Parent Letter 10/12/18

Dear Parents,                                                                                                                               
Greetings from St. Joseph’s School!  Our students and faculty have had another wonderful week of prayer, teaching, and learning   Please continue to review our Friday Letters, check your child’s Family Folder, and our school website to keep updated on all the happenings at St. Joseph’s School.
 
MAP Assessments
Today, students in grades 2-8 will be bringing home their results from completing the MAP Assessments.  The assessments determine your child’s instructional level and measure academic growth throughout the school year in the areas of mathematics and reading.  In addition to your child’s report, you will find information about what MAP is, its purpose, and how to interpret the results.  If you have questions after reviewing the reports, please contact your child’s classroom teacher or the school administration at 651-457-8550.
 
Marathon   (In addition, please see email message from Mr. Wesely regarding Marathon)
Our students continue to bring in the money they are collecting from the pledges they received during our recent Marathon.  At this time, $41,260 has been turned into school.  This amount is 62% of our $67,000 goal.   Money collection days next week are Monday and Wednesday.  Does your place of business have a matching gift program?  If so, please consider how the program could increase your donation to our Marathon. The following prizes will be awarded to the top producing classrooms (% of classroom goal) and students (individual money collected) at the end of Marathon. 

• Every student that turns in donations (money) will receive a special treat
• Top 5 students overall in school have lunch and fun at Chuck E Cheeses
• Top students in each grade level have lunch and fun at Chuck E Cheeses
• Homeroom reaches their goal – Out of Uniform and Jaguar Paw party
• Students who collect $200 or more – attend the Ultimate Jaguar BINGO party
• Top homeroom in the school – class field trip
• Second Homeroom – movie and popcorn party
• Third and fourth homerooms – World’s Largest Banana Split party
• Middle School top two homerooms – students vs faculty volleyball challenge in gym

 
Thank you so much for your support of this very important school fundraiser!  Go Jaguars!
 
Fire Prevention Safety Week
This week, October 7-13, has been Fire Prevention and Safety Week.  We would like to thank our local firefighters, first responders, paramedics, EMTs, and law enforcement officers for watching out for the safety and well-being of our school and communities.  We ask for the intercession of St. Florian, patron saint of firefighters, and St. Michael the Archangel, patron saint of first responders, paramedics, EMTs and law enforcement officers to keep these men and women safe in their service of others.
 
No School
There is no school for students and faculty on Thursday, October 18, and Friday, October 19 because of Education MN (M.E.A.).  Enjoy the break from school with your family and friends!  We will see everyone back at school on Monday, October 22.
 
Mass of the Holy Spirit
St. Joseph’s School students and staff in grades 4 – 8 will be attended the Mass of the Holy Spirit.  The Catholic Schools Center of Excellence (CSCOE) sponsored the Mass at US Bank Stadium.  It was a tremendous experience praying and singing with Archbishop Hedba, Bishop Cozzens, Fr. Creagan, Fr. Wratkowski, other priests of the Archdiocese, and 14,000 Catholic grade school children, school leaders, teachers and guests.  Please visit the Catholic Schools Center of Excellence’s facebook (@cscoe), twitter (@cscoe_mn) and instagram (@cscoe_mn) accounts to see incredible pictures from the event.  In addition, thank you for participating the Knights of Columbus “Coats for Kids” collection.  The collection will provide warm winter clothing for people in need.
 
Parent Teacher Conferences – October 17, 23, and 25
Parent Teacher Conferences for preschool – grade 8 students are scheduled over the next two weeks.  Parents are encouraged to attend conferences for their child(children).
 
Parent Teacher Conferences for Middle School Students will be held Wednesday, October 17 from 8:45am -3:00pm. in the Great Room. Conferences will be conducted arena style.  Due to conferences, Middle School students will not have school on Wednesday, October 17.   School will be in session for students in grades K – grade 5 on Wednesday, October 17th.

Conferences will also be held for Middle School Students Tuesday, October 23 & Thursday, October 25 - 4:30-8:00pm in the School Gymnasium, conducted arena style.  A letter went home with students today with this information. 

Parent Teacher Conferences for students in grades K -5 will be held on Tuesday, October 23 & Thursday, October 25 from 4:30 – 8:00pm.  Please CLICK HERE to sign up for conferences.  School will be in session for K – 8 students on these conference days.
 
Preschool Parent Teacher Conferences will be held on Wednesday, October 17 and Tuesday, October 23.  Preschool classes will not be in session on these Parent Teacher Conference days.
 
Respect Life Week - October 22-26
October is Respect Life Month. St. Joseph’s students and faculty will recognize the sanctity of all life through classroom lessons, activities, prayer, and service.   Our school will be having a layette (baby items) collection beginning October 22nd.  Here is a list of items for this collection; Diapers- Newborn and Size One, Wipes, Baby wash and Shampoo, Socks-any size, Pacifiers, and Bottles.  This is a special service project that benefits and supports the Wakota Life Center in West St. Paul.  Thank you for your generosity and participation of this work of mercy.
 
School Pictures
School pictures are scheduled for Monday, October 22.  This will be an out-of-uniform day.  Picture forms went home last week with your child.  Purchase of individual pictures/group composites is always optional, but we do ask that all students be photographed for the yearbook.   St. Joseph’s Preschool classes (4s and 4/5s) will have their pictures taken October 22.  Preschool 3s will have their pictures taken on Tuesday, November 27.  Lifetouch is looking for parent volunteers to help line up the students and assist the photographers.  Volunteers receive a free picture package for their child.  Please call the office at 651-457-8550 if you are interested.
 
Vision & Hearing Screenings
Vision and Hearing Screenings are scheduled for Wednesday, October 24 for students in grades 1, 3 and 5.   If you would like to help, please call the Nurse’s Office at 651-789-8324.
 
Celebrating Halloween at St. Joseph’s School
We would like to recognize the traditional Halloween holiday by having an “Orange and Black” Day.  This will be an out of uniform day for our students.  Please help your children choose appropriate Halloween seasonal clothes or wear their Jaguar spirit attire to celebrate the day.  Some of the classrooms will be having their own celebrations so please watch for your teacher’s individual newsletter for more information.
 
The Positivity Project – Other People Mindset (OPM2)
This week, our students and faculty learned about the first Other People Mindset (OPM2) element: identifying and appreciating the good in others.  Beginning Monday, students will discover integrity.  Integrity is doing the right thing when nobody is watching.  People with integrity practice what they preach and maintain a consistent pattern of behavior aligned with their values.  Integrity is closely aligned with the terms of honesty and authenticity.  We look forward to learning about and practicing all twenty-four character traits through the Positivity Project during this school year.
 
School Mass
School families, friends, and members of the parish are invited to join us in prayer by attending our next school Mass on Tuesday, October 16 at 9:00 a.m. in the Church.  Parents, grandparents, family members, and members of the parish are always welcome to attend our school Masses and prayer devotions during the school year.
 
The Weather is Changing
The fall (winter-like?) weather has arrived.  It is a good time to start sending your children to school with sweaters, sweatshirts, and jackets.  It can be very cool at the bus stops and on the playground.  Please remember to label all of your child’s clothing so that it can be returned to them in the event that it is misplaced or lost while at school. The last day to wear shorts is October 31 ^st.
 
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.
 
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;
Attention all School Dads!  Men’s basketball will be “every” Saturday mornings starting Oct 6 ^th 7:30 – 9:00am in the School Gymnasium.  This is open to men 16 years and older.  If you would like more information please contact Tony Carnes at bigjetz@gmail.com. Supportive shoes encouraged and no commitment required!   
 
Click here to link to the weekly St. Joseph’s Church Bulletin .
 
Important Links:
Net Nights
 
October & November Calendar Look Ahead:
Please consider joining us for some of the special events at our school.
      
       °  Tuesday, October 16 – Mass 9:00 am  Eighth grade retreat
       °  Wednesday, October 17 – No School for Middle School Students – Parent Teacher
                                                         Conferences
                                                         Students in Grades K-5 are in session.
       °  Thursday-Friday, October 18 & 19 – No School for students and faculty
       °  Monday, October 22 – School Picture Day – Out of Uniform
       °  Tuesday, October 23 – Parent Teacher Conferences for grades K-8; 4-8 pm
       °  Wednesday, October 24 – Vision and Hearing Screening
       °  Thursday, October 25 - Parent Teacher Conferences for grades K-8, 4-8 pm
         °  Wednesday, October 31 – Halloween – Students may wear orange and black or school 
                                                            spirit attire
       °  Thursday, November 1 – Mass 9:00am All Saints Day  Fourth grade retreat
       °  Friday, November 2 – Penance Services Grades 3-8
       °  Wednesday, November 7 – Mass 9:00am
       °  Thursday, November 8 – No School- Teacher Professional Development
       °  Friday, November 9 – No School- Teacher Professional Development
       °  Tuesday, November 13 – NET Night – Great Room
       °  Friday, November 16 – Mass 9:00am followed by our Fall Open House 10am-1pm
       °  Tuesday, November 20 – Mass  9:00am
       °  Wednesday November 21 – Friday November 23 – No School, Thanksgiving Break
       °  Tuesday, November 27 – Picture Retake Day