February Newsletter

First Grade Class Prayer
Dear Lord, Thank you for helping me be a good person. 
We pray for our families and friends to be kept safe. 
Please help us continue to share the good news of Jesus. 
In Your name we pray. Amen.

PRAYER PARTNERS:  Please join us as we lift up Mrs. Brockman and our First Grade students in prayer during the month of February.  Trent Acker, Grace Baker, Fallon Brenner, Ruby Feuerhelm, Matthew Gaard, Cedrec LaFave, Jordy McHardy, Easton Rohl, Macy 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 March, we will be lifting up Miss Avery and our Kindergarten students in prayer.

FOLLOWING IN JESUS’ FOOTSTEPS
 VIRTUE AWARDS FOR BEING HONEST:
Honest – You tell the truth.
Honest people will lead a full, happy life.  Proverbs 28:20
Lily Anderson, Henry Schmidt, Ruby Feuerhelm, Julia Schmidt, Lane Rohl, Eian Murphy
 
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
Beckett Platson, Mason Thoner, Matthew Gaard, Nathaniel Huppert, Ryland Hines, Gretta Rewolinski
 
 3YK and 4YK – CAUGHT SHOWING CHARACTER:
Honest - Adryk Mark, Lucy Mewes
Helpful - Roman Birkel, Graciella Gaard, Kamille Leonard
 
REGISTRATION FORMS FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR:  We begin taking registrations for next school year today, January 24, 2022, and will continue through Wednesday, February 13.  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 as soon as possible, but no later than Wednesday, February 13 so we can budget the curriculum.  4YK registration information will be available to incoming families. 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 Mrs. Cormican or Fr. Olson for more information about tuition assistance for next year; all inquiries will be kept confidential. 

WISCONSIN PARENTAL CHOICE PROGRAM UPDATE:  Thank you to everyone who responded to the income eligibility survey. For the upcoming 2022-2023 school year, St. Francis will NOT be participating in the CHOICE program. If you responded, “Yes” to the income eligibility question, please be sure to reach out to Mrs. Cormican or Fr. Olson for tuition assistance. 

ST. FRANCIS PRESCHOOL:  St. Francis School will be offering three 3-year-old preschool class options next year; 3 day class M/W/F, 2 day class T/Th or a 5 day class M-F.  Classes are held from 8:30-11:00 AM with Wrap-Around options for the afternoon. Registration will open up Monday, January 31. More details can be found on our website! If you’d like more information please contact our school office at 715-273-4391. Choice of days will be honored on a first come basis so please register early. Enrollment numbers will be capped in order to ensure adequate staffing and programming to meet student needs. 

ST. FRANCIS PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: St. Francis 3YK will be hosting an open house for interested families on Tuesday, February 22, 2022 from 4:30-6:00 PM. Parents and their incoming or prospective students should come see what St. Francis Preschool is all about. Please help spread the word.

REMINDER ABOUT ABSENCES, APPOINTMENTS, LATE ARRIVALS:  If your child will be absent due to illness or arriving late due to an early appointment, etc., please call the school office by 8:30 am. on the morning of the absence/late arrival. Because the answering machine is on 24 hours a day you will be able to call any time before 8:30 am. In addition, you are also required to send a dated and written note explaining the reason for the absence with your child on the day they return. According to diocesan directives, we must have a written excuse, indicating the date, reason for absence, and parent signature from the parent/guardian kept on file for each absence/late arrival or tardy. An email will also suffice.

TUITION PAYMENTS DUE:  Tuition statements are being sent home today for families who selected Plan 2, reminding you that payments were due January 15.  If you haven’t sent your January payment, please do so by Wednesday, January 26.  Thanks for your prompt attention to this financial responsibility. If you need assistance please reach out to Mrs. Cormican

JANUARY AND FEBRUARY PRAYER SERVICES:  In Fr. Olson's absence there will not be weekly school Mass. There will be weekly prayer service at 8:30am held in the school led by the students with the following schedule:
Wed. January 26, 2022 - 2nd grade
Thurs. Feb. 3, 2022 - 4th grade/Feast of St. Blaise - in church with Deacon Marty Kulak
Wed. Feb. 9, 2022 - 3rd grade
Wed. Feb. 16, 2022 - 2nd grade
Wed. Feb. 23, 2022 - 5th grade

DRESS CODE: Please remember to dress appropriately for Mass/Prayer Service days. Sweat pants, shorts with leggings, ripped jeans/clothing, and hoodies are not acceptable in God’s House and especially if a student is on the altar taking part in the Mass. Thank you in advance for your attention to this matter. 

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. Open House will be held from 9-10:00 AM and 11:30 AM-1:00 PM. All school Mass will be at 10:30 AM. 

A complete schedule of activities and dress themes for Catholic Schools Week is included in your monthly envelope today. 

SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR: THURSDAY, JANUARY 27 - FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4:  St. Francis is holding an in-person book fair in the school meeting room, formerly known as the KC room, Thursday, January 27- Friday, Feb. 4th. Students will be able to shop during the school day the week the Book Fair is open.  The classroom teachers will let students know which day they are going to the Book Fair.   On Saturday, January 29th, the Book Fair will be open after the 5:30pm Mass and on Sunday, January 30, during the All School Open House. On Thursday, February 3, after the celebration of St. Blaise, the Book Fair will be open during our Books and Breakfast. The Book Fair will also be open prior to the Home and School Meeting on February 3rd from 6:00-6:45pm.
HISTORY IS ALIVE:  Once again, our 5th grade students will present their historical biography research projects during our Catholic Schools Week Open House on Sunday, Jan 30th (right after the CSW Mass).  During these presentations our students “become” George Washington, Anne Frank, and many more! We hope everyone will come to view their projects. Through their hard work and creativity, history truly is “ALIVE”

D.A.R.E. STARTING THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3: 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 3. 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 12 weeks.  Grades K-4 will meet with Officer Chad as time permits. 

SCHOOL COLOR DAYS - FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4 and MARCH 4: Students are encouraged to dress in school colors, blue and white, on Friday, February 4 and Friday, March 4. Show your school pride! 

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES: Mid-year parent-teacher conferences are not mandatory and are requested by a teacher or parent. Teachers will be contacting parents directly if a conference is needed. Conferences will be held on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022 from 4:00-6:00 pm.
Please remember that you can view your child’s grades (Grades 3-5) in our JMC program.

BAKE SALE - FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11: Be sure to bring your sweet tooth to the 5th grade Bake Sales to be held February 11, 2022. February’s theme will be Valentine’s Day!  Please remember to send money with your child to purchase goodies.   Each bake sale item can be purchased for 50 cents.  Thanks for supporting our graduating class and their end of the year celebration!

NO SCHOOL - MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21:  Students will not have class on Monday, February 21.  This is a district-wide in-service day.

GR. 5 - MUSIC CLASS – FOLKTALE – THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24:  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 the presentation of the folktale The Cat and the Rat in the Parish Hall: Thursday, February 24 at
2:00 p.m.  The presentations will last approximately 15 minutes.

DR. SEUSS DAY – TUESDAY, MARCH 1: We will celebrate Dr. Theodore Seuss’ Birthday on Tuesday, March 1.  The actual day is Wednesday, March 2nd. However, this is a Mass day and Ash Wednesday so it is not appropriate for St. Francis School to hold a celebration on Ash Wednesday. Please wear comfy clothes or pajamas on Tuesday, March 1.  More information will follow.

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM FIELD TRIP (K-2nd Grade) - FRIDAY, MARCH 4:  On Friday, March 4th our Kindergarten through 2nd Grade classes will be going on a field trip to the St. Paul’s Children’s Museum. More information has been sent out to parents by the classroom teachers.

SPRING BREAK – MARCH 7-11:  Students will not have classes during the week of March 7-11 due to Spring Break.

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. 

YEARBOOK: Yearbook Online Ordering is open! Visit https://ybpay.lifetouch.com to order. Our ID code is 1934622.


HOME AND SCHOOL ASSOCIATION NEWS
UPCOMING HOME AND SCHOOL MEETING -THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2022 at 7:00 PM.: This meeting will be held both at school and through Google Meet. 

‘TRAVEL THE WORLD’ CARNIVAL UPDATE: Hello families!  The amazing Travel ‘Round the World Carnival is just days away! Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who has sold and purchased Grand and Traditional Raffle tickets. Your support is greatly appreciated. There are still volunteer opportunities for the day available so please sign up through the links sent to you. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to get to know your St. Francis friends 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. 

ST. FRANCIS SCHOOL GALA – APRIL 23:
Gather up your lederhosen and dirndls, the “Ein Prosit” Oktoberfest Gala will be held on April 23 in the St. Francis das Bierzelt located in the St. Francis School parking lot! We invite you to join us beginning at 4 pm for live German music, a biergarten, a soft pretzel bar and a German buffet. Try your luck at our raffles, enjoy a game of hammer-shlagen or cornhole, and place your bids on our silent auction, class projects, fund-a-need and premier auction. The evening will culminate with an event program that spotlights special guest speakers, videos of our students, and a moving pledge drive. More information will be coming home Feb. 9, 2022.
 
We are also looking for more parents to join the Gala committee. All are welcome at our next meeting on February 17 at 6 pm at Broz Bar. Thank you!!!

CHURCH/COMMUNITY NEWS
BreakOut for Grades 1-5: Our St. Francis High School Youth Ministry Team, under the direction of our Director of Youth Ministry - Cheryl Kaufer, is planning a second  large group Youth Ministry event called BreakOut for Grades 1-5. All St. Francis Children in Grades 1 - 5 are invited (including those who attend SF School and those who attend SF Religious Ed.).  This BreakOut session is planned for February 2 from 5:45 to 7:00 pm in the Parish Hall. This is during the same time as this month's ”Growing in Faith”  session, for adults, with Father Billy Dodge presenting on the Eucharist!  BreakOut includes Praise and Worship Music (learning and singing the songs), a presentation about the lives of some saints, short faith testimonies, and a game where the children will  learn about the Miracles of Jesus.  Please bring your grade school child for BreakOut, while you attend the Growing in Faith Session in the Church.  There is also preschool childcare available in the Parish Hall Meeting Room during this time.
 
DATES TO REMEMBER: 
Jan. 26 - Virtues Awards for Honest and Helpful
Jan. 27 - Feb. 4 - Scholastic Book Fair
Jan. 30 - Catholic Schools Week Mass and Open House
Jan. 30 - Feb. 6 - Catholic Schools Week
Feb. 3 - Home and School Meeting
Feb. 6 - Carnival
Feb. 10 - Parent-Teacher Conferences by parent or teacher request 4:00-6:00pm
Feb. 11 - 5th Grade Bake Sale
Feb. 13 - 2022-2023 Registration Forms and Tuition Statements Due
Feb. 21 - No School - Teacher In Service
Feb. 22 - Preschool Open House from 4:30 - 6:00pm
Feb. 23 - Virtue Awards for Patience and Kindness
Feb. 23 - Fifth grade Growing in Love for all fifth grade students and parents 6:00-8:00pm
Mar. 1 - Dr. Seuss’ Birthday 
Mar. 4  - Children’s Museum Field Trip (K-2nd)
Mar. 4 - School Color Day
Mar. 7 - 11 - Spring Break
Mar. 23 - Carpenter Nature Center Field Trip (4th & 5th Grade) - watch for more information soon
Mar. 31 - 2nd grade First Reconciliation
Apr. 20 - First Communion Family Meeting
Apr. 22 - Roller Skating at Skateville - Burnsville, MN  (K-5th) - watch for more information soon
April 23- “Ein Prosit” Oktoberfest Gala
May 1 - 10:30am Mass- 2nd grade First Communion

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

Mary Cormican - Principal