ELLSWORTH – St. Francis School in Ellsworth welcomed a new principal to their school this summer. Mary Cormican started July 1 and is eager to start the school year. The school’s first day of the regular school year is Sept 1.

Cormican is originally from New York and moved to Baraboo, Wis. when she was in second grade.

“I was drawn to this area because St. Francis is amazing and I think it was really an act of the Holy Spirit that brought St. Francis to me and me to St. Francis,” Cormican said. “I moved to Wisconsin when I was young so I really am a Midwesterner at heart.”

She has an extensive background in education and administration previous to taking this job at St. Francis. Some other positions she held include being a teacher in special education and a principal.

“I started out as a special education teacher, then I worked as a diagnostician for Middleton Cross Plains School District and then after that director of people services special education and a principal prior to this,” she said.

Being in the position for about a month, Cormican said she is still acclimating to and transitioning into the new role.

“I have been working through the transition with Father David Olson and lead teacher Kathy Swanson and they have been both very helpful and supportive,” she said.

Cormican is looking forward to getting to know her new community.

“I’m looking forward to working with all of the St. Francis families and the wonderful community that I have already experienced in just six weeks and I’m excited to work hard, build relationships and really just fit in with the community of Ellsworth and St. Francis,” Cormican said.

The past school year has imposed distractions on many schools due to the pandemic and St. Francis has had their share of obstacles because of this. Cormican said that going into the school year keeping everyone safe and healthy is a main goal.

“One of the biggest things that we work through going into the year is we continue to navigate through COVID and our biggest priority is to keep our children healthy and in school,” she said.

A few other changes happening at the school this year include three new teachers being hired for kindergarten, first grade and second grade. The building is also undergoing some construction and deep cleaning before the school year starts.

St. Francis School is planning to have an open house once construction is complete before the school year starts. The open house is scheduled for 4 p.m. Aug 26.