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St Francis School Newsletter May we make our homes places of relaxation, joy, love, peace and safety. May we be generous and considerate, not thinking only about ourselves, but helping others enjoy the blessings of the summertime. Lord God, Creator of all things, guide our steps and strengthen our hearts during these months of summer and vacation days. Grant us refreshment of mind and body. May we constantly strive to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our loved ones and in the world around us as we enjoy the warm days of summertime. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen Dear St. Francis Families, To say this year ended differently would be an understatement. None of us could have imagined when we walked into school in August, that we would send our students home on Friday, March 6th for their Spring Break, and they would not enter their classrooms again, only to finish the school year with distance learning in June. We have all really had to process through these challenging times. 2 Corinthians 5:7 states, “I will walk by faith, not by sight,” which is what we have all had to do this year. We have had to have faith because none of us can foresee the future. We are a community of educators, students, families and friends who have found that we are stronger than we imagined. This year will go down in the history books as one of trials, disappointments and uncertainty but it will also show perseverance, strength, and goodness. To our 5th grade families, we are saddened we did not get to celebrate all the moments that we should have this year. Those families who have spent so many years at St. Francis, you will be missed immensely. Please know you have all had an impact on our school and we will cherish those memories. As we wrap up the 2019/2020 school year, we want to “Thank You” for all you have done for our school. We appreciate each and every one of you. We could not do this without the support of our families. The joy the children bring to all of us is immeasurable. We were blessed to have the time we had together in the classrooms this year and pray we'll all be together again this upcoming 2020/2021 school year. We will continue to pray for all our families, our school, our community and world for peace, healing and health. Have a blessed summer and make great memories. We can't wait for the students to tell us about them next school year! - St. Francis Staff Important News from Mr. Buckel Dear St. Francis Families, I hope this finds you all well and ready to enjoy a well deserved and enjoyable summer. Earlier I announced that I will be staying on at St. Francis School in order to help our school navigate the challenges that COVID 19 Virus will present and the transition of a new priest in the coming year. I am delighted to announce that Mrs. Kathy Swanson has agreed to assume the duties of the Lead Teacher. She will remain committed to teaching 5th grade and hold office hours daily in the afternoon. Under our combined leadership, our school will remain dedicated to the goals that have been established. I'm confident the transition will be a smooth one. Please support Kathy as she navigates her new position. She has been a dedicated employee who shares our belief in this school. I would like to recognize and thank Mrs. Sarah Matzek for the excellent job she has done for our school, and wish her well in her new adventure. I would like to thank each and every one of you who helped us in coping with and working towards teaching classes remotely this last Spring. We realize the stress and hard work involved in teaching your child as well as continuing with your other duties. And we truly appreciate you. In order to offer our students the best possible support for the coming year, we have implemented a COVID Recovery intervention team consisting of administration and upper and lower level teachers. We are restructuring our current staff to utilize that team's plan for assisting students individually according to each student's needs. Thanks so much to Sandy Karlstad, our 4YK/reading endorsed teacher for agreeing to take on this project along with her 4YK duties. I can assure you that each St. Francis teacher and the entire staff are committed to recovering the time lost and helping the students to enjoy a successful year. Here are the teaching staff members who will be welcoming you and your child/children this Fall. We have missed you all and are ready to rise to the challenge of a brand new year! 4YK/Interventionist - Sandy Karlstad Kindergarten - Kaile Wescott Grade 1 - Bev Miller Grade 2 - Dawn Koch Grade 3 - Tessa Figi Grade 4 - Tara Huebel Grade 5 - Lead Teacher Kathy Swanson Music - Kaylee Penton Preschool - Angie McHardy If you have any questions please contact me. I look forward to hearing from you. Chuck Buckel From Mrs. Swanson: Dear St. Francis Families, I’m so grateful for the amazing opportunity to become the Lead Teacher at St. Francis School. Though we are certainly in the midst of some challenging times, I want you to know and feel the commitment that I and all of the St. Francis staff feel toward this school, and most importantly toward your children. We are already working diligently, planning for all the possibilities that education during Covid 19 may bring. We will do our very best to keep all of you informed as we move forward and are grateful for your patience as we navigate this new adventure. I will begin holding some office hours in June (see Newsletter) and in July I will be here Tuesdays and Thursdays 8:00 -11:30. Thank you all for your faith in St. Francis School. We truly look forward to the day we can all be together! Blessings! Kathy Swanson PRAYER PARTNERS: Thank you for joining us as we lifted up Mrs. Karlstad and our 4YK students in prayer during the month of May. Trent, Grace, Fallon, Ruby, Matthew, Cedrec, Jordy, Easton, Macy Don’t worry about anything: instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6 VIRTUE AWARDS FOR FORGIVENESS Forgiveness – When we forgive, we choose to love and forgive others. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 Nathaniel Huppert, Walter Rewolinski, Aaron Riester, Brielle O’Neil, Regan Nelson, Atlanta O’Neil 4YK – CAUGHT SHOWING CHARACTER: Forgiveness - Ruby Feuerhelm VIRTUE AWARDS FOR PERSEVERENT Perseverant –Persevering means you keep trying, even when it’s tough. Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 Sawyer Francis, Markus Lorentz, Charlie McMahon, Evie Peterson, Cayman Anderson, Rose Shafer 4YK – CAUGHT SHOWING CHARACTER: Perseverant – Macy Rohl VIRTUE AWARDS FOR SELF-CONTROL Self-Control – Having self-control means you do the right thing no matter what. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 Trystan O’Neil, Griffin Thompson, Sienna Lansing, Rowan Nelson Congratulations to our Fifth Grade students! Cayman Anderson, Evan Beissel, Bethany Kaufer, Sienna Lansing, Reese Matzek, Darien McGrath, Jack McMahon, Rowan Nelson, Max Olson, Shelby Olson, Atlanta O’Neil, Vincent Oricchio, Rosemary Shafer, Kyle VanWatermeulen, Gavin Wittenberg Our fifth grade students will be entering middle school next year. We ask God’s blessings for all of them, and want them to know that they will be missed! Please continue to keep them in your prayers. PRESIDENT’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION: Bethany Kaufer, Sienna Lansing, Max Olson, Atlanta O’Neil D.A.R.E. AWARDS: D.A.R.E. Essay Award - Sienna Lansing D.A.R.E. Leadership Award - Gavin Wittenberg 2020 - 2021 CALENDARS AND SUPPLY LIST: Our 2020-2021 Calendars and Supply List will be emailed to our families in July. FREE LUNCHES: The Ellsworth Community School District will continue offering free meals for children 0-18 years old from our community from June 1-June 30th. The “Grab and Go” meal program pickups are Mondays and Thursdays only. Each pickup is 3 days worth of food. Please follow the Ellsworth Community School District on Facebook for any updates throughout the month of June for changes. ADDITIONAL FOOD SERVICE RESOURCES:
Our St. Francis families continue to be in our thoughts, prayers and plans. Have a wonderful Summer! Chuck Buckel Kathy Swanson Principal Lead Teacher Mrs. Swanson’s June and July Office Hours Week of June 8th Wed. 8-11:30 Week of June 15th Tues. 1-4, Thurs. 1-4 Week of June 22nd Tues. 8-11:30, Wed. 8-11:30 June 29 - July 31 Tues. 8-11:30, Thur. 8-11:30
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Dear St. Francis Parents and Students:
*I know many (all) of you are wondering when our present online learning will end and the school year will wrap-up. The St. Francis staff will start to transition on May 11th. At that time instruction will be geared towards Reading and Math and the emphasis on other curricular areas will be transitioned out. There will be less work assigned. Grades will be similar to the public school except St. Francis teachers will grade as Pass/Still in Progress. Those students Still in Progress and needing additional help will receive direct help from their teachers. The individual teacher assistance will start on May 11th. Those students receiving a Pass grade will be done on May 22nd and on that date any student who is still wrapping up their work will be given even more individual/personal help from their teachers until they reach the pass status. The teachers have been directed to start identifying students who will need their help to complete their learning. We value your input and it would be helpful to the teacher and school that we get your assessment of your child’s needs. This will help the teachers identify areas that your child might need assistance with. If you have any needs concerning this schedule please contact me by email or call the school during the posted office hours. On May 12-15 the teachers will be packing the students personal items from their classrooms. Those items will be laid out in the Parish Hall on designated tables. Sarah Matzek will be scheduling parent pickup during the week of May 18-22 so those items can be retrieved. We would also ask that if you have items that need to be dropped off at school you do so at the same time. We will be following all of the COVID 19 restrictions and guidelines during this process. ** Please note that Office Hours for the remainder of the school year have been posted on the School’s Web Page and Facebook Page. If you need to contact the office for any reason please make sure you call first. *** A reminder that if you have not turned in your child’s registration for the 2020-2021 school year, please do so soon. **** Lastly Father Eric has asked me and I have agreed to stay on during the transition into the 2020-2021 school year. With the beginning of a new school year, the COVID- 19 closure wrap-up and the installation of a new parish priest he felt that it would be helpful. Thanks for all of your support and understanding the past two months. Chuck Buckel Second Grade Class Prayer
Dear God, We thank you for our grandparents, parents, friends, pets, shelter, food, water, and air. We also thank you for the sun, our lives and the world. Thank you for creating everything we see! Thank you for the life we live. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. PRAYER PARTNERS: Please join us as we lift up Mrs. Koch and our Second Grade students in prayer during the month of February. Don’t worry about anything: instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6 During the month of March, we will be lifting up Miss Miller and our First Grade students in prayer. VIRTUE AWARDS FOR BEING HELPFUL: Helpful – You find things that need to be done and do them. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 Evan, Ellyse, Lane, Eian, Vander, Lucy, Shelby VIRTUE AWARDS FOR BEING HONEST: Honest – You tell the truth Honest people will lead a full, happy life. Proverbs 28:20 Samantha, Levi, Gretta, Darien 4YK – CAUGHT SHOWING CHARACTER: Helpful - Cedrec Honest - Easton WELCOME WEDNESDAYS: We are inviting interested families to tour our school during one of our upcoming ‘Welcome Wednesday’ events to see first-hand what their child will experience as a student at St. Francis School. Welcome Wednesdays take place Wednesdays, February 5 through April 8, from 10am-11am. This is an opportunity for them to meet the people and see the spaces that inspire children to dream big and do right. Our current school families are our biggest fans and best advocates! Enclosed in your monthly envelope you will find a “Welcome Wednesday” information card. We are asking you to help us spread the word by passing along one of these cards to anyone you think may be interested. If no one comes to mind, get creative as to where you could ask to leave a card (salons, local businesses, area churches, banks, etc). Thank you for helping to promote our great school! REGISTRATION FORMS FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR: We begin taking registrations for next school year today, and will continue through Wednesday, February 12. Each child who will attend St. Francis School next year will need to have a completed Registration Application Form and Tuition Payment Plan on file. These forms are included in today’s envelope for those families who will have children in grades K-5 next school year. Please complete and return them as soon as possible, but no later than Wednesday, February 12. A 4YK registration packet will be mailed to incoming families. The price break for parish members, when originally established, was intended to recognize the financial commitment these families were already making to St. Francis Parish. Each family who claims parishioner status is asked to review their financial contributions to St. Francis Parish and make an increase where appropriate. For the 2020-2021 school year, tuition will NOT increase for parish families or non-parish families! See the enclosed Tuition Payment Plan for more specifics. There is tuition assistance available to help those in need of financial support. An anonymous donor does not want the cost of tuition to inhibit your child from attending our school and may be able to help cover part of your tuition amount. Please contact the school office for more information about tuition assistance for next year; all inquiries will be kept confidential. ST. FRANCIS PRESCHOOL: St. Francis School will be offering two 3-year-old preschool classes next year; one class on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and one class on Tuesday and Thursday. More details coming soon! If you’d like more information please contact our school office at 715-273-4391. FIRST RECONCILIATION: Congratulations to our second grade students who received the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time on Wednesday, January 15. Levi, June, Tate, Ben, Walker, Markus, Anna, Aaron, Lane, Zachary (Grace at St. Mary’s.) CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK - JANUARY 26 - FEBRUARY 1: We will join in the National Observance of Catholic Schools Week January 26 - February 1. A complete schedule of activities and dress themes for Catholic Schools Week was previously sent home with your child. “BEACH” PICNIC LUNCH – MONDAY, JANUARY 27: Ms. Dougherty has planned a “beach” picnic lunch for us on Monday, January 27. Students are encouraged to bring a beach towel to sit on! BOOKS WITH BREAKFAST - WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29: Parents and grandparents are invited to join us for Books with Breakfast in the parish hall on Wednesday, January 29 following Mass. Light refreshments will be served. SCREENING DAY - WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29: Our 4YK students will not have class on Wednesday, January 29 due to District Screening that day. All day Wrap Around Care will be provided for our 4YK students. CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK OPEN HOUSE - FEBRUARY 2: Catholic Schools Week is January 26 - February 2. We will conclude the activities with an Open House on Sunday, February 2. Students in grades 1-5 are asked to sing in the choir for the 10:30 a.m. Mass. Fifth grade students will be selected for the role of lector, and fourth and fifth grade students for servers. Our Open House on Sunday will begin at 9:15, following the 8:30 Mass, close during the 10:30 Mass, and continue again after the 10:30 Mass until 1 p.m. The St. Francis Youth Ministry will be serving cinnamon rolls on this morning as well. SERVERS FOR MASS ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2: Servers - Shelby, Amelia, Emmie Readers - Bethany, Gavin, Atlanta (welcome) Greeters - Evie, Bentley Petitions - Atlanta SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR JANUARY 27 - FEBRUARY 5: It’s Scholastic Book Fair Time! We will be having a book fair starting Monday, January 27 and ending Wednesday, February 5. Students will be able to shop during the school days. On Tuesday, January 28, the book fair will be open prior to the Home and School Meeting. On Wednesday January 29, parents can shop with their child during Books with Breakfast. On Sunday, February 2, the book fair will be open during our Open House. Can’t find a book you are looking for? Want to purchase items online? Please visit https://www.scholastic.com/bf/stfranciselementaryschool3. HISTORY IS ALIVE - SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2: Once again, our 5th grade students will present their historical biography research projects at our Catholic Schools Week Open House on Sunday, February 2nd. Come enjoy these presentations as our students “become” George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and many more! Through their hard work and creativity, history truly is “ALIVE”! SCHOOL COLOR DAYS - FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7 and MARCH 6: Students are encouraged to dress in school colors, blue and white, on Friday, February 7 and Friday, March 6. Show your school pride! FIRST COMMUNION PARENT MEETING - WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12: A Parent Meeting for 1st Communion will be held on Wednesday, February 12 from 5:45pm - 7:00pm. D.A.R.E. STARTING FEBRUARY 13: Police Officer Chad Koranda, Pierce County D.A.R.E. School Resource Officer, will begin teaching the D.A.R.E (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) curriculum at St. Francis on February 13. The primary goal of D.A.R.E. is to teach effective peer resistance and refusal skills, so that adolescents can say “no” to drugs and to their friends who may want them to use drugs. The secondary goals of the program are to build students’ social skills and enhance their self-esteem, as these are believed to be linked to adolescent drug use. The curriculum is concentrated in the fifth grade with a 45 minute class once a week for 10 weeks. Grades K-4 will meet with Officer Chad as time permits. NO SCHOOL - FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14: Students will not have class on Friday, February 14. This is a district-wide in-service. GR. K-5 ROLLER SKATING TRIP – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21: Our skating party has been set for Friday, February 21 for Kindergarten–Fifth Grade at Wooddale Recreation Center in Woodbury! As always, we need the help of many parents to make this activity possible! The sign-up sheet for parent chaperones and the student permission slip are included in your monthly envelope today and are due back by Wednesday, February 12. GR. 5 - MUSIC CLASS – Why Bats Fly at Night FOLKTALE – THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27: As part of our music curriculum, our fifth grade students study a folktale, and incorporate a variety of musical instruments into the telling of the tale. Fifth grade parents are invited to attend one or both of the presentations of the folk tale in the lunchroom: Thursday, February 27 at 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. The presentations will last approximately 15 minutes. DR. SEUSS DAY – MONDAY, MARCH 2: We will celebrate Dr. Theodore Seuss’ Birthday on Monday, March 2. Please wear comfy clothes or pajamas. We will read together as a school at 8:30 a.m. SCREENING DAY - WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4: Our 4YK students will not have class on Wednesday, March 4 due to District Screening that day. All day Wrap Around Care will be provided for our 4YK students. SPRING BREAK – MARCH 9-13: Students will not have classes during the week of March 9-13 due to Spring Break. FIRST COMMUNION PARENT MEETING - WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18: A Parent Meeting for 1st Communion will be held on Wednesday, March 18 from 5:45pm - 7:00pm. CARPENTER NATURE CENTER: Each class will take a field trip to the Carpenter St. Croix Nature Center this spring as part of our science curriculum. Permission slips and the request for parent chaperones will be sent home with the March Newsletter. The schedule is as follows: Please mark your calendar! 4YK – Monday, May 18 Second & Third – Friday, May 15 K & First – Tuesday, May 12 Fourth & Fifth – Thursday, March 19 2019-2020 YEARBOOK ORDERS: Yearbook Online Ordering is open! Visits https://ybpay.lifetouch.com to order. Our ID code is: 1934620. Additional ordering options will be open at a later date. HOME AND SCHOOL ASSOCIATION NEWS HOME & SCHOOL MEETING - TUESDAY, JANUARY 28: Our next Home and School Meeting is Tuesday, January 28th at 6:00. There will be only snacks provided that night. All are welcome!! “FUN IN THE SUN” CARNIVAL: Thank you to all the family members, students, teachers and staff that put in their time to make this Carnival successful! We could not pull this off without everyone's involvement. Please be sure to see the list of donors listed in the newsletter and thank these sponsors when you shop locally! We do not have any totals yet but we'll get them out to everybody as soon as we have them. THANK YOU to everyone for helping and making this Carnival successful!! GRAND RAFFLE 1st: $4000 Cash - Rhonda Jensen 2nd: $1000 Cash - Chuck Buckel 3rd: YETI Cooler with $100 Gift Card - Dominic Harris 4th: Milwaukee Battery Operated Weed Whip - Michael Gaustad 5th: Samsung Tablet - Cory Dodge 6th: Two Oversized Folding Club Camp Chairs - Chad Wittenberg 7th - 10th: $100 Cash - Chad Conroy, Emily Rohl, Emily Loberg, Linda McConn TRADITIONAL RAFFLE 1st: $500 Cash - Holly Hasting 2nd: Roomba - Aaron Rohl 3rd: FitBit Versa - Hattie Graetz 4th: Altec Lansing Life Jacket XL Jolt Portable Speaker- Quinn Myrick 5th: $100 Cash - Larry Wiskerchen ST. FRANCIS SCHOOL GALA – APRIL 18, 2020: Plans for this year’s “Glory Days” Gala are now in full swing and we can’t wait to celebrate with you on April 18, 2020 at 5 pm at the Ridgetop Pavilion! Enclosed in your white envelope please find a parent letter that outlines the details of the event and ways that you can help make it a success! We are asking each school family to volunteer their time, become a sponsor, make a monetary donation, or donate an item for the auctions. If you haven’t had a chance to check out the auction wish list please visit https://signup.com/go/rQACpCg. Many items on our auction wish list are linked to an Amazon wish list, which allows you to easily purchase the item through Amazon and have it shipped directly to our school. Please return the enclosed “Family Donation Form” to the school office. More information about the Gala can also be found at www.stfrancisellsworth.org/gala. The next Gala committee meeting is scheduled for February 18 at 6 pm at Clyde’s Corner. All are welcome to attend to share your ideas and assist with planning! DATES TO REMEMBER: Jan. 26 - Feb. 1 – Catholic Schools Week Jan. 27 - Feb. 5 – Scholastic Book Fair Jan. 28 - Home and School Meeting at 6:00pm Jan. 29 - Virtue Awards for being Honest and Helpful (4YK awards will be given out on Thursday) Jan. 29 - Books with Breakfast (following Mass) Jan. 29 - Child Development Screening (No School for 4YK only) Feb. 2 - Catholic Schools Week Open House 9:15 - 1:00 (Students in Grades 1-5 will sing at 10:30 Mass) Feb. 2 - History is Alive (5th Grade) Feb. 7 - School Color Day Feb. 12 - 2020-2021 Registration Forms due Feb. 12 - First Communion Parent Meeting (5:45 - 7:00 pm) Feb. 14 - No School - Teacher In-Service Feb. 19 - Virtue Awards for being Patient and Kind Feb. 21 - Roller Skating Trip Feb. 26 - Ash Wednesday Feb. 27 - Fifth Grade Folktale Mar. 2 - Celebrate Dr. Seuss Mar. 4 - Child Development Screening (No School for 4YK only) Mar. 6 - School Color Day Mar. 9-13- Spring Break May God Bless Our St. Francis Families!! Please call or e-mail if you have questions: 715-273-4391 cbuckel@stfrancisellsworth.org Chuck Buckel - Principal |
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