Before receiving their First Holy Communion, the 2nd Graders went to confession to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation on April 24, 2012 in the school chapel. A small reception with their family and friends followed at the auditorium.

Please follow the link for more photos: 2nd Grade Reconciliation (Thank you Mrs. Perez and Mrs. Mancha for sharing your pictures!)

On April 26, 2012, Mr. Martin and four 7th Grade boys participated in the annual Pirate Open held at Seton Hall.  The Pirate Open is an academic challenge for the 7th and 8th grade boys from regional schools. Well done, boys!

Participants:

• Espino, David
• Ross, Ryan
• Quintas, Robert
• Shah, Chirayu
• COACH: Mr. Martin

On April 28, 2012, Brandon Perez of 8th grade received an award certificate and a gift certificate for his drawing for West New York Leones Cubanos De Hudson Lions Club. Congratulations, Brandon!

Check out our website regularly for more updates!

GRADE 7 JEOPARDY PARTICIPANTS

“Left Wing” Team (2nd Place)

• Brucalerie, Charles
• Grullon, Ambar (Captain)
• Keenan, Patrick
• Polanco, Nichole
• Reyes, Anthony

“The Chosen Five” Team (3rd Place)

• Brucalerie, Catherine
• Diaz, Samantha
• Espino, David
• Jandora, Thomas
• Quintas, Robert (Captain)

“The Robotic Brains” Team (5th Place)

•  Cedillo, Mauricio
• Palma, Gabriel (Captain)
• Puell, Bruce
• Vite, Brando

“The Dreamers” Team

• Caloni, Justin
• Clark, Johanna (Captain)
• Clarke, Nicole
• Dahie. Steven
• Seo, Michael

“Out of the Box” Team

• Andrade, Veronica
• Callegari, Andres
• Fields, Morgan
• Ross, Ryan
• Shah, Chirayu (Captain)

PHOTOS of the event:

Congratulations to all grade 7 participants! Thank you teachers, sisters, and parents for all your support!

Special thanks to Mr. Clarke for taking the photos!

Christian Raslowsky with Ms. Savage, Mrs. Giallombardo, Sr. Catherine, Sr. Una, and Sr. Dora

March 31, 2012 – Christian Raslowsky of 8th grade won first place in the annual Catholic Challenge at Newark Archdiocese. More than 100 students from various Catholic schools across New Jersey participated in the event. Congratulations, Christian!

Brandon and Robert with Science Teacher Mrs. Cassidy

March 20, 2012 – Robert Quintas of 7th grade and Brandon Perez of 8th Grade win gold and silver medals respectively in the 54th Hudson County Science Fair Elementary Level. More than 200 students from around the county participated. Congratulations, Robert and Brandon!

St. Francis Academy participants:

SFA Participants with their teacher Mrs. Cassidy

• Miranda Stern – 5th grade – “Pollution“
• Nicolette Racz – 6th grade – “Can we use water to run a car?“
• Nicole Clarke – 7th grade – “Can the color of your roof affect the temperature inside your house or building?“
• Robert Quintas – 7th grade – “Does the change in temperature affect magnetism?” (GOLD)
• Andrew Perez – 8th grade – “Fermentation“
• Brandon Perez – 8th grade – “Does the temperature of the water affect the tornado’s eye?” (SILVER)

Congratulations to all the participants and thank you to all the Sisters, teachers, and parents for your untiring support!

Brandon’s Thoughts on his last Science Fair

“Since I was in 5th grade, I have always looked forward to the Science Fair because of what it represents and the challenging experience. I was lucky enough to win 1st place four times (5th – 8th in SFA). It is an honor, nnot only to win first place at St. Francis Academy, but also to be able to compete with so many talented students with great Science projects at SFA and at the Jersey Journal’s annual Hudson County Science Fair at Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, NJ….

… I am thankful for the education that I have received from my teachers and the support that the Franciscan Sisters have always given me. They are the ones that make our school so special.”

Sr. Una and Mr. Facchini during the Solar Panel ribbon-cutting ceremony

March 2, 2012 – St. Francis Academy blessed the solar panels installed on the building rooftop. In attendance to witness this event were school administrators and faculty, Fr. Hector, school choir, Mr. Facchini and family, Mr. and Mrs. Martinetti, Ms. Laura Cristiano of Archdiocese of Newark, solar panel contractors, and PSE&G Representatives. A small refreshments followed in the library.

Read the rest to learn more about our solar panels…

Fr. Hector, Sr. Dora, and Sr. Una bless the Solar Panels

Fr. Hector blesses the Solar Panels

Saint Francis Academy Solar Panels

Late in 2010, the school decided to explore the possibility of installing solar panels.

The school’s roof was not new so there was concern investing in a significant solar project if it would have to be removed in a few years to make roof repairs.

SFA Rooftop - Before the installation of the Solar Panels

SFA Rooftop - After the installation of the Solar Panels

Over the next several months, Sister Una and Sr. Dora patiently let many roofing contractors visit the roof.  The experts’ opinions were varied.  Some suggested the entire roof would have to be torn down and rebuilt.  Such a cost would doom the project from the start.

In September 2011, the school found a roofer, Jesse from CDA Contracting, who was confident the roof didn’t need anything more than minor repairs.  He was willing to provide a personal warranty of 15 years.  Armed with his confidence, the school decided to forge ahead with the project.

The school contracted a solar installation company which had been advising the school for many months, Certified Pure Energy, in early October.  Many of the government incentives that made this project a possibility expired on December 31.  The system had to be operational by then or the economics would not make sense.

Fortunately, everything came together.  Not only did the roofer and the solar installers execute their tasks promptly, but the school had guardian angels at the Union City Building Department and PSE&G.  Even the weather cooperated.  The system went live on December 29, 2011.

Saint Francis Academy would like to thank Mr. Joseph Facchini and his family for advising and encouraging the sisters throughout the project.

Click to view Photos of the event and solar panels, including the before and after installation pictures, shared by Mr. Facchini.