I am the Vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in Me, and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing."  John 15:5

Join us as we unite our lives to Jesus every day this year.
Calling all Uniforms!  If you have uniforms you do not need, please drop them off at our office daily. If you need uniforms, you are welcome to visit our uniform closet this summer. Please visit the office for the key.
YOUR HOME AND SCHOOL IS ON THE MOVE!

YOUR 2016-2017 EXECUTIVE BOARD


 PRESIDENT: JAMIE BAGUER

 VICE PRESIDENT: LORIEN HALE

2ND VICE PRESIDENT: MARY ZARATE

TREASURER: DEDE TYNES

SECRETARY: PAMELA BURNS

HSA Projects this summer  
 ***Gaga Pit will be constructed***
 ***New Recess equipment and shed*** 
***New Basketball pole padding and nets*** ***Commercial grade 2 way safety radios*** 
***New Lock down safety hardware for rooms*** ***Added emergency lighting in school***
What is a Gaga Pit???
 
"GaGa Ball is believed to have originated in Israel, and slowly spread across the U.S. over several decades. Ga means "hit" or "touch" in Hebrew. In the rules of GaGa ball, the ball must touch the ground two times before it is considered in play, hence the name. GaGa Ball consists of a lightweight bouncy or foam ball and an octagon enclosure known as the "GaGa Ball Pit." The object of the game is to hit the ball at or below opponents' knees to eliminate them from the pit. The last one left in the GaGa Ball Pit is the winner.
 
What makes GaGa Ball great is that kids of any size, age, or athletic ability can play and have the same chance to win as anybody else. Games generally last only a few minutes, and eliminated players are back in the action quickly. Once a player is out, they can have as much fun watching and cheering while the other players finish off the game. Then, a new game starts all over, and you're back in action again."





We are ordering the hardware for a Gaga pit similar to the one pictured.  We will provide the wood and will construct next to the playground. If you have an interest in helping with construction, please contact Jamie Baguer at jbaguer2@gmail.com
 

We are partnering with the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Learning Center for a Back to School project.  The center is a ministry of Holy Rosary Catholic Church , and serves the children of Gate City.

Please bring any of the following to the Hot dog Social on August 4th.

*** Pencils...mechanical and regular***
***Composition notebooks***
***Clorox wipes***
***Hand sanitizer***


 Mary Kaye Gubenski, director of the center, will have a table for collections, and  will also be available to share how you can be involved with this special ministry.  Thank you!
PARTICIPATE IN SFX SPORTS!
 
Tonya Balducci is the Athletic director at St. Francis Xavier Church.  Deadline for sign ups: August 19th!  Tonya will have a table set up at the Hotdog social to answer all your questions.  

SFX VOLLEYBALL REGISTRATION

SFX Youth Sports will offer teams for boys and girls in grades 3rd-6th and girls in 7th & 8th grade provided there are enough children interested in each age group.  Registration fees are $80 for the first child and $60 for each additional child.  Make checks payable to St. Francis Xavier Church.  Registration forms and fees must be received no later than Thursday August 19th.  To register CLICK HERE.
 
SFX SOCCER REGISTRATION

SFX Youth Sports will offer teams for boys and girls in grades K-8th grade provided there are enough children interested in each age group.  Registration fees are $120 for the first child and $80 for each additional child.  Make checks payable to St. Francis Xavier Church. Registration forms and fees must be received no later than Thursday August 19th.  To register CLICK HERE . 

Questions please contact Tonya Balducci at 205-283-0453 or tonyabalducci@yahoo.com  
What? Hotdog Social  
When? August 4th at 6:00 
Where? Parish Hall 
Who? All parents and children 
Cost?  FREE!  Just RSVP on our Back to School survey

Do you have a ministry, club, or program that is offered to our families?  If so, please contact the office to sign up for a table at the social.  We will have a tables so that our families can be connected with great opportunities at our school. 
 
NEW VIRTUE EDUCATION PROGRAM!
We are adopting a virtue program titled "Disciples of Christ, Education in Virtue" by the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  The Catechism teaches "Human virtues are firm attitudes, stable dispositions, habitual perfections of intellect and will that govern our actions, order our passions, and guide our conduct according to reason and faith."  Or in the words of the program, "To put it simply, the disciple must possess the knowledge of both truth and love."  We desire that our students both know the truth, and are able to transform their actions in love of God and neighbor.  

The program will contain powerful lessons by our teachers, and monthly challenges to practice specific virtues.  We look forward to sharing this wonderful resource, and partnering with you in a virtuous life for our families.  You can learn more about the program HERE.
Calling all dads!  On the afternoon of Thursday, August 4th from 2:00-4:00 and Friday anytime our teachers will have a list of things they need help with.  Please sign up in the "Back to School survey" if you can help.  We will email all volunteers the tasks so you can be prepared with any specific tools, etc.  Thank you, it means the world for our teachers to everything just right for the start of school!
Help links (Click links below to view)


WELCOME NEW TEACHERS!  
Emily Bazeddi: MS Social Studies and 6th HR

Ms. Emily Bazeddi is a product of Catholic schools at both St. Barnabas School and John Carroll Catholic High School. She taught Middle school Social studies, Religion, and ELA at St. Francis Xavier School for over 10 years until the end of the 2013-2014 school year.  Mrs. Bazeddi recently obtained a Masters in Education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.  Mrs. Bazeddi and her husband Mohamed have three sons ages 11, 6, and 2. The Bazeddi family lives in Cahaba Heights. Mrs. Bazeddi and her family are members of Our Lady of Sorrows parish. Her interests include reading, cooking, travelling, and spending time with her family. Content area concentrations include the framing of the US Constitution and the Ancient Near East. She looks forward teaching the students at St. Francis Xavier School, and participating in a rich tradition of Catholic education. 

Tim Queern: Technology Teacher

Mr. Queern recently moved from the St. Louis area to Birmingham with his wife and two children.  He is a graduate of Southern Illinois University earning a BA and MA in education.  He is a product of the Belleville Catholic School system having attended grades K-12.  He has also spent nine of his ten years as an educator in Catholic schools.  He is excited to continue his vocation at St. Francis Xavier Catholic School and looks forward to sharing his gifts and talents with the school community.

Christy Zinser: After School Care Director

Ms. Zinser has worked with our After School Care program for the past 2 years.  She is excited to build a great program at our school that includes a safe, healthy environment for our students, and also provide guidance and routine in order for our students to continue their growth and their education outside of the classroom.  

Welcome to all our new faculty and staff!  We pray that God will be with you as you prepare to work with our students.
 
Make sure you fill out the "Back to School Survey" by July 29th.  Thank you! CLICK HERE FOR THE SURVEY

See you soon!

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