Parent Letter 5/14/21

Dear St. Joseph’s School Families,            

As most of you are probably aware, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz Thursday announced the statewide coronavirus mask mandate would end Friday (today), although, in line with CDC recommendations.  Education Commissioner Heather Mueller clarified that students, staff and others, still must wear a face covering, though, while inside a school through the end of this school year.  Other statewide rules for schools, including social distancing, were to remain in place, too.

We are awaiting a response and direction for Catholic schools from the Archdiocese today.  In the meantime, we will continue to follow our current plan.

The last week has provided many messages of hope as we plan for the 2021-22 school year - where God-willing, face coverings, social distancing, and the other protocols are a distant memory.  Please continue to pray for our teachers and students, as they finish out this challenging school year strong.

Feast of Our Lady of Fatima – Rosary
On Thursday, May 13, the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, students and faculty gathered in the Church to pray the Rosary.  Fr. Creagan shared information about the virgin Mary’s appearance to the three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal in 1917.  He also shared information regarding Mary’s message to pray the Rosary daily.  During this month, a month devoted to Mary, please consider including prayers to Mary, our Mother in your prayer routines at home.  Examples include; the Rosary, the Hail Mary, the Memorare, the Hail Holy Queen, and/or the Angelus.  Mary, Queen of Heaven, pray for us!

Calendar Update - Last Day of School Wednesday, June 2
Please make note of an adjustment in our 2020-2021 school calendar for the end of this school year.  We are adjusting the date for the last day of school with students in grades Kindergarten-7 to be Wednesday, June 2, 2021.  This day will be a full day of school for our students with dismissal beginning at 2:40 p.m.  

This adjustment in our calendar will allow both Thursday, June 3 and Friday, June 4 to be professional development/teacher in-service days for our faculty.  

Eighth Grade Student Feature Post
During the next 3 parent letters we are taking a moment to feature our awesome eighth grade students.  We couldn’t be more proud of them and excited for them as they continue their journey on to high school. Please continue to keep these students in your prayers as they Graduate from St. Joseph’s School Wednesday, June 2nd.   Please click here to view our first group of eighth students!  

Home and School Association Information for 2021-2022
We would like to thank our wonderful Home and School Association, leadership, grade reps and the wonderful parents who make up this dedicated group!  We very much look forward to welcoming parent volunteers back into our school in the upcoming school year!  

As we prepare for the next school year, there are a number of grade rep positions that are open. If you are interested in learning more please contact Betsy Joyce at betsybjoyce@gmail.com.

Openings: 

• President or Vice President
• Preschool - 2 reps needed
• 4th grade - 1 rep needed
• 6th grade -  1 rep
• 7th grade - 2 reps
• 8th grade - 2 reps

CSCOE - Confessions of a Catholic School Parent - Mrs. Schroeder, First Grade Teacher
During this special live program, the Catholic School Center of Excellence's Director of Enrollment, Annemarie Vega interviews Catholic school parents on Facebook.  This week, Annemarie interviewed our very own 1st grade teacher and school parent, Molly Schroeder!  Please click here to watch this great interview!  Great job Mrs. Schroeder!  Go Jaguars!

Tuition Agreements
Tuition Agreements for the 2021-2022 School Year have been sent out via email from TADS.  It is important that you complete your agreements by the provided deadline.  If you have any questions please contact Lisa Wrobel liwrobel@stjosephwsp.org or Patrick Menke Patrick.Menke@churchofstjoseph.org .

2021-2022 School Enrollment - Help us make our mission happen and grOW our school!
The enrollment of new families and students continues at St. Joseph’s School.  Please assist us by sharing information about our school. You are also encouraged to invite families to visit our school website to view information about our school programs and/or forward to them our Friday Letter allowing them to learn more about what is happening at our school.   

For the 2021-2022 school year, a $250 Referral Credit is available to current school families for each new family they refer who registers for and attends our school next year.  Thank you for your assistance!  Prospective families can contact our school office; 651-457-8550 or email Lindsay Mayernik, Enrollment Coordinator at limayernik@stjosephwsp.org for information.

Yearbook Orders 
The online order process for yearbooks has closed.  You can however still order yearbooks through our school office by sending a check with your child’s name and homeroom listed.  Checks should be made out to St. Joseph’s School.  The cost of the yearbook is $20.  If you have any questions please contact our school office.

Thank you!
Thank you Mrs. Weimer for always taking such great care of our planters in the front of the building!  Spring has sprung and our flowers look wonderful - Thank you so much!

School Masses - Friday,  May 21
Our next school Masses will be on Friday, May 21 in the Church.  Masses are at; 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. 

School Lunch Menus

May Lunch Menu

June 1st:   Mini Corn Dogs

June 2nd: Chicken Nuggets

Mission

“St. Joseph’s Catholic School educates students through faith formation, academic excellence, and the development of virtue to be disciples of Christ.”

                                                                                                                                       

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.

Fr. Wratkowski Announcement
This week Fr. Creagan announced the transfer of Fr Timothy Wratkowski effective June 9.  In his statement, Fr. Creagan shared; 

“The Archdiocese has named him as a Parochial Vicar of a large suburban parish, Holy Name of Jesus Church in Medina.  Fr. Wratkowski has served St. Joseph with such generosity and joy.  I am also grateful for his excellent work leading the parish during my 3 months in Afghanistan.  He has blessed all of us with his excellent preaching, joy and enthusiasm.  Fr Wratkowski moved quickly during the COVID stay at home order in obtaining the technology we needed to have live streamed Masses.  I know that so many have benefitted from this.  He has been teaching the 8th grade in school and also helping the people entering the Catholic faith through RCIA.  We will have an opportunity to honor him on the weekend of June 5/6 and there will be an outdoor reception after the 11:00am Mass.

Our new parochial vicar will be Fr Bruno Nwachukwu. He is well known to many parishioners as St. Joseph was his teaching parish from 2011-2015. We look forward to welcoming Fr. Bruno.”

St. Joseph Church Bulletin

May / June Look Ahead:

• Friday, May 21 - Masses; 9:00am for gr. 4-8 and 10:00am for gr. K-3
• Thursday, May 27 - Last Day of School for 8th Grade Students
• Friday, May 28 - Masses; 9:00am for gr. 4-8 and 10:00am for gr. K-3
• Monday, May 31 - No School - Memorial Day
• Tuesday, June 1 - Students and Staff Return to School
• Wednesday, June 2 - 8th Grade Commencement; 6:45 p.m. in Church
• Wednesday, June 2 - Last Day of School K - 7