Parent Letter 9/14/18

Dear Parents,                                                                                                                            
Greetings from St. Joseph’s School!  Our second week of school has gone extremely well.  We hope that you and your families are settling into the school routines.  Please know that our school staff is here to partner with you and assist you in any way during the school year.  Please contact the school office, your child’s teacher(s), check our school website, or look for this Friday Letter if you have any questions or need information about anything happening at school.
 
St. Joseph’s School is GROWING!  The school has 384 students enrolled in Preschool – grade 8.  This is an increase of 4% in enrollment from the previous year and the first enrollment growth in over 12 years.  53 new families joined our school community.  This year, we have welcomed our biggest Kindergarten class in seven years and we excited to have opened 2 sections of both our 3’s & 4’s preschool classes.  We know that you have a choice when considering the education of your children.  Thank you for choosing to have your children attend St. Joseph’s School!

Mission Statement
“St. Joseph’s Catholic School educates students through faith formation, academic excellence,
and the development of virtue to be disciples of Christ.”
 
Our school community has identified faith formation, academic excellence, and the development of virtue as three pillars of our school as we continue to partner with you to provide your children with a quality Catholic education.
 
Mr. Wesely really enjoyed his opportunity to meet, visit with, and read to the students in Kindergarten – fifth grade during the past two weeks.  He read a variety of books to the students including; Fine, Fine School, Caps for Sale, One Dog Canoe, Duck on a Bike, and The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig.  He even shared with the students that over the summer when canoeing with Mrs. Wesely, they tipped over and got really, really wet!
 
Today is the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.  At our school Mass, Fr. Wratkowski shared with our students, faculty, and families the significance of the cross as a sign of God’s and Jesus’ love for us.  He encouraged us to remember this as we see a crucifix and make the sign of the cross.  Thank you Fr. Wratkowski for leading us in prayer and sharing those thoughts with all of us.
 
Just a reminder that parents, grandparents, family members, and members of the parish are always welcome to attend our school Masses and prayer devotions during the school year.
 
Mass of the Holy Spirit
The Catholic School Center of Excellence (CSCOE) is hosting the Mass of the Holy Spirit on Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at US Bank Stadium.  St. Joseph’s School students in grades 4-8 and school faculty will be attending this special event with students and faculty from the other 78 Catholic elementary schools in the Archdiocese.  Parents of students in grades 4-8 need to have their child’s completed field trip permission form and the $10 field trip fee to the school office by Monday, September 17.  Thank you for your cooperation.  We look forward to celebrating with Archbishop Hebda and Bishop Cozzens at this special Mass.  “Come Holy Spirit, Come.”
 
The Positivity Project
This week our students and faculty kicked off the Positivity Project Character Calendar by learning about the Other People Matter mindset.  The OPM mindset can be broken down into 5 things that people who have good relationships tend to practice on a regular basis.  These include; recognizing and appreciating the GOOD in other people, know that their words and actions effect others, support people when they struggle, cheers others on when they succeed, and remain present and give other people their attention.
 
Beginning next week, our students and faculty will explore what it means to be CURIOUS.  Curiosity refers to our innate urge for discovery and exploration, and is a key element of our human desire for wisdom and knowledge.
 
We look forward to learning about and practicing all twenty-four character traits through the Positivity Project.

NWEA MAP Assessments
On Monday September 17, students in grades 2-8 will begin the MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) assessments.  The assessments will be given over the next two - three weeks.  The students will complete the mathematics assessment first followed by a reading assessment second.  Please help your student by reminding them to get a good night sleep and to eat a healthy breakfast.  Families of students in grades 2-8 should receive a letter in this week’s Friday Folder with information about the assessments.  We thank Mrs. Budge for coordinating and facilitating the assessments for our students.
 
Parent Educate Access – Middle School
Educate accounts are open for middle school families to use beginning this week.  Middle School students received their own usernames and passwords in class.  Please contact Mrs. Bruce ( lobruce@stjosephwsp.org) with any questions about using Educate.
 
Middle School Technology
The use of technology plays an integral role in our middle school program.  St. Joe’s has a one-to-one laptop program, where each middle school student has a dedicated Apple MacBook for use at school and to complete schoolwork at home.  Through this program, students learn advanced technology skills and have expanded educational opportunities.  The laptops are fully integrated into the classroom instruction, activities, and homework.  Parents and students view assignments and grades electronically using Google Classroom and Educate, our student information system.  We are pleased to provide our students with this technology tool that will assist during their middle school experience.  In addition, we know this will give them experiences that will prepare them for high school and beyond.
 
School Leadership Groups
The St. Joseph’s School leadership groups are set up and will be meeting throughout the school year.  We would like to thank Mollie Rubenzer, Bri DeLeon, and Angie Flynn for their work with the Home and School Association, and Jenny Vierzba and Matt Mollner, for their leadership on the School Advisory Council.  It is certainly true that many hands are needed to support our school community!  We invite you to become involved in any of the many volunteer and leadership opportunities at our school - it’s a great way to meet other school parents and “Pay It Forward” (Give, Get Involved, and Play a Part).
 
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Good Shepherd sessions began this week for all students in Kindergarten - 5 ^th grade. We thank Director of Catechesis & Formation Christina Stokman, and Catechists Katy Lasure, Teri Jackson, Jennifer Thompson, and Laurie Garcia for instructing our students while the visit the atrium.  Please take a moment to visit the link under the Faith Formation tab on the St. Joseph’s School webpage.  You will find pictures and other information about this beautiful program that we are able to offer to our students.
 
NET Retreat
Members of the NET Ministry’s Missionary Team visited St. Joseph’s School this week and facilitated a special retreat for our middle school students (grades 6-8).  The young men and women, who come from all over the country, were very enthusiastic and passionate about our Catholic faith.  They did a terrific job of engaging our students during the retreat.  Middle school students are invited to attend NET Nights held at the Church of St. Joseph each month.  Please watch the school newsletter and the parish bulletin for information, dates, and times of NET Nights.
 
Thank you for Cookie Day!
Thank you Matt Birk for your generosity and tremendous skills in baking and delivering warm chocolate chip cookies to our entire school on Tuesday!  What a special treat!
 
Friday September 21^st – Special Treat After Mass
Our Home & School Association would like to invite school parents to gather in the Great Room after our 9:00am school Mass for coffee, donuts, and fellowship.  The association leadership would like to welcome you back to school and share many of the exciting events planned for this school year.  We look forward to seeing you there.
 
St. Joseph’s “Drive In” Family Movie Night
Please join us Saturday, September 22nd at 7:30 pm for a “Drive In” Family Movie Night.  The movie “Cars 3” will be shown on the front lawn of school.  Please see the attached flyer for all of the details.  We look forward to seeing you all there!  The Movie Night is sponsored by the Home & School Association.
 
Band Program
2018-19 St. Joseph’s School Band Program (Grades 4-8)
Our school band program this year is being facilitated by Hill-Murray High School’s Pioneer Pathways Program.  Our school band program will be under the direction of Mrs. Averyel Bachelani.  Band lessons and instruction will occur during the school day on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
 
If you were not able to attend the informational meeting for parents held on Monday, September 10 and your child is interested in participating in band, Mrs. Bachelani is happy to share information about the program with you.
Please email Mrs. Bachelani at abachelani@hill-murray.org for more information or with any questions you may have about the band program.
 
Virtus Training – Monday, September 17
All school and parish volunteers who have contact with children are required to have a current background check, signed code of conduct, attend a Virtus training session (only required to attend the classroom session 1 time) or update your Vitus training by watching “Keeping the Promise Alive” on the Virtus website.  These 3 items are referred to as “The Essential 3”.  These are required to be updated every 3 years.  There will be a Virtus training session here at St. Joseph’s on Monday, September 17 at 6:30pm in the Great Room.  You must pre-register by going to www.virtusonline.org   (Be sure you indicate you are from St. Joseph’s of WSP.) See flyer for additional information.
 
Spiritwear – Show your school spirit!
We would like to share with our families that due to excellent sales, Spiritwear orders may now be placed through Sunday, September 16th.  Families may order spiritwear online by clicking here.  Spiritwear may only be purchased on online and it is not available through our school.  Thank you Jane Nicolo, Katie Doyle and Katie Grondahl for all of your work in organizing this opportunity for our students and families to show their school spirit.  Please note that Marathon Day will be a School Spirit Day!  Make sure you have your new spiritwear gear!
 
Marathon
Our school will kickoff the 2018 Minnesota Non-Public Schools Marathon with a Pep Rally on Friday, September 21, 2018 at 2:30 p.m. in our school gymnasium.  The Marathon event will take place on Thursday, October 4, 2018 on the St. Joseph’s campus.  Marathon is an important community event that raises funds for our school to support our operating budget and special programs.  The proceeds from this event help keep tuition affordable for our families.  We need each school family to participate in Marathon.  Specific details and pledge sheets will be sent home Friday, September 21st with every student.  Thank you for your involvement in and support of this special event.   Please watch for upcoming volunteer opportunities!
 
Uniform Dress Code
Everyone is looking great in his or her uniform as we all returned to school. Thank you for assisting your child with getting back into the school routine.  Please remember that our uniform policy requires white or navy socks that extend well above the top of the shoes.  Low-riding/no show golf sock styles are not allowed.  Belts are to be worn with pants/ shorts.  Thank you for your cooperation in following these expectations.
 
Parent Letters/Friday Folders/Attendance Communication
All non-emergency communications will come home on Fridays in the red Friday folder.  Parent letters will only be sent out by email every Friday (or the last day of the school week.)  Friday Letters may be found on the school website, www.stjosephwsp.org.  Teachers may be reached via the school’s voice mail system at (651-457-8550) or their email account by using the first two letters of their first name followed, without a space, by their last name (e.g. grwesely@stjosephwsp.org).  When leaving a message, remember teachers may not be available to return calls/e-mails until the end of the day.  Our Attendance Hotline is 651-457-3031.  If your child is going to be absent or late due to a morning appointment, please leave a message on the “Hotline”. 

Food, Fire, and Fellowship
We would like to thank the school dads who were able to attend the Food, Fire, and Fellowship event that was sponsored by the Men of St. Joseph’s Church.  The evening included prayer, a talk by Mr. Wesely, food, fellowship and fire outside.  During the evening, the dads prayed for their children, our students and teachers, and for the safety of everyone, and a successful school year.  Special thanks are extended to Ben Bitzer, school parent and Jeff Lentsch, parish member for organizing this special event.  St. Joseph, pray for us!
 
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 include;

• Women of St. Joseph Silent Auction, Craft & Bake Sale will take place in the Great Room on ! We are continuing to collect theme baskets and other items for the Silent Auction and your help is needed and appreciated! You may donate new individual items, and we will complement it with similar ones.  No need to provide a basket or put it together (unless you want to). 

 
Ideas for theme baskets are:  Gift certificates; Sporting event tickets — Vikings, Timberwolves, Wild, Gophers, etc.; Sports memorabilia; Wine & cheese; Movies & games; Children’s craft supplies; Baby items; Kitchen items.  Let your imagination take over! If you would like to donate please contact Amanda Carnes at amanda.carnes@churchofstjoseph.org or simply drop off your items to the school or parish office and include the Donor Form you can pick up in one of the offices.  
 
Click here to link to the weekly St. Joseph’s Church Bulletin .
 
Important Links:
Virtus
Movie Night
Cub Scout Sign Up Night
 
September Look Ahead:
       °  Monday, Sept. 17 – Virtus Training, 6:30pm, Great Room
       °  Monday, Sept. 17-Oct.4 – Gr.2-8 Standardized Testing
       °  Thursday, Sept. 20 – Cub Scout Sign-up Night 6:00-7:00 pm
          Cafeteria
       °  Friday, Sept. 21 – 9:00 am Mass followed by Donuts and Coffee for
           Parents in the Great Room
       °  Friday, Sept. 21 – Marathon Kick-Off 2:30 pm Gym
       °  Saturday, Sept. 22 – Movie Night 7:30pm Front Lawn of the School
       °  Friday, Sept. 28 – Grade 8 Field Trip to Duluth
       °  Friday, Sept. 28 – 9:00 am Mass