SFHS Weekly Newsletter
April 5, 2024
Dear Parents and Students,
“The more that you read, the more things you will know, the more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” —Dr. Seuss
With that, go out and enjoy the weekend! Stay Safe and Go Saints!
Your SFHS Administrative Team,
Doug Austin - Principal
Jennifer Bobbe & Donnie Thompson - Assistant Principals
UPCOMING EVENTS
Lunch Account Information
Students, a reminder that today (3/22) was the last day of the net cash POS machine. When you return from spring break if you are wanting to add funds to make snack line purchases, cash and checks must be deposited into the "lunchmoney" box next to the net cash machine in the cafeteria by 9am in order to be used for Saints Time snack and by 10:30 to purchase snack line at lunch. If you have funds remaining in your account today, those funds will be rolled over to the new system over spring break. After spring break your Infinite Campus student portal will be where you go to check your account balance. Also, coming soon, there will also be an opportunity to add funds online in Infinite Campus.
Nutrition Services is switching over to district approved Infinite Campus meal accountability software over spring break. The student meals continue to be free, and this switchover will not change how students and staff access the meal program with their pin numbers.
March 23-31 Spring Break. Over spring break, meal account balances will be transferred into Infinite Campus. School cashier offices are closed over spring break and we will not be able to process checks or debit/credit card online payments over spring break while conversion is happening.
Apr 1, 2024 School resumes, Infinite Campus Food Service system will go live!
Online debit and credit card payments will be accepted in Campus Payments for Food Service. Campus Payments are accessible by parent portal and student portal. Checks continue to be accepted at elementary schools by turning in to the classroom teacher in the morning; middle school and high school have lunch money collection boxes on the cafeteria wall for students to deposit money into accounts. We still accept cash, however sending of cash is discouraged, and is at your own risk.
Additionally, Educational Benefit Forms will be accepted online through Infinite Campus parent portal beginning April 1. Last day to enter an online application via Stratta Apps will be March 18. March 19 - Strata Apps will no longer be available. Paper applications will continue to be accepted throughout the school year, with processing on hold over spring break during the software conversion.
For questions regarding the upcoming change please send an email to: Nutrition.office@isd15.org
MCA Information
Important Information: Upcoming MCA Testing: PLEASE NOTE UPDATES IN BOLD!
This year students in 10th and 11th grade will be taking their Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) during the regular school day.
11th graders will be taking the MCA Math test on April 16th.
10th Graders will be taking the MCA Reading test on April 23rd
Why MCA Testing Matters: We believe that MCA data is valuable for our students, school, and community. We want every student to participate and do their best. MCA test results provide important information about what our students know and can do. They also inform our community (and potential home buyers) about our school and district. Participation by all students in Minnesota’s statewide assessments benefits our students, schools, and districts in a variety of ways.
Save time and money: MCA scores can be used to remove the potential academic requirement and cost for remedial courses at Minnesota State Colleges and University System (MinnState) schools.
Participation & perception: Increased participation in MCA tests provides a more accurate, competitive perception of a district with neighboring districts. Just like having everyone’s photo in a yearbook provides a complete picture of the student body, these assessments, when taken by all students, help provide a complete picture of how well schools and districts are performing.
School and district accountability: MCA data allows us to effectively measure student academic progress and provides valuable information to ensure that our district curriculum and instruction are effective.
Identification of student success and areas for growth: MCA test scores enable us to effectively measure individual student growth and create plans for improvement.
Resources: MCA data contributes to the ongoing improvement of instructional materials, identification of inequities, and allocation of resources needed to support all students.
Still have questions or concerns about MCA testing at St. Francis High School? Please contact Assistant Principal Jennifer Bobbe at 763-213-1503 for more information.
Thank you for supporting your student and our school!
SENIOR ALL NIGHT PARTY 2024 INFORMATION
Attention All Parents and Families of Seniors!
Follow us on instagram @sfhsseniorallnightparty2024
Facebook: SFHS all night party 2024
The Senior All Night Party committee is looking for SILENT AUCTION BASKET donations for our SATURDAY, APRIL 6th fundraiser. Can you put together a silent auction basket? Ideas include: lottery tickets, cooking, sports, gift cards, etc.
If you are interested in helping email: sfhsallnightparty@gmail.com
The next meeting is Wednesday, April 10th, 6:30pm at Beef O’Brady’s in St. Francis - all are welcome to come!
Registration Now Open!
2024 Registration form_final.docx
Senior Yard Signs are on sale now for $20
***Upcoming fundraising event to put on your calendars:
Saturday, April 6th @ Back to SRO 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Raffles, silent auctions, other events and lots of fun!
"City Lights, Golden Nights, PROM 2024, TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE"
- $70 per ticket, which includes Grand March, Dinner, and Dance! CASH ONLY.
- Tickets can purchased in the Activities Office or Room B113.
- If SFHS students plan to bring an outside guest, the guest must be at least a sophomore and under 21. See Mrs. Paquay to complete a guest permission form. Outside guest tickets are $80.
- Online students will need to come to SFHS and purchase tickets from our Activities Office.
- Students at the ALC will be able to purchase tickets at their site.
Tickets are first come, first serve, we will sell out- so get them early!
Project Fairy Godmothers
Project Fairy Godmothers would like to invite your school to our 2024 Prom Dress Giveaway. Students and their personal shopper will choose a dress, shoes, and accessories. We have stylists on board to provide makeup and hair inspirations and seamstresses to make minor alterations. Each student can walk the red carpet with snaps from professional photographers. Also in attendance are college recruiters. The day is a true Prom Experience!
Event Details (see the attached flier for more details )
Saturday, April 6th 8:00a.m. - 3:00p.m. AND Sunday, April 7th 9:00a.m. - 1:00p.m.
Oxford Community Center - Jimmy Lee Recreation Center, 270 Lexington Parkway N., St. Paul, MN 55104
RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0A48ABA82AA6FA7-47865282-prom
Project Fairy Godmothers
Mary Thielen (952.334.2727)
Your student is invited to Paris and Barcelona in 2025!
Dear families,
Join us for an Art Tour of Barcelona and Paris during Spring Break of 2025! We still have 10 spots open! Contact debra.paquay@isd15.org with questions or to receive information.
Therapy and supportive services provided by Conscious Healing Counseling are kept confidential and are separate from other services received through St. Francis School District. Individual Therapy for your student requires parent permission and can be accessed using the student's health insurance.
Activities/Athletics Section
INTO THE WOODS - SPRING MUSICAL
Tickets are now on sale for the Spring Musical - Into the Woods.
Advance sale tickets are $5 on line and the price will go up after Spring Break.
www.seatyourself.biz/stfrancishs
The Brothers Grimm hit the stage with an epic fairytale about wishes, family and the choices we make.
James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim take everyone's favorite storybook characters and bring them together for a timeless, yet relevant, piece... and a rare modern classic. The Tony Award-winning book and score are both enchanting and touching.
The story follows a Baker and his wife, who wish to have a child; Cinderella, who wishes to attend the King's Festival; and Jack, who wishes his cow would give milk. When the Baker and his wife learn that they cannot have a child because of a Witch's curse, the two set off on a journey to break the curse. Everyone's wish is granted, but the consequences of their actions return to haunt them later with disastrous results. (PG - children 6 and under may not understand the darker sides of these traditional fairy tales
TRIO Upward Bound
Calling all Freshmen at St. Francis High School!
TRIO Upward Bound is currently looking for new participants. TRIO Upward Bound is a FREE college-readiness program. If you are interested in applying, please stop by the high school guidance office or fill out the online application here: https://anokaramsey.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8ccEaq4YWlCmFAW
Spots are limited, so we encourage you to apply quickly. TRIO Upward Bound provides college prep support, after-school help, opportunities to visit college campuses, academic advising, and much more!
To be eligible for the TRIO Upward Bound Program, students need to meet one of the following criteria:
Low income: Student’s parent(s) earn below the Federal TRIO Program Current-Year Low-Income Levels. This is based on the size of the family unit and the amount of taxable income found on the parent(s) tax return at the time of entry into the program.
- Potential First-Generation College Student: Neither parent has earned a four-year degree.
For additional information, please contact me at dannica.smelter@anokaramsey.edu or call/ text 320.416.0055.
Thank you!
ACT Information
This is a final reminder for all Juniors interested in taking the ACT test on April 23rd at St. Francis High School that the registration closes today. Juniors and parents please check your email for information on how to register. If you have any questions, please contact dawn.abraham@isd15.org or 763-213-1580.
Graduation Information
Please fill out the attached form below. We need the correct spelling and punctuation of your Full Legal Name. You will also mark as to where you will be walking for graduation. (Note, this form can only be accessed by students with ISD credentials. Please have your senior fill out this form if they haven't already).
The time has come to order your Cap & Gowns! Here is the link to order your Caps and Gowns
Cap & Gown Order
Here is the link to the class ring information. (Optional)
Class Ring Information
The St. Francis High School Graduation Ceremony is May 31 at 7:00 p.m. Additional information about tickets will be forthcoming.
Reapply for Educational Benefits!
Even though ISD15 Nutrition Services is participating in the new Minnesota Free School Meals program, families with students in St. Francis Area Schools are strongly encouraged to complete an Application for Educational Benefits. Qualifying for Educational Benefits helps your family secure reduced athletic, activity and preschool fees. 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.
Please don't wait, apply online at https://stfrancis.strataapps.com/ or, you may complete the paper application mailed out to you and return to St. Francis Area Schools Nutrition Services Office, 3325 Bridge Street NW, St. Francis, MN 55070.
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 call 763-753-7060 if you are unsure or if you have a changing financial situation.
You may reapply for benefits at any time during the school year. If you are not eligible now but have a decrease in household income, become unemployed, have an increase in household size, or qualify for MFIP, SNAP, or FDPIR benefits, you may fill out another application at that time.
Meet With Your Counselor
FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes)
FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) is a group that meets every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month in D111 (Mr. Loukinen's room). Meetings are in the morning at 7:05, or 8:35 on late start days. It is an opportunity for students to talk and learn about their faith with other students. All students are welcome. If you have any questions, email jake.loukinen@isd15.org
Parking Permit Information
Students who park on school grounds must have a student school-authorized parking permit. Permits are $60 per trimester for full-time students and $12 per class for part-time students. A discounted price of $150 is available for purchasing all three trimesters NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 30, 2023. Free parking is available in the lower lot. Students must only park in the west lot and display the current trimester's student parking permit.
Students parking without a student school-sanctioned permit or in an undesignated area may be directed to move their vehicle to the lower lot. The school may revoke parking permits and privileges from individuals who continue to violate the rules or whose driving habits present a threat to the safety of others. SFHS will not refund fees for revoked parking permits.
Parents and students can also find this information on the SFHS website and live feed: https://sfhs.isd15.org/o/sfhs.