September Newsletter

                                                         Prayer for Beginning a New School Year
Thank you, Lord for Your divine protection over our children. 
Keep them safe as they travel to and from school. 
We stand on Your Word that no weapon formed against them will prosper. 
We thank you that Your angels stand guard over them and surround them like a shield. Guard their hearts and minds. Cover them as they navigate this new school year and guide them in the right direction.   In Jesus’ name, Amen                                     


Dear St. Francis School Families,
As we start a new school year, I would like to thank all of our St. Francis families for your support, because without it we would not exist.  As a staff we are excited and looking forward to the new year!

Again this year, we will use the large white envelope as a monthly communication system. They will be sent home with the oldest child in your family who attends St. Francis School on the last Monday of each month (3rd week in December).   You, as a parent/guardian, are asked to read the information enclosed, complete any requested forms, permission slips, etc., DATE AND SIGN THE ENVELOPE, and return it (along with any forms) with your oldest child by Wednesday of that week. If there is no school on a particular Monday the envelope will be sent home the following day that we are in session.  Newsletters will also continue to be sent out via email each month.  Menus will be emailed and posted on our school website. Newsletters from the office will provide important school information for each month with more classroom specific information coming from your classroom teacher.  Also, we will be sending text message reminders as the dates draw near to help parents stay informed.  Anyone who would like information added to the monthly newsletter, including committee members, will need to submit that information by the 20th of the month prior.
 
SCHOOL COLOR DAY - FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4:  Students are encouraged to dress in school colors, blue & white, on the first Friday of each month, beginning September 4.  Show your school spirit!

UPCOMING NO SCHOOL DAYS:  There will be no school on Friday, August 28, Monday, August 31 and Monday, September 7.

SCHOOL PICTURE DAY - THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10: Our students will have their pictures taken on Thursday, September 10.  Please see the order form included in your white envelope. Pictures can be ordered on mylifetouch.com using our Picture Day ID: EVTV7HSRD or by returning your paper order on or before our scheduled date.  Because these pictures are used for the child’s permanent school record and our school yearbook, no head covering may be worn for the picture and school dress code guidelines need to be followed regarding dress (no off the shoulder tops, spaghetti straps, bare midriffs, torn or frayed clothing.  The new style of open shoulder tops is acceptable so long as there is a wide strap between the neck and shoulder.)

PACKER/VIKING DAY – FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11:  In a spirit of friendly rivalry, students are encouraged to dress in either Green Bay Packers or Minnesota Vikings colors on Friday, September 11.  Hats, hair color and face paint are acceptable, but please, no shoulder pads, wigs, cleats, etc.

2019-2020 YEARBOOKS:  Our 19-20 yearbooks have not arrived yet, families will be notified when they do.

LIFETOUCH COUPONS:  Families that ordered a 2019-2020 Yearbook will find a coupon from Lifetouch to be used toward your picture packet this year.

2019 CHRISTMAS DVD ORDERS:  If you ordered a 2019 Christmas DVD, it is included in your white envelope.

HOME AND SCHOOL NEWS
 
ST. FRANCIS HOME & SCHOOL ASSOCIATION:  Each Catholic school in the Diocese of La Crosse has a Home & School Association whose purpose is to be a vehicle by which parents, teachers, pastor and school administrator are able to collaborate and enable one another to develop a faith community and teach the young by living witness.  Some schools in our area might call an organization like this their PTA (Parent-Teacher Association).
According to our diocesan guidelines, the purposes of our Home & School Association include:
 
1) To act as a support group for the school and its employees and students,
2) To offer, through well-planned programs, information of special interest to parents which will assist them in
    fulfilling their responsibilities in the Christian formation of their children,
3) To provide opportunities to build community among parents, students, school employees, and the pastor,
4) To provide a setting in which parents may be of service to the school and where faculty may be of service to parents,
5) To offer a limited number of fund raising activities with the approval of the school administration for the
    support of the school.

HOME AND SCHOOL ASSOCIATION MEETING - THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10:  The Home and School Association will hold its first meeting of the year at 6:00pm on Thursday, September 10th via Zoom. Please watch for the link as time gets closer and join us from the comfort of your home to take part in the excitement of our school. This year may look somewhat different so stay in touch with upcoming events, thoughts and ideas. If you have a topic you would like addressed or a question, please submit to President Katie Acker, ktommygirl1@yahoo.com or 715-495-2600. We encourage all to attend. 
         
ALUMINUM CANS:  Our Home & School Association collects and redeems aluminum cans throughout the year.  We have a trailer for this purpose, parked in the parking lot behind our church.  You may place your bags of aluminum cans in the trailer at your convenience.  If the trailer has been taken to be emptied, you may leave your bags of cans in that area in the parking lot.  Please make sure that your bags are closed securely and DO NOT include other types of aluminum especially that with food in it, as our entire load is penalized if such items are found.  Thank you for saving your aluminum for our school!

ST. FRANCIS SCHOOL GALA – SAVE THE DATE APRIL 17, 2021
The Gala Committee would like to extend our gratitude to all school families for your support during the “Glory Days” Virtual Gala last May.  With your help, we raised a net total of $60,972 for our school!!! This money is being used to fund vital technology upgrades, new textbooks, STEM activities and more.  We would like to extend a special thank you to Loberg Law Office for their valedictorian sponsorship and Limelight Social Media for their salutatorian sponsorship.  
 
Plans are already underway for our next Gala!  Please save the date on April 17, 2021 for the “Ein Prosit” Oktoberfest Gala!  Gather up your lederhosen, we’re commemorating our 15thannual Gala with our biggest celebration yet in the St. Francis School das Bierzelt (beer tent) located in our parking lot!  Spread the word to alumni, staff and families past and present to join us in merriment!  Prost!    

DATES TO REMEMBER: 
Aug. 25 - First Day of School/Paperwork Due
Aug. 28 & 31 - No School
Sept. 4 - School Colors Day (Blue and White)
Sept. 7 - No School - Labor Day
Sept. 10 - School Picture Day
Sept. 10 - Home and School Meeting at 6:00pm
Sept. 11 - Packer/ Viking Day

May God Bless Our St. Francis Families!!  Please call or e-mail if you have questions: 715-273-4391 cbuckel@stfrancisellsworth.org

Chuck Buckel
Principal