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Parent Letter 11/1/19
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Dear Parents,
Greetings from St. Joseph’s School! Is the date of this letter really November 1, 2019! Can you believe we have turned the calendar page to November ? WOW!
I would like to personally invite you, your family, and friends to attend our Mass and Open House on Friday, November 15, 2019. This is a very important event for our school. I encourage you to consider inviting someone to attend with you to have them learn more about our school and its programs. Thank You!
No School – November 4-5
School will not be in session for students on November 4 & 5. St. Joseph School faculty will be engaged in Professional Development during those two days. Our faculty will be collaborating in their Academic Curriculum Teams, discussing and mapping science curriculum, continuing to review the Responsive Classroom approach, review and discuss NWEA MAP assessment data. School will resume on Wednesday, November 6. See you then!
NWEA MAP Assessment – Fall 2019
We are pleased to share with you that in reviewing the assessment results of our students’ NWEA MAP Assessments, we noted that all of our grades levels – grades 2-8 scored above the National Norms in Reading and Mathematics. Congratulations students and teachers – job well done. We thank you for coming to school each ready to learn and grow in your faith and knowledge.
“O When the Saints Go Marching In”
Today, our school celebrated the Feast of All Saints. Our fourth-grade students attended the Mass dressed as the saint that they researched and studied as part of a class project. After the Mass, these students attended a retreat where they presented the information about their saints and prayed together. Special thanks for Mrs. Rotvold and Ms. Schmid for providing this wonderful learning experience for our students.
Blessing of the New Playground and Greenspace
Our Playground and Greenspace enhancement and replacement is complete. The last portion of fencing – the ball field backstop, was installed last week. After our Mass this morning, Fr. Creagan, the students, faculty, parents, family, and guests walked to the playground for a special blessing. Watch for video and pictures of the blessing on our social media.
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 Update
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 77% of the way to our goal (and Mr. Wesely being SLIMED). We have one more turn in date; Wednesday November 6. We need all of you to help us reach our goal! We have tremendous incentives our students. Keep selling. Go Jaguars!
All School Raffle - SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!
Thank you for continuing to sell raffle tickets for our school fundraiser. You know that we are “Racing for the Goal” of $60,000. Our next Turn In Day is Wednesday, November 6. We need to have 100% of our students and families participate in this important fund-raising event.
On Wednesday, our last turn in day, we will have a special drawing. Every student who participates in the raffle by selling tickets will have their name in the drawing. We will have some special prizes, gift cards, and one Mystery Prize. Additional tickets are available in the school office. Please email Lisa Wrobel at liwrobel@stjopsehwsp.org to request more tickets.
Just a reminder that all tickets stubs, money, and unsold tickets must be returned to school on Wednesday, November 6. We would like to share our sincere appreciation to everyone for your support of this fundraiser.
Sacrament of Reconciliation – Wednesday, November 6
A Penance Service for students in grades 3-8 will be held on Wednesday, November 6. Students will be able to receive God’s mercy through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We thank Fr. Creagan, Fr. Wratkowski and all of the priests who will be present to provide this special sacrament to our students.
Restaurant Night – Café Zupas Tuesday- Thank you!
Thank you to the many school families who attended the Family Restaurant Night at Café Zupa’s in Eagan on Tuesday! 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!
St. Joseph’s School Open House – Friday, November 15
Please help us spread the word about our school! St. Joseph’s School will be hosting an Open House for Preschool through eighth grade 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 November.
Please click here to volunteer in December.
SAVE the Date . . . St. Joseph’s School Gala December 7, 2019
The St. Joseph’s School Gala will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2019 at the Intercontinental Hotel in St. Paul. 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: t he last day to wear shorts was 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.
Calendar Change: Middle School Band and Choir Concert
We have had a change in date for the Middle School Band and Choir Concert. The new date is Thursday, December 12 th, 7:00pm in our School Gymnasium.
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. Volunteering includes light set up, serving donuts and coffee, being Hospitable, and light cleanup. Please click here to volunteer! School information will be available for families during the Hospitality Weekend.
School Masses
Our next school Mass will be on Friday, November 8 at 9:00 a.m. in the Church. Parents, grandparents, family members, and members of the parish are always welcome to attend our school Masses and prayer devotions during the school year.
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:
Middle School Youth Nights
Middle School News Letter
Thinking From the Heart
November Look Ahead:
° 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 followed by our 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