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SFPA News and Announcements LINK
SFPA Board Meeting
The next SFPA Board Meeting will be held Monday, September 14th from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in Room E1(Art Room).
All parents and guardians of students attending St. Francis are members of the St. Francis Parents Association (SFPA) and are welcome to attend the monthly meetings. Check out our link on the school website for more information LINK
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From the Admissions Office:
If you would still like to set up a shadow date, please contact Marie Marheineke in the Admissions office. 831-724-5933 or mariemarheineke@stfrancishigh.net
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Go to greatschools.org and complete write a review for St. Francis Central Coast Catholic High School. We appreciate your support and welcome your input on growing St. Francis. Share your student's and your stories, then keep track for your service hours. Completion of this activity will count as 1-hour for your 2015-2016 parent service hours.
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Check out our new Bingo section on the school's website:
LINK
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St. Francis High School
Salesian College Preparatory
2400 East Lake Ave.
Watsonville, CA 95076
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Service hours in RenWeb
Students are now able to check their service hours on RenWeb. The SF graduation requirement is 80 hours. If you want to know how many you have done, please go here for instructions: LINK
If you have any question or concerns about your service hours, please contact Ms. McLeod.
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Double Your Impact....It's Not Too Late!
Did you know that on average, one in 10 companies match employee donations?
By simply completing a matching-gift form from your company you may be able to double-or even triple-the impact of your donation to St. Francis. If you volunteer with us your employer may provide us with a grant as a way to recognize your ongoing support. Most employers include spouses and retirees in their matching-gift program.
As a supporter of St. Francis, you know that contributions of any amount help us do more for our student's.
To find out if your employer has a matching-gift program, just click this link
https://doublethedonation.com/sfhs
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Costa Rica Informational Meeting
There will be a meeting on Wednesday, September 23 at 6:00pm in the Art Room (E1) to discuss the Spring Break trip to Costa Rica! All students and parents are welcome to attend.
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iPad tips: LINK
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Dear St. Francis Families and
Friends,
With the start of the school year comes the end of the summer - my favorite time of year. It is not because students and staff are off, but rather the days are longer and warmer and I get to spend a little more time with family and friends. Before you know it, we'll be turning our clocks back an hour this November and celebrating the holiday season with family and friends. But before fall creeps in, I often reminisce about those great summer moments through those great summer songs by Bob Seger and Don Henley, or any of the "Summertime" songs just to name a few. A few of the students will know one or two of these songs, but most of the parents will remember them - i.e. from Ella Fitzgerald's "Summertime" to Sublime's own rendition. Along with this musical nostalgia comes the farewells to last year's graduates as they transition off to university life. This week alone we saw Jessica, Emily, Abigail, and Erica visit us before journeying to college. Today, I was able to meet up with Izzy to hear the stories of her pilgrimage to Italy with Br. Al and the young Salesian Cooperators from around the world. I am eternally happy for each one of them but sad to see them leave our great school. During this same time period I received an email from an alumni parent who has allowed me to share it with you:
"Mr. Lee:
Go ahead and share my email. I think it is important for parents attending St. Francis to hear just how well your staff prepares kids for college and for life...I hope the year is starting off on a good foot, too. We are on our way to Chapman as I write this email. Kellie's college experience is about to begin. We are so excited for her though it is bittersweet. As you know we have no kids at home. I know she will do well. She has her classes mapped out, she is trying out for the softball team, and she has already applied for five office jobs on campus. Her dad and I believe she has set her goals high and that she will accomplish them. Thanks to the St. Francis staff for preparing her for this adventure.
Her brother Matthew is up in Washington staying at his friend's until college starts on the 31st. We just learned he got a job on campus with the school newspaper.
It is hard to believe he is a sophomore in college now. He did extremely well his first year. We will see how he does this year since a majority of his classes are in his engineering major. How is the biomedical science program going? Matthew and Kellie just missed that. Best wishes for a successful year at St Francis. I'll be around for sharks football and Bingo because you know I am a strong supporter of St. Francis. Although we had to pay for our son and daughter's education, it was money well spent.
If I had to do it over again, I wouldn't change a thing. St. Francis gave our children the feeling of family, community, college preparation, and that the staff are genuinely concerned for all students. We will always be a part of the Shark family. Have a good day Mr. Lee, and I will keep you up to date on their progress."
As I said at the Back to School talk in the BAC last week, we want to partner with you and your student to achieve excellence in a safe, welcoming, family environment. The opportunities are here, and the support is here. You and your student just need to fully participate. I know our teachers, coaches, and staff are 100% committed to you and your child as well. It is my vision that we validate that partnership every day with you and your student.
To that end, one of my goals this year as Principal is to promote a positive, Salesian School Climate for Learning. This is critically important as we welcome students from four counties and multiple countries who may not be Catholic and/or may not have attended a parochial school in the past. With such diversity on campus, we want to support student and parent connectedness to our school; engage and motivate students to participate in their learning; and we want to ensure that we support and promote a respectful learning environment. I asked for student recommendations and invited representatives from each grade level to gather this last week. We held our first Salesian School Climate Committee meeting to discuss our goals and do a quick, informal survey of where we are now and what we would like to see our school climate like in the future. We will meet once a month during school hours and 1-2 times at night with staff and parents to create an action plan. This student and data-driven action plan will be unveiled in the spring of 2016. I have also applied for a grant through the Harvard Graduate School of Education to become a fully funded partner in the "Making Caring Count" national school climate program. Harvard will provide training and surveys for us to collect data to help drive school improvement towards our Salesian School Climate goal. The online surveys will be administered nationally to students, parents, and staff in October of 2015. Our Salesian School Climate Committee will meet monthly throughout the year to see how we are doing and where we can continue to improve. If, as a parent or an alumnus, you have an interest in joining our committee then please contact me.
With excitement we are launching headfirst into academics, choir, music ministry, sports, service, class officers and Animas, and then the growth of a pep band. Please join us in being fully vested in your student's life and the lives of all of our students. St. Francis is a great place to call your home!
Yours in Christ,
President and Principal
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Burgundy & Gray
The Burgundy & Gray event is just a little over a month away! Auction items are starting to roll in. Among them are a wonderful quilt made from SFHS-logo wear and 4 tickets to the Oct 11th Oakland Raiders/Denver Broncos game along with a framed, signed Broncos jersey from SF alum, Ty Sambrailo.
For art lovers, we have an original oil painting from San Juan Bautista artist, Georgesse Gomez.
For those who love to travel, we are auctioning off a flat in Florence, Italy for the week of June 5-11, 2016.
We have received a large assortment of religious artifacts that includes a collection of crosses made by local artists.
Thank you to families who have already made their auction contribution. We look forward to seeing what auction items our parent community donates to The Burgundy & Gray!
If you have any questions, please contact co-chairs Cynthia Baylis at 831-763-7994 or cynthia.baylis@languagelogic.net, or Megan Martinelli at 831-332-9108 or megan@ruders.org.
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My Pilgrimage Experience: Bicentennial of Saint John Bosco's Birth
I was given the once in a lifetime opportunity to travel to Torino (Turin), Italy, to celebrate the 200th birthday of one of the most extraordinary people to ever be alive- John Bosco. This experience allowed me to learn more about the life of Don Bosco, to grow in my faith, and to truly understand what it means to be Salesian. Fifty-eight countries were present at this celebration of Don Bosco's birth, adding up to approximately 7,000 people from all around the world.
My experience was truly spectacular. I hopped on a plane with sixteen other Salesians of the Western United States Province and flew to Italy on August 9, 2015. It was a pleasure to stay at a high school dedicated to Don Bosco in Turin, Italy, also known as Liceo Salesiano Valsalice. I had the opportunity to visit Valdocco, where Don Bosco's first Oratory is located, as well as his house- where he celebrated his last Mass, and passed away. I saw the Chapel of Saint Francis de Sales, built by Don Bosco, that became a favorite place for Dominic Savio. I was able to see the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, where Don Bosco is currently buried, that he built to express his deep and loving devotion to Mary. The Church of Saint John the Evangelist, also built by Don Bosco, commemorates Pope Pius IX for never losing faith in Don Bosco and his ministry towards the youth. I was able to visit the beautiful, baroque Sanctuary of our Lady of Consolata, which played an important role in Don Bosco's life. It was at the Consolata where Don Bosco immediately went to pray after his beloved mother, Mama Margaret, died. I was able to stand inside the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi, where Don Bosco celebrated his first Mass as a priest. I had the tremendous opportunity to walk around in the Cathedral of Turin, which is blessed to hold the sacred Shroud, the linen in which the image of Jesus is impressed. My most memorable part of this spiritual journey was walking three miles from Castelnuovo to Colle Don Bosco (Hill of Don Bosco) in the pouring rain with about 7,000 people from all around the world. It was at Colle Don Bosco, the birthplace of Don Bosco, where we celebrated the 200th birthday of Saint John Bosco on August 16, 2015, with a Mass led by the Rector Major, Don Ángel Fernández Artime, the tenth successor of Saint John Bosco.
This year's province wide and Saint Francis High School theme is "With Jesus, let us adventure in the Spirit." My pilgrimage experience in Italy exemplifies this theme. I was able to spend a week with Salesians from around the world; I had an opportunity to meet new people and experience diverse cultures. I was able to place myself in Don Bosco's shoes; to understand what life was like during his time. I caught myself saying quite often, "Don Bosco walked on this street," or "Don Bosco stood on this very exact spot I am standing on," or "Don Bosco actually built this." I was in awe throughout this whole journey; completely amazed by the life of Don Bosco. There was never a dull moment on this journey. What truly amazed me was seeing about 7,000 Salesians- made up of youth, priests, sisters, and Salesian Cooperators- coming together as a family. Everywhere I went, people were smiling, laughing, living a life of joy and optimism; there was constant singing, dancing, playing of musical instruments, and taking pictures with different countries. This is what being Salesian means- living a life full of happiness, being childlike, being like Don Bosco and committing oneself to service- especially for the youth and poor, and spreading the message of God's love to others. No words can completely describe what it was like to be on this pilgrimage; this is an experience I will never forget.
~Izzy Shahmirza (Class of 2015) |
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St. Francis: The Education of a Lifetime
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 Athletic News: Stay up to date by visiting our Department of Athletics site
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From the office of the Assistant Principal of Academics
Dear St. Francis Families,
Thank you for the wonderful turn out for Back-To-School Night. I know all of our teachers were excited to meet with you and share some of the wonderful things that will be happening in their classrooms this year. If you would like to meet individually with any of your student's teachers, please contact them directly and arrange a mutually agreeable time to meet.
Course schedule changes are now complete for the first semester. Please make sure you have access to RenWeb to monitor student performance in their academic classes. It is vitally important that parents are working together with teachers to help students succeed. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
David Cmaylo Assistant Principal of Academics
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Animas
September is an exciting month for the Animas team!
Grandparents Mass
Grandparents Day is on September 11. We welcome our grandparents and grandfriends on campus for breakfast and a mass. All are welcome to join us at 11:00 for mass that will be presided by our Provincial Fr. Ted.
Service Faire
On September 15 we will have a Service Faire on campus. We will have a variety of agencies on campus to promote how students can get involved through volunteering. It's never too early to start service hours.
Triduum September 16-18
Triduum is a Salesian tradition that dates back to the late 1800's. Fr. Bosco noticed when the boys would return back to school after summer break that their "clothes would be dirty and needed a cleaning." What he meant was he noticed during the summer months that the boys made mistakes and had sinned and needed to "clean" their minds and souls to be ready for a new year of learning. Triduum is meant to be three days of "cleansing." This tradition is still practiced today with the same outline that Bosco used.
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Day 1 is a day of introducing a theme for the year. This year our theme is "Together in Spirit". Brother Al Vu from the Salesian Youth Ministry Office will be our keynote speaker sharing his experience of being in Italy this summer for Don Bosco's 200th birthday.
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Day 2 is an opportunity for reconciliation and small group planning on how to contribute our gifts and talents to the greater community.
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Day 3 is a mass and celebration where we invite five of our Catholic Elementary Schools on campus for a day of play and celebration.
Who wouldn't be ready for a great school year after all this?
Pope Francis We will have some special sessions in Theology classes this month coinciding with the visit of Pope Francis on the East Coast and the Canonization of Junipero Serra on September 23. You will be able to follow the Pope's visit on the Pope App or on Twitter.
Animas Applications Applications for our core Animas positions will be available on September 21. We have been blessed this year having over forty students showing up weekly to the Animas meetings eager to serve and animate. We need all these members to stay active. However, we need to have a smaller core team to help manage and delegate events. If a student is interested in having a lead role in Animas, we encourage them to apply. All grade levels are encouraged to apply.
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From the Office of the Dean of Students and Director of Students Activities
Dear St. Francis Community,
What an amazing start to the school year. August is behind us, and I can't wait to see what September will bring us. I would like to thank all parents for working together with staff and faculty to ensure that we provide an enjoyable, positive, and meaningful learning experience to all of our students. Here are the updates for Student Activities and Office of the Dean.
Student Activities August brought us a ton of fun with the Senior Splash, Freshman Orientation, Fall Rally, and Back to School Dance. Seniors had a blast at Senior Splash, freshmen got a taste of St. Francis life at orientation, the Fall Rally was loud and spirited, and the dance had more students attend than in previous years. As you know, these activities symbolize a prominent part of the oratory model: The Playground. In order to promote that component, we are ready to kick off our September activities to infuse fun, give joy, and celebrate life with all of our students. I would like to thank all members of Animas for all their leadership during these events. Our Animators have taken the joy and excitement of our events and activities to a new level! Thank you!
Here is the list of activities for September:
September 12 VITA! - What better way to promote fun, joy, and celebrate life than to build community for our freshmen through VITA! September 14 Club Faire - Students will make their passion a reality by creating and welcoming members for their club! September 21 Class Officer Applications Distributed - Applications will be available to students planning to run for class office.
Office of Dean I am glad to report that our students are making great strides in adhering to the school's dress code policy, and I am optimistic that the student body will continue that trend. One dress code theme that our staff and faculty needs support with is the visibility of socks. Although we have made improvements with the socks, please remind your student to wear visible socks regardless of the height of the shoe.
Two other themes that we have noticed regarding dress code are grooming (specifically with facial hair) and skirt lengths. Let's help our student to make sure they are always adhering to these dress code standards. I want to give a special thank you to Mrs. Marie Marheineke and Ms. Nereida Madrigal for their assistance to the Dean's Office in helping our students follow the listed dress code protocols as defined by our Student-Family Handbook.
I also want to thank the parents for reminding their student(s) to wear their Burgundy Day dress uniform for Monday's Liturgy. There were some students, however, that were not dressed in their Burgundy Day uniform, and I want to remind you to support your student by checking the school calendar for dress guidelines.
Like I mentioned in my previous newsletter, I am here to serve all St. Francis High School students, faculty, staff, parents, and community members. Together, we can ensure a meaningful learning experience and success in all facets of student life for your student!
Thank you for all your support, and I wish you an enjoyable and purposeful September!
Vince D. Monroy monroy@stfrancishigh.net |
VAPA Update
Remember to check the VAPA website for upcoming news and events.
New Chairs
Thanks to your generous support of last year's activities and fundraisers, as well as support at this year's Luau, the Performing Arts program will be able to purchase new posture chairs for the performing arts classroom. These chairs will enhance student learning by helping students align their bodies for performance.
Why join the VAPA Boosters?
Your child will be provided with incredible opportunities this year if they are in choir, drama, art, or plan to audition for one of our theatrical performances. With those opportunities, however, comes responsibility, both for your child and for the program as a whole.
Do it for your children!
A ten minute task for a parent could save a teacher 30 minutes, or an hour. That time goes right back to the students, ensuring that your child gets a better experience. Plus, you'll be in a perfect position to spend more time with your teenage child.
Do it for the community!
The arts are well positioned to build community by rallying around the shared real-time experience. People who engage in the arts or watch others do so are more likely to be civically engaged and socially tolerant.
Do it for yourself!
Besides the studies that show that volunteers are happier, participating in the VAPA boosters is also a great way to strengthen your social network personally and professionally.
Your First Step:In the next few weeks the VAPA program will be selling DeBrito's famous gourmet caramel apples. Support your child and our students' efforts in selling these fine delicacies as a large percent of the proceeds comes to St. Francis.
If we all come together to create the best VAPA program in the county, the benefits for your student, yourself, and this community will be boundless. Contact Mindy Scherr at mindysch59@gmail.com to be included in the VAPA Boosters contact list if you're not already on it. See you at our events!
Support VAPA by wearing our special VAPA Sharkwear sweatshirt - displaying our logo that was created by Alumnus Brandon Nartates. Contact Mr. Dewig for more information.
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Counseling Department; September 2015 News
All Student Reminders:
Attention all Parents of Students who completed a summer school course this summer! Please remember to send/give a copy of the summer school transcript grades to Mrs. Green so that the grades may be posted on your student's transcript. This is a very important step in making sure that credit is given for the work that your student completed. If your student is still "In-Progress" with the course, be sure to send in the grades as soon as possible after the course is completed and grades are posted to you. For questions or concerns, please contact Mrs. Green.
Important Note: Parents, if your student has been tested (or retested during the summer) for a learning issue or disability, and has documented information regarding needed accommodations, please contact Mrs. Green ASAP.
Are you wondering how to get an overall perspective about how to get into college? Mrs. Green has posted a Student/Parent College Counseling Guide on the Saint Francis website. This informative booklet is filled with information you need to know, including choosing a college and career with the right "fit" for you. College requirements for admission, personal statement guidelines, financial aid 101, and multiple college-related resources are also explained. Please take some time to download and look through this guide-book. You will find it on the St Francis website on the Counseling page. While you are there, check out the "Links" section which give you direct access to many important college web sites.
Information for Seniors: This month, Ms. Green will be delivering college information to seniors via one of their classes and encouraging students to meet with her to discuss individual college plans during lunch, after school, or during a study hall period. Parents are welcome to join such meetings. Seniors considering applying for early admission should see Ms. Green during early September.
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Senior Profiles are due on September 18th (or sooner). Senior Profiles are used by teachers and the counselor to write letters of recommendation and also used for finding the right scholarship fit.
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College Applications TheUC and Common Application websites are open to begin working on student applications, however, submission is unavailable until November 1st for the UC site.
Seniors applying to private and out-of-state universities not using the Common Application need to request applications online or by mail from those individual colleges/universities
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Mark your calendars: Tues., Sept 29th, at 6:30 p.m, to come to the Senior Parent Night program. This year our program will again be focusing on the college application process. You will be able to get the latest information on how to apply to the UC and CSU's and Private Institutions on-line, prepare a great "Personal Statement", teacher recommendation strategies, and much more. College admission representatives from UCSC, CSUMB, and Grand Canyon University will also be presenting information about their respective colleges and systems.
Seniors have the opportunity to sign up for the following SAT and ACT test dates still accepted by colleges for admissions. When you sign up, be sure to send the results to the colleges to which you are applying. You may send four scores free each time you register for the exam. NOTE: The December testing date is the last time seniors may take an exam and still have it counted for the college application process.
Registration Deadline Late
Oct. 3, 2015 Sept. 3, 2015 Sept. 18, 2015 Nov. 7, 2015 Oct. 9, 2015 Oct. 23, 2015 Dec. 5, 2015 Nov. 5 2015 Nov. 20, 2015 ACT test dates Registration Deadline Late Fee Deadline Sept 12, 2015 Aug. 7th Aug. 8-21nd Oct. 25, 2015 Sept. 18th Sept. 19-Oct 2rd Dec 12, 2015 Nov. 6 Nov. 7-20th
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Senior Families - Save the Date!
Please mark your calendars for the senior class family barbecue on Saturday, August 29th from 12:00 to 4:00 pm at Shaffer Park in Santa Cruz. Details to follow. We look forward to seeing you there.
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Niche.com
Go to Niche.com and register your family and your student. When you set up a profile under theK12.niche.com, you can rank your student's experience at St. Francis High School and help to raise our rankings so that we can be identified as one of the Top Private Schools in the country!
Also, by registering your student, you can identify college scholarships and review university rankings for over 1,000 universities in the United States. Start the process early so that you and your student have choices, rather than limitations, for life after St. Francis. We are listed in this directory as St. Francis Central Coast Catholic High School.
By completing our NICHE.COM ranking, you will be credited for 1 service hour. Join today!
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Do your shopping on Goodshop.com. Find the best deals and support St. Francis High School. A percentage of every dollar you spend comes directly back to the school!
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FLAPJACK FUNDRAISER FOR VAPA - Saturday, September 19, 2015 from 8-10 am at Applebee's in Watsonville. Enjoy a breakfast with friends and family before the first home football game of the Sharks' 2015-16 season. Breakfast tickets will be available during the first two weeks of school, $10 per plate. We must sell at least 100 tickets by September 5. Proceeds support the St. Francis Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) program.
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Drive For Schools 2015
St. Francis is again participating in the "Drive For Schools" program sponsored by The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Capitola Auto Mall Dealer Group. This is our eighth year of participation in this drawing. St. Francis families have paid for this fundraiser through their registration fee and will not owe any money for these tickets. The grand prize this year is a new Toyota Prius or a new Subaru Outback. If you are not in the market for a new car, you may opt for $25,000 in cash. There are 10 additional $1,000 prizes and over 100 additional prizes. Two years ago a St. Francis parent was the grand prize winner!
Look for a mailing the week of September 21 that includes your booklets of tickets. Fill out all of your ticket stubs and return them to the front office by Friday October 16. You must be 18 years or older to enter the drawing. If you need additional tickets, call Michele Bowling at 724-5933, or email her at bowling@stfrancishigh.net.
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Amazing Parental Controls for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch - Third Party Service
Curbi's breakthrough technology provides you with ability to totally manage your child's mobile online experience. Stop in-app purchases, block adult content and set boundaries for social media use and time wasting apps.
Curbi manages iPhones, iPads and iPods.
Curbi gives parents peace of mind; providing the best solution so the entire family can enjoy the virtual world as much as the real world.
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"Do good while you still have time." -St. John Bosco
Sincerely,
Newsletter Team
St. Francis CCC High School
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