Parent Letter 1/31/20

Dear St. Joseph’s School Parents,                                                                       
 
I would like to thank our faculty, students, and families for your participation in the celebration of our school during Catholic Schools Week.  It was a tremendous week that included our annual Catholic Schools Week Mass, an Open House, special theme days organized by our 8th grade students, our school Mass to celebrate the Feast of John Bosco, Jaguar Fan Appreciation Week with a number of exciting basketball games, a pep band, and our annual Carnival.  WOW!  It was an awesome and exciting week for all of us!
 
As we conclude this year’s Catholic Schools Week celebration, I offer my sincere thanks to all of the members of our school community.  Our school values the relationships we have with our school faculty, students, families, and parish. 
 
Our school recognizes the contributions of the Church of St. Joseph to the success of our school.  I want to thank Fr. Creagan and Fr. Wratkowski for their pastoral guidance and involvement with our school.  I would also like to thank the parishioners of the Church of St. Joseph for their financial and prayerful support of our school.
 
Throughout this school year, our students, faculty, and families have been able to learn and grow through quality Catholic faith-centered learning experiences in a positive school environment.  I would like to thank our students for coming to school ready to learn and use the talents God has given them.  Our students continue to learn and grow each day at school.
 
I would like to thank our school faculty for providing for the spiritual, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs of our students.  We are committed to providing quality faith formation and excellent academics for our students and families.
 
I would like to thank our school families for being involved in and supportive of their children’s education.  In addition, we appreciate the generosity of our parents as they share their gifts of time, talent, and treasure for our school.  It is very evident that our parents and faculty work together to help the students achieve and be successful at school.
 
Finally, our school is an important and valued ministry of St. Joseph’s Parish.  I ask everyone to please continue to pray for our school as we all work together to carry out the awesome responsibility of raising our children in the Catholic faith.  And let’s keep celebrating our Catholic School every week of the year!
 
Thank you!  St. Joseph, pray for us!  Go Jaguars!
 
Mission
We thank members of our school and parish communities for assisting us in carrying out the mission of St. Joseph’s School.  Our school is the largest ministry of the parish and with everyone’s support we continue to “educate students through faith formation, academic excellence, and the development of virtue so they may become disciples of Christ.”
 
We fulfill our mission by:

• inspiring spiritual growth through classroom instruction, prayer, liturgy, devotions, sacraments, retreats and service.
• challenging students with a comprehensive curriculum enriched with fine arts and co-curricular activities meeting the needs of all learners.

• engaging students in an environment that allows them to develop virtue through shared responsibility, self-discipline, respect, honor and faith in Christ.

 
Please continue to be involved in the many opportunities to help us carry out our mission by volunteering at our school and sharing our school’s story with others.  Thank you!
 
Progress Reports & Parent Teacher Conferences                                                                                  Mid-trimester Progress Reports for students in grades 4-8 were mailed to families last Friday.  Parent Teacher Conferences are scheduled for Tuesday, February 4 (4:30-7:30 pm) and Thursday, February 6 (4:30-7:30 pm).  Either the teacher, or the parent may request a conference to discuss the student’s progress.  Conferences are requested for, but not limited to, student academic or behavior concerns, as well as teacher and classroom updates.  If you would like to schedule a conference please click here to sign up.  Please note that the sign up will close at midnight on Sunday, Feb. 2.  Any additions or changes needed after that date will need to be done through our school office.
 
Carnival & Fan Apprecation Week- Thank you!
It was a spectacular week of basketball games, school spirit, rounded out with our School Carnival!  Our students really enjoyed cheering on their classmates, hearing the school band play, having pizza lunch, games, inflatables, the General Store, and the food items at the concession stand.  We sincerely thank our Home and School leadership along with all of the many volunteers who diligently worked so hard, for several weeks!  What a tremendous event for our school  -  THANK YOU!
 
Spelling Bee – Congratulations!
Our annual School Spelling Bee for 4th - 8th graders was held this week.  Congratulations to seventh grade students Abbie Farley and Allison Williams and fourth grade student Sean Wilson.  Abbie is our 2020 Spelling Bee Champion and Allison and Sean are the runners up.  Thank you to all of our students who participated in the spelling bee.  You all did an amazing job and we are proud of your accomplishments!  Thank you to our faculty for organizing this special academic event for our students.
 
Registration for the 2020-21 School Year
Student enrollment has begun for the 2020-21 school year!  Current school families are automatically re-enrolled with the required annual family registration fee applied to family TADS accounts in February.
 
New families interested in learning more about our school, or current families needing additional information and/or having questions about enrollment for next school year, should contact Lindsay Mayernik, Enrollment Coordinator at limayernik@stjosephwsp.org or by calling 651-789-8315.
In addition, we ask for your assistance in helping share our school story with others and increase our student enrollment.  Please consider inviting families you know to attend special school events or contact our school to receive information or visit our school.  Please share with families interested in enrolling their child(children) at our school that they should visit our school website and click on the Admissions tab.

Important News - Kindergarten
We have important news for you about St. Joseph’s School’s kindergarten class for next year. We are experiencing significant interest in next year's kindergarten class.  As we always desire to give our current families preferential enrollment consideration, we need to implement a priority deadline for applications.  If you are interested in enrolling your child in our kindergarten program, we will need to receive your application by Monday, February 10, 2020 for preferential enrollment consideration.  Out of fairness for all, we will begin accepting additional applications from other families after this particular date. 
Please know of our school’s commitment to making a Catholic education affordable for all families.  For those in need of tuition assistance, the financial aid application is also accessible within TADS.
 
CAA Scholarship Opportunity
Each year, the CAA awards six $500 scholarships to current 6th or 7th graders to be awarded at their grade school for the following academic year.   The deadline to submit applications is Saturday, April 18, 2020.  Award winners will be announced in early May.  The link to the application can be found on the CAA website, stpaulcaa.org or attached below.
 
St. Joseph’s School STEM Fair
St. Joseph’s School is holding a STEM Fair on Friday, February 7, 2020.  STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.  All students in grades 3-8 were invited to participate in the Fair.  Winners of the St. Joe's STEM Fair will be able to compete in the CSCOE Big Bang STEM Fair.
 
Volunteers Needed for Recess Duty - Please help
We need help for recess duty for the remaining months of school.  Whether our students are outside or inside because of the weather, volunteers offer tremendous assistance in providing supervision of students.  Please click here to volunteer in February.
 
Fiddler on the Roof - Middle School Musical
Mrs. Bowe and our middle school students are working hard preparing for their musical, Fiddler on the Roof.  The performances are scheduled in the afternoons and evenings of; Thursday, March 12 and Friday, March 13.  Ticket information will be provided in a future Friday Letter. We hope that you are able to attend any of the performances.
 
Early Childhood Screening for Preschool Aged Children 
Please be sure to make an appointment for Preschool Early Childhood screening through the school district you reside in.  Screening is required now for most schools, instead of highly recommended as in the past.  It is suggested that the screening be completed at the 3½ age level.  Even if your child is past the age recommendation, it is still necessary to make an appointment.  Please contact Vicki Young at 651-789-8300 if you have any questions or need additional information.
 
St. Joe’s Winter Socials - Now Open!
St. Joe’s Winter Socials are now open!   Please see the attachment below for a list and details of the Socials that are now available!  Please click here to register to attend.

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.
 
Scholastic Book Fair – February 4 - 9    
Scholastic Book Fair Volunteers needed.  Please click here to help make this event a tremendous success!
Scholastic Book Fair is coming to St. Joseph’s School!  Proceeds from the Book Fair are used to purchase books for our Library.  Students in grades K – 5 will be going to the Library to preview the Book Fair on Tuesday, February 4 with their class.  Students will come home on Tuesday with a wish list that they have filled out with items that they are interested in purchasing at the fair.  Then, Thursday, February 7 will be their Book Fair purchase day.  If you are interested in purchasing items from your students wish list or other items, please send in money with your student on the Book Fair purchase day.  
 
Students in Middle School will be attending the Book Fair on Wednesday, February 6.  This will be their purchase day.  Please send money with your student on Wednesday if they are interested in purchasing any Book Fair items.
 
The Scholastic Book Fair will be open during Parent Teacher Conferences 4:00pm-8:00pm on Tuesday, February 4 and Thursday, February 6.   It will be open at Church in the Great Room on Saturday, February 8 -  5:30pm - 6:30pm, and Sunday, February 9 -  8:30am - 12:00pm.  Please contact the school office if you have any questions; 651-457-8550.
 
Winter Season- School Closing Information 
School closings due to snow and/or extreme cold are announced on television and radio.  St. Joseph’s School is always included with our school district; ISD 197 West St. Paul, Mendota Heights, Eagan.  If District 197 schools close, our school will close.  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.  Please note; If an extreme number of weather related closings occur, school administration will evaluate the need to reschedule instructional days.
 
School Masses
Our next school Mass will be on Friday, February 7th  at 9:00 a.m. in the Church.  Parents and family members are always welcome to attend our school Masses and prayer devotions during the school year.
 
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.  
 
Middle School Youth Nights
Middle School Youth Nights will be held every other week throughout the year! These nights will be held on the 1st and 3rd week of each month and will include fun, snacks, fellowship, and different types of prayer such as bible study, Adoration, and small groups.  Please see the attachment for a full list of dates and times.  If you have any questions, please contact Jake Debolt at jake.debolt@churchofstjoseph.org
 
Click here to link to the weekly St. Joseph’s Church Bulletin .
 
Important Links:
CAA John W. Hajlo Scholarship
Middle School Youth Nights
Hamline University All Sports Camp
 
February Look Ahead:
             °  Tuesday, Feb. 4 - Parent Teacher Conferences 4:30-7:30pm
            °  Thursday, Feb. 6 - Parent Teacher Conferences 4:30-7:30pm        
            °  Friday, Feb. 7- Mass 9:00am Church
            °  Friday, Feb. 7- STEM Science Fair
            °  Friday, Feb. 14 - Mass 9:00am Church
            °  Monday, Feb. 17 - No School Presidents Day