All News
Representative from Notre Dame
A representative from Notre Dame will be on campus during lunch today in Serra Court to share information about a summer program at Notre Dame. The program is open to all students who are interested in deepening their relationship with God and exploring their call to service for others.
Parent Service Hours Update
All remaining parent service hours are no longer required. Contact Dean Cost with questions.
Principal’s Newsletter 3/13/20
Dear St. Francis Families,
Our community, state, and country are facing an unprecedented health crisis. The recent school closures across the Sacramento region and neighboring counties have precipitated K-12 schools and universities to consider partial or long-term closures.
In order to prepare for this fluid situation, our teachers met today to review our distance learning plan, which will guarantee continuity of instruction with minimal disruption to our educational experience. We are prepared to roll out our distance learning plan next Wednesday, March 18, 2020, and will continue to provide a robust learning experience for your daughters. As this situation evolves, any change in the delivery of instruction will be communicated from my office. I am also attaching a memorandum from our Superintendent and Executive Director of Schools, which outlines the closure of all Diocesan schools.
Again, it is important to note that there are no reported cases of COVID-19 at St. Francis or in the Diocese. If this changes in the coming days, we will notify you immediately.
Yesterday, Governor Gavin Newsom issued an Executive Order, updating the guidelines for gatherings to protect public health and slow the spread of COVID-19. He also reiterated that schools/districts follow guidance provided by the California Department of Public Health regarding potential school closures if a student, teacher, or staff person tests positive for COVID-19.
For now, please continue to follow these protocols to protect yourselves and others:
- Wash hands with soap and water regularly.
- Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay away from school, work or other people if you become sick with respiratory symptoms like fever and cough.
The health and safety of our students and staff is our top priority, and we will continue to keep our school community apprised of any changes that could impact our school schedule or operations beyond this temporary closure.
Given the heightened levels of anxiousness in many of us, I ask that everyone join us in prayer as we navigate the days ahead.
St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!
Pax et Bonum (peace and goodness),
Elias Mendoza
Principal
Chromebooks Charger Order Links
Freshman Charger CTL NL7T: Click HERE
Sophomore & Junior Charger J5: Click HERE
Senior Charger Acer R11: Click HERE
Impact Teen Drivers Event Postponed
As many of you may be aware, Dads’ Club, in cooperation with the Impact Teen Drivers organization and the California Highway Patrol, have been planning to host the Annual Impact Teen Drivers Parent-Teen Workshop at the CHP Academy on Saturday, April 4, 2020.
This is a special and popular event for St. Francis and Jesuit students as they learn the importance of developing and maintaining safe driving skills. Putting on this event requires a significant effort and the resources of the CHP, and we are grateful to them for their hard work and continued support.
Important Reminders from the Business Office
Registration emails for the 2020–2021 school year went out last week and will be extended until Tuesday, March 31st. The registration fee of $725 will be due at that time, along with the graduation fee of $200 for seniors. If your family did not receive the email, contact Michael Gallo at MGallo@stfrancishs.org. Additionally, we know these are unprecedented times with a lot of uncertainty. If you are having financial difficulties, please reach out to us.
Booster Club – Invitation to March Meeting & Board Nominations
We will be accepting nominations for three of our board seats: President, Vice-President, and Secretary. Whether it’s hosting Booster BBQs for each sport, handing out ice cream, or helping with special school events like Freshmen Registration Night and Sports Physical Night, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved! The Booster Club is a FREE, FUN, and FULFILLING way to strengthen our Troubie community and boost the spirit of our school through athletics.
Used Uniform Sale – May 7, 2020
The Annual Used Uniform Sale will be held on May 7, 2020, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Please come and shop for uniform bargains! All proceeds benefit the scholarship fund.
No early birds, please. Doors will not open before 5:00 p.m. Cash or check only.
SFHS Preparation for COVID-19
Update on Transition to Distance Learning
March 16, 2020
Dear St. Francis Families,
I am sure you have many questions after hearing that school would be closed for the next two weeks. Below is a list of some of the questions and the answers that you may have considered over the weekend. On a personal note, I cannot express how much I appreciate the patience and support you have shown us throughout this COVID-19 situation. I can assure you that every person who works at St. Francis Catholic High School has your child’s best interests at heart, and they will be working hard over the next two weeks to ensure a continuity of learning and a smooth return to school whenever that date is identified by public health officials, as well as federal/state/local authorities.
I’m also attaching a memorandum from our Superintendent and Executive Director of Schools, which outlines the transition from brick and mortar instruction to an online format.
How will distance learning work?
Message from the Principal – Schedule Change on Tuesday (3/10) & Wednesday (3/11)
Dear St. Francis Families,
Many of you may not be aware that our students participated in a contest sponsored by NOW 100.5 radio station, Stand Up & Swipe Out Bullying. The school with the most votes would earn a free concert by two bands, Fitz and the Tantrums and Public.
Well, as always, our Troubies don’t like to lose, and wouldn’t you know it, we won by a landslide! The unfortunate part is that the radio station gave us a short window to prepare. Their schedule is very fixed, requiring us to adjust our schedule to fit their needs, not vice versa.
We did not want to adversely impact one class, so the new modified schedule for Tuesday and Wednesday will be a special 60. Please see the schedule below.
Additionally, no outside guests (other students, alumnae or parents) will be allowed to participate.
TUESDAY
- Activity 8:00-9:55 a.m. (Teacher Collaboration)
- A Block 10:00 -11:00 a.m.
- B Block 11:05 a.m.-12:05 p.m.
- Lunch 12:10 -12:50 p.m.
- C Block 12:55 -1:55 p.m.
- D Block 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
- E Block 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
- F Block 9:05 – 10:05 a.m.
- G Block: 10:10 -11:10 a.m.
- Lunch 11:15 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
- Concert: 12:10 -1:10 p.m.
- Break (give students time to exit Gym and get to class): 1:10 – 1:20 p.m.
- H Block 1:20 – 2:20 p.m. (students release 40 minutes early).
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Elias Mendoza
Principal
Hardback Books Needed for Music Man
The theatre set for Music Man needs hardback books that can be cut up (no textbooks). The theatre needs these by March 19th. Please drop off the donations in the theatre to Jeremy Toy.
Sculpture 1 & 2 Classes Supporting River City Food Bank
Sculpture 1 & 2 (Mary Stember’s classes) created over 50 ceramic bowls and gave them to River City Food Bank for their largest fundraiser of the year. We are happy to support River City Food Bank, which helps to feed people who are food insecure.
Parent Volunteers Needed for Freshman Registration Night
We are in need of parent volunteers for Freshman Registration Night on March 11th. Please sign up on MVP HERE.
Principal’s Newsletter 3/06/20
Dear St. Francis Families,
This week marked the end of the third quarter, as well as the beginning of course registration for the 2020-2021 school year. The remaining nine weeks of this semester are going to move pretty quickly. I ask that you keep an eye on the calendar and subsequent announcements to stay on top of all of the end-of-year events.
Not that I’m counting, but Easter break is only four weeks away! While it may appear like an eternity to our Troubies, it will be here before they know it. Please continue to motivate your daughter to get her to that much needed break. Encourage her to plan ahead and meet with her teachers and Guidance counselor if needed. In this way, she can enjoy the break before she returns to finish off the semester.
On this first Friday of the Lenten Season, I hope your acts of abstinence and fasting bring you closer to our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Pax et Bonum (peace and goodness),
Elias Mendoza
Principal
Dress Code Reminder
While the weather has been a little strange recently, there are a few more days of winter left. Please remind your daughter(s) about the proper dress code at St. Francis. If she has any questions about an acceptable article of clothing, have her refer to Page 52 in the Student-Parent Handbook.
One of the common dress code infractions we’ve seen an increase in recently is the wearing of unapproved leggings/tights or sweatpants under skirts. The handbook clearly states that “tights or leggings must be black or grey and must be solid; no patterns or netting allowed.”
Athletic News – 3/06/20
ATHLETICS UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES
- Swimming/Track & Field Booster Que, March 11, Jesuit HS
- Swimming Letters to Dad, March 30, TBA
- Diving Booster Que, St. Francis Invite, April 18, Capital Divers
- Diving Letters to Dad, April 20, TBA
- Lacrosse Booster Que and Senior Game, April 21, Mather Sports
- Spring Collegiate Signing Celebration, April 22
- Softball Booster Que, May 4, 4:00 p.m.
Tennis Coach, Kristi Spector, Named California State Coach of the Year
Seniors – Information from Guidance
- Make sure to keep checking your college portals often.
- As you learn your college decisions, please update your results in Naviance.
- Scholarship awards also need to be entered into Naviance. Make sure to keep a copy of your scholarship award letters so that we can accurately report this in the graduation program. (Scholarship amounts are recorded in Naviance, but not published.)
- If you plan on attending community college, now is the time to complete your application and add it to your FAFSA. Come down to Guidance with any quest
Rising Sophomores (2023): Summer Registration is Open
Rising Sophomores: Health, Drivers Education, C-STEM, Physics,Chemistry, and SAT Prep
Happy Birthday to those students celebrating a birthday during the month of March!
Freshmen: Gabriella Isabel O’Brien, Victoria Han-Wei, Madelyn Elisabeth Villere, Emily Doris Kroettinger, Sofia Isabel Alkire, Ella Marie Gordon, Sophia Claire Edwards, Lillian Macy Burke, Olivia Hughes Crull, Brooke Helena Kirchner, Ashley Timm, Jane Margaret Giza, Adrianne Elliott Brown, Natalie Rose Arcangel, Vivian Love Blair, Sofia Isabel Perez-Lanza, Aubrey Spowart, Charlotte Anne Gay, Riley Dian Hoffman Diacon, Ava Mackenzie Hunt, Abby Elizabeth Johnston, Emilie Ann Bell, Ava Virginia Stimson, Diane R.
Message from the Principal 3/04/20
Dear Sophomore Parents,
I am writing to communicate an upcoming staffing change that will affect your daughter’s Guidance Counselor assignment for the remainder of the school year.
After much discernment, our Guidance Counselor for the Class of 2022, Mrs. Lauren Williams, has accepted a position at a local public school district. Her time at St. Francis has been a blessing,and we will miss her presence and the gifts she brought to our school. We wish Lauren and her family the best as they make this new transition.
Mrs. Williams’ last day in the office will be Thursday, March 12, 2020. In preparation for her departure, we’ve been actively searching for a highly qualified successor to fill her role. In the interim, your daughter(s) will be in capable, experienced hands, as members of our Guidance Team, Mr. Poggi and Mrs. Anderson, will step in to assist during this transition:
Students with last names A-K may contact:
Mr. Joe Poggi, Class of 2021 Guidance Counselor. He has worked at St. Francis since 2010, coaches the track team, and is also parent of an alumna (Class of 2015). He can be reached at: jpoggi@stfrancishs.org.
Students with last names L-Z may contact:
Mrs. Nora Anderson, Class of 2020 Guidance Counselor. She has worked at St. Francis since 2007 and is an alumna from the Class of 1983. She can be reached at: nanderson@stfrancishs.org.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me directly.
Sincerely,
Elias Mendoza
Principal