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.

We hope to see you tonight, Friday, August 22, at Kuhn Memorial Stadium to support our Spartans! These are "Week 0" games, and the perfect opportunity to kick off the school year with some Spartan Spirit. The concession stand will be open all night!

• 5:00 p.m. Girls Flag Football
• 6:00 p.m. JV Football vs. Wheaton Academy
• 7:00 p.m. Dance, Cheer, and Band Perform
• 7:15 p.m. Varsity Football vs. Wheaton Academy

Are you interested in becoming a parent ambassador? We need you! SFHS has a powerful story to tell prospective families, and our Parent Ambassador Team helps share that story by creating enthusiasm and increasing enrollment in partnership with the Admissions Office. Parent Ambassadors help with:

• Making follow-up phone calls to families after a Shadow Day
  
• Being a visible and welcoming presence at various Admissions events
  
• Assisting with outreach efforts to connect with future Spartan families
  

Your voice as an SFHS parent will provide valuable insight and connection for those just beginning their journey with us.

Interested? Email Pat Jacobsen, Director of Admissions, at pjacobsen@sfhscollegeprep.org.

College Information Night: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 2, Kuhn Cultural Arts Center. Bridget Buckley, Director of Counseling, will present general information for parents on college planning. The program will include an overview of the key factors in college admissions and explain the major steps in the college planning process. Parents of current juniors and seniors are strongly encouraged to attend but all parents are welcome.

College Applications Essay and Personal Statement Night: 7:00 p.m. Monday, September 8, Kuhn Cultural Arts Center. This event is open to all students and parents. Julie Nelson, an admissions counselor from Xavier University, will discuss topics specifically dealing with:

• Writing essays for college applications
• Personal statements
• Essay Prompts
• Examples of well-written and poorly written college essays
• How to make a college application unique and standout

Questions? Email Mr. Lindley at alindley@sfhscollegeprep.org.

Engineering Club Planning Meeting: 2:35 p.m. Tuesday, August 26, Room 2510. All are welcome! Attendees help decide what engineering challenges and activities the club will complete. Past challenges include flying giant paper airplanes, bridge building contests, and car races. Bring your ideas and a friend! 

Questions? Email Dr. Juliano, the club moderator, at tjuliano@sfhscollegeprep.org 

or stop by Room 2510.

Freshman Student Government Informational Meeting: 2:35-3:00 p.m. today, Friday, August 22, in Ms. Fairhead's room (1110).

DEADLINE TODAY: 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.

Sophomore Parents Coffee with the Counselors: 9:00 a.m. Thursday, September 4, Rosmonowski Family Media Room. A 60-minute presentation on continued academic and career development success, looking ahead to junior year, peer pressure, responsible digital citizenship, and the Naviance Career Exploration program. 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 Group: Meets 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.

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.

Brady H. '26 was interviewed by the Chicago Catholic League Varsity Voices podcast and we're so proud of how eloquently he spoke about his time here at SFHS and his outstanding growth and accomplishments. Way to go, Brady! You can watch the interview here.

Ian D. '26 was highlighted by My Suburban Life - Shaw Local for his incredible accomplishment of receiving a Perfect ACT score. You can read the article online here.

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.

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: 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.