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In this edition find:
Pictures from October and plans for November
A big award for a young Pioneer
See our new website!
Forever Pioneer Series
Work Study happenings
Toy Drive details
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Dear Pioneer family,
“Gratitude is not only the greatest of the virtues, but the parent of all of the others” – Cicero
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Happy November! This month is naturally a perfect time to reflect on that which we have to be grateful for, and on behalf of our students, staff and faculty, I want to express gratitude to all those—including our alumni, our families, our community and its members—who help make St. Francis de Sales the special place is it.
Speaking of alumni, we recently started our new #ForeverPioneer series on social media, in which we catch-up with past graduates, and highlight the lives, achievements, and post high school journeys of our alumni. Please reach out to me if you would like to be featured—you can serve as the inspiration for the next Pioneer success story!
While celebrating our Forever Pioneers, we’re also focused on the Future Pioneers for the Class of 2029 and beyond. Principal Facen and I continue to visit grammar schools and attend high school fairs throughout the City, but we can absolutely use your help! The December 7th test application opens on November 11th, and we have our next Open House scheduled for November 21st at 6pm. We’re asking that you please spread the word and share this newsletter with all those who may be interested.
We’re feeling #10155PRIDE more than ever, let’s continue to spread and grow it together.
With gratitude and appreciation,
Steve Sanchez
Director of Community and Alumni Relations
ssanchez@sfdshs.org
773 731-7597
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It's a great day to be a Pioneer!
A BIG Award for a Young Pionner
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Congratulations to Diana, a senior at SFDS, who was selected by The Coalition of Women's Initiatives in Law as the recipient of their Student Scholarship Award. She was chosen because of her essay, interview and as they noted, for her accomplishments and involvement in her community. They think she will make a great lawyer and we agree! The scholarship is there to help get her started on her dream!
Congratulations!
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It's a great day to be a Pioneer!
Open House November 21st 6pm 2024
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This month, we begin our #ForeverPioneer series, in which we catch-up with past graduates, and highlight the lives, achievements, and post high school journeys of our alumni. We start with 2017 graduate, Undre Wilson. While at SFDS, Undre was uniquely committed, not simply in the classroom, or on the wrestling mat, but also when it came to treating everyone at 10155 S. Ewing with kindness, compassion, and respect; in other words, he was the “Perfect Pioneer”.
Following graduation, Undre went on to Northern Illinois University, where he studied and earned his degree in Mechanical Engineering, with an emphasis in Robotics—but that was certainly not all he did while in DeKalb.
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While at NIU, Undre served as treasurer for the Residence Hall Association in 2018–earning the Treasurer of the Year award in the process—and later as a Resident Advisor from 2019-2022. He also was the Membership Chair of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) from 2020-2021, and the President of the National Society of Black Engineers from 2021-2022–during which, the chapter won the National Small Chapter of the Year award. Somehow, during this time Undre also found time to intern at three different tech companies.
Since graduating, Undre has continued to stay involved with NSBE, serving as a mentor and advisor for current members and students. Moreover, Undre is now proudly employed as a Senior Engineer at International Motor company (formerly Navistar), designing many of the trucks we drive and see on the road, as well as tractors and other vehicles. However, according to Undre, the most important event, and his greatest accomplishment since graduating high school, has been meeting, dating, and, this past April, marrying, his beautiful wife Julia.
We wish the newlyweds all the success, love and happiness possible, and couldn’t be more proud–or less surprised–by all that Undre has done and accomplished since graduating from De Sales.
If you are an SFDS alum, and willing to be featured in our #ForeverPioneer series, please reach out to Mr.Sanchez at ssanchez@sfdshs.org.----we would love to hear and share your unique post high school story. #10155PRIDE #ForeverPIoneer
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It's a great day to be a Pioneer!
with a new website!
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After a decade, we decided it was time to update our website to better reflect who we are and to better serve the parents and students who need to use it! Working with Big Shoulers Fund and a consultant, we have updated the website which launched last month. We LOVE it! We also know as with any website, there are bugs and fixes to work through. As you use it, please share your thoughts or questions with us! Reach out to. Principal Facen or Steve Sanchez with any comments or udpates.
SFDSHS.ORG!
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It's a great day to be a Pioneer!
Help us Support Our Community
TOY DRIVE 2024
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Saint Francis de Sales is thrilled to announce our second annual Christmas toy drive! We want to ensure that every child on the Southeast Side has something special under the tree this year. Many families face numerous challenges, and we want our school to be a place of refuge for them. This year, our goal is to collect 1,000 toys.
Please consider supporting De Sales in reaching this goal! You can drop off unwrapped toys at 10155 S. Ewing Ave., Chicago, IL 60617, or you can contribute through our Amazon wish list using the link below.
AMAZON TOY DRIVE WISH LIST
Thank you for your generosity!
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It's a great day to be a Pioneer!
Pictures from October 2024
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It's a great day to be a Pioneer!
Support the Band and Choir today!
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"Music is a more potent instrument than any other for education according" to Plato. Doc Johnson knows first hand the importance of music to everyone, especially high school students. It gives students an avenue to explore their creativity, to express themselves and to grow confidence. Bringing music back to SFDS has been a goal of Principal Facen and with Doc Johnson, now in his second year, she sees the changes and hears the joy every day! The program is young and growing. If you want to donate or simply help out, see the flier below and reach out to Doc Johnson at cjohnson@sfdshs.org. | |
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It's a great day to be a Pioneer!
Join the Work Study Program as a Partner
or Sponsor a Job!
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A Field Trip to Sales Force
Some of our Work Study class visited Salesforce this month! Our students had a great time and learned all about careers in the tech industry, created LinkedIn profiles, as well as had an opportunity to become familiar with Trailhead training software.
Thanks for being great students! Remember,
"We Belong in TECH!”
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Ways to Support Work Study
Work Study impacts our students by expanding their vision for their future, by exposing them to careers and mentors early in their lives, by providing skills to add to their resumes and by giving them opportunities. Many upper classmen will spend one day a week at a business, learning while doing, expanding their networks and giving them life long opportunities.
You can help:
- Become a jobs partner
- Sign up to speak to students
- Share this information with businesses you know that might benefit from the program.
- Become a jobs sponsor (tripling your impact -- see the flier below).
Reach out to Roni Facen at rfacen@sfdshs.org
or to Hugo Chavez at hchavez@southeastsideincubator.org
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