News Translations

St. Francis High School and Middle School students and families:

Starting on Monday, September 13, St. Francis High School (SFHS) and
St. Francis Middle School (SFMS) will begin a pilot allowing students to wear hats in the building. A teacher can have a "no hat" rule in their classroom, and students must follow all dress code parameters. This pilot will help us determine whether to move forward with keeping or changing the current hat policy. 

The current school board policy #404 regarding hats is as follows:

Headgear, including hats or head coverings, are not allowed in the building except with the approval of the building principal (i.e., student undergoing chemotherapy, medical situations, student religious practice, or belief).

Welcome to the 2021-2022 school year!

This message is to address questions regarding Chromebook distribution this fall. If students do not have access to a device for learning, a limited number of Chromebooks are available.

For students who need a Chromebook, please pick up a Technology Equipment Checkout Agreement in the IMC/Student Union at SFHS or print the attached form. This form will need to be reviewed, signed, and returned to the IMC/Student Union. 

Once the Technology Equipment Checkout Agreement form has been completed and submitted, the IT Department will prepare a Chromebook for student use. Once the device is ready, students may pick up Chromebooks in the Bridge Street Room (front/glass-enclosed area south of the cafeteria) after the first period. Any technology issues should be reported to support@isd15.zendesk.com.

Technology Equipment Checkout Agreement

IMPORTANT DATES

Open House
Monday, August 30, 5:00-8:00 p.m.

Students and their families will have the opportunity to walk the building. Open House is an excellent opportunity to meet with staff, find lockers and locate classrooms. 

Three informational sessions will be hosted for parents/guardians of 9th-grade students. The sessions will be presented in the Bridge Street Room (right next to the cafeteria). General school information, including school day, important upcoming events, and graduation requirements, will be provided. St. Francis High School Administration will host these meetings at the following times:

• 6:00 p.m.
• 6:30 p.m.
• 7:00 p.m. 

These are optional meetings and are not required. No registration for these sessions is required.

Student/Staff/School Portraits
September 1 and 2, 8:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Portraits will be taken in the Performing Arts Center hallway. Access the hallway through Door 10 on the west side of the building.

First Day of School
For 9th graders ONLY - Tuesday, September 7

• 9th-grade students will arrive at school at the regular time. Staff will guide students to the gymnasium for an assembly at 7:45 a.m. There will be a brief presentation, and all staff members will be introduced.
• 9th-grade students will then attend all classes and use a modified schedule for the day, including lunch.
• Upper-level students will guide 9th-grade students on tour throughout the school.
• Teachers will cover the following information throughout the school day:
  • Lunch Schedule
  • Counseling Office Information
  • PBIS
  • Graduation Credits

First Day of School
For ALL grades - Wednesday, September 8

Learning Model

All SFHS students will attend school in person. Students who prefer a fully online option should click this link for Safe Learning Plan, which provides information about Saints Online.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When will I get to see my schedule?
Schedules are posted online in student’s Infinite Campus accounts.

How do I request to change my schedule?
The Trimester 1 Schedule Correction Form is now open for students to submit correction requests. Please review your current Trimester 1 schedule in Infinite Campus before submitting. The DEADLINE for schedule corrections is Wednesday, September 1 at noon. 

Please Note – Counselors and Administration will do their best to address your requests in a timely manner. However, understand that we may not be able to accommodate every submission.

If you do not see the change you requested by the first day of school, it is most likely due to one or more of the following circumstances:

• Course conflicts with other requirements
• The course requested is full
• The course is not offered this year

Other important things to keep in mind:

• ALL student’s schedules are subject to change up to the first day of school as Counselors and Administrators continue to balance classes and work through your requests
• Please focus ONLY on TRIMESTER 1 requests at this time. 
• If you have a GAP in your schedule, realize that Counselors and Administration are working on fixing those. There is no need to call or email. You may submit a course request to give an idea of what could fill the gap.
• DO NOT email schedule requests to your Counselor, their inboxes are incredibly full, and they may not get your request if submitted in that format. Use the form below so we can keep track of requests. 

T1 Schedule Correction Request Form

Where is the registration book located?
The registration booklet can be found at www.isd15.org/registration.

Who is my counselor?
Last Names A-Ha: Dereck Buss
Last Names He-O: Anna Ruel
Last Names P-Z: Tammy Sworsky
Visit the Counseling Office webpage for contact information.

What school supplies do I need?
Teachers will advise students on the first day of each trimester what supplies may be needed for their class. Suggested basic supplies are notebooks, folders, pencils, pens, highlighters, a math calculator (TI30 Texas Instruments), and a graphing calculator for Algebra 2, Trigonometry, and Calculus. Some classes have course fees, and all supplies are provided. 

How are lockers assigned?

• Students in 9th grade will be assigned lockers in the E-Wing. Locker information will appear on the student’s schedule in Infinite Campus.
• Students in 10th, 11th, and 12th grade may choose their own lockers AFTER THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL has concluded, Tuesday, September 7, 2:30-3:30 p.m. or on Wednesday, September 8 starting at 7:00 a.m.
• Generally, students choose lockers in the following areas for each grade level:
  • 9th Grade: Assigned in the E-Wing
  • 10th and 11th Grades: Locker Commons 
  • 12th Grade: Senior Hallway
• Please report your locker information to your advisory teacher by Monday, September 13.
• We strongly encourage students to bring a lock from home; however, locks may be purchased for $5 at the Greeter Station and Main Office.

How do I register for school-sponsored activities?
Register Online for athletics and activities at www.gostfrancissaints.com. Regarding participation or physical forms, questions can be directed to Heidi Antinozzi 763-213-1508 or heidi.antinozzi@isd15.org.

New physical forms can be submitted via:

• FAX: 763-213-1710
• EMAIL: heidi.antinozzi@isd15.org
• US MAIL:
  SFHS Activities 
  3325 Bridge Street NW 
  St. Francis, MN 55070

What is Advisory and Saints Time?

• Advisory Time occurs every Monday and allows students have time to meet with their advisory teacher. Their advisory teacher remains the same throughout the school year. Additional advisory days are added at the start of each trimester.
• Saints Time is generally Tuesday through Friday, depending on the weekly schedule. During Saints Time, students may receive assistance from teachers in classes as needed.
• Advisory/Saints Time is 10:00-10:31 a.m. unless otherwise indicated by the Saints Time calendar.

When are school pictures? 

• School pictures are scheduled for Wednesday, September 1, and Thursday, September 2, 8:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. in the PAC hallway.
• Picture retakes are on Monday, November 29, 8:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m., also in the PAC hallway.

Student IDs will be provided to students following the disbursement of Josten’s pictures. Distributions of photos will be made by Saints Time teachers when received from Josten’s. Seniors are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity. There is no charge and no obligation to purchase. Seniors, keep in mind that this is a good backup option for photos and will provide you with a new student ID for your last year of high school. 

How do I obtain a parking pass?

Parking passes may be purchased at the beginning of each trimester for $60. Payment can be made by check issued to St. Francis High School or exact cash. Parking passes are available at the Greeter’s Station or in the Main Office starting Thursday, September 9. PSEO/Saints Online students will need to pay $12/per class taken at the high school.

Dear Families,

Welcome to the 2021-2022 school year! I hope you and your family had a relaxing summer. District staff is looking forward to working with you and your child(ren).

This year we will concentrate on these 4 Rs. 

REIGNITE our students' passion for learning
REFOCUS on raising student achievement
RESTORE a sense of normalcy 
REIMAGINE learning opportunities

Instructional plans for the 2021-2022 school year are as follows, keeping in mind that we need to be flexible if the situation dictates.

1. We will proceed with five days a week, in-person instruction. While also offering an online option, Saints Online 763-753-7120, for all students and families who may not be comfortable with in-person learning. You don't need to re-register your child if they are attending school in person but, you must call Saints Online to register for that program. The deadline for registration is Friday, August 20.
2. The district will not contact trace and quarantining will not be required, unless ordered by federal or state mandates. Please keep your child(ren) home if they are ill. If they test positive for COVID-19, report the test results to the school and follow doctor recommendations.
3. Face coverings and masks are optional. The CDC recommends wearing a mask but is not requiring them. We are encouraging precaution and safety as we have done in the past. 

We look forward to seeing students on their first day back!

Tuesday, September 7
     Kindergarten students with last names A-L, Grades 1-6, Grade 9

Wednesday, September 8
     Kindergarten students with last names M-Z, Grades 1-12

Thursday, September 9
     All students K-12

Superintendent Beth Giese

 

Dear families and students, 

St. Francis Area Schools is looking forward to the 2021-22 school year. We are doing everything possible to have things ready for a successful learning experience for students. 

To that end, all Chromebooks and hotspots loaned to students for Distance Learning need to be returned. Please return them by Monday, August 16, your child's school main office. This return date will allow us to clean and get them in working order for the next student.

We know some may have damage. Please return the device regardless so it can be accounted for. 

Thank you,
Superintendent Beth Giese

Saints Online
Minnesota Department of Education Online Accredited Program

Saints Online is one of Minnesota’s first four online programs accredited by the Minnesota Department of Education. Saints Online is in its seventh year of programming, serving students in Kindergarten through grade 12. Programming is supported by teachers and staff within St. Francis Area Schools.

Learning

• Students can work during the time of day that works best for them­—even nights and weekends.
• Students can schedule meetings with their teacher for hands-on learning, 1:1 help, or a quiet work environment.
• All teachers assigned to Saints Online classes have office hours.

Curriculum

• Kindergarten through grade 6 students are assigned one teacher for Math, Science, Social Studies, and Language Arts.
• Grades 7 and 8 students are assigned one teacher per subject area.
• Grades 9 through 12 students will be enrolled in courses required for graduation standards, as well as elective class options.

Platform

• Calvert is the online platform for grades K-2.
• Edmentum is the online platform for grades 3-12.

Support

• Students will work with their school counselor to assure they are on track for graduation.
• High school students can be concurrently enrolled in more than one district program.
• Students are eligible to participate in district activities and athletics.

Success

• Grades K-3 expect 2-3 hours of learning/day
• Grades 4-6 expect 3-4 hours of learning/day
• Grades 7-12 expect 4-5 hours of learning/day
• Connect with each teacher one time per week—virtually or in-person.

Find out more about Saints Online

Enroll

If you choose to enroll your student in Saints Online in any capacity, please make sure to register with the appropriate link.

• For students who are currently enrolled in St. Francis Area Schools, click HERE.
• For students who are not currently enrolled in St. Francis Area Schools, click HERE.

St. Francis Area Schools
St. Francis Learning Center
4111 Ambassador Blvd. NW | St. Francis, MN 55070
www.isd15.org/sflc

Tim O’Connell
Alternative Education Supervisor
763-753-7152 | tim.oconnell@isd15.org

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