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Parent Letter 10/25/19
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Dear Parents,
Greetings from St. Joseph’s School. Thank you for supporting our school mission in so many ways throughout the school year. Please continue reading to learn more about the exciting things happening at St. Joseph’s School.
Did you know that In the United States, this Sunday, October 27 is being recognized as “Priesthood Sunday”. Priesthood Sunday is an opportunity to thank priests for responding to God’s call to service for the Church.
After our school Mass this morning, our students, staff, and families recognized and thanked Fr. Creagan and Fr. Wratkowski for being our priests. Our school students sang “Angel Armies”, one of Fr. Creagan’s favorite songs, to the priests under the direction of Mrs. Bowe. Each of them were presented with an icon picture of St. Jean Vianney, the Patron Saint of Parish Priests, along with a special Prayer for Priests. 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 you children like to send our priests a note or card to letting them know they are appreciated? Cards or letters for either Fr. Creagan or Fr. Wratkowski may be placed in the Sunday collection basket as it passes, brought to the Parish Center, or mailed to 1154 Seminole Ave, West St Paul, MN 55118.
Blessing of the New Playground and Greenspace – November 1
Our Playground and Greenspace enhancement and replacement is complete. We would like to announce and invite you to attend a special blessing of our new playground and greenspace. This will be held on Friday, November 1 after the school Mass (approximately 9:55 a.m.) at the playground. We hope that you are able to attend this special event.
The students and faculty express our sincere gratitude to all who were involved in to make this project a reality; our school administration and faculty, school families, the Playground Committee members, very generous benefactors, Lawn Boys LLC (Casey and Cheryl Weimer), SD Custom Homes (Sean and Katie Doyle), St. Croix Recreation (Chris Johnsen), and the Church of St. Joseph parish Leadership and Buildings and Grounds Committee.
All School Raffle – Major Fundraiser
We are so thankful for the outstanding response to our all school fundraiser! This event will assist us in raising funds to carry out the mission of our school. Keep up the great work students and families. We are asking and need all families to participate by selling raffle tickets. Currently, we are 44% of the way to our goal (and Mr. Wesely being SLIMED). We have 2 more turn in dates, Monday October 28 th and Wednesday November 6 th. We need all of you to help us reach our goal! We have tremendous incentives our students. Please see the attached Raffle Information Packet for more details. Keep selling and Go Jaguars!
Thank you ~ Thank you ~ Thank you!
Thank you to the many parents who attended our Fall Parent Teacher Conferences. Conferences are a wonderful way to connect our families with our teachers to build a successful learning/working relationship to benefit our students for the school year.
Thank you to Sara Rogers and Hilary Lamusga, our Home & School Association, and the many families that donated to our Faculty Dinner on Tuesday & Thursday afternoon. What a tremendous treat! Thank you so very much!
Restaurant Night – Café Zupas Tuesday, October 29th
School families are invited to the next St. Joseph’s School Family Restaurant Night at Café Zupas in Eagan. This special community event will be on Tuesday, October 29th between 5:00pm and 8:00pm. Come enjoy a delicious meal and great fellowship with school families and friends. Please let them know you are there for the St. Joseph’s School Fundraiser or bring in the flyer or show an electronic version (see attached) for our school to receive 25 percent of your purchase. You are also able to order online and enter code FUNDRAISER25 as the coupon code. 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!
Celebrating Halloween at St. Joseph’s School
We would like to recognize the traditional Halloween holiday by having an “Orange and Black” Day on Thursday, 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.
Library Fundraising Opportunity – Halloween Candy Collection
Trick-or Treat for our school library. Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth is having a Halloween Candy Collection contest. The school that brings in the most pounds of candy will receive a donation of $1,000 to our school library. Dr. Jennifer is then donating all of the candy to our troops. Please see the flyer that went home in Friday Folders today.
Respect Life Month ~ Thank you!
Thank you for the many donations that we received during a layette baby item collection this week. These items will be donated to the Wakota – a Guiding Star Center in West St. Paul. Wakota’s Director Dan Saad attended our school Mass and spoke to the student and faculty. He did a wonderful job explaining what the Center does in providing many services to individuals in the community. Students and families may still participate by bringing a donation for the collection to school on Monday, October 28.
No School – November 4-5
There will be no school November 4 & 5. St. Joseph School faculty will be engaged in Professional Development. School will resume on Wednesday, November 6.
St. Joseph’s School Open House – Friday, November 15
Our school will be hosting an Open House on Friday, November 15 from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. This is an opportunity for families to visit our school, learn about our mission, meet with faculty, hear about our school’s programs, and take a tour of our school. We encourage you to invite family friends, members of the parish, and anyone else who may be interested in learning more about our school. Our day will begin with Mass at 9:00 a.m. in the Church. Please consider inviting anyone you know to join you at the Mass and bring them to visit our school, meet faculty, and learn about our programs during the Open House.
Volunteers Needed for Recess Duty
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 October.
Please click here to volunteer in November.
Please click here to volunteer in December.
SAVE the Date . . .St. Joseph’s School Gala December 7, 2019
Everyone is invited to come celebrate and support the mission of St. Joseph’s School at this special evening of fellowship, food, fundraising, and entertainment. Please watch for additional information and invitations being sent to families and friends of St. Joseph’s School.
The Weather is Changing – Please note: the last day to wear shorts is October 31.
The fall and cooler weather have arrived in West St. Paul. 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.
Dress Code / General Appearance Information
We want to thank our St. Joseph’s School parents for helping your child(ren) come to school each and every day dressed in their school uniforms. We are working hard to help our students remember the school uniform and appearance policies and procedures. Teachers will begin sending reminders home next week for uniform/appearance infractions. This is not meant to be a negative reflection on your child(s) appearance, but rather a reminder that we must work hard to follow the school dress code. Attached you will find a copy of our Uniform Policy for your reference. Thank you for your continued support!
St. Joseph’s School – Hospitality Weekend November 9th & 10th at St. Joseph’s Church
St. Joseph’s School will be hosting Hospitality Weekend on November 9 th & 10 th in the Great Room. We would love to have our school parents volunteer for this wonderful event at our Parish. Please click here to volunteer!
School Masses
Our next school Mass will be on Friday, November 1 st at 9:00 a.m. in the Church. This is the Feast of All Saints, a holy day of obligation. Come see our fourth-grade students dressed as a special saint that they have research in preparation for this feast day and their grade level retreat. Parents, grandparents, family members, and members of the parish are always welcome to attend our school Masses and prayer devotions during the school year.
Library Fundraising Opportunity
Trick-or Treat for our school library. Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth is having a contest for the school that brings in the most pounds of candy, she will donate $1,000 to our school library. Dr. Jennifer is then donating all of the candy to our troops. Please see the attached flyer for more details.
Mission Statement
“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.
Thinking From The Heart
St. Joseph’s Church is hosting Speaker Kenna Millea on Saturday, November 9 th in the Great Room. Please join for Mass at 8:00am followed by a Continental Breakfast. Thinking From the Heart ~ Forming Emotionally Intelligent Kids. Please see the attached flyer for more information.
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
Men’s Basketball
Attention all School Dads! Men’s basketball is resuming on Saturday, November 2. Basketball will be “every” Saturday morning from 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:
2019-2020 Raffle Information
Uniform Policy
Middle School Youth Nights
Out of Uniform Passes
Thinking From the Heart
October/ November Look Ahead:
° Friday, Oct. 25 – 9:00 am Mass
° Tuesday, Oct. 29 – 1st Reconciliation Night of Reflection 6:30-7:30pm Church
° Thursday, Oct. 31 – Halloween, Orange and Black Day
° Friday, Nov. 1 – 9:00 am Mass, Feast of All Saints
° Monday Nov. 4 & Tuesday, Nov. 5 – No School, Staff Professional Development
° Friday, Nov. 8 – 9:00 am Mass
° Thursday, Nov. 14 – Give to the Max Day
° Friday, Nov. 15 – 9:00 am Mass & All School Open House 10:00am-3:00pm
° Friday, Nov. 22 – 9:00 am Mass of Thanksgiving
° Tuesday, Nov. 26 – Picture Retake Day, Out of Uniform
° Tuesday, Nov. 26 – End of Trimester 1
° Wednesday, Nov. 27-Friday, Nov. 29 – No School, Happy Thanksgiving!
° Monday, Dec. 2 – Trimester 2 Begins