A Message from the Little Flower Administration:
Greetings, Little Flower Families –

Some important announcements related to:
VACCINATIONS
 
Little Flower will be holding a vaccine clinic on Monday, November 15, 2021 from 3pm – 7pm.
 
Date: Monday, November 15th
Time: 3pm to 7pm, Room 330
Location: 
Little Flower High School – 1000 W. Lycoming St.  Philadelphia, PA

Vaccine: 
Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination for ages 5 & up

2nd Dose Date: 
Monday, December 6th from 3pm to 7pm
 

NOTE: The DEADLINE TO SIGN UP IS SUNDAY, 11/14/21. 
PLEASE SEE ALL REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS.
 
Parents must be present!
HARVEST DANCE

The Harvest Dance will be held on Friday, November 19th from 7:00pm - 9:30pm.
This is a semi-formal dance for grades 9-12.

Tickets purchased through FACTS will be billed after the dance.
 
Keeping in line with CDC recommendations for limiting large gatherings, there will be a limit of 250 tickets sold. 200 will be held for Little Flower students. 50 additional tickets will be held for guests.
 
All students and their guests who attend must wear masks for the entirety of the event. Students must be vaccinated or show proof of a negative COVID test within 72 hours of the dance. Little Flower students who have submitted their vaccine record to the school will not have to show additional information. Guests or students submitting proof of vaccine or negative COVID test should submit their results digitally via this link. COVID testing must take place outside of school at an approved testing site. We will not be providing testing at school.
 
Here is a link to submit all required forms to attend the Harvest Dance:  https://forms.gle/rf5jRDGSjsuzcvoCA

ACTIVITIES BUS SIGN-UPS

Thank you for your patience as we have tried to work to build up interest for our 5:30pm Activities’ Bus. We will resume running the service today and be switching to a new sign up format.  Here is the link:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0D4BAAAD2EA5FD0-lfchs

We are working to adjust to market conditions so the price per ride = $10 that will be billed to your facts account. If your daughter signs up and does not use it, you will still be billed. We want to build up some continuity going into the Winter Sports Season but we need to have at least 5 students per route to run this service so we are willing to run the routes with less than that until Winter Sports picks up. We also want to continue to encourage our students to stay involved after school with other activities and furthering their studies. We will continue to monitor conditions and adjust as necessary. Here are the basic route stops, noting that if the ridership on a particular day dictates a more direct drop off, it is at the driver’s discretion to make that decision.

  • The North route which will include all students north of Girard Ave
  • Departing Little Flower at 5:15pm
  • North on Broad, with stops upon request to Fern Rock Transportation Center
  • Fern Rock to Frankford Transportation Center with stops upon request via Godfrey Ave – Adams Ave – Roosevelt Blvd – Pratt - Frankford Ave.
  • Frankford Transportation Center to Neshaminy Mall with stops upon request via Bustleton Ave – Roosevelt Blvd.

  • The South/NW Route which will include service south of Girard, Northwest and West Philadelphia
  • Departing Little Flower at 5:15pm
  • Route 1 Expressway direct to the Wissahickon Transportation Center via Rte 1 and Ridge Ave.
  • Wissahickon Transportation Center Direct to 30th Street Station.
  • City Hall to South Philadelphia Target with stops upon request via Broad Street – Snyder Ave – Water St.

Gratefully,
The Little Flower Administration
Due to COVID restrictions, we will be postponing our December 9th and December 16th Grandparents' Days.
We will be hosting our students' grandparents during Catholic Schools Week in February ~ Date to be determined.
A few of our sophomore theology students made dinners for Caring Friends of Philadelphia.
The sophomores are going to make these dinners every first Friday of a month. 
Local Poet Visits Little Flower
This morning we were proud to welcome Dave Livewell to the LF community. Dave gave a reading during a planned assembly. He is an alum of both North Catholic High School and LaSalle University, having grown up in Kensington. His wife Michele, a Little Flower alumna, accompanied him. Dave also visited two English classes.

Dave is the recipient of the T.S. Eliot Award, and has published two books of poetry - Shackamaxon and Woven Light. Shackamaxon is a Leni Lenape (Delaware Indian) word for the area we think of as Kensington and Port Richmond. (Incidentally Lycoming is also a Leni Lenape word.) Dave has also been published in major journals such as The Hudson Review, The Sewanee Review, The Threepenny Review, New Criterion and The Yale Review.

Too often students assume that literature and art happen somewhere else and not in their own neighborhoods. it was thought important to challenge that idea and have students realize that they too could be creative. Other examples of local authors include Claude Koch, Joseph Meredith, Diane Sahms-Guarnieri, Joe Chelius, Charlie Carr, and Yolanda Wisher. All are/were nationally known poets who emerged from areas such as Kensington, Frankford, Wayne Junction, and other North Philadelphia neighborhoods.
A Message from the Office of Academic Affairs:
Quarter 1 ends for students on Friday, November 12th.

Report Cards will be sent via School Messenger on Friday, November 19th, 2021.

Our next Saturday Program is December 11th, 2021 from 9-12.
A Message from the Student Life Office:
Students and parents are responsible to read and understand the Student Handbook. Students received a hard copy within their planners. It can be accessed here: https://littleflowerhighschool.org/student-life.
TRANSPORTATION

We are aware that there are delays with Septa transportation, especially route 60 and 433. We have been in communication with our representatives at Septa and have shared concerns as we hear about them. Septa is experiencing a personnel shortage and experiencing delays system-wide. Please note the 428 may be a good alternative for those experiencing issues with the 60.

Please call Septa with any concerns or questions about specific
routes: 215-580-7800. If a bus passes without stopping at a
predetermined stop, please take a photo of the bus and email to

Maps and information about routes can be found here:


BUILDING ACCESS

All students were given key cards that give access to the building. These allow students to enter the building. Students should have their cards with them at all times. Students are asked not to prop open doors at any time. 

AFTERNOON PICK UPS

When picking your student up from school on Lycoming, please DO NOT park in front of the buses. The car line begins after the last bus on the campus side of the street. As an alternative, students may be picked up on Luzerne on the campus side of the street. Please exercise caution and safety when picking students up.

ABSENCE AND EARLY DISMISSAL

Absence and early dismissal notes may be found on the website here:

If a student is to be dismissed early, a parent/guardian must send in a note the day or morning before the early dismissal. Notes explaining absences should be returned as soon as possible, but within a week at the latest. Parents/guardians must contact the office if a student will be absent.


Please try to make doctor’s appointments after school hours. If a student does need to leave, please send in a note the day before or the morning of the early dismissal.

Call 215-455-6900 x1128 to report absence or early dismissal.

LUNCH

Students may bring or purchase lunch. There are also vending machines for student use. Lunch accounts can be created at www.payschoolscentral.com. You will need your daughter’s student ID number.

If adding money to a lunch account in school, it can be done using cash or a cashier's check made out to Aramark.

Please feel free to contact Ms. Adrianna Savarese, Assistant Principal for Student Life with any questions. [email protected] 215-455-6900 x1140.
MUSICAL FUNDRAISERS!
Lobby bins are available for those wishing to bring donations before November 20.
Please do not place trash in the lobby collection bins!
Throughout the month of November Little Flower will be collecting
the following items for our Annual Fall Clothing Drive:

  • Clothing for men, women and children
  • Shoes
  • Clothing accessories: Belts, hats, scarves, handbags, gloves, etc. 
  • Soft household items: Towels, blankets, bed sheets, pillows, quilts, comforters, and curtains
  • Small toys (2ft or less) 
  • Stuffed animals, bikes, scooters
  • Car seats (assembled and including base) and strollers

Please bag all items in standard trash bags! If you are dropping items before the LF weekend drop-off date, please bring all bagged items to Room 105 before homeroom or after school!

Pick-up will also take place on Saturday, November 20 at 1:30pm in the Little Flower parking lot.
 
This drop-off weekend is a drive by/drop off!
Anyone is welcome to drop their donations in the Little Flower parking lot from 1:30pm to 2:00.

Parent assistance loading bags into the donation service truck would be helpful! 
Please contact [email protected] with any questions!
A Message from the Guidance Department:
If your daughter is having a difficult time do not hesitate to reach out to the LF Guidance Department. Please call Mrs. Ashley Maher-Stearn (215) 455-6900 extension 1146 and she will connect us to you. You can also email me at [email protected] for general questions about the guidance department. 
 
THE COLLEGE PROCESS

For families interested in more information about the College Selection Process, check out the Philadelphia Futures Website and their Step Up to College Guide. This is a tremendous resource and worth a look.  
 
COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID

All families should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA, if you would like to receive need based scholarships, grants and loans. The FAFSA application opened on October 1 for the 2022-2023 school year. I suggest that you complete it as soon as possible, however, please consult the websites of the schools your daughters are applying to for more specific information.

Some colleges ask you to fill out the CSS Profile form in addition to the FAFSA. If you need this form for a college it will be listed on the college website.

Before completing the FAFSA, you should create a FSA ID. This FSA ID will be used to sign you FAFSA form electronically. Both a parent and your student need a FSA IDs.

I also strongly encourage you and your student to research separate scholarship opportunities at each of her schools. Generally, you can do this with a specific google search, ie. “Drexel scholarships”. 

Here are some helpful financial aid handouts:
 
 
 
 
 
Finally, you may find more help at our Little Flower College and Career website. Click “career and college resources”.
 
There are a number of ways to get help filing your FAFSA:

Call 1-800-730-8913 to ask a question
Visit https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa for detailed instructions
 

 

 
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR SENIORS

Seniors should be checking out the scholarship opportunities at each of their schools of interest. Here is just a sampling of some scholarships at our local schools. This information is readily available on college websites.
DeSales University
Leadership Scholarship
December 1, 2021

Drexel University
Liberty Scholarship
Early Decision Applicants: November 15
Early Action Applicants: February 1
Regular Applicants: February 1

Franklin and Marshall
Various Scholarships
See Website

Gettysburg College
Eisenhower Scholarship
January 15, 2022

LaSalle University
Christian Brothers Scholarship
January 15, 2022

LaSalle University
Community Service Scholarship
January 22, 2022
Seton Hall University
MLK Scholarship
Servant Leader Scholarship
Women’s Guild Scholarship
January 15, 2022

St. Joseph’s University
Father George Ruggieri Scholarship
John P. McNulty Scholars Program
Lenfest Scholarship
February 1, 2022

Temple University
Maguire Scholarship
TBD

Ursinus College
14 Specialty Scholarships that you apply to after you are admitted
Various Application Deadlines

Villanova University
Presidential Scholarship
St. Martin de Porres Scholarship
The Anthony Randazzo Scholarship
The Goizueta Foundation Scholarship
Various Application Deadlines
The Guidance Department
Kristin Sheridan
Director of Guidance
A Message from the Admissions Office:
Applications for the Class of 2026 now open! 
 APPLY TODAY!   
Families can check the website for opportunities to schedule a tour or shadow!
Financial Aid Reminder:  

Aid applications for the 2022-2023 school year will be open October 1, 2021 through May 1, 2022. Families must re-apply each year. Everyone is encouraged to apply!

You can access the FACTS website here:  https://online.factsmgt.com/SignIn.aspx
Three of our LF Ambassadors leaving for a Power Lunch!
Questions?

Please do not hesitate to contact the Admissions Department at any time for assistance. We look forward to working with you and guiding you throughout the admissions process.  

Kia Benjamin
Director of Admissions
215-455-6900 ext. 1162
For more information about Sit with a Sentinel events, please visit the link below!
A Message from Athletics:
Powder Puff Football Finals
Place:  Hunting Park Turf Field
Date: Monday, November 22
Time: 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm (Simultaneous games)

Game A- Freshmen v. Sophomores
Game B- Juniors v. Seniors

Finals will be set by the two advancing teams, but we are penciling in either Nov 29 (Mon) or Nov 30 (Tues). Same place, same time.
A Message from the Alumnae Corner:
The Umbrella of Student Experience - $120,000 Giving Tuesday Goal
THIS YEAR'S GOAL:

Our aim for $120,000 is to extend the scope of last year's Klarich Center concept - to not just drive academic excellence but also to drive excellence in our student experience, namely athletics and the arts.

The ability of students who had heretofore not been involved in extracurricular programming to experience the many varied ways we have developed for them to stay connected and engaged in their Little Flower life is made possible in part through generosity demonstrated by the various foundations and donors who recognize that the culture of belonging is central to the all-girls’ high school experience. 

We see this need for in person opportunities like our activities’ program being all the more essential in this time of alienation and lack of community felt by so many young people. There is indeed something to the Little Flower ‘Sisterhood’ and we continue to look at ways to nurture and keep the connection between and among our students a vital part of their Little Flower experience.
Our athletic facilities, notably our home and away locker rooms, are in need of several upgrades to better serve our ever-growing student athlete population. 

Additionally, the need for proper athletic training space to support the health and well-being of our athletes is critical to our students being able to safely participate in this vital extracurricular function.

Our students require further upgrades to athletics equipment to compete at the highest level with other student athletes across the Archdiocese and the state.
Little Flower’s Musical Theater program has long been the envy of all, but much of the original stage lighting systems are in dire need of replacement, as they are not compatible with modern lighting boards that drive the best level of programming. 

These upgrades would also aid in our delivery of the innovative student-centered programming which puts our auditorium space in heavy rotational use, including new mental health and inclusion initiatives . 

There are much needed upgrades needed to our costume inventory room, which thanks to generous musical fundraising donations, has an inventory which is quickly outgrowing the current space.

Finally, Giving Tuesday contributions would bolster our musical instrument inventory, to truly lead Little Flower's Orchestra into 2021/2022 with maximum capacity to host new generations of musicians.
In addition to these aspirational goals, we need to be prepared to continue to make our school a safe environment and this will involve expenses in the following areas:

  • Security staffing
  • Constructing safe spaces
  • Organizing student commons
  • Providing training to faculty and staff
  • Counseling students facing loss and uncertainty
  • Cleaning, sanitizing and reconfiguring in safe ways to provide instruction, offer food, services, and provide opportunities to help our students. 

We could have never anticipated the dire need for reliable transportation services required to get our students safely to school, but we continue to build upon an infrastructure provided by SEPTA to add routes and van service to previously underserved areas. 
Connectivity – physical, virtual, and most essentially, spiritual – will continue to be the hallmarks of the Little Flower of the future. We have to reimagine what is and consider what will be. 

We can only dream big if we have the support of stalwart donors. Little Flower has become the school of choice for the young women of Philadelphia. Please help us to build up on that momentum to continue to be the leader in all-girls’ Catholic education.