September/October 2021
Welcome back! We begin another school year with COVID restrictions in place, but our young men have risen to the occasion. When we ended the last academic year and broke for the summer, everyone had highest hopes that we would be able to return to a normal school year. Unfortunately, the virus is still present, and we need to do our part to help alleviate its continued spread. We will continue the faculty/staff mentoring program and will add the big brother component this year to provide an avenue for our young men to deal with any stress or anxiety.
Many activities last year were cancelled or moved to the virtual mode through computer access. Yet, we were able to celebrate our commencement exercises as a class at Our Lady of Victory Basilica. Commencement is always the highlight of each year, and I am very grateful that the class of 2021 was able to experience commencement as it should be. Justinian 39 Take Two was a virtual event and was very successful. Thank you to all who participated and had small Justinian parties at home with friends. The funds raised through the Justinian auction are used primarily for tuition assistance. Again Thank You.
We have met the challenges of opening school on time and have met the requirements of the New York State’s Hero’s Act along with tweaking our School Re-Opening Plan to make sure the safety and welfare of our young men is always a primary concern. Changes will occur during this school year, and we pledge to continue to stay abreast of any new developments and communicate with you in a timely manner.
As we begin the new school year, we are aware of the social climate and we understand the challenges of our times. Many issues will be discussed with our young men as the year continues, but I reminded them that we are stronger together because of how we treat each other as brothers. As a Franciscan school we try to instill in our young men the idea of brotherhood, that we are brothers united with one another, and with the understanding that each person is created in the image and likeness of God. Please pray with me each day the peace prayer:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled, as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Finally, please remember our Red Raider Raffle. Each student is expected to sell one book of tickets. The drawing will take place on October 4th.
St. Francis High School
Success Begins at St. Francis
