December 11, 2017

Dear St. Francis School Families,                                                                                 

Advent
 
Rejoice always.  Pray without ceasing.  In all circumstances
give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
Do not quench the Spirit.  Do not despise prophetic utterances.
Test everything; retain what is good.  Refrain from every kind
of evil.  May the God of peace make you perfectly holy.
 
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-23

CHANGES AT ST. FRANCIS SCHOOL BEGINNING JANUARY 4:  Please see the enclosed flyer which includes important information about the changes at St. Francis School and the Ellsworth School District beginning Thursday, January 4.  Please note:  For at least two weeks your child can only have one drop off location.  We will be sending your child to the location listed on your information sheet unless you pick your child up from school.  After the initial two weeks, if your child needs to ride a different bus route, you will need to call the bus garage (273-3917) to be sure there will be room on that bus route for your child.  This is a district wide rule. Please continue to send a note with your child about any after school transportation changes. 
 
4YK BUS SCHEDULE:  We just received new bus route information for our 4YK students which is included in the weekly envelope for those students.
 
ST. FRANCIS BEFORE SCHOOL CARE PROGRAM:  St. Francis will be offering a before school care program that will start at 7:00am each school morning beginning Thursday, January 4.  Please see the enclosed registration form for more information.  If you will be starting your child in the program after Christmas vacation please turn in your registration form by Wednesday, December 20 so we can plan accordingly.   We are excited to provide this service to our families!
 
JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON:  During this Advent season, we will be collecting food or monetary donations for the Pierce County Food Shelf.  Children can bring donations any time through December 15.  We will also be collecting the night of the Christmas program.  Thank you in advance for helping us prepare our hearts for the season of Christmas!
 
FATHER ERIC IS IN GHANA:  Father Eric left for Ghana Sunday, November 12 and he will return Friday, December 15.  During this time there will not be daily Mass so our St. Francis students and staff will be participating in a special service in the Parish Hall on Wednesday mornings at 8:30.  Parents and grandparents are always welcome!
 
CHRISTMAS PROGRAM - DECEMBER 14:  Grades K-5 will present their annual Christmas Program on Thursday, December 14 at 6:00 p.m. (please note time change) in the church.  We will have a reception in the parish hall immediately following the program.  Each family is asked to bring some type of food (cookies, bars, cheese & crackers, etc.) for this reception.  A dress rehearsal will be held in the church on Wednesday, December 13 at 1:00 p.m.  This is open to anyone who would like to attend.
 
Our main focus again this week will be making the final preparations for our K-5 Christmas Program!  Mrs. Penton and our children have been working hard, and are very eager to share their efforts with you!
 
Reminders:
 

• Dress Rehearsal:  If you or grandparents will be taking your children home immediately after the

            dress rehearsal, please fill out the form that was included in last week’s envelope so the list of those leaving can be prepared ahead of time and given to teachers.  Legally, grandparents or other relative cannot give this permission, only the child’s parent/legal guardian.
 

• Program:  All parents: please keep your child’s coat with you in your pew, and make sure your child takes care of any bathroom needs prior to the program. Grades 3-5 should report to their classrooms at 5:45 p.m.  Grades K-2 should not come over to school, but wait in church with their parents.  Just before 6:00 p.m. they will meet as a class in the back of church.  Grade 2 will meet in the Cry Room, Grade 1 in the back on the Holy Family statues side of church, and Kindergarten in the back on the organ side of church.
• Costumes: All costumes remain the property of St. Francis School.  Students must return their costumes to their teacher before going to the parish hall for refreshments.  Teachers will have given specifics to students as to where to return their costumes.
• Early Arrival:  We are excited for you to attend the St. Francis School Christmas program. Please plan to arrive AFTER 3:00 pm to be seated.  It is important that you provide supervision of your children appropriate to the sacred space of the church.  You may want to bring something to keep your children occupied as they should not be running around the church.  Please remember that eating and drinking are not allowed in the church and that the sanctuary, risers, microphones, and choir loft are off limits.  Please stay in your seat to save it.  There are reserved rows in the front of the church.  Please choose a seat behind them.  Children should be at the school at 5:45 pm to go to their classrooms.  Thanks for your cooperation in these matters!  Enjoy the show.
• Reception:  Each family is asked to bring some type of food for the reception that will follow in the parish hall.  Food should be ‘ready to serve’ from your container, and might include items such as veggies & dip, fresh fruit, cheese, crackers, popcorn, cookies, bars, etc.  Please take your container home with you when you leave if it is one you’d like to keep.  Our Home & School Association will provide the coffee and punch.  We would be grateful for any help with taking down the tables and chairs following the reception.  Many hands make light work!
• Risers:   We are in need of help with bringing the risers from church back to school immediately after the program on Thursday night.  If you could lend a hand, please meet Mr. DesLauriers at the front of church after the program.  Thank you so much in advance!

 
4YK WINTER PROGRAM - DECEMBER. 19:  Our 4YK students will present a Winter Program to their parents and guests on Tuesday, December 19.  The 4YK students and their parents are invited to join us for breakfast before the program.  Following breakfast, 4YK students will return to their classrooms to get ready for their program.  Grandparents and any other guests are asked to arrive between 8:10 and 8:15.  The program will be presented in the parish hall, and will last approximately 15-20 minutes.  Following the program, parents are asked to join their child in the classroom.  We will conclude our activities at 9:30.
 
CHRISTMAS VACATION:  Students will be dismissed at 2:45 on Wednesday, December 20 for Christmas vacation.
Classes will resume on Thursday, January 4 at 8:05 a.m.
 
REGISTRATIONS FOR NEXT YEAR:     As mentioned in an earlier newsletter registration materials will be sent to potential
4YK and K families at the beginning of January.  If you have a child who will be 4 years of age by September 1, 2018 and
would like to receive materials for our 4YK program, or know of a family who might be interested in St. Francis for any grade,
please send me the contact information. Registration forms for our present students will also be sent home on the January 8.
 
WI TAX SCHEDULE PS - PRIVATE SCHOOL TUITION:  WI tax Schedule PS is used to claim the subtraction for tuition paid for your dependent child to attend a private school.  The subtraction is available for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2014.  The form requires the name, address, and federal employer identification number (FEIN) of the private school where your child was enrolled during 2017.  For St. Francis students, you will need to use:  St. Francis of Assisi Parish, 264 S. Grant Street, P.O. Box 839, Ellsworth, WI 54011. The FEIN # is 39-0813434.  Reminder:  In order to claim tuition expenses on your 2017 tax return, payments must be received by the parish no later than December 31, 2017.
 
HOLIDAY SCHWAN’S CAMPAIGN:  Looking for a great Christmas gift or some holiday treats?  St. Francis School is starting a Schwan's campaign in time for the holidays.  Buy a $25 gift certificate for someone special and the school gets $10!   Any food and treat orders between now and Christmas gives back 20% to the school (GC give back $40).  Thank you for your support!
 
TO ORDER:
1. Visit www.schwans-cares.com/c/34856 
2. Click "Shop to Give" 
3. Select team member, if applicable 
4. Start shopping! 
 
ORDER BY PHONE: Call 1-855-870-7208 and provide Campaign ID: 34856 and Team Member ID, if applicable.
 
DATES TO REMEMBER:
Dec. 13 - Dress Rehearsal -1:00 p.m.
Dec. 14 - Christmas Program - 6:00 p.m.
Dec. 19 - 4YK Winter Program
Dec. 21 - Jan.3 – Christmas Vacation
Jan. 4 - Classes resume at St. Francis at 8:05
Jan. 4 – St. Francis Before School Care Program begins at 7:00
 
I hope you have a blessed week!  Please call or e-mail if you have questions: 715-273-4391 cbuckel@stfrancisellsworth.org
 
Chuck Buckel
Principal