Friday Focus

Welcome Back!

Another new school year begins on Monday! I extend a warm welcome to all the new families that are enrolled in our school this year. Welcome back to all our returning students, too!

As I am writing this we have 56 students enrolled for the year. Students in every class will have new friends to get to know this year.

Our school also has two new employees this year. When you arrive in the morning you’ll be greeted by Ms. Amaya--our new morning care provider. She opens up for us in the morning, watches kids before school begins, and coordinates our daily attendance records.

Parents of junior high students have already met Mr. Carrillo, our 7th/8th grade teacher. John recently graduated from SFSU and has completed the California Preliminary Single Subject Credential in Social Sciences at SFSU. This past year John taught 7th and 8th grade at A.P. Giannini Middle School here in the city. Kids are going to love Mr. Carrillo!

Here at school we are humbled that you have chosen our school for your child. We look forward to working closely with you for an outstanding year for your child and family.

Meet Mr. John Carrillo...

Ocean Avenue Traffic

Be prepared for traffic delays on Ocean Avenue next week. Riordan High begins next Monday (the same day as SFAS). In addition, San Francisco City College begins on Wednesday, August 17. You can expect lots of cars at the Ocean / Geneva / Phelan intersection. To avoid being late to school, plan to leave home a few minutes earlier than usual next week.

View/print map and directions...

Did You Know?

Attendance is Key
Attendance is a key to your child’s success! Schools can’t do their job if your child is absent. Learning builds day by day. A child who misses a day of school misses a day of learning.

• Research shows that attendance is the single most important factor in school success.
• Research shows that children who are in school most of the time do better on standardized tests. Studies also show that absences affect test scores.
• Being late for school hurts a child’s learning, too. A student who is 10 minutes late every day will miss 39 hours of instruction during the year. Children can copy notes or make up an assignment, but they will never get back what’s most important: the discussion, the questions, the explanations by the teacher, the discovery, and the thinking that makes the learning come alive.

How to Improve Your Child’s Attendance
Parents have the greatest influence on their child's performance in school. Research shows that parents affect the quality of a child's work just by being in the same room with them while they are doing their work.

• Value education yourself and talk to your child about the importance of a good education.
• Avoid scheduling family trips or medical appointments during school hours.
• Accept no excuses from your child about why they should miss school or be late.
• Support the school and its policies.
• Talk to your child each day about what happens at school.
• Talk with your child about the importance of punctuality and attending school regularly.

Parents are Teachers Too!
You have the greatest influence on your child. You determine how well your child will do in school. Pretty scary, isn’t it? With that kind of pressure, what’s a parent to do?

• Stay involved, find ways to say “I love you” every day--no matter what your child’s age.
• Make time to talk with your child and really listen to what they say.
• Monitor your children’s school work. Talk to them about their progress and let them know you are proud of their accomplishments.

Review SFAS Attendance Policy...

School Supplies Sales

Take advantage of Back-to-School sales to get the supplies your child needs.

Most stores currently have huge sales on all the supplies that your child will need in his/her classroom this year. Take advantage of those sales to get the necessary items your child needs to be successful this year. This is a great time to stock up on paper, pencils, and pens. Make sure you have extra school supplies on hand at home so homework can be completed.

Teachers distributed supplies lists at registration. Class supplies lists may be accessed on our website.

View/print out the supplies lists...

At the End of the Day

Lance Armstrong had just won his seventh and final Tour de France. He was basking in the glow of adoring fans and cheering onlookers. The incredible cyclist who did something even more spectacular by overcoming cancer during his competitive career was going out on top. It was quite a moment.

As the yellow-shirted champion was receiving still more congratulatory cheers after the platform ceremony, Armstrong's five-year-old son spoke up. "Daddy," asked Luke Armstrong, "can we go home and play?"

The late Henri Nouwen, a best-selling author and professor at Notre Dame and Harvard, had a similar experience. He moved to a community of physically and mentally handicapped persons in Toronto. He explained how humbling it was to be in that special setting. People didn't like or dislike him on the basis of his books or lectures. They weren't impressed with his credentials and awards.

The learned professor was reminded that achievements don't create relationships. For that matter, the lack of notable achievements by people there who cooked or read or exercised the residents didn't hinder them in bonding to people whose life situation required them to depend on the compassion of others.

Haven't you noticed the same thing? Little children just want some time to play with their mommies and daddies. Forget the babble about "quality time" with a child. Just think in terms of time. Playing. Paying attention. Yes, adults have to work and make a living. But why have children only to shove them aside with an explanation of how busy or important you are? Do they care about those things?

I seem to recall that Jesus' disciples were shielding him from interruptions by little children. Their Lord and Master was the most important person in the world. No, in the whole universe. He was not to be bothered. Or so they thought.

"Let the children alone, don't prevent them from coming to me," he told his would-be handlers. "God's kingdom is made up of people like these" (Matthew 19:14 MSG). What a moment for the children. What an insight for the disciples.

When we live as we were meant to live, we keep perspective. We listen for God's gentle reminders that relationships trump self-centeredness.

The essence of Christianity is not bound up in formulas and institutions and programs. It is in taking one another seriously for Christ's sake. Playing with children. Paying attention to the overlooked. Throwing lifelines to the drowning.

Knowing what counts at the end of the day makes the whole day go better.

--Rubel Shelly