Parent Letter 4/19/19

Dear Parents,
 
After forty days of Lent, our journey and preparation for Easter has come to an end.  Now Easter has arrived.  From April 18-21, the Church celebrates the Triduum, the most sacred three days on the Christian calendar.  The days begin on Holy Thursday evening with the Eucharist and the Mass of the Lord’s Supper.  Next is Good Friday, which is the solemn remembrance of the crucifixion and death of Jesus.  On Holy Saturday, we keep vigil at night at the tomb of Jesus until with many “alleluias” we greet our risen Lord on Easter.
 
We invite you to attend and participate in the Masses and services to be held at your parish during this Easter Triduum.  Happy Easter!  “Jesus is risen, he is risen indeed.”
 
The students and faculty at St. Joseph’s School have had a very busy and exciting week at school.  A number of special events took place that allowed our students to share their gifts and talents. 
 
Our fourth grade students celebrated with their Pen Pals after our Mass on Wednesday.  Throughout the school year our fourth grade students correspond through letters with members of our Parish.  Thank you to our fourth grades students, teachers Julie Schmid and Jill Rotvold and to our Parish Pen Pals for participating in this activity.   
 
Our fifth grade students completed the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program with a special D.A.R.E Graduation ceremony on Wednesday.  We would like to thank the West St. Paul Police Department, Police Chief Bud Shaver, and Office Jesse for providing our school with the D.A.R.E. program.  St. Joe’s has participated in the D.A.R.E. program for over 20 years.  Thank you Mr. Cina and Ms. Walsh for supporting your students through this program.  The St. Joe’s Home and School Association has generously underwritten this important education opportunity for our students.
 
Thursday, our seventh grade students had a special retreat lead Mr. Jake DeBolt, Church of St. Joseph Youth Minister.  In addition, our students and staff gathered in the Church to pray the Stations of the Cross.
 
Just a Reminder – No School Friday, April 19 and Monday, April 22
School will not be in session for our students and faculty on Good Friday, April 19 and Easter Monday, April 22.  This will be our school’s Easter holiday break.  School will resume on Tuesday, April 23.  Happy Easter to you and your family.  Please note; ISD 197 schools will be in session on these two days. 
 
Jaguar Playground and Greenspace
Did you hear from your children?  Did they share with you their excitement?  Thursday during the elementary school P.E classes, Mrs. VanDiver was very excited to share with our students plans to build a new playground and enhance the green space on our school campus.  Information about this important project for our school is included in your child’s Friday Folder and on our school website.  Click here to view this exciting information!
 
Standardized Testing
Students in grades 2-8 will be taking the NWEA’s MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) April 23-May 10.  Our students will be assessed in the areas of reading and mathematics in our technology lab.  We thank Mrs. Budge and our classroom teachers for facilitating these assessment for our students.
We ask that your children come to school well rested and having had a good breakfast so they are ready to do their best work on these assessments.  In addition, please have your children arrive at school on time to begin their day at 8:40 a.m.
 
Uniform Policy
As we return to school next week, please make note and remind your children of the following uniform expectations.  Belts are to be worn with pants and shorts.  Socks must be visible above the top of shoes.  Shirts are to be tucked into pants and skirts.  Girls’ skirt lengths should be no more than four inches above the crease(bend) behind the knee.  Students should also only be wearing St. Joseph’s sweaters, pull overs, and/or sweatshirts during school.  Thank you for you and your child’s compliance with our school uniform policy.
 
Catholic Parenting in the Digital Age – Wednesday, April 24 6:00pm 
Catholic Parenting in the Digital Age is a workshop that equips parents in setting digital boundaries for their children, with specific truths and tips for making good use of media and technology.  This presentation is for all parents and grandparents of children preK – grade 12.  Join us for a dynamic evening with national speaker, Jim Otremba, MDiv, MS, LICSW.        
 
Spring Music Concert – Grades 3-5
The Spring Music Concert for grades 3-5 is set for Thursday, April 25 at 7:00 pm in the gym.  We know there are many sport’s games and practices this time of the year, but hope, out of respect for our teachers and classmates, you will make this once a year event a priority.  That same evening, we will also be sponsoring our annual Night of the Arts.
 
Night of the Arts & Picnic in the Park Dinner!
Mark your calendars for Thursday, April 25 ^th for Night of the Arts!   This is a night to celebrate the St. Joseph’s School Fine Arts program; featuring our students’ talent and creativity through music and arts. The evening will include a presentation of art projects from our entire student-body along with a spring concert featuring our 3rd, 4th and 5th graders.  In addition, we will also be hosting a family dinner as a way to meet new St. Joe’s families and get reacquainted with familiar faces.  Dinner will be served in the parish’s Great Room.  Dinner will be hot dogs, chips, beverage and homemade cookies!  Cost for dinner is $5.00 per person, cash or check only please.  All proceeds go to our Fine Arts Program! 
 
First Holy Communion
Please keep our second grade students in your prayers as they will receive their First Holy Communion Saturday, April 27 at the 10:00am.  A special thank you is extended to Mrs. Taplin, Mrs. Fallon, Fr. Creagan, Fr. Wratkowski and the Church of St. Joseph Faith Formation Staff for assisting our students in preparing for this beautiful sacrament.  Our second grade students will be recognized for receiving their first communion at our school Mass on Thursday, May 2.
 
School Mass – Friday,  April 26
Please join us for our school Mass on Friday, April 26 at 9:00am in the church.  School families, friends, and members of the parish are always invited to pray with our students and faculty. 
 
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.
 
Progress Reports
The mid-point of the third trimester is Thursday, April 25.  Progress Reports for students in grades 4-8 will be mailed home on Friday, April 26 ^th.  Upon receipt of your child’s Progress Report, please contact your child’s teacher(s) if you have questions or need additional information.
 
Grandparents and Special Friends Day Thursday, May 2
Invitations are being sent out for our Grandparent Day on May 2nd.  If you haven't already provided us with the contact information for your grandparent(s) or special friends, please do so by following this link:  https://www.stjosephwsp.org/grandparents-day
 
2019-2020 Important School Calendar Dates
As we work to complete the 2019-2020 School Calendar we would like to share a few of the important dates with you.  The final calendar will be sent out shortly.

• September 3:1^st Day of School Grades 1 – 6
• September 4:1^st Day of School Grades 7 – 8
• September 5:1^st Day of School Kindergarten
• December 23 - January 1:Christmas Break
• October 16-18:MEA No School
• March 30- April 3:Spring Break
• April 10-13:Easter Break
• June 4:Last Day of School

 
Yearbook Presale Flyers
Presale flyers for this year’s color St. Joseph’s Yearbook were in last week’s Friday Folders.  Orders are due back by May 2.  We base our yearbook order on presale numbers.  You may use the payment envelope with checks made out to St. Joseph’s School.  
 
Cub Scout Spring Recruitment and Pancake Breakfast
Cub Scout Pack 198 is accepting new Scouts to enjoy our Summertime activities.  Activities will include Summer Camp, hiking, model rocket build and launch, kite building and flying.  Boys and girls (K thru 4 grade) are eligible to join.  For more information please stop by the Cub Scout Pancake Breakfast on April 28.  Or email Paul Elskamp at pelskamp@msn.com.
 
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 April Recess Duty:  CLICK HERE
Volunteer for May/June Recess Duty:  CLICK HERE
 
Swim Team Party
St. Joseph’s swim and dive team will be having their end of the year party on April 29 from 3:40-4:30 in the Great Room. 
 
Teachable Safety Skills – Jacob Wetterling Resource Center
St. Joseph’s School has teamed up with the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center to host a free class for parents on Teachable Safety Skills.  This event will be on May 7 from 6:30-8:00pm in the Great Room.  A flyer with information about this class is in your child’s Friday Folder.

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 and Information Include: 
                                                          
Please click on the link to the bulletin below for additional information and activities at the Church of St. Joseph.
 
Divine Mercy Sunday
A special observance in honor of the Feast of Divine Mercy will be held at the Church of St. Peter in Mendota, Sunday, April 28.  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:
Divine Mercy Sunday
CDH Baseball Camp
Cub Scout Pancake Breakfast
 
April/May Calendar Look Ahead:
Please consider joining us for some of the special events at our school.
 

• Friday, April 19 – Monday April 22 – No School – Happy Easter
• Tuesday, April 23 – School Resumes
  • First Eucharist Rehearsal 6:30pm-7:30pm Church
  • April 23-May 10 – Spring Map Assessments
• Thursday, April 25 – Night of the Arts, Spring Music Concert, Picnic in the Park
• Friday, April 26 – Mass 9am
• Saturday, April 27 – 1^st Eucharist 10:00am Church
• Sunday, April 28 – Divine Mercy Sunday, Church of St. Peter, Mendota Heights
• Thursday, May 2 – Mass 9am, Grandparents Day

First Communicants recognized at 9am Mass

• Friday, May 3 – No School, Professional Development
• Sunday, May 5 – 8^th Grade Confirmation Interviews 3:30pm-6:00pm Great Room
• Monday, May 6 – 8^th Grade Confirmation Night of Reflection 7-8:30pm Great Room
• Friday, May 10 – Muffins with Moms 7:45am Great Room

Mass 9am

1.  

• Thursday, May 16 – Spring Band and Choir Concert 7pm Gymnasium
• Monday, May 20 – 8^th Grade Confirmation 7:00pm St. Paul Cathedral
• Wednesday, May 22- 8^th Grade Confirmation Celebration 7-8:30pm Great Room
• Thursday, May 23 – Preschool Spring Program 3’s 10am; 4/5’s 2pm Great Room
• Friday, May 24 – Mass 9am

Preschool Spring Program 4’s 10am Great Room

• Monday, May 27 – No School Memorial Day