St. Francis High School Admissions Newsletter-9/20/2023

Big News Announced This Week – We are a 2023 National Blue Ribbon School!

Coming Soon in the Next Issue (10/4/23) – What This Means and Why It’s Significant

Fun Facts:

We are the only high school in Wheaton (public or private), Catholic High School in the western suburbs, and 2023 non-public high school in Illinois to receive this honor.
Plus, SFHS is the only high school in the nation with the designation of Microsoft Showcase School and Blue Ribbon School in the same year!

Join Us On The SFHS Path

“Let us return all good to the great and all-powerful God, acknowledging that all proceeds from Him, thanking Him for all His benefits, since everything comes from Him.”

Saint Francis of Assisi

Welcome

Step Up to Terrific Tech – SFHS 1 of 30 Exceptional Schools in the U.S.

If students have computers, do the programs they use really matter? Parents ask this all the time when I discuss SFHS’s distinction as a U.S. Microsoft Showcase School. In my experience, parents spend lots of time examining a school’s academic rigor but then forget that technology can make or break their child’s performance. Many parents assume technology is pretty standard, or that any technology is helpful. But then! When they see for themselves! Well, “when you know, you know.”

When parents tour, listen, ask, and understand, they can’t help but acknowledge the brilliance of the technology that makes SFHS a Microsoft Showcase School. There are only 30 Microsoft Showcase Schools in the United States. Last year there were 43 – this year the field narrowed to 30—and here we stand, still shining in an even more select group.

Microsoft Showcase School technology allows SFHS to lead other schools in inclusive and innovative teaching methods. It’s A Big Deal, although we don’t like to brag. It accelerates an SFHS student’s ability to think, study, and learn. It helps all SFHS students by adapting to all learning styles. It’s so innovative it helps Spartans go further in the classroom than they ever could envision when they arrive as freshmen.

So when you visit, let’s take time to talk about technology. Please ask me the questions: How is technology student centered? How does it help students reach their full potential? How can it adapt to my child’s learning style? How will it help my student go further? I’m excited to share all the answers! Visit soon, so we can talk tech!

Be sure to register your child for one or all of our fall Middle School Nights, starting with Football on Friday! Plus, join us for our Parent Coffee Information Session tomorrow, Thursday, September 21 at 9:00 a.m. You may register for all events here.

Maureen Isphording, Director of Admissions

Only at St. Francis High School

Experience the SFHS difference, which offers distinct advantages that provide students with a well-rounded education to prepare them for a successful future.

COLLEGE PREP - TECHNOLOGY

SFHS Named Microsoft Showcase School

for 7th Year

St. Francis High School is a Microsoft Showcase School for the seventh consecutive year! Selected by Microsoft, Showcase Schools are an elite group that exemplifies the best of teaching and learning in the world today. We are 1 of 30 schools in the U.S. and 1 of just 3 schools in Illinois to earn this designation.

As a Showcase School, SFHS works closely with Microsoft to lead innovation in education transformation. Our faculty and staff work tirelessly to utilize technology in the classroom, embrace modern learning techniques, and push advancements in education in an ever-changing environment.

“Our 1:1 program with Surface Pros not only prepares our students for college and careers but also more deeply engages them in the classroom,” said Jeff Gerdeman, Director of Information Technology.

Every student, teacher, and staff member at SFHS is equipped with a Surface Pro 7+ machine, as well as a type cover, stylus, protective case, and carrying sleeve. The Surface Pro 7+ is now the third generation of Surface Pro that has walked the halls of SFHS, as both the Surface Pro 3 and Surface Pro 5 has been used by students and faculty.

In order to receive the Microsoft Showcase School designation, schools must:

Foster a culture of learning and growth mindset
Drive personalized learning to meet student’s academic, emotional, and social needs and help every student realize their full potential
Demonstrate innovative use of technology, using Microsoft solutions, to drive positive impact and student success with future-ready skills
Demonstrate thought leadership in building a schoolwide vision as the starting place for a holistic digital transformation using Microsoft’s Education Transformation Framework

SFHS fills the following Showcase School criteria amongst faculty and staff:

100% MEC/Microsoft Learn Active Accounts
92% Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE)
35% 21^st Century Learning Design Teacher Completion
7 Active Microsoft Innovative Educator Experts (MIEE) (14% of Educators)
3 Educators (6% of Faculty) MCE Certified – Kim Fermoyle, Tim Martens, Mary McCarthy

"I Am St. Francis"

The Student Perspective:

What about our Microsoft technology is most useful/beneficial to you?

Azaria A. ’24 (St. Petronille): “There are a lot of benefits of having Microsoft devices available to us, especially the OneNote app. Also, the device can work and save when I’m offline; therefore, when I’m on not on campus with Wi-Fi (i.e., on the bus going to an away game) I can still get my work done. The device is user friendly – it’s more than a laptop. The keyboard can detach, and I appreciate the larger screen size. I’m not tech savvy, but Microsoft Office programs are easy to use. A lot of jobs use Microsoft over Apple, which is preparing me now by giving me an advantage in the workplace for the future.”

Jonathan Y. ’25 (St. Pius X): “I like how the device can be used in multiple ways – as a computer (i.e. to type) and transform into a tablet to write with pen and take handwritten notes. The Digital Literacy class Freshman year gave me information on the device which helped me figure out how to use the programs and tips and tricks that have helped throughout my time at SFHS.”

Around Campus This September

We are delighted to announce that 68 St. Francis High School students were named 2022-2023 AP Scholars for their hard work in Advanced Placement (AP®) classes and high marks on AP® Exams!

Kairos & Junior Retreat

Retreats grow by grade and purpose, in length and intensity. Girls Kairos (Senior Retreat, 4x/year) and Junior Retreat took place last week. Retreats take place during the school day because we recognize that spiritual growth is just as important as academic growth.

Parent Coffee with the Counselors

Broken down by grade level, parents are invited to attend a workshop to cover a variety of resources and information as appropriate to what students are going through at each stage of their time at SFHS. Freshman: Making the Transition to High School; Sophomore: Strong College Profile; Junior: College Search; Senior: College Admission and Scholarships.

Mom’s Night Out at the North American Pizza and Culinary Academy – SFHS mothers enjoyed a cooking demonstration followed by a delicious dinner.

Spirit Store Now Open – The SFHS Spirit Store is now open inside door #19 by the entrance to Spyglass Athletic Center on Thursdays from 2:30-4:00 p.m. and as advertised for other events.

You're Invited!

Varsity Home Matches/Games (for the rest) of the Month* – Go Spartans!

(*subject to change)

Wednesday, September 20

4:00 p.m.: Girls Golf at Cantigny

Friday, September 22

7:30 p.m.: Football vs. Joliet Catholic Academy. Plus, it’s Middle School Night! All middle school students are welcome and receive free admission to the game.

Tuesday, September 26