East Bethel Elementary School

St. Francis Area Schools is committed to providing high-quality education that equips each student with the knowledge and skills they need to reach their full potential. We believe that every student has the potential to achieve great things, and we are committed to providing them with the classes, programming and tools they need to succeed. However, our district faces significant challenges in meeting these goals as funding for education has not kept pace with the educational needs of our students. As we prepare for the school year, our district is also looking ahead to the November special election, where district voters will be asked to consider a proposed plan that would provide additional funding for our schools. This funding would allow us to: • Enhance vocational education and trade programming to prepare students for high-demand careers. • Expand hands-on learning for STEAM programming. • Provide supplies and materials across all grade levels. • Ensure access to up-to-date technology. • Attract and retain quality staff. Over the past nine years, our district has reduced our budget by $11 million to deal with a budget shortfall due to inadequate state funding. St. Francis Area Schools receives $1,347 less funding per student than the state average, placing our school district among the region’s lowest for per pupil funding. Over 70% of school districts in Minnesota rely on voter-approved operating levies to provide additional funding to support the day-to-day operations of schools, including curriculum, materials and supplies, student programming and services, and staff compensation. St. Francis Area Schools does not have a voter-approved operating levy. This means we spend hundreds of dollars less per student than area school districts. On Tuesday, November 7, St. Francis Area School District voters will consider two ballot questions - a 10-year, $325 per student operating levy and a 10-year, $880,000 annual capital projects levy - to increase funding for our district and provide a strong future for our students, staff and schools. This is an important community decision. We want residents to have the information they need to learn about our challenges, the proposed plan to address them, and the tax impact on local property owners. We encourage you to explore our new website, www.sfStrongFuture.org, for detailed information about the referendum.

School supply lists are located at the following links: St. Francis High School: https://sfhs.isd15.org/o/sfhs/page/school-supply-list St. Francis Middle School: https://sfms.isd15.org/o/sfms/page/school-supply-list St. Francis Elementary: https://www.isd15.org/o/sfes/page/school-supply-lists-elementary East Bethel Elementary: https://ebes.isd15.org/o/ebes/page/school-supply-lists-elementary Cedar Creek Elementary: https://cces.isd15.org/o/cces/page/school-supply-lists-cces

Kindergarten Connect is strongly encouraged for all incoming St. Francis Area Schools kindergartners. Kindergarten Connect is an opportunity for kindergarten staff to meet with your child and learn a little more about their academic and developmental skills. The goal is to use this information to create kindergarten classes and begin the year knowing as much about each child as possible. To register for your time go to https://www.myconferencetime.com/eastbethel/schedule/754842/

The SFHS National Honor Society is sponsoring a blood drive at the St. Francis American Legion July 26 from noon to 6 pm. Appointments are needed and can be made online or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS. To make an appointment online, go to: https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=55070 and select the St. Francis American Legion “SEE TIMES” button. This blood drive is hosted at: St Francis American Legion 3073 Bridge Street Saint Francis, MN 55070

The Summer 2023 Saints News digital version is now available at chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3183/ISD15/3171163/Saints_News_Summer_2023.pdf

The SFHS Marching Band performed today at Valleyfair. Upcoming performances to catch the marching band are in Blaine, Saturday, June 24 at noon; in Forest Lake, Tuesday, July 4th at 10 am; and in Isanti, Thursday, July 6 at 5pm

Beginning June 20, and continuing through June 30, you may be contacted by the Morris Leatherman Company to complete a survey about St. Francis Area Schools. This survey is authorized by the SFAS School Board and your responses will help determine priorities for a possible operating referendum. Because this is a research-based survey, you may still be contacted even if you are on a do not call list.

St. Francis Area Schools is currently experiencing telephone issues. If you attempt to contact a school and encounter an issue, please email the office professionals or building administration until it is resolved. https://www.isd15.org/staff

Big fun. New friends. Be a Girl Scout. For a limited time, grades K-3 join for free! Use code 477GSWINTER2023. Offer expires March 31, 2023. For more information visit: https://www.girlscoutsrv.org/en/about-girl-scouts/join.html

Cardboard sledding at Kids Connection

Winter Break fun at Kids Connection!

Winter fun at Kids Connection

Catch up with the latest student stories, events, and news updates. It's everything St. Francis Area Schools, in your pocket. If you haven't already, download the app! Download for Android https://bit.ly/3w423ZI Download for iPhone https://apple.co/3JKyLFg

We are loving our new app! Access documents, news updates, and notifications from your school, right from your pocket. Download for Android https://bit.ly/3w423ZI Download for iPhone https://apple.co/3JKyLFg

SFAS American Indian Education Program is hosting a sewing workshop on Sunday, November 20th from 2:00-6:00pm in room E208at St. Francis High School. All are welcome to attend this free event! Please RSVP to haley.dagle@isd15.org or 763-213-1575 by Monday, November 14th.

We're thrilled to announce the new app for St. Francis Area Schools! It's everything St. Francis Area Schools, in your pocket. Download for Android https://bit.ly/3w423ZI Download for iPhone https://apple.co/3JKyLFg

Mrs. Tramm's 5th-grade students are working on solving a math mystery with division!

St. Francis Gladiators Wrestling team invites those with students in grades PreK-6th to join their team. Enjoy pizza this Thursday, October 27, in the high school commons while you learn about the program.

Registration for Saint Francis Fastpitch is still open. No experience is necessary. Players are expected to have a softball glove, bat, and fielding mask. To learn more, visit https://www.sffastpitch.org/. To register for the 8U team, visit https://sffastpitch.sportngin.com/register/form/761368287. To register for the 10-16U teams, visit https://sffastpitch.sportngin.com/register/form/870462306.

Registration is now open for Super Saints skating program. About Super Saints: Super Saints is a program designed to introduce ice skating to new skaters. Bring skates, a helmet (required), snow pants, gloves, and a jacket, and we will do the rest. No hockey equipment is required. Parents/guardians can watch the sessions from the bleachers. Only registered participants and skating instructors are allowed on the ice. Where: East Bethel Ice Arena 20675 Highway 65 NE East Bethel, MN 55011 Cost: $40 per session (4 hours of ice time total) Dates and Times: Session 1: October 8 @ 1 PM, October 15 @ 1 PM, October 22 @ 1 PM, October 29 @ 1 PM Session 2: November 5 @ 1 PM, November 12 @ 1 PM, November 19 @ 1 PM, December 3 @ 1 PM Session 3: December 17 @ 1 PM, December 31 @ 1 PM, January 7 @ 1 PM, January 14 @ 1 PM More Information and Registration Available at: https://sfyha.com