PRESIDENT'S SUMMER UPDATE
AUGUST 2023
Highlights from last year, and for the year ahead
CLASSof 2023
On Saturday, June 3, 143 Cardinals received their diplomas, together boasting 196 unique college acceptance and over $9,954,575 in academic scholarships!
It was a beautiful celebration and a wonderful reminder of the great work our faculty, administration, and staff do in “Educating students in the wholeness of body, mind, and soul.”
SCHOLARS CLASSOF2023
COLLEGE BOARD AP
HONOR SCHOLARS
Granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams
Catalina Coleman
Hayden Hansel
William Liu
Kira Marts
Kiara Serret
Kaylin Smith
COLLEGE BOARD AP SCHOLARS
Granted to students who receive scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP exams
Teagan Craig
John Simon
Julia Simon
Olivia Stevens
Gavin Vogensen
GLOBAL SEAL OF BILITERACY
The Global Seal of Bi-literacy is awarded students who show a certain level of proficiency in Spanish or French, affirmed through their scores on their AP language exam
Lindsay Angel
Carly Ibanez Arroyo
Teagan Craig
William Liu
Dora Avanzi Mesquita
Joseph Pezzolo
Owen Reis
Daniela Rodriguez
Barron
Soraya Salamati
Daniela Sanchez
Julia Simon
Kaylin Smith
SENIORCHRIST PROJECTS:
In late May, our Seniors gave formal presentations of their Senior Christian Service Projects to their peers and other members of the community. These presentations were the culmination of several months of service work and planning.
Students articulated more than just what they learned — they also shared what they gained, which often included a sense of fulfillment and a new perspective.
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SPIRITUAL RETREATS
Our spiritual retreats for each grade level are a cornerstone of the Newman experience. These retreats not only nurture and grow the faith of our students but also provide an unforgettable bonding experience.
All Theology teachers took ownership and leadership of grade-level retreats this last year. This resulted in a notable increase in student engagement in our retreat program.
It gives us much pleasure to announce that Marty Argenti, in addition to teaching Science, has taken on the overseeing of retreats and faculty faith formation. He brings with him previous experience as a high school campus minister.
Campus MinistryClub
The Campus Ministry Club welcomed new members, growing the roster to 30 students. They did an excellent job planning and supporting school Masses, and they are looking forward to continuing to develop their leadership skills in the new school year.
St.VincentdePaulClub
In this club's second year, the core officers of the youth conference took on more leadership roles.
Highlights were Vinnie’s Alms, a Lenten almsgiving drive - a blanket drive and service in the SvDP Kitchen on Holy Thursday.
FAITH
StudentsinPrayer
Theology Class students demonstrated increased interest and initiative in Mass and prayer activities.
SacramentalInitiation
Three students were baptized (and fully initiated) in their parishes with the support and cooperation of parents, teachers, chaplain, pastors and parish staff.
Liturgical Opportunities
Building off the previous year’s implementation of monthly adoration and confession as an integral component of the Catholicism curriculum, this last year we added First Friday Masses, with great success.
STUDENT LIFE
We are pleased to announce that Catherine Eggleston has taken on a new role: Vice Principal of Student Affairs.
The Vice Principal for Student Affairs works closely with the Principal to oversee areas of student life having to do with co-curricular programs, the building of community and shared identity, student leadership, and discipline.
ASSOCIATED STUDENT BODY
Our ASB works hard to bring fun opportunities for the Newman community to show school spirit and make memories together.
From planning the Juniors vs. Seniors Powderpuff game to preparing pancakes and waffles for Faculty Appreciation Day, to filming Newman News, they find unique and creative ways to build unity.
We wish our new ASB President Meghan Snyder and Vice President Isaac Phelps, and the ASB leadership team all the best in the year ahead.
FFA&AgSciences
We live in a community surrounded by farmland and vineyards, and for many of our students, agriculture is a part of their daily life. Last year for the first time, Newman’s Science Department nurtured an Agricultural Sciences program and inaugurated our official charter with the National Future Farmers of America organization.
Our Biology and Sustainable Agriculture course is designed to integrate biological science practices and knowledge into sustainable agriculture, and our Chemistry and Agriscience course explores the physical and chemical nature of soil, and the relationships between soil, plants, animals, and agricultural practices. Participation in FFA is a component of both courses, giving students more opportunities to combine the theoretical with the practical.
ARTSALIVE
Newman's Arts Alive is a two-week celebration of our Visual and Performing Arts. This last year ' s showcase included stellar performances and exhibitions from our student-artists.
Our Visual Arts Program held an Open Gallery Reception in the Art Studio, displaying a variety of works in different media including stunning portraits, playful ceramics, and a community piece made of upcycled tardy slips.
Curtain Call Productions presented Sherlock Holmes and the Ghost Machine, which included detailed set pieces, audio and visual effects, and gorgeous period costumes. The actors and crew did a fantastic job with this ambitious play with its quick-witted dialogue and well-known characters.
The Modern Rock Band also took their performances to the next level, playing a sold-out show at the HopMonk Sebastopol, followed by back-to-back-to-back shows in the ACC and at the Arts Rally. They displayed an amazing amount of confidence, teamwork, talent, and skill. Our Dance Program put together an incredible show, These Four Years, A Contemporary Dance Show Inspired by High School Life Experiences. The show displayed the grace and strength of our dancers, as well as their choreography skills, and also featured several Newman teachers! From the costumes to the music selection, they struck the perfect note.
ARTSALIVE
ARTS DIRECTOR
We are thrilled to announce that Gabby Thompson, in addition to teaching dance classes, has taken on the role of Arts Director! She will use her talents in showcasing student achievement in the arts in collaboration with the Fine and Performing Arts Department and Department Chair, Morris Acevedo.
ATHLETICS
Just a few highlights among our many accomplishments last year! Our scholar-athletes impress us daily with their perseverance, dedication, teamwork, and sportsmanship. It is no wonder Newman is ranked in the Top Five Best High Schools for athletics!
Football: NCS Division 4 Runner-Up
Women's Golf: NBL Champs & NCS Division 2 Champions
Girls Basketball: NBL Champs & #1 in the State Division 3
Men's Varsity Basketball: NBL Champions
Women's Varsity Soccer: NBL Champions & NorCal
Division 3 Runners-Up
Baseball: NBL Champs & NCS Division 3 Champs
Softball: NCS Division 4 Champs
Santiago Adan, Track & Field: CIF State Championship Qualifier, Discus
Sienna Brunetti, Cross Country: CIF State Championship Qualifier
Natalie Farquhar, Swimming: Broke the CNHS 100m freestyle record held by Taylor Young since 2013!
Two sports new to Newman last year: Club Beach Volleyball and Men's Volleyball
PRINCIPAL'S ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM
Principal Nicholas Reynolds and I are thrilled to appoint Dr. Maryanne Berry as Vice Principal for Academics, a critical role that will help move Cardinal Newman forward and strengthen our academics.
Principal
Mr. Nicholas Reynolds
Vice Principal for Academics & Instruction
Dr. Maryanne Berry
Vice Principal for Student Affairs
Catherine Eggleston
With the addition of Vice Principal Dr. Berry overseeing academics and Vice Principal Eggleston overseeing student life, Principal Reynolds’ team of school administrators is complete.
Chaplain, Department Chair
Fr. John Plass
Dean of Students & School Safety Director
Mr. John Gilson
Chair, Counseling Department
Mrs. Tracy Williams
Chair, College Counseling
Mrs. Mary Euphrat
Stacie Andel - Senior Accountant
Daniel Benjamin, ‘CN Class of 2011 - College Counselor
(replacing Mrs. Martha King who will be retiring in October)
WELCOME NEWTEACHERS&STAFF BEST WISHES
Andrew Cassetta - Admissions
Rebecca Chong - Academic Librarian
Dr. Dennis Dickerson - Latin
Jason Farthing - Innovation Director
Tino Fonzeca - Human Performance/PE
(increased from part-time temporary to full-time contracted)
Zachary Hasbany - English
Chris Langland -Math
Sr. Mary Perpetua - Theology
Marie Rodnick -Theology
Sr. Mary Vianney -Theology
In June we thanked and bid farewell to Anna Balaguer who taught English/Latin for two years, and Dr. Susan Miller who taught Theology for two years, and also to Teresa Muir-Small (part-time Theology), Ari Searcy (part-time Human Performance), Becky Sorraco
(Admissions) and Sr. Margaret Mary (Theology) who spent one year with us.
STRATEGIC PLAN2023-2027
In fall 2022, Cardinal Newman community members – Board Members, Donors, Alumni, Parents, Parents of Alumni, Faculty, Staff, Friends, and Students – provided feedback to help determine the strategic direction and allocation of efforts and resources. Visions and Objectives were clarified to set the strategic direction of Cardinal Newman for the next five years. After hosting listening sessions to solicit additional constituent feedback, the goals and objectives of the strategic plan were finalized and ratified by the Board of Trustees at their November 2022 meeting.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
The following objectives were quickly addressed this spring:
The teacher pay scale was raised to the minimum 95% parity with Santa Rosa City Schools
A process was created to utilize veteran teachers for onboarding, inculturation, and mentoring of new teachers
Cardinal Newman's curriculum was further clarified and unified through curriculum mapping
A feasibility study was conducted to explore the possibility of another capital campaign for the final phase of our campus rebuild Disaster recovery funding was identified and secured to enhance and repair older facilities
We now look towards the full implementation of the plan that envisions
Cardinal Newman’s future and that the Holy Spirit, who has overseen this good work, brings it to completion.
New Classroom Building: $14,676,113 New Student Life Center & Library $17,200,000 North Wing Classroom Building Restoration $3,158,000 Chapel $2,999,805 Stadium Turf Project $1,983,337 Site Planning & Facilities Improvements $380,222 Wayne & Gladys Valley Foundation Other Donors Fundraising Campaign $26,950,456 $16,000,000 $10,950,456 Insurance $11,602,916 PG&E Fire Victims Relief Fund $1,844,105 $40,397,477 Rebuild Costs: Total costs for rebuild: $40,397,477 Total funds raised for rebuild: $40,397,477
&CAMPUSIMPROVEMENTS 42.6% 7.8% 7.4% 4.9% 0.9% 4.6% 36.3% Funding Sources: $40,397,477 28.7% 66.7%
POST-FIREREBUILD
CAMPUS SAFETY
Student safety is the highest priority for Cardinal Newman.
Our campus fencing project is in the final stage of completion. Secure fencing around the perimeter of campus will greatly reduce the likelihood of unwanted visitors or outside threats entering the school grounds. 20 additional security cameras were added this summer!
STUDENTCHAPEL
BY DONORS
Construction of the St. John Henry Newman Chapel in the heart of campus is scheduled for completion in March 2024. We thank the Skikos family, Bishop Vasa, and other generous donors who gave so generously for us to have this beautiful place of worship and spiritual reflection. We look forward to the dedication celebration in the spring.
CHAPELFUN FACTS:
The chapel will have 8 stainedglass windows, depicting the saints who inspire our students
and our mission:
St. John Henry Newman
St. Angela Merici
Blessed Carlo Acutis
St. Maria Goretti
At 41 feet tall, not including the cross at the top of the cupola, the Chapel will be the tallest building on campus!
The building encompasses 2,634 square feet, and seats 130 people (perfect for Theology classes and special gatherings).
St. Martin de Porres
St. Louise de Marillac
St. Vincent de Paul
St. Rose of Lima
The design is inspired by chapels found at Catholic universities.
THANKYOU
Principal Nicholas Reynolds
and I are proud of all Cardinal Newman High School has accomplished together with God’s abundant blessings. As one Cardinal Newman family, we are well poised to carry this momentum forward into 2024 and beyond. Thank you for your support and dedication.
In the spirit of the motto of St. John Henry Newman, cor ad cor loquitur, from my heart to yours, I wish you all the best for the remainder of the summer and the school year ahead
Dr. Linda Norman
