DeSales Parent Newsletter

February 2024

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Our Mission

St. Francis DeSales High School shapes young men to be moral, ethical and responsible leaders by providing a personal, comprehensive, Catholic education based on the pillars of Faith, Brotherhood, and Tradition

A Message from the Principal

Dear Parents,

“We know that every effort to better society, especially when injustice and sin are so ingrained, is an effort that God blesses, that God wants, that God demands of us.” – St. Oscar Romero

As we celebrate Black History Month, we recognize both the past and the present, the good and the bad, struggles and achievements, courage and strength, and we discover what we still need to do as we work toward a brighter future for all. We strive to teach young men to participate in change by ending racial slurs, recognizing personal bias and challenges, participating in inclusive activities, and building a brotherhood at DeSales so that they can share with the larger community. We acknowledge the positive impact of our African American brothers and sisters and their roles in our world. We must be intentional about collaborative dialogue both at home and at school which empowers students to stand up, stand out, and stand proud together.

God Bless,

Anastasia Quirk, Ph.D.

Parenting Teens Today: Tools for your Toolbox

#Winatsocial - Focus on Finding Your Influencers

All Grades - This month we will have two Live sessions on Black History Trailblazers and Leaders.

Parents with an email on file with the school will be sent updates directly from #WinAtSocial.

Grade 9 - Evaluating news sources and information on social media feeds

Grade 10 - Revolutionizing the way we live and the impact of ChatGPT and AI in our daily lives.

Grade 11 - Finding mentors and roles models to help them elevate their interests

Grade 12 - Practice active listening and asking thoughtful questions to seize opportunities.

Parents, are you looking for resources and support for your son who learns and thinks differently? Please click on the link to find out more information on ways to you can help! https://www.understood.org/en/hub

Developing the Holistic Student (DHS Time)

Every Tuesday and Thursday we are offering post-secondary planning, mindfulness, intervention, leadership, prayer experiences and various options to students to develop as young men.

This Month in addition to Win at Social ... Students will have the opportunity to discuss and learn about trades and alternative post-secondary paths from DeSales Alumni.

We will have representatives from the following fields:

Local 502 (Plumbing/Welding), Local 369 (Electrical), HVAC, Carpentry, and Welding. JCTC will also discuss several programs including Advance Manufacturing. These conversations will take place during the student's DHS time during the week of 2/19-2/23.

Parent Poll:

Every year parents spend $150 on average on school photos (yearbook, dances, sports) and often only get one pose, or a downloaded file, or a few prints that might end up in an envelope because we mainly use our phones to show and share photos. This doesn't include senior photos which range from $200-$400 after the sitting fee and prints. DeSales has been offered an opportunity to try something new. A yearly fee assessed for each student to include downloads of all photos, including start of school, dances, clubs, sports, and other events (as many poses as a person wishes). It would include candid shots at dances as well as group and individual team photos. It would also include their senior photo basic sitting fee and tux photo downloads. The cost would be less than the current average (likely around $100) but would include senior year (clubs, sports, dances, graduation, and his tux photo). Is this something that would interest you?

Are you in favor of an All-Inclusive Photo Experience?

Yes

Senior Parents

Please make sure you are checking the Colts Counseling Corner Newsletter bi-weekly. There will be pertinent announcements.

Parents: It is very important to complete the FAFSA. This year the FAFSA didn't come out until January 1st. We will have two sessions where a representative from KHEAA will be in the building to assist families. You will be able to schedule an appointment HERE.

Our Spring Senior Retreat is February 20-22 at Mt. St. Francis. Please pray for the young men on retreat as they prepare to enter the closing chapter of their time as students at DeSales High School.

Junior Parents

The Junior Ring/Pinning Mass and Ceremony is quickly approaching on March 14th at 6:30pm at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church. This celebration is about the passing of leadership from the seniors to the juniors as we close the year. We ask all juniors and their families to attend to receive their school pin and class ring (if ordered).

Scholarship Opportunities

The following scholarship applications are now open through March 31. Please contact Jaclyn Grieshaber in the Advancement department with questions.

Jochum Scholars is a scholarship established to reward students and families who are actively involved at DeSales and in the community. Students & families must fully complete the application online as well as FACTS financial aid application. The scholarship may be renewed if the student and family continue to meet the criteria as stated on the application.

The Patrick J. Mattingly Scholarship honors the memory of Patrick J. Mattingly '68 and is based on the student's character and school and/or community involvement. This $1,000 award may be used toward immersion fees, school-sponsored field trips, extracurricular participation, fees or school approved/sponsored programs. Any money not allocated by April 30 will be used towards tuition. Sophomores for the 24-25 school year are invited to apply. The scholarship may be renewed with reapplication for a students' junior and senior year.

Congratulations, Josiah!

Josiah Jones is being honored at the African American Catholic Leadership Awards Dinner this Saturday. He is receiving the Rodriq McCravy Scholarship! Josiah served the DeSales community by offering his time at every event, after school, and in the wider community! He is a great example of what it means to be a DeSales Man! Congrats, Josiah!

International Immersion 2025

Venice, Paris, and The Alps

We’re going to Venice, the Alps, and Paris in Spring 2025, and you’re invited!

We’re excited to tell you more about the trip we’re planning with EF Tours, our educational travel partner. Please be sure to register for this info session to be considered for this opportunity: https://bit.ly/3txBNsS

When students travel, they expand their knowledge of the world around them, discover more about themselves, and grow more confident. These skills are critical for creating the global citizens of tomorrow, and we would love to have your student join us on this adventure.

In this info session, we’ll talk about:

· How this opportunity will benefit your student

· What we’ll see and do on our trip

· Everything that’s included in this experience

· How your child can earn academic credit

· How we’re keeping this safe and affordable

· How to enroll on this trip (before it fills up!) during EF’s risk-free enrollment period

There are only 15 spots left on this trip, so we would love to have you attend this meeting to learn more about this exciting opportunity!

At-A-Glance CALENDAR - Updated Monthly

Mark Your Calendar...

This Month...and the next

February

2 Chance Day

3 Benefit Feast

12-13 Winter Break

14 Ash Wednesday

15 Parent Teacher Conferences,

Virtual Day (8-12)

*ACT Testing March 12, Those not taking the ACT will participate in a Virtual Day from 8-12pm

March

12 ACT/ Virtual Day

14 Junior Ring Ceremony

16 Junior Dance/Prom

25-28 Immersion

29 Good Friday - No School

Sports Calendar

Refreshers, Reminders, and Repeated Information...

Policy, Procedures and Handbook

We Need YOUR Help. Our mission in discipline is to help students take care of the little things on their own. Most of our rules do, in fact, have a reason - some are tradition, others safety, others cultural. By signing the handbook, students and parents agree to abide by all of the rules, but still often there are arguments later about the need for a rule. All have been reviewed by panels of parents every few years and it's time to do it again. If you are interested in participating in this collaborative review, please email Mr. Hammond with your name and information. Until then, please have your son fix his shoes, tuck in his shirt, pull up his tie, wear his belt and lanyard, and come ready for a successful day of school.

"Whoever can be trusted with small things can also be trusted with big things. Whoever is dishonest in little things will be dishonest in big things too." Luke 16:10-14

Parent Information Folder - We will be posting all handouts, forms, and pertinent information about academic programs in this folder throughout the year.

Tech Tips for Students: Check out these tech tips for your son!

Service Learning Program Opportunities

Freshmen - Church, School, or other Non-Profit

Sophomores - Any Non-Profit Agency

Juniors - Agency with Social Justice Focus

Seniors - Choice of Any of the Above

16 qualifying service hours are required for successful completion of an academic year. The first 8 of those hours are due by December 1.

Volunteers needed! Our neighbors down the street at St. Thomas More parish could use help organizing donations for their neighborhood thrift store. Stop by every Saturday starting at 10:00am to unload trucks, sort items, and learn how their work supports families in our neighborhood and wider community through partnership with over a dozen non-profits. They always appreciate the help!

As always, reach out to Mr. K for more info on this or other service opportunities. Let's get some good work done!

If you have questions about service, please reach out to Mr. Kuchenbrod via email.

Medical Information!

We must work to prevent the spread of all viruses in our community.

Current Immunization form must be on file for all students. Please be sure this is updated in our front office.

STUDENT ATHLETES, FRESHMEN and Students taking Physical Education or related electives MUST have a CURRENT PHYSICAL on file in order to participate in athletic activites and PE Classes.

Inclement Weather Days

Decisions regarding delayed opening, weather-related closing, or early dismissal are made by the Superintendent of Catholic Schools.

An announcement that school will be closed will be made via our alert system and/or via local radio and television stations. All announcements are usually made by 6:00 a.m.

If Catholic Schools are Closed or Delayed due to Weather:

DeSales will maximize learning and minimize disruption through our DeSales Live! virtual platform for learning. Students need to be in Spirit Dress and in their Zoom class with their camera on from home for a 9:30am start.

If Catholic Schools have an Early Dismissal due to Weather:

The Superintendent’s Office will contact the high schools and local radio and television stations with the announcement, “Catholic High Schools in Jefferson County will dismiss at ______ p. m.” DeSales will use our alert system to notify parents directly should this occur.

All extracurricular activities at DeSales, including athletic practices and/or games, will be canceled for that day unless otherwise notified by the DeSales High School administration.