 Since 1974, Catholic schools across the United States have joined together annually to observe National Catholic Schools Week. The celebration is a time to recognize the value Catholic education provides to young people and families, and the contributions Catholic schools make to our church, communities, and nation. This year’s observance takes place January 29-February 4, 2023.
The theme for this year’s Catholic Schools Week, “Catholic Schools: Faith, Excellence, and Service”, encompasses three concepts that are at the heart of a Catholic education. Catholic schools have a specific purpose to form students to be good citizens of the world, love God and neighbor, and enrich society with the influence of the gospel and by example of faith. Academic excellence is the hallmark of Catholic education intentionally directed to the growth of the whole person – mind, body, and spirit. The focus of service is intended to help form people who not only carryout Catholic social teaching but are also active participants throughout society. “The Holy Spirit is present in our classrooms” says Mark Matzek, St. Francis School Administrator. “Our devoted and exceptional teaching staff are second to none. They are true professionals who care deeply for their students’ academic and spiritual well-being.” Catholic schools have a reputation of academic excellence and faith-filled education for students nationwide. National test scores, high school graduation rates, college attendance and other data show that Catholic schools frequently outperform schools in both the public and private sectors.
These statistics and their own personal experiences confirm to St. Francis Catholic School parents that by choosing a Catholic school education for their children, they are providing the best education available. During National Catholic Schools Week, St. Francis students will be taking part in daily activities based on the following themes: Celebrating Our Community, Celebrating Our Students, Celebrating the Nation and Families, Celebrating Vocations, and Celebrating Faculty, Staff, and Volunteers. Activities include an open house, book fair, dress-up days, bingo, Books & Breakfast, and a Glow Dance. Families interested in more information about Catholic Schools Week or attending St. Francis School can visit the school’s website at www.stfrancisellsworth.org. Parents can also be arranged for school tours by appointment by contacting the school at 273-4391.
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St Francis School ~ January Newsletter
Third Grade Class Prayer Thank you, Lord, for the new year. In the New Year help us to listen and obey our parents and teachers. May we be thankful for what we have, and continue to love one another as God loves us. Wherever we are, help us to be kind to everyone around us. Amen. PRAYER PARTNERS: Please join us as we lift up Miss Schmitt and our third grade students in prayer during the month of January. Claire Bergman, Nathaniel Huppert, Adelyn Loberg, Natalie Matzek, Hailee Thoner, Deni Truttman. 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 February, we will be lifting up Mrs. Brockman and our First Grade students in prayer. FOLLOWING IN JESUS’ FOOTSTEPS VIRTUE AWARDS FOR BEING CONTENT: Content – You are not greedy or always wanting things Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 Stevie Kolosky, Mason Thoner, Grace Baker, Deni Truttman, Samantha Augustine, Walker Loberg VIRTUE AWARDS FOR BEING OBEDIENT: Obedient – Doing what you are told and doing it right away If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow his commands given today, the Lord your God will set you high above the nations on Earth. Deuteronomy 28:1 Trystan O’Neil, June Feuerhelm 3YK and 4YK – CAUGHT SHOWING CHARACTER: Content - Quincy Groth-Olson, Davis Ryman Obedient - Raleigh Birkel, Nettie Brunner CHRISTMAS PROGRAM: Many thanks to Mrs. Wescott and our students who performed a beautiful Christmas program - The Christmas Chronicles. You can view the program anytime on the St. Francis Youtube channel: https://youtube.com/live/K4BCRiMk6mc?feature=share KC CHRISTMAS POSTER WINNERS: Congratulations to these students whose entries won top prizes in the Knights of Columbus Christmas Poster Contest. The posters of the first place winners in grades 1-4 are eligible for the diocesan level of the contest, and will be sent to La Crosse. Kindergarten Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 1st Place Axel Bergman Mabel Loberg Fallon Brenner Adelyn Loberg Cooper Moldenhauer Walker Loberg 2nd Place Andi Molberg Ettalane Jean Cedrec LaFave Natalie Matzek Julia Schmidt Markus Lorentz 3rd Place Payslee Calleja Christopher Wisnioski Trent Acker Claire Bergman Walter Rewolinski June Feuerhelm Grace Turvaville FIFTH GRADE THANK YOU!: The 5th grade class at St. Francis School has spent the Fall learning about local food insecurity and the challenges many people face trying to earn enough money to feed their families. Today, our fifth grade students delivered 176 pounds of food and $268.22 to the Ellsworth Food Pantry and learned that they get 225 visits each month which includes over 100 children. Thank you St. Francis School Families for your generosity! You have made a difference in many lives this Christmas! GIVING TUESDAY: Thank you to all the school families who helped make Giving Tuesday a huge success, whether by contributing monetarily, sharing Facebook posts, forwarding on emails, or spreading the word by other means. Because of your engagement, we raised a record breaking $6,050. THANK YOU!!! POTENTIAL INCOMING 4YK STUDENTS AND REGISTRATION FOR NEXT YEAR: We will begin our registration process for next year in early January with a mailing to potential 4YK students. If you have a child who will be 4 years of age by September 1, 2023, and would like to receive registration materials for St. Francis School, please send me your child’s name and birth date as soon as possible. If you know of a family in our area who might like to receive registration information for any grade, please contact the school office with the contact information. Registration materials will be sent home with our current students and to potential 4YK students in January. Thank you for your help in spreading the good news about our school! REGISTRATION FOR NEXT YEAR: Registration forms for our present students will be sent home in January. FIFTH GRADE CLASS TRIP TO THE FOOD PANTRY – MONDAY, DECEMBER 19: On Monday, December 19 our fifth grade class will be delivering your donated items to the food pantry. PRESCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM - MONDAY, DECEMBER 19: Our Preschool Christmas Program will be held at 10:00 am on Monday, December 19 in the Parish Hall. 4YK WINTER PROGRAM - TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20: Our 4YK Winter Program will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, December 20 in the Parish Hall. PAJAMA DAYS: Grades 4YK-5 will have pajama day on Thursday, Dec. 22. 3K will have pajama day for each section-Wednesday, Dec. 21 and Thursday, Dec. 22 CHRISTMAS VACATION: Christmas vacation will start on Friday, December 23. Classes will resume on Tuesday, January 3. WI TAX SCHEDULE PS - PRIVATE SCHOOL TUITION: WI tax Schedule PS is used to claim the subtraction for tuition paid for your dependent child to attend a private school. The subtraction is available for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2014. The form requires the name, address, and federal employer identification number (FEIN) of the private school where your child was enrolled during 2022. For St. Francis students, you will need to use: St. Francis of Assisi Parish, 264 S. Grant Street, Ellsworth, WI 54011. Reminder: In order to claim tuition expenses on your 2022 tax return, payments must be received by the school office no later than December 31, 2022. TUITION STATEMENTS: Tuition Statements can be printed from JMC for tax purposes or contact the office to have it printed for you. End of the year statements will be mailed at the beginning of January. JANUARY AND FEBRUARY PRAYER SERVICES: In Fr. Olson's absence there will not be weekly school Mass. There will be weekly prayer services at 8:30am held in the school led by the students. Watch for our Prayer Service Schedule coming home soon. Everyone is welcome to attend. SCHOOL COLOR FRIDAYS: Students are encouraged to dress in school colors, blue and white, on Fridays. Show your school pride! END OF SECOND QUARTER - FRIDAY, JANUARY 13: The second quarter ends on Friday, January. 13. NO SCHOOL - Monday, January 16, 2023. BAKE SALES IN THE NEW YEAR: Be sure to bring your sweet tooth to the 5th grade Bake Sales to be held January 20, 2023 and February 10, 2023. Please remember to send money with your child to purchase goodies on those days. Each bake sale item can be purchased for 50 Cents. Thanks for supporting our graduating class and their end of the year celebration! 4YK SCREENING - WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25: There will be no school for our 4YK students on Wednesday, January 25 due to Early Childhood Screening. CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK MASS & OPEN HOUSE: We will kick off this week with a special Mass and Open House on Sunday, January 29, 2022. Open House will be held from 9-10:00 AM and 11:30 AM-1:00 PM. CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK - JANUARY 29 - FEBRUARY 5, 2023: Catholic Schools=FAITH, EXCELLENCE, SERVICE. Through Catholic Schools Week we will focus on the value a Catholic Education provides and its contributions to our church, our community, and our nation. ● Sunday, January 29, 2023: Celebrate our Parish! The 10:30 Mass will center around Catholic Schools. Everyone is invited to attend the St. Francis School Open House after Mass. ● Monday, January 30, 2023: Celebrate Our Community ● Tuesday, January 31, 2023: Celebrate the Students ● Wednesday, February 1, 2023: Celebrate the Nation ● Thursday, February 2, 2023: Celebrate Vocations ● Friday, February 3, 2023: Celebrate the Teachers, Staff, and Volunteers and Glow Dance SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR: THURSDAY, JANUARY 26 - THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2: St. Francis is holding an in-person book fair in the school meeting room, Thursday, January 26-Thursday, February 2. The classroom teachers will let students know which day their class will attend the fair. There will also be daily opportunities for students who bring money to shop during recess. On Saturday, January 28th, the Book Fair will be open after the 5:30 Mass and on Sunday, January 29th, during the Catholic Schools Week Open House. On Wednesday, February 1st, the Book Fair will be open during Books and Breakfast following Mass. BOOK FAIR VOLUNTEERS: We are looking for volunteers to help with the book fair. Volunteers are needed on Saturday, January 28 after 5:30 Mass, Sunday, January 29th from 9-10 AM and 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM during the Catholic Schools Week Open House, and Wednesday February 1st after the 8:30 Mass. We will also need volunteers during the week for a couple of hours at a time. Please contact Shari Turvaville at gusturv@bevcomm.net, if you are willing to help. Thank you so much. HISTORY IS ALIVE: Once again, our 5th grade students will present their historical biography research projects during our Catholic Schools Week Open House on Sunday, Jan 29th (right after the CSW Mass). During these presentations our students “become” George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and many more! We hope you’ll all come to view their projects. Through their hard work and creativity, history truly is “ALIVE”! PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES: Parent-teacher conferences are not mandatory and are requested by a teacher or parent. There will be more information in our February newsletter. Please remember that you can view your child’s grades (Grades 3-5) in our JMC program. HOME AND SCHOOL ASSOCIATION NEWS UPCOMING HOME AND SCHOOL MEETING -THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2022: Our next Home and School Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 9 at 7:00pm Save the date for the Glow Dance on Friday, February 3 from 6:00-8:00 pm. Carnival raffle prizes to be pulled at 7:00 pm. More information to come. CARNIVAL NEWS: Grand raffle tickets will go home with students before Christmas break. Please watch for them in your child’s backpack later this week. There will be two tickets and information about this fundraiser in the envelope. Each family is encouraged to sell two of the $100 raffle tickets. Family get-togethers over break is a great time to sell these! CHURCH/COMMUNITY NEWS CHRISTMAS MASSES: Christmas Eve: 4:00 PM Christmas Day: 8:30 AM; 10:30 AM DATES TO REMEMBER: Dec. 19 - Preschool Christmas Program at 10:00am Dec. 19 - 5th grade to the Food Pantry Dec. 20 - 4YK Winter Program at 10:00am Dec. 21 - Virtues Awards for Obedient and Content Dec. 23 - Jan. 2 - Christmas Vacation Dec. 25 - Merry Christmas! Jan. 3 - Classes Resume Jan. 20 - 5th Grade Bake Sale Jan. 13 - End of Second Quarter Jan. 16 - No School Jan. 17 - Beginning of 3rd Quarter Jan. 25 - Virtues Awards for Honest and Helpful Jan. 25 - 4YK Screening - No School 4YK ONLY Jan. 29 - Catholic Schools Week Mass and Open House Jan. 29 - Feb. 5 - Catholic Schools Week Feb. 3 - Glow Dance Feb. 9 - Home and School Meeting Feb. 10 - Parent-Teacher Conferences by parent or teacher request Feb. 21 - No School - Teacher In Service May God Bless Our St. Francis Families!! Please call or email if you have questions: 715-273-4391 principal@stfrancisellsworth.org ADVENT SEASON: “For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace”. Isaiah 9:6.
There is no better way to celebrate the Advent season than attending Sunday Mass! Fr. Olson has asked for school families to light the Advent Wreath at the start of each Mass. The 4 Sundays of Advent are Nov. 27, December 4, Dec. 11, and Dec. 18. The wreath will need to be lit for all of the Masses-Saturdays at 5:00 PM, Sundays at 8:30 AM, and Sundays at 10:30 AM. To sign up, please call the Parish Office 715-273-4774. Week 1, Hope Dear Jesus, you are the hope in our messy world. This Advent, help us to slow down, listen to your voice, and focus on what’s really important. We place our hope in you as we prepare our hearts to celebrate your birth on Christmas. Amen. Week 2, Peace Dear Jesus, you entered our world on Christmas as the Prince of Peace. This Advent, as we strive to become the-best-version-of-ourselves, fill us with a deep and abiding peace. Help us share that peace with everyone we encounter, especially those who need it most. Amen. Week 3, Joy Dear Jesus, help us focus on you during this busy season. May we stay aware of the joy you bring into our lives. We want to find you in the everyday moments and come with hearts of gratitude to your manger on Christmas. Amen. Week 4, Love Dear Jesus, may the light of your love always shine in our hearts. As Christmas draws closer, we marvel at your great love for us. Let your love transform every aspect of our lives and touch everyone we encounter. Our hearts are open to you, Jesus. Amen. FOLLOWING IN JESUS’ FOOTSTEPS We 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 ATTENTIVE: Attentive – I watch and listen carefully. “My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words”. Proverbs 4:20 Hudson Hansen, Jordy McHardy, Natalie Matzek 3YK and 4YK – CAUGHT SHOWING CHARACTER: Attentive - Norrah Kinneman, Gabriel Wisniowski, Landon Soley CHRISTMAS CARDS: Send us your Christmas Cards! We would love to add your family to our St. Francis Families Christmas Card Display. You may send your card to school with your child or mail it to: St. Francis School 244 W. Woodworth Ellsworth WI, 54011 Thank you and Merry Christmas! TUITION PAYMENT REMINDERS: Tuition payment reminders for Preschool, Wrap Around Care and Eagles Nest are included in monthly envelopes today for those with outstanding balances. Payments need to be sent to the school office by Friday, December 2. If further assistance is needed please contact the school office by Friday. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. TUITION ASSISTANCE: St. Francis families with students in Kindergarten - 5th grade are eligible to receive tuition assistance. Please contact the school office by Wednesday, December 7th if you are in need of assistance for the 2022-2023 school year. 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 Nov. 28 - Dec. 16. Please give what you can to help everyone in our community have enough to eat during this Holiday Season. Please see the green flier included in your monthly envelope for more information. Thanks so much for your generosity! GIVING TUESDAY - NOVEMBER 29: Tuesday, November 29 is Giving Tuesday – a global day of giving dedicated to supporting causes that make a positive impact on the world around us. St. Francis School has made a positive impact on thousands of children by grounding them in faith, kindness, respect, and academic excellence for 74 years! Our goal is to raise $5,000 to purchase several large items that the school needs to replace, including three computers ($2,000), stainless steel lunch trays and bowls ($1,000) and two adjustable outdoor basketball hoops ($2,000). Thanks to your generosity during previous Giving Tuesday campaigns, the school was able to purchase three new color printers and a new copier/fax machine. Let’s do this together again! Donations can be made online at www.stfrancisellsworth.org/giving-tuesday or checks can be sent to St. Francis School at 244 W. Woodworth St., Ellsworth, WI 54011. Thank you for your generous support of our school!! POTENTIAL INCOMING 4YK STUDENTS AND REGISTRATION FOR NEXT YEAR: We will begin our registration process for next year in early January with a mailing to potential 4YK students. If you have a child who will be 4 years of age by September 1, 2023, and would like to receive registration materials for St. Francis School, please send me your child’s name and birth date as soon as possible. If you know of a family in our area who might like to receive registration information for any grade, please contact the school office with the contact information. Registration materials will be sent home with our current students and to potential 4YK students in January. Thank you for your help in spreading the good news about our school! SCHOOL COLOR FRIDAYS: Students are encouraged to dress in school colors, blue and white, on Fridays. Show your school pride! REGULAR SCHOOL DAY - THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8: St Francis will have school on Thursday, December 8. Students will be attending Mass to observe the Holy Day, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. There will not be a school Mass on Wednesday, December 7. CHRISTMAS PROGRAM - THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15: Grades K-5 will present our annual Christmas Program on Thursday, December 15 at 6:00 p.m. in the church. We will have a reception in the parish hall immediately following the program. Please join St. Francis Home & School Association in the Parish Hall for treats and punch after the Christmas Program. Treats and punch provided by H&S. A dress rehearsal for K-5 will be held Wednesday, December 14 at 1:00pm. This is open to anyone who would like to attend. KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS CHRISTMAS POSTER CONTEST: Students in grades K-5 have been invited to participate in the annual KC Christmas Poster Contest. Students will complete these posters at school and they will be displayed at the Christmas Program. Winners will be announced at the Christmas Program on Thursday, December 15th. FIFTH GRADE CLASS TRIP TO THE FOOD PANTRY – MONDAY, DECEMBER 19: On Monday, December 19 our fifth grade class will be delivering your donated items to the food pantry. PRESCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM - MONDAY, DECEMBER 19: Our Preschool Christmas Program will be held at 10:00 am on Monday, December 19 in the Parish Hall. 4YK WINTER PROGRAM - TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20: Our 4YK Winter Program will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, December 20 in the Parish Hall. CHRISTMAS VACATION: Christmas vacation will start on Friday, December 23. Classes will resume on Tuesday, January 3. YOUTH CONSERVATION POSTER AND SPEAKING CONTESTS: Attached with this newsletter you will find more information about the 2023 Youth Conservation Poster and Speaking Contests. WI TAX SCHEDULE PS - PRIVATE SCHOOL TUITION: WI tax Schedule PS is used to claim the subtraction for tuition paid for your dependent child to attend a private school. The subtraction is available for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2014. The form requires the name, address, and federal employer identification number (FEIN) of the private school where your child was enrolled during 2021. For St. Francis students, you will need to use: St. Francis of Assisi Parish, 264 S. Grant Street, Ellsworth, WI 54011. Reminder: In order to claim tuition expenses on your 2022 tax return, payments must be received by the school office no later than December 31, 2022. TUITION STATEMENTS: Tuition Statements can be printed from JMC for tax purposes or contact the office to have it printed for you. END OF SECOND QUARTER - FRIDAY, JANUARY 13: The second quarter ends on Friday, January. 13. NO SCHOOL - Monday, January 16, 2023. EARLY CHILDHOOD SCREENING: The Ellsworth Community School District will hold a child development screening (children entering 4YK Fall of 2023) day on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 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, February 15, Wednesday, March 22 and Wednesday, April 26. HOME AND SCHOOL ASSOCIATION NEWS UPCOMING HOME AND SCHOOL MEETING -THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2022: Minutes from our last meeting are included in the white envelope. Our next Home and School Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 9 at 7:00pm Please join St. Francis Home & School in the Parish Hall for treats and punch after the Christmas Concert on December 15. These will be provided by H&S. Save the date for the Glow Dance on Friday, February 3 from 6:00-8:00 pm. Carnival raffle prizes to be pulled at 7:00 pm. More information to come. CARNIVAL NEWS: Plans for the fun week of activities to replace this year's carnival are underway. Letters went out recently to potential sponsors to explain these changes. Due to a few setbacks, Grand Raffle tickets will be sent home with students before Christmas break. We will be in need of parents to volunteer for several of the fun week activities. Watch for more information to come. DATES TO REMEMBER: Nov. 29 - Giving Tuesday Nov. 30 - Attentive Virtue Awards following Mass Dec. 8 - Mass to observe the Holy Day, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Dec. 14 - Dress Rehearsal for Christmas Program at 1:00pm Dec. 15 - Christmas Program at 6:00PM Dec. 16 - Food Drive Donations Due Dec. 19 - Preschool Christmas Program at 10:00am Dec. 19- 5th grade to the Food Pantry Dec. 20 - 4YK Winter Program at 10:00am Dec. 21 - Virtues Awards for Obedient and Content Dec. 23 - Jan. 2 - Christmas Vacation Dec. 25 - Merry Christmas! Jan. 3 - Classes Resume May God Bless Our St. Francis Families!! Please call or email if you have questions: 715-273-4391 or Kathy Swanson principal@stfrancisellsworth.org |
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