Parent Letter 10/26/18

Dear Parents,   
                                                                                                                        
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.
 
In the United States, Sunday, October 28 is 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 a “Thank You” song to the priests under the direction of Mrs. Bowe.  Each of them were presented with a personalized picture collage, a “prayer for priests”, and a Spiritual Bouquet of prayers that our students will be reciting for the 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 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.
 
Fall Fest 2018 – Save the Date!
Save the Date!  This year we are excited to have our Annual Fall Fest Gala Fundraiser on December 1 ^st at the Intercontinental Hotel in St. Paul.  Please watch for invitations coming home soon.  A Huge thank you to Mitzi Welk, Adrianna Birk, Bri DeLeon, Mollie Rubenzer, Katie Grondahl, and Cheryl Weimer for Chairing this event.  You won’t want to miss this great evening! 
 
Fall Fest Raffle Tickets on sale now.  Raffle ticket forms went home in today’s Friday Folder.  Please watch for and use this form order your tickets for a chance to win two tremendous prizes.  (Raffle Form also attached)
 
Fall Fest Buy it Now!  Out of Uniform Passes are now available!  These make for fantastic stocking stuffers for your students.  These are available for a limited time so please get your orders in!  Flyers were sent home in your child’s Friday Folder today as well as being attached to this letter.
 
Fall Fest Buy it Now!  Back by popular demand ~ Mr. Wesely’s Morning Announcement Helper!   We have 5 spaces available!  These are available for a limited time so please get your orders in!  Flyers were sent home in your child’s Friday Folder today as well as attached to this letter.
 
Fall Fest – St. Joe’s Socials forms went home last week.  These wonderful community building parties are a great way to meet new people and celebrate our great community!  Forms are due in by November 2 ^nd.  (form attached)
 
Fall Open House – November 16
Help us spread the word about our growing school!  School parents, friends, neighbors and family members are all invited to attend our PreK through 8th grade Open House on Friday, November 16th from 10:00am – 3:00pm.  A special School Mass will be celebrated at 9:00am .  Our Fall Open House is a great way to see our school and experience the St. Joseph’s community in action.  We look forward to seeing you there!
 
Winter Sports Registration
Winter Sports Registration for students in grades 5-8 is now open.  Winter sports offered are Basketball and Hockey.  Registration Deadline is Wednesday October 31.  Registration form attached.
 
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 Katie Grandahl and Natalie Mulrooney, our Home & School Association, and the many families that donated to our Faculty Dinner on Tuesday afternoon.  What a tremendous treat!  Thank you so very much!
 
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.
 
Respect Life Week – 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 Life Care Center in West St. Paul.
 
The Positivity Project – Creativity
This week, our students learned about the character strength perspective.  People with perspective appreciate that people see things in different ways.  Next week, our students will learn about the character strength creativity.  Creative people can look at the world in original ways.  They are open to new experiences, and have an imaginative and independent thought process.  They generate lots of different ideas and can pursue them with energy and enthusiasm.  We look forward to learning about and practicing all twenty-four character strengths through the Positivity Project during this school year.
 
School Mass – Thursday, November 1
Thursday, November 1 ^st is the Solemnity of All Saints, a holy day of obligation in our Catholic Church.  Please join us for our school Mass at 9:00 am in the church.  School families, friends, and members of the parish are invited to join our students and faculty in prayer and song.
 
Sacrament of Reconciliation - Friday, November 2
Students and faculty in grades 3-8 will receive the sacrament of Reconciliation on Friday, November 2.  We thank Fr. Creagan, Fr. Wratkowski, and the several priests from the area who will be assisting with sacrament.
 
The Weather is Changing
The last day to wear shorts is October 31.
The fall  and cooler weather has 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. 
 
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:
Winter Sports Registration
Fall Fest Raffle Tickets
Fall Fest St. Joe’s Socials
Fall Fest Buy It Now – Out of Uniform
Fall Fest Buy It Now – Mr. Wesely Morning Helper
Sibley Gymnastics grades K-6
Net Nights
 
October & November Calendar Look Ahead:
Please consider joining us for some of the special events at our school.
 
       °  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