Parent Letter 4/12/19

Dear Parents,
 
The season of Lent and our prayer, fasting, and almsgiving in preparation for Easter ends next week.  Palm Sunday is this Sunday.  On Palm Sunday, we celebrate Jesus’ entrance into the city of Jerusalem, the holy city where Jews came from all over Israel to celebrate the Passover with their families and friends.  During the upcoming week, we will remember Jesus’ Last Supper (Holy Thursday) with his disciples, and his passion and death (Good Friday).  May you have a most blessed Holy Week!
 
Next week, we invite you to join us for our school Mass on Wednesday, April 17 at 9:00 a.m.  In addition, our students and faculty will be praying the Stations of the Cross on Thursday, April 18 at 10:00 a.m. in the Church.  We invite you to join us as we spend time reflecting on the events surrounding the death and resurrection of Jesus. 
 
Just a Reminder – No School Friday, April 19 and Monday, April 22
School will not be in session for our students and faculty on Good Friday, April 19 and Easter Monday, April 22.  This will be our school’s Easter holiday break.  School will resume on Tuesday, April 23.  Happy Easter to you and your family.  Please note; ISD 197 schools will be in session on these two days.
 
CONGRATULATIONS to the Kuettel Family!                              
Congratulations to Becky and Alex Kuettel on the birth of their son Oliver Alexander on April 5. 
The family is doing fine.  May God bless!  We would like to thank Mrs. Karen Kilduff, Miss Kirsten Petersen, and Miss Kathleen Jackson for their assistance in Mrs. Kuettel’s classroom for the remainder to the school year.
 
National Library Week- April 7-13, 2019
This week we celebrate National Library Week.  We would like to recognize the wonderful and dedicated group of volunteers that we call our “Library Ladies”.  We sincerely thank Jenny Vierzba, Michelle Benish, Gina Gergen, Katie Grondahl, Julie Smith, Andrea Beyerlein and Katy Lasure for operating and maintaining our school library.  We are truly blessed by your great work in our library and with our students and teachers! 
 
Uniform Policy
According to our uniform policy, students could begin wearing shorts on April 1 ^st.  Please use good judgment when deciding to wear shorts as we can still get some cold days in April.  Remember that belts are to be worn with pants and shorts and socks must be visible above the top of shoes.  Boys polo shirts are to be tucked into their pants.  The length of skirts for middle school girls are to be no more than four inches above the crease(bend) behind the knee.  Thank you for you and your child’s compliance with our school uniform policy.
 
Mass and Breakfast
Thank you to the many families who joined us for the morning parish Mass and breakfast on Wednesday’s during our Lent.  It was a joy to celebrate and pray with you at that time.  On Wednesday, April 24 (Wednesday of Holy Week), we invite families to attend the parish morning Mass at 7:30 a.m.  The Knights of Columbus will be providing breakfast for our students and families after the Mass.  We hope that you are able to attend the Mass and breakfast.
 
Standardized Testing
Students in grades 3-8 will be taking the NWEA’s MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) April 23-May 10.  Our students will be assessed in the areas of reading and mathematics.
 
We ask that your children come to school well rested and having had a good breakfast so they are ready to do their best work on these assessments.  In addition, please have your children arrive at school on time to begin their day at 8:40 a.m.
 
Catholic Parenting in the Digital Age – Wednesday, April 24 6:00pm  A workshop that equips parents in setting digital boundaries for their children, with specific truths and tips for making good use of media and technology.  Fall all parents and grandparents of children preK – grade 12.  Join us for a dynamic evening with national speaker, Jim Otremba, MDiv, MS, LICSW.        
 
Spring Music Concert – Grades 3-5
The Spring Music Concert for grades 3-5 is set for Thursday, April 25 at 7:00 pm in the gym.  We know there are many sport’s games and practices this time of the year, but hope, out of respect for our teachers and classmates, you will make this once a year event a priority.  That same evening, we will also be sponsoring our annual Night of the Arts.
 
Night of the Arts & Picnic in the Park Dinner!
Mark your calendars for Thursday, April 25 ^th for Night of the Arts!   This is a night to celebrate the St. Joseph’s School Fine Arts program; featuring our students’ talent and creativity through music and arts. The evening will include a presentation of art projects from our entire student-body along with a spring concert featuring our 3rd, 4th and 5th graders.  In addition, we will also be hosting a family dinner as a way to meet new St. Joe’s families and get reacquainted with familiar faces.  Dinner will be served in the parish’s Great Room.  Watch for more details coming soon.
 
First Holy Communion
Please keep our second grade students in your prayers as they will receive their First Holy Communion Saturday, April 27 at the 10:00am.  A special thank you is extended to Mrs. Taplin, Mrs. Fallon, Fr. Creagan, Fr. Wratkowski and the Church of St. Joseph Faith Formation Staff for assisting our students in preparing for this beautiful sacrament.  Our second grade students will be recognized for receiving their first communion at our school Mass on Thursday, May 2.
 
School Mass – Wednesday, April 17
Please join us for our school Mass on Wednesday, April 17 at 9:00am in the church.  School families, friends, and members of the parish are always invited to pray with our students and faculty. 
 
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 20, 2019.  Award winners will be announced in early May.  The link to the application can be found on the CAA website, stpaulcaa.org.
 
Progress Reports
The mid-point of the third trimester is Thursday, April 25.  Progress Reports for students in grades 4-8 will be mailed home on Friday, April 26 ^th.  Upon receipt of your child’s Progress Report, please contact your child’s teacher(s) if you have questions or need additional information.

Grandparents and Special Friends Day Thursday, May 2
Invitations are being sent out for our Grandparent Day on May 2nd. If you haven't already provided us with the contact information for your grandparent(s) or special friends, please do so by following this link:  https://www.stjosephwsp.org/grandparents-day
 
2019-2020 Important School Calendar Dates
As we work to complete the 2019-2020 School Calendar we would like to share a few of the important dates with you.  The final calendar will be sent out shortly.
 
     2019-2020 School Calendar Dates at a Glance

• September 3:1^st Day of School Grades 1 – 6
• September 4:1^st Day of School Grades 7 – 8
• September 5:1^st Day of School Kindergarten
• December 23 - January 1:Christmas Break
• October 16-18:MEA No School
• March 30- April 3:Spring Break
• April 10-13:Easter Break
• June 4:Last Day of School

 
Yearbook Presale Flyers
Presale flyers for this year’s color St. Joseph’s Yearbook went today in Friday Folders.  Orders are due back by May.  We base our yearbook order on presale numbers.  You may use the payment envelope with checks made out to St. Joseph’s School.  
 
Volunteers Needed for Recess Duty 
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. 
 
Volunteer for April Recess Duty:  CLICK HERE
Volunteer for May/June Recess Duty:  CLICK HERE
 
Swim Team Party
St. Joseph’s Swim and Dive Team will be having their end of the year party on April 29 from 3:40-4:30 in the Greatroom. 
 
Teachable Safety Skills – Jacob Wetterling Resource Center
St. Joseph’s School has teamed up with the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center to host a free class for parents on Teachable Safety Skills.  This event will be on May 7 from 6:30-8:00pm in the Greatroom.  A flyer went home this week in your child’s Friday Folder.

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 and Information Include: 
                                                          
Please click on the link to the bulletin below for additional information and activities at the Church of St. Joseph.
 
Divine Mercy Sunday
A special observance in honor of the Feast of Divine Mercy will be held at the Church of St. Peter in Mendota, Sunday, April 28.  Please see the attached flyer for more information.

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.
 
Click here to link to the weekly St. Joseph’s Church Bulletin .
 
Important Links:
Lenten Calendar
Divine Mercy Sunday
Apricot Lane Shopping Event
CDH Baseball Camp
Healthy Kids Running Series
 
April/May Calendar Look Ahead:
Please consider joining us for some of the special events at our school.

• Wednesday, April 17- 5^th Grade DARE Graduation 2pm Great Room
• Thursday, April 18 – Holy Thursday
• Friday, April 19 – Monday April 22 – No School – Happy Easter
• Tuesday, April 23 – School Resumes
  • 1st Eucharist Rehearsal 6:30pm-7:30pm Church
  • April 23-May 10 – Spring Map Assessments
• Thursday, April 25 – Night of the Arts & Spring Music Concert
• Friday, April 26 – Mass 9am
• Saturday, April 27 – 1^st Eucharist 10:00am Church
• Sunday, April 28 – Divine Mercy Sunday, Church of St. Peter
• Thursday, May 2 – Mass 9am, Grandparents Day
  • 1st Communicants Recognized at 9am Mass
• Friday, May 3 – No School, Professional Development
• Sunday, May 5 – 8^th Grade Confirmation Interviews 3:30pm-6:00pm Great Room
• Monday, May 6 – 8^th Grade Confirmation Night of Reflection 7-8:30pm Great Room
• Friday, May 10 – Muffins with Moms 7:45am Great Room
  • Mass 9am
  • 1st Grade Mother's Day Program 2-3:30pm Greatroom
• Thursday, May 16 – Spring Band and Choir Concert 7pm Gymnasium
• Monday, May 20 – 8^th Grade Confirmation 7:00pm St. Paul Cathedral
• Wednesday, May 22- 8^th Grade Confirmation Celebration 7-8:30pm Great Room
• Thursday, May 23 – Preschool Spring Program 3’s 10am; 4/5’s 2pm Great Room
• Friday, May 24 – Mass 9am
  • Preschool Spring Program 4’s 10am Great Room
• Monday, May 27 – No School Memorial Day