Parent Letter 4/16/21

Dear St. Joseph’s School Families,          

It is with great sadness that we share with you the loss of Mrs. Debbie Dovenmuehler.  Mrs. Dovenmuehler passed away surrounded by her family today.   We ask you to share this sad news with your children and know that we are available to answer any questions that they may have when they return to school next week.  Please continue to keep Mrs. Dovenmuehler’s family in your prayers.  

As we learn more about arrangements we will share that information with you.

The students and staff have completed another successful week of school.  Quality instruction and learning continues to take place with the tremendous efforts of our teachers in their classrooms and at the homes of our remote learners.  We are approaching the midpoint of the third trimester with Spring assessments of our students taking place during the next several weeks.

Thank you for continuing to support your child’s efforts with their academics and school responsibilities.  We thank you for entrusting your children to us at school as we partner with you to help them grow in faith, knowledge, and virtue.

Below is a portion of a message that was sent to school families earlier this week.  We wanted to share it with our families again so that you have the information. 

With the ongoing Chauvin trial and now the more recent shooting of Daunte Wright, there are understandably increased concerns regarding further civil unrest in the Twin Cities.

We would like to share with you that we have been in contact with the West St. Paul Police and will continue to do so in the days ahead.  In addition, we are working with the Archdiocese and Catholic Mutual, our insurance carrier, regarding our own security protocols.  We will continue to respond appropriately to any situation that may arise with the safety of our parish and school in mind.  

Please join St. Joseph’s Parish and School as we pray with Archbishop Hebda for justice and peace.

In the event that our school is notified of a situation within the community by the police while school is in session, we will maintain our school building being secured with locked exterior doors.  A situation may  occur while school is not in session.  In either case, we will follow the guidance and direction provided by government officials, law enforcement, and the archdiocese with specific communication(s) being sent to our school families and staff.

Finally, please note that at times during the school year as parents drop off and/or pick up their children at school, a West St. Paul police officer in a squad car may be seen near the school monitoring traffic and the neighborhood.  We are grateful for their efforts to provide for the safety and well being of our community.

Tuition Agreements
Tuition Agreements for the 2021-2022 School Year have been sent out via email from TADS.  It is important that you complete your agreements by the provided deadline.  If you have any questions please contact Lisa Wrobel liwrobel@stjosephwsp.org or Patrick Menke Patrick.Menke@churchofstjoseph.org .

2021-2022 School Enrollment - Help us make our mission happen and grOW our school!
The enrollment of new families and students continues at St. Joseph’s School.  Please assist us in growing our school enrollment by sharing information about our school with neighbors, parish families, at the park, baseball or soccer fields, or while in your favorite store .  You are also encouraged to invite families to visit our school website to view information about our school programs or read our Friday Letter.   

For the 2021-2022 school year, a $250 Referral Credit is available to current school families for each new family they refer who registers for and attends our school next year.  Thank you for your assistance!  Prospective families can contact our school office; 651-457-8550 or email Lindsay Mayernik, Enrollment Coordinator at limayernik@stjosephwsp.org for information.

Severe Weather Awareness Week in Minnesota
This week is severe weather week in Minnesota.  Dakota County participated in a statewide tornado drill on Thursday by sounding the sirens at 1:45pm and again at 6:45pm.  Our faculty and staff are taking this month to discuss and demonstrate what to do in the event of severe weather.  This is a great opportunity for you to make a plan for safety at your home during severe weather season.

Yearbook Orders - Open Now!
Please place your order online through LIFETOUCH using Yearbook Code 1075421 or by sending a check into the school office with your child’s name and homeroom listed.  Checks should be made out to St. Joseph’s School.  The cost of the yearbook is $20.  If you have any questions please contact our school office.  Order deadline is April 30th.  

Progress Reports - Third Mid-trimester
The midpoint of the third trimester is Friday, April 23.  Progress Reports for students in grades 4-8 will be emailed home on Wednesday, April 28.  Upon receipt of your child’s Progress Report, please contact your child’s teacher(s) if you have questions or need additional information.

Sacrament of Confirmation – Eighth Grade
Please keep our eighth grade students in your prayers as they complete their final preparation to be fully initiated into the Catholic Church by receiving the sacrament of Confirmation.  We thank Mr. Butler, Mrs. Bruce, Fr. Creagan, Fr. Wratkowski, the Church of St. Joseph Faith Formation Office, and the parents and sponsors of our eighth grade students for preparing our students to receive the Gifts of the Holy Spirit..  The students will be participating in the following events;

Saturday, April 24  1:30-3:00pm St. Joseph’s Church:  Confirmation 
Sunday,  April 25    11:00am Mass Church:  Blessing/Send Forth for our confirmation students

First Holy Communion - Congratulations Second Graders 
Congratulations to our second grade students who received their First Holy Communion last Saturday.  A special thank you is extended to Mrs. Taplin, Mrs. Fallon, Fr. Creagan, Fr. Wratkowski, the Church of St. Joseph Faith Formation Staff, and the parents of our second graders for preparing our students to receive Jesus in this beautiful sacrament.   We also look forward to our second grade students receiving the body of Christ at our school Masses.

Church of St. Joseph Eucharistic Adoration - Mass of Thanksgiving
The Church of St, Joseph is celebrating 30 years of perpetual Eucharistic Adoration.  Families are invited to a special Mass on Tuesday, April 20 at 5:30pm.   Archbishop Bernard Hebda will be the celebrant for the Mass.  Please join members of the parish community in prayer for thanksgiving.

NWEA MAP Assessments
Our second through eighth grade students will be completing the MAP (Monitoring Academic Progress) assessments this Spring.  The students will complete their assessments in Reading and Math during the weeks of April 26 and May 3, 2021.  Information about the MAP assessments and your child’s progress will be provided to parents upon completion of the assessments.

Please click here for a letter containing more information about MAP for our students and families in grades 2-8.  Parents of our remote learners are receiving a telephone call from Mrs. Budge to make arrangements to complete these assessments.  We thank Mrs. Budge, Mrs. Nordgren, and our grade 2-8 teachers for coordinating and administering the assessments for our students.

COVID Testing
When any member of a household is being tested for COVID-19 due to an exposure, potential exposure, or with COVID symptoms, all family members at home should remain home from school until test results have been received.  This simple mitigation greatly decreases any “close contact” exposure that could happen if a positive asymptomatic family member remains at school until those test results are known.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our school Nurse Amy Milosch ammilosch@stjosephwsp.org or Lisa Wrobel liwrobel@stjosephwsp.org.  

A Note from the School Nurse
COVID-19 and seasonal allergies can share similar symptoms. It's important to recognize and assess how students are feeling so you can administer the proper care. If your students are suffering from seasonal allergies, there are many Over the Counter (OTC) treatments to ease symptoms and find relief. If your students do not have a history of seasonal allergies, and are experiencing severe COVID-19 symptoms, it is best to have them tested as soon as possible.  Please click here to view some differences between seasonal allergies and COVID-19.

Specialist Class Schedule
On Monday April 26, our K-8 students will begin instruction with their next specialist teacher.  The upcoming schedule will be;

Grades K-1 Art with Mr. Beaman
Grades 2-3  Spanish with Professora Tulia
Grades 4-5  Music with Mrs. Bowe
Grades 6-8 PE with Mr. Reyes

Specialist instruction for Music, Art and Spanish continues to be in each grade level classroom and PE continues in the gymnasium and/or outdoors pending the weather.

Important Dates for the 2021-2022 School Year -  K- 8
As we are planning and preparing for the 2021-2022 school year, we would like to share with you some important dates to place in your phone or on your calendar.  Additional calendar dates and a full calendar will be shared at a later date.

Monday, August 30:  First day of school:  Grades 1-6 (Kindergarten Assessments by appointment)
Tuesday, August 31:  First day of school:  Grades 7 & 8 (Kindergarten Assessments by appointment)                                 Wednesday, September 1:  First day of school:  Kindergarten
Friday, September 3:  No school for students and faculty
Monday, September 6:  Labor Day - No school for students and faculty
Monday, March 28 - Friday April 1:  Spring Break
Thursday, June 3:  Last day of school for students (early dismissal)

Important Dates for the 2021-2022 School Year  - Preschool
Tuesday, August 31:  Preschool Welcome and Orientation – Terrific 3s  A.M. 
Wednesday, September 1:   Preschool Welcome and Orientation – PK4s  A.M.
Thursday, September 2: .  Preschool Welcome and Orientation PK4/5s  P.M.
Friday, September 3:  No school for students and faculty
Monday, September 6:  Labor Day - No school for students and faculty
Tuesday, September 7:  Terrific 3s First Day of School - A.M. &  PK 4/5s First Day of School - P.M.                                      
Wednesday, September 8: PK 4s First Day of School - A.M.
Monday, March 28 - Friday April 1:  Spring Break
Thursday, May 19 - Terrific 3s Last Day of School
Thursday, May 19 - PreK 4/5s Last Day of School
Friday, May 20 - PreK 4s Last Day of School

CAA Scholarship Opportunity - Application Deadline April 19th
John Hajlo was one of the founders of the CAA and became the CAA's first Athletic Director in 1948.  Each year, the CAA awards six $500 scholarships, in his name, to current 6th or 7th graders to be used for tuition, at their grade school, for the following academic year.  Please click here for the application.  The deadline to submit applications is Monday, April 19, 2021. Award winners will be announced in early May. Completed application forms can be emailed to info@stpaulcaa.org or mailed to:  Catholic Athletic Association -  2136 Ford Parkway #239 - St Paul, MN 55116 

School Masses - Friday, April 23
As we continue in the Easter season (remember it is 50 days), our next school Masses will be on Friday, April 23, in the Church.  Masses will be held; 9:00 a.m. for grades 4-8 and 10:00 a.m. for grades K-3.

Our remote learners and school families are invited to continue to watch the Mass live streamed on the Church of St. Joseph website; www.churchofstjoseph. 

Jump Start Summer Classes at Visitation
Visitation School will be offering in-person summer Jump Start Reading, Writing, and Math classes from June 14-July 16. This program is open to students from any school who are entering kindergarten through grade 10 in the fall. Registration is open now! Please see click here for a description of the programs offered. 

School Lunch Menus
April Lunch Menu

Mission

“St. Joseph’s Catholic School educates students through faith formation, academic excellence, and the development of virtue to be disciples of Christ.”
                                                                                                                                

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.

Eucharistic Adoration
Please see the following note from Fr. Creagan . . .

Our parish family has been blessed by the gift of Eucharistic Adoration, established here on April 21, 1991.  Even during the most challenging days of the “stay at home” order this past year, Perpetual Adoration continued at the Church of St. Joseph.  I am thankful to Teresa Boland (our chapel coordinator), the committed adorers who take one hour each week, and also the many visitors who enjoy this wonderful gift. 

Spending time in silence with Jesus is one of the most important things we can do as individuals, as a parish, and for the greater community.  This time of adoration fills our hearts with God’s love to such an overflowing point that we will be called to share it with our brothers and sisters. 

This weekend, at the Masses, we are asking others to join as committed adorers by signing up for a specific hour each week.  This ensures we can continue this important apostolate.  Thank you for considering spending time with the Lord and praying for the mission of our parish. St. Joseph, pray for us!

Fr. Michael Creagan
Pastor
Church of St. Joseph

Middle School Youth Group
Middle School Youth Group upcoming opportunities:

• Tuesday, April 20, 3:30-7:30pm - NET Night
• Monday, April 26, 4:30-5:30pm - Virtual - Questions and Answers
• Tuesday, May 11, 3:30-4:30pm - In person - Alive in Christ

St. Joseph Church Bulletin

April / May / June Look Ahead:

• Friday, Apr. 23 - Masses; 9:00am for gr. 4-8 and 10:00am for gr. K-3
• Saturday, Apr. 24 - 8th Grade Confirmation 1:30pm St. Joseph’s Church
• Monday, Apr. 26 - May 7 - NWEA MAP Testing 
• Thursday, Apr. 29 - Masses or Rosary; 9:00am for gr. 4-8 and 10:00am for gr. K-3
• Friday, Apr. 30 - No School for Students - Teacher Professional Development
• Friday, May 7 - Masses; 9:00am for gr. 4-8 and 10:00am for gr. K-3
• Friday, May 14 - Masses; 9:00am for gr. 4-8 and 10:00am for gr. K-3
• Friday, May 21 - Masses; 9:00am for gr. 4-8 and 10:00am for gr. K-3
• Friday, May 28 - Masses; 9:00am for gr. 4-8 and 10:00am for gr. K-3
• Monday, May 31 - No School - Memorial Day
• Tuesday, June 1 - Students and Staff Return to School
• Wednesday, June 2 - 8th Grade Commencement 
• Thursday, June 3 - Last Day of School K - 7 - Early Dismissal