Newsletter - March 18, 2019

Dear St. Francis School Families,                                                                                 
 
Please join us in prayer for our Friends.
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 all of our Friends in prayer. 
 
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 Country.

2019 Camp Out Carnival ~ Thank You!
The Camp Out Carnival was a great success! It was obvious how much fun the kids had and the adults walked away with many great prizes too! The prizes were made possible by the donations of many local businesses! Please take a look at the list of donors on the next page. I am so grateful to everyone who helped make this day happen including our committee members, school staff, parents, students, and families, who worked during the carnival, area businesses, members of our parish, those who sold raffle tickets, and those who came to enjoy the day! May God bless each of you for the work you have done. St. Francis will be better for it.   Anne Matzek ~ Carnival Chair
 
REGISTRATION FORMS FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR:   Please send in your registration forms and tuition payment plans as soon as possible.  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.
 
ST. FRANCIS PRESCHOOL:  BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!  We’re excited to announce that 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.
 
RECONCILIATION:  Father Eric will offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation our fifth grade students on Wednesday, March 20 and our fourth grade students on Wednesday, March 27.
 
STATIONS OF THE CROSS:  Students will participate in The Stations of the Cross during Lent led by their teacher.
 
SERVICE PROJECTS FOR LENT:  St Francis School will be collecting items to benefit First Choice Clinic now through Wednesday, April 10.  Thank you in advance for your generosity!  
 
A message from First Choice Clinic: Stock the Store! First Choice Clinic is so thankful to have the support of St. Francis. By helping to keep our store stocked, you are putting necessary supplies and baby equipment directly into the hands of those in need, right here in our community! Seeing an abundance of brand new baby items, and knowing everything is available to them, can make the difference between choosing life or choosing abortion for families facing an unplanned pregnancy.  Though all items are appreciated, our greatest needs at this time are Baby monitors, Outlet covers, Toddler beds, Preemie clothes, Size 9 mo. pajamas, Size 4 diapers, and Overnight diapers.  Because we celebrate First Birthdays with those who choose life and continue on with our Earn While You Learn Program, we are always in need of age appropriate baby toys to include with their Children's Bible.  Please continue praying for those who counsel mothers and fathers facing unplanned pregnancies.
 
HOME & SCHOOL OFFICERS NOMINATION FORM: The Home & School Association needs to fill two officer positions for the 2019-2020 school year.  Please complete the enclosed nomination form and return by Wednesday, March 20. Thank you.
 
GR. 5 PARENT & STUDENT MTG - “GROWING IN LOVE” - MARCH 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, March 20 at 6:00 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.
 
CARPENTER NATURE CENTER:  Each class will take a field trip to the Carpenter St. Croix Nature Center this spring as part of our science curriculum. Permission slips and the request for parent chaperones were sent home last week.  Please
return the forms with appropriate fees by Wednesday, March 20.  There is no cost for parent chaperones. The schedule is as follows:
            4YK – Monday, May 20                         Second & Third – Friday, May 31
            K & First – Monday, April 29                  Fourth & Fifth – Monday, March 25
 
 
ST. FRANCIS PARISH FELLOWSHIP: We're holding a St. Francis Parish Fellowship to thank the Parishioners for supporting our school. This will occur after each mass the weekend of Sat., March 30th and Sun., March 31st. We'll need the help from our school families to make this happen. Please review the attached link and sign up for a spot! http://signup.com/go/CcjCBeD 
Contact Jolene Wittenberg with any questions - jowitt612@gmail.com. Thank you for your help!
 
SPRING PICTURES – APRIL 4:  Students will have an opportunity to have a spring photo taken on Thursday, April 4. PLEASE NOTE:  ONLY THE STUDENTS WHO HAVE PREPAID OR RETURN THEIR ORDER FORM BY OR ON 4/4 WILL
BE PHOTOGRAPHED!  Younger brothers/sisters may be photographed, beginning at 8:00 a.m.  If you wish to have a group photo taken of your children, please send a note indicating that by Wednesday, April 3.  Blue is the only background choice for sibling & family pictures. We plan to take pictures in this order for families that have prepaid:  individual photos of younger siblings, any group photos, then individual photos of St. Francis students. The flyer with background choices is included today in the weekly envelope.  Each child needs one form with your choice of background marked for that child.  You may also order online @ http://my.lifetouch.com/mylifetouch/pictureDayId/MI428790Y0
Questions should be directed to Lifetouch at 1-866-955-8342.
 
END OF THIRD QUARTER – APRIL 4:  Our third quarter ends Thursday, April 4.
 
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.  You may write one check for all of your children.
 
ST. FRANCIS YOUTH MINISTRY: We are practicing the Beatitudes (Feeding the Hungry!) by taking a trip to Feed My Starving Children in Eagan, MN on Thursday, April 4th.  Plan on meeting in the Parish Hall around 4:30 pm to eat Pizza before the bus leaves at 5:00 pm.  We will pack food from 6-7:30 pm and then return to St. Francis by 8:30 pm.  St. Francis School does NOT have school the next day.  Parents/grandparents and friends are welcome to join this event either by completing paperwork and riding the bus with our group or meeting us at the Eagan FMSC site. This is a FREE event hosted by St. Francis Youth Ministry.  Please contact Cheryl Kaufer for questions goshawk@bevcomm.net or 651-308-8576 and to sign you up!!!
 
SCHOOL CALENDAR CHANGES:
 
FRIDAY, MARCH 29 IS NOW A SCHOOL DAY:  St. Francis students will now have classes on Friday, March 29 due to themany snow days this winter. 
 
TEACHER INSERVICE - NO CLASSES - APRIL 5:  Although the public school has made this a student day, St. Francis students WILL NOT have classes on Friday, April 5 as our teachers will be attending the Diocese Faith In-service in Eau Claire that day. 
 
EASTER VACATION SCHEDULE:  There are no classes on Good Friday, April 19.
 
MONDAY, APRIL 22 IS NOW A SCHOOL DAY:  St. Francis students will now have class on Monday, April 22 due to the many snow days this winter.
 
JUNE 5 & 6 ARE NOW SCHOOL DAYS: St. Francis Students will now have class on Wednesday, June 5 and Thursday, June 6.  June 6 will be a half day of school.  Tuesday, June 4 will now be a full day.
 
DATES TO REMEMBER:
Mar. 20 - Carpenter Nature Center Paperwork Due
Mar. 20 - Screening Day - No School for 4YK ONLY
Mar. 20 - Reconciliation – Grade 5
Mar. 20 - “Growing In Love” Grade 5 and parents (6:00 - 8:00)
Mar. 25 - Carpenter Nature Center Field Trip for Grades 4 & 5
Mar. 27 - Forgiveness Virtue Awards following Mass
Mar. 27 - Reconciliation – Grade 4
Mar. 29 - Regular School Day (Snow Make-up Day)
Mar. 30 & 31 - St. Francis Parish Fellowship
Apr. 4 - End of 3rd Quarter
Apr. 4 - Spring Picture Day
Apr. 4 – Feed My Starving Children (St. Francis Youth Ministry)
Apr. 5 - Diocesan Teacher In-Service (No School)
Apr. 19 - Good Friday (No School)
Apr. 22 - Regular School Day (Snow Make-up Day)
 
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