Parent Letter 3/6/20

Dear St. Joseph’s School Parents,
 
Wow, today marks the end of the second trimester.  As we continue through the third trimester to the end of the school year, thank you for continuing 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.  We thank you for entrusting your children to us at school as we partner with you to help them grow in faith, knowledge, and virtue.
 
I was blessed to spend two days this week with Archdiocesan school principals and leaders at the Catholic School Leadership Conference hosted by the Catholic Schools Center of Excellence (CSCOE).  This special conference and retreat included Mass with Bishop Cozzens, talks given by Archbishop Hebda, Bishop Cozzens, and members of the CSCOE team.  The keynote presenter was Mr. Brian Simchak, President of Lakewood Catholic Academy in Cleveland, Ohio.  Fr. Creagan and Patrick Menke, Parish Administrator, also attended one day of the conference.  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.
 
This week, our students and faculty gathered in the Church to pray the Stations of the Cross.  We thank Deacon Jerry Scherkenbach for leading us in prayer.  Families are welcome to attend our prayer devotions during Lent; Rosary - Friday, March 20 at 9:00 a.m. and Stations of the Cross - Thursday, April 9 at 9:00 a.m. in the Church.
 
Mission 
St. Joseph’s Catholic School educates students through faith formation, academic excellence, and the development of virtue to be disciples of Christ.
 
Fiddler on the Roof Jr.  - Middle School Musical - Pre-ticket Sales close on Wednesday!
The Middle School musical “Fiddler on the Roof Jr. ” will be performed on Thursday, March 12 at 7:00 pm and Friday, March 13 at 2:00pm & 7:00pm in the school gym.  Middle school students continue to prepare for their performances.  It will be a fantastic show!  All students will have the opportunity to see the play during the week.  A ticket order form went home in the Friday Folders today and one is also attached to this letter.  Guests attending the performances may also pay at the door.  Please be aware that adults attending student performances must purchase a play ticket for each performance attended.  We thank Mrs. Bowe, Ms. Roettger, Mrs. Kilduff, Ms. Walsh, our Middle School Faculty and many parent volunteers for providing this special experience for our middle school students.
 
Miles of Smiles - Lenten Service Project
We are excited to share with all of you that as of today we have raised enough money to provide 4 surgeries for children born with cleft palates!  We are overwhelmed by the excitement and generosity of all of our students, families, faculty and parishioners.  We will continue to collect donations through April 9th so please keep the coins coming in!  Please look for our flyer coming home in Friday Folders today for more information.  

Spring Sports Registration - Deadline March 13
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. A spring sport’s registration form is coming home today.  You may also find one on the website under Student Life - Athletics also attached below.  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 13 ^th .  Registration will not be accepted after Friday, March 13 ^h .  Sports participation fees are non-refundable. 
 
If you are interested in coaching a spring sport, please contact Mrs. VanDiver, Athletic Director, at 651-457-8550. 
 
Donuts with Dads - Feast of St. Joseph Celebration – Thursday, March 19 – Save the Date
The Feast of St. Joseph, the patron saint of our parish and school, is Thursday, March 19.  Dads and grandfathers are invited with their children and grandchildren to attend a “Donuts with Dads” celebration on Thursday, 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 event.  We look forward 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 Thursday, March 19 ^th, 7:00am-9:15am.  This wonderful event is held in the Parish Great Room.  Please CLICK HERE to Volunteer!  Thank you for your help!
 
Lenten 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 11, 18, and 25.  After Mass, the students (parents may accompany their child/children) will go to the school cafeteria 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 thank members of the Knights of Columbus who will be assisting with serving the breakfast.  We look forward to praying together with members of the parish at morning Mass.
 
2020-2021 School Enrollment - Help us make our mission happen and grOW our school!
St. Joseph’s School is the largest ministry of the Church of St. Joseph.  The enrollment of new families and students continues at our school.  Please assist us in growing our school by sharing information about our school with friends, neighbors, and parish families at Mass, the playground, or at your favorite restaurant.  You are also encouraged to invite families to join you at any of our school Masses and/or other special school events (ie; Middle School play, Night of the Arts).  Please consider inviting them to visit school with you to meet our faculty and receive a tour allowing us to show them the great things happening in our classrooms every day.
For the 2020-2021 school year, a $200 Referral Credit is available to current school families for each new family they refer who registers to attend our school for next year.  Thank you for your assistance sharing our school story and helping us grow our school enrollment for next year.
                                                                                                                                        
St. Joseph’s School Commitment
St. Joseph’s School is committed to providing an outstanding academic formation for your people, rooted in a deep love for Christ and His Church.  We recognize that this mission requires cooperative investment and sacrifice from our families, donors and the parish community.  We are committed to making St. Joseph’s School education affordable for all families who desire a faithful Catholic education.  If you have any questions regarding financial aid, please contact our school office or log into your TADS account to complete the financial aid process.  (TADS parent help line 612-548-3320)
 
Parish Multi-Child Discount
Registered parishioners at the Church of St. Joseph should have received a new multi-child discount form from the parish; if you have have not received such a form, or have any questions or concerns,, please contact Patrick Menke, Parish Administrator at patrick.menke@churchofstjoseph.org or 651.789.8349.  As a reminder these forms are to be signed by the parent(s) and returned to the parish office (or school office) prior to February 28th; once received, Fr. Creagan will sign off on the form as well, and the discount to be applied. 
 
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 18, 2020.  Award winners will be announced in early May.  The link to the application can be found on the CAA website, stpaulcaa.org or attached below.
 
McDonalds / DoorDash Fundraiser for St. Joseph’s School
Do you like McDonalds?  Do you like saving $$$$? Do you like making money for St Joes?
Do you like the chance of winning autographed merchandise from MN sports icons and celebrities?  Or the chance to play video games with them?
 
WELL THEN, have we got a deal for you….
Presenting the McDonalds-DoorDash- St Joseph’s School fundraiser!!!!!!  Here's how it works:
1) Download the DoorDash app
2) Doordash McDonalds
3) Use code DASHMCD to save $5 off your order
4) Participate in one of these gleam campaigns with your favorite MN sports hero or celebrity:
Trevor May -  bit.ly/gamewithtrevormay
Harrison Smith - bit.ly/gamewithharrisonsmith
JT Brown - bit.ly/gamewithjtbrown
Josh Okogie - bit.ly/gamewithjoshokogie
KFAN Power Trip - bit.ly/gamewiththepowertrip 
 
5) EVERY TIME you do this St Joseph School will get $5!!!!!!!!!!  Promotion runs through March 22nd.
Let’s eat some Mickey D’s and make some money for our favorite Catholic school!
 
Staying Healthy During Cold and Flu Season
We are working very hard to keep our students and faculty healthy during this time of year.  With the help of our school nurses we are reminding our school community of a few helpful tips to help stay healthy.  Please click here to view our daily tips.
 
Mr. Wesely continues to be in touch with the Archdiocese and ISD 197 Leadership regarding the Coronavirus, should an issue arise locally.  We will continue to gather information and communicate any changes to our regular processes should there be significant student or staff absences at some point during the school year.  For more COVID-19-related information from the MDH, visit https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/index.html.  
 
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.  
March Volunteers
 
St. Joe’s Winter Socials - Now Open!
St. Joe’s Winter Socials are now open!   Please see the attachment below for a list and details of the Socials that are now available!  Please click here to register to attend.
 
4HG Summer Camps - Registration Now Open!                                                                                 
4HG is excited to announce our summer camps for 2020!  Click here to register for a 4HG Camp and to learn more about what these terrific camps have to offer!
 
School Masses
Our next school Mass will be on Friday, March 13 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.  
 
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.   If you have any questions, please contact Jake Debolt at jake.debolt@churchofstjoseph.org
 
Click here to link to the weekly St. Joseph’s Church Bulletin .
 
Important Links:
2020 Lenten School Schedule
Spring Sports Sign-Up Forms
Fiddler on the Roof Jr. Pre-ticket Sales
March Lunch Menu
St. Joseph’s Church Lenten Parish Events
CAA John W. Hajlo Scholarship
 
March / April Look Ahead:
             °  Monday, Mar. 9 - Beginning of Trimester 3
             °  Monday, Mar. 9 - Confirmation Night of Reflection 7:00pm Church
             °  Tuesday, Mar. 10 - First Eucharist Night of Reflection 6:30-7:30pm Church
             °  Thursday, Mar. 12 - Fiddler on the Roof 7:00pm School Gymnasium
             °  Friday, Mar. 13 - Fiddler on the Roof 2:00pm & 7:00pm School Gymnasium
             °  Friday, Mar. 13 - Mass 9:00am Church
            °  Thursday, Mar. 19 - Donuts with Dads 7:45am- Feast of St. Joseph, Mass 9:00am
                Church
            °  Sunday, Mar. 22 - Confirmation Ceremony 2:00-4:00pm St. Paul Cathedral
            °  Friday, Mar. 27 - School IN Session No District Transportation or Food Service
            °  Friday, Mar. 27 - Mass 9:00am Church
            °  Friday, Mar. 27 - 6th grade Biography Fair - Great Room
            °  Monday, March 30 - Friday, April 3 - No School Spring Break
             °  Monday, April 6 - School Resumes
            °  Friday, April 10 - No School, Good Friday
            °  Sunday, April 12 - Happy Easter
            °  Monday, April 13 - No School. Easter Monday
            °  Friday, April 17 - Mass 9:00am Church
            °  Saturday, April 18 - First Eucharist 10:00am Church
            °  Monday, April 20- Thursday, May 7 - MAP Assessments
            °  Thursday, April 23 - Night of the Arts and 3 - 5 Spring Music Concert
            °  Friday, April 24 - Mass 9:00am Church