St. Francis High School Admissions Newsletter-8/18/2022

Join Us On The SFHS Path

“The love of God makes all heavy things light,

and all bitter things sweet.”

Saint Francis of Assisi

Welcome

“Students on Fire to Succeed”

“May God turn your hearts into fire.” These words kept running through my head as St. Francis High School freshmen arrived on campus this week. In four years, they will fulfill their high school potential, but for now, they were making their way through new hallways. I saw them exercising discipline. Extending themselves. Every new experience required more of them. They were learning the unfamiliar, and they were happy because transformation the ‘St. Francis Way’ layers college prep with Franciscan virtues that strengthen a young person’s ability to succeed.

“May God turn your hearts into fire.” The words are from a simple prayer. In fast-forward motion, I imagined these new students taking the Franciscan fire of integrity to college campuses, like an Olympic torch in a world that needs them. Transformation happens here slowly, purposefully, with academic excellence and the everyday practice of Franciscan virtues in action. We call it the ‘St. Francis Way’ because it anchors the St. Francis High School experience, molding each student in complete and personal ways. The ‘St. Francis Way’ turns hearts into fire as students begin to uncover who God wants them to be. Then they flourish--in high school, in college, and in the world.

“May God Turn your hearts into fire.” This prayer made me feel a little sentimental. Maybe because I’ve seen transformation fulfill the potential of every student, every day, during all four years. I invite you to meet me for coffee to discuss your child and tour the school. Shadow day registration opens on September 1, 2022. Please know that I look forward to getting to know your family this year. Call me any time to discuss the transformative impact of an SFHS education (630) 668-5800 x1120.

Sincerely,

Maureen Isphording, Director of Admissions

Only at St. Francis High School

Experience the SFHS difference, which provides distinct advantages that provide students with a well-rounded education to prepare them for a successful future.

This Issue’s Feature:

COMMUNITY at Freshman Orientation

What happens when you send your freshman off for the first day of high school? If parents were to peek at SFHS, this is what they’d see:

Morning Business—Details about homeroom, locks, handbooks, and lots of information mix with camaraderie and help from older classmates. Freshmen meet National Honor Society students who play some icebreaker games, then they hear about various activities at school from members of the Student Ministry Team.

Hello, Surface Pro—Freshmen meet the device they will use all four years, the Microsoft Surface Pro. Although they will all receive in-depth training in the required freshman Digital Literacy class, the introduction offers confidence. Most freshmen took advantage of STEP (Spartan Tech Entry Program), in which participants were instructed on Microsoft applications such as OneDrive and OneNote.

Lunch + Schedules—Freshmen eat with their homeroom, sitting as a group and getting acquainted, before running through their schedules. “We motivate them to find even the smallest parts of the building via a scavenger hunt, which leads them into following their schedule,” Kate Michel ’92 Kowalski, SFHS Co-Director of Activities explains.

Freshmen have the school to themselves—“Feedback tells us it is helpful for freshmen to run through their schedule, find all their classrooms, and even get lost without upper-class interference,” says Mrs. Kowalski. “We believe it’s best to let freshmen acclimate to the building before the whole student body comes in. It helps them get the attention they deserve and interact with each other and their new teachers.”

Spartan Spirit—St. Francis High School sends Freshmen off with a pep rally to learn the school song and a few Spartan traditions. “Our hope for the students is that they leave with a smile having met some new faces, and they feel confident having met their teachers and navigating the building,” Mrs. Kowalski concludes. “All and all it is a great day to set the tone, get a great vibe in the building and our community, and kick-start the energy we need to begin the year!”

"I Am St. Francis"

One of St. Francis High School’s greatest strengths is the community. While the academic and co-curricular programs are impressive, SFHS is home. It is a place that elevates and embraces students as much as it challenges them. Relationships are at the heart of everything. Faculty and staff create exceptional growth and transformation through the bonds they form with every single student.

The SALT (Student Ambassador Leadership Team) Executive Board Perspective:

What does the SFHS COMMUNITY mean to you?

Evan G. ’23: Community at St. Francis is how students, teachers, and faculty treat each other in and outside of school. It is the sense of companionship, mentorship, and caring that I receive from all those around me. I can have a relationship with nearly everyone in the school. No matter my situation I have someone within St. Francis that I can turn to for help anytime I need it. A specific experience that encapsulates the community within St. Francis is when I went on a service trip with a group of students and teachers to a mission in Chicago. We volunteered our time helping people in Chicago for about 3 hours then we had lunch with each other. The entire time I felt welcomed and cared for by the people around me, many of which I was meeting for the first time.

Andrew H. ’23: The SFHS community is extremely welcoming and diverse. There are so many different students with so many interests and backgrounds. Everybody is super nice to one another and is always willing to go the extra mile to make each other feel more accepted. Community is what brings people together and provides comfort when we’re going through tough times. Community is more than just a group of people all in the same place, it is a bond created between those people that is unbreakable.

Tim K. ’23: Men’s Spirituality Club is one of the greatest examples of community that I have found not only at St. Francis, but also in my life as well. Never have I met more welcoming and kind individuals who wanted nothing more but to get to know me, learn about my story, and help me at a difficult time in my life. This community can best be described as one that makes you feel supported, comfortable, and appreciated. Every single member of the community, both students, teachers, and administration, truly exemplifies these qualities and makes this community truly stand out from others!

Connor S. ’23: Community at SFHS means walking through the halls and being able to know everybody on a deeper level than simply what they look like. A specific example of community is the extent to which all students participate in classes and co-curriculars, as it shows the tight-knit relationship not only between the students but the teachers, coaches, and moderators as well

Bella Z. ’23: At SFHS, everybody knows a little bit about everybody. If you have a game soon or a performance that night, don't be alarmed when you are wished "good luck" twenty times in a day! The community at SFHS has given me a home--a place I can find solace even in times when everything seems to be upside down. No matter what happens, I always have a group of people that will welcome me with smiling faces and open hearts.