December newsletter

Week 1, Hope
Dear Jesus, you are the hope in our messy world. This Advent, help us to slow down, listen to your voice, and focus on what’s really important. We place our hope in you as we prepare our hearts to celebrate your birth on Christmas. Amen. 

Week 2, Peace
Dear Jesus, you entered our world on Christmas as the Prince of Peace. This Advent, as we strive to become the-best-version-of-ourselves, fill us with a deep and abiding peace. Help us share that peace with everyone we encounter, especially those who need it most. Amen.

Week 3, Joy
Dear Jesus, help us focus on you during this busy season. May we stay aware of the joy you bring into our lives. We want to find you in the everyday moments and come with hearts of gratitude to your manger on Christmas. Amen.

Week 4, Love
Dear Jesus, may the light of your love always shine in our hearts. As Christmas draws closer, we marvel at your great love for us. Let your love transform every aspect of our lives and touch everyone we encounter.  Our hearts are open to you, Jesus. Amen.

ADVENT SEASON: “For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace”. Isaiah 9:6. There is no better way to celebrate the Advent season than attending Sunday Mass. Fr. Olson has asked for school families to light the Advent Wreath at the start of each Mass.  The 4 Sundays of Advent are Nov. 28, December 5, Dec. 12, and Dec. 19. The wreath will need to be lit for all of the Masses-Saturdays at 5:00 PM, Sundays at 8:30 AM, and Sundays at 10:30 AM. You can sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1WAXMeyqTxT0GJF_4MDBAGsTfeQEcP8vgOpyf7OgOiV0/edit

FOLLOWING IN JESUS’ FOOTSTEPS
We celebrate our virtue awards during Mass each month. Please help us
continue to celebrate our virtue award winners at home and in your prayers. 

VIRTUE AWARDS FOR BEING ATTENTIVE:                                                                  
Attentive – I watch and listen carefully.
“My child, pay attention to what I say.  Listen carefully to my words”.   Proverbs 4:20

Ettalane Jean, Fallon Brenner, Hailee Thoner, Cooper Moldenhauer, Walker Loberg, Taelyn Hines
 
3YK and 4YK – CAUGHT SHOWING CHARACTER:
Attentive - Benson Wesser, Odin Bergman, Kwintyn Wisniowski
 
CHRISTMAS CARDS:   Send us your Christmas Cards!  We would love to add your family to our St. Francis Families Christmas Card Display.  You may send your card to school with your child or mail it to: 
St. Francis School
PO Box 250
Ellsworth WI, 54011
 
Thank you and Merry Christmas!
 
POTENTIAL INCOMING 4YK STUDENTS AND REGISTRATION FOR NEXT YEAR:  We will begin our registration process for next year in early January with a mailing to potential 4YK students.  If you have a child who will be 4 years of age by September 1, 2022, and would like to receive registration materials for St. Francis School, please send me your child’s name and birth date as soon as possible.  If you know of a family in our area who might like to receive registration information for any grade, please send me or call me with the contact information.  Registration materials will be sent home with our current students and to potential 4YK students in January.  Thank you for your help in spreading the good news about our school!

THANKSGIVING VACATION - NOVEMBER 24 - 26:  There will be no school on Wednesday, November 24 through Friday, November 26 for Thanksgiving Vacation.  Classes will resume again on Monday, November 29. 

SCHOOL COLORS DAYS - FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3:  Students are encouraged to dress in school colors, blue and white, December 3.  Show your school pride!

NO SCHOOL - WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8: Students will not have classes on Wednesday, December 8 as we observe the Holy Day of Obligation, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Mass will be held at 7:00 p.m.

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM - THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9:  Grades 3YK and K-5 will present our annual Christmas Program on Thursday, December 9 at 6:00 p.m. 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 for 3YK and K-5 will be held Tuesday, December 7 at 1:30 p.m.  This is open to anyone who would like to attend. 

4YK  WINTER PROGRAM - THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16:  The 4YK Winter Program will be held at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 16 in the Parish Hall. 

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS CHRISTMAS POSTER CONTEST:  Students in grades 1-5 have been invited to participate in the annual KC Christmas Poster Contest.  Students will complete these posters at school and they will be displayed at the Christmas Program. Winners will be announced at the Christmas Program on Thursday, December 9th.

ELLSWORTH FOOD PANTRY FOOD DRIVE:  Thank you for your support thus far, but we need a LOT more food to give our friends and neighbors in need of a hearty holiday meal. Monetary donations are accepted as well. 5th grade will be accepting donations through Dec. 15th. Keep them coming! Give, Give, Give!

FIFTH GRADE CLASS TRIP TO THE FOOD PANTRY – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17:  On Friday, December 17 our fifth grade class will be delivering your donated items to the food pantry.  

CHRISTMAS VACATION:  Christmas vacation will start on Thursday, December 23.  Classes will resume on Monday, January 3.

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 2021.  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.   Reminder: In order to claim tuition expenses on your 2021 tax return, payments must be received by the school office no later than December 31, 2021.

TUITION STATEMENTS:  Tuition Statements can be printed from JMC for tax purposes or contact the office to have it printed for you.

END OF SECOND QUARTER - FRIDAY, JANUARY 14: The second quarter ends on Friday, Jan. 14.

NO SCHOOL - Monday, Jan. 17, 2022

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES: Parent-teacher conferences are not mandatory and are requested by a teacher or parent. Teacher requests will be sent out closer to the date.  Information for parents that wish to request a conference will be in next month’s newsletter.
Please remember that you can view your child’s grades (Grades 3-5) in our JMC program.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK - JANUARY 30 - FEBRUARY 6, 2022: Catholic Schools=FAITH, EXCELLENCE, SERVICE. Through Catholic Schools Week we will focus on the value a Catholic Education provides and its contributions to our church, our community, and our nation.  We will kick off this week with a special Mass and Open House on Sunday, January 30, 2022. 
Sunday, January 30, 2022: Celebrate our Parish! The 10:30 Mass will center around Catholic Schools.  Everyone is invited to tour St. Francis School after Mass.
Monday, January 31, 2022: Celebrate Our Community!
Tuesday, February 1, 2022: Celebrate the Students!
Wednesday, February 2, 2022: Celebrate the Nation!
Thursday, February 3, 2022: Celebrate Vocations!
Friday, February 4, 2022: Celebrate the Teachers, Staff, and Volunteers!
Saturday, February 5, 2022: Carnival preparation
Sunday, February 6, 2022: Celebrate Families! CARNIVAL

SACRAMENTS: 2nd grade students will receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion this school year. There will not be a Parent Reconciliation Meeting but parents will be receiving a parent guide for Reconciliation. First Reconciliation will be held on March 31, 2022. There will be a First Communion Family Meeting on April 20, 2022. First Communion will be on Sunday, May 1, 2022. 

WINTER WEATHER-DRESS CODE: Students need to wear jackets, snow pants, a hat, mittens, and boots during the winter. 
 
WEATHER RELATED SCHOOL CLOSINGS:  You will be notified by the St. Francis JMC system about school closings.  Also, the Ellsworth district will continue to publicize any school closing or delayed starts on these radio/television stations, as well as the district website www.ellsworth.k12.wi.us

KCUE   1250 AM - Red Wing, KSTP, Channel 5 - Mpls./St. Paul, WCCO  Channel 4 - Mpls/St. Paul, KARE Channel 11 - Mpls./St. Paul, KMSP   Channel 9 - Mpls./St. Paul

In the event of a two hour delay, St. Francis 3YK and 4YK  students will not have classes. Eagles Nest Before School Care will open at 9:00am in the event of school being two hours late.

EARLY CHILDHOOD SCREENING: The Ellsworth Community School District will hold a child development screening (children entering 4YK Fall of 2022) day on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 at the Ellsworth Elementary School.  This is a wonderful opportunity for you to learn about your child’s development in speech/language, gross motor, fine motor and play skills.  During the screening your child will participate in a playgroup where social, communication, motor and early learning skills will be observed.  In addition, your child’s vision and hearing will be screened. Appointments are required.  For an appointment, please call Tina Hallock at 715-273-3912. The district will also have child development screenings on Wednesday, January 12 and Wednesday, April 6.


HOME AND SCHOOL ASSOCIATION NEWS

UPCOMING HOME AND SCHOOL MEETING - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22 at 7:00 p.m.:  The Home and School meeting originally scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021 has been moved to Monday, Nov. 22, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.. It is still an option to listen to the meeting via Google Meet. Please send your gmail address to: principal@stfrancisellsworth.org before 6:00 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 22, 2021 so an electronic invite can be sent to you. Thank you. 

UPCOMING HOME AND SCHOOL MEETING -THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2022.

‘TRAVEL THE WORLD’ CARNIVAL UPDATE: Hello families!  The Grand Raffle Tickets and Traditional Raffle tickets will be going home the first or second week in December.  Please keep your eyes open for them!   The envelope will have a value of $225 so PLEASE look for it and keep the envelope in a safe place.  Every family will be asked to sell at least 2 Grand Raffles and 5 packs of Traditional Raffle Tickets.   Thank you from the Carnival Committee.

MORE CARNIVAL UPDATES: Please be sure to save the date of Sunday, February 6, 2022 for the Carnival. This is at the end of Catholic Schools Week so it will be a fantastic way to end the celebration. The Carnival is in need of additional committee members and volunteers. Help is needed for calling sponsors, and the decorating committee. This is a fantastic opportunity and follows along with the survey questions of: St. Francis School has many different ways for me to be involved; Parents can volunteer in many ways in the school; The school helps families get to know other families within the St. Francis Community. Please let the school office know you are interested in helping with the Carnival. 

CARNIVAL NEED: We are looking for prizes for kids between $5-$10.  Please keep us in mind as you are Black Friday shopping and Christmas Shopping.   
  
DATES TO REMEMBER: 
Nov. 24-26 - Thanksgiving Vacation
Nov. 25 - Happy Thanksgiving!
Dec. 3 - School Color Day
Dec. 7 - Dress Rehearsal for Christmas Program at 1:30 p.m.
Dec. 8 - No School - Holy Day of Obligation
Dec. 9 - Christmas Program at 6:00PM
Dec. 15 - Food Drive Donations Due
Dec. 16 - 4YK Winter Program in the Parish Hall
Dec. 17- 5th grade to the Food Pantry
Dec. 22 - Virtues Awards for Obedient and Content
Dec. 23 - Jan. 1 - Christmas Vacation
Dec. 25 - Merry Christmas!
Jan. 3 - Classes Resume
Jan. 26 - Virtues Awards for Honest and Helpful
Jan. 30 - Catholic Schools Week Mass and Open House
Jan. 30 - Feb. 6 - Catholic Schools Week
Feb. 6 - Carnival
Feb. 23 - Fifth grade Growing in Love for all fifth grade students and parents 6:00-8:00 PM
March 31 - 2nd grade First Reconciliation
April 20 - First Communion Family Meeting
May 1 - 10:30 2nd grade First Communion

May God Bless Our St. Francis Families!!
Please call or email if you have questions: 715-273-4391 or Mary Cormican - Principal principal@stfrancisellsworth.org