Parent Letter 12/13/19
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Dear Parents,
Advent is the season of preparing for the arrival of Jesus (both his first coming and his second coming). This Sunday is the third Sunday of Advent. The third Sunday of Advent is called "Gaudete" Sunday. Gaudete is a name taken from the first word of the entrance antiphon of the Mass, which is:
“ Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say, rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near.”
This is a quotation from Philippians 4:4-5. The liturgical color is rose instead of purple. This is the Church's way of further heightening our expectations as we draw ever nearer the Solemnity of Christmas.
It is the middle of December, winter has settled in, and Christmas is fast approaching. As the song states, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” Well, if that’s not enough to keep us busy, the St. Joseph’s School faculty is continuing to plan for the 2020-2021 school year and these plans include you.
Our school has scheduled a number of opportunities for students, school families, and members of the parish to gather to learn more about our school. At our Preview Nights and Open House, individuals will learn about our programs, under the guidance of fantastic faculty, partner with parents to provide quality faith formation and academic excellence for our students. We encourage you to attend these events. In addition, we ask that you consider inviting a new family to accompany you to these special events.
Information Nights are scheduled for Preschool, Kindergarten, and Middle School in January. Families will receive information on school programs and registration for the 2020-2021 school year.
Our School-Wide Open House is also scheduled in January during Catholic Schools Week. Our Open House provides opportunities for families to come to school, meet our staff, and visit our classrooms.
Mission Statement
“St. Joseph’s Catholic School educates students through faith formation, academic excellence,
and the development of virtue to be disciples of Christ.”
St. Joseph’s School Gala - December 7, 2019
On behalf of St. Joseph’s School and the Gala Committee, we thank you for your participation and support of The St. Joseph’s School Gala. It was a pleasure to see so many of you in attendance!
A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU to our Gala Chairs, Mitzi Vitale, Bri DeLeon, Adrianna Birk, Mollie Rubenzer, Katie Grondahl and Cheryl Weimer for their dedication and countless hours of work that went in to make this event a tremendous success! A Huge Thank you to the many volunteers that worked so closely with the Gala Chairs to make this such an outstanding success for our school! Last by not least, a special Thank you to Matt Birk for your outstanding efforts as the Emcee for the evening! We are truly blessed!
A HUGE THANK YOU to Jenny Vierzba, Kirsten Abbott and the many volunteers that worked on the School Raffle! What an OUTSTANDING Success!
Congratulations to our Raffle Winners!
Grand Prize: 2019 Ford Escape: Kim Wright
2nd Prize: Pilgrimage - Karla Abbott
3rd Prize: Limo Lights Tour - Jane VonHaden
Academic Competition – Good Luck!
St. Joseph’s School eighth grade students will be participating in the Catholic High School Academic Quiz Bowl on Monday, December 16. It is sponsored by the Catholic High Schools in the Twin Cities and held at the University of Saint Thomas. Representing our school in this event are Paige Abbott, Nate Rohrer, Nathan Schaffer and Julian Stucci. Best of luck to the Academic Quiz Bowl Team members and Mrs. Kathy Anderson and Mrs. Jackie VanDiver for representing our school.
Report Cards
Report cards went home last Friday with students in Friday Folders. Please return the signature page in the envelope to your child(ren) homeroom teacher.
Preschool Christmas Program
The Preschool Christmas Program will be held on Tuesday, December 17th at 6:30 p.m. in the Church. Our preschool children are so excited to share the gift of music with our loving families. Please plan to arrive early to get a good seat. All are welcome!
K-2 Christmas Concert
Thank you to Mrs. Bowe, Professora Tulia and our K - 2 Students for a wonderful Christmas Concert on Tuesday evening. Congratulations on a job well done! Thank you for joining us for this wonderful evening!
Thank you to our Home & School Association for providing cookies and refreshments for this event.
Band & Choir Concert
Thank you to Mrs. Bowe and Mr. Matchey and our band and choir students for a great concert on Thursday evening.
St. Joe’s Swim and Dive Team – Registration Now Open
St. Joseph’s Swim Team is open to all students in grades K-8. It is an inclusive sport (no cuts), which is designed to improve each swimmer and be competitive with other teams. The school swim team is a great program for many children. However, it does not take the place of swim lessons. Your child should know the basic freestyle swim stroke and be able to swim one length of the pool.
Sign-ups will be held through the Athletic Department at school. All forms must be completed and turned in to the school office by WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18. (Registration form attached) (Medical and Insurance Forms found on the school website under athletics)
Middle School Pancake Breakfast
On Thursday, December 19th our middle school students were treated to a wonderful pancake breakfast. This special event, a long-time tradition hosted by our middle school faculty and administration, celebrates the end of the first trimester of school. Prior to getting their breakfast, the students at each table needed to sing a Christmas Carol for everyone! Thank you teachers and volunteers for this wonderful treat for our students!
Festive Sweater Day
Do you have an ugly Christmas sweater (who doesn’t) but don’t have a place to wear it? You are in luck!!! On Thursday, December 19th, we will be hosting a Festive Sweater Day. Wear your ugly sweater/vest/sweatshirt to school, along with festive, gaudy accessories. Students who do not participate by wearing a festive sweater will need to be in uniform.
St. Joe’s Socials
We are excited that once again we have the St. Joe’s Socials! What a wonderful way to help support our school and grow our community. See more information about these great events below!
Nothing Bundt Cakes - St. Paul Location
St. Joseph’s School will receive 20% of the sales at Nothing Bundt Cakes in St. Paul - Grand Avenue location, December 16th - December 21st. Please see the attached flyer below. Flyers will be going home with students next week. Thank you!
Registration for the 2020-21 School Year Opens in January
It’s almost time to enroll for the 2020-21 school year! Current school families will be automatically re-enrolled and annual family registration fees 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 15th.
New families interested in learning more about our school are encouraged to attend one of our January admissions events.- Middle School Information Night: January 9th at 6:30pm
- Kindergarten Information Night - January 14th at 6pm
- Preschool Information Night: January 23rd at 6pm
- Open House: January 26th, 10am to 1pm
For questions about enrollment, contact Lindsay Mayernik limayernik@stjosephwsp.org or 651-789-8315)
Mitten and Hat Collection - Thank you!
Thank you to everyone who participated in our Mitten and Hat Collection. Your donations will assist Hats and Mittens of Minnesota help people to stay warm during the winter months.
Family Christmas Cards
We invite our school families to bring/send a Christmas card to the school office. All cards received will be displayed near the office. Please join us in sharing the joy of Christmas with everyone.
Middle School Information Session- January 9
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 9th at 6:30 pm in Middle School room 111. School administration and middle school faculty will share information about our middle school programs and answer questions. Classroom tours will also be available.
Kindergarten Information Session – January 14 Please join school administration and faculty on Tuesday, January 14th 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.
Preschool Information Session – January 23
Please join us Thursday, January 23rd 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 26th 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 26 from 10:00am - 1:00pm. All classrooms will be open for visitors. School administration and faculty will be available to meet with 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.
St. Joe's STEM Fair – February 7, 2020
Calling all scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and inventors! All students in grades 3-8 are invited to participate in our STEM Fair. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Winners of the St. Joe's STEM Fair will be able to compete in the CSCOE Big Bang STEM Fair in March. Look for information coming home in your child's Friday Folder. Middle School Science and Engineering Teacher, Miss Schafer, will be in all the classrooms, grades 3-8, to explain all the details to students next week. If you have any questions, please email elschafer@stjosephwsp.org.
Volunteers Needed for Recess Duty - Please help
We need help for recess duty for the remaining months of school. Whether our students are outside or inside because of the weather, volunteers offer tremendous assistance in providing supervision of students. Please click here to volunteer in December. Hot chocolate will be provided for all volunteers!
The Weather is Changing
The cold and snowy weather have arrived in West St. Paul. Please send your children to school with their sweaters, sweatshirts, jackets, and “snow gear” including hats, scarves, and nylon gloves/mittens so your child’s hands remain dry. Please remember to label all of your child’s clothing so that it can be returned to him/her in the event that it is misplaced or lost while at school. Our school;’s Lost and Found is located on the first floor outside of the cafeteria.
School Masses
Our next school Mass will be on Friday, December 20 at 9:00 a.m. in the Church. Parents and family members are always welcome to attend our school Masses and prayer devotions during the school year.
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.
Middle School Youth Nights
Middle School Youth Nights will be held every other week throughout the year! These nights will be held on the 1st and 3rd week of each month and will include fun, snacks, fellowship, and different types of prayer such as bible study, Adoration, and small groups. Please see the attachment for a full list of dates and times. If you have any questions, please contact Jake Debolt at jake.debolt@churchofstjoseph.org
Click here to link to the weekly St. Joseph’s Church Bulletin.
Important Links:
Swim Team Registration
STEM Fair
Middle School Newsletter
Aim Higher Scholarships
Nothing Bundt Cakes
St. Joe's Socials
Middle School Youth Nights
December/ January Look Ahead:
° Monday, Dec. 16 - Saturday, Dec. 21 - Nothing Bundt Cakes, St. Paul - H & S
Fundraiser
° Tuesday, Dec. 17 - Preschool Christmas Concert 6:15pm, Church; Reception following
° Friday, Dec. 20 - Mass 9:00am Church
° Thursday, Dec. 19 - Festive Sweater Day / Middle School Pancake Breakfast
° Monday Dec. 23 - Wednesday. Jan. 1 No School - Christmas Break
° Thursday, Jan. 2 - Welcome Back, School Resumes! Happy New Year!
° Friday, Jan. 3 - Mass 9:00am Church
° Thursday, Jan 9 - Middle School Info Night 6:30pm / 5th gr. Shadow Day
° Friday, Jan. 10 - Mass 9:00am Church
° Tuesday, Jan. 13 - Kindergarten Info Night 6:00pm Great Room
° Thursday, Jan. 16 - 9:00am Mass Church
° Friday, Jan. 17 - No School for Students, Professional Development for Staff
° Monday, Jan. 20 - No School for Students, Martin Luther King Jr. Day
° Tuesday, Jan. 21 - School IN Session - Parent Transportation
° Thursday, Jan. 23 - Preschool Information Night 6:00pm, Preschool
° Friday, Jan. 24 - Mass 9:00am Church
° Sunday, Jan. 26 - Catholic Schools Week Open House 10:00am- 1:00pm, School
° Sunday, Jan. 26 - Friday, Jan. 31- Catholic Schools Week
° Friday, Jan. 31 - Mass 9:00am Church
° Friday, Jan. 31 - Carnival