St. Joseph's School Parent Letter

A Message from Principal Rickbeil
Click here for a video message regarding our first spirit day, and details about Oktoberfest this weekend and k-5 curriculum night this Tuesday.

Oktoberfest - This Sunday -  September 10th!
Please see this video  from Fr. Marquard and Principal Rickbeil for some announcements about  Oktoberfest happening this Sunday, September 10th 12-3pm.  We hope to see everyone there!  We are also looking for volunteers to assist in our celebration, so please click here to sign up. Students that attend Oktoberfest are welcome to see Mrs. Wrobel to acquire an Out of Uniform Pass to be used this school year.  

Please be courteous of our neighbors when parking for Oktoberfest, as we will likely need to use the neighborhoods surrounding the school for overflow parking.  

Curriculum Nights at St. Joseph’s School!
Parents are welcomed and encouraged to attend Curriculum Night for their children’s grade levels.  Thank you to the many parents who attended our Middle School event last evening.  Please join us for our  K - 5 event on September 12 at 6:30 p.m. with a 15 minute presentation by our administration and then parents will be invited to rotate to their children’s classrooms for a 15 minute presentation.  There will be 3 classroom sessions to help you get to most of your children’s teachers. We look forward to seeing you there!  

St. Joseph’s Preschool
Thank you parents for working with us on our pick-up and drop-off changes.  We are happy to say that we feel that our new morning drop off and end of the day pick up is working well.  During drop off, please pull up within 10 feet of the stop sign. Please stay in your car until your car is pulled up near  the preschool entrance before dropping off your child.  Thank you!

Our preschool full day and lunch bunch children have been able to participate in the hot lunch program this week.  This is new for our preschoolers this year and we are excited that they are able to participate!

There are many new and exciting things happening in our preschool this year.  Thank you to our preschool staff for your time and talent making St. Joseph’s Preschool is a special place.

Spirit Wear Pre-Sale coming Next Week!
Look for an email next week with a link for the Spirit Wear pre-sale.  The pre-sale will run until Sunday Sept 17th with orders to be picked up / sent home in early October.  Angie Hanzal (Spirit Wear Coordinator) will also be at The Jaguar Spot (next to the Gym) before & after the K-5 Curriculum Night on Tuesday 9/12 to answer any questions.  There will also be a few samples there to peruse for size reference.  Go Jaguars!

Lego Robotics - Grades 5-8
Registration is now open for Lego Robotics for students in grades 5-8.   The official start date for Lego Robotics is September 11th. We will meet in the Maker’s Space from 3:15 p.m. - to 4:30 p.m. every Monday and one Saturday each month until the competition in December. Kathy Wilcox and Katie Jamieson  will coach the team.  If you like to build with Legos, engineer robots, and research scientific information, this team is for you! Click the link below to register. (Payments will be charged through your TADS account.) Lego Robotics Registration

St. Joseph’s School Student Parent Handbook
The Student Parent Handbook has been published and is located on the website under the Parents tab.  Please take time to review our school handbook with your child by clicking here.

Parent Letters and Attendance Communication
All non-emergency communications will come electronically through this Parent Letter.   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.   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”.

Parent Volunteers - Virtus Requirement Prior to Volunteering
We are very excited to welcome our parents into the building to volunteer.  We have many opportunities throughout the year where we will invite parents and grandparents in to share their time and talents with us.  All Catholic Schools in MN require that all  employees, and volunteers who interact with minors, are required to complete and maintain safe environment credentials through the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.  The program through the Arch is called Virtus.  

If you are a new volunteer and have never completed your Virtus Training, please click here and follow the instructions.

If you are an existing volunteer and need to update your account (updates are required every 3 years), please click here for instructions.  

Lifetouch Picture Retake Day
School picture retake day is scheduled for Monday, September 18.  This will be an out-of-uniform day for students that are having their pictures retaken or taken for the first time.   

First Sacrament and Confirmation Parent - Required Meetings
First Sacrament Parent Meeting, Tuesday, September 19 at 7 pm in the Church. Parents who are interested in First Reconciliation and First Communion for their 2nd-grade children are required to attend this informational meeting   Fr. Marquard, our new Pastor, will be speaking about the importance of these sacraments and your role as parents in this process. Important dates and information will be given out that evening. 

Confirmation Parent Meeting, Wednesday, September 20 at 7 pm in the Church. All parents who are interested in Confirmation for their 8th-11th grade child are required to attend this information meeting. Fr. Marquard, our new Pastor, will be speaking about the importance of this sacrament and your role as parents in this process. Important dates and information will be given out that evening.  

St. Joseph’s Home and School Association 
Every family is a member, and all members are represented by grade representatives and an executive committee.  Everyone is welcome to learn more about Home and School.  Please contact Bri Brekke  or Alex Fitzer to learn more!  We are looking forward to a GREAT year at St. Joseph’s!

Gerten's Fall Mum Fundraiser: Thank you!

Thank you to everyone who purchased plants through our Gerten's Fall Mums Fundraiser. Over $3,000 worth of plants and gift cards were sold! Orders will be available for pick-up in the church parking lot on Thursday, Sept. 14 from 2:30-5:30 p.m. If you would like to volunteer to help with the pick-ups, please sign-up here. Our Gerten's Christmas Greens & Poinsettia Fundraiser will go live Sept. 22! Place your orders before Oct. 23 for pick-up on Nov. 30. Did you know? Proceeds from all our fundraisers go directly back to Home & School to fund field trips, teacher appreciation efforts and community spirit events. Thank you for your support!

Recess Helpers Wanted! Want to volunteer, but running short on time? Sign up to be a recess helper! In just 20 minutes, you'll get to enjoy some fresh air and give our amazing staff a little extra support. Have a little more time? Sign up for more than one slot! Have a grandparent who wants to volunteer? Anyone who has completed their VIRTUS Training is welcome, so feel free to share with other family members, too. Click HERE to sign up.

Lunchroom Helper Lunch is a busy time at St. Joe's and volunteering to be a lunchroom helper is a quick and easy way to support our staff and help our students focus on what lunch time is REALLY for - eating! Have a grandparent who wants to volunteer? Anyone who has completed their VIRTUS Training is welcome. Click HERE to sign up.

Famfare Kitchen is back this school year to give you a monthly night off from cooking while supporting our school! 15% of all orders will be donated back to the school.

FamFare Kitchen: September orders close this Sunday!

Remember to place your FamFare Kitchen order before Sunday at 3:00 p.m. for pick-up on Tuesday, Sept. 12 from 3:00-3:30 by the east church doors. 15% of all orders will be donated back to the school! Visit https://famfarekitchen.com/raisefunds to place your order.

September Menu: Grilled Chicken Pitas (Hot Option) and Tortellini Soup & Fresh Bread (Frozen Option). Cookies have also been added to the menu!

Please contact Christina Mahady, Home & School Fundraising Coordinator, with any questions.

Please click here to view The Church of St. Joseph Website or view the Church Bulletin by clicking here.

• Sunday, September 10 - Oktoberfest 12 - 3pm
• Tuesday, September 12 -  Curriculum Night (K-5) 6:30pm 
• Wednesday, September 13 - Mass 8:45am
• Monday, September 18 - Picture Retake Day
• Tuesday, September 19 - First Sacrament Parent Meeting 7pm- Church
• Wednesday, September 20- Confirmation Parent Meeting 7pm- Church
• Wednesday, September 20 - Mass 8:45am