Dear St. Francis de Sales Parish School Families,
Wednesday marked an exciting day for our 7th graders as they returned to the Milwaukee Art Museum, this time not just as visitors, but as leaders.
Back in October, our 7th-grade students visited the museum on a docent-led tour, exploring a wide range of artwork and selecting pieces that captured their interest. Over the past several weeks, the students prepared for Wednesday’s return visit by delving deeper into their selections, researching artists, analyzing meaning, and building their understanding of artistic styles and cultural contexts.
During Wednesday’s trip, our 7th graders served as docents, guiding our 3rd– and 5th-grade students through the galleries. Each student presented four selected works of art, sharing insights into the artist, each piece’s purpose, its historical and cultural significance, and their personal interpretation. They also incorporated interactive activities that kept younger students engaged and excited about the artwork.
This project serves as the culmination of our Visual Arts program. Not only does it strengthen our students’ knowledge of art and visual literacy, but it also builds confidence in public speaking, critical thinking, and leadership. The project connects across subject areas, counting as both an Art assessment and a Speaking & Listening grade within our 7th-grade curriculum.
We are proud of our 7th graders for their preparation and the leadership they demonstrated today. Watching them lead, teach, and inspire our younger students truly reflected their growth. It was a fantastic day of learning at St. Francis de Sales!
A special thank you goes to Sarah Dexter, our Visual Arts Coordinator, for all of her planning and coordination that made this experience possible, and to Marcie Fain, our Art teacher, for her ongoing support, preparation, and dedication to our students throughout this project!
This week, St. Francis de Sales Parish School observed Safe Environment Week, a time across schools and parishes to reinforce the importance of protecting children and vulnerable individuals. The week focused on building awareness, preventing abuse, and emphasizing safe, respectful relationships, along with clear reporting procedures to ensure every child is protected and supported.
In recognition of this initiative, our school participated in the Child Abuse Prevention Project: Pinwheels for Prevention, a national campaign symbolizing the safe childhood every child deserves. The pinwheel serves as a visible reminder of our shared commitment to creating and maintaining safe environments for all children. As part of this effort, our students created pinwheel displays that highlight St. Francis de Sales Parish School’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding children and ensuring they are always valued, nurtured, and protected.
We are especially grateful to the freshmen and sophomores from Catholic Central High School who joined us during their annual retreat to help our students make the pinwheels. Their time, energy, and partnership made this meaningful project possible and further strengthened the connection between our school communities.
We congratulate our St. Francis de Sales Parish School 2nd-grade students who will receive their First Holy Communion this weekend and next. First Holy Communion is an important milestone in our Catholic faith, as children receive the Eucharist for the first time, marking a significant step in their spiritual journey. We are proud of our students for their preparation, reverence, and commitment, and especially thankful to Joanne Kayser, our 2nd-grade teacher, and Abbey Rosenquist, Director of Religious Education, for the time, care, and dedication they have invested in preparing our students for this.
St. Francis de Sales Parish School is looking forward to celebrating Grandparents Day on Thursday, May 7th. Grandparents Day is a wonderful opportunity for students to share their school journey with the loved ones who hold a special place in their hearts.
We look forward to celebrating the special role grandparents play in our students’ lives!
Dave Wieters
Principal
School Musical
The school performance of Little Mermaid Jr is just a little over two weeks away. We invite you to come and see this amazing production!
Performances are May 7, 8 and 9 at 7pm and May 10 at 2pm.
All performances will be taking place at Catholic Central in Burlington.
Here is the link for tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-little-mermaid-jr-tickets-1986282892601?aff=oddtdtcreator
Please come out and support these amazing young performers!
Auction Casual Week (purchased at the annual auction)
5/4-5/8
5K Race 5/23/2026
The 5k walk race is approaching!
See the attached flyer for registration.
Yearbook Orders: 1 Week left to order!
Store closes on Friday May 1st. (that is only 2 weeks away)
It is time to order your yearbook! 8th graders DO NOT need to order!!
Click the link below to order.
https://ybpay.lifetouch.com/Order/SelectStudent?isAdvertisementOnly=False
Boys B Johnny Z Tournament
Raise Right isn’t just for gifts — it’s the easiest way to support SFDS all year long! Sign up today and shop anytime with instant e-cards, using your credit card or bank account for quick checkout. Need physical gift cards? Just order on the dates listed in the Important Notes section below or on the school calendar.
School Code: LE8L45FD2L91L
https://www.raiseright.com/shop
Next Order is 5/18/26 by 9:00 AM, with the casual date on 5/20/26.
If you have questions, see Mrs. Vavrina — she’s happy to help!
CCHS Activities
Facebook/Instagram
Like us on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/sfdslg
@st.francisroadrunners
Important Dates: