Principal Newsletter Archives

Dear St. Francis Families,

The past few weeks have been difficult for all of us as we confront the violence against Black people, racism, and systemic injustices in our world.

It is our responsibility as a community to have intentional conversations and recognize our personal and collective role in this trauma, as challenging and uncomfortable as it may be. While we have yet to break down the injustices that we, as a society, have thrust upon communities of color, we must listen, reflect, and correct inequities within our own school community. We cannot stop at mere acknowledgment of these injustices through public statements alone. There is work to be done. 

As such, this past week, we held a second Listening Session focusing on the Black student experience at St. Francis. It was facilitated by Dr. Kelsey Jones, Assistant Professor in the Human Development Department at California State University, San Marcos, who has expertise in racial literacy and helping schools empower their communities to address race issues. This session was again moderated by alumna, Destinee Dickerson ‘10.

These listening sessions were the first steps in the change process, rebuilding trust, and healing hurts and injustices of the past. Many feelings, stories, and experiences were shared by students, alumnae, and family members. These sessions also brought forward ideas for implementing change. Our alumnae community worked together on a petition of well thought out, tangible, and measurable changes for consideration.

The petition, as well as all of the feedback and input from the Listening Sessions, and the follow-up calls with all who have requested, will be reviewed over the next 45 days as we create a comprehensive Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Implementation Plan with actionable steps and timelines. We will also work with the Diocese to explore and implement concrete solutions to address the racism that still pervades our society and work in collaborative ways to strengthen the response of all people to this evil.

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plan will be housed on the St. Francis website to ensure accountability to the broader community. The plan will incorporate lessons learned from stories shared, recommendations from students and student leadership, alumnae, parents, SFHS faculty and staff, and best practices learned from schools and organizations, who are committed to these priorities.

We believe and know that we can change as we’ve seen incredible involvement from students, alumnae, families, and our faculty and staff. More than 250 alumnae responded to post-listening session surveys saying they wanted to further the conversation and help make meaningful change. Our students, alumnae and families, as well as our faith, require us to do better to eradicate racism and injustice. 

These conversations are not easy, and they should not be. Admitting mistakes, missteps, and biases takes humility. There is trust that needs rebuilding. Topics of racism, social justice, and equity are complex and can be uncomfortable; but, we have to commit to continuing these conversations. We owe it to our community, our students, and ourselves.

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

In the spirit of Pax et Bonum (peace and goodness),

Elias Mendoza
Principal

Dear St. Francis Families,

As we end the month of May, I want to congratulate our graduating Class of 2020. On behalf of the entire St. Francis faculty and staff, I want to say congratulations on your four years of achievements.  You’ve been exceptional and persevered through a multitude of experiences that you will carry with you as you embark on a new journey.  

Yesterday evening we celebrated Senior Sunset, a special day that coincided with what would have been graduation day.  Our seniors drove onto our soccer field and spent one last evening together on our beautiful campus. While the sun may have set on the class of 2020 last night, they will always be Pearls!

I also formally welcome the graduating Class of 2020 to the 11,000 strong SFHS alumnae community. Wherever life takes you from this day forward, know that you are members of a long and distinguished legacy spanning 79 years. May God continue to bless you and watch over you as you begin your post-secondary adventures.   

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

In the spirit of Pax et Bonum (peace and goodness),

Elias Mendoza
Principal

Dear St. Francis Families,

This week marks the last official week of instruction for the 2019-2020 school year. No one could have conceived back in August that we would be dealing with a world-wide pandemic and finishing the school year virtually.  Nonetheless, I am so proud of the perseverance and commitment our Troubies have demonstrated throughout the course of the past seven weeks of Distance Learning. 

As we begin to wrap-up this school year, I want to thank you, parents, for your patience and continued support of St. Francis and all of our faculty and staff, as we transitioned from face-to-face instruction to a synchronous teaching model. We made the transition in a short period of time and ensured the continuity of instruction and advancement of curriculum. We made it through this together, as a community, and I am grateful for your collective sacrifice of time, talent, and treasure. We could not do what we do without your assistance and support. 

I hope you can all “tune in” for the Farewell Prayer Service at 5:00 p.m. this evening. It is accessible on our website and will remain there for a few weeks: https://www.stfrancishs.org/farewell-service. Ms. Tina Harris, and her talented choral singers, will close out this service with the legendary St. Francis version of “At the Beginning.” This song captures the deep sisterhood at St. Francis. The line, “never dreaming, what we’d have to go through,” resonates even more this year, and like our Troubies, “In the end I wanna be standing at the beginning with you.”

We were strangers, starting out on a journey
Never dreaming, what we’d have to go through
Now here we are, I’m suddenly standing
At the beginning with you  

I hope your daughters enjoy some time to rest and detox from their digital devices.

May you have a safe, healthy and relaxing summer, and I look forward to seeing you all in August. 

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

In the spirit of Pax et Bonum (peace and goodness),

Elias Mendoza
Principal

Dear St. Francis Families,

The last remaining weeks of the school year are going to be filled with many mixed emotions. The five weeks of quarantine have tested everyone’s mettle, and quarantine fever has definitely set in. Adding to all of the losses is the fun and festive end of year events we would’ve been celebrating as the school year draws to an end. This year has certainly ended differently, but please reassure your daughters they are deeply missed and, with this week’s good news, we confidently look forward to seeing them back on our beautiful campus in August. 

We know, for our seniors and their families, that this ending has been particularly sad. The culmination of their four years of hard work is something we all love to celebrate with our myriad traditions and gatherings. For our senior families, we are committed to doing everything in our power to celebrate your daughters in typical St. Francis fashion. We continue to receive guidance from federal/state and local authorities in order to meet their social distancing/gathering guidelines so that we can create as many “in-person” events as possible. We are laying out options for events based on the input we’ve received from seniors and their families, and will be providing them with more information on Monday, May 4th. 

As a community, we have all experienced loss, and for some even more so. I ask that as you lift up our St. Francis community in prayer this week, you offer a special prayer for our graduates and their families.

I thank you for your grace, patience, and support of St. Francis Catholic High School. We pray that God keeps us all safe and healthy during this unprecedented time. 

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

In the spirit of Pax et Bonum (peace and goodness),

Elias Mendoza
Principal

Dear St. Francis Families,

As the Easter break officially begins this afternoon, I hope all of our Troubies (and you) are able to find some time to rest and catch your breath, given what we’ve all experienced over the past three weeks.  While we remain in quarantine, I pray the following two-week break brings some solace and comfort to your family.     

As you are aware, next week embraces the holiest days of the year for all Christians: the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As Pope John Paul II wrote in 1986, “We do not pretend that life is all beauty. We are aware of darkness and sin, of poverty, and pain. But we know Jesus has conquered sin and passed through his own pain to the glory of the Resurrection. And we live in the light of his Paschal Mystery – the mystery of his Death and Resurrection. We are an Easter People and Alleluia is our song!” So together we pray, no matter how far or close we may be to one another.

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

In the spirit of Pax et Bonum (peace and goodness),

Elias Mendoza
Principal

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,

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,

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,

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 attending parties where drugs and alcohol are present. Most parents are woefully unaware of the choices their children are making while attending these parties. I sent a letter to our juniors and seniors this week, reminding them about our behavioral expectations on and off campus, that they are Troubies wherever they go. I ask that you talk to your daughters about safe and healthy choices. I encourage you 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. Doing the right thing doesn’t always feel good, but out of love and concern for the safety and well-being of our children, sometimes we need to be the “bad guys.”  Let us pray that all our children will be safe this season.

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

Since we will be on Easter break next week and will not be sending out a newsletter, I’d like to wish you and yours a very happy and holy Easter season!  We’ve spent the last 40 days fasting, praying, almsgiving, and preparing for the greatest feast on the Christian calendar. Let us lift our voices together and proclaim as a community, “Christ is risen!”  Jesus’ death and resurrection assures us of the promise of new life, in this world and the next.  May this holy season bring you and yours a stronger realization that Jesus Christ died for us so that we might live anew in Him.

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

We are moving into the fifth week of the Lenten season.  I pray that this has been a beautiful time of conversion for you and your families.  I offer this prayer by St. Ambrose of Milan from the fourth century:

O Lord, who hast mercy upon all,

Take away from me my sins, and mercifully kindle in me the fire of thy Holy Spirit.

Take away from me the heart of stone, and give me a heart of flesh, a heart to love and adore Thee, a heart to delight in Thee, to follow and enjoy Thee, for Christ’s sake, Amen

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

Don’t forget that Wednesday is our Fourth Annual 24/24/24 Day of Giving! Lent, a time of fasting, praying and almsgiving, is the perfect time to share our blessings with others. We are asking members of our entire community to donate just $24 (or more!) to support students at our school who are in need of financial support.  I can’t think of a better way to help those in our own school be able to continue their fine St. Francis education. 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,

Lent begins next week with Ash Wednesday. We invite you to join us for our school-wide Ash Wednesday Mass on February 10th at 10:00 in the Gym. Lent is a beautiful time for us to grow in relationship with God, and as we enter these next 40 days, let us ask God to transform our hearts and renew our spirits! Next week is also Staff Appreciation Week in which we show our gratitude to those who work on campus to support our mission. If you have a moment, drop a note or email to your favorite faculty or staff members, letting them know how much you appreciate them and all that they do to make our community great.

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,

Finals week is upon us, and as our girls prepare for their tests, let us keep them in our prayers. We pray that the Lord bless them with diligence to study, knowledge of the content, wisdom to know their boundaries, and peace in knowing that God is in charge. We also pray for our teachers who are putting in late nights, preparing and grading final tests and projects. The ending of the first semester and the beginning of the Christmas season are cause for great joy. As we enter the Christmas season, I pray that you and your families share relaxing and holy times together. And may the new year bless all of us with energy and a desire to follow the Lord with renewed zeal. God bless you. Merry Christmas!

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

In this month of Thanksgiving, we give thanks for all that God has blessed us with.  I am especially thankful for our school community and all those who help to make it a vibrant place of faith and learning.  I encourage you this month to reach out to those in our community and send them a note of gratitude for what they do and how their work has contributed to your daughter’s life and well-being.  May we all be reminded of the many blessings in our lives.  

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

In an effort to build community and bring an understanding of our faith tradition, we invite you to our first ever “Catholicism 101,” an evening of Q and A  and discussion on how we can help you and your family feel at home in our Catholic community.  What are the Mass, Theology classes, retreats, and our patron Saint all about?  Join Campus Ministry, Theology Department Chairs, and Fr. Arnold Parungao for a fun and educational night! This evening is open to parents and students. “Catholicism 101” will be held in the CLC on Thursday, November 12, 2015, at 7PM. Click here to RSVP. St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

We are all excited about Spirit Week next week.  This is a time when we gather as a community to celebrate and have some fun.  It is also a time of class pride, friendly rivalry and great creativity as we watch our amazing students compete in games, build sets, and create skits.  Please make sure that you check the schedule this week for special daily schedules.   May this week bring us all closer as we celebrate our vibrant Saint Francis Catholic community.  

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

We are just a week away from our highly anticipated St. Francis Feast Day which is on Saturday, October 3rd from 3:30 PM to 8:00 PM.  I want to encourage you, your families, your neighbors, alumnae, and future Troubies to join us as we celebrate our patron’s feast day and 75 years of educating young women who change the world.  We will have a live band, food and beverages, fun games, and activities for all ages.  Admission is free!  Let’s celebrate the gift that is our community!  Please RSVP to www.stfrancishs.org/rsvp75.

I look forward to seeing you there.  St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families and Friends of St. Francis Catholic High School,

Our Assistant Registrar, Maria Fernandez, accepted a position at the University of California. Maria worked at St. Francis for eight years, starting her tenure in the Advancement Department and then moving into her most recent position. Maria was a bright light in the front office, and her loving and kind presence will be missed. We wish her well in her new endeavor.