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July 22, 2020
"A work of art was once a work in progress." Adele Leon
Dear St. Francis of Assisi Parents and Guardians,
Our beautiful campus here at school has always felt like a work of art - God's masterpiece up on the hill in Yorba Linda. The necessary work to reopen our school in the Fall has transformed our facility to a work in progress. While we can still see beauty, we also recognize that transformation sometimes requires change. The word change can draw many different emotions for each individual person depending upon their past experiences with change and transition. Change can be the doorway to new opportunities and new adventures.
We usually announce staffing changes in our Back to School letter in mid-August, but as this year is anything but normal, it seemed appropriate to share updates at this time. While we continue to close out our budget from last school year, we worked hard to reduce the budgeted deficit that we started with in July 2019. Through good stewardship and reduction of costs, we were on track to bring the budget into the black by the end of the school year. Unfortunately, COVID-19 arrived and affected the local, state, and national economy in unexpected ways. As the Diocese required a fully balanced budget submittal in June, 2020, it was necessary to restructure staffing and reimagine workflow. We eliminated the Technology Teacher position as we refocused our efforts in the STEM Lab through Fund An Item for Kindergarten through Fifth Grade Science Instruction. Sadly we had to eliminate several full-time positions for this upcoming school year. We said goodbye to Ms. Tammy Clarida, Director of Admissions, and Ms. Cheryl Driscol, Receptionist. We are thankful for their years of service and wish them well on their new endeavors. We are refocusing the development of our school to encompass, not only admissions, but also our image, capital improvement project, and growing enrollment through building relationships. Admissions is now supported in the office with the help of an admissions team under the direction of our new Director of Marketing and Development, Mrs. Allison Clewett, who returns to us in this new position.
As you know, we had two Fifth Grade teachers depart at the end of the school year, which allowed other teachers the opportunity to change grade levels. I am thrilled to announce that Mrs. Shannon Kwan and Mrs. Cindy Haselby will take over Fifth Grade Instruction in the Fall. Mrs. Julie Fernandez is joining Ms. Krista Prather in Fourth Grade. Mrs. Laura M. Lodin joins Mrs. Robyn Basehart in Sixth Grade. Mrs. Christin Raymond moves to Seventh Grade for Homeroom/Language Arts and Mrs. Colleen Rowles has transitioned to join Mrs. Ann Cooper as the Eighth Grade Homeroom/English-Language Arts Teacher. This left two openings in Second Grade. We have received so many beautiful applications for these positions. I am pleased to announce that we hired one teacher and in the process with another. Let me introduce you to Ms. Lauren Liebelt, who comes to us as a faith-filled Catholic with a Bachelor's Degree from CSUF and a Masters in Teaching with a multiple subject credential. She has a passion for education and spent time in Thailand providing missionary education to children from Kindergarten through High School. I will provide an update when we officially fill the other position. Ms. Jacqueline Lorenz left to complete her student teaching and work on her credentialing program. So, Mr. Ben Jansen and Mr. Eric Walswick will now Co-Direct our Daycare Program for PS - Eighth Grade. They are both dynamic leaders who bring unique gifts and talents to this new role. Mr. Walswick also joins us as a part-time office aide. Join me in welcoming and congratulating all of our new staff in their roles for this upcoming school year.
As you can see from the pictures in the newsletter today, work on campus is happening with your children's safety in mind! Know that we are not only working on a plan to return, but are also working on providing a space that feels safe and welcoming for our faculty, staff, and students. Please keep our Task Force, Administration, and SFA families in your prayers during these ever changing times. We are thankful for you and for the continued support we receive from our faith community.
Embracing the adventure,
Jeannette Lambert
Principal
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