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 Jerzy 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 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: 
*As an addition to our 3 year old preschool, Mrs. McHardy and Mrs. Matzek opened up their program to an afternoon class, and afternoon wrap around care for the students in preschool and 4YK. This has been a wonderful addition to our school!  
*Eagles Nest Before and After School care has found a new home in the Parish Hall.  This space allows for more activities while keeping our physical distancing in place. 
*Mr. Buckel has cut his schedule to one day a week (something tells me he is trying to retire). To help with administrative duties, Mrs. Swanson was hired as the lead teacher and splits her time between teaching 5th grade and the Principal’s Office. 
*We have welcomed Mrs. Teri Kulow as our 3rd grade teacher. The good ones never stay retired!
*We are also thrilled to welcome Mr. David Poole to our custodial staff. Things are gleaming around here!
*As always, if you need to contact us please do not hesitate to call the office (715) 273-4391.  

ST. FRANCIS SCHOOL VIRTUES PROGRAM:  Virtue Program: St. Francis Catholic Elementary School has had a strong tradition of promoting the virtues associated with devoted religious life. As a staff, we will continue the Virtues Program, “Following in Jesus’ Footsteps,” to instill in our students the desire to practice these religious virtues both at home and at school. Although there will not be a structured curriculum taught on a regular basis, the core of the program will be the recognition of “teachable moments” that arise each day.  Each month at St. Francis, we will focus on one or two different, specific virtues school wide. 

Because students attend Mass on alternate weeks, we will create a schedule that covers awards at all the Masses our children attend.  (A Virtue Awards Schedule will be sent through JMC) When a student is found using behavior exemplifying any virtue, they will be recognized with footprints on the wall in the parish hall. These footprints will recognize virtuous behavior pertaining to any one of the religious virtues at any time the behavior is observed and it will not necessarily be the virtue or virtues of focus for that month. 4YK students will be “Caught Showing Character” and will be recognized with butterflies on the wall and certificates that will be presented in their classroom and sent home.

If your K-5 student will be receiving a certificate at Mass, parents will be notified on Monday of that week in order for you to attend Mass and celebrate with your child if you so choose.

Each month the Virtue Award recipients will get to have lunch with Mr. Buckel or Mrs. Swanson!

SCHOOL PICTURES:  School pictures have arrived and will be sent home in your monthly envelope today. 

TUITION STATEMENTS (K - 5th): Tuition Statements are included in your monthly envelopes. Please remember you can view your statement at any time in JMC.  https://stfrancis.onlinejmc.com

For those who asked for Tuition Assistance, a set amount will be applied to your account once we have received the check from the donor and you have paid at least half of your tuition. This is part of the guidelines set by the donor.  

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. 

*Birthday treats can be sent with your child on the date scheduled with their classroom teacher,  in prepackaged individual servings. Thank you for making this adjustment--we really miss those homemade treats and hope they can return soon!

CELEBRATION OF THE FEAST OF ST. FRANCIS/PET BLESSING/SCHOOL COLORS DAY - 
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1: The feast day of our school and Parish Patron Saint, St. Francis of Assisi, is Saturday October 4. We will be celebrating this special day on Thursday, October 1. This day is always a great celebration for our entire parish!  Please read the Pet Blessing directions that came out through JMC 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. 1.

FOURTH GRADE STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE THEIR BIBLES – THURSDAY OCTOBER 8.  The Knights of Columbus will be presenting our fourth grade class with their Bibles on Thursday, October 8 during Mass. Parents plan ahead to reserve your seat in Church for this special event!

4YK ONLY (NO SCHOOL) - WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14: Our 4YK students will not have class on Wednesday, October 14.  This includes all 4YK students in the district. 
GR. 5 FIELD TRIP TO NILSSEN’S GROCERY STORE - WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14: Please find the permission slip and Child Comprehensive Form (required by the Diocese of La Crosse) for this educational field trip in your white envelope.  Please return forms to school no later than Friday, Oct. 2nd.

SCHOOL PICTURES RETAKE DAY - TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20: 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 20.  The class composite will be sent after retakes are completed.  Please contact the office if you need a picture retake form which illustrates your background and pose choices. If you wish to have your child’s photo retaken, please return the complete original package to the office by Wednesday, October 7.

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23 (NO SCHOOL): Parent-teacher conferences are required first quarter for all students grades 4YK through grade 5.  This year conferences are scheduled for Friday, October 23.  You will be scheduled for a 15 minute conference with your child’s teacher between the hours of 1:00pm and 6:00pm. Conference Sign Up Link:  COMING SOON.  Conferences will be held through a phone call or Google Meeting. Please express your preference to your child’s teacher

SPECIAL HARVEST BREAKFAST - THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29:  We will have a special Harvest Breakfast for students on Thursday, October 29, complete with pumpkins carved by our fifth grade class. 

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

2020-2021 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 2020-2021 Home and School Officers
Kate Acker - President
Emily Rohl - Vice President 
Jay Acker - Secretary
Ashley Soley - Treasurer I
Thia Rewolinski - Treasurer II

Thank you to all the parents who joined our virtual Home and School meeting. I appreciate all the ideas, comments and feedback. The minutes are included in this week's envelope. Our next Home and School meeting will be Thursday,  December 3rd. I know we usually start the meetings at 6pm but I would like to try switching it to 7pm. That way parents can get home from work and it's a little later to get supper done. We also discussed having the next meeting in person and virtual so families can choose whatever works best for them. We will be sending out more info on that as it approaches. Please let me know anything you would like added to December's meeting agenda. 

Kate 715-495-2600 or ktommygirl1@yahoo.com. 

 Please see our 2020-2021 Home and School Committee Assignments in your monthly envelope.  Thank you for your help and participation in our fundraisers! Also, thank you for sending in your Home and School Dues,  this will be used by our teachers to purchase items for their classrooms.

We will be running a St. Francis clothing order online soon. It's not too early to start thinking of any Christmas gifts. Look for more to come in the next week.

CARNIVAL NEWS: Hello families!!  We are excited to bring you Carnival 2021 Virtually this year!!  It will run from February 1, 2021- February 6, 2021.  The committee has decided that with all the unknowns in our future that the Carnival would be best done virtually.  We will still be selling raffle tickets (Traditional and Grand) so look for those to come home in November.  We will also be taking donations for an online auction.  In addition to those things we will have a medallion hunt, classroom carnival games and exploring other fun winter activities that we can do from a distance.  We look forward to making this a unique and fun event for all.  Blessings! - Carnival Committee.
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DATES TO REMEMBER:
Oct. 1 - Feast of St. Francis ~ Mass and Pet Blessing/School Color Day
Oct. 8 - 4th Grade Students receive their Bibles at Mass
Oct. 14 - 4YK ONLY - No School
Oct. 14 - Fifth Grade Field Trip to Nilssen’s
Oct. 20 - Picture Retake Day 
​Oct. 23 - Parent-Teacher Conferences from 1:00-6:00 (No School)
Oct. 29 - Harvest Breakfast
Oct. 29 - End of 1st Quarter 
Oct. 30 - Teacher In-Service (No School)
Nov. 2 - Beginning of 2nd Quarter
Nov. 25-27 - Thanksgiving Vacation

May God Bless Our St. Francis Families!!  Please call or email if you have questions: 715-273-4391 or
Chuck Buckel - Principal cbuckel@stfrancisellsworth.org  
Kathy Swanson - Lead Teacher kswanson@stfrancisellsworth.org