St. Joseph's School Parent Letter

A Message from Principal Rickbeil
At this time, I want to make you aware of several staffing changes for the 2024-2025 school year.  As many of you know, we are adding an additional section of fourth grade for next year to accommodate our current 3rd graders and the classes coming up behind them.  After a lengthy search process, I am pleased to announce that Cathy Wagner has been hired to join our fourth grade team.  After assisting us as a Title I teacher, a 5th grade teacher, a 2nd grade teacher, and most recently as a classroom aide, Cathy is excited to return to full-time classroom teaching.  Serving as a classroom teacher will be nothing new for Mrs. Wagner, who has been a lead teacher in Catholic schools at Saint Jerome, Saint Patrick’s, and Saint Anne’s throughout her teaching career.  We are excited to have her join our fourth grade team.  

In fifth grade, Mrs. Suzie Kocourek has chosen to step away from teaching for next year to spend additional time with her family.  Mrs. Kocourek has served our fifth graders well for the past 5 years, and has wonderfully brought her faith and joyful presence to her classroom each day.  While we will miss seeing Mrs. Kocourek in the classroom, we are pleased to announce that longtime 5th grade teacher Mr. Rod Cina will be returning to the role of 5th grade teacher next year.  Mr. Cina is no stranger to our building, having taught in 5th grade for 20 years before leaving the position for health reasons.  In the past year, he has been very active in our building as a classroom aide, substitute teacher, and summer activity leader.  We are thrilled to have Mr. Cina back in 5th grade at the beginning of the next school year.

In the music room, Mrs. Beth Bowe has announced her retirement from teaching after a 43-year teaching career at Saint Jude School (Cedar Rapids, IA) and Saint Joseph’s.  Mrs. Bowe integrated her Catholic faith into all aspects of her music classes, and has taught our students to make a joyful noise to the Lord in school Masses and concerts for many years.  And of course, Mrs. Bowe has been the leader of our wildly successful school musicals for many years, including Seussical Jr. this year.  Mrs. Bowe is looking forward to spending more time with her family, and we wish her nothing but the best in this next phase of her life. 

In middle school, Mrs. Kati Diedrick announced her retirement following a very successful teaching career.  After beginning her career in engineering, Mrs. Diedrick has been actively involved teaching full-time for the past 15 years at Saint John the Baptist Elementary School (Savage, MN), Holy Cross Catholic School, and Saint Joseph’s.  While she is looking forward to having an open schedule and traveling during her retirement, she has also agreed to assist at St. Joseph’s on a part-time basis giving math support to students.  We are looking forward to having her work with our students going forward in this capacity.

Currently, Saint Joseph’s school is in the application and interview process to fill the middle school math, music teacher, and assistant principal positions.  If you know of any good candidates with a passion for sharing our Catholic faith and teaching, please direct them to apply through the Archdiocesan career page.

Happy Mother’s Day
We wish all of our mothers a beautiful and blessed Mother’s Day!  

Volunteer Appreciation Mass - Wednesday, May 15
Calling all volunteers - we want to thank YOU! St. Joe's will be hosting a Volunteer Appreciation Mass on Wednesday, May 15 at 8:45 a.m. Whether you chaperoned a field trip, worked recess duty, helped at Carnival, or assisted a teacher with a project, if you volunteered your time and talents to St. Joe's, we'd like to recognize you! We hope you can join us.

Teacher Appreciation Week - THANK YOU!
What a special week for our amazing teaching staff.  Thank you to the many people who provided special treats, thoughtful messages and volunteered their time to work recess and lunch duties - what a treat!  A shout out to our Home & School Association for treats throughout the week, Shout out to The Rubenzer Family/Brie Catering for providing lunch on Wednesday and a shout out to Carbone’s and the Weinberg/Castro family for providing Carbone’s gift cards to all of our teachers!  WOW!  We are so grateful!   We are so incredibly blessed at St. Joseph’s School to have such an outstanding group of educators!  Thank you!

Fitness Fun Day - Thursday, May 30
We will have our annual Fitness Fun Day on Thursday, May 30th.  This will be a spirit wear day for students and a picnic lunch will be served.  New and exciting this year is that we are bringing in a Ninja course for students of all ages and abilities to explore and challenge themselves on the course.  We will be sending out more information along with an electronic permission slip/waiver for families to complete along with volunteer opportunities early next week!

St. Joseph’s School 2024 Gala ~ An Evening to Remember
The 2024 St. Joseph’s School Gala was a memorable night, kicking off the celebration of 75 years of Catholic education at St. Joseph (1949-2024).  We appreciate everyone who attended and the overwhelming support received.  It brings us joy to announce that almost $175,000 was raised during the event.  

Tuition Agreements for 2024-2025
As we are preparing for the next school year, most families returning for the next school year have a tuition agreement that is due to be signed today.  Please take a moment to get that completed so that we are able to move forward with our planning for your child(ren) for the 2024-2025 school year.  We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with you to educate your child(ren).

TADS Fees
All families returning for the 2024-2025 school year will be billed the annual $200 re-enrollment fee.  Please watch for that in your 5/20 TADS billing invoice.  Spring sports will be billed through TADS on 6/5 if your child(ren) participated in spring sports.  If you have any questions please email megan.hire@churchofstjoseph.org

8th Grade Field trip to Duluth- This Friday, May 17
We are excited to have our eighth grade students go to Duluth for their annual school trip.  Going to Duluth as an 8th grade class has been a tradition for our students for many years.  This trip gives our 8th graders the opportunity to explore the north shore and all of its beauty and history all while bonding and celebrating their many years together at St. Joseph’s School together.  

St. Joseph’s School Summer Camp - Registration Closing Sunday, May 12!
Our Summer Programs registration at St. Joe's will close on Sunday, May 12. If you are interested in registering your child, we have a variety of options for our students throughout the summer.  Summer Program Descriptions and Registration can be found on our school website or by clicking here.  All of our summer program options are offered under the Parent’s Tab on the school website. Read through the offerings and click the link to register for the various opportunities for tutoring, camps, and academic offerings.

Band Concert - May 16th - 6pm
This is a friendly reminder that our concert on May 16 at 6pm will be a band concert, for students and families in the band program.  There are no other choir concerts on the schedule for the remainder of the school year.

Chess Tournament - May 18 All Saints in Lakeville
All Saints in Lakeville is hosting a chess tournament for students in grades K-8 on May 18, 2024.  Please click here to learn more and to register.  

Home & School Positions Open for 2024-2025
St. Joseph’s Home and School is looking for volunteers to fill open spots for 2024-2025 Home and School. The purpose of Home & School is to support faculty, staff, students and families utilizing three main functions: Volunteers, Fundraising, and Community Spirit. Volunteers are the heart and soul of this school and we are so very grateful for all of your help.  Open positions:  3rd grade rep, Middle School rep, Sunshine rep, Secretary & Vice President.

FamFare Kitchen Pick-Up: Tuesday, May 14
FamFare Kitchen is back next week for its final hot-and-ready meal pick-up of the school year! It's a busy season, so do make life a little easier with dinner from FamFare.

On the Menu for May: Classic Butter Chicken with Basmati Rice with cucumber salad and naan (hot) or Turkey Cobb Salad with romaine, tomato, turkey, bacon, blue cheese, and french baguette (cold). And their delicious chocolate chip cookies are always available as an add-on! Simply click here to place your order.

Order by Sunday, May 12 at 3:00 p.m. for pick-up on Tuesday, May 14 in the school parking lot. And remember - 15% of your order will go directly back to St. Joe's! Thank you!

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

Important Dates 2024-2025 School Year
Please click here to view the important dates for the 2024-2025 school year.

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.  

Parish Upcoming Events!
Pentecost Novena Begins Today! Pray with us (Friday, May 10 – Saturday, May 18) for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on our school and church family. Booklets are available in the Gathering Space. PDF version is HERE 

Mother’s Day Flowers/Plants for Sale this Saturday & Sunday, May 11 & 12, after all Masses in the Gathering Space Celebrate the cherished “mothers” in your life this Mother’s Day! The St. Joseph’s Community Caring for Life committee is delighted to offer single roses and plants for purchase.

Revive Night - Wednesday, May 15 I 6:30-8:00pm Msgr. Foran Great Room Saint Joseph community--church, school, guests & visitors of all ages are encountering Jesus in the Holy Eucharist together! Confession available. Social follows.

Pentecost Sunday Celebration “Happy Birthday Church!” Sunday, May 19 I Following the 11:00am Mass. All are invited to gather for a birthday celebration with a family picnic out on the front lawn of the school. Delicious food, lawn games, a big birthday cake and more! We look forward to seeing you! Let us know you can help make this party happen! No reservations needed, but we encourage your donation ($5/ person and $20/family) to cover the cost of this event. Visit: churchofstjoseph.org/pentecost-party

ALIVE Night Tuesday, May 21 | 4:00-6:30pm Msgr. Foran Great Room All 6th through 8th graders are invited. Parent volunteers needed. Contact Kyle Sellnow: kyle.sellnow@churchofstjoseph.org. MEMORIAL DAY Monday, May 27 | Mass at 9:00am This will be the only Mass this day. Parish Center, School and Faith Formation Offices will be closed.

Encounter Jesus!  The National Eucharistic Procession will stop at Saint Joseph and all are invited to join us! Tuesday, May 28 | 1:00-2:00pm Saint Joseph, along with other parishes in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis are preparing the procession of the Eucharist as part of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage’s Marian Route.

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

• Wednesday, May 15 - Mass 8:45am - Volunteer Appreciation Mass
• Thursday, May 16 - Band Concert 6pm - Gym
• Wednesday, May 22 - Mass 8:45am
• Monday, May 27 - No School Memorial Day
• Tuesday, May 28 - 8th Grade Graduation 6:30pm Church
• Thursday, May 30 - Fitness Fun Day - School Spirit Wear Day
• Friday, May 31 - Last Day of School - Dismissal at 12:00pm - No Busing