St. Joseph's School Parent Letter

A Message from Principal Rickbeil
In this week’s video, Mr. Rickbeil visits the parking lot to explain three things to do to make friends in the parking lot during morning drop off.  He also publicly expresses his true feelings about the long “Minnesota” goodbye.  Enjoy!

Sunday, October 15 - 11:00am Mass
Installation of Father Luke Marquard as Pastor of Church of Saint Joseph
Archbishop Hebda will be here to celebrate Mass and officially install Father Luke Marquard as our pastor. This will be a wonderful day to celebrate together--please plan on attending the 11:00am Mass. We will have refreshments and donuts in the Msgr. Foran Great Room after all the Sunday Masses!

No School - MEA 
There will be no school on Thursday, October 19 and Friday October 20 for MEA.  Enjoy the long weekend!

St. Joseph’s School Give Day - October 26!
Mark your calendars - St. Joe's Give Day is Thursday, October 26! 
St. Joe's Give Day is right around the corner and we need our whole community to get involved and help spread the word! Our 2023 Give Day focus will be on enhancing security and addressing specific areas of our beloved yet aging infrastructure. Help us reach our goal of $60,000 by letting friends, family, neighbors, fellow alumni and employers (especially those who offer matching donations!) know how much St. Joe's means to you by asking them to give on
October 26. 

Respect Life Month - Donations now being accepted through October 27th!
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.

Trunk or Treat Save the Date:  Sunday, October 29
Join us for the St. Joseph Catholic Church & School Trunk or Treat!
Sunday, October 29 from 2:30-4:00 p.m. in the School Parking Lot

This is a free, safe, family-friendly event open to all Church and School families.

Calling all candy donors! We're looking to lighten the burden on the "trunks" and provide them all with candy for distribution. Students that donate an unopened bag of candy will be entered into a special raffle! Candy can be dropped off at the school office Oct. 16-27. There will also be a candy donation basket located in the Church.  Click here to view our flier.

Interested in being a “trunk”? Click here for more information and to sign up.  

Remember: Please ensure that all costumes and decorations are fun rather than scary, and celebrating goodness and virtue rather than glamorizing evil. Saint costumes are encouraged!

Questions? Please contact Jessie Hughesdon or Joan Jawor for more information.

Parent Teacher Conferences –Thank you!
We would like to thank the many parents that joined us for parent teacher conferences.  We are grateful for your partnership in educating your children.  

We would also like to thank our Home & School Association for providing meals for our teachers during our conference days.  We are so very grateful for the kindness and generosity of the many parents who helped and donated to make it so special for our teachers.

Winter Sports Registration for Grades 5-8 - Now Open
St. Joseph’s School Winter Sports Registration is now open for boys and girls in grades 5-8.  Registration will close on October 23.  Please click here to learn more and register.  

Calling all coaches!  If you are interested in coaching basketball please email David Reyes dareyes@stjosephwsp.org.  Thank you!

Afterschool School St. Joseph’s Athletics Games - Fan Support - Updated Rules and Guidelines
We are excited to be hosting several upcoming St. Joseph’s Girls Volleyball games. We have updated our rules and guidelines for our students who would like to come and support our St. Joe’s teams by cheering them on in the stands.  Beginning Monday, October 9, STJ Middle School and 5th grade students may attend home games without parent supervision.  We will require 5th-8th grade students who attend home games without supervision to sign in and sign out.  Once students are signed in, they are required to stay in the gym until they are leaving to go home.  Students in grades 5th-8th are not allowed to be responsible for a younger sibling.  If you would like for your younger children to attend prek-4th grade, parents we ask that you attend as well.  We will have concessions for sale. Upcoming home games listed below.  Go Jaguars!

10/16/23 4:00pm 6th gr. STJ vs. Trinity River Ridge
10/16/23 4:45pm 7th gr. STJ vs. St. Paul Academy
10/16/23 5:15pm 8th gr. STJ vs. Community of Peace

Watch for the playoff schedule coming soon!

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.

Artsonia
Artsonia is an online gallery for student artwork. Nearly every piece of artwork your student creates in the art room is captured in a photo and uploaded to Artsonia. You can view your child's artwork, gather "fans" for your child, as well as purchase fun products with their art on it (magnets, mugs, jewelry, etc). A portion of the purchases is given back to our art program! Get updates from your child's Artsonia account by clicking here.

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 and Band Director, Jessica Koehler jessica.koehler@totinograce.org who will be working at our school 1 day per week.  Band is offered to students in grades 4-8.  Please follow the links below to learn more, sign up!  Sign Up Link Instrument information link: Eckroth Music Website

The Gerten's Poinsettia & Holiday Greens Fundraiser Closes October 23rd! 

How to order:

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

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!  Click HERE to sign up.  Lunchroom Helper Wanted! 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.  

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

• Friday, October 13 - No School Prek-8 - Parent Teacher Conferences 9am-4pm
• Sunday, October 15 - 11:00am Mass Installation of Father Marquard as Pastor of Church of Saint Joseph
• Tuesday, October 17 - NET Confirmation Retreat 5:00-9:00pm
• Wednesday, October 18 - Mass 8:45am
• Thursday, October 19 & Friday October 20 - No School MEA
• Tuesday, October 24 - Alive Nights
• Wednesday, October 25 - Mass 8:45am:  Revive 6:30-8:00pm 
• Thursday, October 26 - St. Joseph’s School Give Day
• Tuesday, October 31 - Wear Orange and Black
• Wednesday, November 1 - All Saints Mass 8:45am
• Thursday, November 2 - All Souls Mass 8:45am