St. Joseph's School Parent Letter 3/18/22

Dear St. Joseph’s School Parents,

Gala Success
We are incredibly grateful for the success of our recent Gala and Raffle in support of the primary educational ministry of the parish, our wonderful school. Combined we raised over $225,000 to further the mission of St. Joseph Catholic School. God bless you for your generosity!

Congratulations Jenny Loch, our 2022 Raffle Winner.

Friday, March 25 - K-5 In Session - No District Transportation
As a reminder to school families, ISD 197 is not in session on Friday, March 25 so there will not be bus transportation for our students.  St. Joseph’s School is in session for students in grades K-5.  Hot lunch will be available for students on this day.  As a reminder,  drop off and pick up will be crowded so please allow yourselves extra time.  Thank you!

Donuts with Dads - Feast of St. Joseph Celebration - Thank you!
Thank you so much to the many dads and grandfathers that joined us for our Donuts with Dads event in honor of celebrating the Feast of St. Joseph, the patron saint of our parish and school. We were so grateful to be able to host this event again.  Over 300 dads, grandfathers, and students attended - the Great Room was standing room only! Thank you to Mrs. Wrobel and our wonderful team of volunteers who helped make this event possible!

Teddy Bear Band - Saturday, March 19
Bring your little ones and join us on Saturday, March 19 at 10am in our school gymnasium to celebrate the feast of St. Joseph with a Teddy Bear Band concert! Bring your dancing shoes and your smiling faces.

GRASP Summer Reading and Math Program
GRASP is a nine-week correspondence program which helps students maintain reading and math skills while they are on summer vacation.  It should take you and your child approximately one hour per week for nine weeks to complete each weekly lesson.  We suggest parents order the grade level just completed.  If there are extenuating circumstances, order the level that is appropriate for your child.  Prices include curriculum packet, completion awards and scoring service.

For more information and to order packets click HERE! If you have any questions contact Community Education at 651-403-8520 

Lenten Service Project - Jelly Bean Sale!
St. Joseph’s School spring Lenten Service Project is a Jelly Bean Sale with proceeds going to Mr. Rod Cina, former 5th grade teacher who was diagnosed with Colon Cancer in the summer of 2019.  Our 8th grade students (Mr. Cina’s last group of students he taught here) along with the Student Councilare working on this project.  Students may purchase a bag of jelly beans for $1.00  in their homeroom on the following dates:  March 23 and April 6.  Students will then receive their jelly beans on the following Friday.  

Student Vacations
With some of our students heading out of town for spring breaks and other vacations, we would like to remind parents that our school policy is that teachers do not prepare homework ahead of time for students to take on vacation with them.  Students may work with their teachers to make their missed work up when they return to school.  

Home & School News
The Home & School Association will be holding their spring used uniform sale on Sunday, March 20th 12:00-1:30pm in the school cafeteria - please enter through the gym doors #11.  We are now accepting donations of used uniforms.  Volunteers are needed for this event.  Please click here to help.

Please feel free to drop off any used uniforms to the school office.  

Gertens Fundraiser - Sale is open now - April 7 

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, May 12.  More details on pick-up scheduling will be shared in April.  

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

Principal Search Committee
The Search Committee has finished its initial interviews and has made recommendations to Fr. Creagan.  Final interviews with Fr. Creagan and the Trustees have been scheduled and the hope that a new principal can be announced before our upcoming break.  Our special thanks to those who served so diligently on our Search Committee in identifying final candidates.

Middle School Development Day
Our Middle School Staff will be off site for a professional development day on Friday, March 25.  There will be no school for middle school students on this day.

A Note from The School Nurse
Over these past several weeks we have continued to have zero to very low case numbers of COVID with our students and staff within the school building; for this we are grateful.  With the very low rate the decision has been made to send out standard covid notices similar to our illness notifications (strep throat, influenza, pink eye,  etc.) if a case occurs in a grade level.  At this time,  we will discontinue reporting the number of positives in each grade etc, nor will we continue with a message in the weekly parent letter after this week.    

We do have rapid covid tests available to our students if you are traveling over spring break and would like to utilize this before returning to school on April 4.  Please contact Nurse Amy Milosch ammilosch@stjosephwsp.org or Lisa Wrobel liwrobel@stjosephwsp.org and they would be happy to send a test home with your child(ren) before we leave for break. 

Please continue to be attentive to your children's health and stay at home when you are sick.  

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 Parent Letter may at times include information about activities and events that are taking place at the Church of St. Joseph.

Sacrament of Reconciliation - Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Comde and receive God’s Mercy.  Several priests will be available for individual confessions on the following days and times;
Monday, March 21 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, March 22 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 23 12:00-1:30 p.m.

Important Links
2022-2023 Important Dates Calendar
March & April Recess Supervision
March & April Lunchroom Helpers
Home & School Association Information
March Lunch Menu
Church of St. Joseph
St. Joseph Church Bulletin
West St. Paul Baseball

March/April Look Ahead

• Saturday, March 19 - Feast of St. Joseph
• Sunday, March 20 - Used Uniform Sale 12:00-1:30pm School Cafeteria
• Thursday, March 24 - Stations of the Cross 9am Church
• Friday, March 25 - Mass 9am, Middle School Not in Session - Parent Transportation (no bus)
• Monday, March 28 - Friday, April 2 - Spring Break - No School
• Monday, April 4 - School Resumes - 8th Grade Confirmation, Cathedral of St. Paul 7pm
• Thursday, April 7 - Rosary 9am Church
• Friday, April 8 - Mass 9am
• Thursday, April 14 - Stations of the Cross 9am Church
• Friday, April 15 - No School Good Friday
• Sunday, April 17 - Easter
• Monday, April 18 - No School Easter Monday
• Wednesday, April 20 - Spring MAP Assessments begin
• Saturday, April 23 - First Holy Communion - Church
• Friday, April 29 - No School for Students, Professional Development

INTERIM ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM
Greg Wesely (Principal); grwesely@stjosephwsp.org
Patrick Menke (Advisor); patrick.menke@churchofstjoseph.org
Lisa Wrobel (School Operations); liwrobel@stjosephwsp.org
Lori Bruce (Interim Dean of Students); lobruce@stjosephwsp.org
Sandy Knudson (Preschool Coordinator); saknudson@stjosephwsp.org