Parent Letter 11/15/19

Dear Parents,                                                                                                                  
Greetings from St. Joseph’s School!  We had another wonderful week at school.  On Tuesday, veterans from the Church of St. Joseph brought apples to our school faculty.  On Thursday, the MN Give to the Max Day for our school was very successful as we surpassed our school goal of $50,000!  This event, through the generosity of school families, parishioners, and friends of St. Joseph brought a tremendous amount of energy and spirit into our school.  Today, at our Preschool-Elementary-Middle School Open House, a number of families visited our school.  In addition, I spent three days visiting St. John the Baptist Catholic School in Jordan Minnesota as a member of a MNSAA Accreditation Team.  Please continue to review this Friday Letter, check your child’s Family Folder, and our school website to keep updated on all the happenings at St. Joseph’s School.  St. Joseph, pray for us!
 
Give to the Max Day!  What to Go St. Joe’s!
The faculty and I are overwhelmed with gratitude!  Yesterday, was an incredible day for our school and community.  We are so thankful for everyone’s generosity and the support you provided to our school during Give to the Max Day.  Together, over $55,000 was donated to St. Joseph's School.  Five families combined efforts to challenge us with a $25,000 match.  One hundred thirty five donors helped us to meet, and exceed that challenge by giving over $30,000 online or by check to our church and school offices.  We are still calculating as funds are still coming in!  
 
We are humbled by the generosity of so many in our community who continue to support our school.  Every gift is important and directly helps us continue our mission of educating students through faith formation, academic excellence and the development of virtue to be disciples of Christ.
 
May God continue to bless you, your families, our school alumni, and our many benefactors.  Please check our school Facebook page for a special MN Give to the Max “Thank You!”.
 
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.  Invites were sent out electronically through Paperless Post last week to all of our school families to come.  We would love to have you all come and celebrate with us and support the mission of St. Joseph’s School at this special evening of fellowship, food, fundraising, and entertainment.  If you did not receive a Paperless Post invite, please email stjgala@stjosephwsp.org .  
 
Fall Open House
St. Joseph’s School hosted a Fall Open House today.  Families had the opportunity to tour the school, visit classrooms, and meet school staff.  We appreciate everyone who came to visit the school.  Our students and staff did an outstanding job welcoming the families and sharing the learning and excitement taking place in our school.  We thank Lindsay Mayernik, Enrollment Coordinator, for organizing the event and members of our School Advisory Council for being present to assist with the school tours.  Please help us spread the word about our amazing school!  Our best referrals come from you!  Thanks!

2019 Thanksgiving Food Drive  “ Do a good deed; help a neighbor in need!”
St. Joseph’s School’s eighth grade class is sponsoring a canned goods / non-perishable food collection to support the work of Neighbors, Inc.  Our collection will be Monday, November 18 - Friday, November 22.   Please consider helping people in need of food in our area by donating food items during the collection.  A flyer with additional details is attached to this letter.  The food shelf is currently in need of tuna and canned meats, canned soup, canned fruit, peanut butter and jelly, and Hamburger Helper.  In addition, you may bring health products such as shampoo, toothpaste, and toilet paper. Thank you for your generosity.
 
School Raffle - Congratulations!     
Plans are being finalized for our school celebration acknowledging everyone’s during our School Raffle.  We would like to congratulate and thank the following students and classrooms for their extraordinary efforts;
 
Top Ticket Sellers: These students will receive a cash prize.
1st Caitlin Schwartz, 2nd Maggie Kocourek, 3rd Afton Silva, 4th Caleb Hoffman, and 5th Ryan Hughes.  
 
Top Selling Grade:  This grade has an Out of Uniform Day with Pizza.
Fourth grade - Mrs. Rotvold and Ms. Schmid 
 
Top Selling Homerooms: 1st place - Ms. Barry - grade 3 Local Field Trip, 2nd place - Mrs. Taplin - grade 2 Movie and Popcorn, tie  3rd place - Mrs. Rotvold - grade 4 World’s Largest Banana Split Party, Ms. Schmid - grade 4 World’s Largest Banana Split Party
           
Classroom Reaches Their Goal: These classes will receive a Cheetos Jaguar Paw Party
Mrs. Kuettel - Kindergarten, Mrs. Dovenmuehler - grade 1, Mrs. Taplin - grade 2, Ms. Barry - grade 3, Mrs. Rotvold - grade 4, Ms. Schmid - grade 4, Miss Roettger - grade 6, Miss Schafer - grade 7, Mr. Schultz - grade 7.
 
100% Student Participation: These classes will receive an extra recess and a special treat.
Mrs. Taplin - grade 2, Ms. Barry - grade 3, and Ms. Schmid - grade 4
 
Oh yes, let’s not forget . . . Mr. Wesely, are you ready to be SLIMED!  If you are interested or feel lucky, additional raffle tickets may be purchased in the school office, at the Church of St. Joseph on the weekend of November 23-24, or at the St. Joseph’s School Gala on December 7.  The raffle drawing will take place at the Gala.
 
St. Joseph’s School – Hospitality Weekend - Thank you!
We would like to say thank you to the many volunteers and families that assisted our school in hosting The Church of St. Joseph’s Hospitality Weekend.  In addition to delicious coffee and donuts, Mrs. Mayernik (Enrollment Coordinator) and I were present to share school information.  A slide show also shared with parishioners in attendance information about the school. 
 
Picture Retake Day
Tuesday, November 26 is School Picture Retake Day.  All students are out of uniform on this day.  If you child would like to have their pictures retaken, please send back the original pack of school pictures on November 26th with your child.  If your child is getting pictures taken for the first time order forms are available in the school office or you may order online by clicking here:  http://my.lifetouch.com/mylifetouch/pictureDayId/EVTF42BBW  
  
Thanksgiving Holiday Break
School will not be in session on Wednesday, November 27 – Friday, November 29 for the Thanksgiving holiday.  The school office will be closed.  School will resume on Monday, December 2.  Please travel safely and enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday with your family. 
 
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.
  
The Weather is Changing
The cooler and snowy weather has arrived in West St. Paul.  BRRRR!  We encourage you to start sending your children to school with their sweaters, sweatshirts, jackets, and “snow gear” when needed.  It can be very cool at the bus stops and on the playground.  
 
During the school day, students should only wear sweatshirts and / or sweaters that are part of the St. Joseph’s School uniform.  Hoodies and sweatshirts that are from community teams, college or professional teams are not to be worn during the school day.  If there is snow on the ground, students are required to be in boots in order to play on the field during recess.
 
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. 
 
School Masses
Our next school Mass will be on Friday, November 22 at 9:00 a.m. in the Church.  Please help us celebrate our Mass of Thanksgiving.  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.
 
Children’s Christmas Eve Choir- for All Students in Grades 4-8
Once again, this year, at the 5 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass, we will have the Children’s Choir.  Practices will be held in the church after school on Wednesdays: November 28; and December 4, 11 and 18, from 3:45 to 5 p.m.; and an additional practice, if needed, will be held on Saturday, Dec. 18 at 10 a.m. if necessary Welcome the newborn King into the world with your glorious voice! Please register for the choir by contacting Denis Allaire at (651) 789-8355 or denis.allaire@churchofstjoseph.org.
 
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 underway – we invite you to come join us.  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
 
November Look Ahead:
             °  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
            °  Friday, Dec. 6 - 9:00 am Mass, K-2 Senior Citizen Concert - Greatroom
            °  Saturday, Dec. 7 - St. Joseph’s School Gala, Intercontinental Hotel
            °  Monday, Dec. 9 - 9:00am Mass
            °  Tuesday, Dec. 10 - K-2 Christmas Concert 6:30pm, Church; Reception Following
            °  Thursday, Dec. 12 - Band & Choir Concert 7:00pm, Gymnasium
            °  Monday Dec. 23 - Wed. Jan. 2 No School - Christmas Break
            °  Thursday, Jan. 2 - Welcome Back, School Resumes!