The Weekly Spartan - August 15, 2025

Please note Friday, August 29, is an Institute Day with no student attendance.


Celebrations or news to share? Please contact Jamie Lavigueur at jlavigueur@sfhscollegeprep.org.

Curriculum Night

Curriculum Night: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, August 21. Parents can meet their child’s teachers and walk their daily class schedule, meet key SFHS staff, visit the IT help desk, meet other parents, purchase Spirit Wear; and more. This event begins promptly at 6:30 p.m. Parking is at a premium and carpooling is strongly recommended. 

Freshman Orientation & First Week of School

It was great to welcome our students back to campus! Thank you to everyone who made our Freshman Orientation and first days of school successful. During Freshman Orientation, students enjoyed ice breakers, a scavenger hunt, pep rally, and more. This morning, we're celebrating our first all-school liturgy and the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. Here we go, Spartans!

From the Counseling Department

Freshman Parent Meet the Counselors Coffee: 9:00 a.m. Thursday, August 21, Rosmonowski Family Media Room. All freshman parents are invited to this 90-minute program, which includes a presentation by counselors Angelika Rupp, Sam DePorter, and Jillian O’Connor. Please RSVP by Tuesday, August 19, by emailing mlebeau@sfhscollegeprep.org.


Sophomore Parents Coffee with the Counselors: 9:00 a.m. Thursday, September 4, in the Rosmonowski Family Media Room. The Counseling Department will host a 60-minute meeting and presentation that focuses on continued academic and career development success, looking ahead to junior year, peer pressure, responsible digital citizenship, and the Naviance Career Exploration program. Please RSVP by Tuesday, September 2, by emailing mlebeau@sfhscollegeprep.org. If you cannot attend but would like the information, please contact Mrs. LeBeau after the presentation is held.


Freshman SUCCESS Group is an optional six-week counseling group where students learn effective study skills, test-taking techniques, and how to have a successful transition to high school. This group meets weekly on Tuesdays during rotating class periods beginning Tuesday, September 2. Registration is required by Thursday, August 28. To register or learn more, email Angelika Rupp at arupp@sfhscollegeprep.org.

 

Support Groups are offered throughout the school year, begin the third week of August, and meet weekly on varying days. Group sizes are limited and registration is required. For more information or to register, email Angelika Rupp at arupp@sfhscollegeprep.org. Groups include:

  • Support Groups I, II & III: For students dealing with challenging situations such as divorce, family conflict, social isolation, etc., and provide coping skills related to depression, eating disorders, anxiety, stress, and other personal challenges.
  • Grief Group: For students who have experienced a significant loss in their lives.
  • The Guys’ Friday GroupMeets weekly on Fridays to discuss topics such as personal goal setting, stress management, relationships with friends and family, and anything else that affects young men.
  • Women's Empowerment Group: Meets weekly on Tuesdays to discuss topics such as personal goal setting, stress management, relationships with friends and family, and anything else that affects young women.

Junior Retreat Registration

Junior Retreat - REQUIRED: Click here to register today! All juniors are required to participate in this overnight retreat experience with a chance to step back and reflect on how they encounter God and experience their faith. The retreat is led by our staff partners at LaSalle Manor and chaperoned by SFHS faculty and staff at the historic LaSalle Manor Retreat House in Plano. Students choose from one of four overnight options based on what works best with their curricular and co-curricular obligations. Options are: September 2-3; November 11-12; January 6-7; or February 24-25.


Retreats begin with bus departure from SFHS at 9:30 a.m. and conclude upon return to school by 2:30 p.m. on the second day. The $195 Junior Retreat fee is billed through FACTS Tuition Management.


Note: If you do not register for a Junior Retreat by the deadline, we will assign you a retreat. Spaces are limited and we must confirm the number of students for each retreat with LaSalle Manor. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Michael Page at mpage@sfhscollegeprep.org.

Girls Kairos: September 2-5

Upcoming Girls Kairos, September 2-5: Click here to Register Today! Senior students are invited to participate in the four-day Kairos retreat, an opportunity to experience God’s friendship and enter “God’s time” together. The retreat is facilitated by a team of senior students and SFHS faculty members. It is held at the Carmelite Spiritual Center in Darien. Kairos moments are treasured memories for many alumni, and we hope every senior will join us. Kairos begins with bus departure from SFHS at 4:15 p.m. Tuesday.

Students and families should plan for the retreat to conclude by 6:30 p.m. Friday. The cost is $275. If this fee is a concern for your family or if you have any other questions or concerns, please contact Mr. Michael Page at mpage@sfhscollegeprep.org.


Additional upcoming Kairos dates include: Boys, November 11-14; Girls, January 6-9; Boys, February 24-27.

School Celebrations

Lily J. '27 competed at the NCSA Jr. Nationals Swim Meet in Alabama in July and placed 17th in the nation in the 1500m, and 25th in the nation in the 800m free. Additionally, in August, she placed 9th in State in the 400m and set a personal record in the 50m butterly at the Illinois Senior meet in Westmont. Congratulations, Lily!


Umar B. '26 was named All-State for Boys Tennis in July! To be selected to the All-State Team is a great honor and this award sets Umar apart from many other fine tennis players across the state. Congratulations, Umar!

Irish Fellowship Scholarship

The Irish Fellowship Educational and Cultural Foundation Scholarship is need-based and awarded to a full-time student(s) with preference given to freshmen and sophomores of Irish descent. The award ranges between $2,000 and $3,000 and is applied to your SFHS tuition. Applications are due by Friday, September 5.


For consideration, applicants must complete the following two requirements:

1.) An original essay of 300 words or less (double-spaced) explaining the impact your Irish American identity has in your life and what Irish culture means to you.

2.) An original essay of 250 words or less (double-spaced) explaining your need for support and if awarded, how it will assist you in your future endeavors.


Email your essays as attachments to Janet Thelen in the Business Office at jthelen@sfhscollegeprep.org with the subject line Irish Fellowship Scholarship Application.

Ongoing Updates & Reminders

Opt-In for Text Messages: In the event of an inclement weather schedule change or emergency, we send text message notifications to parents in addition to an email and phone call. Parents must opt-in to receive text messages, but the process is simple! Just text "Yes" to 79041 and then save the number as SFHS in your contacts so you don't miss the message.


Spirit Wear Sales: We need volunteers to sell Spirit Wear at home football games and when the Spartan Spirit Store is open. To sign up, please select from the sign-ups linked here: Curriculum Night: August 21; Spartan Store: Tuesdays a.m. and Thursdays p.m.; Football games: September 12, October 3, October 10


2025-26 School Year Calendar: Access all calendars in mySFHS within the Resource Board in the Dean's Tile.


Lunch Menu: Visit fdmealplanner.com and search for "St. Francis High School". The link is also posted in mySFHS within the Resource Board in the Food Service tile.

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