A Message from the Little Flower Administration:
Dear Little Flower Community –

Our post-pandemic back to school has had its bumps but we have made it to Christmas.  We continue to take consolation in the mission of Little Flower, to which we all agree:  we are built on a community of loving service and in the service of love. We pray for our students, staff, families, alumnae and benefactors that this holiday season rejuvenates mind, body and soul and helps us to increase our capacity for doing little things that make big differences.

While the ending days toward break going to virtual instruction are disappointing, we celebrate the fact that our community stayed healthy and without academic disruption during the first part of the school year.  Our community vaccination rates are high.  We are the only AOPS high school with 100% of our faculty vaccinated and our student vaccination rate at 54% paces higher than the system average of 45%.  However, we see that recent events compel the need for vaccinations and available boosters as the surest way to protect our community.  We are currently working again with Acme Markets to set up a clinic for mid-January to continue to raise our vaccination rate and encounter no further interruption to the school year.  Here is a link to free rapid tests provided by the City of Philadelphia available for pick up at various locations throughout the city:  https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/covid-test-philadelphia-coronavirus-free-20211220.html

Our work in the space of improved community relations within the community continues to move forward with the next iteration of the “Supporting our Sisters” initiative, which will culminate in community-wide “Unity Days” later in 2022.  The work that our student leaders are doing in the space of increasing community engagement and education center on these topics they have identified include some issues like developing a more robust culture of respect (and expectations for what respect looks like), addressing issues of mental health, mental health taboos, and the impact of social media on mental health.  The staff of Little Flower is committed to becoming the best community we can be by addressing the needs of the whole child.  It is through efforts like Supporting our Sisters that our students can showcase their leadership talents in addition to their care for one another and their wider community.  Our Home and School is also committed to sharing these resources with our families so be looking in January for their next meeting date.

In that spirit, our Operation Santa delivered some happy Christmases to many deserving families. The ability to give back and serve our wider community is a cornerstone to the Little Flower experience.  Thank you to Ms. Gillespie and her team of dedicated elves who gave a wonderful Christmas experience to 14 deserving families.

While illness forced us to postpone the Christmas Concert until after the holiday, we have archived last year’s concert to share some Little Flower holiday spirit as we stand on the threshold of the Christmas break.
On behalf of everyone at Little Flower, we wish you all the blessings of the Christmas season.  May you find joy, peace and rest as we celebrate the coming of the Savior.  Stay healthy and well and we look forward to a renewed strength of purpose as we look to keep positive, keep moving forward, and keep reminding ourselves of what St. Thérèse reminds us – may you be at peace within and may you be where you are meant to be—part of the Little Flower family! 
Gratefully,
The Little Flower Administration
Congratulations to the cast and crew of the Little Flower musical
on their successful production of Sister Act!
A Message from the Student Life Office:

I would like to wish all of our families a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I appreciate your patience as I take on the position of Interim Assistant Principal for Student Life. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions or concerns. My contact information is listed below. 

Mrs. Kristin Sheridan
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 still experiencing occasional problems with Septa routes. Fortunately, we have had a supervisor on campus several days a week to help sort through these issues. Please know that we do work closely with Septa but a driver shortage has presented some special challenges this year.

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 Mrs Kristin Sheridan, Interim Assistant Principal for Student Life with any questions ksheridan@lfchs.org-455-6900 x1140.
A Message from the Guidance Department:
The Guidance office would like to wish all of our families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. The holiday seems like the perfect opportunity to also remind our families that we are here to serve. Please do not hesitate to reach out if your daughter is struggling with anything in the new year. We can be reached by phone 215-455-6900 extension 1146. 
THE COLLEGE PROCESS

Junior families it’s time to begin the college search process. Here is an excellent local resource Step Up to College Guide. Some other valuable websites include:
 
 
Congratulations to our Seniors and their families. The College Acceptances, Scholarships and Award Letters are rolling in! Please bring copies of these acceptances, scholarship and award letters to the guidance office. We would like to highlight these achievements throughout the spring but especially at graduation time.  
 
In 2022, the guidance office will visit the freshman, sophomore and junior theology classes throughout the spring to discuss course selection, The SAT, Career options and the college process. Please reach out to ksheridan@lfchs.org if we can help guide you in the college and career process for your daughter. 

 
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.
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
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 the Theology Department:
The LF community came together once again in support of the Annual Operation Santa Claus program. Thank you to all for your generosity and Christmas Spirit!  Look for more information and pictures in our next edition! 
A Message from Athletics:
Little Flower Swimming
The Little Flower Swimming Team is still accepting new members! Please reach out to Head Coach, Sean Clothier, directly at SClothier@lfchs.org for more information!