Parent Letter 10/15/21

Dear Parents, 

Hello from St. Joseph's School!  As we complete the seventh week of school, our students and faculty have had another wonderful week of prayer, teaching, and learning.  The kindergarten students even walked to Mud Lake.  They had a blast exploring the signs of fall - seeing birds, trees, collecting leaves, and being by the lake.  Please continue to read and review this Friday Letter to keep updated on all of the happenings at school; Parent Teacher Conferences, Respect Life Month Work of Mercy, Spirit Wear, and our first Jaguar Spirit Day on Thursday, October 28!  Thank you for your prayers and support as we continue through this school year.  St. Joseph, pray for us!

No School - October 21-22, 2021
School will not be in session for students and teachers on Thursday, October 21, and Friday, October 22 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 25.

Parent Teacher Conferences - October 26, 28, and 29 
Parent Teacher Conferences will be held for families with students in grades K-8 on October 26 and October 28 from 4:30-7:30 p.m.  We are providing two conference formats to best be able to accommodate our school families.  Please watch for a Sign Up Genius early next week. 

Please find this information below.  

Tuesday, October 26 4:30-7:30 pm   Will be held In-Person   Kindergarten – Grade 8

  Elementary teachers will be in their classrooms. (Scheduled through Sign-Up Genius)

  Middle School and Specialist teachers will be in the gymnasium (arena style).

Thursday, October 28 4:30-7:30pm K - 8 Conferences will be held Virtually  (Scheduled through Sign-Up Genius)

Friday, October 29 9:00 am - 3:00pm  Middle School Only

Conferences will be held Virtually  (Scheduled through Sign-Up Genius) Middle School Only

TADS Fees - Billed in November
As part of your tuition agreements you were notified of additional fees for a variety of items that will be billed to your account in the fall.  These fees will be billed in November (5th or 20th).  If you would prefer these charges spread out a bit, please contact Patrick Menke patrick.menke@churchofstjoseph.org and he will be happy to help you.  

These fees include the following: 

Laptop Use Fee:  Middle School Students Only

Home & School Dues, Tech Fees:  All Households

Bibles: 3rd Grade & All New Students

Assignment Notebooks: Grades 4-8

Kindermats:  Kindergarten Only

COVID-19 Update
St. Joseph’s School has had No lab confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 to report during the Seventh week of school.  To date we have had a total of 2 COVID-19 positive cases in our school.  State law requires our school to continue to report to the Minnesota Department of Health any cases of lab confirmed COVID-19 that occur among students or staff in our building.  In addition, the Archdiocese of St. Paul Minneapolis requires Catholic schools to report a lab-confirmed case of COVID-19 in a student or employee associated with our school each week.  

NWEA MAP Assessments
Students in grades 2-8 have completed the MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) in Math and Reading.  We thank Mrs. Budge and Mrs. Bruce for coordinating and facilitating the assessments for our students and our teachers for supporting their students during the assessments.  Individual student reports and information were mailed home to parents earlier this week.  Upon receipt of your child’s report, please contact your child’s teacher or Mrs. Budge if you have any questions.

On the Fall assessments, all grade levels had a mean RIT score above the national norms in Reading and Math.  A RIT score represents the level where a student is ready to learn.

St. Joseph’s School Spirit Wear
School Spirit Wear from the most recent sale was distributed and will go home with students today.  If you placed an order, please watch for those items coming home today.  Thank you to Jenna Dwyer and Brenna Lynn along with the Home & School Association for coordinating this sale!  

Rod Cina Fundraiser - Oct. 17
Rod Cina is a beloved member of our St. Joseph’s Community and was a 5th grade teacher at our school for 20 years.  Rod has been battling Colon Cancer and recently suffered more health issues.   Please continue to pray for Mr. Cina and his family!  Jameson’s, in West St. Paul, is sponsoring a Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser for Mr. Cina has been scheduled on Sunday, October 17th 4:30-7:30pm.  Please click here for more information.  

Respect Life Month
October is Respect Life Month.  Our school’s Work of Mercy for this month is a Layette (baby item) Collection during this month.  The collection will be Monday, October 25-Friday, October 29.  Please consider donating Diapers size 5-6, Pull Ups, Wipes, Baby wash and Shampoo, Socks-infant size, Infant toys & books, Pacifiers, and Bottles to benefit and support the work of Wakota-a Guiding Star Center in West St. Paul.  Thank you for your generosity.

October - Month of the Rosary
During this month of the Rosary, we encourage you and your family to consider taking the time to pray the Rosary as a family.  You may choose to join Father Rocky (Fr. Francis Hoffman), Executive Director of Relevant Radio, as he leads the praying of the Rosary each evening from 7:00-7:30 pm during the “Rosary Across America”.  This may be heard on 1330 AM radio, online at relevantradio.com, and /or the Relevant Radio app.  Please continue to pray for our school community; our students, faculty, and families.  Mary, Queen of the Rosary, pray for us.

St. Joseph’s School Gala 2021
The St. Joseph's Gala is our largest annual fundraising event of the school year.  It's an opportunity for our community (parents, staff, parishioners, alumni, friends and supporters) to come together and celebrate the legacy of our school and raise the funds necessary for its continued success in educating our children.

Gala 2021 will be an in-person event held at the Intercontinental St. Paul Riverfront on Saturday, December 4, 2021.   Please start making your plans to attend and participate in this special event.  Please consider inviting family and friends to join you.  Ticket sales and table reservation information will be forthcoming.  

We would like to thank Katie Sullivan for chairing this year’s Gala as well as the other parents and grandparents who are assisting her!  If you are interested in learning more about this event or if you would like to volunteer, please contact Katie: Katherine.Walcher@gmail.com .

At this time, our Gala Committee is seeking sponsors 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 Sophia Paramo at sophia.rodriguez.2012@gmail.com.

2021-2022 School Raffle - Date Change
For the past two years, one of our school’s Development activities has been to hold an all School Raffle.  Previously, the raffle was held in the Fall.  School administration, in working with our generous donor of the new vehicle and the car dealership, has made the decision to hold the raffle in February 2022.  This event over the past few years has been a positive and fun way for students to actively demonstrate their support of the school. Additional information about the school raffle will be provided as we approach the event.

Veterans Day Concert  - Thursday November 11, 2021
St. Joseph School will have a Veterans Day Concert on Thursday, November 11th at 7:00p.m. in the gymnasium.  A rehearsal of the concert will be held at 2:00pm  Students in grades 3, 4, and 5, under the direction of Mrs. Bowe, have been preparing songs for this concert.  We would like to invite all family and friends to attend the concert; “Oh, I Love America” as we honor and thank our veterans.  All service men and women are encouraged to wear their uniform.  We hope you are able to attend.

Jaguar Athletics
This year, St. Joseph’s School is participating in athletic programs through the Catholic Athletic Association.  Students in grades 5-8 are participating in football, volleyball, and soccer this fall.  Various sports will be scheduled during the winter and spring seasons.  We would like to thank Mr. Reyes, PE teacher and Athletic Coordinator,  and all of our volunteer coaches for their time in working with our students and their families.  We would like to recognize our student athletes for their hard work and sportsmanship as they compete during the season.  Go Jaguars!!

Volunteers Needed for Recess Supervision 
Our school is looking for assistance with supervising our students during their recess 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 October.

As a reminder, all volunteers must have completed their Virtus Essential 3’s.  If you need to update your current Virtus account, please click here.  If you are doing Virtus for the first time, please click here.

Friday Letters
All non-emergency communications will come electronically through our school’s Friday 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.

Attendance Communication
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”. 

Hot Lunch Menu
October Menu

The Weather is Changing
As fall weather is fast approaching, it is a good time to start sending your children to school with sweaters, sweatshirts, and jackets. it can be very cool at the bus stops and on the playground.  

Please note that sweaters, sweatshirts or pullovers worn by students in their classrooms must follow our uniform dress code.  Clothing items other than St. Joseph’s uniform is not to be worn in the classrooms.  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 October 31^st.

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. 

Middle School Youth Group
This year the parish will have a middle school youth event once a month.  We are looking for Adult volunteers.  If you are interested, please email Jake Debolt jake.debolt@churchofstjoseph.org.  

• Thurs, Nov 11 - NET Night: 3:30 to 7:30 PM
• Tues, Dec 21 - Christmas Party: 4 to 7 PM
• Tues, Jan 11 - New Year Celebration: 4 to 7 PM
• Tues, Feb 15 - TOB Night: 4 to 7 PM
• Tues, Mar 15 - Service Night: 4 to 7 PM
• Tues, Apr 12 - NET Night: 3:30 to 7:30 PM
• Tues, May 10 - Summer Kickoff: 4 to 7 PM

St. Joseph Church Bulletin

October/November Look Ahead:

• Wednesday, October 20  - Mass 9:00am 
• Thursday, October 21 & Friday, October 22 - No School MEA
• Tuesday, October 26 - Parent Teacher Conferences In Person - 4:30-7:30 pm  (In-person)
• Thursday, October 28 - Jaguar Spirit Day  Parent Teacher Conferences Virtual - 4:30-7:30 pm  (Virtual)
• Friday, October 29 -  Mass 9:00am   Middle School Parent Teacher Conferences (Virtual) 9:00am-3:00pm (Middle School Students Not in Session)
• Monday, November 1 - School in Session - No Bus Transportation
• Tuesday, November 2 - School in Session - No Bus Transportation
• Friday, November 5 -  Mass 9:00am
• Friday, November 12 -  Mass 9:00am
• Monday, November 15 - School Picture Day (Students may be out of Uniform)
• Thursday, November 18 - Give to the Max Day!
• Friday, November 19 - Thanksgiving Mass 9:00am 
• Tuesday, November 23 - End of Trimester 1  Mass 9:00 a.m.
• Wednesday November 24 - Friday November 26 - No School, Happy Thanksgiving!
• Monday, November 29 - Trimester 2 Begins