October 17th, 2025

Dear SFX Families,

Welcome Back and Happy Quarter 2!

We hope everyone had a restful and joy-filled Fall Break! These pauses in our school year give us the chance to slow down, reflect, and return renewed, something we value deeply in our Ignatian tradition.

As we begin Quarter 2, we look forward to continuing the great work already happening across our classrooms. Next week’s Parent-Teacher Conferences are a wonderful opportunity to come together in partnership. These conversations invite reflection and help us discern how to best support each child’s growth academically, socially, and spiritually.

Thank you for the many ways you walk alongside us in helping our students become the young people God calls them to be. Here’s to a great start to Quarter 2 as we continue to seek the Magis or the “more” that calls us to bring our best selves each day.

With gratitude,

Mandi Jemsek

Vice Principal

Important Dates

Sunday, October 19th

Family Mass (5B)

9:00 AM | SFX Church

Wednesday, October 22nd

All School Mass

9:30 AM | SFX Church

2nd grade leading; For the intention of Patty Hassett, grandmother of Riley and Blake Chester and beloved former teacher at SFX.

Thursday, October 23rd

Early Dismissal @ 1:00 PM

Parent Teacher Conferences

Friday, October 24th

7th Grade Retreat

8:15 AM | Parish Hall

Saturday, October 25th

Howlin' Harvest FUN FEST!!

10:00 AM | SFX Campus

Helpful Links

25-26 Google Calendar

25-26 Planning Calendar

Absence Reporting Form

Family Handbook

Safe Environment

FACTS Family Portal

Anonymous reporting form

Important News & Reminders

📣 Update from Mr. Watson: Mr. Watson is excited to see everyone at Fun Fest on October 25th and is looking forward to being back at school starting Monday, October 27th!

✅ Report Cards: Today after 4:00 PM Q1 report cards will be available in FACTS for 3rd-8th grade. PS-2nd grade receive report cards after Quarter 2 and after Quarter 4.

⏰ Parent Teacher Conferences: Next Thursday, October 23rd is a 1:00 PM DISMISSAL to account for Parent/Teacher Conferences. After Care will be available, but your child must be registered ahead of time.

📲 Download Raptor App: Parents, in preparation for conferences next week, we recommend downloading the Raptor Safe App and creating an account for a seamless check in process at the Front Desk.

Updates & Events

Howlin' Harvest is Almost Here!

Only 8 MORE DAYS until the best day of the year at SFX!

Do you have your shirt or hat?? That's your ticket to the event so make sure you pick one up before or after school next week!

Volunteers Needed!

We are still looking for volunteers to help with two of our most popular gym games, Luck of the Straw and Sports Darts. Check out the Signup Genius to see the volunteer options.

We also really need help with picking up and unloading hay bales on Friday afternoon. Sign up here if you can help! And calling all bakers (or store bought-buyers)! Sign up to bring in an item for our Bake Sale or Cake Walk.

Save Time and Skip the Line

Pre-purchase your gym game tickets at the t-shirt table next week so you don't have to wait in line on Saturday.

Raffle Tickets

Be sure to check out the amazing raffle baskets too! Tickets are $5/each. You could have a chance to win some pretty awesome prizes like an adorable Labubu!

Celebrating 90 Years!

SFX turns 90 years old in 2026 and we will be promoting our history and legacy in a variety of ways throughout the year. In anticipation of that, we're planning to take an aerial shot of our students in the formation of 90 similar to this 75 picture.

We need your help! Next Thursday, October 23rd please make sure your student wears a blue polo (either navy or royal) for the photo. We can't wait to share how it turns out!

Tomorrow! Pilgrimage of Hope for Creation

Across the nation, Pilgrimages of Hope for Creation are taking place as we close the Season of Creation. Our parish will host a pilgrimage from St. Francis Xavier/Brophy to St. Mary’s Basilica tomorrow, Saturday, October 18th. This pilgrimage is an opportunity to deepen our faith through a program of spiritual nourishment and action focused on protecting and caring for all of creation. RSVP here.

Grandparents' & Grandfriends' Day

This year, we’re excited to introduce a new format for this special day! To better accommodate everyone, we’ll be offering two time slots: 8:00–9:30 AM and 10:15–11:45 AM.

Both sessions will follow the same schedule, so you can choose which time works best for your family. Grandparents will begin the morning enjoying refreshments with their grandchildren in the gym before heading to classrooms for a fun, interactive activity. Afterwards, they’re invited to explore the campus and visit the Book Fair on their way out.

Our goal with this change is to ease parking congestion and give grandparents more quality time with their grandchildren.

Registration will open on Thursday, October 30th. Keep an eye on your inbox for an email with sign-up instructions.

Save the Date!

Our annual Breakfast with Santa event will take place on Saturday, December 6th. Please join us for a morning full of holiday cheer. The event includes continental breakfast, photos with Santa, and festive crafts/activities on the playground. You will also be able to shop at our Christmas Market featuring one-of-a-kind items from local vendors.

If you or someone you know would like to participate as a Christmas Market vendor, please sign up here.

Announcements

We are loving the cooler weather! We are so happy many of you have taken advantage of our sweatshirt options since the start of the school year. We now have a limited selection of styles and sizes which will not be restocked. If we do not have what you are looking for, consider the outerwear options at Tommy Hilfiger.

For those who ordered sweatpants, they will be available for pick October 28th. You will receive a notification when they are ready.

Thursday, October 23rd, The Wolf Den hours will be 7:45am - 1:15pm.

The October menu is here! October is also Farm to School Month! Check out @sfx_hungrywolfcafe to see the items on this month’s menu that come from local farms.

**There will be NO LUNCH service on Thursday, October 23rd due to early dismissal.

Families for Others

Help with the Donut Ministry

Everyone loves donuts after the Family Mass on Sundays, but we need volunteers to make it happen! If your student is looking for service hours, or if your family wants to spend time volunteering, please consider signing up to help out! Fill out the form here.

Volunteer with SVDP

Looking for ways to give back? You can volunteer at the SVDP Main Campus Dining Room (ages 9+) and families with younger children can volunteer at Urban Farms or Hearts & Hands on Saturdays.

Get a group together like your classmates or sports team and spend some time being Families for Others. Click here for more information. You can sign up for a shift here.

Community Events

Quick Links

Parish Website

St. Francis Xavier School | 602-279-0423 | school.sfxphx.org