News Translations

This morning the St. Francis Middle School was on lockdown, because of a post that a student placed on social media. The incident was investigated by local law enforcement and deemed to be false.

The situation has been resolved and students are back in classrooms learning.

The District would like to thank our local law enforcement for their prompt response.

Beth Giese
Superintendent
St. Francis Area Schools

Optional COVID-19 testing kits are available to students through St. Francis Area Schools. Through the Minnesota Department of Health and Minnesota Department of Education, the District has received a supply of "over-the-counter," take-home-style tests available in each school's Health Office. These tests are an optional resource and offer a private way for families to rapid test inside of their own homes. Students experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19 may request a take-home test from the school nurse with parental consent. All testing is self-administered and should be performed at home.

These specific test kits are designed for use by individuals who are experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19; they should not be used to screen for COVID-19 when symptoms are not present.

If your student tests positive COVID-19, please follow the steps below. 

Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 should first follow a medical provider's orders. Otherwise, it is recommended that individuals who test positive for COVID-19 will need to isolate at home until:

• They feel better (symptoms have improved), and;
• It has been ten days since they first felt sick (or since they tested if no symptoms were present), and;
• They have not had a fever for at least 24 hours without using a medicine that lowers fevers.
• Please contact the Health Office at your students' school to report a positive test.
  • Cedar Creek Elementary School   763-213-8831
  • East Bethel Elementary School   763-213-8910
  • St. Francis Elementary School   763-213-8708
  • St. Francis Middle School   763-213-8530
  • St. Francis High School   763-213-1530
  • St. Francis Learning Center   763-753-7239
  • Early Childhood Family Center   763-753-7180
• Report your child's absence
  • Cedar Creek Elementary School   763-213-8800
  • East Bethel Elementary School   763-213-8931
  • St. Francis Elementary School   763-213-8731
  • St. Francis Middle School   763-213-8531
  • St. Francis High School   763-213-1531
  • Saints Academy   763-753-7120
  • Early Childhood Family Center   763-753-7183

Minnesota Rule 4605.7070 requires any person in charge of any institution, school, childcare facility, or camp to report cases of COVID-19 to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). 

If in-home testing is not convenient for families, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has a list of COVID-19 testing options available at no cost to Minnesotans.

• There are COVID-19 community testing sites across Minnesota offering free tests to all.
• People can go to local pharmacies, hospitals, and clinics. You can search for testing sites near you at Find Testing Locations.
• Families can also use the COVID-19 Vault saliva testing at home program to have a test mailed to them.

Click here for more information about COVID-19 testing from MDH.

All families with students in St. Francis Area Schools are strongly encouraged to complete an Application for Educational Benefits.

1. Qualifying for Educational Benefits helps your family secure reduced high school athletic, activity, and preschool fees. The income thresholds are higher than in some programs, so many families are surprised to find they do qualify.
2. The district could receive additional money for students, schools, and essential educational programs by completing an Application for Educational Benefits. Much of the teaching and learning funding for districts is based upon how many families qualify for Educational Benefits.
3. Your family may be eligible for Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT). P-EBT is a federal temporary emergency nutrition benefit loaded onto electronic cards for families to purchase food.

Please don’t wait.

Apply online

Apply by filling out a form

The district needs you to apply for Educational Benefits today! Thank you for your continued support of St. Francis Area Schools.

If you have already received a direct certification letter or an approval letter, there is no need to apply again. Please contact Nutrition.Office@isd15.org or 763-753-7060 if you are unsure or if you have a changing financial situation.

Please note: due to a federal waiver, St. Francis Area Schools participates in a United States Department of Agriculture’s provision that supplies free first meals to all enrolled K-12 students during the 2021-22 school year. 

Hello St. Francis High School students, staff and families

Veteran’s Day is Thursday, November 11. 

In an effort to pay tribute to the men and women of our Armed Forces, St. Francis High School is hosting a Veteran’s Day program from 8:30-9:45 a.m. in the gym. The program will include guest speaker MG (Ret.) Jon Trost, MNARNG, and performances by SFHS Choir and Band. 

All Veterans and their families are welcome to attend. Guest seating will be provided in the gymnasium. Parking is available for Veterans, 8:15-10:00 a.m.
in front of the school in the bus lanes.

Hello East Bethel Elementary School families and staff,

St. Francis Area Schools administration has made the difficult decision to transition Ms. Hehir’s first-grade classroom at East Bethel Elementary School to distance learning due to a rise in positive cases of COVID-19. 

Distance learning will begin on Monday, October 25, and continue through Friday, October 29; in-person learning will resume on Monday, November 1, for this classroom. Staff will ensure that all students in Ms. Hehir’s classroom will have access to a school-issued device and internet connection if needed. The devices will be available to take home for distance learning impacted students when they leave school today. If your student is not at school today, the devices and internet connections are available for pick-up in the main office.

Overall, East Bethel Elementary School has a low case rate, and we encourage you to visit the district’s COVID-19 Dashboard for daily updated numbers by school building. 

While in distance learning, school meals are available for those students in Ms. Hehir’s classroom. Please use the Nutrition Services Meal Request Form to utilize this option.

Custodians will execute an extensive cleaning of the classroom during the time students are not present.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Superintendent Beth Giese at beth.giese@isd15.org.

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).