Dear Parents,
Hello from St. Joseph’s School! Three-day school weeks sure go by quickly! Everyone was extremely busy teaching and learning. Please continue to read through this Friday Letter for important information about our School Raffle, Parent Teacher Conferences, and other important information.
As you are aware, school will not be in session on Thursday, October 15, and Friday, October 16 because of Education MN (M.E.A.). Enjoy the break from school with your family and friends! We will see everyone back at school on Monday, October 19.
All School Raffle
Today, raffle tickets and information were sent home with our St. Joseph’s School students and families. Please read the information carefully and follow the directions provided. One of the goals for the raffle is to have 100% of our students and families participate in selling/purchasing tickets. Raffle tickets and money turn in days are scheduled for Thursdays; October 22, 29 and November 5, 12.
Our school has secured donations of a brand-new 2020 Ford Escape, tickets for a pilgrimage for two people through Mater Dei Tours, and $1,000 “Christmas Cash”. The raffle will include special incentives and exciting contests for our students as they assist in selling raffle tickets.
The proceeds from the Raffle will be used to support carrying out the mission of St. Joseph's School by financially assisting with the numerous investments the school has made to be open during the COVID pandemic. Thank you for your support of this important fund-raising event for St. Joseph’s School.
Priest Appreciation Day
Priest Appreciation Day was on Sunday, October 11, 2020. This day is an opportunity to thank priests for responding to God’s call to service for the Church.
This week, Mr. Wesely thanked Fr. Creagan and Fr. Wratkowski for being our priests by presenting them with a picture icon of St. Joseph with a special prayer as well as a potted plant. They were presented with a card thanking them for helping us “grow” in our faith. Please continue to pray for Fr. Creagan, Fr. Wratkowski, and all of our priests. May God continue to bless their ministry of serving our parish and school community.
Would you and your children like to send our priests a note or card to let them know they are appreciated? Cards or letters for either Fr. Creagan or Fr. Wratkowski may be brought by your child to the school office or mailed to 1154 Seminole Ave, West St Paul, MN 55118.
Respect Life Month
October is Respect Life Month. St. Joseph’s School will recognize the sanctity of life by participating in a special service project. In partnership with the Church of St. Joseph, our school is having a Layette (baby item) Collection during this month. The collection will take place during the week of October 19-23. At this time, these particular needs have been identified; baby wipes, newborn size diapers, and baby socks - all sizes up to 3T. Students may place the items in the small crib located across from the school office. Thank you for your generosity.
Restaurant Night - Chipotle WSP - October 19
School families are invited to the St. Joseph’s School Family Restaurant Night at Chipotle in West St. Paul on Monday, October 19th between 4:00pm and 8:00pm. Please let them know you are there for the St. Joseph’s School Fundraiser or bring in or show the Chipotle Flyer for our school to receive 33 percent of your purchase. You are encouraged to order online chipotle.com or through the Chipotle app and enter code 2RCHPF3 before you check out in the “promo” field. Click here for instructions if needed. Proceeds from our school’s restaurant nights are used to fund important programs within the school. Thank you to our Home & School for Coordinating this event!
Information Regarding COVID and Non-COVID Absences
As we continue this school year, we want to do so with healthy students, teachers, and families. Thank you for following the health protocols and procedures put in place that have allowed our classrooms and building to remain open. Soon our beautiful fall weather will turn colder and the cold/flu season will be upon us. Families have received a letter identifying practices and procedures as it pertains to COVID and Non-COVID related illnesses. Please click here to view this message and the information contained in it.
The Fall Parent Teacher Conferences
Fall Parent Teacher Conferences will be held October 20, 22, and 23. If you have not signed up to meet with your child’s teacher, please contact Lisa Wrobel liwrobel@stjosephwsp.org. Parent Teacher Conferences will be held virtually. Parents should watch for an email invitation to their conferences. Our teachers look forward to meeting with you to share and discuss the progress of your child(children).
NWEA MAP Assessments
NWEA MAP results were mailed home this week. Upon receipt of your child’s report, please review the information. Parents are encouraged to contact their child’s teacher or Mrs. Budge cabudge@stjosephwsp.org if you have any questions about their child’s assessment results..
Playground Structure
Our playground structure will be opened next week for our students to play on during recess. Individual classes will be specifically scheduled for playing on the structure. The play structure will only be open during school hours for recess for all grades levels K-8. The play structure will not be open before and/or after school for families to use. Proper sanitization of the structure will be completed between the classes playing on the structure. We look forward to our students climbing, sliding, and spinning, and laughing on the playground. We thank Casey Weimer and Lawn Boys LLC for placing the wood chips on the base of the play structure area.
School Mass
Our students and faculty will continue attending Mass in person following the parish’s established guidelines and protocols to do so safely. Next week, our Kindergarten and First grade students will attend the Mass in the church. Beginning October 30, all students and faculty will attend Mass in person. Two Masses will be held to accommodate them; 9:00 a.m. for grades 4-8 and 10:00 a.m. for grades K-3.
School families are invited to continue to watch the live stream on the Church of St. Joseph website; www.churchofstjoseph. Our school Masses are not open to families and the public at this time.
St. Joseph’s School Gala Save the Date! Saturday, December 5, 2020
The St. Joseph's Gala, our school’s largest annual fundraising event during the year, will be a virtual event held on December 5, 2020. It's an opportunity for our community to come together and celebrate the legacy of our school as well as raise funds for carrying out the mission of our school; educating students through faith formation and academic excellence. Please start making your plans to attend and participate in the Gala.
At this time, our Gala Committee is seeking sponsors and donations for the event to help us meet our fundraising goals. If you are interested in sponsoring this event or know of businesses that might be interested, please email rachael.amarante@gmail.com.
Home & School Association
Our St. Joseph’s Home & School Association is a very important part of our school. We are blessed to have such a vibrant community of parents that offers support to our school in many ways through our Home & School Association. We invite you to visit their page on our website under the “Parents” tab by clicking here to learn more!
Special Treats
During the school year, a student and family may choose to send a special treat to be shared with the class to celebrate a birthday or special occasion. During this time of pandemic, we need all snacks brought to school to be individually store-purchased, individually wrapped, and easy to serve. Please note that some students at our school have specific food allergies. Please contact your child’s teacher to make specific arrangements when choosing to bring a snack to school.
The Weather is Changing
As the fall weather continues to change, it is a good time to start sending your children to school with long sleeves, sweaters, sweatshirts, and jackets. It can be very cool when eating lunch outside and while on the playground during recess. Please remember to label all of your child’s clothing so that it can be returned to them in the event that it is misplaced or lost while at school. The last day to wear shorts is Friday, October 30.
Are you missing, are you missing?
As the temperatures get cooler, have you asked your child to find their navy blue St. Joseph's School three quarter zip jacket? Is your child’s response, I am not sure where it is? Well, it could be in the school office. We have a number of these items in our school office. We would love to have students come and claim their jacket. If your child is missing his/her jacket, please email Mrs. Wrobel (liwrobel@stjosephwsp.org) with the size. She will make arrangements with your child’s teacher to have your child try to claim their item.
Parent Letters / Attendance Communication
All non-emergency communications will come home on Fridays in this parent letter. Parent letters will only be sent out by email every Friday (or the last day of the school week.) Friday Letters may be found on the school website, www.stjosephwsp.org.
Our Attendance Hotline is 651-457-3031. If your child is going to be absent or late due to a morning appointment, please leave a message on the “Hotline”.
Mission
“St. Joseph’s Catholic School educates students through faith formation, academic excellence,
and the development of virtue to be disciples of Christ.”
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.
Please click here to view our St. Joseph’s Church weekly bulletin.
Important Upcoming Dates:
Thursday, Oct. 15 & Friday Oct. 16 - No School MN Education (MEA)
Monday, Oct. 19 - Restaurant Night, Chipotle WSP 4-8pm
Tuesday, Oct. 20 - Parent Teacher Conferences (Virtual) 3:00-7:30pm
Thursday, Oct. 22- Parent Teacher Conferences (Virtual) 3:00-7:30pm
Friday, October 23 - No School for Middle School Students Only
Friday, Oct. 23 - Parent Teacher Conferences MS only (Virtual) 8:00am - 3:30pm
Friday, Oct. 23 - Mass 9am Kindergarten and Grade 1 attend in person, Grades 2-8 virtual
Friday, Oct. 30 - Mass 9am and 10:00am
Monday, November 2 - No School for Students / Professional Development for Teachers
Tuesday, Nov. 3 - No District Food Service or Transportation.