Parent Letter 3/1/19

Dear Parents,
 
Well we turned the calendar page to the month of March (and yes, it is still snowing!).  This month includes a number of special events taking place at our school.  Please place them on your calendar.  We hope you are able to join us!
 
I was blessed to spend two days this week with Archdiocesan school principals and leaders at the Catholic Schools Center of Excellence (CSCOE) while attending the Catholic School Leadership Conference.  This special conference and retreat included Mass with Bishop Cozzens, sessions led by Archbishop Hebda, Bishop Cozzens, Catholic School Principals, Groves Academy, Paul Ruff, and members of the CSCOE team.  Fr. Creagan and Patrick Menke, Parish Administrator, attended the conference for part of one day.  I appreciate CSCOE providing this opportunity for the principals in the Archdiocese.  There is definitely a growing energy and excitement for Catholic education and our Catholic schools in the Archdiocese.
 
Lent
The liturgical season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 6.  We will celebrate Mass at 9:00 a.m. with the distribution of ashes happening during the Mass.  Our students will grow in their faith and prepare for Easter through classroom work, prayer, Mass, Stations of the Cross, the Sacrament of Reconciliation (grades 2-8), the Rosary, and the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd instruction.  In addition, the Church of St. Joseph will be praying the Stations of the Cross on Friday evenings in the church.  Everyone is invited to join us in prayer at Mass and/or during the devotions.
 
Mass and Breakfast
On Wednesdays during Lent, St. Joseph’s School families are invited to attend the parish’s morning Mass at 7:30 a.m.  The dates are March 13, 20 & April 3, and 10.  After Mass, the students (parents may accompany their child/children) will go to the Great Room for supervision prior to school (8:05-8:30 a.m.).  For any family interested, a light breakfast will be available for students for a nominal charge ($2.00) payable each morning.  Students will be dismissed to their classrooms at 8:30 a.m. to begin their school day.  We look forward to praying together with members of the parish at morning Mass.
 
For Your Information
Our school office received a telephone call from a school parent on Thursday afternoon informing us about something called the Momo challenge.  Apparently, children are encouraged to contact a person named “Momo” through an application called Whatsapp.  Another claim is that Momo can appear on various You Tube Kids videos.  Momo encourages the child to take challenges or dares which get increasingly dangerous.  We share this to make you aware of its presence on social media and the internet.
 
8th Grade Bake Off
8th graders, Johnny Schwirtz, Romain Metzger, and Henry Bitzer are the winners of the 3rd Annual Bake-Off. The Bake-Off is the grand finale of our chemistry unit and the 8th grade students have to observe all the chemical reactions that occur during baking. Thank you to all our volunteers that made this bake-off possible!
If you want to try the winning recipe, CLICK HERE.

Spring Sport’s Registration - Now Open
Registration for spring sports (grades 5-8 – baseball, softball), (grade 5-8 – track) begins today.  Spring sports include track, girls’ softball and boy’s baseball.  Again, this year is the addition of our 5 ^th graders to our Softball and Baseball teams.  We are excited and think this will be a great addition!
 
A spring sport’s registration form is coming home today.  You may also find one on the website.  If your child has played a fall or winter sport, we will only need the registration form.  Please do not send payment in with your Registration. All Spring Sports fees will be billed through TADS the month of April.  If this is the first sport being played this school year, please check the box on the registration form and the rest of the forms will be sent home. 
 
Forms should be turned in by Friday, March 8^th.  Registration will not be accepted after Friday, March 8^th.  Sport’s participation fees are non-refundable.
If you are interested in coaching a spring sport, please contact Mrs. VanDiver, Athletic Director, at 651-457-8550. 
 
St. Joseph’s School Family Nights – March 13 at Chipotle
Join us for our next school Family Night at Chipotle located at 1857 Robert Street in West St. Paul.  This special school event will be on March 13 between 4:00pm and 8:00pm.  Our school will receive 33% from the sales that evening.  We invite you to enjoy an evening out with your family and friends.  We thank our Home and School Association for organizing this special event.
 
Middle School Play – “Annie Jr.”
The Middle School musical “Annie Jr.” will be performed on Friday, March 15 at 7:00 pm and Saturday, March 16 at 1:00 pm in the school gym.  Middle school students continue to prepare for their special performances. 
 
All students will have the opportunity to see the play during the week.  Ticket order forms are attached below or may be picked up in the school office.  Guests attending the performances may also pay at the door.  If you are not able to attend the play performances, we encourage you to consider purchasing a DVD of the performance, photographs, and “behind the scenes” interviews with the cast and crew.
 
We thank Mrs. Bowe, our middle school faculty, Mrs. Kilduff, school office staff and administration, and many parent volunteers for providing this special experience for our middle school students.
 
Donuts with Dads - Feast of St. Joseph Celebration – Tuesday, March 19 – Save the Date
The Feast of St. Joseph, the patron saint of our parish and school, is Tuesday, March 19.  Dads and grandfathers are invited with their children and grandchildren to attend a “Donuts with Dads” celebration on Tuesday, March 19 between 7:45-8:25 a.m. in the Monsignor Foran Great Room.  Donuts, coffee, and juice will be served before school as we celebrate dads and grandfathers.  Dads and grandfathers are invited to remain for fellowship prior to attending the celebration of Mass at 9:00 a.m. in Church.  Please CLICK HERE to RSVP for this wonderful event!  We look for to seeing you!
 
Volunteers Needed for Donuts with Dads Event
St. Joseph School Moms - we need your help to serve donuts and coffee as well as do a little clean-up for our annual Donuts with Dad's event on Tuesday, March 19 ^th, 7:00am-9:00am.  This wonderful event is held in the Parish Great Room.  Please CLICK HERE to Volunteer!  Thank you for your help!

St. Joe's STEM Fair – April 4, 2019
St. Joseph’s School is holding a STEM Fair on Thursday, April 4, 2019.  We are pleased to share that we have over 50 students participating in the STEM Fair this year.  Winners of the St. Joe's STEM Fair will be able to compete in the CSCOE Big Bang STEM Fair on April 6, 2019.  If you have any questions, please contact elschafer@stjosephwsp.org.
 
CAA Scholarship Opportunity
Each year, the CAA awards six $500 scholarships to current 6th or 7th graders to be awarded at their grade school for the following academic year.   The deadline to submit applications is Saturday, April 20, 2019.  Award winners will be announced in early May.  The link to the application can be found on the CAA website, stpaulcaa.org.
 
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. 
Volunteer for March Recess Duty:  CLICK HERE
Volunteer for April Recess Duty:  CLICK HERE
Volunteer for May/June Recess Duty:  CLICK HERE

School Mass – Wednesday, March 6
Please join us for our school Ash Wednesday Mass on, March 6 at 9:00am in the church.  School families, friends, and members of the parish are always invited to pray with our students and faculty. 

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: 

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. 
 
Extreme Faith Camp
Extreme Faith Camp is for all youth currently in grades 6-8,  July 8-12.  This will be held at Camp
Courage in Maple Lake MN.  Please see the attached flyer for more information.
 
SJY Summer Boston Mission Trip
All teens currently in grades 8-12 are invited to join us as we travel to Boston Catholic Heart Work Camp July 12-21.  Please see the attached flyer for more information. 
  
Mission Statement 
St. Joseph’s Catholic School educates students through faith formation, academic excellence, and the development of virtue to be disciples of Christ.  Thank you for supporting our mission and entrusting your children to our care each day.
 
Click here to link to the weekly St. Joseph’s Church Bulletin .
 
Important Links:
Annie Jr. Ticket Order Form
Annie Jr. DVD Order Form
Spring Sports Registration
Chipotle Family Fun Night
Northern Heat/CDH Volleyball Camp
CDH Dance Team
Sibley Dance Team
MHAA Volleyball
SJY Extreme Faith Camp
SJY Boston Mission Trip
 
March Calendar Look Ahead:
Please consider joining us for some of the special events at our school.

• Saturday, March 2 – 1^st Eucharist Morning of Reflection 9:00-10:30am, Church
• Wednesday, March 6 – Mass 9am, Ash Wednesday
• Friday March 8 – End of Trimester 2
• Monday, March 11- Trimester 3 Begins
• Tuesday, March 12 – MS NET Night, 4:00-7:30pm, Great Room
• Wednesday, March 13 – Chipotle Family Fun Night 4:00-8:00pm
• Friday, March 15 – Report cards sent home with students
• MS Musical Annie Jr. 7:00pm, Gym
• Saturday, March 16 – MS Musical Annie Jr. 1:00pm, Gym
• Tuesday, March 19 – Donuts with Dads 7:45am, Mass 9am – Feast of St. Joseph
• Friday, March 22- School in Session No District Transportation or Food Service
• Friday, March 22- 6^th Grade Biography Fair, 1:00-3:00pm Great Room
• Monday, March 25 – Friday, March 29 – Spring Break, No School
• Monday, April 1 – Welcome Back – School in Session