Parent Letter 4/5/19

Dear Parents,
 
We hope that everyone has experienced a wonderful week of school as we returned from Spring Break.  It looks like our students, faculty, and families are all getting back into the routines.  Our first week back included praying the Rosary together as a school community.  Grade levels of students lead the prayers for the different mysteries.  Art Adventure field trips continued this week with our second and third grade students visiting the Minneapolis Institute of Art.  Our school hosted a tremendous STEM Science Fair for students in grades 3-8.  Our students did a wonderful job sharing their hypothesis and conclusions with our guest judges.  And today, Fr. Creagan presided at our weekly school Mass.
 
We would like to thank our school faculty for providing these and many other special learning and prayer experiences for our students.  We also want to thank our parents and school families for their continued engagement and support of our school.  Go Jaguars!!!
 
St. Joe's STEM Fair
Thank you to the many students, faculty, judges and families that participated in our First STEM Fair on Thursday.   What a wonderful event!  Our students did a tremendous job with their projects!  Thank you to Miss Schafer for your outstanding work and dedication to the STEM Fair.  The winners of this year’s STEM Fair are:
 
3-5 Grade
1st Place - Caitie Patterson - "Which wrapping keeps Apples the Freshest?"
2nd Place - William and Michael Benish "Boat Stability"
3rd Place - Alexia Aldrich and Isabella Boser "Plant Growth"
 
6-8 Grade
1st Place - Jack Filhart and Raul Vaz "Robotic Arm"
2nd Place - Tommy Nicolo and Ella Doyle "Which Water Bottle Keeps Liquids Colder Longer?"
3rd Place - Ryan Winkelhake and George Altier "Hydrogen Fuel 
 
The Winners of the St. Joe's STEM Fair will be able to compete in the CSCOE Big Bang STEM Fair on April 6, 2019 at Totino Grace High School. 
 
Uniform Policy
According to our uniform policy, students could begin wearing shorts on April 1 ^st.  Please use good judgment when deciding to wear shorts as we can still get some cold days in April.  Remember that belts are to be worn with pants and shorts and socks must be visible above the top of shoes. 
 
Lenten Food Drive – Thank you!
Thank you, St. Joe’s, for your help in making this Lenten Service Project a huge success!  Our friends at Neighbors Inc. in South St. Paul extend a huge thank you for the tremendous outpouring of donations.  We set a new record of collecting 1,533 lbs of food for our Neighbors in need!  Way to go St. Joe’s – YOU ARE AWESOME!
 
Mass and Breakfast
St. Joseph’s School families are invited to attend the parish’s morning Mass at 7:30 a.m. April 10.  After Mass, supervision will be provided for the students.  A light breakfast will be available for students if interested.  Students will be dismissed to their classrooms at 8:30 a.m. to begin their school day. 
 
Standardized Testing
Students in grades 3-8 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.
 
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.
 
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!
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.  Watch for more details.
 
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 Grounds – Thank you
Thank you Cheryl Weimer for the beautiful spring flowers and decorations in the front of our school and preschool buildings as well as around our St. Joseph’s Statue.  Such a great way to brighten up our school and get us ready for spring!
 
School Mass – Friday, April 12
Please join us for our school Mass on Friday, April 12 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.
 
Grandparents and Special Friends Day – Save the Date
We will be honoring Grandparents and Special Friends at St. Joseph’s School on Thursday, May 2. 
This wonderful event will begin at 9:00am at our School Mass including a blessing for the grandparents and special friends.  Following Mass, guests will have an opportunity to visit the school.  Grandparents and special friends will attend a special gathering in the Great Room including snacks and refreshments.  We would like to send out invitations to our Grandparents and Special Friends inviting them to join us.  Please Click Here to submit contact information electronically.  We look forward to celebrating our Grandparents and Special Friends!
 
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.
 
     2019-2020 School Calendar Dates at a Glance

• 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

 
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

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: 

A Message from Fr. Creagan:  Welcome Pat Millea - Senior High Youth Director 
I am pleased to announce that we have hired Pat Millea as the new Senior High Youth Director.  Pat Millea is a graduate of Notre Dame where he received his Master’s Degree in Theology.   He has served as a Youth Ministry Director for the past 13 years.  Over the last 9 years, he has led a successful youth program at St. Michael’s in Prior Lake; he has also served at both Our Lady of Grace in Edina and St. Alphonsus in Zionsville, Indiana. 
Pat will begin his service with our youth at St. Joseph at the beginning of June.  Please join us in welcoming Pat Millea to our St. Joseph Staff at our SJY Benefit Dinner next Saturday, April 6^th in the Great Room.

Youth Benefit Dinner on Saturday, April 6
All School families are invited to join us for the Youth Benefit Dinner on Saturday, April 6 from 6-8pm in the Great Room. You will have the opportunity to meet and hear from our new Sr. High Youth Director, Pat Millea.  Henry Bitzer, current 8th grade student, will provide our dinner entertainment on the piano.  You are welcome to purchase tickets at the door.  Individual tickets-$15  Family tickets-$35. All proceeds will go to support our Middle School and Sr. High Summer Youth programs. 

40 Days for Life - Saturday, April 6 Sidewalk/Planned Parenthood, 671 Vandalia St., St. Paul             St. Joseph parish and St. Peter parish will "adopt" Saturday, April 6, as a day of prayer in front of Planned Parenthood. Join us as a peaceful presence as we intercede for the unborn and an end to abortion. We are hoping to have 2 prayer warriors each hour. A signup sheet is at the Adoration desk.  Let us stand up for Life!

Catholic Parenting in the Digital Age – Wednesday, April 24 6:00pm   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.  Fall all parents and grandparents of children preK – grade 12.  Join us for a dynamic evening with national speaker, Jim Otremba, MDiv, MS, LICSW.                                                                        
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. 
 
Please click on the link to the bulletin below for additional information and activities at the Church of St. Joseph.

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:
Lenten Calendar
Apricot Lane Shopping Event
Blackline Aquatics
CDH Baseball Camp
Healthy Kids Running Series
SJY Extreme Faith Camp
SJY Boston Mission Trip
 
April/May Calendar Look Ahead:
Please consider joining us for some of the special events at our school.

• Saturday, April 6 – Youth Benefit Dinner, 6:00-8:00pm Great Room
• Tuesday, April 9- Middle School NET Night 4:00pm – 7:30pm Great Room
• Friday, April 12 – Mass 9am
• Wednesday, April 17- 5^th Grade DARE Graduation 2pm Great Room
• Thursday, April 18 – Holy Thursday
• Friday, April 19 – Monday April 22 – No School – Happy Easter
• Tuesday, April 23 – School Resumes
  • 1st Eucharist Rehearsal 6:30-7:30pm Church
  • April 23-May 10 – Spring Map Assessments
• Thursday, April 25 – Night of the Arts & Spring Music Concert
• Friday, April 26 – Mass 9am
• Saturday, April 27 – 1^st Eucharist 10:00am Church
• Thursday, May 2 – Mass 9am, Grandparents Day, 1st Communicants Recognized
• 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
  • 1st Grade Mother's Day Program 2-3:30pm Great Room
• 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