Parent Letter 2/7/20

Dear St. Joseph’s School Parents,
 
Greetings from St. Joseph’s School!  We have had another wonderful week at school.  Please continue to review the Friday Letter, check your child’s Family Folder, and our school website to keep updated on all the happenings at St. Josephs’ School.
 
On Thursday, I was invited to visit Mrs. Taplin’s and Mrs. Fallon’s second grade classrooms to share a story with their students.  The story, Mr. Tannen’s Ties Rules, is about a school principal and his many colorful ties.  It was a pleasure to read to the students.  They even assisted me in counting the number of ties I brought to school.  The students were all smiles when they were able to put on one of my ties and smile for the camera.
 
Please be sure to contact the school office with any needs or questions you may have throughout the remainder of the school year (651-457-8550).
 
Mission Statement 
St. Joseph’s Catholic School educates students through faith formation, academic excellence, and the development of virtue to be disciples of Christ.
 
Thank you for supporting our mission and entrusting your children to our care each day.

Important News - Kindergarten
We have important news regarding St. Joseph’s School’s kindergarten class for next year. We are experiencing significant interest in next year's kindergarten class.  As we always desire to give our current families preferential enrollment consideration, we need to implement a priority deadline for applications.  If you are interested in enrolling your child in our kindergarten program, we will need to receive your application by Monday, February 10, 2020 for preferential enrollment consideration.  Out of fairness for all, we will begin accepting additional applications from other families after this particular date. 
Please know of our school’s commitment to making a Catholic education affordable for all families.  For those in need of tuition assistance, the financial aid application is also accessible within TADS.
                                                                                                                                                                  Financial Aid Deadline February 18th -  Grades Kindergarten-8
If you are interested in applying for Financial Assistance for the 2020-2021 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 18, 2020.  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 18th
The Aim Higher Foundation provides two scholarships for students to attend Catholic school in the Archdiocese of St. Paul & Mpls. The application period ends February 18, 2018. If you received a scholarship this academic school year, you must re-apply. They are also accepting new applications. 

CAA Scholarship Opportunity
Each year, the CAA awards six $500 scholarships to current 6th or 7th graders to be awarded at their grade school for the following academic year.   The deadline to submit applications is Saturday, April 18, 2020.  Award winners will be announced in early May.  The link to the application can be found on the CAA website, stpaulcaa.org or attached below.
 
No School Monday, February 17
There will be no school on Monday, February 17 in observance of President’s Day.  School will resume on Tuesday, February 18.  Please enjoy this time with your families!  
 
Parent Teacher Conferences
The St. Joseph’s School Faculty thanks you for taking time to meet with your child’s (children’s) teachers to receive an update on their progress and learn more about what is happening in their classrooms.  We also thank Natalie Mulrooney and Colleen Nave along with the Home and School Association for providing dinner for the faculty during conferences.  It was a treat to be able to have the faculty all together for a meal and fellowship.  
 
St. Joseph’s School  STEM Fair
Thank you to the many students, faculty, and families that participated in our Annual STEM Fair today.   We would like to thank our judges, Jane Nordin, Tom Gagliardi, Diane Baker, Greg Muellerleile, Rob Muellerleile and Nancy Randall.  What a wonderful event!  Our students did a tremendous job with their projects!  Thank you to Miss Schafer and for your outstanding work and dedication to the STEM Fair.   The winners of this year’s STEM Fair are:
 
3 - 5 Grade
1st  Place - Johan Hozza: “Obstacle Avoiding Robot”
1st  Place - Cal Rafferty & Ben Simmons “What’s the Beef”
2nd Place - Sam Elskamp:  “Battery- Powered Car”
3rd Place - Lucas Kipka:  “Hydraulic Lift Bridge”
 
5 - 8 Grade
1st Place - Jack Wills:  “Jack it Up!”
2nd Place - Michael Benish:  “Code a Video Game”
3rd Place - Reese Foley:  “Melting Chocolate”
 
The Winners of the St. Joe's STEM Fair will be able to compete in the CSCOE Big Bang STEM Fair on March 21, 2020 at Cretin-Derham Hall. 
 
Chick-fil-A Family Fun Night - Thursday February 13
Join us for the next St. Joseph’s School Family Night at Chick-fil-A located at 1770 Robert Street S. in West St. Paul.  This special community event will be on Thursday, February 13 between 5:00pm and 7:00pm.  Come enjoy a delicious meal and great fellowship with our school families.  Please consider inviting family friends to experience our wonderful school community.  Please see the flyer attached.

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 February.
 
Fiddler on the Roof - Middle School Musical
Mrs. Bowe and our middle school students are working hard preparing for their musical, Fiddler on the Roof.  The performances are scheduled in the afternoons and evenings of; Thursday, March 12 and Friday, March 13.  Ticket information will be provided in a future Friday Letter. We hope that you are able to attend any of the performances.
 
St. Joseph’s Preschool Hearts of Love Project
Our Preschool’s Hearts of Love project will be happening the week of February 24th-28th. We will have a collection box in the lobby to collect non-perishable food and care supplies (shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, etc.) for Neighbors Inc. in So. St. Paul. 
 
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 that 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 Vicki Young at 651-789-8300 if you have any questions or need additional information.
 
St. Joe’s Winter Socials - Now Open!
St. Joe’s Winter Socials are now open!   Please see the attachment below for a list and details of the Socials that are now available!  Please click here to register to attend.
 
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.
 
Scholastic Book Fair – Final Weekend!
The Scholastic Book Fair will be open at Church in the Great Room on Saturday, February 8 - 5:30pm - 6:30pm, and Sunday, February 9 -  8:30am - 12:00pm.  The Book Fair is also available online until February 8.  Please CLICK HERE to visit the online store.  Purchases made online will be shipped to our school for free.  This is an opportunity for families to add books to their at home libraries for their children to read.  You may also consider purchasing a book to donate to the Library or your child’s classroom.  Thank you to Ms. O, Julie Smith, Jenny Vierzba, and the wonderful team of volunteers for making this event such a success for our school!  Proceeds from the fair are used to purchase new books for our school Library.  Thanks to all of our families for supporting this annual event.
 
4HG Summer Camps - Registration Now Open!                                                                                    4HG is excited to announce our summer camps for 2020!  Open to 3rd - 8th graders, our second annual "Faith and Football Camp" returns August 4 - 6, 2020 to be held at St. John the Baptist Catholic School in New Brighton, Minnesota.  Only 100 spots available!  Discounted camp fee:  $99*
In addition to our hallmark football camp, 4HG will host a "Faith and Volleyball Camp" July 13 - 15 at Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul.  The camp is open to 4th - 8th graders and is limited to the first 125 students to register.  Discounted camp fee:  $149*
Also new this year is our 4HG "Faith and All Sports Camp" to be held at Mendakota Park in Mendota.  This twice weekly camp will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to Noon, June 9 - July 30.  Registration is open to the first 200 students in grades 3 - 8.  Camp fee:  $349
All camps are co-ed and include a camp t-shirt and assorted 4HG swag. During each camp, student-athletes will not only develop skills to help them on the field, they will have multiple opportunities to listen to inspiring mentors and to practice their Faith, which will help them grow closer to God and excel in life.  
Click here to register for a 4HG Camp and to learn more about what these terrific camps have to offer!

Winter Season- School Closing Information 
School closings due to snow and/or extreme cold are announced on television and radio.  St. Joseph’s School is always included with our school district; ISD 197 West St. Paul, Mendota Heights, Eagan.  If District 197 schools close, our school will close.  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.  Please note; If an extreme number of weather related closings occur, school administration will evaluate the need to reschedule instructional days.
 
School Masses
Our next school Mass will be on Friday, February 14th  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.  
 
Church of St. Joseph Pre-Lenten Mission
St. Joseph’s School families are invited to attend the Pre-Lenten “Alive in Prayer” Mission to be held February 23-24 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. at the Church of St. Joseph.  Fr. Steve Borello, Director for Vocations for the Diocese of Joliet IL, will be our special guest leading the mission in preparation for Lent.  Fellowship and refreshments follow both talks in the Msgr. Foran Great Room.  We hope you are able to attend.
 
Parish Father Daughter Dance - Friday, February 21st 
Please mark your calendars for Friday, February 21st for the annual Father – Daughter Dance.  The dance will be held in St. Joseph’s Church Great Room from 6:30-9:30-pm.  This event is open to all ages.  Please RSVP online by clicking on this link:   Father & Daughter Dance.   If you are interested in helping with this event, please contact Tracy Kracht at 651-457-2709.
 
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:
Chick-fil-A Restaurant Night
CAA John W. Hajlo Scholarship
Middle School Youth Nights
Hamline University All Sports Camp
LAX Mendota Heights Free Clinics
 
February / March Look Ahead:
             °  Friday, Feb. 14 - Mass 9:00am Church
            °  Monday, Feb. 17 - No School Presidents Day
            °  Friday, Feb. 21 - Mass 9:00am Church
            °  Friday, Feb. 21 - Father / Daughter Dance 6:30-9:30pm Great Room
             °  Tuesday, Feb. 25 - Confirmation NET Retreat 4:00-9:00pm Great Room
            °  Wednesday, Feb. 26 - Mass 9:00am Ash Wednesday Church
            °  Saturday, Mar. 1 - Confirmation Interviews 3:30-6:00pm (times to be assigned) Church
             °  Friday, Mar. 6 - Mass 9:00am Church
             °  Friday, Mar. 6 - End of Trimester 2
             °  Monday, Mar. 9 - Beginning of Trimester 3
             °  Monday, Mar. 9 - Confirmation Night of Reflection 7:00pm Church
             °  Tuesday, Mar. 10 - First Eucharist Night of Reflection 6:30-7:30pm Church
             °  Thursday, Mar. 12 - Fiddler on the Roof 7:00pm School Gymnasium
             °  Friday, Mar. 13 - Fiddler on the Roof 2:00pm & 7:00pm School Gymnasium
             °  Friday, Mar. 13 - Mass 9:00am Church
            °  Thursday, Mar. 19 - Donuts with Dads 7:45am- Feast of St. Joseph, Mass 9:00am 
                Church
            °  Sunday, Mar. 22 - Confirmation Ceremony 2:00-4:00pm St. Paul Cathedral
            °  Friday, Mar. 27 - School IN Session No District Transportation or Food Service
            °  Friday, Mar. 27 - Mass 9:00am Church
            °  Friday, Mar. 27 - 6th grade Biography Fair - Great Room
            °  Monday, March 30 - Friday, April 3 - No School Spring Break