Dear Parents, Guardians, Students, and Friends of De La Salle,

David Holquin and I attended our annual fall convening of the SFNO District’s Chief Administrators in New Orleans from September 14-16. As always, the group gathers to share best practices in Lasallian formation for our communities, school protocol, curriculum and learning, and more. We left with Pope Leo XIV’s Encyclical Letter, Magnificent Humanity/Magnifica Humantis: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence. Bishop Robert Barron’s Foreword underscores how Pope Leo XIV “wants to show that a proper consideration of contemporary technology must take place within a fundamentally moral context” (ix). As our students grapple with an increasingly complex technological world, our faculty and staff have continued to educate ourselves about the world our sons and daughters are growing up in. 

Last year, our entire adult community participated in Professional Learning Community book clubs, and we began the school year with presentations and action items that we crafted from our readings. The lenses that we read varied from adolescent psychology (10 to 25), the effect of smartphones and social media on young minds (The Anxious Generation), the real consequences of what students do online (Accountable), and how identity shapes students' sense of belonging at school (Teaching the Invisible Race). Pope Leo XIV's call to protect human dignity in an age of artificial intelligence (Magnifica Humanitas) adds another powerful layer for us to consider. Yet every reading points to the same truth: young men thrive when the adults in their lives treat them with respect, hold them to high standards, and help them feel they truly belong. In the Lasallian tradition, that is exactly the work we hope to do alongside you.

De La Salle Parents! We know the process of teaching your teen to drive and earn their license can feel daunting. That's why we're excited to offer an informative presentation by driving experts and Greenlight Driver Training founders Jason Zimmerman and Josh Hurley. They'll lay out the steps to acquiring a license and share some foundational tips on how to approach behind-the-wheel driver training with your teen.

When: Wednesday, October 14, 7 to 8 pm
Where: Br. Celestine Cormier Theatre

The Fall 2026 California Scholarship Federation membership for De La Salle High School is now available. Congratulations to the 261 Spartans who earned membership (11th and 12th graders) or associate membership (9th and 10th graders) for CSF Fall 2026. The complete listing of students is available on the school's CSF Webpage. 

Do you know anyone interested in applying to or learning more about De La Salle? If so, please spread the word about our three fall admissions events for prospective Spartans looking to learn more about our school.

Wednesday, October 7, our Visual and Performing Arts students and faculty will host One Night Only, a behind-the-scenes interactive workshop for prospective families to learn more about our Visual & Technical Art, Music, and Theatre curriculum. Our Spartan for a Day shadow program continues with events through December. And our annual Open House for all interested families is coming up on Sunday, November 1, from 9:30 am to 12 pm.

Registration for these events is available at the De La Salle Admissions web page. For questions, please contact admissions@dlshs.org.

College Info Night (Zoom): In partnership with the College Counseling Office, Athletics will hold our annual college info night on Monday, October 26, at 6:30 pm on Zoom. On the webinar, college administrators from all levels will speak about the college student-athlete experience, the recruiting process, and much more. Please RSVP by filling out the College Info Night Zoom Registration Form.

This year's panel:
Division 1: Theresa Barsanti - Director of Compliance, Vanderbilt University
Division 2: Marcie Haduca Covell - Assistant AD for Compliance, Cal State East Bay
Division 3: Timothy Deman - Director of Athletics, Whitworth University
NAIA: Steve Waldeck - Senior Associate AD, The Master's University
Junior College: Tommy Abdenour - Director of Athletics, San Jose CC

Winter Sports: Basketball, soccer, and wrestling all begin on Monday, November 2. Tryout information will be posted to Schoology and the DLS Spartans website in the coming weeks.

Our next all-school liturgy will take place this Wednesday, October 7. This is a special Mass for peace during the Lasallian Days for Peace (September 21- October 21). 

Father-Son Retreat: Join us for our Father-Son Retreat on October 10 & 11 at the Vallombrosa Retreat Center in Menlo Park. This retreat focuses on strengthening the relationship between fathers and their sons. The cost is $300 per family, and financial assistance is available. Use this Father-Son Retreat link to sign up today!

In addition, click on the Spotlight on Campus Ministry button below to learn about our Father/Son Retreat, Kairos, Morning Mass, Confessions, and more. 

De La Salle is hosting the SAT for seniors only on Monday, October 5, during the school day. This in-school option aims to reduce stress around registration and logistics. Contact Mr. Drain at drains@dlshs.org with questions. 

Additionally, there will be a PSAT testing day for sophomores and juniors and a Senior Application Drop-In  Workshop on October 14. 

This month's Spotlight on College Counseling is packed with additional information for all students. Be sure to click on the link below for all College Counseling updates.

Join us at our next Parent Association meeting on Monday, October 5, at 6:30 pm in the De La Salle Library. Vice President for Advancement, Mark Chiarucci, will be the guest speaker.  

The social starts at 6:30 pm, and the meeting begins at 7 pm. All parents are welcome to attend. This is a great opportunity to meet other De La Salle parents and find ways to get involved with De La Salle!

Senior Yearbook Ads are now available! Families interested in celebrating their senior with a special message in this year’s yearbook can click the link for more information, including details on how to create and submit an ad. Don’t miss out; the early deadline is October 4, and the final deadline to submit your ad is December 14. Submissions will not be accepted after December 14. 

Senior Photos: If your son has not yet had his senior portrait taken with Studio One, please contact them as soon as possible to schedule an appointment. All seniors must have their portrait taken by Studio One in order to be included in the yearbook and graduation slideshow. Please do not wait to schedule your appointment. The deadline for portraits is December 1, 2026.