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We'll be sharing stories about who Frank is and what kind of educator he is. More to come!
If you have stories about Frank that you'd like shared please email us at friendsoffranksanchez@gmail.com
Statement from the Sanchez Family:
Our family wishes we could be present with you all tonight, but we will respect the process every step of the way and have faith that the resolution our community so greatly deserves is on the horizon. It is difficult to find the proper words to express what our family and our beloved South Orange/Maplewood community is collectively enduring.As you can imagine this past week has been a nightmare. Our daughters have so many questions we simply can’t answer because we are as shocked and confused as they are.
I haven’t slept much this week. When I have, I’ve woken to that fleeting moment where I wonder if this is real or just a nightmare.
However, what gets us through this is the realization of how blessed we are that we are not facing this reality alone.
Your support has been overwhelming and uplifting.
My husband, Frank, has always told me what a special community this is. People here in SOMA step up to act for the good of the community. You stand up against injustice when you see it. I’ve witnessed that first hand this week in so many ways. Frank believes deeply in the SOMA mission – that we must look towards and fight for a brighter future for our schools and our society. He wants nothing more than to continue his journey as an Educator at Columbia High School.
We thank each and every individual who has reached out with a hand of support, with a message of loving compassion, or with offered resources to help equip our family as we embark on this journey. As unfortunate as this situation may be for all parties involved, we must all remain resolute in our commitment to the truth.
The Sanchez Family thanks you for your support.
Frank's first year in the district is our daughter's senior year. Our first interaction was a call we received from Frank during senior picture day. Apparently his list said our daughter had COVID (she did not). He wanted to be sure everything was ok and if we needed anything. We ended up having a lovely conversation. What kind of person does that? Someone wanting to make an impact on his school, his students, and their families.
On graduation day, our daughter received her diploma and shook hands with Frank. When we saw her after she says "He knew my name!!! I didn't see a sheet of paper with names. How did he know my name?!" A great way to end her time at CHS.
CHS Student Class of 2021
They were having challenges with some course selection and whether to push up to an AP level. This randomly came up when we had the pleasure of speaking with Frank and his wife at a district event. He tells us we must send the kids to his office the next day for a chat. They go, and he's not in the office. The next day, both of the kids receive an in-person visit from Frank during one of their class periods. He listened to their concerns, then proceeded to tell them about the AP class, how wonderful and supportive the teacher was and if they chose to take it, they'd get all the support they needed. He left them feeling empowered to make the best decision for themselves.
CHS Student Class of 2025
With three children who have been students of SOMSD throughout their K-12 careers, we can say with conviction that Frank Sanchez is the one Principal who has stood out the most. His energy and passion are palpable in every situation. More importantly, the care he takes in really seeing each student and engaging them in conversation in order to guide them is the sign of a thoughtful educator who truly cares and wants what is best for the students under his charge. Students see Frank as the most approachable adult they’ve ever had in the building. He earns their respect and then helps them see their potential.
During a heightened COVID time, when we were scrambling for ways to celebrate the seniors, with his help, we came up with a way to hand out lawn signs to each and every senior along with their caps and gowns. Of course, we had to do this outside, after school, and it happened to be an extremely hot day. After the bell rang and just before the students arrived, Frank marched up to where we had set up and stayed the entire 2 hours. He helped with the distribution and he congratulated each senior, engaging them in conversation. Like always, he wanted them to be seen and heard. With dozens of parent volunteers, he didn’t need to be there, yet he wanted to be. He was there for his students.
And Frank is fully present for his students, centering their needs, every time we’ve ever worked alongside him or simply witnessed his interactions with them at many events. As a parent, it gives me such peace knowing that my children are walking into the building where he is present. We look forward to seeing him back as the leader of CHS.
Marietta and Doug Zacker
South Orange Residents and Parents of graduates (Class of 2020 and 2021) and student at CHS (Class of 2025)
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