Principal Announcement (May 22, 2020)

Dear St. Francis de Sales Community,

We are writing to share an important update. John Kimec, Principal of St. Francis de Sales High School, is leaving the school at the end of this academic year because he has accepted the role of Superintendent of the New Ulm Catholic Schools in New Ulm Minnesota.

Big Shoulders Fund and the Archdiocese are in the process of forming a search committee and expect to name Mr. Kimec’s replacement by mid-July. In the interim, before a replacement is selected, Diana Serrano, English teacher and Dean of Students, will work alongside Mary Kay Ramirez, Director of Community Relations and a former St. Francis de Sales Principal, to ensure a smooth transition.

John Kimec has been with St. Francis de Sales High School for five years. During his tenure, he led the transition to begin a Work Study program at the school, re-engaged alumni, created a Board of Ambassadors, re-ignited and improved fundraising efforts, improved instructional delivery serving students across the academic spectrum, and worked to ensure that the St. Francis de Sales legacy of educating young men and women on the East Side of Chicago continues for years to come. Leaving St. Francis de Sales was a difficult decision for Principal Kimec, “I love de Sales. Moving back to Minnesota is the best decision for my family but I will very much miss our students, their families, the staff, alumni and the St. Francis community. It is a special place.” We want to thank John for his service to the students and families at St. Francis de Sales and to the East Side community. He leaves St. Francis with a firm foundation for the future. To the staff, students, families and alumni, please know that Big Shoulders and the Archdiocese of Chicago are committed to finding a strong leader to continue to move St. Francis into the future.

Mr. Kimec remains at St. Francis de Sales High School through the middle of June and is working diligently to finish the year on a strong note for all our students – and especially for our seniors. If you have questions about the search for the new leader, please contact any of us with your questions.

Sincerely,

John Glimco, Chief of Governance and Policy Archdiocese of Chicago: john.glimco@archchicago.org

Rebecca Ryan, Senior Director, Academic Programs and External Affairs Big Shoulders Fund: rryan@bigshouldersfund.org

John Moran, Senior Director, Patrons Program Big Shoulders Fund jmoran@bigshouldersfund.org

Open House and Entrance Exam 2016

We offer a quality, Catholic education that brings young people to Christ and prepares them for all of their pursuits after high school.  We invite you to be our guest at our next Open House on Wednesday, January 6th from 6:00-8:00 pm.

Then, come and begin your 4-year journey at SFDS at our Entrance Exam on Saturday, January 9th at 8:00 am.  Breakfast will be served at 7:30am.