Principal Newsletter Archives

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,

We are a little more than a week away from the start of the academic year and looking forward to the 2018-19 school year. As is typical at this time of year, you might be receiving many emails from the school. Know that we try to minimize multiple communications, but we aim to keep you informed of upcoming events and activities on campus, as well as student life issues.  Please take the time to review the communications sent to your household email address, and stay up to date on the first day of school procedures, mandatory form submissions, schedules, and uniform requirements.

As new and returning parents, you can always find additional information on the school website, and we will always include some of the most pertinent upcoming activities and events on the weekly Principal’s Newsletter.  

I am excited and look forward to seeing all of our students on campus the first day of school, Tuesday, August 14th.

St. Francis of Assisi pray for us!

Pax et Bonum (peace and goodness),

Elias Mendoza
Principal

Dear St. Francis Families,

I can’t believe the month of July is ending, and the start of the academic year is less than a month away. This being said, we are looking forward to seeing our students back on campus. We have missed the palpable energy they bring to our school.  I am also excited to welcome the Class of 2022 and know our school spirit and traditions will be embraced.   

I hope the remaining weeks of summer break are fruitful and filled with fond memories of adventure, travels, and good company. We await the return of our Troubies on the first day of school, and we anticipate another successful school year.

St. Francis of Assisi pray for us!

Pax et Bonum (peace and goodness),

Elias Mendoza
Principal

Dear St. Francis Families,

This week was full of joy and some tears as we celebrated our last school-wide Mass on Monday, in which we said farewell to our graduating class of 2018! On Wednesday evening, we welcomed our new senior class at the Junior Commissioning Mass, passing the leadership baton to the mighty Thumpers. These beautiful and holy traditions in the life of a St. Francis Troubadour mark important milestones that our girls and their families will remember for many years to come. We are truly blessed to have such wonderful students in our community.

With final exams beginning today, I ask that you keep our Troubies in your prayers. Let us pray that they do their best on these assessments and finish the 2017-18 school year strong!

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

This week was full of joy and some tears as we celebrated our last school-wide Mass, honored students at our Awards Ceremony, including our Pillar Award recipients, and welcomed our new senior class at the Junior Family Mass and Commissioning Ceremony. These beautiful and holy traditions in the life of an SF Troubadour mark important milestones for our girls and their families. What a beautiful week it was! With final exams beginning today, I ask that you keep our Troubies in your prayers, that they do their best on these assessments and finish the 2016-17 school year strong!

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

We just finished two weeks of AP testing and are down to the final days of school. This weekend is Junior Prom and Senior Ball, and we pray for fun, safe nights for all our Troubies! On Monday we will have our last school-wide Mass, and I encourage you to attend this beautiful liturgy in which we celebrate an amazing year and say goodbye to our beloved seniors. Mass is at 10:10 in the gym. We hope to see you there.   

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

On Wednesday morning, a group of anonymous Troubies posted affirmations on each and every locker on campus.  “You are loved.”  “You are talented.”  “You are kind” were just a few of the comments left on lockers. In our Easter Mass on Wednesday, we recalled Jesus’ dying and resurrection. His great sacrifice out of love for us.  The locker affirmations were awesome Easter blessings for our Troubies, reminding them of their uniqueness and beauty in God’s eyes and how much they are loved, by their Troubie sisters and by God.  What a wonderful gift our girls were given!

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,

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.

Dear Families,

What a wonderful turnout we had for our Back to School Night last night! Thank you for your attendance and support of our amazing school. September 4, 2015, is the first Friday of the month and a late start for students. It is a time when faculty and staff celebrate Mass in our chapel and lift our community up in prayer. On this day, and every first Friday of the month, we have Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament from 9 AM to 3 PM. This is a time that we encourage staff, students and parents to spend some quiet time with our Lord. I encourage you to come to campus and pray for the needs of our school family. It is a wonderful way to unite with our community, to be with Jesus, and to receive the many graces He wants to share. St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

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!

Dear Families,

Please pray for our students who will be attending Junior Prom tonight and Senior Ball tomorrow night. We pray for the safety of our girls before, during and after these events. We pray they make good choices, remembering that they are daughters of God and always Troubies on and off campus. Please remind your girls– as Dean Cost has many times–that their poor choices will earn unhappy consequences in the last days of school. Thank you for your prayers and communication. St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

This week we hosted the “Every 15 Minutes” (EFM) program, a two-day assembly that educated our students about the dangers of drinking and driving. Students witnessed a mock crash scene and its gruesome results. They saw their classmates and beloved teachers pulled from classes every 15 minutes to symbolize deaths due to drunk driving, and they listened as parents and students read letters of loss about their “dead” classmates and children. While this week was emotionally heavy, I hope our students did not miss the essential truth about EFM, which was not about death. It was about LIFE. It was about making healthy choices to be the best people God is calling us to be. We have a God of hope, and it is in praying to that God that we ask for help in becoming the people that we are called to be. As we head into the junior prom/ senior ball/graduation season, I ask that you talk to your children about choosing LIFE, one decision at a time. St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Watch the Video from EFM 2015 Here  (contains graphic simulation)

Dear Families,

College acceptance letters have been sent, and students across the country are either elated about or lamenting their options.   In this highly competitive college admissions world, I offer you the following from Jeffrey J. Selingo author of, “Forget Harvard and Stanford.  It really doesn’t matter where you go to college” from The Washington Post. He discusses the undue stress and competition elite schools put on students and adds that where their degree comes from doesn’t determine future success.  He writes, “A college alone doesn’t make a successful graduate. Sure, top college provides a peer network that greatly helps both while students are on campus and afterwards as alumni. But someone with grit and ambition can succeed at many different types of schools.” Some of our Troubies may not have gotten into their first choice schools, but I know that SF has molded these young women to have grit, ambition, and faith, who will be successful- no matter where they end up. St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!  (For full article, click here.)  

Dear Families,

I pray that these two weeks off will bring rest and rejuvenation to our staff and students.  I want to wish you and your families a beautiful Holy Week and blessed Easter!  May the joy of the Easter season cause us to shout for joy that our Lord has risen!  St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

On February 23, 2015, SFHS hosted the chairperson of our 2012 WASC/WCEA accreditation team, to follow up on our progress mid-way through the six- year term. After reviewing our report and interviewing staff, students and parents, they were impressed by our many accomplishments in the last three years:

• Implementation of a new schedule in 2012-13
• One-to-one iPad roll-out
• Implementation of regular, ongoing faculty/staff evaluations and yearly goal-setting
• Collaboration of faculty via Professional Learning Communities
• Construction of the new Dining Hall
• Acquisition of the Armory
• Improved Communication

At this time the visiting committee does not recommend the addition of any further action plan goals as good progress is being made on the goals that have been established. We are pleased with their assessment, which affirmed all the hard work of the last few years. St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

As we continue our Lenten journey, I’d like to share something a colleague passed on to me.  It is a list of “Lifelong Lenten Observances.”  I will share a few of the 75 that are on the list.  It is great food for thought as we look to renew ourselves in Christ this season.

• Talk to God daily.
• Savor simple things.
• Every day, be kind to a stranger.
• Learn to be silent.
• Bless your money so that as you use it, it will bless others.
• Go to Confession, especially if you can’t remember the last time you went.
• Strive to become holy.
• Don’t be hard on yourself.
• Be humble.

Our Lord invites us to come back to Him in a deeply personal way this season.  May your Lenten observances do just that.  St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

Every first Friday, our faculty and staff come together for Mass in our chapel. It is a wonderful time for us to gather in community, celebrate Eucharist, and pray for the needs of our school. In addition, on first Fridays, we offer Eucharistic Adoration from 9:15 to 3:00 PM. This is a gift we have been given, and I know that many graces have come to our community as a result of having Adoration. During this Lenten season, I would like to encourage you to join us any time next Friday to sit in the chapel for Adoration, a perfect time to be with Jesus and lift our community up in prayer. If you cannot make it to campus, encourage your daughter to sit in the chapel during her free time for the silence, reflection and time with our Lord. St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

Thank you to our community, especially our Parent Guild, who helped make Staff Appreciation Week a success.  Our faculty and staff loved the coffee and the wonderful treats you shared with us this week.  

It is hard to believe that Lent begins next week with Ash Wednesday.  Please join us for our school-wide Mass on February 18th at 10 AM as we begin this 40 days of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.  We love having our families join us for Mass!  I hope to see you there. St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

As we end National Catholic Schools Week, I’d like to share some interesting facts about Catholic education from the  Alliance for Catholic Education out of the University of Notre Dame:  

• The achievement gap is smaller in faith-based schools.
• Students in Catholic and other private schools demonstrate higher academic achievement than students from similar backgrounds in public schools.
• Latino and African American students who attend Catholic schools are more likely to graduate from high school and more likely to graduate from college than their public school peers..
• The “multiply disadvantaged” benefit most from Catholic schools.
• Social class effects on educational achievement are significantly lessened in Catholic schools.
• The poorer and more at-risk a student is, the greater the relative achievement gains in Catholic schools.
• Graduates of Catholic high schools are more likely to vote than public school graduates.
• Graduates of Catholic schools are likely to earn higher wages than public school graduates.
• Catholic schools tend to produce graduates who are more civically engaged, more tolerant for diverse views, and more committed to service as adults.

For more information, click here. 

Thank you, parents, for sending us your beautiful daughters and for supporting Catholic education.

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

Today, at our school assembly, we hosted Catholic speaker and singer/songwriter, Emily Wilson. Emily’s message to our girls was one of hope, reminding them that they are perfectly made in God’s image. She challenged them to find their own identity without looking outside of themselves (not the culture, not the media, and not boys) to find out their worth and figure out who God is calling them to be. Emily shared her own story and personal choices and led our girls in song and prayer. It was a beautiful reminder to all of us how God loves us into existence and created us in His image. I hope you can talk to your daughters about their “take-aways” from Emily’s talk! St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families, 

The ending of first semester, a respite from school, and celebrating the Christmas season are all reasons to be joyful!  On behalf of the faculty, staff and administration, I want to wish you and yours a very holy and peaceful holiday.  May this Advent and Christmas season birth in all of us a hunger and zeal for our Lord, Jesus Christ!  Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

Happy Advent! Advent should be a season of great joy and anticipation as we await the coming of Christ. However, as we move more deeply into the holiday season, it seems that the stress mounts. Mary DeTurris Poust, author of Everyday Divine, shares these simple tools for relaxing during this most special season.

1. Stop multi-tasking now. Doing too many things at once can diminish the simple pleasures of life.
2. Seek silence daily. In today’s noisy, technology-driven world, make time for moments of solitude because it is often in silence that God speaks to us most clearly.
3. Find the divine in the mundane. Strive to make even the most tedious chores an act of prayer.
4. Practice daily self-examination. Take stock of all your thoughts and actions and look for ways to improve.

If we, the adults in our girls’ lives, practice these simple tools, perhaps our daughters will start doing what we model. I pray that this Advent season be a time of great joy and peace for you and yours. St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Please join us for our school-wide Mass on Monday, December 8th, at 10 AM for a celebration of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. This is a Holy Day of Obligation, and we would love to see our families in attendance.

Dear Families,

On Tuesday, 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.
• 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 ~

Dear Families,

We are all excited about Spirit Week next week!  This is a time when we gather as a community to celebrate our classes and have 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 St. Francis Catholic community.  

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

Next Saturday, October 18th, is Revelry, a most amazing event and SFHS’s biggest fundraiser of the year.  I want to encourage you, if you haven’t done so already, to join us for fine dining, conversation, live auction and community-building.  You also won’t want to miss how the Revelry decorations committee transforms our campus to adhere to the theme, which this year is “A Night in the Museum: Behind the Ropes.”  Tickets can be purchased on our website.  I look forward to another joyful event with all of you!  And a very special thanks to the many parents and staff members who have worked for MONTHS to make this event memorable.  St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

Next Friday we celebrate our annual St. Francis Day in which we come together as a school community to honor our patron, St. Francis of Assisi. St. Francis converted from a life of self-indulgence to a life of total obedience to God’s will. Francis learned to rejoice in the overwhelming beauty of God’s creation–a beauty signifying God’s love–yet he did not desire anything of the material world for his own fulfillment. On this day, we remember St. Francis’ life and his contribution to the Church. During this day of sisterhood, fellowship, and fun, we celebrate Mass and reflect on this year’s theme of “Cultivate Peace; Protect Creation.” Each year, our Campus Ministry Department raises funds on St. Francis Day for a particular organization that reflects our theme. During Mass we are asking for donations to the Northern Valley Catholic Charities and Sacramento Catholic Charities, which will benefit the victims of  the Northern California wildfires. Please encourage your daughters to contribute to this fund. St. Francis Day is a short day, taking place from 9 AM to 1 PM. St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

Today we surprised our community by unveiling the dining hall and using it for the first time!  Our maintenance staff and Epicurean employees put in many hours yesterday to prepare the dining hall for today’s celebration. It was a delight to witness our students’ happy faces as they walked into their new dining facility for the first time.  Balloons and cake greeted them, in addition to our regular fabulous food, prepared lovingly in our state-of-the-art kitchen by our food service company, Epicurean.  Father Roland provided a prayer before lunch and blessed the dining hall.  We are so fortunate to have such a supportive community who made the dining hall a reality- our benefactors, alumnae, leadership, faculty and staff.  Today is a day for the history books!  It was a wonderful day at St. Francis High School.  St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

This week we celebrated our first school-wide Welcome Mass.  It was a beautiful celebration of faith and community, and it was wonderful to see so many parents join us for it.  I want to continue to encourage our parents to join us for these celebrations.   Next Friday, September 5th, we have Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament in our chapel from 9AM-3PM.  This is a beautiful, silent time that we offer our community to spend some time with our Lord.  We encourage our families to stop by and lift our school up in prayer.

Thank you to all those who joined us last night for Back to School Night! We love hosting our parents and sharing all the wonderful things going on in and out of the classroom.  We are happy to be working in partnership with you.

Have a wonderful, blessed week!