ST. FRANCIS HIGH SCHOOL - KNIGHTS & DAYS
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ST. FRANCIS HIGH SCHOOL
KNIGHTS & DAYS
Volume 23 Issue 1 September 2020 www.sfhs.net
Calendar From the Desk of Father Tony We know that face coverings, physical
Thursday, September 10
Mass Schedule
Dear St. Francis family, distancing, limited gatherings, and other current
Diversity Assembly Virtual
7 p.m. Parent Meeting
health guidelines dictated by this pandemic
Diversity Virtual Welcome back to the new school year! Saying have created a “new normal” that is very
Saturday, September 12
this makes me happy because the last few different from what we have experienced in the
Mock SAT (juniors) Cancelled
Sunday, September 13 months have been filled with so many past. Many things remain outside of our
Back to School Day uncertainties. However, we are ready to move control. However, our St. Francis High School
Orientation in Gym at noon
ahead and to do whatever is necessary to family is adaptable, creative and resilient.
“Classes” begin at 1:00p.m. Virtual
Monday-Tuesday, September 14-15 continue our mission. Parents, I want to thank Together, we will continue to offer the high
Juniors-Class Ring Orders Postponed you for your support and commend you for quality of education that has been our hallmark
Tuesday, September 15
your love and dedication to your children. for so many years. I know that our Golden
Mass Schedule Knights are up to the task of achieving
Wellness Assembly Virtual They are blessed to have you as their parents.
Financing a College Education excellent academic performance, reflecting on
7 p.m. Virtual
We continue to navigate unchartered waters as our Franciscan virtues, learning Capuchin
Progress Reports Posted to
Parent Portals 9 a.m. we confront the strong storm brought on by the Franciscan spirituality, and building strong
Wednesday, September 16 COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, I am character, compassion, and brotherhood. Truth
Pilgrimage Informational Meeting
thrilled that our students, our greatest treasure, be told, our Golden Knights inspire us by their
7 p.m. Postponed joyful hearts, resilience, and tenacity in the
Thursday-Friday, September 17-18 will be back with us. While it was our sincere
Set Parent/Teacher Conference Appt with hope that students would return to campus in midst of these unprecedented challenges in
Pickatime
August, the pandemic threw us another their young lives. Their convictions, desire to
Saturday, September 19 succeed, and stamina through adversity will
Activities Event Cancelled curveball and we must begin our new year
Sunday, September 20 together virtually. We continue to pray for our help them to grow into great men.
Communion Breakfast Virtual
Tuesday-Friday, September 22-25
St. Francis family, for all who have been
Kairos 110 Postponed affected by this pandemic and for the heroic We also remember families that have struggled
Note-Senior classes will be held these efforts of our front line workers. We look in so many ways. We pray for two recent
dates.
forward to a return to campus when it is safe graduates, Chris Gala ‘20 and Luke Nelson ‘20,
Wednesday, September 23 who have been diagnosed with cancer and are
Friday Schedule and prudent – know that our work to ensure a
Parent/Teacher Conferences by appt. healthy campus environment for our Golden undergoing treatment. We pray for Coach
3-9 p.m. Virtual
Thursday, September 24
Knights’ return continues.
Friday Schedule
(Academic Department Meetings)
Tuesday, September 24 Principal Thomas Moran’s Message
Friday Schedule
(Academic Department Meetings) For purposes of understanding the calendar, ask that each family take time to review school
Tuesday, September 29 here is the definition of the following: policies and consequences, critical calendar
“Growing Pains” Frosh Parent
Counseling Event 7 p.m. Virtual Virtual-event will occur online on the day and dates (testing, progress report and report card
Wednesday, September 30 time indicated mailings, and re-registration deadlines), and
Transitus Prayer Service 7 p.m. Postponed-event will be moved to a time when school personnel. Parents may receive an
Virtual
it is safe to host additional copy by stopping by the school
Cancelled-event will not be held and cannot be office during business hours. The complete
Thursday, October 1 re-scheduled handbook and calendar are also available for
Feast of St. Francis Liturgy
Virtual We just experienced a smooth (albeit different) download on our website, and we will do our
Friday, October 2
opening to the school year thanks to our best to update changes in our calendar each
Pilgrimage Application Deadline month! Student Directories will be available
Postponed administration, technology, maintenance, and
Freshman Mixer Virtual office staffs and our students. Thank you to our soon. Please also note that teachers’ tutoring
Monday, October 5
parents for your availability and flexibility this days/hours are now posted on our website
Feast of St. Francis Observed (under the academics tab).
No School first month. We recognize that we are asking a
St. Francis Golf Tournament great deal of you. It is important that each If you are wondering about when we will be
Cancelled
Wednesday, October 7 family review the Student/Parent Handbook able to resume in-person instruction, so are we.
Mothers’ Guild Meeting 8:30 a.m. and school calendar. A copy was delivered to We are continuing to monitor health agencies
Virtual each freshman with his “Welcome Packet,” and
October Newsletter posted. (Continued on page 2)
mailed to sophomores, juniors, and seniors. We
1Moran’s Message (Continued from page 1)
regularly and will seek their guidance. Our Operations Team students who are in academic difficulty. Parents who wish to make
did an incredible job of preparing us for in-person instruction, an appointment must log on to “Pickatime” beginning noon on
so once we get the go-ahead, it will be a short time before we Thursday, September 17, and ending at noon on Friday, September
are ready to implement all the necessary protocols to bring 18. We will be posting the directions for making appointments to
your sons back to campus. More than likely, we will start your Parent Portal by Wednesday, September 16 at noon.
in-person instruction with the hybrid model that was outlined in Teachers will post a Zoom Link to their Parent Portal (in the Links
the power point sent last July and we will send something in section) by noon on September 22 nd so that they can meet remotely;
advance to remind you of those expectations. In addition to using that link, parents will go into a waiting room and teachers will
maintaining our monthly schedule of posting newsletters, as the admit them at their appointed time. Progress reports will be posted to
situation dictates, we will be emailing updates to our families. Parent Portals Plus on September 15, for any student who is working
Thank you for your extraordinary patience. below ability. We encourage parents whose sons have received a
progress report to meet with his teacher(s) to discuss what steps to
Thanks and congratulations to: our Operations staff for their
take to remedy the situation.
enhancements to the physical plant over this summer; Mr. Ted
Carroll and Mr. Jeff Durfee and the summer session teaching/ The Mother/Son Communion Breakfast, hosted by the Booster Club,
coaching staffs for their efforts with students and our faculty is scheduled for Sunday, September 20 at 9:30 a.m. Due to current
moderators and student LINK Leaders for assisting new health conditions, we cannot host the event on campus as we have
students in their transition to St. Francis. done in the past. However, we refuse to let restrictions stop us from
continuing this special tradition. Therefore, we encourage all of our
PlusPortals is a family of interactive web portals for parents,
St. Francis mothers and sons to be purposeful and creative when
students and teachers. Seamlessly integrated with AdminPlus
joining us virtually for this year’s Mother/Son Communion Mass.
(our Student Information System) and the TeacherPlus
Mothers and sons, please take this opportunity to plan and prepare a
Gradebook, PlusPortals allows school administrators and
special breakfast together. Then, join our virtual Mass with a special
teachers to share data: grades, assignments, announcements,
message from Fr. Tony. This event is absolutely free, it only requires
attendance and other critical information.
dedicated time together as a family. More information will be posted
Parents and students are able to view these important data in on the school’s website.
real-time. During the summer an email was sent from the
We understand this is an extraordinary time filled with many
Technology department to all new parents that included log in
challenges, including sustaining our mental well-being. We want you
instructions. If you are not yet signed up, please do so-it will
to know your son's health and wellness is our priority and we will be
make for more effective communication between you and your
providing extra care and support this year for his social-emotional
son’s teachers. There is also a tutorial on our website to help
health. In addition to individual counseling services, we will also be
you navigate the system.
offering consistent and ongoing support groups for students. Meeting
Each month (usually the first Wednesday) the Knights and virtually at the end of the school day, Mindfulness Mondays,
Days newsletter and flyers of upcoming school activities are Wellness Wednesdays, and Fellowship Fridays, will teach students
posted on our school website. We do not mail it, but email coping and self-care tools as well as give them a space for emotional
each family a link when the newsletter is posted so that you can support if needed. These groups are optional, but strongly
read (or download) it and all the other important flyers for recommended, as a helpful resource and place for connection. For
upcoming events at your convenience. If we do not have an more information, contact Andrew Shaw in the Counseling Office.
active email address for you, please contact our registrar at
Our first KAIROS Retreat was scheduled for September 22-25; due
extension 910. The newsletter contains reminders about
to the current health situation, it is postponed. So, senior classes will
upcoming events, policy clarifications, and news about school
be held that week. Usually, seniors who are not attending Kairos will
activities. We ask parents to make a commitment to stay
not have classes during a Kairos, and it is our expectation that
informed about all school activities and events. Our Mothers’
students who do not attend a Kairos will utilize these days to work on
Guild can also email you weekly updates; please contact them
their service projects and/or visit colleges. If they use these days
to be added to their mailing list.
wisely, they will not have to take other time off during the school
Our annual “Back to School” Day will be an online event on year.
Sunday, September 13. We will begin with an orientation
In reviewing the school calendar, we would like to remind parents to
meeting at noon. Parents can access this by going to the school
check the dates of quarter and semester exams immediately. These
website; select the arts tab, and then the livestream tab. After
comprehensive tests conclude each grading period and are a
the meeting, parents can virtually “meet” their son’s teachers
significant part of a student’s grade. We expect that parents keep
by going to Parent Portals. Each instructor will have a brief
these dates sacred and schedule appointments/family vacations
video explaining his/her philosophy, grading policy and
around them because of the difficulty (for both teachers and students)
expectations for each student. These videos will be removed
of scheduling make-up exams. Especially due to the brevity of the
by Friday, September 18, so please review them soon. This
first semester, we expect that all students are present during first
day is not intended for parent conferences regarding an
quarter and first semester examinations.
individual student.
We will conclude our opening term with quarter examinations
The first opportunity to address individual concerns will occur
(October 14-16). In general, students take two examinations each
on Wednesday evening, September 23, from 3:00-9:00 p.m.
day. A special schedule will be held on these dates. Exams begin at
These conferences are not mandatory, but encouraged for
2Moran’s Message (Continued from page 2)
8:05 a.m. and release time during quarter exams is 11:45 or when a student has completed his last exam. These comprehensive tests
can comprise up to 33% of a student’s first quarter grade, so make sure that your son is fully prepared.
Before a student will be allowed to take quarter examinations, his first quarter tuition and fees must be current. If your tuition is
DELINQUENT after October 6, you must bring CASH or CASHIER’S CHECK to the Business Office. You can check your balance
through your FACTS account any time. Please note payments are no longer accepted at the Glendale Credit Union.
Once we are able to have students on campus, we ask that parents and students who use areas surrounding the school for dropping
off and picking up students to observe the traffic and safety laws in that area. We are asking that parents refrain from using the
Meadow Grove neighborhood (across the footbridge) for drop off of students. Please be aware that we need to be good neighbors
with the people who live near the school.
St. Francis will be closed on Monday, October 5, to celebrate the feast of our patron saint.
Christian Service Opportunities will be published on our website and in our calendar, and posted on the bulletin board outside the
Franciscan Spirit and Life office. They will also be announced during homeroom on KNIT and in religion classes. At this point we
are emphasizing service that is not face-to-face in order to safeguard our students. If you have questions, please contact Mr. Duran,
Christian Service Coordinator at extension 150 or by email at dduran@sfhs.net.
Finally, we recognize that we are asking a great deal of our families, especially given the current situation. We encourage you to
stay informed about school events, communicate with your son’s teachers and counselor, and help develop his interest in school and
other activities. We pledge to communicate honestly and directly, to start all meetings and activities on time, and to challenge each
student to reach his potential; spiritually, academically, socially, and physically. Please communicate with us, especially if you hear
anything that concerns you.
From the Desk of Father Tony con’t from page 1
Jimmy Bonds as he continues his battle against cancer #BondsStrong. We also pray in memory of Colin Jacobs ’18 who passed away
tragically in July. The support from our St. Francis family has been tremendous. During this time of crisis, we are reminded that we
need one another and we can grow closer to one another other through prayer and action.
St. Francis High School’s administration, faculty, and staff are ready to continue their work in support of our mission to enrich the
minds and hearts of our students. We all look forward to another exciting school year. Welcome back! GO KNIGHTS!
May the Lord give you His peace!
Mothers’ Guild Moment by Co-Presidents Annette Ricchiazzi and Ani Papirian
Welcome to the 2020-2021 School Year! While this year is starting out differently than we had all hoped, we are eager to connect,
virtually for now, and support the St. Francis community in the same way the Mothers’ Guild always has.
Mothers’ Guild Meeting—Wed, Sept. 2nd 7-8pm
As a reminder, if you are a mother or female guardian of a Golden Knight student, you are automatically a member of the Mothers’ Guild.
We look forward to meeting all newcomers and welcoming familiar faces at our monthly meetings. Meetings are usually held on campus
in Founders’ Hall on the first Wednesday of each month, alternating between mornings and evenings to accommodate a variety of
schedules. For now, they will be held virtually via Zoom with our first meeting of the year on Wednesday September 2 from 7-8pm.
Please keep an eye out for Zoom instructions.
At our first meeting, you will have the opportunity to meet our Mothers’ Guild executive board, event and committee chairs as well as find
out how you can get involved. You will also hear from school administration and receive information about how to join events virtually
over the next several weeks. Also, we still have a few open positions for this year so come find out if one is right for you. We hope to see
you then!
September Events
Sunday, September 13-- Back to School Day. This year the event will be held virtually so keep an eye out for how to participate. We
will share more information about the event at the Mothers’ Guild meeting on September 2 nd.
Keep Your Spirits Up!
St. Clare Prayer Group is a group of volunteers who pray for the special intentions of our students and St. Francis community. Alison
Davitt is this year’s chair. More information is available as a link on the front page of the school web site.
Knightwear-- St. Francis merchandise is normally sold at home football games. However, since play is suspended this fall, we will be in
touch about how you can purchase the latest St. Francis gear to show your school spirit…even at home!
If you have any questions or want to get involved in the Mothers’ Guild, please email Annette Ricchiazzi at annettemr@earthlink.net.
3The Sports Authority by Athletic Director Matt Luderer
I hope you and your families are well. Here is the latest update from CIF…
2020-2021 Sports Calendars – Over the last several months, and through the ever-changing situation with the COVID-19
pandemic, we have been working on various scenarios to deliver Fall, Winter and Spring sports during the 2020-2021
school year. Below, you will see the results of that effort, with some explanations/clarifications regarding the decisions that
have been made. I want to thank CIF Executive Director Ron Nocetti and CIF Associate Executive Director Brian Seymour
for their leadership, along with my fellow Section Commissioners and our entire staff for their hard work, dedication and
professionalism throughout this entire process. From start to finish, the focus has been on how we can serve the young men
and young women we are so fortunate to serve in the best way we possibly can, and I commend everyone involved for never
wavering in their support of that philosophy. A) Two Seasons – Fall and Spring – In examining the most effective way to
deliver Fall, Winter and Spring sports for the 2020-2021 school year, the decision was made to condense three seasons of
sport into two seasons of sport, primarily to help with the spacing between particular sports and the overlap of certain sports
between seasons. B) Length of Regular Seasons – Regular seasons, some of which were 83 days (Soccer), 81 days
(Basketball), 64 days (Football) and 57 days (Girls Volleyball) already had quite a range, in terms of the length of their
seasons in previous years. We believe that to help with the overlap of seasons, affecting student-athletes, coaches and
facilities, we would standardize the length of the regular seasons to approximately 72 days, for those who previously had
more days than that, while leaving the others with less than 72 days alone. In doing so, we would help with the issues
mentioned, but keep in mind that we are not imposing any reduction on the maximum number of allowable contests, per
CIF Bylaw 1206, in any sport. The total number of days in some sports will be reduced, approximately 5%-12%, but
schools can still play the same number of maximum allowable contests, if they choose, in that smaller window. C) Section
Championships – The 2020-2021 sports calendar includes full Section Championship experiences, which means the same
number of champions in each sport, the same number of divisions in each sport and the same number of guaranteed entries
from leagues advancing to the playoffs in each sport, as in previous years. D) CIF Regional/State Championships – The CIF
State Office has made the decision to streamline the CIF Regional and CIF State Championships competitions/tournaments
to no longer than one week, once our Southern Section Championships have concluded. More details on format, dates, etc.,
will be forthcoming from the CIF State Office.
2020-2021 SPORTS CALENDARS (TENTATIVE)
FALL SPORTS
CROSS-COUNTRY First Contest – Saturday, December 26, 2020 CIF Southern Section Prelims – Friday/Saturday,
March 12/13, 2021 CIF Southern Section Championship Finals – Saturday, March 20, 2021 CIF State Championships –
Saturday, March 27,
11-MAN FOOTBALL First Practice Date - Monday, December 14, 2020 Week 1 Contest Date – Friday, January 8,
2021 CIF Southern Section Playoffs – March 19, March 26, April 2, 2021 CIF Southern Section Championship Finals –
Friday/Saturday, April 9/10, 2021 CIF State Championships Bowl Games – Friday/Saturday, April 16/17, 2021
VOLLEYBALL First Contest Date – Saturday, December 12, 2020 Last League Contest – Thursday, February 11,
2021 CIF Southern Section Championship Finals – Saturday, March 6, 2021 CIF Southern Regionals –
March 15-20, 2021
WATER POLO First Contest Date – Monday, December 21, 2020 Last League Contest – Thursday, February 18,
2021 CIF Southern Section Championship Finals – Saturday, March 6, 2021 CIF Southern Regional Finals –
Friday/Saturday, March 19/20, 2021
SPRING SPORTS
BASEBALL First Contest Date – Friday, March 19, 2021 Last League Contest – Friday, May 28, 2021 CIF Southern
Section Championship Finals – Friday/Saturday, June 18/19, 2021 CIF Southern Regional Championship Finals –
Saturday, June 26, 2021
BASKETBALL First Contest Date – Friday, March 12, 2021 Last League Contest – Friday, May 21, 2021 CIF
Southern Section Championship Finals – Friday/Saturday, June 11/12, 2021 CIF State Championship Finals –
Friday/ Saturday, June 18/19, 2021 Saturday, June 5, 2021
GOLF First Contest Date – Saturday, March 20, 2021 Last League Contest – Friday, May 28, 2021 CIF Southern
Section Individual Regionals – Monday, May 31, 2021 CIF Southern Section Team Championships – Monday, June 7, 2021
CIF-SS Individual Championship/Team Qualifier – Thursday, June 10, 2021 CIF/SCGA Southern Regional Championships
– Thursday, June 17, 2021 CIF State Championships – Wednesday, June 23, 2021 (Note – CIF-SS Individual
Championship/Team Qualifier, CIF/SCGA Regional Championships and CIF State Championships dates are subject to
change, due to course availability.)
LACROSSE First Contest Date – Friday, March 12, 2021 Last League Contest – Thursday, May 20, 2021 CIF
Southern Section Championship Finals – Saturday, June 12, 2021
4Development Update by Tim Murphy '94
“For after all, the best thing one can do when it is raining is let it rain.”
― Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Contrary to local meteorologists, these last few months I certainly connect with what Longfellow mentions, regarding the rain.
Visually it brought me back to many a time when I’m hustling my kids from school on a cloudy day, the evening storm approaching
swiftly, and hoping we can get to the cover of our car before the skies open up. Inevitably in many of those moments, we fail. At
least I thought so. The rain pours down, and I double my efforts getting to safety, only to look back on my kids embracing each and
every drop, as if they’re experiencing it for the very first time. I am humbly reminded that perhaps I did not fail at all…and the
students become the teacher as I marvel at their wonder and appreciation for an experience so simple, yet so profound.
In almost every culture, water is symbolic for a cleansing. The “rain” of today, albeit metaphorical, has reminded me of a
meaningful opportunity for cleansing. A time to strip away the complexities of our life, to wipe away all that burdens us, and return
to the simplicity of a moment. To return to the gift of knowing that each of us, in our strengths and also in our faults, having been
molded in His image, has the capacity for great love.
As a product of St. Francis High School, I know that this revelation comes, in large part, from the Capuchin Franciscan influences
that have permeated my life over the last 30 years. This is, indeed, a very special place. While we are physically apart for now, my
prayer is that this essence of a cleansing time may find its way into your heart.
While my primary duties on campus include fundraising, and certainly there will be time to discuss that at our Back To School
presentation, my hope for today is one of welcome; to those who are returning, to those who are new to St. Francis. Welcome, and
thank you for making the investment, the sacrifice, and locking arms with us as, together, we enrich the minds and hearts of your
most precious gifts: our students…your sons!
Welcome back to St. Francis for our 2020-21 School Year. Let it rain!
The Sports Authority by Athletic Director Matt Luderer con’t from pg4
SOCCER First Contest Date – Saturday, February 27, 2021 Last League Contest – Thursday, May 6, 2021 CIF
Southern Section Championship Finals – Friday/Saturday, May 28/May 29, 2021 CIF Southern Regional Finals –
Saturday, June 5, 2021
SWIMMING/ DIVING First Contest Date – Saturday, March 13, 2021 Last League Contest – Friday, May 21, CIF
Southern Section Championship Finals – Monday, May 24 – Saturday, May 29, 2021 CIF State Championships –
Friday/ Saturday, June 4/5, 2021
TENNIS First Contest Date – Monday, March 1, 2021 Last League Contest – Friday, May 14, CIF Southern Section
Championship Finals – Friday, May 28, 2021 CIF Southern Regional Championships – Saturday, June 5,
TRACK AND FIELD First Contest Date – Saturday, March 20, 2021 Last League Contest – Friday, May 28, 2021 CIF
Southern Section Preliminaries – Saturday, June 5, 2021 CIF Southern Section Divisional Championships – Saturday,
June 12, 2021 CIF Southern Section Masters Meet – Saturday, June 19, 2021 CIF State Championships –
Friday/ Saturday, June 25/26, 2021
5College Counselors’ Corner by Teresa Baldonado, Theresa Long, and Daniel Pelletier
Welcome back to school—we hope you are adjusting well as you California, which has a November 30 application deadline, will
return to distance learning. Like you, we look forward to the day review scores from December test dates, if submitted.)
when we will all return to campus. Registration for the SAT and ACT exams is through the College
Board (www.collegeboard.org) and ACT (www.actstudent.org)
SENIORS AND THEIR PARENTS
websites, respectively. Given the complexity of test scores in this
COLLEGE KNOWLEDGE NIGHT
Thank you for joining us in our first-ever virtual college year’s admissions cycle, the college counselors strongly
information presentation. Please make sure to review the encourage each senior to have an individualized discussion with
PowerPoint for the event and the related documents that we’ve his counselor about whether he has test scores and whether he
posted on Naviance. It is crucial that you are familiar with St. would like to submit scores to some or all of the colleges he is
Francis policies regarding the college application process. applying to.
Contact your counselor if you have any questions. In addition, all SENIORS—COMMON APP., UC, AND CSU
students and parents should have received an email with their APPLICATION WORKSHOPS
sons’ unofficial transcript. (If you did not receive this email, We are holding separate Common App., UC, and CSU
please email our assistant, Ms. Zepeda, at jzepeda@sfhs.net.) As application workshops to assist you in completing your college
official versions of the transcript will be submitted to colleges applications. UC and CSU applications are due by November 30;
your son applys to, please review it carefully, making sure it is colleges that use the Common Application have varying
accurate and complete. Please advise your counselor immediately deadlines. The Common App. workshop will be held after your
if you see any errors with your name, date of birth, address, last class on Tuesday, September 29. The workshop for the UC
phone number, parents’ names, courses taken, and grades earned. application will occur after school on Tuesday, November 3.
If you took Introduction to Arts B, Chemistry, or Public Health And the CSU application workshop will take place after school
Issues at St. Francis in the summer or took another summer class on Tuesday, November 10. The workshops will either be held
at St. Francis or another school to remediate a low grade, please virtually or in a hybrid virtual/on-campus format, depending on
notify your counselor if your transcript is missing this whether classes are in distance-learning or in a hybrid format at
information or indicates an erroneous grade. If you completed the time. Seniors are encouraged to attend each of the workshops,
credit-earning courses at a college or another high school (such as as the Common App., UC, and CSU applications are all quite
an art class at Glendale College or a science or world language different from one another.
course at Hillside School), please note that these courses will not
appear on your St. Francis transcript. However, it is important SENIORS—COLLEGE ESSAY REVIEWS
that your counselor receives a copy of your transcript from that The college counselors are pleased to offer College Essay
school or college. Please check with your counselor to confirm Reviews to seniors once again. These events will be offered
whether we have received the transcript for outside coursework. virtually after school on two different dates: Thursday, October 1,
and Tuesday, October 20. Participating students will be paired
SENIORS—SAT AND ACT EXAMS/TEST SCORES IN with a college admissions reppresentative for 20 minutes and
THE ADMISSIONS PROCESS receive direct feedback about their college essay topics and
We are aware of the difficulties that most of our seniors have drafts. Please look out for an email for details about the event and
encountered in their attempts to register and sit for the SAT and/ signup instructions. Spaces are limited.
or ACT exams this year. Colleges are aware, too, and a
substantial majority of colleges that have previously required an ALL STUDENTS (ESPECIALLY SENIORS)
SAT or ACT score for admission in previous years have adjusted COLLEGE REP VISITS
their policies for the coming admissions cycle. Most colleges like In the fall, representatives from various colleges and universities
the University of California system have opted for test-optional visit St. Francis during Break, Lunch, and after school. This year,
admissions for students applying to begin college in Fall 2021. A these visits—which provide an excellent opportunity for students
smaller number of colleges (like the California State University to learn more about colleges and the programs that they offer—
system) have opted instead for test-blind admissions. (Test-blind will be virtual. While the information provided is of more
admissions means scores won’t be considered at all—even if immediate use to seniors, all students are invited to attend. Topics
submitted by applicants.) For a list of colleges that are not such as eligibility, tuition, majors/minors, classes, school size,
requiring an SAT or ACT this year, please go to housing, sports, student life, and the application process are
www.fairtest.org. Students and parents are asking if students who typically addressed. In many cases, the college reps who visit us
apply to a test-optional college without submitting test scores will read the applications of our students and therefore add valuable
be viewed unfavorably during the admissions process. Students insights about students they’ve met during the admission process.
and parents are rightfully concerned that (at least as of now) some The virtual college rep visits are listed in Naviance and
colleges that are employing test-optional admissions for Fall announced on KNIT. Parents, please note that the rep visits are
2021 are still requiring test scores for certain majors, honors intended for students only.
programs, or merit scholarships. Accordingly, hundreds of ALL STUDENTS AND PARENTS
colleges that have announced test-optional admissions have COLLEGE FAIRS
signed a pact with the National Association for College Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, the St. Francis College Fair
Admission Counseling (NACAC) that applicants who do not has been suspended this year. However, the National Association
submit test scores will not be penalized during the admissions of College Admission Counseling (NACAC) has stepped in to
cycle: https://www.nacacnet.org/news--publications/newsroom/ offer four virtual college fairs this fall: September 13,
test-optional-means-test-optional/, Students who wish to submit
test scores and are able to test typically have until December to
take the SAT and ACT. (For example, the University of (Continued on page 7)
6College Counselors’ Corner by Teresa Baldonado, Theresa Long, and Daniel Pelletier
October 12, October 18, and November 8. Both students and parents are welcome to participate.
Go to: https://www.nacacfairs.org/attend/attend-virtual-college-fairs/students/ to learn more about the fairs and instructions on how to
register.
ALL FAMILIES: FINANCING A COLLEGE EDUCATION
Join us on Tues. evening, Sept, 15, for Financing a College Education. This virtual presentation will be conducted by a college
financial aid expert and will give St. Francis families an overview of the college financial aid process. Topics covered will include
applying for aid, types of aid available, common mistakes and misconceptions about financial aid, deadlines, and how to review a
financial aid award. The event is free and open to all St. Francis students and their parents. Space is limited, however, so please RSVP
by following the instructions to be given in a forthcoming email about the event. Financing a College Education will start at 7:00 p.m.
SFHS Wellness Corner - by Andy Shaw
As Mr. Moran mentioned in his opening section of this newsletter, we know this is a mentally challenging time for students and
families, and as such, we are taking extra measures to ensure students feels supported and have increased access to helpful services
and resources. We would like to briefly mention a few of these supports:
1. Consultation and Screening. Counselors are readily available to consult with students, parents, and staff/faculty. Screening an
assessment may be conducted to determine students’ mental health and needs, and to establish/coordinate the best support plan.
2. Individual Counseling via online HIPAA complaint platform which protects student privacy and confidentiality.
3. Weekly, ongoing support groups and programs, including, but not limited to:
a. MindfulnessMondays- Students will have the opportunity to learn and practice mindfulness-based stress reduction
techniques which reduce stress/anxiety and boost mood and resiliency.
b. WellnessWednesdays- Each week emphasizes a different important topic related to health and wellness, providing
strategies and tips to help students improve their functioning, self-care and coping skills.
c. FellowshipFridays- The most open forum format of the three, this weekly support group will provide a consistent
space for students to come together and connect at the end of the school week, talk about how they are doing, share their
challenges and concerns, increase their social support, and receive, and give, emotional support.
2. On a regular and ongoing basis, the Counseling Office will also deliver helpful wellness information, resources, and education
to both students and parents. The following are a few examples:
a. Health and wellness education/announcements delivered via KNIT broadcasts and St. Francis media/newsletters.
b. Peer-to-peer coaching and support (i.e. LINK groups, Academic Coaches).
c. All-school Wellness Assembly.
d. “Stress-Less” programming during mid-term and final exams.
e. Parent education and support; larger forums on relevant parenting topics led by expert guest speakers, and smaller
session parent support groups.
3. Collaboration with Offices of Franciscan Spirt & Life, Diversity, and Activities for a holistic approach to fostering student
well-being and inclusion.
For specific questions, or for more information on any of these programs and services, please contact Andrew Shaw in the
Counseling Office. Thanks and Be Well!
Welcome to the School year
2020-2021
7Diversity Director Stephan Taylor ‘00
Peace for the Sake of Peace
In March of this year, a group of faculty and staff was invited to the Franciscan Novitiate in San Lorenzo. The novitiate is the temporary
home for Novices in the Capuchin Franciscan Order who are in their “Year of Discernment”. This year is a critical period for the men who
are entering the Order because they are isolated for most of the week so they understand and appreciate what it really means to live in
brotherhood and more specifically, fraternity. While we were at the novitiate, we were treated to a question and answer period with the
Novices. I took the opportunity to ask how brothers in the Order handle their differences. Fr. Robert, the Director of the Novitiate and an
Australian Priest answered my question with this story.
“While serving in another province, a parishioner asked the same question. The person started by explaining how their village
was organized in very strict, segmented groups of people. They were proud to have the same values, culture, background, history,
etc. They were also proud to marry and build families within those groups, where they could maintain all of these things. They
questioned how the Friary, which consisted of men from Poland, Germany, Africa, Australia, and the United States (places with
very different world views) could exist, peacefully.”
“How is it, that you all get along so well, while my family and I, are constantly at odds?”
“We do it with great difficulty!” Fr. Robert replied. “We are very intentional. We don’t have peace for the sake of peace. We
actually encourage talking about our different, lived experiences.”
Fr. Robert went on to share how two of the brothers in the friary had vastly different views and tried to avoid talking about them. A third
brother consistently “agitated” the first two brothers by bringing political discussions to the dinner table. This agitation led to some very
“lively discussions over dinner.” It was through these uncomfortable conversations that the brothers really got to know one another. With
this deep(er) knowledge of each other, they were able to build community, the first ministry of the Capuchin Franciscan Order. They also
embraced Fraternity, which is our calling, and which is born from a deep, deep sense of community.
This lesson, community through uncomfortable conversations, is what our Diversity and Inclusion efforts at St. Francis are being built on.
Our community is based on the school’s mission which is to develop… loving brothers in the Capuchin Franciscan tradition. Part of that
tradition includes agitation and uncomfortable conversations – not peace for the sake of peace.
Joking about an issue to reduce its impact turns an uncomfortable conversation into a passing thought. So, peace for the sake of peace can
be MORE harmful than uncomfortable conversations.
This year, our goal is to create more space for “lively discussions over dinner!”
Safe spaces that allow us to see one another for who we are, not who others think we are. In these safe spaces, we expect that we will be
able to hold on to our beliefs, maintain our cultures AND learn the beliefs and cultures of others in this community. At times we will
agree. At other times we will disagree… we can do both, with great difficulty, as long as we are intentional and respectful.
Last year, I asked our students the question “who are you?” I challenged each student to share their stories with one another AND stop
long enough to listen to one another.
This year, we’ll be continuing the conversation by adding some thoughts about “The Danger of a Single Story”. Both our Assembly and
Parent Forum in September will give us more to think about as we challenge what we “know” about each other.
Our shift to virtual learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic puts us all in a position to have more lively conversations with our immediate
family. The news is filled with topics for us to explore, including the increased tension between the black community and the police;
political division that comes with an election year; and health disparities in America and around the world, to name a few. My prayer is
that during this time, we also have these conversations with people who think differently than we do, so that when we come together
again, we have a greater sense of community in search of actual peace.
For now, I’d like to know “what is YOUR family’s story”? Talk it over during dinner.
I’d be happy to hear your story. Bon Appétit!
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