Principal Newsletter Archives

Dear St. Francis Families,

I hope this email finds you well, healthy, and safe! To say we are in unprecedented times would certainly be the understatement of the year!  So much has happened in the past week. Seven days ago, our faculty spent the day preparing for a possible school closure. Little did we know that in a matter of days, we would have to implement our Distance Learning Plan, and leave our beloved campus for a prolonged period of time. 

The transition has not been seamless, but we have been able to adjust our digital instruction to meet our students’ needs. Our faculty has been exceptional in learning new ways to interact and engage their students virtually. While there are some limitations with this new digital interface, our students are savvy and intrepid navigators of this digital world, meeting the requirements set by their teachers. 

In the coming days, I’m confident that our students and teachers will acclimate to this new routine and continue to excel in their studies. As we continue to provide online instruction, it is imperative that we keep our students engaged in a predictable routine. While they may not be receiving face-to-face instruction, they are still in school. Please help them stay on track and focused.  In order to do this, encourage the following best practices for online instruction:

• Identify a quiet spot for your daughter to do her work. Make it pleasant and comfortable, but not too comfortable.
• Make sure the area is well lit and quiet.
• Ensure your daughter gets dressed for a regular day of school. Pajamas are okay, but this may to put her in a totally different mood.
• Eating breakfast before she starts the day is a must!
• Only necessary items for school should be out—no extra distractions!
• Have her stick to the schedule set by the school.
• Have her go to bed at a decent time (just like school), so her brain is ready to learn in the morning.
• Have her take breaks as needed throughout the day. Encourage her to get up, and move around for a few minutes between subjects.
• Don’t forget to eat lunch as well.

I know our circumstances are not ideal, but I realize that our students will be better prepared and resilient because of this experience. We are living through a historic moment. We’ll remember this year for many reasons, but I hope that one of those is for how we handled the challenges.   

Lastly, I appreciate each and every one of our Troubies, and pray that you and your family remain healthy and safe.

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Pax et Bonum (peace and goodness), 

Elias Mendoza
Principal

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

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

Dear St. Francis Families,

Our philosophy as a Catholic preparatory school is based on our belief in God and our commitment to the values of the Catholic Faith.  Inherent in this philosophy is the development of our young women to become a force for “peace and goodness.”  

It was a pleasure seeing parents and grandparents at our Ash Wednesday Mass this past Wednesday, helping our Troubies enter Lent in the proper spirit. As we end the month of February, we look ahead to the coming weeks of the Lenten Season.

In preparation for the Lenten Season, I leave you with this closing prayer:

Dear God, you sent your Son, Jesus, into the world that we might always enjoy your peace. Give us the strength to live as your children and to be makers of peace and unity. Grant that all people might put aside their differences and seek the unity of your Kingdom. We make this prayer to you in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Pax et Bonum (peace and goodness),

Elias Mendoza
Principal

Dear St. Francis Families,

This was a short week. It’s hard to believe that we are quickly approaching the end of February, along with the end of the 3rd Quarter on March 6th. We are cognizant that this time of year brings some added stress, as Christian Service hours are due on Friday, February 28th. Please reassure your daughter that there is still time to improve her overall grade/s, and that meeting with teachers now is better than waiting until the end of the semester.  

Also, I would like to remind our sophomore families that this Sunday, February 23rd, is our Sophomore Family Mass.  We prepare our Class of 2022 for the transition to junior year, as they participate in the ceremonial blessing of their pins and/or rings. I look forward to seeing you all there!

Lastly, I have an important reminder for our current junior families.  This coming Tuesday, February 25th, your daughter will be taking the ACT with writing from approximately 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 

In order for us to begin the examination on time, it is imperative that your daughter be on campus no later than 7:45 a.m.  Please remember that due to testing security, we will require that all cell phones, smart watches, and other digital devices be turned off until the examination is over. 

Due to the ACT examination, 9th, 10th, and 12th graders will not attend classes on February 25th. 

May God continue to bless your daughters and give them courage to be a force of Pax et Bonum here at St. Francis, and wherever else He may call them to be. 

Pax et Bonum (peace and goodness),

Elias Mendoza
Principal

Dear St. Francis Families,

The month of February is here. While the sunny weather is a little misleading, it is not spring yet. There are 14 weeks left of this academic year, and there is plenty of work to do in the remaining weeks of the semester. Let’s encourage our Troubies to keep their eyes on the prize and not to lose sight of the finish line, whether it be graduation or completing their respective grade level.

Looking ahead to next week, Valentine’s Day is next Friday, February 14th. Several of our students will begin to ask about balloons, flowers, stuffed animals, chocolates, and other items be delivered to the school. Unfortunately, we do not accept any deliveries for students due to health and safety concerns. We are also unable to store them in the front office. We encourage our students to celebrate after school and/or have those items delivered to their home address. We appreciate your understanding, and I hope all of our Troubies feel loved and appreciated on Valentine’s Day.

Pax et Bonum (peace and goodness),

Elias Mendoza
Principal

Dear St. Francis Families,

Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen more traffic on surface roads around St. Francis, St. Mary’s, and Phoebe Hearst Elementary. With increased traffic, some of our more novice drivers may not be equipped to navigate narrow roads, cars parked along the curb, pedestrians, etc. If you have a new driver in your household, please remind her to obey the posted speed limit and other traffic laws, as well as being vigilant of younger students walking or riding their bicycles to school. A few extra seconds can prevent a tragedy, and save someone’s life.   

As a reminder, next week is our annual Pax et Bonum week, in which we celebrate the blessings of Catholic Schools. We have some fun events scheduled for our students. I invite you to participate in our Pax et Bonum Mass on Wednesday, January 29th, and our annual SWAP Day on Friday, January 31st.  I look forward to seeing you at one or both of these events.

In the spirit of the upcoming week, I offer the following reflective prayer:

Good and gracious God,

We give you thanks for the many blessings you have given us through our families: through our parents, our primary educators in the faith; through our siblings, who walk with us on our earthly journey; and through all who guard and guide us in your light and your truth.

We pray you will continue to inspire our families, so that our devotion to you, and our care for one another, may be a visible sign of your conditional love. We ask this through Christ, our Lord.

Pax et Bonum (peace and goodness),

Elias Mendoza
Principal

Dear St. Francis Families,

Welcome back, and Happy New Year!  It is hard to believe that we are in the second half of the 2019-2020 academic year. I know the two weeks of Christmas break probably passed by at a different pace, but now that school is back in session, a sense of normalcy should return to your households.  The remaining months of this semester are going to move quite rapidly, and it’s important that we remind our students to plan ahead, stay on target, and resist procrastination. 

As the pace of the semester picks-up, we also want to ensure that our Troubies utilize the various support systems that we have in place at St. Francis, such as asking teachers for assistance, signing up for tutoring, and working with Guidance and/or Wellness counselors to decrease some of the inherent anxiety that happens toward the end of the semester.

I look forward to seeing you at some of the upcoming premier events of the year, our annual Crab Feed on Saturday, February 1st, and Revelry Gala and Auction on Saturday, March 7th. 

Pax et Bonum (peace and goodness),

Elias Mendoza
Principal

Dear St. Francis Families,

Can you believe we are halfway through the 2019-20 academic year?  The past few months have flown by, and we are now all ready for a much needed break.  Since this will be the last Principal’s Newsletter of 2019, I would like to congratulate the Class of 2023, for successfully completing their first high school final exams! I know the whole process of taking final exams can be a little intimidating, but all of our Troubies showed their mettle and rose to the occasion, well done!

As we begin the Christmas break, I would like to remind you that St. Francis will be closed from the afternoon of Friday, December 20th through Monday, January 6th. School will be back in session on Tuesday, January 7th.  

On behalf of the St. Francis faculty and staff, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. 

Pax et Bonum (peace and goodness),

Elias Mendoza
Principal

Dear St. Francis Families,

Welcome back! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving break with family and friends.

It’s hard to believe that it’s now December, and final exams are only a week away! During this time of the semester, it’s only natural for our Troubies to be nervous and perhaps a little anxious about the upcoming exams. Please encourage your student to plan ahead, study in a quiet and dedicated place, avoid digital device distractions, eat and hydrate appropriately, and most importantly, get adequate rest before finals week. Remind her that memorizing or cramming all of the material at once usually doesn’t bring about the best results. Finding balance is key, and students should reward learning with purposeful breaks to recharge.

Also, with finals looming, there may be an uptick in students feeling the need to resort to unwise study methods that do not meet our Academic Honesty standards.  My recommendation is that students use the resources available to them (i.e. teachers, tutors, parents, study guides, peer study sessions, etc.). This is the perfect time to strategize a study plan prior to final exams.

Know that we care about the physical and mental well-being of our students, and we want them to be successful!

Pax et Bonum (peace and goodness),

Elias Mendoza
Principal

Dear St. Francis Families,

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday next week, it’s important to pause and reflect on the many blessings we have in our lives. Sometimes we take for granted all that we have and don’t appreciate those things we cherish the most until they are gone.

As an acknowledgement of our patron saint and the life of humility and service he led, remember that our gratitude should be expressed in more than just words. It should be demonstrated by the actions and the life we live. 

I would like extend a heartfelt invitation to our annual Thanksgiving Prayer Service on Tuesday, November 26th from 10:30-11:45 a.m. It will be a great way to begin the holiday season.

Pax et Bonum (peace and goodness),

Elias Mendoza
Principal

Dear St. Francis Families,

For the past three years, I’ve been impressed with the talent, dedication, and work ethic that all of our Troubies bring to Homecoming week.  They’ve been working on their Homecoming class themes for the past three weeks now, and the final products displayed today showcase their collective vision for Homecoming 2019. 

Tomorrow is our last Homecoming activity, and I look forward to seeing our Troubies and their dates celebrating at the Homecoming Dance. I also know that our Troubies will represent St. Francis as they always do, with class, dignity, and positive behavior.

Additionally, as we prepare for the three-day weekend in observance of the Veteran’s Day Holiday, please remember the men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice to serve and protect our country. Honor their memory, and also pray for those currently serving in harm’s way.

If you have a family member, neighbor, or friend who has served or is serving, thank them for their service, personal sacrifice, and unwavering dedication to preserve our freedoms and the ideals of this great country.  

Pax et Bonum (peace and goodness),

Elias Mendoza
Principal

Dear St. Francis Families,

In the coming weeks, we have two major events taking place; Homecoming and Halloween. The energized anticipation of these two events is almost palpable.

Since Halloween will once again fall on a school night, and some early celebrations may be taking place this weekend and the next, please encourage your daughter(s) to be safe and to remain vigilant of her surroundings wherever she may be celebrating this popular holiday. Also, discuss with your daughter(s) the dangers of alcohol, drugs, and vaping. These substances have become too common place, and sometimes parents are surprisingly unaware of the choices their children are making regarding these controlled substances. 

I know some of you have heard this message before, but please talk to your daughter(s) about saying “no”, and don’t be afraid to ask the questions that will keep them safe: Who are you hanging out with? What are your friends’ phone numbers? Who are their parents? Will there be adults supervising? Where do they live?  Sometimes as parents, we have to be the “bad guys” and do things that aren’t considered “cool,” but we do those things out of love and for the well-being of our children.

Let us pray that all of our children will be safe this upcoming weekend (and always).

 St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us! 

Pax et Bonum (peace and goodness),

Elias Mendoza
Principal

Dear St. Francis Families,

Yesterday we celebrated our 8th Annual Day of Giving, Thankful Thursday. The donations collected provides scholarship assistance to the more than 30% of our students who rely on financial support in order to attend St. Francis Catholic High School.  

We received a surprise visit from Good Day Sacramento, and they were able to capture some of the great energy and enthusiasm early Thursday morning during student drop-off. Please follow the link to see the short 3 ½ minute video. It’s great to be an SF Troubadour!

 St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us! 

Pax et Bonum (peace and goodness),

Elias Mendoza
Principal

Dear St. Francis Families,

In the upcoming week, we will be closing out the 1st Quarter of the fall semester. It is a good time to check in with your daughter(s) to ensure they are caught-up and submitted any work or assessments that need to be completed by Thursday, October 3rd. Keep in mind there’s still time left in the semester to improve a final course grade/s.  This is also the perfect time to realign priorities, and set new goals for the remaining weeks of the semester. If you have any questions or academic concerns, please reach out to your daughter(s) Guidance counselor.

Also, in the next three weeks, you will be receiving additional emails and seeing more social media traffic around our 8th annual day of giving, Thankful Thursday, which is on October 10, 2019.  This is incredibly important because all the funds raised on Thankful Thursday support the tuition assistance needs for 30% of our Troubies.

At St. Francis, our commitment as an institution is to educate young women to live full, responsible, and meaningful lives, and to inculcate a love for God’s creations, while helping to create a better and more peaceful world. We obviously could not do what we do without your support, involvement, and dedication to sustain this wonderful educational experience for our Troubies. 

Please support our mission, and give opportunities to those who seek the St. Francis experience.

 St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us! 

Pax et Bonum (peace and goodness),

Elias Mendoza
Principal

Dear St. Francis Families,

I want to provide you with an additional reminder that tomorrow, September 14, 2019, is the date for this year’s Holy Bowl. This is an annual tradition in which we support almost five decades of respectful athletic competition between Jesuit High School and Christian Brothers High School.  It is a family event, and I welcome you all to attend with your daughter(s) to celebrate our Sacramento area Catholic high schools.

Dear St. Francis Families,

We have had a busy start to the school year. I’m happy to report that our Troubies are quickly acclimating to their daily routine. Some of the feelings of angst that may have been experienced initially should be subsiding. If they are not, please have your daughter/s reach out to the Guidance and/or Wellness Department. 

Dear St. Francis Families,

As you are aware, we live in a world surrounded by digital media, where a Twitter, SnapChat, Instagram, Finsta or Facebook post can quickly take on a life of its own. As useful and indispensable as our digital devices may be, these do have the potential to harm others in a very tangible way. 

Dear St. Francis Families,

It is hard to believe that the summer break is quickly coming to an end, as we are only a few days away from the start of the 2019-20 school year. The faculty and staff returned this week, and we are eagerly anticipating the return of our 1,093 Troubies.

Dear St. Francis Families,

Dear St. Francis Families,

Dear St. Francis Families,

As the Easter Break officially begins this afternoon, I hope all of our Troubies are able to enjoy a restful and relaxing break. I know the next two weeks will most likely fly by. The return to school on Monday, April 29th, will bring some trepidation, as our students realize the end of the academic year is only a few weeks away.

Dear St. Francis Families,

The month of March has felt quite long, and your daughters have probably commented about when Easter Break is going to get here. Well, after this week, that well-deserved break is only two weeks away, ten school days left!

We know that during second semester, emotions run high due to a multitude of reasons. The realization the end of the school year is only 30 days away, which does not help. Please encourage your daughters to seek help if they need it from a teacher, Guidance or Wellness counselor, as well as our Administrative team. 

Dear St. Francis Families,

We had another busy week at St. Francis! We had four days of course verification, during which our Guidance Counselors review students’ course requests for accuracy, as well as to verify placement into the appropriate course/s. In addition to that process, our Campus Ministry Department managed to run three amazing Freshman Retreats, helping our Troubies grow in their faith journeys. 

Dear St. Francis Families,

At St. Francis, our philosophy is based on a belief in God and our commitment to the values of our Catholic Faith.  Inherent in this philosophy is the development of our young women to become forces for “peace and goodness.”  

As we begin the month of March, we look ahead to the coming week in which we prepare for the Lenten Season. If you are able to, please consider joining us for Ash Wednesday Mass on March 6th, from 10:00 a.m. – 11:10 a.m., and start Lent in the proper spirit. 

Dear St. Francis Families,

This was a short week and it is hard to believe we are approaching the end of February, along with the end of the 3rd Quarter on March 1st. We are cognizant that this time of year brings some added stress, as Christian Service hours are due on Thursday, February 28th, and the end of the grading period is quickly approaching. Please reassure your daughters there is still time to improve their overall grade/s, and meeting with teachers now is better than waiting until the end of the semester. 

Dear St. Francis Families,

As the first full week of February comes to an end, and Christmas break seems like a long time ago, the remaining weeks of the spring semester are going to accelerate pretty quickly. There are 13-weeks remaining in the school year, and plenty of work to do in the meantime. Please encourage your Troubie(s) to keep their eyes on the prize and not lose sight of the finish line, whether it be graduation or completing their current grade level. Summer break will be here before they know it.

Dear St. Francis Families,

We had another fantastic week at St. Francis! Your daughters are tackling the new year with positive energy and optimism. While looking ahead to the remaining months of this semester, they’ve already begun to hear about the course registration for the upcoming academic year. Obviously, our seniors are slowly starting to realize their time at St. Francis is quickly coming to an end, and they are anxiously looking ahead to new experiences and adventures. 

Dear St. Francis Families,

Welcome back and Happy New Year!  It is hard to believe that we are in the second-half of the 2018-19 academic year. I know the two weeks of Christmas break probably moved at a different pace, but now that school is back in session, a sense of normalcy should return to your households.  The remaining months of this semester are going to move quite rapidly, and it’s important that we remind our daughters to plan ahead, stay on target, and not to procrastinate. 

Dear St. Francis Families,

As this week comes to a close, I would like to recognize the hard work, dedication, and sacrifice our Troubies have shown throughout this fall semester. I know their efforts to plan ahead, prioritize, and study will be rewarded in the upcoming week of final exams. 

Please encourage your student(s) to study wisely over the weekend, and to get adequate rest on Sunday night. 

I offer the following prayer as our students begin their preparation for final exams.

Dear St. Francis Families,

As November comes to a close, and we prepare ourselves for Advent and Christmas, don’t forget to pause and think about the true meaning of the season.

Dear St. Francis Families,

I hope you had a bountiful Thanksgiving Day, and I hope you enjoyed the time spent with family and friends. There have been a number of tragic events this November that remind me just how much we have to be grateful for as a school community.  I am personally thankful for each of you. May God continue to bless you and be ever present in your lives during times of personal challenge and joy.

St. Francis of Assisi pray for us!

Pax et Bonum (peace and goodness),

Elias Mendoza
Principal

Dear St. Francis Families,

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday next week, it’s important to pause and reflect on the many blessings we have in our lives. Sometimes we take for granted all that we have, and we don’t appreciate those things we cherish the most until they are gone.

Given the devastation caused by the Camp Fire, I think it is an opportune time to take stock of our many blessings. Let us express our gratitude to our family members, friends, neighbors, or those silent contributors that support us each and every day. 

Dear St. Francis Families,

As we prepare for the three-day weekend in observance of the Veterans’ Day Holiday, let us remember the men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice to serve and protect our country. We also pray for those currently serving in harm’s way.  May God bless them, watch over them, and return them safely home to their loved ones.

Dear St. Francis Families,

As we finish Homecoming week, I am amazed by the talent, dedication, and work ethic that all of our Troubies exhibited this week. They have been working on their Homecoming class themes for the past three weeks, and the final products showcased their collective vision.  The amount of school spirit and pride was certainly displayed at our Homecoming Rally today.

Dear St. Francis Families,

Dear St. Francis Families,

Dear St. Francis Families,

I can’t believe we have completed the fifth week of instruction! The first month of school has flown by, and our Troubies are settling into their routine. 

Dear St. Francis Families,

I have spoken with a few parents and received additional emails inquiries about PowerSchool. Let me first reassure you by saying that we are working diligently to provide you with seamless access to your student’s grade portal.

When we were transitioning from our previous Student Information System (SIS) over the summer, we were under the impression PowerSchool would be able to communicate with our previous Learning Management System (LMS). That was not the case. Additionally, we wanted to provide you with a single-logon option, but due to some unforeseen technical issues, and limitations in the platform, we were not comfortable rolling out PowerSchool in the format we envisioned.

I want to reassure you that we are still working with the vendor to ensure your experience is user friendly. We don’t want to make the logon process confusing and/or cumbersome. In the upcoming week, you will be receiving an email with logon instructions and you should be able to access  your student’s grades and attendance.

I apologize for the delay and thank you for your patience while we implement this new SIS.  In the meantime, please have your daughter’s login to her PowerSchool Learning (Haiku) account and show you her current grades.  

Enjoy the upcoming Labor Day holiday with your families, and cherish the quality time you spend together. If you are traveling this weekend, be safe, and we’ll be waiting for you on Tuesday, September 4th.

St. Francis of Assisi pray for us!

Pax et Bonum (peace and goodness),

Elias Mendoza
Principal

Dear St. Francis Families,

Welcome to the 2018-19 school year! We are blessed to have many new and returning families with excited Troubies back on our campus. It was a pleasant sight, seeing all the enthusiasm and energy they brought to our school this week.

Dear St. Francis Families,

We are only a few days away from the start of the 2018-19 school year! The faculty and staff returned this week, and we are eagerly anticipating the return of our Troubies.

I am also happy to share with you that after a lengthy search and thorough interview process, we were able to hire a new 9th and 10th grade Assistant Principal. Dr. Jason Javier-Watson joined the Administrative team this week, and we are happy to have him.

Dr. Javier-Watson joins us from the University of Pennsylvania, where he was an adjunct professor and postdoctoral fellow.  He has a wide breadth of experience working with middle/high school teachers in training around issues of pedagogy, curriculum, and diversity. Over the past few years, he has trained over 1,000 educators from across the country on diversity issues in public, charter, independent, and higher education institutions. Prior to being in academia, he was also a secondary school teacher in Philadelphia, teaching Spanish 1/2 and English Language Arts (ELA) for 7 years.

Please join me in welcoming Dr. Jason Javier-Watson to our school community. Parents will have an opportunity to meet him at Back-to-School Night on August 23rd, and the entire community is invited to meet him at our St. Francis Day Celebration on Saturday, September 22nd.

Let us extend Pax et Bonum (peace and goodness) to Dr. Javier-Watson.

St. Francis of Assisi pray for us!

Sincerely,

Elias Mendoza
Principal

Dear St. Francis Families,

This past Wednesday was our Commencement Ceremony at Memorial Auditorium, and it was a beautiful and holy event where we honored the graduating Class of 2018!  It was the culmination of an amazing four years of faith, excellence, leadership and service. Our 247 graduates, crossing the stage in their white robes, was validation for all of their hard work and perseverance. I am proud of all they have accomplished, and know they will leave St. Francis being models of Pax et Bonum, as they embark on new adventures. Congratulations to the Class of 2018 and their families!

While this may be my last newsletter for the academic year, the entire St. Francis faculty and staff look forward to welcoming your daughters when they return in the fall. 

Whatever your summer plans may be, and wherever your travels take you, may God watch over you and bring you safely home.

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Pax et Bonum (peace and goodness),    

Elias Mendoza
Principal 

Dear Families,

Last night was our Commencement Ceremony at Memorial Auditorium which was a beautiful and holy event where we honored our Troubies in the Class of 2017. It was the culmination of an amazing four years of  faith, excellence, leadership and service. Watching our 244 graduates cross the stage in their white robes, I was moved by their joy and sisterhood. I am proud and confident that they will leave SF and live the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi, being models of Pax et Bonum in the world. Congratulations to the Class of 2017 and their families!

This is my last newsletter as Principal as I move move full time into the President’s position. We have appointed a new Principal, Mr. Elias Mendoza, and we warmly welcome him to our community. Read more.

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

As we enter into the spring season of proms, balls and graduation parties, I would like to ask you to talk to your daughters about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. Most parents are woefully unaware of the choices their children are making regarding these substances. Please talk to your children about saying no, and don’t be afraid to ask the questions that will keep them safe: Who are you hanging out with? What are your friends’ phone numbers? Who are their parents? Will they be supervising? Where do they live? Children need parents who are willing to set boundaries, even though kids push against them. Sometimes doing the right thing doesn’t always feel good, but out of love and concern for the safety and well-being of our kids, sometimes we have to be the “bad guys.”  Let us pray that all our children will be safe this season. 

We head into the second week of AP testing.  Please pray for our students who will be taking these high stakes tests.

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

As Lent comes to an end with the Holy Triduum this week consisting of the Lord’s Supper on Thursday, the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday, and the Resurrection of our Lord on Sunday, we are reminded of Christ’s great love and sacrifice for us. May this be a time of reflection and gratitude for all we have been given. We wish you a beautiful holiday and pray that this Easter season bring an outpouring of the Holy Spirit to you and yours.

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

Spring is definitely in the air and happy Troubies abound!  Our girls donned their neon today in honor of the Recognition Rally which had a “Golden Glow” theme. We honored our outgoing and incoming SBOs, arts, campus ministry, athletics, academic teams, clubs, and faculty and staff for their work in making this year a success.  Mom Prom is tonight and promises to be another amazingly fun event.  On Monday we will tape our school-wide lip dub at lunch, so be on the lookout next week for this fun video!

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

Next week we will host Freshmen Registration Night for our incoming class of 2021 and their families.  We are thrilled with our numbers for next year and welcome 320 new Troubies, our largest class!  Please keep these new families in your prayers, that their transition to our community will be filled with peace and joy.

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

Happy Lent!  I know this isn’t normally something we say, but Lent is a time of hope as we take the next 40 days to turn inward and prepare for Christ’s Passion, Death and Resurrection.  I pray that you are your families grow closer in your walk with the Lord through prayer, fasting and almsgiving.  May this be a season of spiritual growth for our entire community!

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

At Wednesday’s assembly, our guest speaker, Rochelle Whellums, spoke to our Troubies about habits.  She said, “Habits are powerful.  Be aware of your habits today because today you own them. Tomorrow, they own you.”  Her message about how habits shape our lives highlighted the power of our words on others. She gave our students the opportunity to stand up individually and express gratitude to friends, siblings, and adults on campus for the impact those people have had in their lives.  It was a powerful, joy-filled and emotional time for everyone.  I am reminded of St. Teresa of Calcutta’s words, “We can do no great things, only small things with great love.” I can think of no better habit than loving our neighbor, and that is what our SF community is all about!

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

Next Tuesday is Valentine’s Day, a day when we celebrate love, devotion and romance; but did you know that this is the feast day of St. Valentine of Rome?  Valentine is believed to have lived in the third-century Rome and was imprisoned for marrying Christian couples and aiding Christians being persecuted by the emperor Claudius. He was executed after refusing to renounce his Christian faith. St. Valentine is the Patron Saint of bee keepers, engaged couples, epilepsy, fainting, greetings, happy marriages, love, lovers, plague, travellers, and young people. He is represented in pictures with birds and roses and his feast day is celebrated on February 14th. (http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=159) St. Valentine, pray for us!  St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

The last couple weeks of storms have made driving to work and school a bit treacherous, the wind and rain causing flooding and power outages.  However, the rain has also hydrated our fields, filled our lakes and caused snow in the Sierras.  Let us remember to be grateful for the gifts God has given us. After years of drought, we rejoice in the blessing of water.  In his prayer “The Canticle of Brother Sun,” St. Francis of Assisi wrote, “Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water, which is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.”  We sing God’s praises for the gift of water.  

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

Spring semester is a busy time at SFHS, with athletics, arts, academic events, and retreats happening every week. I have had the privilege of attending several SFHS retreats and have loved my experiences with our Troubies. Our retreats give participants an opportunity to step away from their busy lives and reflect on themselves and their relationship with our Lord. Faith is one of the pillars of our school and so important in our life journey. Our Campus Ministry team does an amazing job of fostering this pillar in our staff and students. The impact retreats have on our participants is profound, giving people a new sense of community and purpose. I would like you to encourage your daughter to attend a retreat every year. I promise you, she will not be disappointed!  

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

We invite all St. Francis dads to celebrate their daughters and the holiday season at the annual Father Daughter Dance coming up on Friday, December 9th.  This beloved event is a St. Francis tradition that has created memories that dads and daughters cherish for years to come.  Please join us for a fun and festive evening that you won’t want to miss!  Click HERE for more information.

Please join us for our school-wide Mass on Thursday, December 8th at 10:10 a.m. in the gym to celebrate the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary which is a Holy Day of Obligation.

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

As you may have already read, Bishop Soto has appointed me as the new president of our school. I am honored to take on this new role and serve our community in advancing the mission of St. Francis Catholic High School. This opportunity brings new change as we now look to fill the role of principal. We will post the job through the holidays and interview after the new year for a start date of July 1. I will continue to serve as both president and principal until this time. If you know of anyone who would be a good candidate for the principal position, please let him/her know that we will be posting the position soon. Please pray for me in my new role, and please pray that our Lord brings us a dynamic principal.  

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

This was a wonderfully spirited week of Homecoming festivities!  Our Troubies went above and beyond in their costumes, skits and cheers, and as always, they demonstrated what sisterhood is all about.  Please pray for a fun, safe Homecoming Dance tomorrow night. We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, November 1st, for our All Saints Day Mass which will be at 10:35 in the gym.  This is a Holy Day of Obligation, and we love seeing our families join us for liturgy.

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

Our Open House last weekend brought in over 500 future Troubies!  It was one of the most highly attended Open Houses that we’ve ever had.  Thank you for being great ambassadors of our school and encouraging your friends, neighbors and parishioners to check out our amazing community.  We could not do what we do without your help, support and prayers.  As we continue to move through “Admissions season,”  please continue to share the good news of SFHS!

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

Tomorrow, Saturday, October 1st, we are hosting our second annual  St. Francis Day Celebration from 3:30-7:30 PM. Please bring your family and friends and celebrate the Feast of St. Francis and the gift of our community! This is a family event with free food, games for the kids, and a live band. You won’t want to miss this wonderful community event!

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

The Diocese of Sacramento has posted the president job for our school, and it is also posted on our website – click HERE.  If you know of anyone who would be a great candidate to advance the mission of St. Francis Catholic High School, encourage him/her to apply.  In the meantime, I ask for your prayers that God will bring us qualified candidates for the interview process.  The job posting closes mid-October and the goal is to be able to announce the new president by December.

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

I invite you to join us for two events on campus next week.   The first is “Meet a Grandparent/Parent for Lunch” on Tuesday for students with last names A-L.  This is a great way to feel the joyful energy on campus, spend time with your Troubie, and sample our delicious food from Epicurean. We are also hosting our first-ever Math Night for parents on Thursday night to help you support your daughter’s math development.   We hope you can make it to both of these great events.  

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

It has been an amazing first two weeks of the 2016-17 school year!  I thank those parents who attended our Welcome Mass, a joyful liturgy that highlighted all that is beautiful in our community. Thank you also for attending Back to School Night and supporting our faculty and staff.  It, too, was a great evening for all.  Please keep our community in your prayers as we work together to mold our students into the women God is calling them to be.  

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

We officially welcome you to the 2016-17 school year!  We especially welcome the Class of 2020 and our transfer students and their families to SFHS.  This is the first of my weekly e-newsletters which you will receive every Friday.  We will keep you informed on student activities, special announcements, and upcoming parent volunteer opportunities.  It is a great way to stay up-to-date on all the latest SFHS happenings, and you can always go to our website for more information as well.   I invite you to our Welcome Back Mass on Wednesday, August 24, at 10:00 in the Gym, and we also look forward to seeing all of you on campus on Thursday, August 25, for Back to School Night, which begins with our official welcome at 5:45 in the Gym.  May this new school year help us all grow together as a strong faith community.  St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

On Wednesday of this week we honored students at our annual Awards Ceremony. At this event, we recognized students who received national recognitions, donor-sponsored scholarships, and the highest honors, the Pillar Awards of Faith Excellence, Leadership and Service. Of our 252 seniors, 70 received the general excellence medal which represents their earning a cumulative GPA of 4.0 or above for all eight semesters of high school. The class of 2016, as a whole, was offered over $32 million dollars in one time and four-year renewable scholarships. We have much to celebrate as we look forward to our commencement ceremony on Wednesday night!

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, commemorating the Blessed Mother’s appearance to three children from Fatima, Portugal in 1917. Mary’s message to them was simple – pray. And so today, I ask Our Lady of Fatima’s intercession for the health, safety, peace and well-being of our students as they head into the last few weeks of school. I ask for her holy mantle to be wrapped around all of our Troubies for their protection and inspiration to lead lives of holiness. I ask that you stop and pray a “Hail Mary” right now for all of our Troubies. Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us!

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

Next week we begin two weeks of Advanced Placement (AP) testing on campus. This year we have 330 students taking 526 exams. Please pray for our Troubies as they participate in these high stakes tests. Heavenly Father, we ask your blessing on all those who are testing. Bless them with knowledge, confidence and patience before, during and after their exams and help them to take care of themselves physically, emotionally, and spiritually during this anxious time.

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

On Saturday night we host our biggest fundraising event of the year, Revelry, in which we celebrate our “Diamond Gala” and 75 years of St. Francis Catholic High School. I want to thank the many people who have taken time out of their busy schedules to help organize, decorate, donate, and support in myriad ways to make this event possible. They say it takes a village to raise a child, and it takes an army of dedicated volunteers to plan Revelry! I look forward to seeing many of you tomorrow night, and I thank you for all your efforts in supporting this very important fundraiser that benefits our Troubies. 

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

We are excited about Revelry which will be on Saturday, April 23rd.  For those of you who are new to our community, Revelry is our largest fundraiser and most fabulous event on campus!  This year, we are celebrating our 75th year with our “Diamond Gala” theme.  There are still tickets left for this beautiful event, which includes silent and live auction, live entertainment, and dinner. Please consider joining us for a fun and elegant evening.  I hope to see you there!  For tickets, please go to: www.stfrancishs.org/revelry

Throughout all of next school year, our faculty and staff will be working on our WASC/WCEA accreditation process in which we will be gathering data and writing our self-study report.  Please support our efforts by completing the parent survey below by April 29. Your feedback provides valuable data as we reflect on our accomplishments and plan for the future.  It takes only 15 minutes, but you will be given TWO parent service hours for your help.  Thank you in advance for your time.

WASC PARENT SURVEY - Complete by April 29

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

March 17th is St. Patrick’s Day.  On that day we remember one of the world’s most popular saints, St. Patrick of Ireland, who died in 361 after evangelizing Ireland for 40 years.   He is remembered as a humble, pious, and gentle man, whose love and total devotion and trust in God is a shining example to each of us. He feared nothing, not even death, so complete was his trust in God and importance of his mission.  I can’t think of a better way to celebrate such a beloved, international saint than to come to our 25th anniversary celebration of International Night!  Join us at 4:30 on March 17th when we will host two international food trucks and sample desserts from around the world. At 7 PM we will head to the theater to watch our talented students perform songs and dances from around the world.  Click here for more details.  I hope to see you at this festive community event!  

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

We are thrilled to announce another successful year for our 24/24/24 Fourth Annual Day of Giving. Thanks to the support our amazing community and our generous matching donor, we raised $145,168.91 to fund scholarships for students in need of financial assistance. A HUGE thank you to all of you who contributed to this valuable fund. Our Troubies and future Troubies thank you as well!

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

In just a few days we will be kicking off our Fourth Annual 24/24/24 Day of Giving. We are asking members of our entire community to donate just $24 (or more!) to support students at our school. As a Catholic community we are called to help those in need. Since all money directly benefits students who are in need of financial support, I can’t think of a better way than to help those in our own school be able to continue their fine St. Francis education. Nearly 30% of our Troubies benefit from financial aid, and the need increases every year. Please support our mission and give opportunities to those who seek the beautiful St. Francis experience!

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

We hosted SWAP Day today and had a wonderful time with our parents. I want to thank those of you who joined us for this great tradition. It is a wonderful way to bring together our community and show off the great things our teachers are doing in the classroom. I can’t think of a better way to conclude Catholic Schools Week, to highlight the great teaching and learning happening across campus and to celebrate the impact Catholic education has had in our community and in our world!

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

Next week we celebrate National Catholic Schools Week.  The theme is “Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service.” We have some fabulous activities planned, including a surprise for our parents in the parking lot, our Pax et Bonum Mass on Wednesday, and SWAP Day on Friday. Through these events, we focus on the value Catholic education provides to our young people, its contributions to our church, our communities and our nation. Parents are invited to attend our Pax et Bonum Mass which will be held in our gym at 10:35.  And, of course, we look forward to seeing all of you on SWAP Day! For more information on the success of Catholic school across the nation, see the NCEA website HERE.

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

After three successful years of technology integration using iPads and Google apps for education, we are changing devices.  We are proud to announce our new Chromebook initiative for the 2016-17 school year. Beginning with summer school classes in 2016, the school will be issuing each student a school-managed Chromebook.  We have analyzed the increased quality of Chromebooks, alongside Google’s progress in the development of its educational tools, and have come to the decision that this is the best next step to take in the development of our 1:1 program. For more information about this exciting initiative, click HERE.

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

On Tuesday, December 8th, we will celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a Holy Day of Obligation, and a day in which we honor the Blessed Virgin Mary. In particular, we look at the holiness of Mary who was “chosen before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless“ before God (Ephesians 1:4). During this time of Advent, we joyfully await the coming of Christ and reflect on Mary’s part in ushering in God’s new creation. We hope that you will join us for this beautiful Mass and celebration of our Blessed Mother.  

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

On Wednesday, November 11th, we honor our Veterans for their service to our country.  This week I urge you to say a prayer for our Veterans, past and present, who have sacrificed their freedoms to help keep ours.  I offer this prayer for them this week:

God of all nations, you are our Strength and Shield. We give you thanks today for the devotion and courage of all those who have offered military service for this country:

• For those who have fought for freedom;
• For those who have laid down their lives for others;
• For those who have borne suffering of mind or of body;
• For those who have brought their best gifts to times of need.

God, in your mercy and love, we thank you for their lives.

On our behalf, oh God, many have entered into danger, endured separation from those they love, labored long hours and born hardship in war and in peacetime.

God, in your mercy and love, we thank you for their lives.

We ask today that you would lift up by your Spirit those who are now at war; encourage and heal those in hospitals or mending their wounds at home; guard those in any need or trouble; hold safely in your hands all military families and bring the returning troops to joyful reunion and tranquil life at home.

Give to us, your people, grateful hearts and a united will to honor these men and women and hold them always in our love and our prayers until your world is perfected in peace and all wars cease.

Through Jesus Christ, our Savior, Amen.

Written by Rev.Dr. Jennifer Phillips

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

Last Wednesday, while 10th and 11th graders were taking the PSAT, our 9th graders attended three workshops aimed to improve their academic experience at SFHS. The three workshops, given by our own faculty and staff members, were “Multiple Intelligences,” ”Creating a Positive Digital Presence,” and “Study Strategies.” A survey given to our 9th graders showed that they overwhelmingly felt that the sessions were useful and engaging. The girls gave us some great feedback, including the following: “Finding my learning strengths is going to help me become a better student in the future…” “I realized that we have a lot of support from numerous people to help us out when we need it.” “I learned a lot about online safety and actions that are important in ways we don’t realize daily.” We were happy with the feedback and know that our 9th graders gained some valuable tools and resources to ensure their success.  St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

Next week Pope Francis will be in the United States for his historic first time visit. During his visit to Washington, D.C., he will be celebrating the canonization Mass of Father Junipero Serra, the Spanish missionary priest who founded the California missions. It is an exciting time for us as several members of our school community will be present to celebrate such a momentous occasion. President Margo Brown, Director of Campus Ministry, Stephen Tholcke, and eight Troubies– Emily Bartylla, Clare Brennan, Victoria Castillon, Sidney Clymer-Engelhart, Maya Solis, Julianna Tanjuakio, Brooke Uhlenhop and Emma Vance– will be representing SF . During their visit, our Troubies will be memorializing their experiences via our SF Facebook and Instagram accounts so you can keep track of their exciting adventures. Please pray for their safe travel and for a grace-filled, “Papa Francis” experience.  St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!  

Dear Families,

Dear Parents,

It has been wonderful welcoming new and returning Troubies this week and to see the enthusiasm on campus! We invite parents and grandparents to join us for our Welcome Mass on Wednesday, August 26th, at 10 AM in the gym. Please come to the front office to sign in. If you have not experienced a St. Francis school-wide Mass, I encourage you to join us for a beautiful experience. We also are looking forward to seeing you at Back to School Night on Thursday, August 27th. St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Parents,

We officially welcome you to the 2015-16 school year!  We especially welcome the Class of 2019 and our 20 transfer students and their families to SFHS this year.  This is the first of my weekly e-newsletters which you will receive every Friday throughout the year.  We will keep you informed on student activities, special announcements, and upcoming parent hour opportunities.  It is a great way to stay up-to-date on all the latest SFHS happenings!  You can always go to our website for more information as well.   We look forward to seeing all of you on campus next Thursday, August 27th, for Back to School Night.  May this new school year bring all of us greater knowledge, wisdom and deeper faith.  St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!