MESSAGE
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
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Welcome to 2021-2022…
Well, the 2020-2021 school year is behind us and we now embark on another year. Over the course of last year, we were blessed to remain open and take care of all the students and families entrusted to us. By all accounts, last year was as successful as it could have been. We learned a lot, grew closer as a community, and made it through without incident. Although the pandemic is still with us, we will continue to live as Francis taught us by loving and caring for one another.
As we enter this new school year, we enter as a fully authorized, International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, for grades TK-5 (Primary Years Program). This was no small endeavor. Our teachers worked hard, we were visited by an IB authorization team in April, made a few adjustments, and now here we are. We are so thankful for all the support of parents, community, and Parish. We are now the only diocesan, authorized IB school in California. Next step is to finish the authorization process for the middle school this year.
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I hope that everyone has enjoyed their Summer and we hope that we have the opportunity to see you here on campus at some point this year.
May St. Francis and St. Clare continue to watch over us!
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After the hard work of the last two years, the school has officially been authorized as an International Baccalaureate (IB) School for the Primary years Programme (PYP).
The PYP curriculum framework begins with the premise that students are agents of their own learning and partners in the learning process. It prioritizes people and their relationships to build a strong learning community.
PYP students use their initiative to take responsibility and ownership of their learning. By learning through inquiry and reflecting on their own learning, PYP students develop knowledge, conceptual understandings, skills and the attributes of the IB Learner profile to make a difference in their own lives, their communities, and beyond.
We remain a candidate for the Middle Years Programme, with a potential plan to apply for full authorization in a years time.
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As with every year there are changes and updates made during the summer break. Building Updates - our recently renovated front office, was finished off with extra storage, framed photos, awards plaques and certificates. For the finishing piece, we would like to eventually get our school logo built in metal and hung on the office wall. Also this summer saw the delivery of a new metal bench, that was a present from our 2021 graduating class. Our students will certainly get a lot of use out of this. Delayed due to Covid, we finally had our new electronic score board and electronic hydraulic basketball hoop system installed.
Also this summer, we welcomed two new teachers and a new aide. A new Director of Achievement; Lynesha Williams-Evawere, a new director Director of Athletics; John Rotz and our new aide; Isabella Powers, an alumni from the Class of 2012.
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LOOKING BACK AT ST. FRANCIS PHOTOS |
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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT - MILES THORNE, CLASS OF 1997 |
Miles is a proud graduate of St. Francis Elementary. Miles' favorite memories include performing in school musicals such as Oliver and Sound of Music, playing on the basketball team, and singing in the choir. He fondly remembers jog-a-thons that he could never win, Christmas Concerts, countless magazine and chocolate drives, and the day classrooms had ceiling fans installed. Teachers, including Ms. Chorley, Ms. Hines and Ms. Church, instilled a lifelong passion for learning and service, while Mr. Clay and Mr. Reynoso fostered a love of music. He cherishes the friends he made while at St. Francis and is so thankful for the time spent there. His oldest daughter Lucy will be starting TK in the fall and hopefully her younger sister Grace will follow!
Miles went on to graduate from Christian Brothers High School. He later served on a nuclear submarine in the US Navy, and studied mechanical engineering and business administration at CSU Sacramento. His love for music and performance has followed him throughout life. Over the years, Miles
has performed with numerous choirs, bands, theaters and even a Christmas caroling quartet-for-hire. He currently works for the Facilities Planning department at UC Davis Health.
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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT - CINDY WALKER PUPPIONE, CLASS OF 1961 |
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Cindy Walker Puppione, Class of 1961 - St. Francis School played an important in my life and that of my family. My father, Bob Walker, was a graduate as were my 5 younger siblings: Patti, ‘64; Judy, ‘66; Bob, ‘70; Jim, ‘73; and Tom, ‘76; and my mother, Genevieve Walker, was a founder of the Friends of St. Francis, which provided fund-raising activities to support the school.
Inspired no doubt by some of the excellent teachers that I had at St. Francis, I had a 35-year career in education (elementary and high school teaching and administration), retiring in 2008. My husband Rich and I were married at St. Francis Church in 1970. We have 3 children and 5 grandchildren. Even though I have lived in the Bay Area for more than 50 years, St. Francis still feels like home.
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Upcoming Events & Volunteer Corner |
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Events may be virtual, rescheduled or cancelled due to the safety of our community during Covid-19. Please refer to our website, schoolspeak, Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn for up to date details.
August 16 - First Day of School - 1st-8th
August 23 - First Day of School - TK/Kinder
August 25/26 - Back to School Nights
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September 10 - Back to School BBQ
September 21-23 - Parent/Teacher Conferences
October 4 - Blessing of the Animals
October 26-29 - Book Faire
October 29 - Halloween Trunk or Treat
November 20 - Auction & Gala
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Our Auction & Gala is back in November. The event is being held on November 20 at Golden 1 Arena. We will have our Silent Auction, Live Auction, dinner, cash raffle, lockbox, games and dancing. Join us for this fun community event.
If you would like to donate an item, sponsor or even advertise your business, then please email apereira@stfranciselem.org. Deadline is October 20, 2021.
Tickets will be on sale at the end of October/start of November.
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How can you help this year? There are several ways that you can support the school. Scan those receipts from your grocery shopping and earn boxtops for the school. Sign up to support the School and Parish through Amazonsmile. Money earned gets split 50/50 between the School and Parish. We also welcome eScrip and gift matching. |
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