Newsletter - April 29, 2019

Dear St. Francis School Families,

1st Grade Class Prayer
Dear Holy Spirit,
We have been learning about you in our Religion Classes. We have learned about your Gifts to us through the sacraments. We have learned that you are always with us as a teacher, a helper and a friend. You teach us to learn good habits while we change our bad habits. You help us to live the Fruits of your Spirit:  Faithfulness, Love, Peace, Gentleness, Kindness, Goodness, Joy, Patience, and Self-Control. We ask that you will always be our friend when we need you through Jesus who sent you to us.  Amen

Please join us in prayer for our 1st Grade Class
We all need to seek God in prayer with our joys, worries, and thankful moments.  Thank you for being a prayer partner  for our school. This week we will be lifting up our 1st Grade Class in prayer .
Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.   Jeremiah 29:12

PRAYER PARTNERS: Next week, we will join together in prayer for our 2nd Grade Class.
FOLLOWING IN JESUS’ FOOTSTEPS

VIRTUE AWARDS FOR PERSEVERENT:
Perseverant – Being perseverant means you keep trying, even when it’s tough.

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

Sawyer, Aaron, Sophia,  Max, Vincent, Alexis

4YK – CAUGHT SHOWING CHARACTER:
Perseverant – Nathaniel 
GRADE 2 FIRST COMMUNION: Congratulations to the second grade students who received their First Communion on Sunday. Thank you to Mrs. Koch, Mrs. Foley and their classmates who helped them prepare for their special day!
ALL SCHOOL PICTURE: We have a wonderful idea for our all school picture this year! We will need every student to have a plain white shirt - no logos, no designs, no color. They will wear the shirt as is and it will not be colored or altered in any way. Please send a white shirt to school by Wednesday, May 8. Be sure to put your child's name on the tag. Thank you in advance for helping make this photo project a success!
WALK FOR VIRTUES - PLEDGE FORMS DUE WEDNESDAY, MAY 1: Student pledge forms (not the money) are due this week, Wednesday, May 1. The committee will copy them that evening. A copy will be sent home with students on May 3, after the Walk, so that they are able to collect their pledges and turn in their money on Monday, May 6.
WALK FOR VIRTUES – FRIDAY, MAY 3: Our annual Walk for Virtues is Friday, May 3 starting at 8:45am. Thank you to  the parents who offered to help on the day of the Walk! Let’s pray for good weather! (Raindate Friday, May 10th)
HOME & SCHOOL MEETING – THURSDAY, MAY 2: Mark your calendar! Our final Home and School Association meeting for the 2018-19 school year will take place on Thursday, May 2nd at 6:00pm.  As always, child care is available during the meeting and we will be serving dinner from 5:30-6:00pm.  If you have any agenda items, please send them to Katie Feuerhelm.  Thanks, and we hope to see you there! 

SPRING PROGRAM/ART SHOW - MAY 9: We will present our Spring Concert & Art Show Thursday, May 9 at 6 pm in the parish hall. Our 4YK students will present their songs at the beginning of the program, and will then be invited to join their parents in the audience for the remainder of the concert.
Each family is asked to bring some type of food (cookies, bars, cheese & crackers, veggies & dip, etc.) for the reception that will follow. Weather permitting, we will hold the reception outside!
We will have a K-5 dress rehearsal Wednesday, May 8 at 1:30pm. This is open to anyone who would like to attend.

CHRISTMAS/SPRING PROGRAMS AVAILABLE ON DVD: Our Spring Program will be recorded and placed on a DVD along with our Christmas Program from last December. If you’d like to purchase a copy of the DVD ($25 each) and haven’t already, please complete the enclosed order form, along with payment by Wednesday, May 8. DVDs will be sent home prior to the end of the school year.
If you already placed your order for a DVD earlier this year, Thank You! There will not be another order form in your envelope today.
STAFF APPRECIATION BRUNCH - MAY 10: Thanks to all who have offered to help in some way with the Staff Appreciation Brunch on May 10, and thanks to Katie Acker, Home & School Association Vice-President who is coordinating the event!
GRADES 4YK - 5 - ELLSWORTH PUBLIC LIBRARY FIELD TRIP - MAY 16: 4YK through grade 5 students will have the opportunity to take a field trip to the Ellsworth Public Library Thursday, May 16 to learn about summer reading programs. The permission slip for this field trip is included in your weekly envelope today. Please complete and return by Wednesday, May 8.
GR. 5 CLASS TRIP TO VALLEY FAIR - MAY 17: Fifth grade students will take their class trip to Valley Fair on Friday, May 17. Watch for more information to be sent out soon.
PICNIC LUNCH - MAY 15: Mrs. Brooks has planned a picnic lunch for us on Tuesday, May 15. Students are encouraged to bring a beach towel to sit on as we plan to eat outside! (weather permitting)
4YK - CARPENTER NATURE CENTER - MAY 20: Our 4YK students will take their field trip to the Carpenter Nature Center on Monday, May 20. Students will depart at 8:15 a.m. and return by 10:15am. Parent chaperones are asked to please come to the office to check-in by 8:05am.

GR. 5 - DARE GRADUATION - MAY 23: Fifth grade parents are asked to reserve the afternoon of Thursday, May 23  to attend their child’s D.A.R.E. graduation, beginning at 2:00pm. in the parish hall.
MEMORIAL DAY - MAY 27 - NO SCHOOL: Students do not have classes Monday, May 27, due to our observance of  Memorial Day.

GR. 5 – MASS OF COMPLETION AND TREE PLANTING – MAY 29: Our fifth grade Mass of Completion will be at  8:30am. on Wednesday, May 29. After Mass, our fifth grade students will be planting a tree in memory of their class. Following the Tree Planting, we will have a light brunch reception for the fifth grade class with their parents.
GR. 2 & 3 - CARPENTER NATURE CENTER – MAY 31: Second and Third Grade students will take their field trip to the  Carpenter Nature Center Friday, May 31. Students will depart at 12:00pm. and return by 2:45pm. Parent chaperones are asked to please come to the office to check-in by 11:50am.

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL: It has been decided that the last day of school for St. Francis will remain on Thursday, June 6  with our students being dismissed at 12:30pm. PLEASE NOTE: There will be NO bus service at that time so every student will need to be picked up. Last Day of School Early Release Forms will be sent out closer to that date.

GRADES K-5 - LAST DAY OF CLASSES/MASS/AWARDS CEREMONY - JUNE 6: Our last day of classes for kindergarten through fifth grade students will be Thursday, June 6. This day will include our all-school Awards Assembly in our church immediately following the 8:30am. Mass. Our fifth grade class will take on their parents in a kickball game, and we will have our usual picnic lunch (bring your own or order in advance from the St. Francis Youth Group). Students will be dismissed at 12:30pm.
We will use the following schedule:
8:05 Classes begin, as usual.
​8:30 Mass, and Awards Ceremony
10:00 Recess (approximate time, 15 minutes of recess will follow the awards ceremony.)
10:15 Return to classrooms for cleaning, final projects.
11:00 Kickball game - Fifth grade students versus their parents.
11:45 Picnic lunch
12:25 Return to classrooms for report cards & summer farewells
12:30 Dismissal for those students going home with parents

SUMMER EAGLE’S NEST PROGRAM: We are excited to offer a summer care program for our St. Francis Families. Please watch for more information soon!

ST. FRANCIS PRESCHOOL: St. Francis School will be offering 3-year-old preschool starting this fall 2019. More details coming soon! If you’d like more information please contact our school office at 715-273-4391.

DRESS CODE REMINDERS: As the warmer weather approaches, please remember our school dress code. Many students have grown significantly since last fall and their summer shorts are now too short for school attire.
• Shorts may be worn but the length must be at least fingertip length.
• Spaghetti straps may be worn only if a t-shirt or tank top is worn underneath.
• No bare midriffs, halter tops, excessively open tank tops, off the shoulder tops or very tight clothing may be worn. The new style of open shoulder tops is acceptable so long as there is a wide strap between the neck and shoulder. Please use good judgement for your child.
• Torn clothing may not be worn, especially clothing torn at the knees.
• Tennis shoes, with a closed back, that tie or fasten are required for all recesses and phy-ed classes. Students will be allowed to change into tennis shoes before recesses and phy-ed, if needed.
• Flip-flops should not be worn for school.

GR. 5 - RELEASE OF STUDENT RECORDS: Fifth grade families are asked to sign and return the enclosed Release of Student Records by Wednesday, May 8. This form provides permission to send copies of your child’s records to the
Ellsworth Middle School. Thanks.

2018-2019 YEARBOOK ORDERS: Orders are being taken for this year’s yearbook. As in the past, the yearbook will be delivered next September, allowing us to include photos through the last day of school! The price for the all-color, 28 page, soft-cover yearbook is $20.00. You can order your yearbook online at YBPay.lifetouch.com with the Yearbook ID Code: 1934619. You may also send your payment to school. Please make checks payable to St. Francis School. If you already placed your order for a yearbook, Thank You! There will not be another order form in your envelope today. Please place your order by Friday, May 17.

A TASTE OF TUSCANY: The Ellsworth Community School District Foundation will once again be hosting their largest fundraiser of the year, A Taste of Tuscany, at Vino in the Valley on May 31st from 4:30-8pm.  The evening includes a buffet dinner, wine tasting, live music, school art exhibition, and a silent auction. Tickets are $35 and are available to purchase at the St. Francis School Office, the Ellsworth School District Office, Nilssen’s Foods, Vino in the Valley and from any Foundation member.  A portion of the funds raised at this event are used to finance the EXCELLS grant.  St. Francis School is eligible for this grant and has been awarded it in the past to purchase materials, supplies, and equipment to implement innovative projects.  

ELLSWORTH BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION: Online sign-up is now open for any player currently in grades K-5th wishing to play in-town baseball or softball. Please follow the link to register www.ellsworthpanthers.com by clicking on Baseball or Softball menus and choosing In Town. Further information is available on the website. Registration is open until May 15th.


DATES TO REMEMBER:
May 1 - Screening Day (No School for 4YK ONLY)
May 2 - Home & School Association Meeting (6:00 p.m.)
May 3 - Walk for Virtues (Raindate Friday, May 10)
May 8 - Dress Rehearsal for our Spring Program (1:30 p.m.)
May 9 - Spring Program (6:00 p.m.)
May 16 - Ellsworth Public Library Visit (4YK-Grade 5)
May 17 - Valleyfair Trip (Grade 5)
May 20 - Carpenter Nature Center (4YK)
May 22 - Self-Control Virtue Awards following Mass
May 23 - 5th Grade D.A.R.E. Graduation
May 24 - EHS Senior Day
May 27 - Memorial Day (No School)
May 29 - 5th Grade Mass of Completion and Tree Planting
May 31 - Carpenter Nature Center (Grades 2 and 3)
May 31 - A Taste of Tuscany
June 6 - Last Day of School (Half Day for K-5/4YK regular day dismissed at 11:05 a.m.)
May God’s Grace Be With You! Please call or e-mail if you have questions: 715-273-4391 or cbuckel@stfrancisellsworth.org​

Chuck Buckel
Principal