tvc.dsj.org | February 19, 2019 CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
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Jason Curtis Named Next President of Saint Francis High School
Saint Francis High School has an-
nounced that its Board of Directors
and the Brothers of Holy Cross have
unanimously selected Jason Curtis
to serve as its next president starting
July 1, 2019. Mr. Curtis comes to Saint
Francis by way of Cardinal Gibbons
High School, a co-ed Catholic school
located in the Diocese of Raleigh, N.C.
Bringing a wealth of experience as
a Catholic school educator, Mr. Curtis
has devoted 22 years as a teacher,
coach, department head, assistant
principal and principal in Catholic
schools. In the last 13 years, he has
served as principal/head of school
at Cardinal Gibbons High School.
In his time as principal, the school
increased its enrollment by 40% to
its present total of over 1,500 stu-
dents, doubled the school building,
and increased annual giving and
endowment by over 300%. The school
also instituted a 1-1 laptop program,
dramatically increased student en-
gagement in athletics, arts, and co-
curriculars, and recently completed
the acquisition of an off-site retreat
center to accommodate an extensive
retreat program.
Mr. Curtis graduated from Santa
Clara University with a degree in his-
tory and a minor in political science
and later earned a master’s degree
in Catholic school leadership from
Marymount University. He also at-
tended law school at UC Hastings.
A f requent pres enter a nd fa-
cilitator at schools and parishes on
leadership development, Mr. Curtis
is energized by opport unities to
encourage and mentor leaders in
articulating vision and moving their
communities. He has been privileged
to speak to the United States Confer-
ence of Catholic Bishops, to present at
the groundbreaking for Holy Name of
Jesus Cathedral (Diocese of Raleigh)
and again at its dedication, and he
serves on the Board of Note in the
Pocket, which provides clothing for
impoverished and homeless school-
children in Wake County. Mr. Curtis
remains active in athletics, serving on
numerous leadership committees for
the North Carolina High School Ath-
letic Association, continuing to coach
youth volleyball, and collaborating on
a coaching blog.
Mr. Curtis is married to his wife
Kelly (originally from Saratoga), and
also a graduate of SCU), and they are
the proud parents of Jake (University
of North Carolina at Charlotte), Em-
ily (Villanova University), Maggie
(Cardinal Gibbons High School) and
Erin (Saint Michael School).
Saint Lucy School Celebrates 65 years of Grandparents and Grandfriends
Saint Lucy School was thrilled to
honor more than 300 Grandparents and
Grandfriends, who helped celebrate the
school’s 65th anniversary with the An-
nual Grandparents and Grandfriends
Day. This is a beloved event and a
perfect conclusion to Catholic Schools
Week 2019.
Guests were treated to breakfast,
followed by prayer led by the Pre-K
class. The guests also enjoyed a musical
performance by the school choir. Prin-
cipal Sue Grover and Student Council
President Declan Quinn delivered
the welcoming address. Miss Grover
shared the school’s them for the year,
“Be the Change” and thanked all the
grandparents and grandfriends for
loving and supporting the Saint Lucy
School students.
Guests continued their day and lived
a day-in-the-life of a Saint Lucy School
student, as they explored all the dif-
ferent school learning spaces such as
the science lab, TD Mac computer lab,
homeroom classrooms and the library.
Students were very excited to point
out their works of art and writing on
display, demonstrate their latest sci-
ence experiments, and show off their
technology skills. The day would not be
complete without commemorating it by
capturing a quick snapshot at the Insta-
gram Booth or at the Step and Repeat.
Prior to the conclusion of the day
with Mass, Grandparents and Grand-
friends spent time writing encouraging
words and messages of love that will
be delivered to students on Valentine’s
Day. It was as day filled with laughter,
happiness and memories that will be
cherished.
Robotics Tournament at Saint Catherine School
On January 27, Saint Catherine
School hosted an All-Catholic Robotics
Tournament. Teams from other Catholic
schools in the Dioceses of San Jose and
Monterey met in O’Donnell Center at
Saint Catherine to get their robots and
STEM projects set up. Then everyone
proceeded to the church for the kick-off
Mass for Catholic Schools Week.
In a packed church, Father Francis
Kalaw celebrated mass with the as-
sembly. Saint Catherine students served
as the choir, cantors, lectors, ushers,
and altar servers. Faculty and parents
served as Extraordinary Ministers of
Holy Communion. Just before the final
blessing, Father Francis conveyed three
special blessings on the faculty and
staff, students and alumni, and parents
of the school, as well as inviting the
congregation to check out the robotics
Grades K-5
tournament after Mass.
Competitors returned to O’Donnell
Center for warm up rounds before
the official competition began. Many
families and parishioners stopped by
to observe the event and enjoy food
from the Cougar Café. It was a great
day of competition, comradery and
fun to kick off the annual celebration
for Catholic Schools.
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Academics
STEM activities
Weekly themes
Field Trips
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Swimming
Cooking
Hands-on Crafts
Mad Science Classes
Weekly rate: $250
Single-Day Drop-In: $60
$50 registration
June 10 - August 2 7:30am - 5:30pm