Saints News - November 2026
Veterans Day celebrations at SFMS and SFHS
🇺🇸 All veterans, their families and community members are invited to join our St. Francis Area Schools students and staff at two Veterans Day Appreciation Programs.
🪖 Tuesday, Nov. 10 from 8:46-9:46 a.m. at St. Francis High School. The guest speaker is CMSGT Richard A. Lien, Jr., retired Air Force. Parking will be available right outside the main entrance of the school starting at 8 a.m. for veterans and guests. Coffee and food will be available to Veterans and family members in the cafeteria prior and after the ceremony.
🫡 Wednesday, Nov. 11 from 8-8:45 a.m. at St. Francis Middle School. The guest speaker is Maj. Nathan Burr, retired Minnesota Army National Guard. Parking is available in the main parking lot, which can be accessed from St. Francis Blvd. and Pederson Dr. NW. Coffee and food will be available to Veterans and family members after the ceremony.
SFHS Theatre hosts Community Day Nov. 7; “The Outsiders” runs Nov. 12-15
🎭 St. Francis High School Theatre welcomes families and community members to join them for “Inside Outsiders,” a Community Day and Mental Health Fair on Saturday, Nov. 7 from 12-3 p.m. The free community event will be held in the SFHS Bridge Street Room.
Attendees can meet the cast of SFHS Theatre’s upcoming production of “The Outsiders” and includes Halloween dress-up, costume party, poetry readings, games, baked goods and a food drive for NACE.
SFHS Theatre Presents “The Outsiders”
The award-winning St. Francis High School Theatre presents its fall play - “The Outsiders” - from Nov. 12-15 at the SFHS Performing Arts Center. Purchase tickets in advance or at the ticket booth the day of each performance.
Performance Dates:
- Thursday, Nov 12 at 7 p.m.
- Friday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m.
- Saturday, Nov. 14 at 2 p.m. (Sensory Friendly)
- Saturday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m.
- Sunday, Nov. 15 at 2 p.m.
SFHS Madrigal Singers present "The Withering Woods Spell of 1202"
🎶 St. Francis High School Madrigal Singers present “The Withering Woods Spell of 1202” on Nov. 20-22 at SFHS. Purchase tickets in advance.
Performance Dates:
Friday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 21 at 7 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 22 at 2 p.m.
About the production: When a kingdom that relies on its farm and land begins to turn scarce in good agriculture, the people turn manic in fear of the future. Is it just a bad off season, or is there something more sinister at hand?
Minnesota’s Permanent School Fund
Know before you go: Learn about the School Board candidates before the Nov. 3 election
🗳️ Two candidates for the St. Francis Area Schools School Board gathered on Sept. 22 for a Meet the Candidates event, which was hosted by the St. Francis Area Schools Community Education Advisory Council (CEAC).
🎥 Matthew Beukema and Nathan Burr attended the event, which included an interview-style format.
Learning beyond the classroom walls at EBES
🌲 One of school-wide goals this year at East Bethel Elementary School is to expand outdoor learning opportunities for all the students. Taking learning outdoors provides students hands-on experiences that boost focus, foster creativity, support physical and emotional well-being, and deepen their understanding of science and environmental stewardship.
Every teacher at EBES has committed to leading a minimum of one outdoor learning activity per month. The school is uniquely fortunate to be surrounded by an incredible natural campus. As an official Minnesota School Forest site, the grounds feature a nature trail, ample green space, mature woods, and two newly refreshed pollinator gardens that serve as living classrooms for the students.
SFHS College Fair held during school hours to provide more opportunities for more students
🏫 For the first time, the St. Francis High School College Fair was held during the school day to allow all students the opportunity to explore educational options after graduation. The event, which was held in the gym, allowed students from each grade level to speak and interact with representatives from nearly 70 colleges and universities.
Two-year, four-year, trade and specialty schools were represented to give students a variety of options to consider after graduation.
Local fire departments visit kindergarten students at CCES and EBES
🚒 The East Bethel Fire Department and Oak Grove Fire Department visited kindergartners at Cedar Creek Elementary School and East Bethel Elementary School on Oct. 7. As part of Fire Prevention Month, firefighters visited kindergarten classes to provide safety education, familiarize students with what a firefighter looks like in full gear and let them explore the fire trucks. The district appreciates its partnerships with local first responders!
SFHS Media Team recognized for broadcast and website
🎉 The St. Francis High School Media Team was recognized in two Best of Show categories at the Minnesota High School Press Association Fall Journalism Convention at the University of Minnesota.
🎥 In the Broadcast News Program category, the student-run SFHS Today placed third. SFHS Today produces a weekly show during the school year and is played by teachers in the classroom. The program has placed in the top three at the convention for the last four years. Check out the SFHS Today YouTube Channel.
💻 The website, www.thesfhscrier.com, placed sixth in the Website category.
Special flyover kicks off section cross country race hosted by SFHS
🏃✈️ St. Francis High School hosted the MSHSL Section 5AA Girls and Boys Cross Country Championships at The Ponds Golf Course Oct. 29, which included a flyover before the meet by two WWII-era AT-6 Texans!
🏃♀️🏃♂️Anniston Rolf paced the girls team and placed second. For the boys squad, Ryder Mold was second and Kyle Swanson was sixth to help the Saints finish third as a team.
SFHS Athletics: Changes to ticketing and schedules
📱💻 St. Francis High School Athletics and Activities registration, online ticketing and activities schedules are now all in the same place with Bound.
💻 View the St. Francis Bound page.
📱 Download the Bound mobile app from the Apple App Store (listed as Bound Sports) or Google Play Store.
Notice regarding St. Francis High School outdoor marquee
🛑 The electronic marquee sign located outside St. Francis High School has been shut down due to unreliable and unsupported software used to operate, program, and manage messages on the sign.
Community members, families, and residents can stay connected and up-to-date with St. Francis High School and St. Francis Area Schools through the official digital platforms:
- District Website: Visit www.isd15.org for comprehensive news, event calendars and district announcements.
- Social Media: Follow official district Facebook and Instagram pages for real-time news, student and staff spotlights, and more.
- Electronic Newsletters: Subscribe to this newsletter! The monthly Saints News is delivered directly via email.
- District App: Download the district app - SFAS ISD 15.
- Bound App: For Activities & Athletics schedules and tickets head to the St. Francis High School Bound webpage or download the Bound app.
Lunch Bunch - Troy Flemming
🎤🍴 The Lunch Bunch Concert Series runs September-May and is a monthly gathering with top entertainment by popular local artists. The November Lunch Bunch is Nov. 10 and features Troy Flemming.
Troy Flemming, affectionately known as “The Yodelmeister,” captivates audiences with a yodeling style so rich and expressive that many assume he hails from the Alpine regions of Austria or Germany. Blending remarkable vocal control with warmth and authenticity, Troy delivers performances that are both technically impressive and deeply engaging. A standout on the Twin Cities acoustic music scene, Troy is an accomplished fingerstyle guitarist whose intricate playing complements his versatile vocal abilities. Whether he’s weaving traditional yodels, old-time melodies, or unexpected musical twists into his sets, his performances showcase both skill and a genuine love for the craft.
Youth Enrichment
🎨 Check some of the featured offerings from Youth Enrichment!
Community Education provides opportunities for all
🤝 As part of St. Francis Area Schools, Community Education serves the lifelong learning needs of residents of any age in northern Anoka and southern Isanti Counties. Lifelong learning enriches individuals and creates opportunities.
Our mission is to equip all students with the knowledge and skills to empower them to achieve their dreams and full potential while becoming responsible citizens in a dynamic world.
Coaches and Directors in the Classroom
🗣️ Congratulations to St. Francis Area Schools' Mark Thul, the Minnesota State High School League Coaches and Directors in the Classroom program’s Director of the Month!
Mark’s “Kindness Rules!” saying is a pillar in his classroom. He is a friend to all and a cheerleader who motivates his students and debaters to expand their abilities.
The MSHSL's “Coaches and Directors in the Classroom” program, presented by Horace Mann, honors educators who extend their impact far beyond competition, demonstrating the same leadership, preparation, and character in their classrooms that they model when coaching and directing.
📣 Be a Saint! Go to www.isd15.org/jobs to view open positions within the district to join St. Francis Area Schools to help empower students to achieve their dreams!
High-need positions
- Special Education Teachers
- Special Education Educational Assistants (Paras)
- Bus Drivers
- Van Drivers
- Transportation Educational Assistants