OCTOBER NEWSLETTER

5th Grade Class Prayer
Dear Lord, Thank you for our teachers, our friends and the education we receive. 
Thank you for the opportunity to praise Jesus at our school and for Father Olson as he 
helps us praise Jesus at church. Thank you for allowing our school to continue to grow. Amen.

PRAYER PARTNERS:  Please join us as we lift up Mrs. Swanson and our Fifth Grade students Taelyn Hines, Oskar LaFave, Bentley McHardy, Charlie McMahon, Carter Moldenhauer, Eian Murphy, Brielle O’Neil, Sophia Oricchio, Emmie Pechacek, Gretta Rewolinski, and Vander Truttman  in prayer during the month of October.

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 November, we will be lifting up Mrs. Huebel and our Fourth Grade students in prayer.

WHAT'S NEW: 
 *Eagles Nest Before and After School care will return to the Parish Hall starting Monday, October 4, 2021. Please use the Parish Hall doors. 

*As always, if you need to contact us please do not hesitate to call the office (715) 273-4391.  

ST. FRANCIS SCHOOL VIRTUES PROGRAM:  St. Francis School has had a strong tradition of promoting  virtues. Virtues are defined as ‘behavior showing high moral standards’. The virtues/character traits St. Francis School has historically embraced are: Obedience, Gentleness, Attentiveness, Honesty, Helpfulness, Patience, Kindness, Forgiveness, Diligence, and Self-Control. We will continue to teach and follow these same traits. 

Here is a little catechism lesson pertaining to virtues. In Roman Catholic ethics, seven virtues apply to human beings’ actions and their relationship with God. These seven virtues affect human beings in the material and the spiritual aspects of life. All of us can acquire the four cardinal virtues: prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. The three theological virtues include faith, hope, and charity. God grants the theological virtues, which lead to Him. Without God’s grace, we cannot attain faith, hope, or love.

How is all of this applicable? Updates to the 2021-2022 Student-Parent Handbook explained that virtues help us habitually do what is good.   Students at St. Francis are asked to demonstrate the following personal development standards and their relational virtues everyday:

 STANDARD  VIRTUES
-Respects Authority -Attentive, Obedient
-Respects Other Students -Gentle, Honest, Helpful, Patient, Kind, Forgiving
-Respects the Learning Atmosphere -Attentive, Honest, Self-Control, Perseverance, Kind
-Respects Property -Gentle, Attentive, Honest, Patient, Self-Control
-Displays Verbal Self-Control -Patient, Attentive, Diligent, Self-Control, Honest
-Displays Physical Self-Control -Gentle, Self-Control, Patient, Kind, Honest
-Accepts Responsibility for Own Actions -Self-Control, Obedient, Forgiving, Perseverance
-Obeys Rules Outside of the Classroom -Honest, Content, Obedient, Kind, Self-Control
-Listens Attentively -Attentive, Diligent, Content, Honest, Perseverance
-Follows Directions -Patient, Attentive, Obedient, Diligent, Self-Control
-Completes Assigned Work on Time -Obedient, Attentive, Diligent, Content, Perseverance
-Works Well Independently -Self-Control, Attentive, Obedient, Patient, Diligent
-Strives for Quality Work -Perseverance, Attentive, Self-Control, Diligent

Starting in October we will focus on one or two specific virtues/traits school wide. When a student is observed to be using behavior exemplifying any of the above virtues/character traits, they will be recognized with either a footprint or butterfly on the wall in the parish hall. These symbols will recognize high moral behavior pertaining to any one of the virtues/traits at any time the behavior is observed and it will not necessarily be the virtue or trait of focus for that month. 

Certificates will be presented monthly at school Mass for grades K-5. If your K-5 student will be receiving a certificate at Mass, parents will be notified prior to the date of the Mass so you have the opportunity to attend and celebrate with your student if you are able. 3YK and 4YK students will be presented with their certificates in school.

EHS HOMECOMING - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1:  Remember to Dress In Purple and White. See additional information regarding the parade within this newsletter. 

 SCHOOL PICTURES:  School pictures have arrived and are in today’s envelope. If you would like a retake, please return the full picture envelope to the school office no later than Thursday, October 7. Picture retakes will be taken first thing in the morning of Tuesday, October 19.  

TUITION STATEMENTS (K - 5th):  Please remember to view your statement at any time in JMC.  https://stfrancis.onlinejmc.com If you have any questions, please contact the office. 

REMINDERS:  
Any time your child’s after school destination is someplace other than their usual destination, he/she needs a dated, written note signed by parent/guardian or you can send an email to the school indicating the change. We understand things may change at the last minute but please try to have changes to the office no later than 2:00 PM the day of the change.

On the rare occasion that you need to park your car during morning drop-off, please park in the center of the parking lot and not within the drop-off line of traffic.  Also, please remind your student(s) to walk in front of your car once they are dropped off. 

Breakfast is served from 7:45- 8:00 AM. We will never deny a student breakfast but if a student arrives at breakfast right at 8:00 he/she will be asked to bring their breakfast to their classroom. Instructional time begins at 8:05. No students will be allowed to remain in the cafeteria so they do not miss any instruction. 

CELEBRATION OF THE FEAST OF ST. FRANCIS/PET BLESSING/SCHOOL COLORS DAY - MONDAY, OCTOBER 4: The feast day of our school and Parish Patron Saint, St. Francis of Assisi, is Monday October 4.  This day is always a great celebration for our entire parish!  Please read the Pet Blessing directions   enclosed in today’s envelope and discuss with your child what your Pet Blessing Plan is. We can’t wait to see all of you (and your pets) on Oct. 4.

FOURTH GRADE STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE THEIR BIBLES – WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 29, 2021.  The Knights of Columbus will be presenting our fourth grade class with their Bibles on Wednesday, Sept. 29 during Mass. Parents if you are unable to attend, Mass will be live streamed.

4YK ONLY (NO SCHOOL) - WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6: Our 4YK students will not have class on Wednesday, October 6.  This includes all 4YK students in the district. 

GR. 5 FIELD TRIP TO NILSSEN’S GROCERY STORE - Thursday, OCTOBER 7: 
On Thursday October 7th, our 5th grade class will once again visit Nilssen’s as part of their unit on local poverty.  Each student will create a menu for a week and try to “purchase” all those foods for under $25.00, and proving how hard it is for many in our community to make ends meet. This is the beginning of our upcoming Holiday Food Drive for the Ellsworth Food Pantry. Look for more info on the Holiday Food Drive coming in November! The permission slip for this field trip is in today’s white envelope. We will need a couple of chaperones for this field trip. All chaperones must have completed Safe Environment and pass a background check through the Diocese of LaCrosse.  Please reach out to Mrs. Cormican for information on Safe Environment. Permission slips are included in today’s envelope. Please return the signed permission slip no later than Friday, October 1, 2021.

PENNY WAR: week of Oct. 11-15
We will be hosting a Penny War between the classes the week of Oct. 11-15 to raise money for the Ellsworth Public Library. The basic premise of a penny war is that students bring spare change to school for a set period of time, in this case it is for one week, and the class that nets the most money is rewarded. 
Each penny is worth one point and counts ‘positively’ toward the class's point total; each silver coin or paper bill gets points based on its value (a nickel is worth 5 points, a dime is worth 10, etc.) but counts ‘negatively’ toward the total. So in a competition between classrooms, students who want their class to win will place all pennies into their own bucket and place silver coins and paper bills in other classroom buckets. 

GRADES 4th and 5th to the MN Zoo-Friday, Oct. 15
On Friday, Oct 15th, our 4th and 5th graders will be traveling to the MN Zoo for a field trip about the varying earth environments.  Field trip permission slips are in today’s white envelope. We will need a number of chaperones. To volunteer, please contact the school office, or your child’s classroom teacher. All chaperones must have completed Safe Environment and pass a background check through the Diocese of LaCrosse.

SCHOOL PICTURES RETAKE DAY - TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19: If you are not pleased with your child’s photographs, you may return the entire package for a re-take.  Picture retake day will be Tuesday, October 19.  The class composite will be sent after retakes are completed. . If you wish to have your child’s photo retaken, please return the complete original package to the office by Thursday, Oct. 7.

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES – Tuesday, Oct. 19 and Thursday, Oct. 21 Parent-teacher conferences are required in the first quarter for all students grades 3YK through grade 5.  This year conferences are scheduled for two evenings, Tuesday, Oct. 19 and Thursday, Oct. 21 from 4:00-7:00 PM.  All conferences will be held by a scheduled appointment lasting 15 minutes in length. Conference Sign Up Link will be coming soon from your child’s teacher or JMC. Conferences will be held in person. Please express your  preference for either Tuesday or Thursday to your child’s teacher. Families with multiple children will have conferences scheduled as close as possible. 

5th GRADE BAKE SALES RETURN - Oct. 27
We are excited to once again be able to have 5th grade bake sales!  The proceeds from these sales help fund the 5th grade class’s end of year graduation event (TBD). On the 27th, each 5th grade student will bring 24 home baked items to sell to their classmates in grades K-4 and wraparound care.  Each item is priced at $ .50.  Please send some money for your child to spend at our bake sale that day.  Your child’s classroom teacher will have further directions about bringing money for this sale.  Thank you for your support of the 5th grade class!

SPECIAL HARVEST BREAKFAST and Halloween Celebrations: Friday, OCTOBER 29:  We will have a special Harvest Breakfast for students on Friday October 29, complete with pumpkins carved by our fifth grade class.
Students will be allowed to dress for Halloween at school. Please no witches or devils but skeletons and other mildly scary things are OK. Students are encouraged to dress up as their favorite Saint but also favorite Avenger characters or other costumes are fine. NO PROPS of any kind including swords, wands,etc. 

END OF FIRST QUARTER:  The first quarter ends on Friday, October 29.

2021-2022 STUDENT DIRECTORY:  This year’s directory of our school families is included in today’s packet.  If I’ve made an error for your family, please let me know.  Also, if your address, telephone, or e-mail changes during the year, please send a note of the change to my office and update your info in your JMC account.  Thanks for your help!

     
 HOME AND SCHOOL ASSOCIATION NEWS

Our 2021-2022 Home and School Officers
Emily Rohl- President
Elise Gregory- Vice President 
Emily Loberg - Secretary
Ashley Nelson - Treasurer I
Tom Wisniowski - Treasurer II

Thank you to all the parents who attended the first Home and School meeting of the 2021-2022 school year.  What a great turnout! The minutes will be available on the school website. Our next meeting will be held Nov. 18th at 7:00 PM in person with a possible virtual option as well. Contact me via email or by phone and texts are fine! wilkense@yahoo.com (715) 529-1955.
 
We would like to invite all families to participate in the Homecoming Parade. Ride on a float or walk along and hand out balloons or treats! Meet at the bus garage Friday, Oct. 1 at 4:30. Then of course, go to the game and cheer on our Panthers!
 
On Saturday, Oct. 9th, at 10:00 AM, we will be having a get-together at Happy Earth  Apple Orchard. Pick apples, eat donuts and hang out. Thank you to the Wisniowski family for hosting this! We hope to see you and your kids there! Happy Fall.
 
CARNIVAL NEWS: Hello families!!  We are excited to bring you Carnival 2022 back in person this year.  It will be held on Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022.  We will continue to sell the raffle tickets (Traditional and Grand) so look for those to come home in November.  More Carnival information will be coming in the near future.

COMMUNITY EVENTS
Homecoming Parade Oct. 1, 2021
The parade will leave from the west side of the high school, head to Piety St., go past Ellsworth Elementary and end at the Middle School. 

Ellsworth Baseball and Softball Association (EBSA)
Save the Date: Saturday, October 9, 2021 from 9:00 AM to noon. The EBSA will have a third party conducting  skills assessments at the Browns Field Complex in Hager City, WI for the 2022 Spring Travel Softball Season. The season does not officially start until April/May of 2022 with games in May/June/July but plans are to conduct registration this fall to determine teams before winter which allows for off season training and plenty of time to organize coaches, plan tournaments, order uniforms, and do team fundraisers, etc. 
To sign-up for the assessment, visit https://forms.gle/dPk1VkZbjWEwX5rx6. There is no cost associated with the assessment. Actual registration to play for the 2022 season will be forthcoming. This assessment is for all players including those who are currently playing or who wish to start playing competitive travel fast-pitch softball in 2022. Travel fast-pitch softball is currently open to girls ages 8-16 in the Ellsworth School District. Registration fees to actually play Spring travel softball will be $250.00 (same as previous years but when registration opens up you will have the option to pay half this fall and half in the spring. There is a volunteer hour requirement as well. Note: This is NOT for the in-town recreational softball league held in Ellsworth in July. If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Acker at lackerj37@gmail.com or ebsa00@gmail.com

"Once Upon a Library" Gala - October 23, 2021
You're invited to a once-in-a-lifetime gala event to celebrate and financially support the Ellsworth Public Library. The “Once Upon a Library” event will take place virtually with silent and premier auctions, a fund-a-need drive, and pledge, October 19-23, culminating in an in-person grand gala on Saturday, October 23 to be held pre-construction in the future home of the library at 388 Main Street in Ellsworth.
 
The building’s fundraising campaign is in the final phase; however, it’s the funds from this event that will finance the furnishings and exterior landscaping. The event hopes to raise $200,000 to cover these additional costs and make the new library a source of pride in our community for generations to come.  
 
It's sure to be the social event of the year for our community! For more information, to make a donation, or purchase gala tickets, visit their website at: https://www.friendsofepl.org/gala

DATES TO REMEMBER: 
Sep. 29- 4th Grade Students receive their Bibles at Mass.
Oct.1 -    Homecoming Parade. All St. Francis students can participate in the parade. 
Oct. 4 -   Feast of St. Francis ~ Mass and Pet Blessing/School Color Day
Oct. 6 -   4YK ONLY - No School-this is Ellsworth School District Wide
Oct. 7-    5th grade-Field Trip to Nilssen’s
Oct. 15 - 4th and 5th grade trip to the MN Zoo
Oct. 19 - Picture Retake Day 
Oct. 19 - Parent-Teacher Conferences  4:00-7:00 by appointment. (Please use Parish Hall doors.)
Oct. 21-  Parent-Teacher Conferences  4:00-7:00 by appointment. (Please use Parish Hall doors.)
Oct. 22 -  No School for students
Oct. 27-  First 5th grade bake sale
Oct. 29 - Harvest Breakfast
Oct. 29-  Halloween Celebrations
Oct. 29 - End of 1st Quarter  
Nov. 1-   No school for students-All Saints Day
Nov. 2 -  Beginning of 2nd Quarter-All Souls Day
Nov. 24-26 - Thanksgiving Vacation

May God Bless Our St. Francis Families! Thank you for your support of our students and staff.  Please call or email if you have questions: 715-273-4391 or Mary Cormican- principal@stfrancisellsworth.org