Newsletter - February 11, 2019

Dear St. Francis School Families,                                                                                  February 
 
Please join us in prayer for our St. Francis School Teachers and Staff
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 teachers and staff in prayer ~ Father Eric, Mrs. Karlstad, Mrs. Gates,
Miss Miller, Mrs. Koch, Ms. Davis, Mrs. Matzek, Mrs. Swanson, Mrs. Penton, Mrs. Chatt, Mr. Buckel, Mrs. Matzek, Mrs. Brooks, Mrs. Beardsley, Mrs. McHardy, and Mr. DesLauriers.
 
Prayer for our Teachers and Staff
Dear Lord, bless the teachers who give their heart to teaching and their lives to serving our children. Thank you for the special gift that You have given them for their willingness to pour into the next generation through education and for giving them a spirit of compassion.  Fill them with strength to lead, grace to guide
and hope to thrive in their classroom.  Bless them beyond measure and let them know and feel the deep gratitude of those whom they teach.  We also ask your blessings upon our staff for their endless dedication and support of our school.  Amen
 
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.   1 John 5:14
 
PRAYER PARTNERS:  Next week we will join together in prayer for our St. Francis Students.
 
Thank you for your patience and understanding of the school closings which caused may changes over the past few weeks.  Of course our student’s safety is always our top priority.  Thanks to our families who helped their children get
into the spirit of Catholic Schools Week last week!  We had wonderful participation in the dress themes and activities all throughout the week.  Their creativity only added to the fun and made some happy memories for all involved. Our book fair was a huge success; we earned around $1,300.00 in free books!
 
REGISTRATION FORMS FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR:   Please send in your registration forms and tuition payment plans by Wednesday, February 13.  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 Mr. Buckel for more information about tuition assistance for next year; all inquiries will be kept confidential.
 
JANUARY AND FEBRUARY VIRTUE AWARDS - WEDNESDAY, FEBRAURY 27:  Due to the weather, we have had to make many changes to our schedule.  We have decided to present our January Virtue Awards with our February Virtue Awards on Wednesday, February 27.
 
MENU CHANGE: A note from Food Service:  Menu Change!  The weather has caused a lot of changes--even our menu!  Monday, February 18 will now be BBQ Pork on a Bun, Mandarin Oranges, Potato Smiles, and Fresh Veggies. 
 
NEW DATE: FIRST COMMUNION PARENT MEETING WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13:  A First Communion parent meeting for second grade will be held at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, February 13. 
 
NO SCHOOL - FEBRUARY 15:  Students will not have class on Friday, February 15.  This is a district-wide in-service.
 
GR. 5 PARENT & STUDENT MTG - “GROWING IN LOVE” - FEB. 20:     Wonder how you’ll talk with your child about his/her body changes as he/she approaches puberty?  Alice Heinzen and Jeff Arrowood, of our diocesan Office of Family
Life, have a presentation, entitled “Growing in Love”, for fifth grade parents and their child that conveys the information children need to know, integrated with appropriate humor and a deep respect for God’s gift of sexuality.  Fifth grade
students and their parents will meet for this presentation on Wednesday, February 20 at 6:30 p.m. in the parish hall.  Because of the sensitive nature of the puberty topics that will be covered, no child may attend without his/her parent present.

GR. K-5 ROLLER SKATING TRIP – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22:  Our skating party has been set for Friday, February 22 for Kindergarten–Fifth Grade at Wooddale Recreation Center in Woodbury!  As always, we need the help of many parents to make this activity possible!  The sign-up sheet for parent chaperones and the student permission slip are due back by
Wednesday, February 13.
 
CARNIVAL NEWS FROM OUR CARNIVAL COMMITTEE:
 
Carnival Raffles Update: Carnival Grand Raffle ticket sales are coming along. We do have more available in the office, but are getting so close!  If you haven’t turned your tickets in, please do so as soon as possible. Thanks for your efforts! 
 
Carnival Workers: The carnival would not be a success without the involvement of every family! In order to cover the 100+ positions for our many games and activities, we ask that BOTH parents sign up for a shift. We understand that you may have small children to tend to, but if possible, please make other arrangements to ensure that BOTH parents can participate in this event. You may also invite a friend or grandparent to take a shift, if you’re unable to. If you have questions, please contact Lisa Olson: larayolson76@gmail.com Thank you for your help!

This is the link to invite others to the SignUp page: Sign up for "Camp Out" 2019 Carnival Worker Signup (http://signup.com/go/dRjkVDB ) on @SignUpdotcom today! 
 
Carnival Decorating: We're using SignUp.com to organize our upcoming activity.  Please sign up for CAMP OUT! Carnival Decorating Help 2019!  Please see the carnival flyer in your weekly envelope for more information.
Here's how it works in 3 easy steps: 
1. Click this link to go to our invitation page on SignUp.com: http://signup.com/login/entry/627017465948378013 
2. Enter your email address: (You will NOT need to register an account on SignUp.com) 
3. Sign up! Choose your spots - SignUp.com will send you an automated confirmation and reminders. Easy! 
 
Pop Donations For Carnival:  The kitchen committee is asking each family to donate pop for the carnival.  If you have more than one student, please choose a grade level, you do not need to buy more than one 2 liter bottle of pop.
4YK....................Root beer
Kindergarten......Coke
1st grade...........Orange
2nd grade..........Sprite
3rd grade...........Diet Coke
4th grade...........Mountain Dew
5th grade...........Coke 
 
DR. SEUSS DAY – FRIDAY, MARCH 1:  We will celebrate Dr. Theodore Seuss’ Birthday on Friday, March 1.  Please wear comfy clothes or pajamas.  We will read together as a school at 8:30 a.m.
 
SPRING BREAK – MARCH 4-8:  Students will not have classes during the week of March 4-8 due to Spring Break.
 
NEW DATE: GR. 5 - MUSIC CLASS – FOLKTALE – THURSDAY, MARCH 14:  Due to the weather and lack of class time we have had to change the original date of our folktale.  Thank you for your understanding!
 
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 one or both of the presentations of the folk tale in the lunchroom: Thursday, March 14 at 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.  The presentations will last approximately 15 minutes. 
 
DATES TO REMEMBER:
Feb. 13 - First Communion Parent Meeting
Feb.15 - Teacher In-Service (No School)
Feb. 20 - Screening Day - No School for 4YK ONLY
Feb. 20 - “Growing in Love” Grade 5 and parents (6:30 - 8:30)
Feb. 22 - Roller Skating Trip (Grades K - 5)
Feb. 24 - St. Francis School Carnival
Feb. 27 - Virtue Awards for January (Honest & Helpful) and February (Patient & Kind)
Mar. 1 - Celebrate Dr. Seuss
Mar. 4-8 - Spring Break
Mar. 14 - Fifth Grade Folktale
 
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