Daigle has taken a position as principal at St. Louis the King School, a K-8 Catholic school in Glendale, Ariz. The move to Phoenix this summer was prompted because Daigle said she can't afford to live in the Silicon Valley, while in Phoenix she'll be able to buy a house. Daigle has served the Diocese of San Jose since 1982, and worked at St. Frances Cabrini School in San Jose for 15 years prior to coming to Sacred Heart.

"I'll miss the kids immensely," Daigle said. "I love these kids. I know the name of every child in the school, so I'll have to learn a whole new set of names."

Daigle, 47, grew up in Maine, and attended San José State University. The San Jose resident has been responsible for many changes at Sacred Heart, such as the addition of a Montessori preschool and a staff-wide move to primarily younger teachers, some of whom were once her students. She's added a Spanish program, maintained high enrollment and continued fundraising efforts to support the school.

"We want to cry, we're so sad she's leaving," said second-grade teacher Jody Martin. "There's no one else like her."

Daigle's replacement is Arlene Bertellotti, a parishioner of Sacred Heart Church since 1971. Bertellotti also formerly taught first and fourth grades at Sacred Heart and served as assistant principal for a combined total of 23 years.

"I enjoy mentoring young people," Bertellotti said. "I've been successful with my own school, and I look forward to working with the teachers at Sacred Heart and helping them reach their fullest potential."

For the past eight years, Bertellotti has worked as the principal of St. Charles Catholic School in San Carlos, so the shorter commute to the Saratoga school close to her home and beautiful setting is appealing, she said. She's hoping to get parents involved in enhancing the school's curriculum, adding programs like Junior Achievement and celebrating Sacred Heart's upcoming 50th anniversary.

Daigle said the administrative change comes at a good time because she's completed the goals she had when she first came to the school. She's made religion and education key focuses, and believes the transition under Bertellotti's direction will go smoothly.

"I'm looking forward to a new challenge, a new school and a new community," said Daigle, who has also coached softball at Sacred Heart, Leigh and Los Gatos high schools.

Katherine Guercio, a freshman at Presentation High School in San Jose, said she's known Daigle since she was in fourth grade at Sacred Heart.

"She was just really friendly, along with being our principal. She always knew what was going on in our daily lives," Guercio said. "Even though I don't go to school here anymore, she's still interested in what I'm doing."

Parent Marianne Woodard, whose third grader Austin attends Sacred Heart, said Daigle has a true fondness for children.

"Jane has a love and ease with all children at Sacred Heart. She has taken the time to get to know them each personally," Woodard said. "Her bond and awareness of each child has helped them to gain comfort and confidence."

Third graders Nicholas Keyes, Josh Liss, Halina Murphy and Katherine Lynch described their principal as funny and kind, and each enjoyed how she calls them by name.

"Jane has brought a great sense of humor to the school without losing the respect of children, faculty and parents," said Sacred Heart Assistant Principal Teri Barnett.

Fourth-grade teacher Virginia Rossi, who most know by "Gini," is also leaving Sacred Heart this year. After 25 years of serving the school, Rossi said she's looking forward to retirement. Rossi is a 30-year resident of Saratoga, and in her retirement she's looking forward to reading more and traveling.

"Our little community has really grown. When I first started teaching I had 40 children in the room and no other teachers or aides," she said.

Even though she still has up to 36 students in a class, Rossi no longer teaches computers, science or extra programs because there are additional members on staff to run such activities.

"I will miss the children—the interaction day-to-day and watching them grow and develop and keeping track of all the families," she said. "It's been very rewarding."

Third-grade teacher Mimi McGary is also retiring from the school to switch careers.