Parent Letter 1/11/19

Dear Parents,                                                                                                                         
 
January and February are very busy months at St. Joseph’s School.  Plans have been finalized for several special events to take place during these months.  In addition, 2019-20202 registration information is provided in this letter for current school families.  Thank you for reading and reviewing all of this information carefully.
 
Our administration and faculty have scheduled a number of opportunities for families, and members of the parish and community to gather to learn more about our school.  By attending any of the meetings and/or the open house, individuals will learn about our school programs, meet faculty and staff, and receive a tour of the building. 
 
Catholic Schools Week is scheduled for January 27-February 2, 2019.  A number of activities, events, and celebrations (including Carnival) are planned for this special week to celebrate Catholic education and our school.  This week is also Spirit and Fan Appreciation Week.  Go Jaguars!  Please watch for a schedule for the week coming soon.
 
No School- Friday, January 18th and Monday, January 21st  
There will be no school on Friday, January 18th and Monday, January 21 ^st.  Faculty will be attending professional development on Friday and we observe the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Monday.  Enjoy your long weekend!

School in Session – Tuesday, January 22nd
School will be in session on Tuesday, January 22nd for students and faculty.  Please note that school is not in session for students in ISD 197.  Transportation and school lunch will not be available for families.  Parents will need to provide transportation to / from school and lunch for their children on this day. 
 
Middle School Information Session
Parents of 4th and 5th grade students who were not able to attend the Middle School information session this week may find information from the session under the “Important Links” at the end of this letter.
 
In addition, our middle school faculty are looking forward to having our current fifth grade students visit the middle school for a “shadow day” on Tuesday, January 22.  Fifth grade students will be partnered with sixth grade students and attend classes in the morning.  Special thanks to our middle school and fifth grade teachers for organizing this special event for our students.
 
Preschool Information Session – January 15
Please join administration, faculty, and staff on Tuesday January 15 ^th at 6:00pm in the Preschool classrooms to learn more about the preschool programs our school offers for 3 & 4 year olds.  Childcare will be available.
 

Open House – Sunday, January 27  10:00 am – 1:00 pm
St. Joseph School has scheduled an opportunity for current, prospective, and parish families to visit our school.  Everyone is invited to our Preschool –Grade 8 Open House on Sunday, January 27 from 10:00am - 1:00pm.  All classrooms will be open for visitors.  School administration and faculty will be available to meet you and share information about our school.  If you know of a family (parish member, neighbor, relative, colleague at work) who may be interested in learning more about our school, please invite them to attend the special Open House.

Kindergarten Information Session – January 29
Please join administration, faculty, and staff on Tuesday, January 29^th at 6:00 p.m. in the parish’s Great Room to learn more about our school’s Kindergarten program.  Families will also tour our Kindergarten classrooms and visit with our faculty during the evening.  Childcare will be available.  
 
Registration for the 2019-2020 School Year Opens in January
It’s time to enroll for the 2019-20 school year!  Current school families with children in grades K-7 will be automatically re-enrolled for the next school year.  We are excited to offer this easy enrollment process for our families – no paperwork or forms to fill out.  The annual family registration fee ($200/family) will be applied to family TADS accounts in February.  If a current family would like to delay re-enrollment, they must notify the school office by January 31st.  For questions about enrollment, contact Christy Frost (chfrost@stjosephwsp.org or 651-789-8315).
 
2019-2020 Tuition
School administration, Parish Administrator, the School Advisory Council, and the parish Finance Council reviewed and discussed tuition and fees for the next school year.  Multi-child tuition discounts, the registration fee amount, and the Family Referral Fee were discussed by these groups.  Much thought and consideration was given to determining the tuition and fees.  Please visit the school website for 2019-2020 school tuition information.
 
Aim Higher Scholarships
In addition to applying for the Financial Assistance offered through St. Joseph’s School, all St. Joseph’s School families can also apply for Aim Higher Scholarships.  The Aim Higher Foundation provides tuition assistance for Catholic School students across the archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis.  To apply, simply check the box at the end of your Financial Assistance application in TADS indicating that you would like to be considered for the Aim Higher Foundations scholarships.  This scholarship opportunity will close on February 17^th, 2019.  For more information, see the flyer attached or visit aimhigherfoundation.org
 
Financial Assistance Now Open
Financial Assistance is now open.  If you plan to apply for financial assistance for the 2019-2020 school year, please log into your TADS account and complete that process.  All Financial Assistance Applications are to be completed by February 28^th, 2019. 
 
2019-2020 Family Referral Credit
We always invite and encourage our families to share information about our school with your families, neighbors, and friends.  We would love to have them join our wonderful school community.  A $500 Referral Credit is available to current school families for each new family they refer which registers to attend our school for next year.  Thank you for your assistance and sharing our school story.
 

Spelling Bee Grades 4-8
Our annual School Spelling Bee for 4th - 8th grade students will be held on Tuesday, January 15
beginning at 9:00 am in our school gym.  Two students from each classroom have been chosen to participate in this year’s Spelling Bee.  Parents are invited to attend this special event.  Good luck to all of the participants; p-a-r-t-i-c-i-p-a-n-t-s; participants.
 
Student Pick Up Procedures- Reminder to Parents
We are receiving reports of safety concerns during student drop off and pick up at school.  Your child’s safety is a priority to us.  Please help us by following the transportation procedures.  Thank you!
 
Mornings – Parents are to drive their vehicles up as far as possible along Seminole Avenue when dropping off students.  After dropping students, parents should drive on Seminole and only turn right at the stop sign onto Butler Ave.  The line of cars moves quicker and limits congestion when vehicles only turn right. 
 
Afternoons - Cars are to enter via the Butler Ave. entrance, park in the back rows of the lot and exit via Orme Street.  Parents are to get out of their vehicles, pick up their child and walk them through the traffic area.  Please use reduced speeds and caution when exiting the parking lot.  Vehicles should not exit the parking lot going down the entrance driveway to Butler.
 
Does Your Employer Offer a Matching Gift Program?
Employer matching programs are a wonderful way to maximize your donation to St. Joseph’s School.  Please look into your employer programs to see if they may participate in this program.  If you have any questions or need help with the process, please contact Lisa Wrobel in our school office.  Thank you!
 
St. Joe’s Socials are now available
You won’t want to miss these amazing parties.  These are great way to meet new families and catch up with ones you already know!  There are a variety of parties offered from class parties, teacher hosted parties, and our parent parties.  Please Click Here to register! 
 
School Carnival
Planning is underway for Carnival to be held on Friday, February 1, 2019.  Carnival is a long-standing tradition at St. Joe’s and caps off an exciting Catholic Schools Week.  January clearance sales are a great time to pick up carnival prizes of all kinds for the General Store.  Prizes may be brought to the school office.  Thank you for your assistance and support of the special event for our students.
 
School Mass – Friday, January 11
Please join us for our school Mass on Friday, January 11 at 9:00am in the church.  School families, friends, and members of the parish are invited to pray with our students and faculty.
 
Cub Scout Pinewood Derby
Please have your family join the St. Joe's Cub Scouts for their annual Pinewood Derby on Saturday January 26 - 6:00pm-8:30pm in the Gym. Watch students race their custom-designed wooden Derby cars along a 42 foot race track at scale speeds of over 200mph.  Extra Derby cars will be available for your child to race in the 'Open Class' event. Check out online videos to see the fun surrounding this highlight of Cub Scouting.  Questions: Paul Elskamp - pelskamp@msn.com
 

 
Winter Season- School Closing Information
Now that we are into the “winter season”, school closings are announced on television and radio.  St. Joseph’s School is always listed with our school district; ISD 197 West St. Paul, Mendota Heights, Eagan.  If District 197 schools are closed, our school is closed, even if St. Joseph’s School is not listed in the announcement.  In addition, our school office will also send out an “email blast” to our school families and a message will be posted on our school website announcing the closing of school.
 
Reminder to Parents – Thank you for your cooperation!
Our school day for students in grades K-8 begins at 8:40 a.m.  Our school doors open at 8:30am.  Please make sure your child is arriving to school and in their classroom prior to 8:40 a.m. so they are not tardy.  Students arriving late to school can be a disruption to the learning environment when they enter the classroom.  Thank you for your cooperation.
 
Lost and Found
Parents please stop in to check the lost and found bin located in the front main entrance of our school.  There are many items including coats, hats, gloves, shoes, and gym bags.  If you are missing any of these items please stop by school to pick them up.
 
Just a Reminder
Please continue to review our Friday Letters, check your child’s Family Folder, our school website, Facebook, Twitter, and the St. Joseph parish bulletin to keep updated on all the exciting happenings at St. Joseph’s School.
 
For Your Information
St. Joseph’s School is an important ministry of the Church of St. Joseph.  Some of our school families are not members of the parish.  In our efforts to serve all school families, our Friday Letter may at times include information about activities and events that are taking place at the Church of St. Joseph.
 
Upcoming Parish Events Include:
 
Cana Dinner – Save the Date Saturday February 2
Join us for our annual celebration in honor of the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony.
Our Special Guest will be Bishop Andrew Cozzens.
Saturday, February 2^nd, 5:00 Mass, Reflection, Wine & Cheese Reception followed by a delicious dinner.
REGISTER HERE
Questions, call Tom or Lori Hawkins 651-552-1704
 
 
Parish Father Daughter Dance - Friday, February 8    Save the Date!
Please mark your calendars for Friday, February 8^th for the annual
Father – Daughter Dance in St. Joseph’s Church Great Room, 6:30-9:30-pm.  This event is open to all ages.   Please watch the parish bulletin for ticket information.  If you are interested in helping with this event, please contact Tracy Kracht at 651-457-2709 or ryan_kracht@msn.com.
 
All in God’s Plan
St. Joseph’s will be hosting an All in God’s Plan Level 1 event for 10-12 years old girls and their mothers or significant adult female on Saturday, March 9, 2019 from 2-4:30pm.   Space will be limited.  Look for registration details to be announced mid-January. 
 
Mission Statement
St. Joseph’s Catholic School educates students through faith formation, academic excellence,
and the development of virtue to be disciples of Christ.
 
Click here to link to the weekly St. Joseph’s Church Bulletin.
 
Important Links:
St. Joseph’s Middle School Newsletters
St. Joseph’s School Middle School Information Session
Aim Higher Scholarship Information
 
January Calendar Look Ahead:
Please consider joining us for some of the special events at our school.

• Tuesday, January 15 – Preschool Information Night 6:00-7:30pm – Preschool Rooms

• Thursday, January 17 – 9:00am Mass

• Friday, January 18 – No School, Professional Development

• Monday, January 21 – No School, Martin Luther King Day

• Tuesday, January 22 – School in Session – No District Transportation or Food Service

• Sunday, January 27 – Saturday, February 2 – Catholic Schools Week

• Sunday, January 27 – St. Joseph’s School Open House; 10:00am-1:00pm.

• Monday, January 28 – Friday, February 1 – Spirit Week

• Tuesday, January 29 – Kindergarten Information Night – 6:00-7:30pm, Great Room

• Friday, February 1 – Carnival