april newsletter

Jesus is alive!  He has risen from the dead!  What amazing news we have to share!
 
2nd Grade Prayer
Dear God,
We pray for our aunts and uncles, grandparents, families, and the poor.  
We are thankful for our pets, farmers, parents, friends, and teachers.  
In Jesus' name we pray.
Amen
 
PRAYER PARTNERS:  Please join us as we lift up Mrs. Koch and our 2nd Grade students in prayer during the month of April, as they celebrate their First Holy Communion.   Trent Acker, Grace Baker, Fallon Brenner, Ruby Feuerhelm, Matthew Gaard, Cedrec LaFave, Jordy McHardy, Easton Rohl.
 
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 May, we will be lifting up Mrs. Busse and our 4YK students & Mrs. Esterby and our Preschool students in prayer.
 
FOLLOWING IN JESUS’ FOOTSTEPS
 
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
 
Graciella Gaard, Beckett Platson, Easton Rohl, Nathaniel Huppert, Cooper Moldenhauer, Grace Turvaville
 
3YK and 4YK – CAUGHT SHOWING CHARACTER:
Forgiveness -  William Loberg, Noah Thoner, Odin Bergman
 
 
REGISTRATION FORMS FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR: Thank you to everyone who has returned the registration forms for the 2023-2024 school year. We are so glad your children will be learning with us.
 
ST. FRANCIS PRESCHOOL:  Currently, there are no openings but we have created a waiting list. If you are interested please contact Amy in the office at 715-273-4391. If you are want more information please visit our website https://www.stfrancisellsworth.org/preschool.html
 
SCHOOL COLOR FRIDAYS: Students are encouraged to dress in school colors, blue and white, on Fridays. Show your school pride!
 
SPRING PICTURES - THURSDAY, APRIL 6:  Students will have an opportunity to have a spring photo taken on Thursday, April 6.  PLEASE NOTE:  ALL STUDENTS WILL BE PHOTOGRAPHED THIS YEAR!  Younger brothers/sisters who are not in school yet may be photographed with older siblings beginning at 8:00 a.m.  If you wish to have a group photo taken of your children, please send a note indicating that by Monday April 4.  The flier with background choices is included in your monthly envelope today.  You may also order online @ http://my.lifetouch.com/mylifetouch/pictureDayId/EVTT7W49X
 
GOOD FRIDAY - APRIL 7 (NO SCHOOL): St. Francis Students will not have classes on Good Friday, April 7. 
 
EASTER MONDAY, APRIL 10 - NOW A SCHOOL DAY: Students will have class on Monday, April 10 due to
our multiple snow days.
 
CARPENTER NATURE CENTER (4YK - 5th):  Each class will take a field trip to the Carpenter Nature Center this spring as part of our science curriculum.
 
The schedule is as follows:
4YK - Tuesday, April 11 (Amazing Amphibians)                Second & Third - Friday, April 14 (Bird Banding)
K & First - Tuesday, April 11 (Changes of Seasons)         Fourth & Fifth - Friday, April 14 (Map & Compass)
 
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION: Our 2nd grade students will receive their First Holy Communion on Sunday, April 16, 2023 at 10:30 am Mass. Picture order forms are included in the monthly envelope today for those students.
 
PRESCHOOL SPRING PROGRAM PRESCHOOL - MONDAY, APRIL 24: Our Preschool students will present their Spring Program on Monday, April 24 at 10 a.m. in the parish hall. Please join us for a reception following the program.
 
4YK SPRING PROGRAM - TUESDAY, APRIL 25:  Our 4YK students will present their Spring Program on Tuesday, April 25 at 10 a.m. in the parish hall.  Please join us for a reception following the program.
 
SCREENING DAY - WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26: Our 4YK students will not have class on Wednesday, April 26 due to District Screening that day.
 
LIBRARY PROGRAM - FRIDAY, APRIL 28: Our Kindergarten - 5th Grade students will be attending a performance at Ellsworth Elementary School hosted by the Ellsworth Public Library. Talewise, a mix of science and storytelling, will highlight the library’s Summer Reading Program.  Permission slip are included in your monthly envolepe.
 
WALK FOR VIRTUES PLEDGE FORMS: Our Walk for Virtues pledge forms, permission slips and request for parent volunteers are included in your monthly envelope today.  This provides an opportunity to request pledges from family & friends when getting together for Easter celebrations.  Please see the letter with the pledge form for more information. Please complete and return by Wednesday, April 12.   
 
Each student needs a signed permission slip and at least one pledge to be able to participate in our Walk.  Student pledge forms (not the money) are due on Wednesday, May 3.  The Committee will copy them that evening.  A copy will be sent home with students on May 5, after the Walk, so that they are able to collect their pledges and turn in their money on Monday, May 8. (Inclement Weather Date - Friday, May 12)
 
WALK FOR VIRTUES - FRIDAY, MAY 5: We’re very excited to walk together for this great fundraiser.  This year’s goal is $7,500! We will gather at school to begin our walk at 8:30 am. We will walk from school to the Ellsworth High School Track. All students grades 4K-5 will be walking.  All parents and siblings are welcome. Younger siblings need to be under the direct supervision of a parent at all times. While strollers may be used for younger siblings walking to the track, strollers of any kind are not allowed on the High School track. 4K-Grade 2 will walk from 8:30-11:00 and Grades 3-5 will walk from 8:30-11:30.  There are MANY more details about this wonderful annual event included in the forms enclosed in todays’ monthly envelope.  Thanks for making this family event a successful fundraiser!
 
SPRING PROGRAM & ART SHOW - THURSDAY, MAY 11:  We will present our Spring Program & Art Show on Thursday, May 11 at 6 p.m. in the parish hall. We will have a K-5 dress rehearsal Wednesday, May 10 at 1:00 p.m.  This is open to anyone who would like to attend.
 
5TH GRADE TRIP TO VALLEYFAIR:  Our Fifth grade students will take their class trip to Valley Fair on Thursday, May 18.  Permission slips for our fifth grade students and sign up forms for parents to chaperone are included in the monthly envelope today.
 
GR. 5 - RELEASE OF STUDENT RECORDS:  Fifth grade families are asked to sign and return the enclosed Release of Student Records by Wednesday, April 5.  This form provides permission to send copies of your child’s records to the Ellsworth Middle School.
 
IMMUNIZATION RECORDS FOR NEXT YEAR - AFFECTS CURRENT GRADE 5 AND GRADE 4YK STUDENTS: Parents of students currently in Grades 5 and 4YK are reminded of Wisconsin State Immunization Law which requires you to update your child’s immunization record before next school year. 
 
YEARBOOK: Yearbook Online Ordering is open! Visit https://ybpay.lifetouch.com to order. Our ID code is 1934623.
 
HOME AND SCHOOL ASSOCIATION NEWS
 
HOME AND SCHOOL MEETING -THURSDAY, MAY 4, 2023:  Our next Home and School Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 4th at 7:00pm.
 
HOME AND SCHOOL OFFICER BALLOTS: Thank you to everyone who was nominated and has agreed to be placed on the upcoming ballot for the 2023-2024 Home and School Association. The ballot is included in your monthly envelope today.  Please return by Thursday, March 30.
 
ST. FRANCIS SCHOOL GALA – APRIL 22: Do you have your rockstar apparel ready?! The “School of Rock” Gala is just around the corner! We hope you are making plans to join us for dueling pianos featuring Piano Men Trey Grimm and Dan Satterburg. The School of Rock will be in session beginning at 5 pm in the St. Francis Parish Hall for an evening of live music, dining, raffles and games, silent and live auctions, and a moving pledge.
 
While preparations for the event are in full swing, here are some reminders for our band groupies:
 
·       If you plan to donate an item for the auction, please have it to the school office by April 3.
      There is a wish list of auction items at stfrancisellsworth.org/gala.
·       Please bring wine donations ($15 minimum) for the wine pull to the school office by April 10.
·       All ticket sales are due to the school office by April 10. If you have tickets you don’t plan to
       sell, please return them to the school office ASAP so they can be sold.
·       We still need volunteers to help make the Gala a success! Please visit stfrancisellsworth.org/gala to sign up to volunteer.
 
Thank you to all our school families for your contributions to our school’s largest fundraiser!! And for those about to rock…we salute you!
 
 
DATES TO REMEMBER:
Mar. 28 - Beginning of 4th Quarter
Mar. 29 - Forgiveness Virtue Awards following Mass
Apr. 6 - Spring Picture Day
Apr. 7 - No School Good Friday
Apr. 10 - School is in session (snowday makeup)
Apr. 11 - Carpenter Nature Center Field Trip (4YK - 1st Grade)
Apr. 14 - Carpenter Nature Center Field Trip (2nd - 5th Grade)
Apr. 16 - First Holy Communion for 2nd Grade at 10:30 Mass
Apr. 22 - “School of Rock” Gala
Apr. 24 - Preschool Spring Program at 10:00 AM
Apr. 25 - 4YK Spring Program at 10:00 AM
Apr. 26 - Perseverance Virtue Awards following Mass
Apr. 26 - Screening Day - No School for 4YK ONLY
Apr. 28 - Library Program at EES
May 4 - Home and School Meeting
May 5 - Walk for Virtues (raindate: May 12)
May 10 - Spring Program Dress Rehearsal at 1:00 PM
May 11 - Spring Program at 6:00 PM
May 26 - Last Day of School
 
May God Bless Our St. Francis Families!!  Please call or email if you have questions: 715-273-4391  mmatzek@stfrancisellsworth.org
Mr. Mark Matzek, St. Francis School Administrator