Your weekly update from St. Francis Xavier School...


St. Nicholas teaches us to think of those in need and 
keep alive the JOY in the birth of Jesus at Christmastime.
In This Issue

Don't forget...
SVDP Advent families gift card collection ends one week from today...
Friday, Dec 16th.

Please grab an extra grocery, pharmacy, or retail store gift card in any amount when you're out running errands to share with these needy families.
Next week's LUNCH MENU at-a-glance:
Mon
Dec 12
Mozzarella Sticks
Tues
Dec 13
Sloppy Joe
Wed 
Dec 14
Creamed Turkey
Thurs
Dec 15
Taco Salad
Fri
Dec 16
Grilled Cheese and Tomato soup 

Mark your calendars...
School Events Committee
happenings include 
Middle School Game Night on Friday, January 13th 
and a 
Family Spaghetti Dinner 
on Saturday, January 21st!  
Stay tuned for more details!  

 Our very first gala meeting took place on Wednesday evening, with a bit of a small crowd!  This annual fundraiser will require the assistance of many and we are certainly interested in how you may be able to help with this awesome event!  Please consider expressing your interest in being a part of this effort by emailing [email protected]
*******************
EXTENDED CARE Updates: 
join_the_club.jpg
Lots happening in extended!
*Baystate Gymnastics 
(Session 2 ends 12/19 & Session 3 begins on 1/9!)
*Dessert Decorating, *Instrumental
*Upper Grade Chorus
and now the addition of:

basketball-basket.jpg *Instructional Basketball for Grades 1-3!


Something for everyone!
Watch your email for details of club activities, and THANK YOU to all of our parent volunteers who have offered to assist with extended offerings! 
Fly on the Wall
heard from the hall...
A very cute kindergartener stopped in for a visit to my office this week, and after a bit of small talk, he looked out the window and stated matter-of-factly:
"Mrs. Russo, I know that building over there is         not a house........  it's a chocolate factory."
#thatwouldbeawesome
St. Francis Xavier SPIRIT WEAR
can make 
great Christmas gifts... 
   


Have you seen our new 
Spirit Wear Shirts?
These shirts are awesome! The kids love them, and everyone wants to wear one on a 
Spirit Wear Day!  
Available through the front office for $15.  Simply send payment in envelope with name and size, and we will do our best to fill your order.
Makes a great Christmas gift!

This week's adventures...
 Such an amazing demonstration our faith and generosity took place as we celebrated the arrival of St. Nicholas to our school on Tuesday.  Students excitedly entered the building, filled with great anticipation for the goodies that St. NIck left for them in their shoes that lined the hallways.  The children did not arrive to school that day empty handed, however, as MANY, MANY gently used toys were brought to be donated to Gifts to Give for children who are less fortunate.  St. Nick visited each one of our classrooms, collecting nickels along the way, for the charity of his choice. Thank you all so very much for the tremendous display of generosity as we were able to gift over $300 to the Department of Child and Family Services for adopted children.  Please ask your child for more details from the morning with St. Nicholas, that included cookies and milk, and an assembly at which each one of our classroom's offered "Acts of Love" to St. Nick!  Thank you to St. NIcholas and to all of you for your kindness and continued generosity.  Let's keep the sprit of giving alive, as we focus on praying for and offering gift card donations for our Advent families.  
    Have a wonderful weekend and 
God bless.
        ~Mrs.  Russo
Faith in Practice
Please join us if you are able to for our next school Mass for the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe 
Monday, 
December 12th @ 9am
PS3-Grade 8
(weather permitting)

1st Reading: Catherine M. (7)
Psalm: Brooke M. (7)
Prayers of the Faithful: Gabrielle O. (7)


 
We enter with JOY into the THIRD week of Advent this Sunday, 
Dec 11th



Gaudete Sunday!
Make this a meaningful time to prepare for Christ's birth in your family.   Click here

We will celebrate
The First Christmas in pageant and song...
featuring the musical and dramatic talents of K-5.

Friday, 
December 16th
(Mandatory music performance for Gr. K-5)

Cookie Dough will be here Wed. Dec. 14th
**An adult must come at pick-up to take items.  They are perishable and we have no space to store unclaimed orders.

Click here if you or a loved one have thought about receiving the sacraments and learn about t he Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) starting in January at our parish.


A message to our 8th grade parents from...

Placement Exam this weekend 
Dec 10th at
8:00am


This week's picture beautifully captures the spirit of St. Nicholas, as all of our students created shoes for him to fill with goodies!  
Two hundred and sixty three shoes lined our corridors and were filled by happy helpers on Monday evening.  
Thank you to all who made the magic of Christmas come alive for our students on the Feast of St. Nicholas!