St Francis Of Assisi School

Are you considering sending your child to St. Francis? To help with your decision, come meet the teachers, observe the classroom setting, and sense our warm and friendly school setting. During Catholic Schools Week we have classroom visitations on Wednesday, January 30^th at 10:30 a.m.-11:45 a.m. and Thursday, January 31^st from 1:15 p.m.-2:15 p.m. We offer a comprehensive curriculum including: Reading/Literature, Math, Religion, Science, Social Studies, Computer, Music, Library, Art, Gym, and Spanish in all grade levels. We also pride ourselves in the following:

In addition to a strong program in the "basics," as well as challenging programs for gifted students, at St. Francis, we add the significant "plus" of religious, moral, and spiritual development.

Standardized test scores and a college acceptance rate of over 80% for all Catholic School students reflect that our students are self-disciplined, self-motivated, responsible, and creative.

In Catholic Schools there is a mutual respect that exists among students, faculty, and administrators, which generates an atmosphere of care and concern.

Our school families have chosen St. Francis of Assisi School to protect their children from an ever-expanding global environment that keeps children from being children.

● Our School places the health, safety, and welfare of children as it’s first priority.

● Our school children learn the skills of academia, spirituality, and discipline from highly-qualified teachers who challenge the students to perform at their highest levels.

● Educational skills are taught early so that each student is well-prepared to meet the rigors of any high school setting with confidence.

● New Jersey core curriculum standards are infused into the appropriate grade levels.

● Religion, spirituality, morals, and ethics are a part of all learning experiences. CCD - religious instruction - is given during school.

● Our students wear uniforms so that ever-changing clothing styles are not a distraction to the learning process.

● Parents are encouraged to be part of their children’s education. Parents have access to student’s grades through “Power School Online”.

● New, safe playground.

● Community Service is encouraged. We offer a “total package” beyond what public education can provide

As a parent, you want the best education for your child, not only in terms of academics but also an environment where he or she will grow in and practice the Catholic faith, and excel to the fullest of his or her potential. While you have many alternatives and choices to meet these goals, a Catholic school education offers the "fullest and best opportunity to realize the fourfold purpose of Christian education, namely to provide an atmosphere in which the Gospel message is proclaimed, community in Christ is experienced, service to our sisters and brothers is the norm, and thanksgiving and worship of God is cultivated." (Renewing Our Commitment, 2005)

Christ-centered quality education
Catholic schools integrate our faith and Gospel values into every part of the educational experience, whether a student is in the classroom, on the athletic field, or in the chapel. A student learns to think and act according to the mind and heart of Jesus Christ.

Dedicated administrators, teachers and staff
While parents are the primary educators of their children, Catholic schools provide a "second home" in a collaborative community of parents and educators, where morals and values are supported and complemented by those who serve as role models in the faith. Many Catholic school alumni share lifelong memories and relationships with those persons who taught, coached or simply encouraged them with a kind word or smile.

High academic standards
Catholic school students are encouraged and challenged to achieve their fullest potential as individuals.

Well-rounded curriculum
Catholic schools educate the "whole" child – mind, body, and soul. Through a solid academic core, variety of extracurricular offerings and opportunities to worship and practice the faith, students are given the tools to build a strong foundation for life and become contributing members of their community and Church.

Safe and structured learning environment
Students learn best in an atmosphere where they feel safe, valued, and cared for. Catholic schools set high standards for student behavior and appearance, which fosters self-discipline, confidence, responsibility, and respect for all persons.

Catholic Schools Week is a celebration of the commitment to Catholic school
education from the entire school and parish community. From the great
support of our pastor, Father Lance to our staff, students, parents, and
parishioners- we are truly blessed. I would like to share the heartfelt
words of one of our parents on the significance a Catholic School education
has on the life of a child and family!

"Many years ago, long before I had children or was even married, I put to my father the very question that vexes many Catholic parents today: Why did you send all of us to Catholic School?

You see, I was one of seven children. My father was an electrician who worked six days a week getting up at a most ridiculous hour only to come home exhausted. Seven children: all who attended Catholic grammar schools, all who attended Catholic High Schools. That’s quite a feat, and quite an expense.

My father took some time to think and then he replied in a very measured tone “I want you in a school where the parents of the other students are like-minded to me”.

Of course, I didn’t understand (nor expect) that sort of answer. I expected to hear him speak about the importance of strengthening my faith, about discipline (which apparently I was much in need of), about the Godlessness of society and its alluring power over an impressionable mind. But he didn’t speak of those things. And I didn’t get it.

Then, many years later, there arrived a defining moment in my life. My daughter Shannon was to enter Kindergarten and Kate and I had a decision to make. Where would she go to school?

We discussed the issue at length. Our talk ranged from spiritual concerns, to financial concerns, to safety concerns, and back again to financial concerns. We talked about the things we saw happening in public schools throughout the country; the gradual but persistent efforts to remove God from the classroom, the lack of discipline, the offensive attitude of an “entitled” youth, even scary things like underage drinking, teen pregnancy and sex-education classes for grade-schoolers. Realizing we wanted to put some space between Shannon and those influences, we sent her to St. Francis.

Five years later, Shannon is in the fourth grade and she has been joined by her brother, Liam who is in first grade. They are doing well. Good grades, well behaved (generally), and with a growing faith in God. But having been put to the task of answering “Why I send them here”, I find myself thinking about those people who surround them day after day. I think of young Bradley Thomas, the nicest little boy you could meet. Who when Liam goes to his house to play, has two parents that insist on prayers before dinner, who set example to their children through service to the Church and community, and who are their children’s parents….and not their buddies. I think of Christina Cruz, whom Shannon frequently plays with and whose parents Ralph and Rosanne give of their lives so much to the Church and School that it boggles the mind.

You see, Shannon and Liam spend far more time at school surrounded by children like Bradley and Christina than they do with me or Katie. And while the lay and religious educators endeavor to impart the meaning of “walking the path of Christ” through classroom instruction, it is their peers that instruct that message through example. An example that is presented to those children through the actions of their parents.

In the end I realize: I send my children to St. Francis because the parents of children like Bradley and Christina, (Ralph and Roseanne, Jim and Dana), are like-minded to me. All those concerns of mine, those reasons I expected to hear from my father (like the moral clarity to do what is right, the importance of self-sacrifice to others, the very meaning of love), is present at St. Francis in both words and action, from faculty and students.

There is a joke about a young man of 20 who thinks his father is a fool, but when that man reaches his 30’s he’s astounded to see how wise his father got in such a short time. So if you ask me why I send my children to St. Francis I’ll chuckle to myself and think “thanks Dad for getting so wise so fast”. But to you I say this, “If you desire to have the “living message” of Christ’s example set before your child each and every day, if you long for an environment where that message is reinforced at home, if you hope to meet faithful Catholic parents who are like-minded to you, you will find all this and more at St. Francis of Assisi school.

I thank you for your time, and to Fr. Lance and Mrs. LaGuardia for allowing me to speak today. God bless you and your families. And may God bless St. Francis of Assisi School, its teachers, students and dedicated parents. Have a wonderful Sunday." - Bill Matier

Catholic Schools Celebrate Service

January 25-31, 2009