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Last month, our 4th-grade class had a special visitor—Ben Bauer—who stopped by to personally thank Ms. Brenner and her students for their generous donation to his recovery fund. In November, Ben suffered a devastating accident that resulted in the loss of one hand and severe injuries to the other. He shared with the students that their donation will help cover the cost of his prosthetic, a gift that will make a meaningful impact on his journey to recovery.

At St. Francis School, we take pride in the achievements of our alumni, and this month, we’re excited to highlight Loran Cipala, a 2009 St. Francis School graduate who continues to make a meaningful impact in both science and leadership.

At St. Francis School, we are blessed to have dedicated staff members who make a difference every day. This month, we are excited to highlight Shawn Wisniowski, our parish’s Administrative Assistant and Bookkeeper, whose faith, dedication, and hard work help keep things running smoothly behind the scenes.

Catholic schools have long been a vital part of our Church’s mission, providing not just academic excellence but also spiritual formation rooted in faith. At their core, Catholic schools nurture the whole child—mind, body, and soul—through education that integrates Gospel values into everyday learning. But why do Catholic schools matter so much today?

Kayla (Kaufer) Hoecherl, a proud alumna of St. Francis School, has built an inspiring life rooted in service, ministry, and adventure. After graduating from Ellsworth High School in 2016, Kayla pursued a nursing career, earning her Associate Degree and Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Inver Hills Community College and Metropolitan State University.

Ms. Mary Dougherty is a beloved part of the St. Francis School family, serving as the Food Service Director—or as she likes to say, “the school cook.” Every day, she prepares breakfast and lunch for the students and assists with special events. She also helps with playground duties and after-school care when needed.

The best thing about St. Francis School is the kindness that fills the community and how the teachers truly understand how each child learns best. Our son has a lot of energy, and his teachers find positive ways to channel it. They give him fun, engaging tasks that help him stay focused and work hard.

I hope everyone had a joyous Christmas and a Happy New Year! In my family, one of our cherished Christmas traditions is watching the classic film It’s a Wonderful Life. If you haven’t seen it yet, I highly recommend watching the original version—not the abridged one on Amazon Prime! Every year, I’m reminded of the similarities between Bailey’s Building and Loan Association and our beloved St. Francis School.

St. Francis School is proud to highlight alumnus Mike Duffy, Class of 1975, whose dedication to forestry and conservation continues to make a meaningful impact in Montana. Mike recently played a central role in a cherished Montana holiday tradition—the harvest of the 2024 State Capitol Christmas tree. On November 26, 2024, a 40-foot Engelmann Spruce was carefully selected and harvested from Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) state trust lands near Bozeman as part of an active forest management project contracted through Mike Duffy Logging.

Meet Mrs. Amy Matzek, our dedicated Administrative Assistant at St. Francis School! Mrs. Matzek’s journey working with children began early on, as she discovered her passion while working at a childcare center. This experience led her to pursue education to become a Childcare Center Administrator. When she and her husband started their family, Mrs. Matzek felt blessed to stay home and run her own in-home daycare for many years.

The sense of belonging and support we feel as part of the St. Francis School community is truly unmatched. The teachers, staff, and families all work together to create an environment where our children feel valued and inspired to grow.

As we approach Christmas, I find myself reflecting on the many blessings in our school community. I am incredibly grateful for our parents and students, whose presence fills our school with joy and purpose.

St. Francis School is proud to highlight Lindsey Augustine, a dedicated educator and leader whose journey exemplifies the values and lessons instilled during her time at St. Francis. Daughter of Andy and Wendy Augustine, Lindsey graduated from St. Francis School in 2012 and Ellsworth High School in 2019, charting a path that has inspired and empowered students across the country.

St. Francis School is blessed to have Ms. Melody Perrin as our vibrant and passionate music teacher. With a rich musical upbringing and a lifelong dedication to learning and teaching, Ms. Perrin brings joy, creativity, and faith into our music classroom. Growing up in the Dutch town of Pella, Iowa, with five siblings and musical parents, Ms. Perrin developed a deep love for music early on.

The sense of community is one of the biggest things that sets St. Francis School apart. Everyone knows and cares for one another. Parents, staff, and students alike are all invested in our child and that is worth more than I could have ever anticipated.

November 1st marked the end of our first quarter at school. I can't believe it is completed! On Friday, October 25th the teachers and I attended a diocesan in-service in Chippewa Falls. We started the day with mass at St. Charles Borromeo Church and finished the rest of the day at McDonell Middle School. We began with a prayer that I would like to share:

Sophie Grimm, a proud alumna of St. Francis School and the Ellsworth High School Class of 2006, has built a vibrant life and career in Chicago as a performer in both music and theatre. This spring, she’ll take on a new role off-stage as well—she’s set to marry her sweetheart in May 2025!

Mrs. Liza Chatt joined St. Francis School in December 2007, answering an ad in the newspaper for a teacher’s assistant position. Since then, she has become an integral part of our school community, working as an interventionist and classroom assistant.

It’s hard to believe that over eight weeks have passed since we kicked off the school year in late August. A lot has happened in that time! One of the most significant changes has been the implementation of a new math curriculum, enVision Mathematics. Our staff has been diligently exploring the many resources it offers and customizing them to meet the needs of each classroom.

We are excited to feature Reed Olson, son of Todd and Angie Olson, in this month’s alumni spotlight! After completing his education at St. Francis School in 2012 and graduating from Ellsworth High School in 2019, Reed went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Winona State University.