News Translations

Dear Families,

ESSER III feedback for fall planning

Fall planning is underway. We are seeking feedback from you as we prepare for a safe, full-time return for our students. Please take a brief survey to provide ideas for ESSER III fall programming. The survey must be completed by Sunday, June 20. ESSER III is a third stimulus and emergency COVID-19 relief funding stream authorized as part of the American Rescue Plan Act enacted in March 2021. Your input will be a part of the Safe Learning Plan suggestions reported to the Minnesota Department of Education. In addition, there will be a meeting on Monday, July 26, at 5:00 p.m., in the District Office, 4115 Ambassador Blvd. NW in St. Francis to review the ESSER III public comments and feedback. All are encouraged to attend.

Saints Online opportunities

The District is also very excited to share that the Saints Online team is growing at St. Francis Learning Center. We will now have a dedicated full-time elementary teacher for grades K-2 to support the unique needs and enrichment opportunities of online and in-person learning starting fall of 2021 while continuing education for grades 3-12 as we have in the past. Please contact Saints Online at 763-753-7120 if you would like to be a part of the program this fall. The added programming allows us to be a leader in online education for area elementary students.

Summer face covering requirements

Many have asked about face coverings for summer activities, childcare and sports. There are no face covering requirements, but participants are welcome to wear them at any time.

Thank you for your support and patience as we have navigated the 2020-21 school year together.

Beth Giese
Superintendent

 

Dear Families,

Minnesota law requires that all students get vaccinated against certain diseases or have a legal exemption on file to enroll in school. All parents of students entering grades 7 and 12 for the 2021-22 school year are receiving this message.

Parents of students entering grade 12 in the fall of 2021:

Students entering grade 12 for the 2021-22 school year need to have documentation or a legal exemption for the booster dose of the meningococcal vaccine (MCV4). Most students received the initial dose of this vaccine upon entering grade 7.

Teenagers and young adults are at higher risk for meningococcal disease. This dose is to protect students through the highest-risk years.

If you are unsure your student has had this vaccine, call the Minnesota Immunization Information Connection (MIIC) at 651-201-3980 or your student’s health care provider. If they have not had the vaccine, please contact your student’s health care provider to schedule an appointment. The District will need documentation of the booster dose or a legal exemption before school starts in the fall. Please FAX documentation to your student’s school, St. Francis High School at 763-753-7720 or Saints Online/Saints Academy at 763-753-7717.

Parents of students entering grade 7 in the fall of 2021

Students entering grade 7 for the 2021-22 school year need to have documentation or a legal exemption for the first dose of the meningococcal vaccine (MCV4) and a booster dose of the Tetanus, Pertussis, and Diphtheria vaccine (Tdap).

If you are unsure your student has had these vaccines, contact the Minnesota Immunization Information Connection (MIIC) at 651-201-3980 or your student’s health care provider. If they have not had the vaccines, please schedule an appointment with your student’s health care provider. The District will need documentation that these two vaccines were administered or a legal exemption before school starts in the fall. Please FAX documentation to the St. Francis Middle School Health Office at 763-753-7721.

Ask your healthcare provider or reach out to your County Public Health Office for vaccinations/ resources if you are concerned about costs. 

For more information on meningococcal disease, visit Meningococcal Disease Basics on the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) website.

For more information on the Tdap vaccine and the diseases it prevents, see the Tdap Vaccines for Preteens and Teens Fact Sheet or Vaccine Information Statements (VISs). For exemption information, see the MDH Immunization Form. 

Regards,
St. Francis Area Schools Health Services Staff

Directed by Glenn Morehouse Olson

Grades:
Students entering grades 2-8 in fall of 2021

Fee:
$175

Auditions:
Monday, May 24, and additional on Tuesday, June 1, beginning at 6:00 p.m. at St. Francis High School Performing Arts Center. One adult is allowed with performer, masks are required. Call backs Wednesday, June 2. A virtual parent meeting is TBD.

Only students interested in speaking or solo singing roles need to audition individually. All others will be placed in chorus positions. Any student not attending audition night will also be placed in the chorus. Students are asked to submit a non-returnable photo the night of auditions. If they do not have one, a photo will be taken. This is to help the director with casting.

See the Audition Packet for more information.

Registration Deadline:
Tuesday, June 2

REGISTER ONLINE

Rehearsals:
Rehearsal schedule will be available at auditions
Most rehearsals will be in the evening, although an occasional daytime rehearsal may be called.
June 2, 3, 4 (possible), 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Dress rehearsals are scheduled for June 21-23, 6:00-9:00 p.m.

Performances:
June 24 & 25 at 7:00 p.m. and June 26 at 1:30 p.m.

Location:
St. Francis High School Performing Arts Center

Parents of students in fourth-grade and younger will be expected to help their child at rehearsals…with music, blocking, and lines. Fee waivers are not available for summer children’s theater.

Parent volunteers are absolutely necessary in order to have a successful run.

Questions? Call Community Ed at 763-213-1810 or
Glenn Morehouse Olson at 763-213-1633.

St. Francis Area Schools Community Education

Directed by Glenn Morehouse Olson

Grades:
Students entering grades 9-12 in fall of 2021

Fee:
$175

Auditions:

Auditions: via video due May 26 additional information will be included in your confirmation email.
Callbacks, in person, Wednesday, June 2 • beginning at 6:00 p.m.
St. Francis High School Performing Arts Center

Only students interested in speaking or solo singing roles need to audition individually. All others will be placed in chorus positions. Any student not attending audition night will also be placed in the chorus. Students are asked to submit a non-returnable photo the night of auditions. If they do not have one, a photo will be taken. This is to help the director with casting.

See the Audition Packet for more information.

Registration Deadline:
Tuesday, June 2

REGISTER ONLINE

Rehearsals:
Rehearsal schedule will be available at auditions
Most rehearsals will be in the evening, although an occasional daytime rehearsal may be called.
Dates are June 28, 29, 30, July 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13 • 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Dress rehearsals are scheduled for July 13-14 • 6:00-9:00 p.m.

Performances:
July 15 & 16 at 7:00 p.m. and July 17 at 1:30 p.m.

Location:
St. Francis High School Performing Arts Center

Parent volunteers are absolutely necessary in order to have a successful run.

Questions? Call Community Ed at 763-213-1810 or Glenn Morehouse Olson at 763-213-1633.

St. Francis Area Schools Community Education

Dear Families,

St. Francis Area Schools and Anoka County Public Health have partnered to offer opportunities for students 12+ who would like to be vaccinated. The first dose Pfizer Clinic will be located at St Francis Fire Department at 3740 Bridge Street NW in St. Francis on Tuesday, May 25, 2:00-5:00 p.m.

Registration is required. Please click here to register and schedule your student's time slot. Anoka County Public Health will not be hosting a second dose clinic in St. Francis but has made arrangements to provide Pfizer vaccine to Goodrich Pharmacy to ensure second dose availability and will provide information at the clinic.

 

After decades of use, the St. Francis Area Schools’ knight mascot design (above) needs some updating and the district is holding a contest to do it. Students, staff and community members are invited to submit ideas for a new Saints mascot design. The new mascot design needs to be an original interpretation of a knight. 

Submission must be made by Friday, May 28 at 4:00 p.m. for a possible 2021-22 school year roll-out. An internal district committee will choose one design and the winner will be announced mid-June. Please email designs to news@isd15.org. The initial file should be submitted in .jpg or .pdf format. See the district website at isd15.org/contest for official guidelines. Logos may also be mailed to or dropped off during business hours at the St. Francis Area Schools District Office, 4115 Ambassador Blvd. NW, St. Francis, MN 55070.

Be part of the Saints tradition; shape the future.

Middle and High School families,

It has been brought to our attention that there are some concerning social media challenges that are circulating. Although the exact location in Minnesota is a mystery, it seems some of our students are circulating these dangerous challenges, which may end in suicide.

The challenges that have been found specifically on TikTok are referenced as “The Blue Whale Challenge” and “The Chapstick Challenge.”  

My intent in sending this message is for all of us to be extremely aware of the sites and materials children are looking at on social media. We are taking extra precautions at school as well.  

Support can be found at the Anoka County Crisis Line 24 hours a day at 763-755-3801. If you would like to speak to a counselor, you can contact St. Francis Middle School at 763-213-8500,  St. Francis High School at 763-213-1590, and St. Francis Learning Center at 763-753-7120.

Please let me know if you need anything from me.

Beth Giese
Superintendent

Families are encouraged to attend Taste of Kindergarten, which is a special evening for soon-to-be-kindergartners and their parents. You and your child will have a chance to learn about kindergarten and take a tour. Taste of Kindergarten is a special time for your child, and we ask that siblings not attend as we need to limit the number of people in the building due to COVID-19 protocols.

Join us for an evening of getting ready to go to kindergarten!

Time: 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Date: Thursday, April 29
Location: The elementary school your student will attend
Cost: FREE – registration is required

Click the name of your child's school to register for the event:

• Cedar Creek Elementary School
• East Bethel Elementary School
• St. Francis Elementary School

Do not hesitate to call your elementary school (K-5) with any questions you may have about kindergarten or the upcoming 2021-22 school.

• Cedar Creek Elementary School | 763-213-8780
• East Bethel Elementary School | 763-213-8900
• St. Francis Elementary School | 763-213-8670

Kindergarten Registration Booklet 2021-22 (PDF)

Dear St. Francis Middle School Families,

It is an exciting time of year! St. Francis Middle School Counselors will begin working with grades 6-7 students to register for 2021-2022 school year grades 7-8 classes. Below is an overview of what to anticipate with this process. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns regarding the registration process.  

Thursday, March 25 – SFMS Counselor Registration Presentation 

• Middle school Counselors will be presenting a recorded registration video during 4th hour classes. 
• Topics that will be discussed: include what classes students can register for and how to register.

Thursday, March 25 – Registration Video Sent to Families

• An email will be sent to all families with the registration video.
• The video presentation will guide you through how to register your student. 
• Registration window officially open: your student can register.

Wednesday, March 31 – Registration Virtual Question and Answer Sessions  

• 12:00-1:00 pm  ←  (Click time to join the Google Meets)
• 6:00-7:00 pm  ←  (Click time to join the Google Meets)
• Families may ask questions about registration and/or the transition to middle school.

Friday, April 2 – Last Day to Register

• The registration window will be open from Thursday, March 25 until Friday, April 2, 2021.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Morgan Costley, School Counselor, last names A-La at morgan.costley@isd15.org or 763-213-8619 or Lindsay Pakola, School Counselor last names Le-Z at lindsay.pakola@isd15.org or 763-213-8535.

Responsibilities:

• Maintaining district grounds including, but not limited to, mowing, string trimming, pruning shrubs, trees, weeding, shoveling and removing paper and debris from school yard and along fence lines.
• General landscaping projects including mulch and rock.
• Repairing and maintaining athletic playing fields.
• Replacing and repairing chain link fencing.
• Assist in installing and repairing irrigation systems.
• Other like or comparable duties as assigned.

Employment Period:

• June through August, Monday through Friday, hours may vary

Questions:

• Contact Ben Wallin at 612-221-1195 or email Benjamin.Wallin@isd15.org
• Students who would like to apply need to be at least 16 years old.

APPLY TODAY

ATTEND THE JOB FAIR

The district will hold an in-person hiring event on
Monday, April 5
3:00-5:00 p.m.

St. Francis Area Schools District Office
4115 Ambassador Boulevard NW
St. Francis, MN 55070

Social distancing and mask protocols will be followed. Hand sanitizer will be available.