Dear St. Francis Families,

I speak for many of my colleagues when I share the excited anticipation we have for the start of the 2023-24 school year. As parents, many of us welcome the structure and routine that get re-established with the start of the school year (no more sleeping in until noon kids!). Of course for our students, losing the unfettered days of summer and returning to the classroom can feel a bit jarring at first. Personally and professionally, I find myself most energized by the presence of our students on campus. They make it come alive with their warmth, energy and enthusiasm. Simply put, we love them and can’t wait to have them back on campus.

You may notice we have a new, refreshed look designed to reinforce the vitality and vibrancy of our school community. On August 1st we launched the results of our year-long brand refresh that include a new primary logo and a modernized secondary logo, crest and seal. This Board of Trustees initiative included the participation of our students, faculty, staff, parents and alumnae, all of whom played a role in the evolution of our brand refresh. An immense thank you goes to the many parent brand ambassadors who replied to our call for parent participation in the process. Inviting all parents to participate in the process was critical to engaging our valued community members. I welcome all to learn about the evolution of our brand refresh through the timeline I shared with our faculty and staff on Tuesday.

The refreshed graphic in the primary logo includes three design elements inspired by and grounded in our mission, faith, pillars and community of care.  View Enlarged Logo Here

Another invigorating part of the start of school has been the internal rollout of our Strategic Plan to faculty, staff, board members and parent leaders and partners, many of whom hold leadership positions within our SFHS parent groups. This board initiated strategic visioning process has resulted in tangible goals and action steps that help us chart our course into the next decade. Please keep your eyes open for the summary document of our strategic plan which will be shared with the community later in the month. 

In addition to welcoming several new talented faculty members to our SF community, we are also pleased to welcome a new affiliate from the Los Rios Community College District. Professor David Constante will spend first semester with nearly 40 juniors and seniors enrolled in his Psychology 300 course. Our partnership with American River College brings college course work and units right to our SF campus! 

I am personally and professionally blessed to be starting the school year with all of you and the highlight of that will be seeing your daughters back on campus on August 14th. I hope this first Parent Newsletter of the 2023-24 school year is a helpful resource and support.

In the spirit of Pax et Bonum,

Fadia Desmond, Ph.D.
President