From the Coordinator of Youth Ministry

Hurry up and wait!

Many of you are aware that the first candle in the Advent wreath is lit to symbolize the theological virtue of Hope. As I reflect on hope as a reality in my life and in the life of this community, I can't help but think of the words of Vaclav Havel (look him up if this is a new name for you!): "Hope is a state of mind, not of the world. Hope...is not the same as joy that things are going well, or willingness to invest in enterprises that are obviously heading for success, but rather an ability to work for something because it is good." I see evidence daily that folks at St. Francis bear this state of mind and are committed, collectively, to working for things because they are good. Students have stepped up, yet again, to support Grind Out Hunger in the Holiday Food Drive; staff and faculty joined the student body to celebrate Halloween; Animas and other student leaders hosted 8th graders from partner schools at Camp St. Francis for our annual 8th Grade Retreat. In dozens of other ways, daily, we see hope exemplified in the lives of our students, faculty, staff, and wider community.

 As much as we work for these good things, we know that we might not be around to see the results of all of our good work. Even as we contribute to the Holiday Food Drive, we don't presume we will see the end of childhood hunger; those seniors who help plan the 8th grade retreat each year do not themselves get to see those prospective students become Sharks.  And yet we do the work and know that it is good. And, in these hopeful endeavors, we might recognize the importance of that first Advent candle. Christmas will come. We do believe Jesus was, and is, born into this world. And yet, we celebrate the waiting. In a culture of instant information, communication, and satisfaction, we train ourselves to wait. Because the most important things are worth waiting, and hoping, for.

Happy Advent to all!

Sincerely,

Congratulation to the newly-accepted members of the National Honor Society: Camille Baylis, Catarina Bianchi, Nicholas Deleissegues,Natalia Camacho, Kayla Colendich, Luke Colosi, Paul Colosi, Cameron Croghan, Marissa DeVogelaere, Anna Erickson, Drew Kreeft, Ryan Locatelli, Sam Magno, Cassie Nunez, Kiko Ragsac, Shelby Robinett,Allan Stamm, Katia Tinetti, and Valentina Velasquez.

Membership in the National Honor Society is open to St. Francis juniors and seniors who have an overall cumulative 3.67 grade point average or higher. These students are invited by the St. Francis faculty to submit a curriculum vitae outlining their qualifications for membership in the Society.  A faculty review committee selects qualified applicants and the new members are inducted into the society during a special ceremony. National Honor Society members are required to maintain both academic and personal excellence, and to provide leadership and service to their campus community.

Counselor Newsletter- December 2014

All Students: Strategies for Semester Exams:  Ms. Tish Green, Counselor, offers the following advice for students as they anticipate their semester exams:  The best preparation for finals is the timely completion of currently required work, daily study, and keeping corrected papers organized.  Be sure to save your old tests to use as study guides. Students should spend approximately about 20 minutes each school day devoted to the review of learned materials using the available resources (notes, textbooks, handouts, and graded papers).

Test anxiety is a common complaint among students. Here are some helpful hints:

• Pay attention in class by participating and staying focused...sit upright in your chair and take notes to help stay focused.

• Analyze the types of tests the instructor gives. What are the expectations?   Study a little each night; DO NOT leave all the studying to the night before. "Cramming" creates more anxiety.

• When waiting for the test in the room, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and blow it out slowly (a "cleansing" breath).  Repeat the process three times, then continue to breathe calmly. Think positive thughts and calm the spirit by envisioning yourself doing well on this exam. This only takes 20-30 seconds, but can have long-lasting benefits!

• Read all directions on the test before beginning.  

• Look at the essay questions at the back of the test.  Do a "Mind Dump" on the back side of the test...just putting down all the facts you remember about the essay topic.  As you go through the test you may remember more...jot the new information down in the "dump" notes to write about later.

• Decide how much time to spend on each section of the examination and start by answering the easy questions first. Strive to answer all the questions within the allotted time, but remember to leave time for the essays.  If you see you are running out of time, start the essay(s); they are usually worth more points so you want to complete them to the best of your ability.

• If unsure of a particular answer, put a question mark by it so that you can return to it later if times allows.

• Don't get stuck on any one question. Keep moving forward!

PSAT Results: During the month of January, the sophomores and juniors will receive their PSAT test results from the tests taken in October 2014.  Results will be distributed in theology classes along with the test booklet and correct answers.  A review of how to interpret their scores will be held at that time.  Juniors are urged to review the test and work on incorrect answers before taking SAT exams in the spring.

International Junior Students and Host Families:  It is time to register for the TOEFL English Language Test. This test is an important part of the U.S. college application process. Go towww.ets.org/toefl to register.  For more information about the TOEFL and the preparation needed for International students, please go to www.international.collegeboard.org   or see Mrs. Green as soon as possible.

Seniors and their parents will need to go on-line this month to register for the PIN (Personal Identification Number).   Each student and one parent should register for a PIN. The PIN allows the parent and student to file and sign the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) electronically to save time.  Go to  www.pin.ed.gov orwww.fafsa.ed.gov to register.

• Remember only one parent and the student should have a PIN.

• All 4 year college-bound students/parents should file a FAFSA, even if you do not think you will receive federal or state monies.  Filing the FAFSA allows your student to receive college scholarships and loans for college.  NO FAFSA, NO LOANS or Scholarships!   The filing period is January 1 to March 2, 2015. Remember that the money runs out quickly; file early!!!

• St. Francis counseling department will file the Cal Grant GPA Verification forms for all seniors who have returned signed permission forms.  The forms were given out to all seniors at the beginning of November and must be returned to Ms. Green no later than December 20th.  If a student needs a form, see Mrs. Green ASAP. This is one step in the financial aid process that could net free money for college.

• Senior parents should begin putting their 2014 income tax information together to be ready to file the FAFSA in January.  Remember that you should "guess-timate" your income based on last year's income when filing the FAFSA.  You will be able to correct the numbers later in the year when you have prepared your taxes, so don't wait on your tax return to be prepared to file the FAFSA.

Check out the St. Francis website and use the Counseling tab to find helpful links and college information on Financial Aid, new scholarship information, and other great resources.

College Financial Aid Help Available soon for Seniors and their Parents: Cabrillo College will be holding FAFSA Fridays workshops-dates to be announced on Cabrillo's website.    Financial aid help is available to help you fill out the FAFSA and get your questions answered.  Call 831-479-6415 for more information.  

A few Animas updates:

• The olive oil charity fundraiser was a success! Thank you to those who contributed and sold and/or bought olive oil. The product will be delivered before next Friday (12/12), so that it can be delivered to friends and family in time for Christmas.

Seniors serving up the Feast for Hunger, which raised about $200 for the Holiday Food Drive. 

• The Class of 2015 stepped up to run the Grind Out Hunger campaign. Thank you to the seniors who reminded us, not just with words, but by their example, how critical it is to support those in need.

• This Thursday, December 4, the Class of 2016 will launch the campaign for the KSBW Share Your Holidays event and they need your help! Students in all classes will have the chance to grab a gift tag for a young person in need. Please help us out by delivering new, unwrapped toys to school by Tuesday, December 9. Following the December 12 Christmas Rally, the Watsonville Fire Department will assist us in delivering the toys to California Giant Berry Cooler. Look for us on KSBW at 3:15 p.m. on December 12.

• The Class of 2018 has stepped up! Not only were a number of Freshmen helping direct the action at our 8th Grade Retreat, but 26 members of the class have applied for Animas! This is a great tribute not only to the success of the Animas program, but also to the interest on the part of the Class of 2018 in becoming leaders on campus. Way to go, Freshmen!

• Speaking of Freshmen...this Saturday, December 6 from 7:30-9:30 p.m. is Vita! Freshmen, do not miss this opportunity to come together for an exciting and culturally-stimulating event. If you're intrigued, we'll see you on campus in the Art Room at 7:30p.m. on Saturday. Parents, please note the times and be prompt in drop off and pick up.

Robotics Club - More than meets the eye! 

My name is Adam Kahn and I am currently a Freshman at St. Francis High School. This year, I established a Robotics Club with 15 of my classmates. We are all very passionate about robotics, electrical engineering, and computer science.

My background as a robotics fanatic has been teaching grade school children Lego NXT robotics and programming. I built my first computer when I was 14 years old.  I recently started a Lego EV3 robotics program at the City of Gilroy's Youth Center and volunteer to teach the after school students.

Our newly-established robotics club at St. Francis High has all of the enthusiasm and motivation we need, but currently lacks any funding for the purchase of supplies and for the support of the club. We are seeking your tax-deductible financial sponsorship in order to fulfill our dream of designing, building, and competing in VEX Robotics Competitions.   

We hope that your support will give the students of St. Francis High School the opportunity to develop designs, become proficient in the use of software and hardware, learn project management, develop strategic thinking skills, and become fluent in programing, while also improving team-working abilities.  

In order to begin our robotic engineering endeavor, we are in need of funds to purchase all of our VEX Robotics supplies, including spare parts and tools, batteries and chargers, a programming cable, power strip, laptop computer, VEX software, engineering notebooks, and competition fees. Our estimated start up cost is $5,000.00.

My future plans are to enter a professional career in the innovative computer science and robotics industry. I am very excited about the prospect of this experience--of running a successful robotics team to further develop my skills while sharing this amazing opportunity with my fellow team members.

Community Service Projects

Please find below a list of community service projects your student may be interested in. This organization, YouthSERVE, has been approved by Mrs. McLeod for service hours. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Jason Pell at (831) 427-5070 x119, americorps@scvolunteercenter.org.

• Senior Tech Day Fall Schedule @ Louden Nelson Community Center, 12:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. on December 6th and December 20th.

• Senior Tech Day Fall Schedule @ Watsonville Community Hospital (Senior Circle Room), 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on December 13th