St. Joseph's School Parent Letter 4/8/22

Dear St. Joseph’s School Parents,
 

Confirmation 

Many Blessings and Congratulations to our 8th grade students who received the sacrament of Confirmation on Monday, April 4th at the Cathedral of St. Paul.

Principal Transition 
As already announced, Mrs. Ginger Vance, has accepted the principal position effective July 1, 2022.  Read more.  Though her current responsibilities continue, she is already freeing up time to invest in the future of St. Joseph’s School - studying accreditation reports, enrollment trends, budget reports, parent/staff surveys, assessment reports, etc.  She will also be appropriately involved in any future hires and developing the administrative team.  More updates to follow.

Teacher Postings
We have posted a few open teaching positions on the Archdiocesan website (careers.archspm.org). As we seek to attract outstanding teachers that are credible witnesses to our faith, parents are often our best marketers for such openings.  Please note that these initial postings clearly articulate our mission as a Catholic school of providing an education that is both faithfully Catholic and academically first rate.

Easter Preparation
Our school community continues to prepare for Easter through devotions, Mass, prayer, and service.  We thank Mr. John Rogers, school parent, parishioner, and Candidate in the Archdiocese Diaconate program for leading our praying of the Rosary.  Deacon Tom Michaud will be presiding at our Stations of the Cross on Thursday, April 14 at 9:00 a.m.  Parents and family members are invited to attend and pray with our students and staff.  May we all have a blessed Holy Week and Easter Triduum.

Art Adventure - MIA Field Trips
We are very grateful to our parent volunteers who lead our Art Adventure Program for our K-5 students..  We are pleased that our students are able to return to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts for their annual field trip during the month of April.  Please watch for more information from K - 5 homeroom teachers for field trip dates. 

Lenten Service Project - Jelly Bean Sale - Thank you!
Thank you for the fantastic participation in our Lenten Service Project!  The Jelly Bean Sale was a great success with all proceeds going to Mr. Rod Cina, former 5th grade teacher who was diagnosed with Colon Cancer in the summer of 2019.   We will present the check to Mr. Cina next week!

CSCOE Big Bang Catholic STEM Fair
St. Joseph’s School Middle School students participated in our school’s Science Fair in February.  Several students submitted their projects to the Catholic Schools Center of Excellence in hopes of participating in the Big Bang Catholic STEM Fair.  We are thrilled to announce the students invited to participate from St. Joe’s: Carly Brekke (gr. 6), Lucy Chamberlain (gr. 7), Julia Hawkins (gr. 6), Reilly Hoerdt (gr. 8), and Johan Hozza (gr. 7).  The Big Bang Catholic STEM Fair is being held at Cretin-Derham Hall in St. Paul and will have participants from Catholic schools throughout the Archdiocese.  Congratulations and best wishes to our students! 

Thank You for Your Support
Upon returning from Spring Break and through the end of the school year, please continue to support your child’s efforts with their academics and school responsibilities.  We look forward to seeing our students use the gifts and talents that God has given them to do their best at school and at home.  Thank you again for your continued support of St. Joseph’s School.  We are grateful to have the opportunity to partner with you in providing for the faith formation and education of your children  St. Joseph, pray for us!  Go Jaguars!!  

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 between April 19-28.  Information about the MAP assessments and your child’s progress will be provided to parents upon completion of the assessments.

Tuition Agreements
Agreements for the 2022-23 school year will be sent out through TADS in the coming weeks.  For any families that have applied for financial assistance, please ensure you have submitted any required documentation.

Uniform Policy
According to our uniform policy, students may wear dress code shorts through the remainder of the school year.  Please use good judgment when deciding to wear shorts as we can still get some cold days in April.  Remember that belts are to be worn with pants and shorts and socks must be visible above the top of shoes. 

St. Joseph’s School Carnival - Save the Date!
Planning is underway for Carnival to be held on Friday, May 6th, 2022 (during the school day). Carnival is a long-standing tradition at St. Joe’s and we are so excited to see it return this year!

We are in need of donations for prizes at our school Carnival!  Please click here to sign up for a donation: Clearance sales are a great way to pick up carnival prizes of all kinds.  Prizes may be brought to the school office. (No used items please)   

Many volunteers are also needed for our Carnival to be a wonderful experience for our students.  Please consider signing up for one or more of the volunteer opportunities for this event by clicking here.

Thank you for your assistance and support of this special day for our Preschool - grade 8 students.

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 

St Gianna Mom’s Brunch
All moms are invited to join the St Gianna Mom’s Group for brunch Wednesday, April 27th in the Great Room at 9:30am. Children are welcome to attend. Please RSVP.  The St Gianna Mom’s group meets in the church nursery Wednesdays at 9am and Friday mornings following school mass. All moms are welcome!

Men's Basketball - Saturday Mornings
A men’s group from the school and parish are putting together a group of men to play basketball every Saturday morning 8:00-9:30am in the school gym now through the end of May.  If you are interested in playing, please contact Tony Carnes bigjetz@gmail.com or text 651-428-1883.  Must be 16+ years or older, bring shoes, and a water bottle.

A Note from The School Nurse
We have rapid covid tests available to our students. If you would like to utilize one, please contact Amy Milosch ammilosch@stjosephwsp.org.    Please continue to be attentive to your children's health and stay at home when you are sick.  

Church of St. Joseph Information
Attention Middle School Families: Middle School students are invited to attend the next NET Night scheduled for April 12 (3:30-7:30 pm)! There will be pizza, games, small groups, and prayer!  There is a $5 suggested donation.

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

March/April Look Ahead

• 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
• Friday, April 22 - 9:00 am Mass - Maronite Rite Mass
• Saturday, April 23 - First Holy Communion - Church
• Thursday, April 28 - 9:00 a.m. Mass, Grade 4 Pen Friend Reception, No School Preschool - Parent Teacher Conferences
• Friday, April 29 - No School for Preschool - Parent Teacher Conference, No school Kindergarten-grade 8 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