Winter 2008 - Sacred Heart Schools

attended a diversity conference with several schools in the
Bay Area and it was very helpful.
What specific initiatives do you hope to bring to fruition at
SHS in the next few years
First, we need to create a three year action plan which will
consist of measurable outcomes of our work. Secondly, I
hope to recruit administrators, faculty, staff and students
from a variety of ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.
Currently I travel by myself and with the Admissions Office
to different schools and I encourage students to apply and
visit our school. I spend a lot of time making sure that each
student and their family is a good match for our school. And
last but not least, this year I am implementing professional
development workshops seminars and events that will focus
on teaching various subjects and multicultural education best
I
n September, the St. Madeleine
Sophie Award for the 2007-08 school
as awarded to two dedicated employees.
This award honors individuals in the
Sacred Heart Schools community who
have made a sustained and significant
contribution to the Schools and
embody the Goals and Criteria.
Genevieve Varga started at Sacred
Heart Schools in 1975 as the Registrar
for Sacred Heart Prep when her
son Michael was just a toddler. Sr.
Nancy Morris (RSCJ) was Director of
Schools and Joan Azzopardi was the
Principal. She began her 33rd year
of service to Sacred Heart Schools
last September. In 1977 Genevieve
assumed the position of Registrar
and Administrative Assistant to the
Principal, which she still holds today.
Not only does this position require
that you be organized and efficient,
but as Connie Solari said, “Her office
is a place where people know they can
go for information, sympathy, help
of all kinds, and frequently a good
laugh.” Donna Gilboa said, “I admire
her competence and energy and her
In Honor of
St. Madeleine Sophie
genuine love for her
job. Genevieve is the
‘still center’ of Sacred
Heart; we couldn’t
function without her.
She embodies the
true spirit of Sacred
Heart.” Genevieve is the proud parent
of two sons, Michael (SJSH ’88, SHP
’92) and Jason (SJSH ’91, SHP ’95).
Both unanimously agreed that their
mom is devoted to her job and believes
in the spirit of the Sacred Heart
education.
Dan Greenleaf began working
at Sacred Heart 21 years ago as a
groundskeeper. In 1988, Dan became
Head of Maintenance and Grounds, a
position that he held until the mid-90s.
That job, which got bigger with each
passing year, was finally split into two,
with Dan assuming the role of Head of
the Grounds Department, the role he
holds today. Members of his crew say
that he is a great guy, a great boss, very
understanding, hard working, a good
friend, aand someone who is always
there when you need him. As fellow
Director of Schools Rich Dioli is pictured here with St. Madeleine
Sophie Award winners Genevieve Varga and Dan Greenleaf.
colleague and friend, Ken Thompson,
said, “The gentle and tender, but also
very present care of the gardener is
evident in Dan’s relationships with his
crew.” In addition, Dan has worked
with many student athletes on both
sides of the campus. He has coached
basketball and flag football at St.
Joseph’s, as well as girls’ basketball,
softball and football at Sacred Heart
Prep. He also has accompanied students
on trips to Taos and Yosemite and
participated in various Sacred Heart
theater productions. He teaches kids
by example and with kind words. Dan’s
wife Diane also works at Sacred Heart
and he has three children, Kelsey (SHP
’04), Melissa (SHP ’06), and Shane
(SHP ’09).
Wi n t e r 2 0 0 8 H e a r t o f t h e M a t t e r