Hello, St Francis Xavier School Families!  We hope you are well.   Happy March! "March is a month of expectation."

We are all coming to terms with the reality of our beloved St. Francis Xavier School merging with St. Clare of Assisi School.  Please know Mrs. D’Arco, Father Sal, and I are here to help you with this transition in any way we can.  You can also call 718-892-4080 to arrange for Mrs. D’Arco to give you a tour of St. Clare’s School.

We have entered the holy season of Lent, a 40-day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that began on Ash Wednesday and will end on Holy Thursday.  Lent is a period of preparation to celebrate the Lord’s resurrection at Easter.  During Lent, we try to follow Jesus more faithfully.  Here is a Lenten Reflection:
 

The Fast Life
Fast from judging others;
Feast on Christ dwelling in them.
Fast from fear of illness;
Feast on the healing power of God.
Fast from words that pollute;
Feast on speech that purifies.
Fast from discontent;
Feast on gratitude.
Fast from anger;
Feast on patience.
Fast from pessimism;
Feast on hope.
Fast from negatives;
Feast on encouragement.
Fast from bitterness;
Feast on forgiveness.
Fast from self-concern;
Feast on compassion.
Fast from suspicion;
Feast on truth.
Fast from gossip;
Feast on purposeful silence.
Fast from problems that overwhelm;
Feast on prayer that sustains.
Fast from anxiety;
Feast on faith.
Author Unknown
 

Tomorrow, Friday, March 17 is the Feast of St. Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland and the Patron Saint of the Archdiocese of New York.  I’d like to share a blessing St. Patrick wrote:
 

May your days be many 
and your troubles be few.
May peace be within you 
and may your heart be strong.
May you find what you are seeking, 
wherever you roam.
May the strength of God pilot us.
May the wisdom of God instruct us.
May the hand of God protect us.
May the word of God direct us.
May thy salvation, O Lord, 
Be always ours, this day, 
and forever more.
Amen.
 

God bless you and your family on St. Patrick’s Day and always!

On Monday, March 20, we celebrate the Feast of St. Joseph, Mary’s husband and Jesus’s earthly father.  Here is a beautiful prayer to St. Joseph:

Joseph, with Jesus and Mary, you knew hunger, uncertainty, and illness.
You turned your heart to God to lift up your needs and those of your family.
In faith, you accepted the Father’s response as events unfolded.
Be with me today as I offer my requests to the Father.
Joseph,
 let me recognize God’s will as I open my hands to accept 
what God bestows in loving kindness.
With tenderness, God fills creation with life and love.
Open my eyes to the wonders that God works without ceasing.
Let me learn the true intention behind my request 
so that I may discover
within myself the lowly one that God commends. 
Amen.

Uniform Requirements

All students in Kindergarten through Grade 8 will be required to wear their winter school uniform as outlined below.  Please note there are NO EXCEPTIONS TO THESE RULES.

Any child who wears makeup to school will have to wash it off immediately upon entering the school.

Please note NAIL POLISH may not be worn at school.  Please be sure it is removed before your child comes to school.  Gel manicures must be removed as well.  Thank you for your cooperation.

Dress Code–Page 22 & 23 in the Parent Student Handbook

The St. Francis Xavier School uniform confirms your attendance at our school and is a symbol of unity within the school community. It minimizes distractions in the learning process. It is important that you take pride in your appearance by wearing your complete uniform, always remembering that by wearing it inside and outside the classroom and the school you are representing the school and your behavior should be a credit to both you and the school community.

The uniform dress code is for Grades K to 8. Each teacher has the authority to enforce the rules listed below. Repeated violations of the code by the student will result in the parent/guardian being contacted and/or the student being sent home.

Uniform items, including approved uniform shoes, may be purchased at Liebman’s, 518 Main Street, New Rochelle, NY, 914-632-2770, Liebman's  Items to be purchased at Liebman’s:

School Uniforms
Winter (November through April)

Girls: K-4 *Winter*
Blue plaid jumper
Long-sleeve or short-sleeve white blouse
Navy blue knee socks/tights
Navy blue cardigan school sweater  NO OTHER COLORS OR HOODIES ARE ALLOWED
Solid navy oxfords or solid black sneakers (including soles) or tie-on shoes.  NO LOGOS, COLORS, ETC.
**No boot type shoes, regardless of color. **

5-8 *Winter*
Blue-checked skirt
White long-sleeve or short-sleeve polo shirt
Blue long-sleeve or short-sleeve polo shirt
Navy blue knee socks/tights
Navy blue cardigan or pullover school sweater  NO OTHER COLORS OR HOODIES ARE ALLOWED.
Solid navy oxfords or mary-janes or solid black sneakers (including soles) or tie-on shoes.  NO LOGOS, COLORS, ETC.
**No boot type shoes, regardless of color. **

Miscellaneous Regulations – Girls:
Only plain white T-shirts may be worn under uniform and must be tucked in.
Uniform shirts must always be tucked into skirts.
ONE small post earring per ear may be worn. Hanging or hoop earrings of any size are NOT permitted.
Cartilage earrings are prohibited.
NO RINGS ALLOWED.
NO BRACELETS ALLOWED.
NO NOVELTY JEWELRY OF ANY KIND.
Only ONE necklace with a religious medal/cross will be allowed. NO OTHER • NECKLACES OF ANY KIND ARE ALLOWED.
Make-up may NOT be worn.
NO decorative hair accessories – only dark, solid color headbands, clips, etc.
Artificial nails of any kind are NOT permitted.
Nail polish of any kind is NOT permitted.
Skirt length no shorter than 2 inches above the knee.
**If the skirt is deemed too short, parents will have one week to lengthen the skirt. No folding or rolling of skirts is permitted. **

These regulations remain in effect even when students are permitted to dress down.

Boys: K-8 *Winter Only Uniform*
Gray slacks (no jeans or Dockers)
White shirt or SFX turtleneck
Long sleeve or short sleeve white/blue polo shirt
Vest sweater or plaid tie
Black/white socks (no other color socks are permitted)
Black oxford shoes or solid black sneakers (including soles) or tie-on shoes.  NO LOGOS, COLORS, ETC.
**No boot type shoes, regardless of color. **

Miscellaneous Regulations – Boys:
Only plain white T-shirts may be worn under the uniform.
Uniform shirts MUST be always tucked into pants.
A black belt MUST be worn with the uniform.
Socks must be black or white. NO OTHER COLORS ARE ALLOWED.

Boys are NOT permitted to wear earrings.
NO RINGS OR BRACELETS ARE ALLOWED.
NO NOVELTY JEWELRY OF ANY KIND.
Only ONE necklace with a religious medal/cross will be allowed.
NO OTHER NECKLACES OF ANY KIND ARE ALLOWED.
These regulations remain in effect even when students are permitted to dress down.

We thank you for ensuring your child is wearing the proper uniform every day.

Here is a list of events for the upcoming week:

Friday, March 17

• St. Patrick’s Day
  • ALL SFX Closed–3K, UPK, K–8

Monday, March 20

• Feast of St. Joseph
  • ALL SFX Closed–3K, UPK, K–8

Tuesday, March 21

• 3K, UPK–Children’s Author, Maryann McMahon, visits

Saturday, March 25

• Confirmation
  • 2:00 p.m.
  • SFX Church

HELPFUL INFORMATION: