For Our Parents

School Hours +

The school day begins at 8:15 am and ends at 2:50 pm.

The office hours are 7:45 am until 4:00 pm.

The students will be allowed in the school at 7:30 am.

All children will be allowed in the school if the temperature outside 0F Fahrenheit or colder. Students will have supervised playtime in the gym.

All children must be picked up by 3:00 pm after every school day. If they are not picked up by 3:15pm, they will go to the After School Program and you will be charged.

Attendance, Absences and Tardiness +

Attendance is very important for your child’s success in school. Please call (218-829-2344) or send a note to the office if your child is not able to attend school. Unless it is an excused absence your child will be counted tardy. Unexcused absences are applied for absences that could have been avoided and for which prior arrangements and/or approvals were not made through the principal’s office. In cases of prolonged absences (chicken pox, measles, etc.) the school must be notified.

Signing In and Out +

All visitors need to sign in and out at the office. When your child is either late or needs to be taken out of school early please sign him/her in or out in the office.

Early Dismissal +

If a child must leave school early, a written note must be given to the teacher in advance so that homework may be gathered.

Doctor/Dental Appointments +

Please make every effort to schedule these appointments before or after school. If this is not possible, please make them at a time when the least amount of work should be missed.

Vacations +

Vacations during the school year are discouraged. The student misses teacher lectures, science labs, student interaction, and class participation which all help with learning. Simply doing the homework does not replace the missed days.

It is the child’s responsibility to find out the missed work and to complete that work as soon as possible. If a vacation must be taken, please notify the teacher prior to the event.

Student Drop-off and Pick-up +

Please do not park at the front entrance of the school in the morning before 8:20 as buses are picking up and dropping off. Parked cars are a hindrance to the buses. Please use the parking lot or side street for the drop-off point to the playground.

When entering the school, please use the main entrance double doors. All doors will be locked except the front double doors. Remember, all visitors must sign in at the office.

Busing +

The Brainerd school system provides busing for St. Francis Catholic School students. Students are expected to unload the buses on St. Francis premises.

Bus routes are published in the Brainerd Daily Dispatch.

If a child is to change their regular schedule, a note must be sent with the child and given to the teacher before dismissal or a parent may call before 2:00 pm to give us the change in the transportation schedule for the child. If we do not have a note or permission through a school message, the child will be sent on the normal scheduled transportation. This is for the safety of your child.

Messages +

The teachers will be busy with your children most of the day but do have voicemail. If there are messages you need to get to them, please call our secretary at 218-829-2344. We will not be interrupting the classes for messages unless it is an emergency. Please indicate the urgency of your message when you call.

Visitors +

All visitors must sign in and out at the office and wear a visitor name badge while on the property.

Cold and Snowy Weather +

Students go outside everyday for about twenty minutes unless it is lower than 10 below zero so they need to have warm clothing with them every day. It is possible to stay inside in the morning but go outside later in the day so please send warm clothing regardless of the morning temperature.

Sick Children +

If your child has had a fever, diarrhea, or has been vomiting, please wait 24 hours before bringing them to school. Generally, it takes 24 hours to get over a virus. If your child is on antibiotics, they may return to school after 24 hours or three doses of antibiotics.

Recess is important to your child's well being. If your child is ill and unable to attend regular activities in school, he/she should be kept home. Students will be expected to go out to recess unless a doctor's note is received.

Any child with a 100-degree or higher temperature or other observable illness signs must be sent home. This includes, but is not limited to, chicken pox, lice, and fever. If a child must be sent home, the school will notify the parent/guardian. It is the parent/guardian's responsibility to make arrangements to pick up their child.

Medications may be administered at school with a written notice from the parents. No medications, including cough medications, may be in the possession of the students.

Nurse Services at School +

A school nurse is on site at St. Francis School daily for student and staff health concerns. The school nurse provides resources for health and hygiene, as well as conducts hearing and vision screenings for students annually.

Emergency Information +

Every family must have an emergency form on record in the school office. If the student's address or telephone number changes during the year, please notify the office immediately.

Student Appearance +

We require uniforms for all students except preschoolers. Uniforms should be neat and clean in appearance. For safety reasons, dangling earrings are not allowed. Appropriate tennis shoes must be worn for physical education. St. Francis students may not wear make-up, including glitter, clear, or otherwise. See uniform policy under "Parent" tab.

Bicycles +

Bicycles are to be placed in the bike racks provided. Locks are highly recommended for all bicycles. Bicycles are to remain in the racks until the end of the school day.

Pets +

Children love animals, but please keep pets out of the building and off the playground. This is for your pet’s safety as well as the child’s. We do have some children with pet allergies. Also, we would not want to have a pet cornered where it might act out and hurt someone accidentally.

Athletics +

Participation in sports is available through Brainerd District #181. Contact the athletic department for more information (218-828-5305).