Dear Senior Families,

I want to thank you all for your prompt response to our senior parent survey that went out on Friday, April 24th. As of the 11:59pm deadline Monday night, we received 127 responses from parents and 164 from Seniors. We appreciate all the thought and candor that went into completing these.

One thing that came through loud and clear was the sadness that students feel about the loss and disruption to so many of the things they worked hard for and had anticipated for a long time. The same holds true for families. Our hearts are with all of you as we also feel this sadness with and for the Class of 2020. 
 

The pandemic and corresponding social distancing restrictions have in essence robbed the Class of 2020 from having the traditional closure to their time at St. Francis. It has also deprived parents of an 18-year journey culminating in a graduation at Memorial Auditorium. 

While none of us wishes to be in this crisis, we are grateful to be able to work together to make the best of these circumstances. We heard you and your daughters, and with your input, we can prioritize and reimagine a celebratory end that honors our students and their families. Here are the end of year events that Seniors and parents undoubtedly want to happen in a modified in-person manner, even if they have to be delayed to later this summer when restrictions are lifted and it is safe for all parties involved. It was interesting to note that both groups were in agreement, and parents seemed to very much desire what their daughters want.

Top five choices, for Students:
Graduation                              
Sr. Ball                                     
Grad Night                               
Sr. Sunset                                
Baccalaureate                         

Top five choices, for Parents:

Graduation                             
Sr. Ball                                    
Sr. Sunset                               
Baccalaureate                        
Grad Night                             

When asked specifically about Graduation, the overwhelming response was to have some kind of modified in-person event rather than a virtual event. 

Speaking on behalf of our entire administration and faculty, we want what you want. We want to celebrate your daughter and give you all a send-off reminiscent of your time at St. Francis. With such an overwhelming response to creating as many modified “in-person” events as possible, we continue to wait for additional guidance from federal/state and local authorities on the shelter in place order and when social gatherings will be allowed. Until that time, we’ll continue to lay out options for events based on the input we’ve received from our students and their parents.

Please continue to support us in prayer as we finalize plans for these events. We anticipate more state and local guidance at the end of this week and will use that to formulate options and timelines. We will provide you with additional information late in the day on Monday, May 4th.  In the meantime, we’re planning a special cap and gown pick-up day on Friday, May 8th. More information will be sent to students from Mrs. McGreevy with important details in the coming days.

We thank you for your grace, patience and support of St. Francis Catholic High School. Please know that we want nothing more than to celebrate your daughters with a reverent Baccalaureate Mass and Graduation ceremony they’ve been waiting for since freshman year.  

I continue to pray that you and yours are healthy and that we can be together again soon!

In the spirit of Pax et Bonum,

Elias Mendoza
Principal