Weekly Letters from the Principal

To date we have learned about 3 of the 5 Schoolwide Learning Expectations (SLEs) for SFdA students. The five SLEs are Following Christ, Acquiring Knowledge, Inspiring Daily Conversion, Taking Responsibility, and Helping Others.

A student who takes responsibility recognizes that their actions, words, and choices have meaning and impact. They act with integrity, follow through on commitments, and strive to do what is right, even when no one is watching. Taking responsibility means being accountable for one’s behavior, learning from mistakes, and showing honesty, perseverance, and respect in all situations. A responsible student uses self-discipline and good judgment to make positive choices that reflect their faith, values, and respect for others.

Dear SFdA Families,

Happy Monday! As we begin November, my heart is full of gratitude for this wonderful community. One of the blessings of Catholic school life is that we get to grow together in so many ways: through prayer, learning, service, and, yes, a whole lot of fall fun!

What a fabulous evening we shared at “Trunk or Treat” and Fall-O-Ween! A heartfelt thank-you to everyone who helped bring it to life. From the first ideas and planning conversations to the preparations, “decorated trunks” aka tables in the upper room (thank you for pivoting and being so flexible), activities, and helping hands throughout the evening, so many people shared their time and talents. The laughter, smiles, and joy of being together were such a gift. Whether you helped behind the scenes or right in the middle of the festivities, please know how grateful we are. We truly could not have done it without you! What a beautiful example of using the gifts God has given us to bring joy to others.

At San Francisco de Asis Catholic School, we want our students to know their faith and live it in meaningful ways. Inspiring daily conversion means opening our hearts to Christ and allowing His love to shape our choices. Through our example, we can encourage others to draw closer to Him, too.

In our Catholic faith, conversion is an ongoing journey. Each day brings opportunities to turn toward God: choosing kindness, asking for forgiveness, making amends, or helping someone in need. These everyday choices help our students grow as faithful disciples and become a light in the world.

Dear San Francisco de Asis Families and Friends,

Our San Francisco de Asis Mission Statement: San Francisco de Asis Catholic School provides a culture where all can encounter the living Christ. Through the example of our patron, Saint Francis, and all the saints, we become faithful disciples. We live this by Following Christ and His Church, Acquiring Knowledge, Inspiring Daily Conversion, Taking Responsibility, and Helping Others. Through lifelong learning, we grow closer to Jesus and are guided toward Heaven.

Every day, our children learn something about Jesus through us. They see how we welcome others, respond to difficulties, speak about our faith, and care for those who need help. Today, I invite us to reflect on a shared responsibility: helping our children encounter the living Christ through the way we live.

At SFdA Catholic school, "Acquiring Knowledge" is more than just learning facts, it is about growing as a whole person in mind, heart, and spirit. It means committing fully to our education, showing curiosity, and appreciating all areas of learning, from academics to the arts, faith formation, and physical education.

The joy of learning belongs to all of us, children, and adults alike. As Catholic educators, we continue to learn both for the beauty of discovery and to better meet the needs of every student entrusted to our care. At San Francisco de Asis Catholic School, our goal is to nurture and educate the whole child, supporting each student’s intellectual, spiritual, social, and emotional growth. Two recent professional development opportunities helped our teachers deepen this important work.

School-wide Learning Expectations (SLEs) are the core skills, values, and knowledge that students are expected to know, understand, and demonstrate by the time they graduate from San Francisco de Asis Catholic school.

Our SLEs are anchored in the acronym F.A.I.T.H., a powerful reminder of who we are and who we are called to be as a Catholic school community. Each letter in this acronym represents an essential part of educating the “whole child,” spiritually, academically emotionally, socially, and physically.

Dear San Francisco de Asis Catholic School Families,

This week, we celebrate our student altar servers and the beautiful gift of service they offer to God and our parish community. Our students serve at daily Mass, school Mass, weekend Masses, and holy days, assisting our priests and helping our community enter more deeply into worship.

Serving at the altar is a meaningful commitment that encourages reverence, responsibility, and a growing love for the Eucharist. Through their presence and dedication, our altar servers live out our F.A.I.T.H. expectations by Following Christ and His Church, Taking Responsibility, and Helping Others.

This week, we are beginning a school-wide focus on our School-wide Learning Expectations (SLEs), a core part of who we are as a Catholic school community. Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing more about each of our specific SLEs, but today I would like to introduce what SLEs are and why they matter.

We have just finished the first quarter of the school year. This week, we look forward to meeting with you during parent-teacher conferences to discuss your child’s progress, celebrate growth, and identify areas where encouragement and support may be needed.

These conversations strengthen the partnership between home and school. Together, we help our students grow academically, deepen their faith, and develop perseverance to keep trying when learning becomes challenging. Your observations and questions are an important part of that conversation.