News NotesSeptember 27th, 2023September: September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Amazing Grace’s Gift Foundation is a non-profit organization created in memory of Gracie M. Lawton. The foundation was formed to help children and their families who find themselves in the same terrible situation. We held an awareness day for the foundation last Friday and raised $43. Thank you to everyone who donated! Parent Night: Thursday, September 28th is Parent Night for Kindergarten and First Grade. This will be from 6:00 – 7:00. Teachers will discuss curriculum for your child’s grade level at the meeting. It’s best if you can come without your children. Parent Alert: We will be trying to test the Parent Alert system on Friday. If you do not receive a call, text, or email, please contact our school office.Fire Drills/Lock Down Drills: Both types of drills take place in early fall and throughout the year at different times so faculty and students know what is expected may the need arise.Fire Prevention Week: We are working with the Firefighters on a presentation that will take place outside in October. More information to follow.Halloween Parade & Race for Education – Will be combined this year. Both will take place on Friday, October 27th. Costumes make it difficult for primary level children to walk, so we will walk around our block twice before going back inside. If it rains, we will use DoJo/text message to let you know that we will do both the Race and Halloween Parade inside – one class at a time with no audience.Race for Education: Sponsor forms will be due by Friday, September 29th. You have the option this year to send in your list of sponsors by using our QR code or logging into the link that will be provided. A hardcopy has been sent home providing the online information. A separate email will be sent as well. Volunteers are needed to stuff envelopes as this is our biggest fundraiser for the year. Envelopes will be stuffed on Tuesday, October 3rd at 6:30 pm, at the school with two to four volunteers per room.Spirit Day: Our online store to purchase Spirit Wear is active until October 18th. Spirit Wear can be worn anytime, but especially for our Spirit Days every month and for Catholic Schools Week!This is not a fundraiser for the school – just an opportunity for you and the students to represent St. Francis!The link to the online store is: https://store.masteryourimage.com/SFDECLC40493/shop/homeLibrary Books: Library books will be checked out on Monday and need to be returned by the following Monday or earlier.DoJo/Text Messaging: In the 3 and 4 year old classes, we are having trouble connecting to some parents. We have sent many messages. Please contact your child’s teacher if you are not receiving messages.Labeling: Please label all items your child brings to school. Clothing, lunch pails, envelopes, water bottles, sneakers for P.E. and recess, snack, etc. with first and last name, the teacher’s name, and what any money inside is for.Pizza Friday: If any parents would like to come on Friday’s to help deliver pizza to the students, they are welcome to!A Note from our NurseDear Parents and Students,Hope this message finds everyone happy and healthy. With September being Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, let's key in on that word happy. Thankfully, thoughts of suicide do not usuallyoccur in preschool and early school years. It is still important to be mindful of children's mental health development and well-being. With that, I wish to share the words of Dorothy Law Nolte.... CHILDREN LEARN WHAT THEY LIVEIf a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight.If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy.If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty.If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.If a child lives with encouragement, he learns confidence.If a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate.If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice.If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith.If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself.If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, he learns to find love in the world.Mary Beth Hartmann, School NurseQuestions or Concencerns:Please contact the school at (315)-866-4831 or your child’s teacher through DoJo or textmessage.