Parent Letter 3/19/21

Dear St. Joseph’s School Parents,          

Today is the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, husband of Mary and the patron saint of our parish and school. This feast comes in the midst of a year of prayer and devotion to St. Joseph as declared by our Holy Father Pope Francis for the universal church as well as by Archbishop Hebda for the Archdiocese.  

Most of our information about St. Joseph comes from the opening two chapters of St. Matthew's Gospel.  No words of his are recorded in the Gospels; he was the "silent" man.  He is the patron of the Universal Church.  He is also the patron of the dying because Jesus and Mary were at his death-bed.  In addition, he is the patron of fathers, of carpenters, and of social justice. 

Each day, during our Morning Announcements, our students and staff together recite a special prayer to St. Joseph.  The prayer is below.

 Prayer to St. Joseph

Blessed Joseph, protector of the holy family and patron saint of our parish.

Guide me today in my schoolwork and in my relationship with others.

Defend me from harm and bring me closer to your son, Jesus Christ.  Amen.

St. Joseph, pray for us!

Back to School Re-Opening Plan- 3rd Trimester Review
St. Joseph’s School is committed to the health and safety of our students, staff, and families.  As we begin Trimester 3 and approach the months of Spring, based on science and our school experiences, it is time to make some moderate adjustments to our school plan, protocols, and daily practices at our school.  Please click here to review these daily practices.

Travel Guidelines
School families and faculty are to observe the guidelines published by the Minnesota Department of Health(MDH) and take extra precautions while traveling and returning to home and school.  While St. Joseph’s School does not have a quarantine requirement for travelers, we do ask families and faculty to monitor potential exposures and possible symptoms as they return to in person learning.

COVID Testing
When any member of a household is being tested for COVID-19 due to an exposure, potential exposure, or with COVID symptoms, all family members at home should remain home from school until test results have been received.  This simple mitigation greatly decreases any “close contact” exposure that could happen if a positive asymptomatic family member remains at school until those test results are known.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our school Nurse Amy Milosch ammilosch@stjosephwsp.org or Lisa Wrobel liwrobel@stjosephwsp.org.  

Student Pick Up – Important Information
As you know, during the winter months because of snow removal on the east (back) parking lot, vehicles needed to be moved closer to the school during afternoon student pickup.  Now that the snow is gone and the row of parking spaces adjacent to the grass area of the parking lot, it is time to move vehicles back to our original parking arrangement during afternoon student pickup.  Afternoon student pick up is very busy with families parking, walking to pick up their children by the orange cones, walking back to their vehicles, and exiting the parking lot through the south exit on Orme Street.  We thank everyone for their cooperation during the afternoon student pick up.

Lenten Service Project - Diaper Drive for Wakota
Our Lenten service project is a Diaper Drive titled; “No Child Wet Behind” for Wakota Center in West St.

Paul.  Wakota provides women, mothers and families compassionate, life affirming care and support.  We invite our school families to participate in this special collection of diapers for Wakota.  We have been challenged to fill the school office with packages of diapers.  Wakota currently needs size 5 and size 6 diapers.  However, any size will be accepted.  Diapers may be brought to school through Thursday, March 25.  Thank you for your participation and generosity in our Lenten Service Project.

Sacrament of Reconciliation
During the past week, as part of our Lenten journey preparing for Easter, our second through eighth grade students received God’s forgiveness and mercy through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  We thank our teachers for assisting their students in preparing for confession.  We also thank Fr. Creagan, Fr. Wratkowski, and Fr. Joppa, pastor of the Church of St. Rita in Cottage Grove for assisting the students with receiving this sacrament.

Report Cards – Just a reminder
Trimester 2 Report Cards were sent to families last week.  Parents of K-5 students are asked to complete a Signature Form after reviewing their child’s report card.  The form needs to be returned to school by Friday, March 19.  Middle school student Report Cards were sent to parents electronically via email.  Upon receiving and reviewing their child’s report cards, middle school parents need to send an email reply to acknowledge receipt of the report card.  Please contact your child’s teacher if you have any questions regarding your child’s academic progress or their learning behaviors. 

NWEA MAP Testing
St. Joseph’s School second through eighth grade students complete the MAP (Monitoring Academic Progress) during the school year.  This year, the assessments will be administered to the students in the Fall, Winter, and Spring.  Each grade (2-8) demonstrated growth in the areas of both mathematics and reading from Fall to Winter and the grade level average scores in both subjects were well above the national norm.  Additionally, after closely reviewing the strands that were taught in our curriculum in the Fall, data showed that the vast majority (95%) of the second - eighth grade students demonstrated significant growth in the strands/standards that were covered in the Fall.  The Spring MAP Assessments will be administered to our students during the final two weeks of April.

Important Dates for the 2021-2022 School Year
As we are planning and preparing for the 2021-2022 School Year, we would like to share with you a couple of important dates.  Additional calendar dates and a full calendar will be shared at a later date.

Monday, August 30:  First day of school:  Grades 1-6 (Kindergarten Assessments by appointment)

Tuesday, August 31:  First day of school:  Grades 7 & 8      (Kindergarten Assessments by appointment)

Wednesday, September 1:  First day of school:  Kindergarten

Monday, March 28 - Friday April 1:  Spring Break

Friday, June 3:  Last day of school for students (early dismissal)

Used Uniform Sale - Sunday March 21 
Mark your calendars for our Spring used uniform sale on Sunday, March 21, from 12 to 1:30 pm.  Volunteers are needed to help with this event.  If you are interested in helping please click here to do so. Please enter through the gym entrance door # 11.  The sale is being held in the cafeteria.   

Middle School Jaguar Journal
St. Joseph’s School has a very robust and enriching Middle School program.  Each Trimester our Middle School Faculty publishes a copy of The Jaguar Journal that shares information about current events and curriculum.  Please click here to read the latest version of the Jaguar Journal.

Raising Canes Restaurant Night - Save the Date Tuesday, March 23nd 5-9pm
Please join us for our March restaurant night at Raising Canes in West St. Paul on Tuesday, March 23rd 5:00pm-7:00pm.  Please make sure to mention that you are there for St. Joseph’s School or show them the Raising Canes Flyer because 15% of your purchase will be donated to our school!  We thank Bri DeLeon and our Home and School Association for coordinating this event and all of our restaurant nights during the school year!

School Masses - Thursday, March 25  Feast of the Annunciation
As we continue our prayer during this Lenten season, our next school Masses will be on Thursday, March 25, the Feast of the Annunciation in the Church.  Masses will be held; 9:00 a.m. for grades 4-8 and 10:00 a.m. for grades K-3.

Our remote learners and school families are invited to continue to watch the Mass live streamed on the Church of St. Joseph website; www.churchofstjoseph.  Our school Masses are not open to families and the public.  We thank Fr. Creagan and Fr. Wratkowski for presiding at our school Masses.

School Lunch Menus

March Lunch Menu

April Lunch Menu

Mission

“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 your support
As we continue through the third trimester to the end of the school year, please continue to support your child’s efforts with their academics and school responsibilities.  The faculty and I look forward to seeing our students use the gifts and talents that God has given them to do their best at school and at home.  Thank you again for your continued support of St. Joseph’s School.  We are grateful to have the opportunity to partner with you in providing for the faith formation and education of your children  St. Joseph, pray for us!  Go Jaguars!!

                                                                                                                                       

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.

First Communion Information and Update

No Rehearsal on April 6:  Canceled - Please update your calendar. 

Saturday, April 10   10:00am  First Communion (Church)

8th Grade Confirmation Information

Sunday, March 21  3:30-6:00pm Great Room:  Confirmation Interviews by appointment.

Tuesday, April 13   7:00-8:30pm  Church:  Confirmation Night of Reflection (Candidate, Parents, Sponsor)

Saturday, April 24  1:30-3:00pm St. Joseph’s Church:  Confirmation 

Sunday, April 25    11:00am Mass Church:  Blessing/Send Forth for our confirmation students

Middle School Youth Group
Middle School Youth Group upcoming opportunities:

• Monday, March 29, 4:30-5:30pm - Virtual - Living in the World
• Tuesday, April 20, 3:30-7:30pm - NET Night
• Monday, April 26, 4:30-5:30pm - Virtual - Questions and Answers
• Tuesday, May 11, 3:30-4:30pm - In person - Alive in Christ

St. Joseph Church Bulletin

March/April Look Ahead:

• Tuesday, Mar. 23 - Raising Canes Restaurant Night 5-9pm West St. Paul

• Thursday, Mar. 25 - Masses; 9:00 a.m. for gr. 4-8 and 10:00 a.m. for gr. K-3

• Monday, Mar. 29 - Monday, Apr. 5 -  Spring Break - No School
• Thursday, April 1 - Holy Thursday
• Friday, April 2 - Good Friday
• Sunday, April 4 - Easter . . . Jesus has Risen!
• Tuesday, Apr. 6 - School Resumes - Welcome Back!
• Friday, Apr. 9 - Masses; 9:00 a.m. for gr. 4-8 and 10:00 a.m. for gr. K-3
• Saturday, April 10 - First Communion 10:00am St. Joseph’s Church
• Friday, Apr. 16 - Masses; 9:00am for gr. 4-8 and 10:00am for gr. K-3
• Friday, Apr. 23 - Masses; 9:00am for gr. 4-8 and 10:00am for gr. K-3
• Saturday, Apr. 24 - 8th Grade Confirmation 1:30pm St. Joseph’s Church
• Friday, Apr. 30 - No School for Students - Teacher Professional Development