Education

St. Francis is pleased to announce the addition of a Pre-Kindergarten class.  Children must be four (4) years of age by September 30 to be eligible.  Pre-kindergarten is 5 mornings a week.  There is a teacher and an aide in the classroom.  School begins at 8:10 and ends at 11:30.  Extended Care is available in the classroom from 11:30-2:10pm.  Aftercare is available from 2:10-5:45 with the rest of the school in our long standing After School Group (ASG).  Before school care is available from 7:00am to 8:00am.  Students will have snack mid-morning provided by the school.  Students who are staying for lunch eat lunch in the classroom.  They can bring a bag lunch or they are able to purchase hot lunch.  Students will participate in 30 minutes of Art, Music, Library, & Physical Education each week.  Students will wear the St. Francis of Assisi School uniform.  Order forms for uniform wear is available in the school office.  Each day the students will have a quiet activity time after lunch.

Rates for the first year of this program are as follows:

½ Day Program:  $3083/year ($88/week)

Full Day Program:  $3863/year ($110/week)

Please contact the school for more information.

The kindergarten students have grown in many ways this past school year:  size, knowledge and faith!  They are reading, writing counting coins and telling time. As the school year comes to a close, kindergartners at St. Francis School rejoiced in their accomplishments on Thursday, June 11th.  

This marks the 21st kindergarten graduation celebrated at St. Francis since they opened their doors in 1987.  Thirty four children received diplomas from Principal, Mrs. Shannon Dannible.  Fr. Ray, Pastor, gave a special blessing and in closing the children donned sun glasses and playfully sang the song “Hit the Beach”. 

The celebration was held in the Church to a standing room only crowd.  Receptions followed in the classrooms where each teacher presented a slide show which highlighted special events during the year.  All children were given a beach ball to remember their special day and enjoy over the summer.   

On the final day of school for the 08-09 school year St. Francis school held our annual awards ceremony.  This year Principal Shannon Dannible instituted a new awards structure.  The school was a-buzz with excitement for the big day when the awards would be announced.  At the ceremony in the church the following awards were given.  Look for the winners under School News/St. Francis News.

As a school staff, we would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who had a hand in planning and executing Teacher Appreciation Week.  The week was fantastic and much appreciated.  Each day as we sat in the teachers room we marveled at what a wonderful school community we have and noted how truly blessed we are to work here at St. Francis.  The dedication of the parents to our school is amazing and we could not be more appreciative of all that you do for us throughout the school year.  THANK YOU!!!!!!

As our school year comes to a close, I wanted to leave everyone with an great poem to end the school year written by an  unknown author.  It is a wonderful end to a fantastic year and I thank you all for sharing your children with us here at St. Francis School.

ALWAYS HAVE A DREAM

Forget about the days when it's been cloudy, but don't forget your hours in the sun.

Forget about the times you've been defeated, but don't forget the victories you've won.

Forget about the mistakes that you can't change now, but don't forget the lessons. 

Forget about the misfortunes you've encountered, but don't forget the times your luck has turned. 

Forget about the days when you've been lonely, but don't forget the friendly smiles you've seen......

Forget about the plans that didn't seem to work out right, but don't forget to always have a dream."

Thanks to all of you who have participated in our Campbell's UPC and Box Top Program.  You have sent in enough Campbell's UPCs to get some great stuff for out classrooms!  Mrs. Brennen's Progessive Kindergarten received a DVD about recycling called "Where Does the Garbage Go?"  Mrs. Jones' third grade received a cross section Earth model.  Mrs. Chalifour's Kindergarten received a site word library.  Mrs. Van Uden will recieve a set of Poetry books including Walt Whitman and New Hampshire's Robert Frost!

Over the course of the year the school has also received over $600 from General Mills from your generous Box Tops collecting!  Way to go!