Parent Letter 1/22/21

Dear St. Joseph’s School Parents,              

This week our preschool children and our elementary and middle school students returned to in person learning and remote learning if elected after three weeks of full remote learning.  It was wonderful to see children back in our school hallways and hear their voices on the playground during recess.  Thank you for assisting your children with getting all of their school materials and supplies ready to return to school.

During this week, our teachers and staff assisted their students in getting back into their classroom and school routines as well as discussing and practicing our school protocols.  We ask for your continued assistance in reviewing the protocols with your children; continue washing hands, wearing face coverings (please make sure your child’s face covering fits properly), keeping distance from other students when walking through the hallways and stairs, covering coughs and sneezes, and when necessary using hand sanitizer that is available throughout the school building. 

In addition, our school is participating in the State of Minnesota’s COVID Saliva Testing Program for teachers and school staff.  This optional saliva testing is another strategy our school is putting in place to assist with the mitigation of the coronavirus.  The testing is scheduled for every two weeks as long as funding is available. 

Monday, January 25 - No School for Students
Just a reminder that there will be no school for students on Monday, January 25, 2021.  This is a Professional Development Day for our faculty and staff.  School will resume on Tuesday, January 26 at 8:40 a.m.

St. Joseph’s School Virtual Open House Events
We would like to share with you that our 2021-2022 Open Houses are scheduled for Preschool, Kindergarten, and Middle School.  Our Open Houses will be virtual this year and take place on;

• Saturday, January 23  Kindergarten  9:00 am
• Saturday, February 6  Preschool  9:00 am
• Thursday, February 11  Middle School  6:30 pm

During the Open Houses, families will meet administration and faculty, learn about our school programs, and receive information on registration for the 2021-2022 school year.  

We encourage all current and prospective families to attend any of the Open Houses.  In addition, if  you know someone that is interested in learning more about our school and our programs, please have them contact our school office; 651-457-8550 and/or email limayernik@stjosephwsp.org. 

Registration for the 2021-2022 School Year
Current school families have been automatically re-enrolled with the required annual family registration fee applied to family TADS accounts in February.  

Prospective school families may visit our school’s website clicking on the “Visit Us” tab to obtain information about our upcoming virtual Open Houses, registration, and take a short virtual tour.

For additional information and/or questions about enrollment for next school year, please contact Lindsay Mayernik, Enrollment Coordinator at limayernik@stjosephwsp.org or by calling 651-457-8550.

Financial Aid Deadline February 20th -  Grades Kindergarten-8
If you are interested in applying for Financial Assistance for the 2021-2022 school year, please log into your TADS account and begin that process now.  All Financial Assistance Applications are to be completed online through TADS.  The deadline to apply for and complete this process is February 20, 2021.  If you have any questions, please contact our school office or contact TADS at 612-548-3320.

Aim Higher Scholarships for 2020-2021 - Deadline February 20th
The Aim Higher Foundation provides two scholarships for students to attend Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of St. Paul & Mpls.  The application period ends February 20th, 2021.   Please click here to view the flier.  

NWEA MAP Assessments
This week students in grades 2-8 began the winter administration of the MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) assessments.  The assessments will be given through January 29, 2021.  The students will complete the mathematics assessment first followed by the reading assessment.  Please click here for a letter containing more information for our students and families in grades 2-8.  We thank Mrs. Budge, Mrs. Nordgren, and our grade 2-8 teachers for coordinating and administering the assessments for our students.

Progress Reports & Parent Teacher Conferences (Virtual)                                      
Mid-trimester Progress Reports for students in grades 4-8 will be emailed to families Friday, January 29.  Parent Teacher Conferences for grades K-8 are scheduled for Tuesday, February 9 (evening)  and Thursday, February 11 (evening).   Please watch for more information and a Sign Up Genius from the school office to schedule your virtual conference.

St. Joseph’s School Calendar Update
Please note that some adjustments have been made to our original 2020-2021 St. Joseph’s School calendar.  There will be no school for students and staff on Friday, February 12th and Monday, February  15th as we observe the President’s Day holiday on Monday.  School will resume on Tuesday, February 16th.  Enjoy your long weekend!                                                                            

Preschool Calendar Update
St. Joseph’s Preschool will be in session on Monday, January 25th and Tuesday, January 26th.  Originally, Preschool was not scheduled to be in session due to parent teacher conferences.  With the adjustment of the preschool calendar, conferences were able to take place earlier in January.

Early Childhood Screening for Preschool Aged Children
Please be sure to make an appointment for Preschool Early Childhood Screening through the school district you reside in.  Screening is required now for most schools, instead of highly recommended as in the past.  It is suggested the screening be completed at the 3½ age level.  Even if your child is past the age recommendation, it is still necessary to make an appointment.  Please contact our school office if you need more information
651-457-8550.

Catholic School Week
Catholic Schools Week is scheduled for January 31 - February 5, 2021.  Our week will look a bit different this year, however a variety of activities are planned to celebrate Catholic education and our school.  We have our dress-up days scheduled for our K-8 students (in person and distance learners).  If students choose to not participate in the scheduled dress up day, they should plan to come to school in their school uniform.

Mon.   Feb. 1:    Pajama Day

Tues.   Feb.  2:   Summer Day

Wed.    Feb. 3:   Jersey Day

Thurs.  Feb. 4:  Decade Day or Mismatched Day (you choose!)

Fri.       Feb 5:  Jaguar Spirit Day

Please watch for more information and a schedule of activities next week.

District Food Service
District food service will resume on that date as well with the free hot lunch program continuing through the end of the school year.  Please note that the “bag lunch” option is no longer available to students. Milk only option is a charge.  

1/26 Chicken Burrito

1/27 Cheeseburger

1/28 Hot dog

1/29 Ham & Cheese Sandwich
                                                                                                                                                     

School Mass
Our next school Mass will be on Friday, January 29 at 9:00 a.m.  The Mass will continue to be live streamed on the Church of St. Joseph website; www.churchofstjoseph.org.  Parents and families are encouraged to join us virtually for the Mass.

First Reconciliation Retreat and Sacrament
The families of second grade students should have received a letter from Christina Stokman, Church of St. Joseph Director of Catechesis and Formation, with information about the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  

Please pray for our 2nd grade students who will be receiving their First Reconciliation on Saturday, January 30.  The students will attend a special retreat before receiving the sacrament with a priest.  

Specific COVID-19 protocols will be followed with sanitation measures, social-distancing between stations, and the wearing of face coverings.

We thank Fr. Creagan, Fr. Wratkowski, Mrs. Fallon, Mrs. Taplin, members of the parish’s Faith Formation Office, and our families for preparing the students to receive this special sacrament of God’s mercy and love. 

Does Your Employer Offer a Matching Gift Program?
Employer matching programs are a wonderful way to maximize your donation to St. Joseph’s School.  Please look into your employer programs to see if they may participate in this program.  If you have any questions or need help with the process, please contact Lisa Wrobel in our school office.  Thank you.

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.

St. Joseph Church Bulletin

January/February Look Ahead:

• Saturday, Jan. 23 - Kindergarten Virtual Open House 9am
• Monday, Jan. 25 - No School, Professional Development for Teachers
• Friday, Jan. 29 - Mass 
• Sunday, Jan. 31- Friday, Feb. 5 - Catholic Schools Week
• Friday, Feb. 5 - Mass
• Saturday, Feb. 6 - Preschool Virtual Open House 9am
• Tuesday, Feb. 9 - Parent Teacher Virtual Conferences 
• Thursday, Feb. 11 - Parent Teacher Virtual Conferences
• Thursday Feb. 11- Middle School Virtual Open House
• Friday, Feb. 12 & Monday Feb. 15 - No School Presidents Day
• Tuesday, Feb. 16- School Resumes
• Wednesday, Feb. 17 - Mass Ash Wednesday
• Friday, Feb. 26 - Mass