Parent Letter 10/17/18

Dear Parents,                                                                                                                              
Hello from St. Joseph’s School!  Three-day school weeks sure go quickly! Some of the activities this week included Mass, a retreat for our eighth grade students facilitated by parish staff members Gina Bauer and Jake DeBolt focusing on God, the Holy Spirit, an evening of reflection for our second grade students and parents as they prepare for the sacrament of Reconciliation, Marathon collections, and middle school Parent / Teacher Conferences.  I think that we are all do for a well deserved break from the school routines.
 
As you are aware, school will not be in session for students and faculty on Thursday, October 18 and Friday, October 19 because of Education MN (M.E.A.).  Please enjoy the long weekend with your family and friends.  We will see everyone back at school ready to learn on Monday, October 22.
 
Please continue to review our Friday Letters, check your child’s Family Folder, and our school website to keep updated on all the happenings at St. Joseph’s School.
 
School Pictures
School pictures are scheduled for Monday, October 22.  This will be an out-of-uniform day.  We encourage our students to bring their best smiles to school.  Picture forms went home last week with your child.  Purchase of individual pictures/group composites is always optional, but we do ask that all students be photographed for the yearbook.   St. Joseph’s Preschool classes (4s and 4/5s) will have their pictures taken October 22.  Preschool 3s will have their pictures taken on Tuesday, November 27.
 
Parent Teacher Conferences – October 23 & 25
Parent Teacher Conferences for preschool – grade 8 students are scheduled for next week.  Parents are highly encouraged to attend conferences for their child(children).  We look forward to seeing you and visiting about your child’s progress at school during your conference.
 
Parent Teacher Conferences for students in grades K – 8 will be held on Tuesday, October 23 and Thursday, October 25 from 4:30 – 8:00pm.  Please CLICK HERE sign up for conferences.  School will be in session for K – 8 students on the conference days.  Please note for planning purposes - The Sign Up Genius will close Sunday, October 21 at 11:30pm. 
 
Preschool Parent Teacher Conferences will be held on Tuesday, October 23.  Preschool classes will not be in session on Tuesday, October 23.
 
Marathon
Our students continue to bring in the money they are collecting from the pledges they received during our recent Marathon.  At this time, $54,132 has been turned into school.  This amount is 81% of our $67,000 goal.   Does your place of business have a matching gift program?  If so, please consider how the program could increase a donation to our Marathon. The following prizes will be awarded to the top producing classrooms (% of classroom goal) and students (individual money collected) at the end of Marathon. 

• Every student that turns in donations (money) will receive a special treat
• Top 5 students overall in school have lunch and fun at Chuck E Cheeses
• Top students in each grade level have lunch and fun at Chuck E Cheeses
• Homeroom reaches their goal – Out of Uniform and Jaguar Paw party
• Students who collect $200 or more – attend the Ultimate Jaguar BINGO party
• Top homeroom in the school – class field trip
• Second Homeroom – movie and popcorn party
• Third and fourth homerooms – World’s Largest Banana Split party
• Middle School top two homerooms – students vs faculty volleyball challenge in gym

 
Thank you so much for your support of this very important school fundraiser!  Go Jaguars!
 
Respect Life Week - October 22-26
October is Respect Life Month. St. Joseph’s students and faculty will recognize the sanctity of all life through classroom lessons, activities, prayer, and service.   Our school will be having a layette (baby items) collection between October 22-26.  Items may be brought to school during next week and placed in the crib across from the school office.  Here is a list of items for this collection; Diapers- Newborn and Size One, Wipes, Baby wash and Shampoo, Socks-any size, Pacifiers, and Bottles.  Our school is partnering with the Church of St. Joseph for this special service project that benefits and supports the Wakota Life Center in West St. Paul.  Thank you for your generosity and participation of this work of mercy.
 
Celebrating Halloween at St. Joseph’s School
We would like to recognize the traditional Halloween holiday by having an “Orange and Black” Day on Wednesday, October 31.  This will be an out of uniform day for our students.  Please help your children choose appropriate Halloween seasonal clothes or wear their Jaguar spirit attire to celebrate the day.  Students should not come to school wearing anything that will distract the classroom learning environment (masks, face makeup, colored hair).  Some of the classrooms will be having their own celebrations so please watch for your teacher’s individual newsletter for more information.
 
St. Joe's Socials - Fall Fest Group Events and Class Parties
Historically Group Events and Class Parties have been a terrific opportunity to help support our school and grow our community.  This year we are excited to put a new twist on an old tradition and introduce St. Joe's Socials!  How can you participate in the Socials?  Host a party for your child's class or one for the adults of the St. Joe's Community.  The spirit, fun and generosity of Fall Fest continues througout the school year.  The goal is to build community and have fun while doing it!  Please see the attached flyer for more information. 
Deadline to submit parties is November 2nd.

The Positivity Project – Perspective
This week, our students and faculty learned about the character strength integrity.  Integrity is doing the right thing when nobody is watching.  Next week, the students and faculty will learn about the character strength perspective.  People with perspective appreciate that people see things in different ways.  They have the ability to understand the world from multiple points of view.  We look forward to learning about and practicing all twenty-four character strengths through the Positivity Project during this school year.
 
School Mass
School families, friends, and members of the parish are invited to join our students and faculty in prayer by attending our next school Mass on Friday, October 26 at 9:00 a.m. in the Church. 
 
The Weather is Changing
The fall weather has arrived.  We encourage you 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 remember to label all of your child’s clothing so that it can be returned to him/her in the event that it is misplaced or lost while at school.  The last day to wear shorts is October 31.
 
Mission Statement
“St. Joseph’s Catholic School educates students through faith formation, academic excellence,
and the development of virtue to be disciples of Christ.”
 
Our school community has identified faith formation, academic excellence, and the development of virtue as three pillars of our school as we continue to partner with you to provide your children with a quality Catholic education.
 
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;
Attention all School Dads!  Men’s basketball will be “every” Saturday mornings starting Oct 6 ^th 7:30 – 9:00am in the School Gymnasium.  This is open to men 16 years and older.  If you would like more information please contact Tony Carnes at bigjetz@gmail.com. Supportive shoes encouraged and no commitment required!   
 
Click here to link to the weekly St. Joseph’s Church Bulletin .
 
Important Links:
Net Nights
St. Joe’s Socials
 
October & November Calendar Look Ahead:
Please consider joining us for some of the special events at our school.
      
       °  Thursday-Friday, October 18 & 19 – No School for students and faculty
       °  Monday, October 22 – School Picture Day – Out of Uniform
       °  Tuesday, October 23 – Parent Teacher Conferences for grades K-8; 4-8 pm
       °  Wednesday, October 24 – Vision and Hearing Screening
       °  Thursday, October 25 - Parent Teacher Conferences for grades K-8, 4-8 pm
        °  Wednesday, October 31 – Halloween – Students may wear orange and black or school
            spirit attire
       °  Thursday, November 1 – Mass 9:00am All Saints Day  Fourth grade retreat
       °  Friday, November 2 – Penance Services Grades 3-8
       °  Wednesday, November 7 – Mass 9:00am
       °  Thursday, November 8 – No School- Teacher Professional Development
       °  Friday, November 9 – No School- Teacher Professional Development
       °  Tuesday, November 13 – NET Night – Great Room
       °  Friday, November 16 – Mass 9:00am followed by our Fall Open House 10am-1pm
       °  Tuesday, November 20 – Mass 9:00am
       °  Wednesday November 21 – Friday November 23 – No School, Thanksgiving Break
       °  Tuesday, November 27 – Picture Retake Day