march newsletter

Thank you God for the friendships we have made, our loving families,
and the guidance our teachers give us. We pray for those in need
that they find the path that leads them to God. Amen
 
PRAYER PARTNERS:  Please join us as we lift up Ms. Avery and our Kindergarten students in prayer during the month of March. Noah Behnam, Axel Bergman, Colten Brenner, Payslee Calleja, Graciella Gaard, Hudson Hansen, Georgia Jones, Stevie Kolosky, Adryk Mark, Alton Matzek, Andi Molberg, Kwintyn Wisniowski
 
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 April, we will be lifting up Mrs. Koch and our 2nd Grade students in prayer.
 

FOLLOWING IN JESUS’ FOOTSTEPS
 
VIRTUE AWARDS FOR KINDNESS:
Kindness – You treat others with respect just as you would want to be treated.
 
Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.   Ephesians 4:32
 
Georgia Jones, Henry Schmidt
 
VIRTUE AWARDS FOR PATIENCE:
Patience – You wait and have a good attitude while waiting.
 
Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.  Proverbs 14:29. 
 
Colten Brenner, Ettalane Jean, Matthew Gaard, Lyla Soley
 
3YK and 4YK – CAUGHT SHOWING CHARACTER:
Kindness - Toryn Mennenga, Benson Wesser
Patience - Samual Behnam
 
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK THANK YOU:  Thanks to our families who helped their children get into the spirit of Catholic Schools Week!  We had wonderful participation in the dress themes and activities all throughout the week. Gathering in the presence of God and the St. Francis Catholic community was a great experience!
 
BOOK FAIR UPDATE: Thank you so much for supporting our Scholastic Book Fair. It was a GREAT success. We are able to get over $2,000 worth of books for our school library. Thank you to all shoppers and volunteers! Mrs. Swanson
 
SCHOOL COLOR FRIDAYS: Students are encouraged to dress in school colors, blue and white, on Fridays. Show your school pride!
 
DR. SEUSS DAY – WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1: We will celebrate Dr. Theodore Seuss’ Birthday on Wednesday, March 1.  The actual day is Thursday, March 2nd but our K - 2nd will be on a fieldtrip that day. Please wear comfy clothes or pajamas on Wednesday, March 1. 
 
CHILDREN’S MUSEUM FIELD TRIP (K-2nd Grade) - THURSDAY, MARCH 2: On Thursday, March 2nd our Kindergarten through 2nd Grade classes will be going on a field trip to the Minnesota Children’s Museum.
 
NO SCHOOL - DIOCESE INSERVICE - FRIDAY, MARCH 3: There will be no school on Friday, March 3. Our teachers will be attending a diocesan inservice that day.
 
SPRING BREAK - MARCH 6-10: Students will not have classes during the week of March 6-10 due to Spring Break.
 
PLANTMOBILE - MONDAY, MARCH 13: On Monday, March 13 the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum will be coming to St. Francis to present their plantmobile to our students in K-2nd Grade.  Thank you to Emily Loberg for providing this educational experience for those students!
 
ELLSWORTH SENIOR CENTER - TUESDAY, MARCH 14: On March 14th St. Francis students in grades 3-5 will be going to the Ellsworth Senior Center to perform for them as part of their March Together Tuesday event.
 
GR. 5 - MUSIC CLASS – FOLKTALE – TUESDAY, MARCH 21: 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 Apple Dumplings in the Parish Hall on Tuesday, March 21 from 2:30pm. The presentations will last approximately 15 minutes.
 
FIRST RECONCILIATION:  Please keep the second grade students in your prayers as they prepare to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Thursday, March 16 and Thursday, March 23.  The second grade students receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation are: Trent Acker. Grace Baker, Fallon Brenner, Ruby Feuerhelm, Matthew Gaard, Jordy McHardy, Easton Rohl. Thank you to Cedrec LaFave for helping his class prepare for the Sacrament.  First Communion will be on Sunday, April 16, 2023.
 
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. Permission slips and requests for parent chaperones are included in the monthly envelope.   Please return the forms with appropriate fees by Wednesday, March 1.  The cost is $10.00 per student. There is no cost for parent chaperones.
 
The schedule is as follows:  Please mark your calendar!
 
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 and Compass)
 
SCREENING DAY - WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22: Our 4YK students will not have class on Wednesday, March 22 due to District Screening that day.
 
END OF THIRD QUARTER - FRIDAY, MARCH 24:  Our third quarter ends Friday, March 24.
 
TEACHER IN-SERVICE - MONDAY, MARCH 27 (NO SCHOOL):  Students do not have classes on Monday, March 27.  This is a district-wide in-service day.
 
SPRING PICTURES - THURSDAY, APRIL 6:  Students will have an opportunity to have a spring photo taken on Thursday, April 6.  More information is coming soon.
 
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.
 
 
HOME AND SCHOOL ASSOCIATION NEWS
 
HOME AND SCHOOL MEETING MINUTES ATTACHED -THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2023:  Our next Home and School Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 4th at 7:00pm.
 
HOME AND SCHOOL OFFICER NOMINATION FORMS: Please return ASAP
 
ST. FRANCIS SCHOOL GALA – TICKETS NOW ON SALE!
Tickets are now on sale for the “School of Rock” Gala taking place on April 22, 2023!  We are asking all school families to sell four tickets to the event. Enclosed in your white envelope is information regarding ticket sales as well as four tickets. All ticket sales and any unsold tickets are due back to the school office by April 10. Tickets can also be purchased in the school office or at stfrancisellsworth.org/gala. With your help, we can reach our goal of having a sold-out event! Thank you!!
 
GRAND RAFFLE
1st: $3000 Cash - Brian Kemmerer
2nd: $1000 Cash - Dick Rohl
3rd: $625 Credit - John Brickner
4th: Stihl Blower - Rose Mickelson
5th: Nintendo Switch - Henri Jansa
6th - 10th: $100 Cash - Jodie Birkel, Brandon Thom, Jeremy O’Neil, David O’Neil, Tasha Brunner
 
 
DATES TO REMEMBER:
Mar. 1 - Dr. Seuss’ Birthday Celebration
Mar. 2  - Children’s Museum Field Trip (K-2nd)
Mar. 3 - No School - Diocesan In-Service
Mar. 6 - 10 - Spring Break
Mar. 13 - Plantmobile
Mar. 14 - Grades 3 - 5 to the Ellsworth Senior Center
Mar. 15 - January and February Virtue awards following Mass
Mar. 16 - 2nd Grade First Reconciliation (6:00pm) - First Choice
Mar. 20 - 5th Grade Folktale
Mar. 22 -  Screening Day - No School for 4YK ONLY
Mar. 23 - 2nd Grade First Reconciliation (6:00pm) - Second Choice
Mar. 24 - End of 3rd Quarter
Mar. 27 - Teacher In-Service (No School)
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)
April 11 - Carpenter Nature Center Field Trip (4YK - 1st Grade)
Apr. 14 - Carpenter Nature Center Field Trip (2nd - 5th Grade)
Apr. 22 - “School of Rock” Gala
 
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