St. Joseph's School Parent Letter

A Message from Principal Rickbeil
Mr. Baseball reflects on all things baseball in this week’s video, including a special announcement about a baseball-themed upcoming spirit day next Thursday.  Enjoy!

Trunk or Treat Save the Date:  Sunday, October 29
On Sunday afternoon, October 29, we will be offering a trunk or treat, open to all parish and school families.  This will take place here at Saint Joseph’s from 2:30-4:00 PM.  Look for mor details in future newsletters, such as information on registration, candy donations, and prizes for best car decorations and best Saint costumes.

Eagle Bluff
Thank you to all of our parents and teachers for generously serving as chaperones on our 7th grade Eagle Bluff trip this past week.  Our seventh graders had a great time, and represented themselves and Saint Joseph’s School very well!

Mother Son Dance - Saturday, September 30th 6:30-9:00pm
Please join us for this fun new event!  Invite the special ‘sons’ in your life and spend an evening of fun, music, dancing, games and prizes!  Tickets at $20 per mom and includes sweets and refreshments.  Registration is required.  This event is open to Prek-8.

Register at churchofstjoseph.org/mother-and-son-evening

No Busing on Monday, October 2, 2023
Monday, October 2 St. Joseph’s School is IN session.  ISD 197 is NOT in session.  Therefore there will not be bus transportation.  This is a required parent transportation to and from school.  We will have breakfast and hot lunch available for all students on this day.

Spirit Wear Day and Twins Baseball Day- Date Adjusted to Thursday, October 5
The next school spirit wear day was scheduled for Friday, October 6th.  Due to many of our students going to the Cathedral for the Children’s Rosary Pilgrimage, the date has been changed to Thursday, October 5.  Additionally, students will have the opportunity to wear Minnesota Twins or other baseball shirts and hats to celebrate the Minnesota Twins participating in the MLB Playoffs.

Donation Drive for the Handmaids of the Heart of Jesus
We are blessed that the Handmaids of the Heart of Jesus will be serving at St. Joseph's School this year on Wednesdays.  They will provide classroom visits and prayer enrichment, as well as helping with several other ministries at St. Joe's.  They are providing this service at no cost to our school.  As part of their poverty as religious sisters, they choose to live off Divine Providence, which means they rely on donations for everything.  We would love to kick off their year at St. Joe's by donating groceries and gas cards to them as a token of our gratitude.  Please click HERE for details and to sign up to donate - thank you for your consideration and generosity! 

Parent Teacher Conferences Prek - 8 October 12 & 13
Parent Teacher Conferences are coming up October 12 & 13.  Please watch for a sign up genius next week to sign up for a time to conference with your child’s teacher (grades K-5) from the school office and Prek it will come from teachers.  Middle School conferences are held arena style therefore no sign up is required.

Respect Life Month
October is Respect Life Month.  Our school is having a Layette (baby item) Collection during this month.  We will hold the collection October 9-27.  Please consider donating the items in most need -  outfits-size 18 months to 3T, winter coats- size 18 months to 3T, winter boots/shoes- SZ 3T to 10T,  baby bottles, strollers, infant car seats, disposable breast pads, one-gallon and one quart ziplock bags, baby bottles, wipes and baby shampoo to benefit and support the work of Wakota-a Guiding Star Center in West St. Paul.

St. Joseph’s School Band Program in Coordination with Totino Grace- Grades 4-8
St. Joseph’s School has coordinated with Totino Grace to welcome their band instruction program into our school.  We are grateful for this partnership with Totino Grace to provide a school band program for our students. Below is an introduction from Band Director, Jessica Koehler who will be working at our school 1 day per week.  Band is offered to students in grades 4-8. 

My name is Ms. Jessica Koehler and I am going to be working with band students on Thursdays during the school day. This will be my ninth year of teaching. I joined band and started playing the flute in fifth grade. I come from New Ulm, MN where I taught high school band and choir. Currently, I live in Roseville with my husky, Ivy. My fiance and I are getting married at the end of November. 

We offer band through Totino-Grace High School. Students will come down for a 20 minute lesson and will also meet for a group rehearsal. There are also opportunities for your student to be in Jazz Band, solo contest, and honor band at Totino-Grace throughout the year. Band is a great way for students to make friends, especially when they move on to high school. There are many options for obtaining an instrument but most families go to Eckroth music for renting and buying instruments. They can deliver to the school as well. I can help your student pick an instrument or another option would be to go to a music store. At the music store, they will let you try instruments and help you pick what instrument to play. Please let me know if you need assistance. 

Below is the information sheet and the sign up link which is on the Totino-Grace website. There is also some information attached about Eckroth Music. 

Sign Up Link

Eckroth Music Website

Totino Grace Information Sheet

Parent Survey
Every 7 years, St. Joseph's School completes a self-study and renews our strategic plan as a part of our accreditation through MNSAA (Minnesota Non-public School Accrediting Association.) To help us complete this process, we feel it is important to get input from our stakeholders. We ask that you answer each question to the best of your ability. Please know that your feedback is important to us, as it helps drive our decision-making and strategic planning. It is our goal to continue providing an exceptional education for your children.  Please click here to complete the survey.

St. Joseph’s School Event for Prek on Up - Saturday, October 7th 9:30am School Gymnasium
Please join us for a morning of fun physical comedy, age-appropriate humor and uproarious audience participation! Mixed nuts have tickled funny bones throughout the region providing side-splitting laughter for the whole family! Please click here to learn more.  

The Gerten's Poinsettia & Holiday Greens Fundraiser is LIVE! 
 It may feel like summer, but Christmas will be here before we know it. So plan ahead and order your Gerten's Poinsettias & Holiday Greens today! 30% of all plant sales and 15% of gift card (GREAT gift idea!) sales will go directly back to St. Joseph's School - so feel free to share with friends and family. Plants will be delivered to the school on Thursday, Nov. 30 and must be picked up on that day.

How to order:

1. Go to www.gertensfundraising.com
2. Enter the Store ID for St. Joseph's School: 506. 

Helpful tip: Please ensure you click through ALL the screens when placing your order until you see a "Thank you for your order!" message. You will receive a confirmation email from Gerten's right away if your order was received. If you don't, you may want to go back and make sure you completed your check-out. 

All orders must be placed by Monday, Oct. 23 at 10 PM and quantities are limited on fundraiser items! Please order early to ensure availability. Items that are sold out will be removed from the website. 

PLEASE NOTE: ALL ORDERS MUST BE PICKED UP FROM SCHOOL ON THURSDAY, NOV. 30. Pick-ups will be available in the afternoon along with limited evening pick-ups.

Please contact Christina Mahady, Home & School Fundraising Coordinator, with any questions. 

St. Joseph’s Home and School Association   

Recess Helpers Wanted! Want to volunteer, but running short on time? Sign up to be a recess helper! In just 20 minutes, you'll get to enjoy some fresh air and give our amazing staff a little extra support. Have a little more time? Sign up for more than one slot! Have a grandparent who wants to volunteer? Anyone who has completed their VIRTUS Training is welcome, so feel free to share with other family members, too. Click HERE to sign up.

Lunchroom Helper Lunch is a busy time at St. Joe's and volunteering to be a lunchroom helper is a quick and easy way to support our staff and help our students focus on what lunch time is REALLY for - eating! Have a grandparent who wants to volunteer? Anyone who has completed their VIRTUS Training is welcome. Click HERE to sign up.

If you are a new volunteer and have never completed your Virtus Training, please click here and follow the instructions.

If you are an existing volunteer and need to update your account (updates are required every 3 years), please click here for instructions.  

Learn More about Cub Scouts

Please click here to view The Church of St. Joseph Website or view the Church Bulletin by clicking here.

• Saturday, September 30 - Mother Son Event Parish/School
• Monday, October 2 - No ISD 197 Bus Transportation - Parent Transportation Required
• Wednesday, October 4 - Mass 8:45am
• Thursday, October 5 - Spirit Wear Day
• Saturday, October 7 - Mixed Nuts Program 9:30am Gym
• Wednesday, October 11 - Mass 8:45am
• Thursday, October 12 - Parent Teacher Conferences 4:30pm-7:30pm
• Friday, October 13 - No School Prek-8 - Parent Teacher Conferences 9am-4pm