Parent Letter 1/4/19

Dear Parents,                                                                                                                        
 
On behalf of the St. Joseph’s School faculty, I would like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year as well as welcome everyone back to school.  We hope that you had a great holiday break with your family and friends.  We are grateful for the many cards, sweet treats, gifts, and well wishes/prayers that we received over Christmas! 
 
As I look back on 2018, I am so grateful for the many blessings received by our school.  I want to thank you for your commitment to our school community.  Please join me in having great hope and anticipation for the blessings to come in 2019.   May the Lord abundantly bless you, your families, our parish, and school community during this New Year.  Mary, Mother of God, pray for us!  St. Joseph, pray for us!
 
Today, Friday, January 4 is the Feast of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.  At our Mass today, Fr. Creagan shared information about the Church’s first North American born saint.  A widow with five children, she accepted an invitation to found a school in Baltimore.  There she became “Mother Seton” to the Sisters of Charity of Saint Joseph.  Their mission to educate the poor and teach in orphanages formed the beginning of the American parochial school system.  Today, let’s pray for students and teachers in parochial schools.
 
In addition, this year, Fr. Creagan provided prayer cards of American Saints and Blesseds for our students and faculty.  The prayer cards were picked up after our Mass today.
 
Finally, the Feast of the Epiphany is celebrated in our churches this weekend.  I encourage you to take a “pilgrimage” while at church to visit Jesus and the holy family in the manger.  It is a great opportunity to pray for your family.
 
Welcome Kathleen Jackson – Student Teacher
Kathleen Jackson, senior education major from the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND will complete her student teaching experience at St. Joe’s during January – April 2019.  Miss Jackson will be teaching in Mrs. Byron’s Kindergarten class and Mrs. Gale’s Third grade class.  Please join me in welcoming her to our school.
 
Hospitality Weekend – January 5-6
St. Joseph’s School Advisory Council / Home and School hosts parish hospitality after Masses this weekend at the Church of St. Joseph.  If you attend Mass this weekend at St. Joe’s, please stop by for fellowship with families in the parish.

Rosary – Monday, January 7
All students and faculty will gather together in the church on Monday, January 7 at 9:00 a.m. to pray the Rosary.  We will pray the Joyful Mysteries remembering the events around the nativity.  Parents and family members are invited to come pray with us.

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 has scheduled a number of opportunities for families, and members of the parish and community to gather to learn more about our school.  By attending any of the meetings and/or the open house, individuals will learn about our school programs that, under the guidance of fantastic faculty and, partnering with parents, provide quality faith formation and academic excellence for our students. 

Middle School Information Session- January 8th
Parents of 4th and 5th grade students, and all others interested in learning more about St. Joseph’s Middle School, are invited to attend our Information Session on Tuesday, January 8th at 6:00 pm in the school cafeteria.  School administration and middle school faculty will share information about our middle school programs and answer questions.  Classroom tours will also be available.
 
Preschool Information Session – January 15
Please join us Tuesday January 15 ^th at 6:00pm in the Preschool Classrooms to learn more about the preschool offerings we provide for 3 & 4 year olds.  Childcare will be available.

Open House – Sunday, January 27  10:00 am – 1:00 pm
St. Joseph School has scheduled an opportunity for current, prospective, and parish families to visit our school.  Everyone is invited to our Preschool –Grade 8 Open House on Sunday, January 27 from 10:00am - 1:00pm.  All classrooms will be open for visitors.  School administration and faculty will be available to meet you and share information about our school.  If you know of a family (parish member, neighbor, relative, colleague at work) who may be interested in learning more about our school, please invite them to attend the special Open House.
Kindergarten Information Session – January 29
Please join school administration and faculty on Tuesday, January 29 ^th at 6:00 p.m. in the parish’s Great Room to learn more about our school Kindergarten program.  Families will also tour our Kindergarten classrooms and visit with our faculty during the evening.  Childcare will be available.  
 
Registration for the 2019-2020 School Year Opens in January
It’s almost time to enroll for the 2019-20 school year!  Current school families will be automatically re-enrolled and the annual family registration fee will be applied to family TADS accounts in February.  If a current family would like to delay re-enrollment, they must notify the school office by January 31st.
For questions about enrollment, contact Christy Frost ( chfrost@stjosephwsp.org or 651-789-8315).
 
Student Pick Up Procedures- Reminder to Parents
We are receiving reports of safety concerns at the afternoon student pick up.  Your child’s safety is a priority to us.  Please help us by following the transportation procedures.  Thank you!
 
Afternoons - Cars are to enter via the Butler entrance, park in the back rows of the lot and exit via Orme Street.  Parents are to get out of their vehicles, pick up their child and walk them through the traffic area.  Do not pick up your child from Butler or Orme Streets.  Please use reduced speeds and caution when exiting the parking lot.  Vehicles should not exit the parking lot going down the entrance driveway to Butler.
 
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!

St. Joe’s Socials are now available
You won’t want to miss these amazing parties.  These are great way to meet new families and catch up with ones you already know!  There are a variety of parties offered from class parties, teacher hosted parties, and our parent parties.  Please Click Here to register! 
 
School Carnival
Planning is underway for Carnival to be held on Friday, February 1, 2019.  Carnival is a long-standing tradition at St. Joe’s and caps off an exciting Catholic Schools Week.  After Christmas and clearance sales are a great time to pick up carnival prizes of all kinds.  Prizes may be brought to the school office.  Thank you for your assistance and support of the special event.
 
School Mass – Friday, January 11
Please join us for our school Mass on Friday, January 11 at 9:00am in the church.  School families, friends, and members of the parish are invited to join our students and faculty in prayer and song.
 
Cub Scout Pinewood Derby
Please have your family join the St. Joe's Cub Scouts for their annual Pinewood Derby on Saturday January 26 - 6:00pm-8:30pm in the Gym. Watch students race their custom-designed wooden Derby cars along a 42 foot race track at scale speeds of over 200mph.  See former Scout - Father Creagan - race his 'Popemobile'. Extra Derby cars will be available for your child to race. Check out online videos to see the fun surrounding this highlight of Cub Scouting. 
Extra Derby cars will be available for your child to race in the 'Open Class' event. Check out online videos to see the fun surrounding this highlight of Cub Scouting.  Questions: Paul Elskamp - pelskamp@msn.com
  Winter Season- School Closing Information
Now that we are into the “winter season”, school closings are announced on television and radio.  St. Joseph’s School is always listed with our school district; ISD 197 West St. Paul, Mendota Heights, Eagan.  If District 197 schools are closed, our school is closed, even if St. Joseph’s School is not listed in the announcement.  In addition, our school office will also send out an “email blast” to our school families and a message will be posted on our school website announcing the closing of school.
 
Reminder to Parents
Our school day for students in grades K-8 begins at 8:40 a.m.  Our school doors open at 8:30am.  Please make sure your child is arriving to school and in their classroom prior to 8:40 a.m. so they are not tardy.  Students arriving late to school can be a disruption to the learning environment when they enter the classroom.  Thank you for your cooperation.
 
Lost and Found
Parents please stop in to check the lost and found bin located in the front main entrance of our school.  There are many items including coats, hats, gloves, shoes, and gym bags.  If you are missing any of these items please stop by school to pick them up.
 
Just a Reminder
Please continue to review our Friday Letters, check your child’s Family Folder, our school website, Facebook, Twitter, and the St. Joseph parish bulletin to keep updated on all the exciting happenings at St. Joseph’s School.
 
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’s Social Night – January 11 7:00-10:00pm
On Friday January 11, 7-10pm, women of the school and parish are invited for a fun social night of Bunco.  Invite a friend or two.  No need to know how to play!  Bring a snack to share.  Beverages will be served and prizes awarded.  Please RSVP on the parish website by January 8 to be guaranteed to play.  You are welcome to show up and wait to play or simply socialize if you choose.  Contact Amanda Carnes with questions Amanda.carnes@churchofstjoseph.org
 
Parish Father Daughter Dance - Friday, February 8    Save the Date!
Please mark your calendars for Friday, February 8 ^th for the annual Father – Daughter Dance in St. Joseph’s Church Great Room, 6:30-9:30-pm.  This event is open to all ages.   Please watch the parish bulletin for ticket information.  If you are interested in helping with this event, please contact Tracy Kracht at 651-457-2709 or ryan_kracht@msn.com.
 
All in God’s Plan
St. Joseph’s will be hosting an All in God’s Plan Level 1 event for 10-12 years old girls and their mothers or significant adult female on Saturday, March 9, 2019 from 2-4:30pm.   Space will be limited.  Look for registration details to be announced mid-January. 
 
Click here to link to the weekly St. Joseph’s Church Bulletin.
 
January Calendar Look Ahead
Please consider joining us for some of the special events at our school.

• Monday, January 7 – Rosary 9:00 a.m. in the Church
• Tuesday, January 8 – Middle School Information Night – 6:00-7:30pm
• Tuesday, January 8 – Confirmation Sponsor Talk 7:00-8:30pm- Church
• Friday, January 11 – 9:00am Mass
• Tuesday, January 15 – Preschool Information Night 6:00-7:30pm – Preschool Rooms
• Thursday, January 17 – 9:00am Mass
• Friday, January 18 – No School, Professional Development
• Monday, January 21 – No School, Martin Luther King Day
• Tuesday, January 22 – School in Session – No District Transportation or Food Service
• Sunday, January 27 – Saturday, February 2 – Catholic Schools Week
• Sunday, January 27 – St. Joseph’s School Open House; 10:00am-1:00pm.
• Monday, January 28 – Friday, February 1 – Spirit Week
• Tuesday, January 29 – Kindergarten Information Night – 6:00-7:30pm, Great Room