October 2014

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The Online Sharkware store is now open!

 

For a limited time only, when you purchase your

Sharkware items online, you will get a free tote bag.
 
 
 

 

Important October Counseling News

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St. Francis High School
Salesian College Preparatory
2400 East Lake Ave.
Watsonville, CA 95076



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Service hours in RenWeb

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Students are now able to check their service hours on RenWeb. The SF graduation requirement is 80 hours.  If you want to know how many you have done, please go here for instructions: LINK 
 
If you have any question or concerns about your service hours, please contact Ms. McLeod.

 

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Yearbook Ads 

Now is the time to support the St. Francis Yearbook by purchasing a business or senior recognition ad. 

Showcase your business in the book that never loses its appeal! Students and their families will flip through its pages hundreds of times and cherish it for a lifetime. In addition, proceeds from ad sales are a fundraiser for the yearbook program at our school. We appreciate your support! To purchase an ad, go online to jostensadservice.com. The deadline to purchase business ads is January 16, 2015. For additional information, see this LINK or pick up a flyer in the main office.
Graduation

Congratulate your graduate by purchasing a senior recognition ad in the yearbook. Yearbook ads are a great way to celebrate student success and milestones and to reflect on the person your graduate has become. Show your pride and support your school at the same time! Visit jostensadservice.com to create your senior recognition ad. The deadline to purchase senior recognition ads is January 10, 2015. See this LINK for more information or pick up a flyer in the main office.



The St. Francis AfterCare is a great place where students can work or relax before sports or rides home. In its first month of operation, the program has seen 82 drop ins and served 26 different students, accounting for 62 hours of after-school study time.  All St. Francis students are welcome to drop by anytime between 3:30 and 5:00pm in room H32. The AfterCare program provides a safe and productive workspace where students can do homework, access online classes, do collaborative work with other students, or just hang out.   If you have any questions about the program, please contact Mr. Falcone for more details ([email protected]).
SFPS News and Announcements LINK

Dear Students, Alumni, Parents, & Friends of St. Francis:

September 23rd was the autumnal equinox and it marks the arrival of the season of fall - traditionally seen as a period of changes, but, for some, a period that leads to the dark of winter. For many Christians who observe the liturgical calendar, autumn is actually the beginning of the cycle. In an excerpt from Christopher Hill's  "Holidays and Holy Nights," he suggests that, the "dynamics of the fall of the year have the sweep of a great symphony or an epic poem." This reminds me of some of the classical works of literature our students are currently reading, and ones I enjoyed teaching - The Odyssey and Beowulf. It is also the time for students to play tennis and volleyball, or run cross-country and play football. It is also a time for students to hone their musical talents through Music Ministry or begin rehearsals for the VAPA Small Shows this October.


 

Many poets have reflected on the fall season as well. One of my favorite poets is John Keats, a British Romantic Poet. Keats' "To Autumn" is one of the simplest of his odes. There is nothing confusing or complex in his view of autumn: autumn is fruitful, flowery, and we get to hear the song of swallows gathering for migration. Unlike his other odes that drip with epic/heroic quests, "To Autumn" is concerned with the much quieter activity of daily observation and appreciation. Though we are in a season of change and are part of an evolving school committed to excellent outcomes for our young men and women, this is the time of year to observe, appreciate, and reflect.


 

What spiritual lessons and practices can we reflect on and appreciate by the coming of autumn? Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat identify in their "Autumn: Reflections on the Season" three areas I found meaningful for your meditations; I want to share them with you so that you may begin to observe, appreciate, and reflect this season.


 

1. BALANCING DARKNESS WITH LIGHT


 

On September 23rd, the day and the night were of equal length. This signaled for me the recognition to balance light and darkness within. Far too often, we fear the dark and adore only the light. Joyce Rupp, a Catholic writer and poet, challenges us in to befriend our inner darkness: "Darkness has become less of an enemy for me and more of a place of silent nurturance, where the slow, steady gestation needed for my soul's growth can occur. Not only is light a welcomed part of my life, but I am also developing a greater understanding of how much I need to befriend my inner darkness" ("Little Pieces of Light"). Often I find myself saying, "You need the bad to appreciate the good" but Rupp's reflection is more than that. The challenge, as I see it, is to appreciate the silence of the darkness as an opportunity for reflection - something we all too often don't choose to do or get to do in our frenetic lives. One of the many reasons I moved my family up here from southern California was to embrace these opportunities before our ability to observe and appreciate are gone.


 

2. LETTING GO


 

As we watch leaves fluttering to the ground in the fall, we are reminded that nature's cycles are mirrored in our lives. Autumn is a time for letting go and releasing things that have been a burden. All of the religious traditions, and not just Catholicism, pay tribute to such acts of relinquishment. Fall is the right time of the year to practice getting out of the way and letting the Holy Spirit take charge of our lives. For one to able to let go, to give up, and to give generously - these capacities have to leap from the same source within us. When we practice generosity, we open ourselves up to all of these liberating qualities simultaneously. Fall, then, is the perfect season to give generously of your time and talents to others. It is during this time of year that we will partner with the SFPA leadership to generously give to our local charities. In October, our sports teams will bring awareness to breast cancer; in November, we will collaborate with Grind Out Hunger to raise awareness and raise needed funds for the hungry children in Santa Cruz county; in December, we will donate toys for the KSBW Toy Drive; and, in January, we will collect jackets and sweatshirts for the local Coat Drive. More information will come from Mr. John Marheineke's office and the leadership of the SFPA.


 

3. ACKNOWLEDGING IMPERMANENCE


 

Autumn reminds us of the impermanence of everything around us. We have experienced the blossoming of life in spring and the abundances of summer. Now, we are observing the leaves falling and branches going bare and this reminds us all of the fleeting nature of all things. Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat share a story that certain spiritual masters in Tibetan tradition set their teacups upside down before they go to bed each night as a reminder that all life is impermanent. Then, when they wake each morning, they turn their teacups right side up again with the happy thought, 'I'm still here!' It is like the conversation I have with my parents when I ask, "How are you doing today?" "Well, I woke up today so I'm still here...I guess it is a good day." I always laugh at this comment and gesture because it simply reminds us to value each day. As Marie Marheineke and I begin our new recruiting season, it also reminds me to value each friendship and each conversation. The people we speak with may not even have 8th graders, but they are interested in learning more about our great school. This can pay off in students now and in the future as well as donors to our mission and vision.


 

This fall we also have our Burgundy & Gray event. I sincerely hope you see the value in this SFPA event as the hallmark fundraiser for the school. All of our students benefit from this dinner and auction. Even if you rely on tuition assistance to attend St. Francis High School, you should consider attending, donating, and/or purchasing something to further the cause. The success of this event supports and enhances the programs and services for all of our students. I know families on assistance that have the new iPhone or Samsung Galaxy along with elaborate data plans that identify communication as a priority in your family. I agree with this priority. However, I also want to encourage all to make the education of all of our students a priority as well.


 

October is a busy month for all of us. We have the Freshman Retreat and school-wide PSAT testing this month; we have Homecoming Week, the game, and the Homecoming Dance; we also have a Senior Parent Meeting to aid and inform about the college application process (This meeting does count as one of your mandatory parent meeting requirements, too); and, we have the 2nd year of our on-campus VAPA Small Shows. I encourage you and your student to fully participate in each of these activities to grow our great community.


 

Currently, all students have participated in a school-wide survey. The survey focused on their involvement with activities outside of the academic day as well as marketing questions about radio stations and movie theater commercials. Students will participate in at least two more surveys this fall - one that focuses on their class experiences and then another on school climate/event experience. Parents will also be surveyed this fall about programs and services provided by the school.


 

Finally, I want to address two items that came up with our new Suggestion Box in the front office. Please know that we value your input and appreciate your suggestions and questions:

  1. The first suggestion is to update the website to include current Animas events to be easily accessible for all. Currently, we use Edlio as our website designer and content-format host. It is a company I used in Los Angeles and has some of the biggest and most successful private, Catholic high schools in the country partnering with them. However, we are always looking for new and better ways to communicate and enhance our website. Right now, Mr. Watson takes information from area managers of the school to post on the website while Ms. Silva updates our school-wide calendar. I think a realistic goal for us, as a school, would be to continue to get information to Mr. Watson and Ms. Silva in a timely fashion and then ensure that we don't change the dates/times. Also, Mr. Watson and I are always looking for help with the IT Committee of the Board of Directors; if you are interested, please email him at [email protected].

  2. The second question or suggestion was with regards to service hours. Clarification was requested, so I want to address that here: All 2-parent families have a minimum of 25 hours of service and 1-parent families have a minimum of 15 hours of service. On top of the above-listed hours, if you are a freshman parent or the parent of a student receiving any tuition assistance (Need-based or Merit-based), the expectation is that you will work a minimum of 4 Bingo nights on top of the 2-parent 25 hours or the 1-parent 15 hours.

Please continue to use our Suggestion Box.


 

I thank you in advance for your participation in our school community this fall - attendance at the Burgundy & Gray as well as attendance at all of our school events. As always, know that you and your family are in my prayers; together we will ensure excellence in academics, athletics, arts, service, leadership, and faith development at St. Francis. God bless and GO SHARKS!


 

Patrick Lee

Mr. Lee Signature

President and Principal

Dear St. Francis Families and Friends,

The month of October begins on a Wednesday and with its beginning, we usher in a month filled with a good number of Salesian feasts and celebrations.


 

We begin the month with the remembrance of a young woman by the name of Alexandrina Maria da Costa of Portugal. Her Feast Day is coming up this month, so we will celebrate it on October 13. She was made "Blessed" by Pope St. John Paul II back in April of 2004.  She lived a virtuous life and suffered in pain throughout her life due to a terrible fall from a window while trying to protect her integrity.  As a member of the Salesian Family she reminds us that God calls everyday people to holiness.  As a Salesian Cooperator she left her mark on the Salesian world by being a model of everyday holiness.


Later in the month, on October 24, we remember St. Louis Guanella, who though not officially professed as a Salesian of Don Bosco, carried out many charitable works in caring for poor youth as Don Bosco did and later lived with Don Bosco for three years ministering to poor people.  He carried Don Bosco's spirit and style into his own diocese as he continued being of service. He founded the Servants of Charity and Daughters of Our Lady of Providence to carry out a ministry much like that of Don Bosco.  Again, we see that God calls many to live out Salesian life in their own state in life.


 

Lastly, at the end of October, on the 29th, we mark the feast of Fr. Michael Rua, a man who was with Don Bosco as a youngster and lived out the Salesian charism while working side by side with Don Bosco.  He eventually became the Successor of St. John Bosco as Rector Major.  Under his leadership the Salesian Congregation expanded to many foreign lands, notably in Latin America.  As Rector Major, the Congregation grew by leaps and bounds as it continued to grow in the authentic spirit of Don Bosco.


 

The month of October is full of examples of people who grasped Salesian Spirituality and made it a part of their lives, whether they were lay people, priests and religious.  


 

All of them expressed Don Bosco, and ultimately Jesus Christ, in their way of life of dedication to youth.  May this reminder to us of our call to live out our Baptism is open to all and expressed in so many different ways.  We are all called to holiness of life!


 

May you have a blessed October!  


 

Fr. Marc Rougeau, sdb - Director

St. Francis Performing Arts Presents the 2014 Theater Arts Showcase:

DUO SCENES

On October 22nd through the 24th, the St. Francis Drama class and fellow thespians will transform the performing arts room into a black box theater and present an evening of one-act plays with two characters.


 

You will laugh, you might cry, and you are sure to experience the rich dynamism of human relationship. There will be raffle prizes and refreshments will be available throughout the evening.
 

For ticket information visit the ARTS web page at www.stfrancishigh.net.

Athletic News: Stay up to date by visiting our Department of Athletics site

Transcripts are now available in RenWeb! 
St. Francis: The Education of a Lifetime
St. Francis: The Education of a Lifetime

From the Assistant Principal of Academics

Hello, Parents and Students!

It is great to have the school year in full swing.  I have really enjoyed my opportunities to visit the classrooms around campus and to witness firsthand the student learning that is taking place.

I want to take this opportunity to highlight some of the key academic events on the calendar for October:

  • Mr. Bare has arranged for a special guest speaker, U.S. Congressman Sam Farr, to visit our campus and speak to our school community on Tuesday, October 7.

  • Friday, October 10 marks the end of the first academic quarter.  It is important that any missing work (due to illness or other absence) be made up prior to the end of the first quarter.

  • PSAT testing will be occurring for sophomore and junior students on Wednesday, October 15.

  • Parent-Teacher Conferences will be occurring on Tuesday, October 28.  All teachers will be available from 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.  The conferences must be scheduled during the week of October 20th with Ms. Nereida Madrigal in the front office.  There are no "drop in" appointments available this evening; please schedule your appointments ahead of time.  You can schedule the appointment in person, by phone (831) 724-5933 x201, or by email ([email protected]).  If this evening does not work in your schedule, or if you need to speak with a teacher before  the conference date, please contact that teacher directly via email or phone.

As a reminder, please continue to be vigilant about checking student progress on RenWeb.  It is only through the combined efforts of teachers, parents, and students that we can be assured of student success.

I'm thrilled to be working on behalf of each student for a successful 2014-2015 school year.   If you have questions or concerns regarding any academic issue, please feel free to contact me at 831-724-5933 x203 or by email at [email protected].


 

Sincerely,

David M. Cmaylo

Assistant Principal of Academics

Sharks Athletics Have a Great First Month

The 2014 athletic season has been great for the Sharks!  Our fall sports teams are off to great starts. Volleyball began the year with 30 highly-motivated young ladies, which led to the creation of a Frosh team. New coaches Diana Inman and Haleigh Washburn have the teams competing hard and they have begun league play with some competitive matches in the tough SCCAL.


 

Cross Country also had a record turnout of runners.  Coach Ramona Young has the team training hard and they have already competed in some of the top preseason meets.  The Sharks harriers will be competing at Stanford in the prestigious Stanford Invitational and in other top regional tournaments.


 

The football team, like the other fall programs, also had a higher turnout than in the recent past and started the season with a great victory of Greenfield.  Seniors Nick Ciandro and Wyatt Ryan lead the young Sharks, which boast a roster that includes 27 freshmen and sophomores. Coach Hazel and his staff are pleased with the leadership of the seniors. The future is bright for Sharks football!


 

Tennis is off to a great start! The team has started the season with a 5-1 record and a 2-0 record in league play.  Coach Finch has over 20 girls playing this year and has been able to form a JV team.  The tennis team has its eyes on the SCCAL title and should be contenders for a CCS title as well.


 

Please come out and continue to support your Sharks as they dive head-first into league play.  Athletic booster passes are available and are good for all home games.


 

God Bless, and GO SHARKS!

Sincerely,

Art Walker

Asst. Principal of Student Affairs

From the Coordinator of Youth Ministry

Dear St. Francis Friends and Family,


The month of September was an amazing flurry of activities and opportunities to come together to build our community of joy and faith.  One of the highlights for me was this year's Triduum event - the three days we spend each year focusing on our school-wide theme and reflecting on things to come. We welcomed three visitors on the first day, two students and a teacher from Bellarmine College Preparatory in San Jose. Sophomore Connor Linehan, Senior Connor Crinian, and Mr. Michael Downs, Religious Studies Department Chair and teacher, challenged us to recognize the opportunities our year's theme of Youth for Youth offers us. The second day, Ms. Shannon McLeod planned and hosted our annual Service Fair in the BAC, which welcomed about a dozen service agencies from the area to share opportunities for our students to get involved. The third day was, of course, our Triduum Fun Day. Since its inception in 2010, when the relics of Don Bosco came to visit on their world tour, this day has become a tradition in our community. Fr. Ron Shirley celebrated our liturgy with us, in his joyful, charismatic fashion, and we welcomed hundreds of visitors for Mass and activities to follow. It was a vision of Salesian joy and hospitality, as all of our staff and student body worked to put on a fun-filled day of games, food, magic, music, face painting, and fun. This year attendees represented the communities of Salesian Elementary and Jr. High, Good Shepherd School, Moreland Notre Dame, and Sacred Heart of Hollister.


 

As we look ahead to the feast of our namesake, St. Francis of Assisi, I'm reminded of one of my favorite stories of him, a timely reflection, I think, of one of the challenges his life poses to us in our pluralistic world.  In 1219, the humble poverello traveled to Egypt and succeeded in securing an audience with Sultan Malik al-Kamil. Francis hoped to bring peace in the midst of the Fifth Crusade. Though he did not ultimately reach his goal in this noble quest, he did succeed in building a respectful relationship in a turbulent time. The lessons of the Francis as peacemaker are critical for us in these days, I believe. Let us join together as a community and pray for the spirit of St. Francis to be alive in our world today. May we be bringers of peace in our world that is in so desperate need of peacemakers.


 

Coming in October are some exciting events:

-       October 3 we will celebrate the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi in an all-school liturgy. Mass will begin at 7:55am

-       October 13-17 is spirit week, leading up to Homecoming

-       October 14 is Frosh elections for Animas

-       October 15 is our Freshman retreat at Aptos Village Park (details below)

-       October 18 is homecoming! (see details below)

-       October 18 is our homecoming dance

-       October 31 we will celebrate Halloween on campus. Students may dress up in following with our dress regulations (see below).

One other event I would like to make you aware of, though it is some time away, is our visit to the Religious Education Congress Youth Day in Anaheim. On March 12, 2015, we will take a group of St. Francis students to Anaheim, visit some of our Salesian friends in Southern California, and join with tens of thousands of other young Catholics to sing, pray, and learn about our faith. More details will soon come for interested students, but if you are looking ahead to participate in this event, I thought you might want to plan it into your spring calendar.   


 

Peace and Blessings,

John Marheineke

Coordinator of Youth Ministry

Frosh Retreat - October 15

Freshmen are invited to Animas, the retreat that enables students to experience their place within the St. Francis community. The patron of the Salesian order is St. John Bosco. Bosco's educational philosophy provides the framework for our St. Francis High School community and is reflected in his motto: "Da mihi animas caetera tolle," which is Latin for "Give me souls, take away the rest." Animas, the Latin word for soul, is used by Bosco to describe the essence of each person--that which animates him or her. Each freshman has the opportunity during this day-long retreat to explore his or her own individual gifts and talents and what part they will play as a unique individual in the St. Francis community. This retreat will occur at Aptos Village Park, 100 Aptos Creek Rd, beginning at 8:00am and ending at 2:30pm.


 

Homecoming - October 18

On October 18, our homecoming festivities will begin in the BAC at 10:30a.m. All are invited to join together for liturgy that morning, celebrated by our beloved Bishop Sylvester Ryan. We will honor fall athletes and visiting alumni at Mass. Following Mass, please stick around to enjoy a picnic lunch on the main lawn, along with games and activities for families. Our concessions crew will be barbecuing early that day, so you can purchase Matt Ryan's famous trip-tip sandwiches and other traditional St. Francis concessions fare. All are invited! The homecoming court will be elected and the Homecoming King and Queen will be announced at halftime of the game.


 

Halloween Dress Code

St. Francis students are allowed to come to school dressed up in observance of Halloween

Students are permitted to wear costumes in good taste.

Students wearing costumes in poor taste will be asked to change or may be referred to the dean if an appropriate change cannot be easily made. The following will not be allowed:

     Leggings or tights

     Swimsuits

     Shorts/skirts shorter than 4" from the knee

     Tops that reveal bare midriff or back

     Trench coat

     Transparent material

     Clothing that displays symbols of an offensive nature or related to drugs/alcohol

     Excessively bloody, gory or violent themes

     Real or simulated weapons used as props, including sword/saber, knife, axe, gun/rifle, etc.

Students wearing masks will be required to take these off during classes and inside the main office. Any student asked to remove a mask by an adult on campus for the sake of identity is expected to do so without hesitation.








"Do good while you still have time." -St. John Bosco

 

Sincerely,

 

Newsletter Team
St. Francis CCC High School