November Newsletter

Fourth Grade Class Prayer
Dear Lord, please watch over farmers as they bring in the harvest, athletes as they compete with determination and sportsmanship, animals to be protected throughout winter, teachers and everyone in schools to stay healthy, people with sickness or injury to heal, hunters to stay safe, newlyweds to have a happy life together, government workers serving their people and problem-solving with other countries of our world, everyone who has died so that their souls will make it to Heaven. Please hear these prayers and give strength and comfort to all people. In your Name, Jesus, Amen.

PRAYER PARTNERS:  Please join us as we lift up Mrs. Huebel and our Fourth Grade students in prayer during the month of November. Levi Acker, June Feuerhelm, Ben Johnson, Walker Loberg, Markus Lorentz, Anna Puhrmann, Aaron Riester, Lane Rohl, and Grace Turvaville

During the month of December, we will focus on Advent and the Christmas season.  

All Saints Day -Monday, Nov 1, 2021-NO SCHOOL

Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. 
For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; and His faithfulness continues through all generations.
Psalm 100:4-5

In honor of All Souls Day, November 2nd, you are invited to join in our Annual Prayerful Remembrance. If you wish to participate, please write the names of your departed relatives and friends on the enclosed form and return it.  These names will be placed in a basket on a table near the St. Francis statue. We will also have the Parish Book of the Dead displayed near the St. Francis statue. You can return the form to school or place it in the basket which will be set up near the St. Francis statue.  During the month of November, we will pray as a community during Mass for our loved ones who have gone before us.  We hope that you will all join us in this wonderful St. Francis tradition.

November 3, 2021: Fr. Olson’s monthly “Growing In Faith” session will be held on Wed. Nov. 3 from 6:00-7:00 in the church. There is also BreakOut for Grades 1-5: This year our St. Francis High School Youth Ministry Team, under the direction of our Director of Youth Ministry - Cheryl Kaufer, is planning a 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 November 3 from 5:45 to 7:00 pm in the Parish Hall. This is during the same time as Father Olson’s monthly ”Growing in Faith”  session, for adults, in the church.  
BreakOut includes Praise and Worship Music (learning and singing the songs), a presentation about the lives of some saints, short faith testimonies by High School Team Members, learning about the Life Of Jesus Craft Project and how to use it to become an evangelist for Jesus and a game.  Please bring your grade school child for BreakOut, while you attend Father Olson’s Growing in Faith Session in the Church.  There is also preschool childcare available in the Parish Hall Meeting Room during this time. See you on Wed, Nov. 3!

FOLLOWING IN JESUS’ FOOTSTEPS
We will celebrate our virtue awards during Mass each month. Please help us continue to celebrate our virtue award winners at home and in your prayers.  

VIRTUE AWARDS FOR BEING DILIGENT:                                                                      
Diligent – I start fast, work hard, and finish strong.

Rylan Morud, Natalie Matzek, Theo LaFave, Markus Lorentz, Brielle O’Neil

VIRTUE AWARDS FOR BEING GENTLE:.
Gentle – I speak quietly and touch softly
 
Breelyn Krause, Grace Baker, Adeline Dopp, Aaron Riester, Oskar LaFave
 
 
4YK - CAUGHT SHOWING CHARACTER:
Diligent - Axel Bergman
Gentle - James Anderson
 
3YK - VIRTUE AWARDS:
Diligent- Teagan Harter and Kaden Koch
Gentle - Ila Hoyer and Kayden Hager 
 
TUITION ASSISTANCE: Tuition Assistance will be applied to the accounts of our families who have requested assistance and have paid at least half of their tuition. Please contact Mrs. Cormican by Wednesday, November 3rd if you are in need of assistance for the 2021-2022 school year.
 
PENNY WAR: Thank you to everyone who participated in the Penny War.  We will hold a Penny War once/year the second week in October. Start saving those coins again.
 
HALLOWEEN BAKE SALE - WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27:  Everyone remember we have our first bake sale on Wednesday, Oct. 27 at 2:30pm in the Parish Hall.  Please send money in an envelope, for your children to purchase some sweet treats.  Each “goodie” will be 50 cents.  All Proceeds will go toward the 5th grade’s end of the year graduation event. Thank you for helping make this a successful event! Mrs. Swanson and the 5th grade class thank you! 
 
PANTHER PRIDE - THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28:  Wear purple for Panther Pride to support the football team moving on to round 2 in the playoffs.
 
HALLOWEEN PARTY/SPECIAL HARVEST BREAKFAST - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29:  Please remember costumes must be St. Francis School appropriate. No blood/guts/gore.  No weapons/props of any kind. Costume parade around the parking lot at 9:00 AM. We will also have a special Harvest Breakfast for students on Friday, October 29, complete with pumpkins carved by our fifth grade class.  Please see the enclosed flyer for more information.

END OF FIRST QUARTER:  The first quarter ends on Friday, October 29.  Thank you for all of your support during this first quarter. Overall it has been a good start to the school year. 

TRUNK OR TREAT - SUNDAY, OCTOBER 31:  Come visit Mrs. McHardy and Mrs. Plahn during “Trunk or Treat” as they hand out candy. If you would like to donate some candy, please drop off at school. More information about “Trunk or Treat” is below under Church/Community News. 

ALL SAINTS DAY – MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1 (NO SCHOOL):  There will be no school on Monday, November 1 in honor of All Saints Day.

SCHOOL COLORS DAYS - NOVEMBER 5 AND DECEMBER 3:  Students are encouraged to dress in school colors, blue and white, November 5 and December 3.  Show your school pride!

VISION SCREENING - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9:  Vision Screening for 4YK - 2nd grade will be on Tuesday, November 9.
THANKSGIVING VACATION - NOVEMBER 24 - 26:  There will be no school on Wednesday, November 24 through Friday, November 26 for Thanksgiving Vacation.  Classes will resume again on Monday, November 29. 

NO SCHOOL - WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8: Students will not have classes on Wednesday, December 8 as we observe the Holy Day, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM - THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9:  Grades 3YK and K-5 will present our annual Christmas Program on Thursday, December 9 at 6:00 p.m. in the church.  We will have a reception in the parish hall immediately following the program.  Each family is asked to bring some type of food (cookies, bars, cheese & crackers, etc.) for this reception. A dress rehearsal for K-5 will be held Wednesday, December 7 at 1:30 p.m.  This is open to anyone who would like to attend.

4YK  WINTER PROGRAM - THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16:  The 4YK Winter Program will be held at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 16 in the Parish Hall. 

CHRISTMAS VACATION:  Christmas vacation will start on Thursday, December 23.  Classes will resume on Monday, January 3.

HOLIDAY FOOD AND FUNDS DRIVE:  Our 5th Grade Class at St. Francis is sponsoring their annual Holiday Food and Funds Drive to benefit the Ellsworth Food Pantry.  In October alone, our local pantry served 394 of our friends and neighbors.  Please give what you can to help everyone in our community have enough to eat during this Holiday Season. Please see the enclosed flyer for all the information!
Thanks so much for your help!   Mrs. Swanson and the 5th Grade Class
 
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. 

WEATHER-DRESS CODE: With the cooler temperatures please be sure students are dressing accordingly. Morning recesses are still chilly so jackets, hats, and mittens should be worn. Tennis/closed toe and closed heel shoes need to be worn outside for recess and PE and no more sandals/crocs as they are hazardous when running on the blacktop. 

WEATHER RELATED SCHOOL CLOSINGS:  You will be notified by the St. Francis JMC system about school closings.  Also, the Ellsworth district will continue to publicize any school closing or delayed starts on these radio/television stations, as well as the district website www.ellsworth.k12.wi.us

KCUE   1250 AM - Red Wing, KSTP, Channel 5 - Mpls./St. Paul, WCCO  Channel 4 - Mpls/St. Paul, KARE Channel 11 - Mpls./St. Paul, KMSP   Channel 9 - Mpls./St. Paul

In the event of a two hour delay, St. Francis 3YK and 4YK  students will not have classes. Eagles Nest Before School Care will open at 9:00am in the event of school being two hours late.

EARLY CHILDHOOD SCREENING: The Ellsworth Community School District will hold a child development screening (children entering 4YK Fall of 2022) day on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 at the Ellsworth Elementary School.  This is a wonderful opportunity for you to learn about your child’s development in speech/language, gross motor, fine motor and play skills.  During the screening your child will participate in a playgroup where social, communication, motor and early learning skills will be observed.  In addition, your child’s vision and hearing will be screened. Appointments are required.  For an appointment, please call Tina Hallock at 715-273-3912. The district will also have child development screenings on Wednesday, January 12 and Wednesday, April 6.

HOME AND SCHOOL ASSOCIATION NEWS

HOME AND SCHOOL MEETING - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2021  at 7pm: This meeting will be in person at school. Efforts for the meeting to also be virtual are being made along with possibly having child care. More information will be coming closer to Nov. 18.

‘TRAVEL THE WORLD’ CARNIVAL UPDATE: Hello families!  The Grand Raffle Tickets and Traditional Raffle tickets will be going home soon. Please keep your eyes open for them!   The envelope will have a value of $225 so PLEASE look for it and keep the envelope in a safe place.  Every family will be asked to sell at least 2 Grand Raffles and 5 packs of Traditional Raffle Tickets.   Thank you from the Carnival Committee.

MORE CARNIVAL UPDATES: Please be sure to save the date of Sunday, February 6, 2022 for the Carnival. This is at the end of Catholic Schools Week so it will be a fantastic way to end the celebration. The Carnival is in need of additional committee members and volunteers. Help is needed for calling sponsors, and the decorating committee. This is a fantastic opportunity 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. 

CHURCH/COMMUNITY NEWS
 
ST. FRANCIS TRUNK OR TREAT: Please join us for “Trunk or Treat” on Sunday, October 31st from 4:00-7:00 pm in St. Francis School Parking Lot.  Please bring your kids to trick or treat while youth and adults dress up and hand out candy!!! Please bring a canned item and/or money for the Pierce County Pantry Food Shelf.  All are welcome!!!
 
ST. FRANCIS PARISH MITTEN CAMPAIGN: St. Francis Parish Mitten Campaign will begin the week of October 16-November 28. This year along with mittens, the collection will include gloves, mittens, scarves, and hats. The donated items will be delivered to the Pierce County Food Shelf to assist our neighbors in the Pierce County Community. A Collection Box marked for your items will be placed at the back of the church or you can bring them to the school office. God Bless you for your generosity.
 
DATES TO REMEMBER: 
Oct. 27 - Gentle and Diligent Virtue Awards following Mass  
Oct. 27 - 5th Grade Bake Sale
Oct. 28 - Wear Panther Purple
Oct. 29 - Harvest Breakfast/Halloween Parade around the parking lot-9:00 AM
Oct. 29 - End of 1st Quarter  
Oct. 31 - Trunk or Treat 4:00-7:00 PM
Nov. 1 - All Saints Day - No School 
Nov. 2 - Beginning of 2nd Quarter 
Nov. 3 - Growing In Faith with Fr. Olson: If God is Good and Great, Why Is There Suffering? 6:00 PM in the church
Nov. 5 - School Color Day
Nov. 9 - Vision Screening For 4YK - 2nd Grade
Nov. 17 - Attentive Virtue Awards following Mass
Nov. 18 - Home and School Meeting 7:00 PM
Nov. 24-26 - Thanksgiving Vacation
Nov. 25 - Happy Thanksgiving!
Dec. 3 - School Color Day
Dec. 7 - Dress Rehearsal for Christmas Program at 1:30PM
Dec. 8 - No School - Holy Day of Obligation
Dec. 9 - Christmas Program at 6:00PM
Dec. 15 - Food Drive Donations Due
Dec. 16 - 4YK Winter Program in the Parish Hall
Dec. 23 - Jan. 1 - Christmas Vacation
Dec. 25 - Merry Christmas!
Jan. 3 - Classes Resume
Jan. 30 - Catholic Schools Week Mass
Jan. 30 - Feb. 6 - Catholic Schools Week
Feb. 6 - Carnival
Feb. 23 - Fifth grade Growing in Love for all fifth grade students and parents 6:00-8:00 PM
March 31 - 2nd grade First Reconciliation
April 20 - First Communion Family Meeting
May 1 - 10:30 2nd grade First Communion

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