Welcome to St. Francis of Assisi School and to our new Web site. You’ll find our school located in the heart of Ygnacio Valley, 25 miles east of San Francisco. Here at St. Francis of Assisi School we always strive to provide the best Catholic education available to students from kindergarten to eighth grade.

For information on everything from registration and athletics, to volunteering and hot lunches, you’ll find it here. So please, take a few minutes to explore our Web site, and find out what we have to offer. If you have any questions, please contact us directly. We hope you enjoy your stay at St. Francis of Assisi School’s Internet home!

Dear Families and Friends of St. Francis,

A funny thing happened as I was looking out of my office window yesterday. I saw a group of 6th grade boys playing four squares. Honestly, they were actually playing the real game using our new brightly colored game space. I noticed this repeated throughout the schoolyard – with four squares, hopscotches, and basketball hoops. A transformation has taken place, and we love it! But it is not just about the newly painted grounds - it is about the teamwork, the sharing of space together by all the grades, and the overall fun and laughter.

It probably will sound a bit hokey, but I think St. Francis would be proud. Sometimes playgrounds get a bit “hectic” with lots of running about with rubber balls of all sizes and weights sailing through the air – and sometimes over fences. We still have some areas to be completed, but the changes have begun. My prayer is that it will continue – that our students will use the colorful ground to help them share peace and friendship through the yard.

The staff has been diligently working on our WASC/WCEA report.  (We thank those parents who took the time to complete our parent survey. Your children will receive a free dress pass for use on Friday, May 4.) One of the main focus points of the report is the Catholic Identity of our school. The question is always: “Is your Catholic Identity only visible with the crucifix on the wall, or do you truly live it?” While there are many ways to show it, one of the signs is the brotherhood/sisterhood we can see in the yard. Of course, I also remind you that as parents you have a large role in the creating of your child’s Catholic Identity. Remember the importance of emphasis on our faith, the sharing of prayer and weekly Mass as a family. The school can do only so much, but in partnership with you, we can build a great foundation for the future for these young people.

I do not mean to preach, but it seems from time to time we need a gentle reminder. Is church attendance on your weekly agenda? If no, why not? How do you explain it to your children when they say “My teacher or Sister says we should go to Sunday Mass”?  Perhaps we all need to look at a different type of “fund-a-need” as we continue through the last weeks of the school year. Just a thought … Teamwork comes in multiple ways.

God Bless,

Sister James Marien Dyer, CSJ
Principal