St. Joseph's School Parent Letter 4/22/22

Dear St. Joseph’s School Parents,

Special School Mass - Maronite Rite Liturgy
Today, our school Mass was celebrated by Fr Emmanuel Nakhleh, pastor of Holy Family Maronite Catholic Church in Mendota Heights.  St Joseph School has had many students from the Maronite Rite Catholic Church over the years.  Today, our students, faculty, and families were able to share the beauty of rich Maronite Catholic traditions.  Please click here to read more about our experience at this very special school Mass and view two pictures.

Middle School Director
In the coming days a posting for a new leadership position within the Middle School will go public.  The new position will take direct responsibility for the leadership, curriculum, culture and staffing within the Middle School (grades 6-8); they will work under the direction of our new principal Ginger Vance.  Please continue to pray for the school and these critical decisions as we transition in leadership.

Meeting the New Principal
Faculty and staff will have an opportunity to formally meet the new principal, Mrs. Ginger Vance, next Friday, April 29th during their professional development day.  She will also be attending upcoming School Advisory Council and Home & School meetings in the coming weeks.  We are looking for other similar opportunities, and a time for the students and parents to meet Mrs. Vance as well.

NWEA MAP Assessments
Our second through eighth grade students are currently completing the MAP (Monitoring Academic Progress) assessments.  The students completed their assessments in Reading this week and will complete their Math assessments next week.  Students absent from school will complete their assessments upon their return to school.   Information about the MAP assessments and your child’s progress will be provided to parents upon completion of the assessments.

Tuition Agreements
Agreements for the 2022-23 school year will be sent out through TADS in the coming weeks.  For any families that have applied for financial assistance, please ensure you have submitted any required documentation.

St. Joseph’s School Carnival - Friday, May 6!
Planning is underway for Carnival to be held on Friday, May 6th, 2022 (during the school day). Carnival is a long-standing tradition at St. Joe’s and we are so excited to see it return this year!  If you have questions about Carnival volunteer opportunities or donations, please contact Alex Fitzer alexandra.fitzer@gmail.com or Jenny Wilson kamp0113@umn.edu.   

DONATIONS - we are in need of prizes for Carnival!  Please click here to sign up for a donation: Clearance sales are a great way to pick up carnival prizes of all kinds.  Prizes may be brought to the school office. (No used items please)   

VOLUNTEERS - WE NEED YOU!  Carnival is a wonderful experience for our students and it takes many helpers to make this event happen.  Please consider signing up for one or more of the volunteer opportunities for this event by clicking here.

We are looking for a few parents that would like to take the lead in the face painting and craft rooms during carnival - please look for those opportunities on the sign up genius.

A Few Carnival details:  
You will be receiving a carnival packet next week, sharing details along with an order form to purchase tickets.  Carnival is held during the school day.  Students will have a normal school day until 11:30.  At 11:30 students are treated to a pizza lunch in their classrooms.  Students are dismissed to “Carnival” at 12:00pm.  Carnival runs in the school building from 12 - 3pm.  At 3pm students will return to their classroom until dismissal at 3:40.  If a parent would like to take their child home when Carnival ends, they may do so by signing them out in the school office. 

Please note:  Students in grades Kindergarten and 1st grade must be accompanied by an adult.  Students in grades K & 1 will need to be picked up from their classrooms at 12pm and accompanied through Carnival.

Thank you to our Alex Fitzer and Jenny Wilson along with our Home & School Association and many parent volunteers for making this day possible for our students!   

Artsonia - Art in Bloom!
Thanks to Mrs. Lamusga, St. Joe's artists have been bringing the springtime inside with their beautiful artwork. Want to share a bit of springtime? With Mother's Day and Father's Day approaching, remember that you can purchase mugs, t-shirts, jewelry and more with your student's artwork on it via Artsonia! Simply login to your child's account, select their artwork and what product you'd like it featured on, and Artsonia will donate 20% of the purchase price back to the St. Joe's Art Department. Artsonia offers gifts that give back!  This year Artsonia has earned the Art Department $223. Thank you to all the volunteers that help upload pictures of artwork and to all our art fans!

Nominate St. Joseph's School Teachers for a KTIS High Five!
Teacher Appreciation Week is May 2-6 and 98.5 KTIS is looking for those who always go above and beyond, who are selfless and always put others first, or who always take a sincere interest in their students.  We sure think the teachers at St. Joe's fit that description!  Here's a chance to share how much you appreciate them - nominate them for a KTIS High Five!  Those selected will receive commemorative High Five coffee mugs, gift cards, and other treats with your note of kindness enclosed.  Just fill out the form on the KTIS website before May 2 to nominate them. Thank you to all our amazing teachers and Go Jaguars!

CSCOE Bash - CELEBRATE AND SUPPORT CATHOLIC SCHOOLS!
The Catholic Schools Center of Excellence invites you to join them for an excellent evening to make a tremendous impact on the nearly 80 preschool–8th grade Catholic schools in the greater Twin Cities area by attending the 2022 CSCOE Bash.  Click here for more information.

A Note from The School Nurse
We have rapid covid tests available to our students. If you would like to utilize one, please contact Amy Milosch ammilosch@stjosephwsp.org.    Please continue to be attentive to your children's health and stay at home when you are sick.  

Important Links
2022-2023 Important Dates Calendar
March & April Recess Supervision
March & April Lunchroom Helpers
Home & School Association Information
April Lunch Menu
Church of St. Joseph
St. Joseph Church Bulletin

April / May  Look Ahead

• Saturday, April 23 - First Holy Communion - Church
• Thursday, April 28 - 9:00 a.m. Mass, Grade 4 Pen Friend Reception, No School Preschool - Parent Teacher Conferences
• Friday, April 29 - No School for Preschool - Parent Teacher Conference, No School Kindergarten-grade 8 students - Professional Development
• Friday May 6 - Muffins with Moms, Mass 9am, Carnival
• Thursday, May 12 - Gertens Pick up
• Friday, May 13 - K-2 Afternoon Senior Citizen Concert 2pm Great Room
• Tuesday, May 17 - K - 2 Spring Concert 6:30pm Church

INTERIM ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM
Greg Wesely (Principal); grwesely@stjosephwsp.org
Patrick Menke (Advisor); patrick.menke@churchofstjoseph.org
Lisa Wrobel (School Operations); liwrobel@stjosephwsp.org
Lori Bruce (Interim Dean of Students); lobruce@stjosephwsp.org
Sandy Knudson (Preschool Coordinator); saknudson@stjosephwsp.org