Parent Letter 12/20/19

Dear Parents,                                                                                        
 
Christmas Blessings from St. Joseph’s School,  The faculty and staff send blessings to you and your family during this most holy time of year.  It is a gift to be able to work with your children.  We are so grateful for the many ways St. Joseph’s families contribute to the success of our school.  We thank you for the many cards and treats that were shared with all of us over the past weeks.   Safe travels and we will see you in 2020.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
 
For your information, the school office will be closed for the holidays December 23, 2019 – January 1, 2020.  School will resume and the school office will open on Thursday, January 2, 2020!
 
On behalf of Greg and Anne Wesely, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your continued prayers during this most difficult time.  Matthew Wesely’s funeral will be held on Saturday in Lacrosse, WI.  A prayer service will be scheduled in January.  We will share that information as it becomes available. 
 
Just a reminder , Information Nights are scheduled for Preschool, Kindergarten, and Middle School in January.  Families will receive information on school programs and registration for the 2020-2021 school year.  Please continue to read for more information about these events.  In addition, School-Wide Open House is scheduled in January.  Our Open House provides the opportunity for families to come to school, meet staff, and visit our classrooms. 
 
Mission Statement
“St. Joseph’s Catholic School educates students through faith formation, academic excellence,
and the development of virtue to be disciples of Christ.”
 
Registration for the 2020-21 School Year Opens in January
It’s almost time to enroll for the 2020-21 school year!  Current school families will be automatically re-enrolled and annual family registration fees will be applied to family TADS accounts in February.  If a current family would like to delay re-enrollment, they must notify the school office by January 15th.
 
New families interested in learning more about our school are encouraged to attend one of our January admissions events.  

• Middle School Information Night:  January 9th at 6:30pm
• Kindergarten Information Night - January 14th at 6pm
• Preschool Information Night:  January 23rd at 6pm
• Open House:  January 26th, 10am to 1pm

 
For questions about enrollment, contact Lindsay Mayernik limayernik@stjosephwsp.org or 651-789-8315)
 
Middle School Information Session- January 9
Parents of 4th and 5th grade students, and all others interested in learning more about St. Joseph’s Middle School, are invited to attend our Information Session on Tuesday, January 9th at 6:30 pm in Middle School room 111.  School administration and middle school faculty will share information about our middle school programs and answer questions.  Classroom tours will also be available.
 
Kindergarten Information Session – January 14                                                                                Please join school administration and faculty on Tuesday, January 14 ^th at 6:00 p.m. in the parish’s Great Room to learn more about our school Kindergarten program. Families will also tour our Kindergarten classrooms and visit with our faculty during the evening.  Childcare will be available.  
 
Preschool Information Session – January 23
Please join us Thursday, January 23rd at 6:00pm in the Preschool Classrooms to learn more about the preschool offerings we provide for 3 & 4 year olds.  Childcare will be available.
 
Open House – Sunday, January 26th  10:00 am – 1:00 pm                                                                     St. Joseph School has scheduled an opportunity for current, prospective, and parish families to visit our school.  Everyone is invited to our Preschool –Grade 8 Open House on Sunday, January 26 from 10:00am - 1:00pm.  All classrooms will be open for visitors.  School administration and faculty will be available to meet with you and share information about our school.  If you know of a family (parish member, neighbor, relative, colleague at work) who may be interested in learning more about our school, please invite them to attend the special Open House.
 
Academic Competition – Congratulations!
St. Joseph’s School eighth grade students participated in the Catholic High School Academic Quiz Bowl on Monday, December 16.  The event is sponsored by the Catholic High Schools in the Twin Cities and held at the University of Saint Thomas.  Thank you to  Paige Abbott, Nate Rohrer, Nathan Schaffer and Julian Stucci for doing an outstanding job representing our school!  Thank you to Mrs. Kathy Anderson and Mrs. Jackie VanDiver for your support of our students!
 
Preschool Christmas Program
Congratulations to our Preschool Students on their outstanding performance at their Christmas Concert Tuesday night!  Thank you to our Preschool Faculty for your work on this wonderful program and to our families for your continued support of our school!
 
Middle School Pancake Breakfast
On Thursday, December 19th our middle school students were treated to a wonderful pancake breakfast.  This special event, a long-time tradition hosted by our middle school faculty and administration, celebrates the end of the first trimester of school.  Prior to getting their breakfast, the students at each table needed to sing a Christmas Carol for everyone!  Thank you teachers and volunteers for this wonderful treat for our students!
 
Does Your Employer Offer a Matching Gift Program?
Employer matching programs are a wonderful way to maximize your donation to St. Joseph’s School.  Please look into your employer programs to see if they may participate in this program.  If you have any questions or need help with the process, please contact Lisa Wrobel in our school office.  Thank you
 
St. Joe’s Socials
We are excited that once again we have the St. Joe’s Socials!  What a wonderful way to help support our school and grow our community. Click on the link below for more information about these great events!
 
Nothing Bundt Cakes - St. Paul Location
St. Joseph’s School will receive 20% of the sales at Nothing Bundt Cakes in St. Paul - Grand Avenue location, December 16th - December 21st.  Please see the attached flyer below.  Flyers will be going home with students next week.  Thank you!
 
Mitten and Hat Collection - Thank you!
Thank you to everyone who participated in our Mitten and Hat Collection.  Your donations will assist Hats and Mittens of Minnesota help people to stay warm during the winter months.
 
St. Joe's STEM Fair – February 7, 2020
STEM Fair registrations will still be accepted through January 3, 2020. A registration form is attached for your convenience.  Please take the Holiday break to decide on a project topic or research about it.
Calling all scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and inventors!  All students in grades 3-8 are invited to participate in our STEM Fair.  STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.  Winners of the St. Joe's STEM Fair will be able to compete in the CSCOE Big Bang STEM Fair in March.  Look for information coming home in your child's Friday Folder.  Middle School Science and Engineering Teacher, Miss Schafer, will be in all the classrooms, grades 3-8, to explain all the details to students next week. If you have any questions, please email elschafer@stjosephwsp.org.
 
Winter Season- School Closing Information
We are into the “winter season”.  Please note that all school closings are announced on WCCO and KARE 11.  St. Joseph’s School is always listed with our school district, ISD 197.  If District 197 schools are closed, we are closed, even if St. Joseph’s School is not listed.  In addition, our school office will also send out an “email blast” to our school families and a message will be posted on our school website.
 
Volunteers Needed for Recess Duty - Please help
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 January.  Hot chocolate will be provided for all volunteers!
  
The Weather is Changing
The cold and snowy weather have arrived in West St. Paul.  Please send your children to school with their sweaters, sweatshirts, jackets, and “snow gear” including hats, scarves, and nylon gloves/mittens so your child’s hands remain dry.   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.  Our school;’s Lost and Found is located on the first floor outside of the cafeteria.
 
School Masses
Our next school Mass will be on Friday, January 3 at 9:00 a.m. in the Church.  Parents and family members are always welcome to attend our school Masses and prayer devotions during the school year.
 
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.
 
Church of St. Joseph Christmas Mass schedule:
            Christmas Eve Mass (Children’s Choir) Tuesday, December 24: 5:00 p.m.
            Christmas Eve Mass at Night (Adult Choir/Strings)  Tuesday,  December 24: 10:00 p.m.
            Christmas Day Mass Wednesday, December 25: 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. (Adult 
             Choir/Brass)
  
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
 
Regular Joes - Exodus 90
Join the Regular Joes for Exodus 90 - January 13-April 12.  Please click on the link below to learn more or click on this link to download the app https://exodus90.com/.
 
Click here to link to the weekly St. Joseph’s Church Bulletin .
 
Important Links:
STEM Fair
Aim Higher Scholarships
St. Joe's Socials
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Middle School Youth Nights
Regular Joes Exodus 90
 
December/ January Look Ahead:      
             °  Monday Dec. 23 - Wednesday. Jan. 1 No School - Christmas Break
            °  Thursday, Jan. 2 - Welcome Back, School Resumes!  Happy New Year!
            °  Friday, Jan. 3 - Mass 9:00am Church
            °  Thursday, Jan 9 - Middle School Info Night 6:30pm / 5th gr. Shadow Day
            °  Friday, Jan. 10 - Mass 9:00am Church
            °  Tuesday, Jan. 13 - Kindergarten Info Night 6:00pm Great Room
            °  Thursday, Jan. 16 - 9:00am Mass Church
            °  Friday, Jan. 17 - No School for Students, Professional Development for Staff
            °  Monday, Jan. 20 - No School for Students, Martin Luther King Jr. Day
            °  Tuesday, Jan. 21 - School IN Session - Parent Transportation
            °  Thursday, Jan. 23 - Preschool Information Night 6:00pm, Preschool
            °  Friday, Jan. 24 - Mass 9:00am Church
            °  Sunday, Jan. 26 - Catholic Schools Week Open House 10:00am- 1:00pm, School
            °  Sunday, Jan. 26 - Friday, Jan. 31- Catholic Schools Week
            °  Friday, Jan. 31 - Mass 9:00am Church
            °  Friday, Jan. 31 - Carnival