SFC Welcome Guide 2023-24

A GUIDE TO SFC

Let Me Be the First to Welcome You to SFC!

We are so glad you have joined us. You will soon find that we are truly an extraordinary school with incredible teachers and coaches. We are dedicated to expanding minds, building faith, and preparing students to be the Christian leaders of tomorrow.

Rod Gilbert Head of Schools

Board of Directors (22-23)

Rod Gilbert, HEAD OF SCHOOLS

Robin Coykendall, CHAIR

Blake Bolton, VICE CHAIR

Michael Burer

Rachelle Costa, SECRETARY

Rob Hayes-StClair

Steve Huffman

Danielle Kruger

Candyce Miles

Cara Miller

Kurt Rayners, TREASURER

Janean Stripe

John Yphantides

THE MISSION of Santa Fe Christian Schools is to partner with Christian parents within a Bible-based community in order to disciple students to embrace biblical truth, strive for academic excellence, and model Christ-like leadership to influence their homes, churches, and communities for Christ.

Statement of Faith

WE BELIEVE the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible and authoritative Word of God.

WE BELIEVE there is only one God eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

WE BELIEVE in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, and His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His Ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory.

WE BELIEVE that salvation is by grace alone through faith, apart from works, by the merit of the shed blood of Christ, and that the bornagain believer is eternally secure in Christ.

WE BELIEVE in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life, and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.

WE BELIEVE in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.

WE BELIEVE in the ministry of the Holy Spirit by indwelling the Christian, enabling him to live a Godly life.

WE BELIEVE in the individual priesthood of the believer.

The Santa Fe Way

OUR CORE VALUES of Scholarship, Mentorship, Companionship, Stewardship, and Worship flow out of our love for Christ, inspiring “The Santa Fe Way.” We produced The Santa Fe Way Prayer Journal, a daily prayer guide based on our core values, to prompt you in your own conversation with the Lord. Download your copy!

PRAYER JOURNAL

The Santa Fe Way

A Brief History

SANTA FE CHRISTIAN has a rich history dating back to 1937. Originally developed as a California motel resort called The Las Flores Inn, it was comprised of 50 rooms and a swimming pool. The inn was a sought-after location for the Hollywood elite attending the Del Mar races. However, during WWII the fairgrounds became a B-17 manufacturing plant and the inn fell into disrepair. In 1958, the San Diego Military Academy purchased the resort and converted the rooms into cadet barracks. The Academy grew and in 1962 they built a chapel with offices.

IN 1977, Christian Unified, looking for a North County campus, purchased the land from the Academy and reopened as Santa Fe Christian School. The first class of SFC seniors graduated in 1978. Suddenly, in 1985, Christian Unified notified parents that due to financial reasons, they would be closing the school and selling the property. Thankfully, this was not the end of our story.

IN AN ACT OF FAITH, courage, and dedication, the parents of SFC rallied together to keep the doors open. With their love of the school and trust in the Lord, they were able

to reopen as Santa Fe Christian Community School, rehire teachers, acquire the necessary equipment, and reinstate CIF sports.

THEN SFC purchased the 17-acre Solana Beach property where it continues to serve as a light on the hill.

TODAY, we are a school of nearly 1,100 students representing a total of 698 families with a mission of building Christian leaders of tomorrow.

SFC PROVIDES PARENTS with many opportunities to serve and utilize their leadership gifts! Men of SFC, Women of SFC, Development, Admissions, service teams, room parents, coaches, and classroom volunteers all offer great opportunities for service.

Wondering where you can serve? Ask your school administrative assistant for suggestions.

Volunteer Opportunities

Admissions Ambassadors

Share your love of Santa Fe Christian by joining a team of parents that help admissions by connecting with prospective families in various ways. Ambassadors lead campus tours, explain the SFC experience, and welcome families to the community. For more information contact admissions@sfcs.net.

Adopt a Senior in Prayer Ministry

Adopt a Senior is a wonderful way to support our 12th grade students and their families as they complete their final year at SFC. This behind-the-scenes ministry lifts up every SFC senior in prayer. For more information please contact adoptasenior@sfcs.net.

Development

Make a difference by being a part of raising funds for our school. October is the beginning of the Annual Giving Drive where you can volunteer as a Giving Captain. Volunteering in this capacity is easy, rewarding, and can be done from home. In April, there are opportunities to serve at the Auction. Annual Giving and the Auction are the only fundraising efforts we do at SFC. For more information, contact rforougi@sfcs.net.

School

Each school division has a team of parents who coordinate volunteer needs and assist with school events. If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, please contact jluther@sfcs.net for Lower School, tking@sfcs.net for Middle School, or ktaylor@sfcs.net for Upper School.

Women of SFC

Women of SFC desire to connect and deepen the faith of every woman in the SFC community. The Women of SFC gather for breakfast and an encouraging message monthly. Additionally, women are given the opportunity to join Mentor360! where current SFC moms are paired with seasoned moms for one-on-one mentorship. Also, Moms in Prayer is open to all moms of SFC students K-12 for a weekly beach walk. If you have any questions regarding Women of SFC, please contact womenofsfc@sfcs.net

Men of SFC

Men of SFC aim to connect SFC dads and build a community of godly men and serve our school in a Christ-like fashion. They gather once a month to hear an uplifting message, be inspired, socialize and eat! There is an opportunity for all dads to participate in the Dad’s Dawn Patrol, which helps manage the drop-off process. For more information, contact menofsfc@sfcs.net

ACCREDITATION – SFC is accredited by ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International), WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges), and by ECFA (Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability).

ANNUAL GIVING – Each year we ask all our families to prayerfully make a gift of any size to SFC. Your annual financial gifts over and above tuition and fees allow us to provide a higher quality experience for our students. These gifts support financial assistance, state-of-the-art safety and security, excellence in curriculum, and teacher development.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS – The Board of Directors aims to protect, advance, and promote the Mission and Vision of SFC. Learn more about our Board on MySchoolApp.

CHAPEL – At SFC, faith is an integral part of everything. Since God is the author of all things, SFC students have an opportunity to glorify, honor, and praise Him through participation in the school’s chapel program. Students in Lower, Middle, and Upper School attend chapel weekly where sessions focus on the specific needs of each age group. Typically, there are inspirational speakers, a time for worship, and prayer.

CHRISTMAS GALA – This traditional SFC event is a beautiful and festive celebration created as a thank you to those who donate or pledge $3000 or more to our Annual Giving Drive. It’s a perfect way to launch into the Christmas season!

ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS – These courses are a great way for students to explore interests, develop new athletic skills, or ensure an academic pathway. Throughout the school year, there are a variety of after-school enrichment programs for our K-5th graders. We offer a selection of fun courses to extend your child’s learning experience. Contact Kelly Whitton at kwhitton@sfcs.net for more information.

GLOBAL MINISTRY AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

– The primary objective of our Global Ministry and Community Partnerships is to glorify God as we mentor students in spiritual formation: fellowship, study, service, prayer, and sharing faith. Additionally, we hope our students develop empathy and build cross cultural connections, learning from the cultures and communities we seek to serve as well as from our fellow team members. In years past, our students have partnered with organizations locally and internationally. They have worked in the Dominican Republic, Fiji, France, India, Israel, Italy, Nepal, Russia, Rwanda, Thailand, Uganda, Arizona, Kentucky, Texas, and City Heights, a neighborhood of San Diego.

MEMBER – A SFC Member is a Christian parent or guardian of a current SFC student. Each family designates one person who will represent their family as the voting Member each year. If a person is not designated, the default Member is the financially responsible person. There is only one Member per family. Annually, in the month of May, Members cast votes for open seats on the Board of Directors.

QUAD – The center or hub of the Upper and Middle School campuses.

RETREATS – Grade-level retreats model for students the priority to occasionally step away from daily routines in order to pursue a deeper relationship with Jesus. All retreats are similar in goals yet each one is unique. Friendships with peers and faculty are transformed and strengthened, the class becomes united, and most importantly, the students grow in their faith.

SENIOR BUSINESS WEEK – This is the culmination of our senior students’ year-end Economics project. Students work in teams and are tasked to develop viable businesses that include methodology, metrics, and processes. They work in teams and eventually invite the entire school community to visit their “business” at Senior Business Week. Funds raised by the students are donated to the school as the Senior Class Gift.

SFCtv – The production of these broadcasts is 100% student-run and includes livestream of sports, special events, and Chapel. During the football season, the crew of nearly 20 Upper School students produce, direct, and live-stream every football game. Also, two sideline reporters are actively providing insights and interviews throughout the game. Visit sfcs.net or Vimeo to watch a livestream.

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SFC TALON – The official app for Santa Fe Christian Athletics brings fans closer to the team than ever before! Get game coverage, player interviews, game previews, recaps, postgame highlights, enhanced stats, customized game alerts, player profiles, game schedules, and much more! Download the app from the Apple Store or Google Play.

STUDENT TUITION ENDOWMENT (STE) –

It is the desire of SFC that every qualified, mission-appropriate student is given the opportunity to attend the school. Families may be awarded tuition assistance based on a demonstrated financial need. Through this endowment, SFC is making a generational commitment to our mission and core values and cultivating a vision that extends beyond the present moment. The STE is a way of investing in a future that will continue to benefit generations to come!

STUDENT LEADERSHIP

Student Council, Associated Study Body (ASB), Leadership Academy – Students are given many opportunities to develop leadership skills. Student Council is available for those in the Lower and Middle School. ASB is a team of elected Upper School student leaders that represent the student body, coordinate various initiatives, and plan events and activities for the Upper School. Additionally, nearly half the student body of Santa Fe Christian’s Upper School participates in the Leadership Academy via Athletics.

SPIRITWEAR FRIDAYS – Fridays are full of school spirit! Students are encouraged to wear spiritwear tops with either jeans or uniform bottoms.

Purchase athletic spiritwear through BSN Sideline Sports sideline.bsnsports.com and lifestyle spiritwear at sfcspiritwear.sfcs.net

THE NEST – The official student fan section at SFC. Watch as SFC spirit comes alive during games and student events to cheer on our school. Check out @thenest_sfc on Instagram where you’ll find the Nest dress theme for each game. Go Eagles!

VETERANS CELEBRATION – SFC hosts a special annual celebration to honor our US military Veterans for their service. At this annual community-wide event, SFC families, grandparents, and friends are invited to come enjoy and partake in celebrating our heroic Veterans.

SFC Logos

Academic Spirit

Athletics

Accent

Mascot Eagle

SFC Colors

Primary: Red and White

Secondary: Gold and Black

© Santa Fe Christian Schools. You may not copy, distribute, publish, modify, or create derivative works without the express written permission of Santa Fe Christian Schools. Contact communications@sfcs.net with any questions.

School Verse – ISAIAH 40:31

…but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Alma Mater

There is a school with purpose

High on a hill by the sea

Home of the Santa Fe Eagles

Bound for victory

Hail, hail, Santa Fe, we’ll be true to you Hail, hail, Santa Fe, may God bless our school!

Fight Song

Fight you Eagles, Fight for Glory, Fight with all your might.

Ever loyal, true and faithful

To the red and white…

Fight, Fight, Fight!

Bravely playing, never failing

Raise your colors high!

We are proud of you and true to Santa Fe Christian High, Hey!

Weekly Newsletter

EVERY THURSDAY AFTERNOON you will receive our SFCWeekly – an email containing letters from each principal, important dates, and upcoming events. These emails come from our Director of Marketing Communications, Dawn Saunders. To ensure you receive these important emails and that they do not go into your spam or promotions, please whitelist emails from @sfcs.net.

Engage With Us

SFCSEagles

santa-fe-christian-schools

sfcs

eagle-perspective

MySchoolApp

THIS WEBSITE IS DIFFERENT from sfcs.net. MySchoolApp is SFC’s private community portal for current students, faculty, staff, and parents – all the information you need in one place. Tiles are updated frequently, so please visit your school tile often. Log onto sfcs.myschoolapp.com with your username (your email address) and password.

At MySchoolApp, you may:

• Order books and school uniforms

• Sign-up for bus transportation

• Set up lunch account with Ki’s

• Find division-specific information

• Find your student’s grades and course schedules

• View event calendars

Save the Dates

2023

AUGUST 15 Lower School Meet Your Teacher Day Middle School Registration Day 9th Grade Orientation

AUGUST 16 Upper School Registration Day (Grades 10–12)

AUGUST 17 First Day of School

AUGUST 29 Lower School Back to School Night

AUGUST 30 Middle School Back to School Night

AUGUST 31 Upper School Back to School Night

SEPTEMBER 15 New Family Tailgate

SEPTEMBER 18 9th Grade JH Outback

SEPTEMBER 30 Homecoming Game

OCTOBER 1 Admission Season Begins

OCTOBER 17–27 Annual Giving Drive

NOVEMBER 8 Veterans Celebration

DECEMBER 10 Christmas Gala

2024

FEBRUARY 1 Admissions Deadline

APRIL 27 Auction

MAY 20–23 Senior Business Week

MAY 29 Last Day of School

MAY 30 5th & 8th Grade Promotion

MAY 31 Upper School Graduation

Important Numbers & Emails

Attendance

School Nurse

Taylor

Lower School (K–5)

Amanda Walker, PRINCIPAL walker@sfcs.net

Julie Johnson, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL jjohnson@sfcs.net

Julie Luther, ADMINISTRATION ASSISTANT / ATTENDANCE jluther@sfcs.net

Middle School (6–8)

Todd Deveau, PRINCIPAL tdeveau@sfcs.net

Kristi Ellis, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL kellis@sfcs.net

Teresa King, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT tking@sfcs.net

Upper School (9-12)

Matt Hannan, PRINCIPAL mhannan@sfcs.net

Pamela Oden, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL oden@sfcs.net

Mike Siciliano, DEAN OF STUDENTS msiciliano@sfcs.net

Kelly Taylor, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT ktaylor@sfcs.net

Athletics

Doug Miller, DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS dmiller@sfcs.net

Robbie Roberts, ASSISTANT ATHLETIC DIRECTOR rroberts@sfcs.net

Jon Wallace, ASSISTANT ATHLETIC DIRECTOR wallace@sfcs.net

Tara Woolley, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT twoolley@sfcs.net

Michaela Johnson, ATHLETIC TRAINER mjohnson@sfcs.net

Mitch Lederer, STRENGTH AND CONDITONING INSTRUCTOR mlederer@sfcs.net

Leadership

Rod Gilbert, HEAD OF SCHOOLS rgilbert@sfcs.net

Erin Mirich, EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT emirich@sfcs.net

Hannah Park, CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICER hpark@sfcs.net

Kurt de Pfyffer, CHIEF FINANCIAL & OPERATIONS OFFICER kdepfyffer@sfcs.net

Rob Honma, CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER rhonma@sfcs.net

Tim Pierce, DIRECTOR OF FACILITIES tpierce@sfcs.net

Kristin Smith, DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES kdsmith@sfcs.net

Advancement Team

Ronnie Forougi, DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT OPERATIONS rforougi@sfcs.net

Linda Howes, DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS lhowes@sfcs.net

Dawn Saunders, DIRECTOR OF MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS dsaunders@sfcs.net

Drop-off and Parking

ALL TRAFFIC ENTERS CAMPUS at Gate #1 and proceeds through the Loop Road to their designated drop-off area.

Upper and Middle School drop-off is behind the Chapel.

Lower School drop-off is by the playground.

All cars exit out of Gate #3. Vistor parking is available.

MS/US SCHOOL DROP-OFF