Parent Letter 12/14/18

Dear Parents,                                                                                                                        
 
Advent is the season of preparing for the arrival of the Lord Jesus (both his first coming and his second coming), and by the third Sunday of Advent, we are most of the way through the season.  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 expectation as we draw ever nearer the Solemnity of Christmas.
 
Here 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 2019-2020 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 Information 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 events. 
 
Information Nights are scheduled for Preschool, Kindergarten, and Middle School in January.  Families will receive information on school programs and registration for the 2019-2020 school year.
 
School-Wide Open House is scheduled in January.  Our Open House provides the opportunity for families to come to school, meet staff, and visit our classrooms. 
 
K-2 Christmas Concert
We congratulate and thank our K-2 students along with Mrs. Bowe and Professora Tulia for sharing the wonderful gift of music with our families!  A special shout out to the many Home & School volunteers that helped organize the special reception and make this a special evening for our students and families. 
 
Preschool Christmas Program
The Preschool Christmas Program will be held on Tuesday, December 18 ^th at 6:30 p.m. in the Church.  Our preschool children are so excited to share special songs with their families.  Please plan to arrive early to get a good seat.  All are welcome!
 
Band & Choir Concert
The annual Christmas Band & Middle School Choir Concert is scheduled for Tuesday, December 20 at 7:00 pm in the gym.  Students will watch the dress rehearsal performance at 2:00 pm.  We look forward to our band and our middle school choir performing at this annual event.  We look forward to seeing you!
 
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 Wednesday, December 19 ^th, 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 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 19.  (Registration form attached) (Medical and Insurance Forms found on the school website under athletics)
 
St. Joe’s Cheer & Dance Team
There will be an informational meeting for parents on Tuesday, December 18 ^th at 3:45pm in the school Gymnasium. They will be going over schedules, sign ups, and uniform sizing.  If you are unable to attend or have more questions email Natalie Kipka  - nataliekkipka@hotmail.com. 
 
Happy Birthday Jesus!
Our school will be celebrating Jesus’ birthday on Wednesday, December 19 with our students receiving a birthday cupcake during their lunch periods.  We thank our Home and School Association for this special treat.
 
Family Christmas Cards
We invite our school families to bring/send a Christmas card to the school office.  All cards will be displayed near the office.  Please join us in sharing the joy of Christmas with everyone.
 
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! 
 
Mitten and Hat Collection
The fifth grade students did a fantastic job sponsoring their fifth annual mittens, hats, gloves, and scarves collection for the Hats and Mittens of Minnesota.  The Christmas tree display across from the office was full of items to help keep children warm the remainder of the winter.  Thank you so much for your participation in this special work of mercy.
 
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 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 31st.
 
New families interested in learning more about our school are encouraged to attend one of our January admissions events.  More information can be found on the school website. 

• Middle School Information Night:  January 8th at 6pm
• Preschool Information Night:  January 15th at 6pm
• Open House:  January 27th, 10am to 1pm
• Kindergarten Information Night - January 29th at 6pm

For questions about enrollment, contact Christy Frost ( chfrost@stjosephwsp.org or 651-789-8315)
 
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.
  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. 

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!
 
Winter Season- School Closing Information
We are into the “winter season”.  Please note that all school closings are announced on WCCO and KARE 11.  St. Joseph’s School is always listed with our school district, ISD 197.  If District 197 schools are closed, we are closed, even if St. Joseph’s School is not listed.  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.
 
School Mass – Friday, December 21
Please join us for our school Mass on Friday, December 21 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.
 
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.
 
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. 
 
We fulfill our mission by:

• spiritual growth through classroom instruction, prayer, liturgy, devotions, sacraments, retreats, and service.
• students with a comprehensive curriculum enriched with fine arts and co-curricular activities meeting the needs of all learners.
• Engaging students in an environment that allows them to develop virtue through shared responsibility, self-discipline, respect, honor, and faith in Christ.

 
Thank you for supporting our school mission in so many ways throughout the school year.
 
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;
 
Church of St. Joseph Christmas Mass schedule:
     Christmas Eve Mass (Children’s Choir)  Monday, December 24: 5:00 p.m.
     Christmas Eve Mass at Night (Adult Choir/Strings)  Monday, December 24: 10:00 p.m.
     Christmas Day  Tuesday, December 25: 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. (Adult Choir/Brass)
 
Click here to link to the weekly St. Joseph’s Church Bulletin .
 
Important Links:
St. Joe’s Swim and Dive Team Registration
 
December / January Calendar Look Ahead:
Please consider joining us for some of the special events at our school.
     
      °  Sunday, December 16 – Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday – Rejoice!)
      °  Tuesday, December 18 – Preschool Christmas Concert, 6:30pm Church
      °  Wednesday, December 19 – Festive Sweater Day
      °  Thursday, December 20 – Band & Choir Concert 7:00pm Gym
      °  Friday, December 21 – Mass 9:00am
      °  Sunday, December 23 – Fourth Sunday of Advent
      °  Monday, December 24 –Wednesday, January 2 – Christmas Break  MERRY CHRISTMAS!
      °  Thursday, January 3 – School Resumes  HAPPY NEW YEAR!