Parent Letter 2/8/19

Dear Parents,
 
Greetings from St. Joseph’s School!
 
We have had a wonderful week celebrating Catholic education and our school.  The students and faculty really did a great job participating in the various themes during the week.  On Monday, Mr. Wesely read a bedtime story, titled Pajama Day, and provided cookies and milk for our students in Kindergarten, First and Second grades.  On Wednesday, everyone dressed in wacky, mismatched clothes which was quite hysterical.  Our fourth grade teachers, Mrs. Rotvold and Ms. Schmid, even dressed in our girls’ elementary uniforms!  On Thursday, during our Summer Fun Day, Mrs. VanDiver and Mr. Wesely had a Beach Party during the third, fourth, and fifth grade P.E. classes.  The party included beach ball volleyball, the game Jaws with the parachute, and a hula hoop contest.  In addition, what would a beach party be without popsicles.  We thank everyone for participating in this week’s celebration!
 
Please continue to review this letter for information and updates on activities happening at school.
 
Parent Teacher Conferences - Rescheduled
Parent Teacher Conferences that were originally schedule for Thursday, February 7 (4:30-7:30 pm), have been rescheduled for Thursday, February 21 (4:30-7:30 p.m.).  We kept your same time slot(s) as you had scheduled for your conference(s) and moved it to the new date.  If this does not work for your schedule, or if you have any questions please contact Lisa Wrobel liwrobel@stjosephwsp.org. 
 
The St. Joseph’s School Faculty thanks you for taking time to meet with your child’s (children’s) teachers to receive an update on their progress and learn more about what is happening in their classrooms.  We also thank the Home and School Association for providing dinner for the faculty during conferences.  It was a treat to be able to have the faculty all together for a meal and fellowship. 
 
Valentine’s Day Celebration – Thursday, February 14
Our school will celebrate the Feast of St. Valentine (Valentine’s Day) on Thursday, February 14. Students may be “out of uniform” and wear red, pink, and white on that day.  Students need to be in school uniform for the day if they do not wear Valentine colors.
 
School Carnival – Take 3 
Our annual school Carnival will now be held on Friday, February 15, 2019 from 12:00 noon-3:00 p.m.  Our Carnival Committee is looking for several volunteers to help during Carnival.  Please  CLICK HERE to volunteer.  Students in grades PreK – 1 ^st grade will need to be accompanied by an adult.  This will be an out of uniform – Jaguar Spiritwear Dress Day!  Thank you for your assistance and support of this special event for our students. 
 
Scholastic Book Fair – Final Weekend!
The Scholastic Book Fair will be open at Church in the Great Room on Saturday, February 9 - 5:30pm - 6:30pm, and Sunday, February 10 -  8:30am - 12:00pm.  The Book Fair is also available online until February 19.  Please CLICK HERE to visit the online store.  Purchases made online will be shipped to our school for free.  This is an opportunity for families to add books to their at home libraries for their children to read.  You may also consider purchasing a book to donate to the Library or your child’s classroom.  Thank you Michelle Benish and the wonderful team of volunteers that make this event such a success for our school! 

Panera Family Fun Night – Wednesday, February 13 
School families are invited to the next St. Joseph’s School Family Night at Panera in West St. Paul.  This special community event will be on Wednesday, February 13 between 4:00pm and 8:00pm.  Come enjoy a delicious meal and great fellowship with school families and friends.  Please bring in the Panera flyer or show an electronic version (see attached) for our school to receive a percentage of your purchase. 
 
Preschool News
Our Preschool’s February Service Project is Hearts of Love. The preschool will be collecting non-perishable food items and toiletries February 11-15.  They will be donating their collection to Neighbors, Inc. in South St. Paul.  Thank you and congratulations to our youngest students on their efforts to help individuals and families in need through this special service project.
 
St. Joe's STEM Fair – April 4, 2019
St. Joseph’s School is holding a STEM Fair on Thursday, April 4, 2019.  STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.  All students in grades 3-8 are invited to participate in the Fair.  Winners of the St. Joe's STEM Fair will be able to compete in the CSCOE Big Bang STEM Fair on April 6, 2019.  Middle School Science and Engineering Teacher, Miss Schafer, explained all the details to our third-eighth grade students.  A STEM Fair information packet may be found in the Important Links section of this letter.  Please print out the information at home and go over it with your child.  If you child is interested in participating in this special academic event, please complete the St. Joseph’s School STEM Fair Registration Form and return it to school by Friday, February 15.  If you have any questions, please email  elschafer@stjosephwsp.org.
 
Registration for the 2019-2020 School Year
Current school families with children in grades K-7 have been re-enrolled for next school year.  The annual family registration fee ($200/family) will be applied to family TADS accounts in February.  Families may visit the Admissions page on our website for 2019-2020 school tuition information.  For questions about enrollment, contact Christy Frost at 651-789-8315 or chfrost@stjosephwsp.org.  

2019-2020 Family Referral Credit 
We always invite and encourage our families to share information about our school with your families, neighbors, and friends.  A $500 Referral Credit is available to current school families for each new family they refer which registers to attend our school for next year.  Thanks for your assistance.
 
Financial Assistance and Scholarships Available – Grades Kindergarten-8
Financial Assistance offered through St. Joseph’s School is available to all families with children in grades K-8 who qualify.  Families apply using TADS.  The deadline to apply for financial assistance for the 2019-2020 school year is February 28.  Log into your TADS account to complete this process.
 
The Aim Higher Foundation provides scholarships for students to attend Catholic school in the Archdiocese of St. Paul & Mpls. The application period ends February 17, 2019 . If you received a scholarship this academic school year (2018-2019), you must re-apply. They are also accepting new applications from school families.  This link will be found in your financial aid application through TADS.
 
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 look for an email from your grade level rep and consider signing up for recess duty.

School Mass – Friday, February 15
Please join us for our school Mass on Friday, February 15 at 9:00am in the church.  School families, friends, and members of the parish are always invited to pray with our students and faculty. 
 
Parking Reminder
Please be aware and courteous of our neighbors living on Seminole Avenue.  We have homes directly across the street from our school and on several occasions, driveways have been blocked by parked vehicles.  If there is not space available to park on the street, please do not create a spot in which your vehicle blocks an entrance to a driveway, even if you are just going to be a short time in the building.  We have parking located in the lot on the corner of Seminole and Orme.  Vehicles parked blocking our neighbors’ driveways may be ticketed by the West St. Paul Police.  Thank you for your attention to this matter.
 
Lost and Found 
Parents are asked to please stop and check the table with items from our lost and found.  The table will be located on the second floor of our building near the school office.  There are many items including shirts, pants, sweatshirts, hats, gloves, and mittens.  Thank you for checking and claiming your items.

Just a Reminder 
Please continue to review our Friday Letters, check your child’s Family Folder, our school website, Facebook, Twitter, and the St. Joseph parish bulletin to keep updated on all the exciting happenings at St. Joseph’s School. 
  
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: 

NET Night: Tuesday, February 12—“True Grit/Dignified”  Grades 6-8
All youth in grades 6 through 8 are invited to attend these evenings with the local NET Team!  NET Nights include pizza, games, small groups, and prayer.  Youth do not have to pay to attend these evenings, but families are asked to prayerfully consider donations of $5 or $10 to help cover the cost of the NET Team and food.  NET Nights run from 4:00-7:30 p.m. in the Great Room.  Youth may come right after school and no registration necessary.
  
All in God’s Plan
St. Joseph’s will be hosting an All in God’s Plan Level 1 event for 10-12 years old girls and their mothers or significant adult female on Saturday, March 9, 2019 from 2-4:30pm.   Space will be limited.  Please see the parish website for registration 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.
 
Click here to link to the weekly St. Joseph’s Church Bulletin .
 
Important Links:
                  
                    STEM Fair Information Packet
                    Panera Restaurant Night
                    Air Higher Scholarship
                   
January Calendar Look Ahead:
Please consider joining us for some of the special events at our school.

• Tuesday, February 12- Middle School NET Night – 4:00-7:30pm Great Room
• Wednesday, February 13 – Family Fun Restaurant Night, Panera WSP 4-8pm
• Friday, February 15 – Mass 9:00am Church
• Friday, February 15 – School Carnival 12-3pm – Spirit Dress Day