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September 10, 2019 | The Valley Catholic
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
New President at Saint Francis High School Helps Usher In School Year
It’s a new year at Saint Francis High
School. There’s a new class of fresh-
men, a new crop of faculty and staff
members, and a new president to lead
the school community.
President Jason Curtis returns to
California after 19 happy years as
principal/head of school at Cardinal
Gibbons High School in Raleigh, N.C.
A native of San Diego and a graduate
of Santa Clara University, he has vast
experience in Catholic school education
and has previously served as a teacher,
coach, department head and assistant
principal.
As Mr. Curtis embarks on his first
year, he says that first and foremost he
will take time to learn about the com-
munity and the Holy Cross values that
define Saint Francis. Since he arrived on
campus in July, he has been absorbing
Jason Curtis
everything he can about the school
by meeting and listening to students,
parents, employees, alumni and bene-
factors. Already, he has addressed new
parents’ questions at welcome coffees,
seen teachers and students in action
in the classrooms, and cheered on the
Lancers at athletic events. In addition,
he plans to partner with Principal Ka-
tie Teekell ’00 to continue building on
the school’s strategic plan and lay the
groundwork for the school’s future
campus plans.
“I’m thrilled to have the chance to
share a compelling vision for Saint
Francis, especially when it serves stu-
dents and families in new and innova-
tive ways,” he said. “The ability to help
Saint Francis articulate a far-reaching
vision and support our educators in
bringing it to fruition is a wonderful
opportunity.”
One area that Mr. Curtis is deeply
committed to is leadership develop-
ment. He is passionate about equipping
students with skills and authentic op-
portunities to develop them as leaders.
He also has extensive experience in the
past speaking to schools and parishes
about this topic, helping community
leaders speak compellingly about their
visions to encourage their teams. “We are blessed with the enormous
responsibility and privilege of educat-
ing the next generation of leaders for
our Church,” he said. “We need faith-
filled young people who are deeply
committed to servant leadership, and
it is an honor to serve at a Holy Cross
school dedicated to forming our stu-
dents’ hearts and minds to serve the
world.”
Mr. Curtis takes over from Acting
President Father Tony Mancuso, who
returns to the classroom and remains
as school chaplain, among other duties
at Saint Francis and with the Diocese of
San José. Mr. Curtis and his wife Kelly
are the proud parents of Jake (Univer-
sity of North Carolina at Charlotte),
Emily (Villanova University), Maggie
(Saint Francis High School) and Erin
(St. Simon School).
A Saint Christopher classroom before the
remodel. Saint Christopher’s completed classroom
remodel.
Saint Christopher School Students’
New Learning Environment
Saint Christopher School completed
a remodel of the classrooms in grades
5-8, which followed the remodel of
grades 1-4 last year.
The classrooms feature new technol-
ogy and mobile furniture that allows
for collaborative and independent
learning environments. In addition to
updating the classrooms, the Science
Lab was also modernized.
An eighth grade student remarked,
“The updated classrooms allow us to
store materials in a more organized
way. The new tables help us easily talk
with a group when we need to.”
Saint Christopher’s renovated facili-
ties can be viewed at the school’s Open
House on November 7.
Bishop Cantú Celebrates Mass
with Saint Mary School
California State Assemblymember Ash Kalra poses with kindergarten students and staff
at Saint Patrick School after presenting them with a recent grant award -- Barona Band of
Mission Indians -- that allows the school to begin its first student media program.
Saint Patrick School Receives Grant
for Student Media Program
Saint Patrick School kicked-off the academic year with a visit from California
State Assembly member Ash Kalra. He was the nominating legislator for a recent
grant award from the Barona Band of Mission Indians that allows the school to
begin its first student media program.
Mr. Kalra came to deliver the check and read to the Kindergarten Class.
The students were delighted with “Pete the Cat” and the prospect of the new
enrichment program.
On August 15, Saint Mary Catholic
School (Gilroy) was honored with a
visit by Bishop Oscar Cantú. A school-
wide Mass was celebrated, not only for
beginning of the school year, but also
to honor Saint Mary’s patron on the
Feast the Assumption of the Blessed
Virgin Mary. Students, teachers, par-
ents, grandparents, and members of the
Parish gathered together to participate
in this special Mass. Father Michael
Hendrickson and Father John Hoang
concelebrated Mass with the Bishop.
The congregation celebrated with
song led by the middle school choir,
headed by choir and music director,
Leslie Legacion. During the commis-
sion of faculty and staff, all were pre-
sented with a small token representing
the theme of the school year, “With God
all things are possible”, and received
a special blessing from the Bishop.
Bishop Cantú shared a homily centered
on heaven, prompting participation
from kindergarteners and junior high
students alike.
Principal Marcee Ervin and Father
Eight Graders at Saint Mary School, Gilroy
presented Bishop Cantú with a #GilroyS-
trong t-shirt.
Michael led the Bishop on a tour of
each classroom. During the Bishop’s
tour, 8th grade students gifted him a
#GilroyStrong t-shirt, in gratitude for
his prayers with respect to the recent
Garlic Festival events.
The students were overjoyed to cel-
ebrate the beginning of the school year
and this Holy day with Bishop Cantú.