St. Francis Academy

Dear Parents, Alumni, and Friends

Welcome to all, to the celebratory year of the 50th Anniversary of St. Francis Academy. The Missionary Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception have provided religious formation, superior academics, and personal development to students, their families, and the community for half a century. In 1959, after the government mandated the closing of all orphanages in favorof foster care, the sisters courageously opened the Academy on a shoestring and a prayer. There sisters were and are women of faith and vision, but I believe even they were surprised at the phenomenal success of their undertaking. In this era of Catholic school closings throughout the urban areas of the northeast, St. Francis Academy is at full capacity and planning for the next fifty years. Unlike many Catholic schools, St. Francis Academy is still blessed with the presence of thirteen sisters living in our convent and working in our school alongside a dedicated lay faculty. Our Anniversary Committee has many exciting plans afoot for the students, alumni, and parents. Let us show our gratitude for the sisters’ hardwork and sacrifice by participating in the celebrations, joining in prayerful thanks for the many gifts bestowed upon our school, financially supporting the mission of St. Francis Academy.

The faculty and staff have been busily preparing for the 2008-2009 school year throughout the summer. Several teachers attended the Teacher’s Institute at St. Peter’s Prep, while others spent two weeks at a science workshop at Stevens Institute of Technology. St. Francis Academy is one of the few private schools in our area participating in the PISA program to improve science teaching in grades 3-5. Other teachers have been pursuing their Master’s degrees at Seton Hall University and St. Peter’s College. I was fortunate to be a participant in a Catholic Schools Management workshop on enrollment held at the University of Notre Dame. This workshop will be beneficial in implementing our strategic plan.

The classrooms have been painted, the floors have been polished, new tables and reading rugs have been delivered. Our generous young alumni carried piles of new textbooks and workshops up the stairs. The bulletin boards and classrooms are truly works of art. We’ve all done our summer reading, I hope you have also! The only thing missing, as I write this letter, is the beautiful smiling faces of your precious children. They are the reason for and the spirit of St. Francis Academy.

God bless you,

(sgd.) Deborah A. Savage