Parent Newsletter Archives
Principal’s Newsletter 5/12/23
Dear St. Francis Families,
This week was a little emotional for some of our students. With few seniors on campus, and the first week of final exams done, the realization that the school year is almost over is definitely affecting our students and staff alike. There are some tears of joy and some tears of sadness, as we prepare to say goodbye to our graduating class of 2023! We are less than a week away from Baccalaureate Mass and the Commencement Ceremony at Memorial Auditorium. 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, parents, and extended school community.
With final exams concluding on Monday, May 15, I ask that you continue to keep our Troubies in your prayers, that they do their best on these assessments and finish the 2022-2023 school year strong!
Also, as a reminder, there are no sanctioned Senior pranks allowed. We are concerned with student safety and any damage that may result from students trying to access our campus after hours. It would be terrible to have students get injured or be liable for any physical damage to our facilities. Any student caught on campus after hours runs the risk of being unable to walk across the stage at Memorial Auditorium. Please advise your daughters to make good choices.
St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!
St. Clare of Assisi, pray for us!
In the spirit of Pax et Bonum (peace and goodness),
Elias Mendoza
Principal
Principal’s Newsletter 5/5/23
Dear St. Francis Families,
Last night we celebrated the Tinkerbells’ ascent into leadership as the new leaders of our school at the Junior Family Mass and Commissioning Ceremony. These new leaders did not waste any time stepping into leadership roles because this afternoon they stepped up and welcomed the Seniors to the Farewell Mass. The Honor Guard escorted the Maries into the gym to celebrate and give thanks for their four years of shared sisterhood and leadership.
In addition to honoring the Maries at the Farewell Mass, we said goodbye to their Mascot “Marie” and their class colors of pink and white. We had a couple of additional goodbyes to say as well. Our school year theme of “Woven Together by the Love of God” and the prayer that was written to accompany the theme was recognized and retired making room for Campus Ministry to create next year’s theme. Each year we create a new theme and prayer based on two of our Catholic Social Justice Principles. We are not done saluting the Class of 2023 yet. Next week the Seniors process into the gym carrying symbols of their four-year journey here at St. Francis and close out the year with the Baccalaureate Liturgy. This is sure to be a memorable Mass and a great way to end the four-year journey of the Maries.
In the spirit of Pax et Bonum,
Stephen Tholcke
Director of Campus Ministry
Principal’s Newsletter 4/28/23
Dear St. Francis Families,
As we prepare for Junior Prom and Senior Ball parties this weekend, I would like to ask that you have a frank conversation with your daughters about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. I know this topic can be a bit taboo, but I’d rather know our students will be safe because you took the time to have this conversation with them. Unfortunately, over my two decades of experience, I’ve come to realize that many parents are unaware of the choice/s their daughters are making with regards to these substances. At this time of year, we are asking for your assistance in reminding your daughters about saying “No” to any controlled substance. This is not only for their safety today, but to protect them from repercussions that may affect their health and safety, as well as any inappropriate social media postings that may surface in the future.
Let us pray that with all of us working together as a team in support of our Troubies, all of our children will be safe during this prom, ball, and graduation season.
St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!
St. Clare of Assisi, pray for us!
In the spirit of Pax et Bonum (peace and goodness),
Elias Mendoza
Principal
Principal’s Newsletter 4/21/23
Dear St. Francis Families,
Welcome back, and I hope you all had a blessed Easter! The week after Easter break can be a bit stressful and intimidating for some of our students, as the realization the semester and academic year is quickly coming to an end. Please reassure your daughter/s there is still time to meet their goals, and finish the year strong.
As you look at the calendar, keep in mind there are only 27 calendar days left until graduation, and 11 school days left before final exams. Additionally, AP Exams begin on Monday, May 1st, and I ask that you keep our Troubies in your prayers as they approach the end of the 2022-2023 academic year.
St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!
St. Clare of Assisi, pray for us!
In the spirit of Pax et Bonum (peace and goodness),
Elias Mendoza
Principal
Principal’s Newsletter 3/31/23
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 and the return to school on Monday, April 17th, will bring some trepidation, as our students realize the academic year is only a few weeks away.
The coming 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:
Draw us forth, God of all creation.
Draw us forward and away from limited certainty
into the immense world of your love.
Give us the capacity to even for a moment
taste the richness of the feast you give us.
Give us the peace to live with uncertainty,
with questions, with doubts.
Help us to experience the resurrection anew
with open wonder and an increasing ability
to see you in the people of Easter.
St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!
St. Clare of Assisi, pray for us!
In the spirit of Pax et Bonum (peace and goodness),
Elias Mendoza
Principal
Principal’s Newsletter 3/24/23
Dear St. Francis Families,
The month of March has felt quite long, and your daughters have probably expressed some comments about when Easter Break is going to get here. Well, after this week, that well-deserved break is only one week away!
We know that during this time of the second semester, emotions run high due to a multitude of reasons, and the realization that the end of the school year is fast approaching does not help. Please encourage your daughters to seek help if they need it from a teacher, academic Counselor or Wellness, as well as our Administrative team.
We look forward to the sunny weeks ahead and beginning the transition of promoting our underclassmen, as our seniors prepare to graduate.
St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!
St. Clare of Assisi, pray for us!
In the spirit of Pax et Bonum (peace and goodness),
Elias Mendoza
Principal