Hello St. Francis Families, 

I want to share an update on the initial phase (Aug. 10-Sept. 7, 2020) of St. Francis’s Return-to-School opening. After Friday’s directive from the Governor, and our on-going discussions with the Sacramento County Health Officer and the Diocese of Sacramento, we know that in-person class instruction cannot happen until our county has been off the state’s COVID-19 watch list for 14 consecutive days. The news that our county is not yet ready to move to in-person instruction is disappointing. It remains our hope to have students and faculty on campus in a safe manner as much as and as soon as possible this year. However, we will always defer to the safest and best choice available to us. With this in mind, the decision has been made to begin the 2020-2021 school year in instructor-led distance learning mode. 

To help minimize prolonged uncertainty around how and when we will start the academic year, we will remain in distance learning through Labor Day, September 7th, while we continue to monitor the COVID-19 numbers and work with the County Health Officer and Diocese to prepare to move into our Synchronous Hybrid Learning Model as soon as that option becomes safe and feasible. 

While the COVID-19 situation remains ever-changing, I hope this decision provides clarity for the initial opening phase of school so that you can enjoy these last weeks of summer break. Our Safe Return-to-School Plan will be updated and included in this Friday’s newsletter. Communication will be regular and on-going as we all navigate the impacts of the coronavirus together.  

Many of our faculty and staff are already on campus adapting to this dynamic situation and planning how best to meet the needs of all of our students, with the remainder returning to campus on August 3, 2020. The student welcome and orientation week will still be held the week of August 10th, and classes will begin via distance learning on Monday, August 17th. 

 I am grateful to our dedicated faculty and staff who remain fully prepared to continue providing not only an exceptional education and St. Francis experience, but personal care and concern for each student, just as St. Francis Catholic High School has done for the last 80 years. 

Thank you for your continued support.
Pax et Bonum,

Elias Mendoza