St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School

✨ New Teacher Highlight ✨

Please help us welcome Mrs. Sarah Alexander, our new fourth-grade science teacher! 🔬🍎

Sarah was born and raised in Newton, Kansas. She and her husband, Matthew, have three boys who keep life busy and fun with sports and activities. As a family, they enjoy spending time outdoors, cheering at baseball and football games and making memories together. Sarah also enjoys spending time with family and friends—and occasionally playing her violin! 🎻⚾

Although this is Sarah’s first year as a classroom teacher, she is already a familiar face at St. Francis! For the past three years, she has served as a Pre-K paraprofessional and has experienced firsthand the strong sense of community, family and support at SFA.

Sarah earned a biology degree from Newman University and previously worked as a CNA at St. Joseph Hospital and as a histotechnician in a pathology lab. After discovering her love for education as a Pre-K para, she began pursuing a master’s degree in elementary education. She is excited to bring her science background into the classroom while encouraging curiosity and a love of learning in her students.

Her favorite saint is St. Faustina, whose trust in Jesus and devotion to Divine Mercy inspire Sarah to lead with compassion, patience and forgiveness each day.

Welcome to your new role, Mrs. Alexander! We are blessed to have you continue your journey at St. Francis! 💛🖤

✨ New Teacher Highlight ✨

Please help us welcome Brooklyn (Caskey) Burns, our new kindergarten teacher! 🍎✏️

Brooklyn grew up in Pittsburg, Kansas, where she attended a small Diocese of Wichita Catholic school from pre-K through 12th grade. She graduated from Benedictine College this May with a bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education. During her student teaching experience with Mrs. Betsy Rohr at SFA, Brooklyn quickly knew this was where she wanted to begin her teaching career.

She is especially excited to teach phonics and religion and loves sharing the rosary and the lives of the saints with her students. Her devotions to St. Thérèse of Lisieux and St. Joan of Arc will also have a special place in her classroom this year. 🌹⚔️

Outside of school, Brooklyn enjoys baking and spending time with her husband, Peter, whom she married in June. You may even spot them at the 8:30 a.m. Sunday Mass!

Brooklyn is grateful to join a school community whose families live out stewardship so beautifully. Please keep her and her kindergarten students in your prayers as they begin a wonderful new school year together!

Welcome to St. Francis, Brooklyn! We are blessed to have you beginning your teaching career with us! 💛🖤

✨ New Teacher Highlight ✨

Please help us welcome Mr. Billy Graf, our new Middle School literature teacher! 📚✏️

Billy has been married to his high school sweetheart for 26 years, and together they have 18-year-old quadruplets! Pius is heading to Johnson County Community College to play baseball and study sports marketing, Forrest has joined the workforce at D&D Rental, Danna is keeping her dad company as her brothers move away, and Laine was appointed to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis. ⚾⚓

Billy brings 14 years of experience teaching English and physical education. He holds a master’s degree in education and has also served as a head basketball coach for 12 years, including nine years coaching the girls at Kapaun Mt. Carmel and three years coaching boys at Salina Central and Re*****on High Schools. 🏀

After working in public schools for the past three years, Billy was excited to return to a Catholic school where he could attend Mass and Confession more regularly. He is also looking forward to having some familiar faces nearby, as several of his nieces and nephews attend SFA!

Billy especially loves the Beatitudes and the Gospel of Matthew, and he credits St. Joseph of Cupertino with helping him through college and graduate school.

Welcome to St. Francis, Mr. Graf! We are excited to have your faith, experience and energy in our middle school! 💛🖤

✨ New Teacher Highlight ✨

Hafa Adai! Please help us welcome Mrs. Filmah Buenaflor, our new third-grade math teacher! 🍎➗

🇵🇭 Born and raised in the Philippines, Filmah spent many years living in Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands with her husband and son. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her family, watching movies, and baking. ✈️🎬🧁

Filmah brings nearly 20 years of experience in Catholic education, including four years teaching in the Archdiocese of Caceres in the Philippines and almost 16 years in the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa in the Northern Mariana Islands. She has earned master’s degrees in Curriculum and Instruction and in Measurement, Evaluation, Statistics and Assessment.

From the moment she arrived at SFA, Filmah felt a strong sense of belonging. She is excited to continue growing professionally and, most importantly, spiritually within our school community.

One of her favorite prayers is the Prayer of Generosity associated with St. Ignatius of Loyola—a prayer asking God for the grace to give generously and serve faithfully without seeking reward.

Welcome to St. Francis, Mrs. Buenaflor! We are blessed to have your experience, faith and love of learning in our classrooms! 💛🖤

✨ New Teacher Highlight ✨

Meet Mrs. Diana Moyer, our new Special Education Resource Teacher! 🍎

A Wichita native, Diana is married to Pete, and they have a 13-year-old son, William. Outside of school, she enjoys traveling, going to the movies, taking walks and cheering on William at his basketball games! 🏀

Diana brings 13 years of experience in public education to St. Francis. She has taught second grade, fourth grade, sixth grade and special education. She holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Kansas and a master’s degree in special education.

After many years in public schools, Diana felt called to make a change and join a school community with a faith-based approach to education. ✝ She is excited to work alongside the wonderful staff and students she has heard so much about and to continue growing and learning as part of our St. Francis family.

📖One of her favorite Scripture verses is:
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” — Philippians 4:13

Welcome to St. Francis, Mrs. Moyer! We are so grateful to have you on our team! 💛🖤

🌸 Little Flowers Registration Night 🌸

Little Flowers is returning for the 2026–2027 year! SFA girls in grades 1–6 are invited to grow in faith, friendship, and virtue together—growing holier, one virtue at a time. 💐

🌷REGISTRATION NIGHT (REQUIRED)
📅 Sunday, August 16
⏰ 4:00–5:30 p.m.
📍 St. Thomas More Hall in the Clare Basement
💵 Annual fee: $30 per girl

Registration Night is a required, come-and-go event for all members.

👕 Trade in an outgrown Little Flowers shirt and receive $5 off a new shirt order, or shop gently used shirts for just $5!

⚠️Please note that meeting days have changed! Little Flowers will meet from 4:00–5:30 p.m. on select Sundays throughout the year.

Unable to attend Registration Night? Contact [email protected]

Join us next Thursday for the Families of the Good Shepherd Kick-Off Event! 🐑💛

Families are invited to enjoy a fun evening of fellowship, food, and water fun as we launch this new parish ministry for families walking through the beautiful, busy milestones of early family life. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦✨

Hot Dog Dinner + Water Fun! 🌭💦🛝
Thursday, August 6
5:30–7:30 p.m.
Cana Hall + Playground 📍

Bring water toys, towels, and maybe a change of clothes! Dessert dishes are also gladly accepted. 🍪🧁

Last chance to RSVP is Monday, August 3! ✅
RSVP here: https://forms.gle/C3xdg4MFmVsPj5nx6

For full information and this year’s schedule, visit:
https://www.stfranciswichita.com/ministries/families-of-the-good-shepherd/

We can’t wait to see you there! 🙌

🏐 Girls Volleyball Placements are coming up! 🖤💛

📅 August 4 & 5
• 6th Grade: 5:00–6:00 p.m.
• 7th Grade: 6:00–7:00 p.m.
• 8th Grade: 7:00–8:00 p.m.

Parent meetings will be held on August 5:
• 6th & 7th Grade Parents: 6:10 p.m.
• 8th Grade Parents: 7:10 p.m.

⚠️ All athletes must have a physical dated after May 1, 2026, on file before participating in placements.

We can’t wait to see our Lady Vikings back on the court! Go Vikings! 🏐

A special congratulations to our SFA alumni, Sr. Mary Francis, for renewing her vows for another year! 🙏🏼 Please keep her in your prayers!

Sr. Gabriel, Sr. Benedicta, Sr. Joy, Sr. Guadalupe & Sr. Mary Francis renewed the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience for another year, today! Congratulations, Sisters!
Please continue to pray for our sisters in formation as they take their next steps in religious life.

🎉 THE FALL 2026–2027 SFA SPIRIT STORE IS NOW OPEN! 🖤💛

Get ready to show your Viking pride with brand-new designs and even more ways to represent SFA!

This year’s lineup includes:
✨ A featured shirt honoring our patron’s Jubilee Year
✨ A fresh new SFA logo design
🏈 A new “Game Day” design
🏐 Our volleyball spirit shirt
🧢 More embroidered apparel and merchandise
🥤 Imprinted drinkware
🧊 And even coolers!

This is the perfect chance to get the whole family decked out in SFA Viking gear while supporting our school. As always, proceeds from every purchase benefit St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School!

🛍️ Shop now: https://messengerclothing.chipply.com/261309

📦 Orders will be available for pickup at our Open House Social on August 12.
GO VIKINGS! 🖤💛