Parent Letter 5/28/21

Dear St. Joseph’s School Families,            

WOW!  The second to the last week of school has flown by!  Our teachers and students have been very busy completing lessons, projects and assessments as well as enjoying each other’s company as we complete the remainder of the school year.  In addition, there is most probably some organizing and cleaning going on as well.  Only 2 days of school for students remaining (but who is counting?).

Families will find included in this Friday Letter important information regarding the end of the 2020-2021 school year.

Memorial Day – Monday, May 31  No School
Just a reminder that school will not be in session on Monday, May 31 in the observance of Memorial Day.  School will resume on Tuesday, June 1 at 8:40 a.m.  Please be safe and enjoy the long weekend.

School Endowment – Incredible Generous Gifts
Father Creagan is very excited to announce a significant gift and opportunity for the St. Joseph’s School Endowment.  A copy of the letter that went out to our current school parents and alumni announcing the matching challenge to build our school endowment.  Former pastor, Fr. Peter Wittman, recently left an estate gift of $87,000 in support of the school endowment.  Inspired by this generosity and the value of Catholic education, somebody else within our community quietly stepped forward and offered a challenge gift, where they will match the first $100,000 of additional gifts made to the endowment!  This is a tremendous gift and opportunity for our school that will benefit students for generations to come.

Please prayerfully consider how you might be called to significantly support this important initiative.  A response card is included in the mailing, and online giving for this initiative is available as well on the school's website.

Last Day of School for Kindergarten and Grades 1-7:  Wednesday, June 2
The last day of school for students in grades K-7 will be Wednesday, June 2.  Students will be dismissed at 2:40 p.m.  District 197 food service and transportation will be available for our families.  Please remind your children of the importance of returning to school for the final two days ready to learn and cooperate with our teachers and each other.  We are interested in finishing this school year in a very positive way.

Jaguar Spirit Day – Wednesday, June 2
All students and faculty are invited to show their school spirit as we complete this school year by wearing their Jaguar Spirit wear.  Come to school on our last day wearing your Jag swag or our school colors orange, black, and white.  Go Jaguars!!!

Field Day – June 2
A special Field Day is being planned for our students at school on Wednesday, June 2.  Students in grades K-7 will enjoy fun and games at school prepared by our teachers during the day.  In addition, a special tradition returns to St. Joseph’s School – the Ice Cream Truck!  All students will receive a special ice cream treat to enjoy with their classmates.  Yum, yum!!

St. Joseph’s School Faculty - Update
First, we would like to introduce Ms. Rebecca Wratkowski as our new Middle school Science/STEM teacher.  Rebecca is an eight-year veteran teacher previously teaching at St. Helena Catholic School in Minneapolis.  She has taught Science for 5th through 8th grade as well as taught Religion, Math, Technology, Art, and French as needed.  In addition to her background in Science, she has completed the St. Paul Seminary Catechetical Institute with the Mother Teresa class of 2018.  Please join me in welcoming Ms. Wratkowski to our St. Joseph’s School faculty.

Second, Mrs. Kuettel, Kindergarten teacher, has notified us that she will not be returning to teach Kindergarten next school year.  With the upcoming birth of their second child, she and her family have decided that she will be stepping away from teaching at this time allowing her to be at home with their children.  It is our mutual hope that she will be back with us the following school year, God-willing, after this transition.  We want to both thank Mrs. Kuettel for her service, and offer our prayers and support for her and her family this next year.

Report Cards
Third trimester report cards will be mailed out to families the week of June 7.  For grade 2-8 students, the NWEA MAP assessment Student Report will be included with the report card.  Upon receipt of this information, please contact the school office if you have any questions.

Urgent Request from Bishop Cozzens Re: School Choice  
The Minnesota Catholic Conference has shared the following information with us.  Please read and consider taking action.  Thank you!

Bishop Andrew Cozzens, as Vicar of Catholic Education for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, has an urgent request that he has asked us to share with our school faculty and parents.  You can watch his short video message here.

Right now legislators and Governor Walz have multiple proposals in front of them that can make real educational choices more accessible to parents and their children. Students, who urgently need access to schools that meet their unique educational needs, ask you and all people of good will to speak out now!

Here are four things you can do to make an immediate impact:

1. Send a message to your State Representative, Senator, and Governor Walz
2. Encourage parents at your Catholic school to contact lawmakers
   • You can send this long or short version letter to parents 
3. Encourage your parishioners to speak out 
   • Use this template announcement for your bulletin or digital communications
4. Share the action alert on your parish Facebook and Twitter

Find further resources here.

Thank you for taking the time to help bring better access to real educational opportunities to Minnesota kids.

School Mass Invitation - Tuesday, June 1 @ 9:00 a.m.
We are so pleased to invite our school parents to attend our final Mass of the school year.   We hope you are able to join all of our Kindergarten-grade 7 students and faculty at a Mass of Thanksgiving on Tuesday, June 1 beginning at 9:00 a.m.  For this Mass, our students will need to sit with their class as our classes have assigned sections in the church.  Parents and family will need to sit in the rows of pews in the back sections of the church or in the Gather Area.  We hope you join us celebrating the Mass.  Our remote learners are invited to continue to watch the Mass live streamed on the Church of St. Joseph website; www.churchofstjoseph. 

Eighth Grade Students (soon to be St. Joe’s Alumni!)
It is currently a very exciting time for our eighth grade students.  The students completed their last day of classes on Thursday and are spending the day today at Valleyfair, a St. Joe's tradition.  Next week, on Wednesday, June 2nd, the students will have a commencement rehearsal followed by a special luncheon.   The Class of 2021’s  commencement Mass and ceremony will take place that evening at 6:45pm at the Church of St. Joseph.

Congratulations to our eighth students on all of your accomplishments during your years at St. Joseph’s School.  We wish you well!

Eighth Grade Student Feature Post
Through the end of the school year, we are taking a moment to feature our awesome eighth grade students.  We couldn’t be more proud of them and excited for them as they continue their journey on to high school.  Please continue to keep these students in your prayers as they Graduate from St. Joseph’s School Wednesday, June 2nd.   Please take a moment to view our eighth grade features below. 

Group One click here 

Group Two click here

Group Three click here

Last Days of School Information
It is hard to believe that we are on the home stretch and approaching the finish line.  The last days of school are quickly approaching and we wanted to share some information for planning purposes.

• Monday, May 31st - Happy Memorial Day!  Enjoy the long weekend!
• Tuesday, June 1st - Students K - 7 Mass 9am; Parents are invited to this Mass of Thanksgiving (See above information.).
• Wednesday, June 2nd - Jaguar Spirit Day

Last day of school for grades K-7.  This is a full day of school, with a normal dismissal beginning at 2:40pm.  ISD 197 busing and food service are available for students through the last day of school.  Students and staff wear Jaguar Spirit wear.  We will have a field day for our students along with a visit from the ice cream truck.  We want to celebrate and thank our wonderful teachers and students for a tremendous school year!  

• Wednesday, June 2nd - 8th Grade Commencement 6:45pm - Church 

2021 Fall Athletics – Grades 5-8
We have received confirmation that the Catholic Athletic Association (CAA) will be having a full sports season for next school year.  We look forward to the opportunity for our students in grades 5-8 to participate in athletics beginning next fall.  Please watch for more information early this summer from our school office with opportunities to participate and register in sports.  In addition, parents, we request your assistance - please watch for coaching opportunities. 

Home and School Association Information for 2021-2022
We would like to thank our wonderful Home and School Association, leadership, grade reps and the wonderful parents who make up this dedicated group!  We very much look forward to welcoming parent volunteers back into our school in the upcoming school year!  

As we prepare for the next school year, there are a few grade rep positions still available. If you are interested in learning more please contact Betsy Joyce at betsybjoyce@gmail.com.

Openings: 

• President or Vice President
• 6th grade -  1 rep
• 7th grade - 2 reps
• 8th grade - 1 rep

Yearbooks
Yearbooks will be distributed to students on Monday.  We have a very limited number of yearbooks still available.  Please send a check with your child’s name and homeroom listed to our school office and we will be sure to get one to your child.  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.

Lost and Found
Students and families are highly encouraged to check the school’s “Lost and Found” for any items that may be missing from home.  Our “Lost and Found” has been set out on tables located on the 1st floor near the cafeteria.  Unclaimed items will be donated to a clothing shelf after June 4th.  

School Lunch Menus

June 1st:   Mini Corn Dogs

June 2nd: Chicken Nuggets                                                                                                                                    

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.

From Father Michael Creagan . . .
Eucharistic Procession for the Solemnity of Corpus Christi

On Sunday June 6, following the 9:00 am Mass, the Church of St. Joseph will have a Eucharistic Procession for the Solemnity of Corpus Christi.  Weather permitting the procession will be outdoors around the church and school with Benediction in front of the school.  If inclement weather, the eucharistic procession will be in the church.

Recent First Communicants :  First Communicants are invited to wear their special First Communion clothes to the Mass and then walk with their family in the short procession.  

I invite you to join us for the 9:00 am Mass on June 6 and take part in this beautiful and ancient procession.

God bless,

Fr. Michael Creagan

Pastor

St. Joseph Church Bulletin

May / June Look Ahead:

• Monday, May 31 - No School - Memorial Day
• Tuesday, June 1 - Mass 9am
• Wednesday, June 2 - Last Day of School K - 7 Out of Uniform
• Wednesday, June 2 - 8th Grade Commencement; 6:45 p.m. in Church