St. Joseph's School Parent Letter 5/13/22

Dear St. Joseph’s School Parents,

A Note from Mr. Wesely
Dear parents, students, and staff,
Honestly, you may know that I am the person who typically provides surprises at times during the school year.  Needless to say, I was surprised and so humbled by your recognition at the end of Mass today and with the gift of a St. Joseph tie (with a worker’s square and lilies on it) and the jaguar paw picture collage with everyone’s signature. 

I am most grateful to Fr. Creagan for inviting me six years ago to be the Principal of our beautiful school and to the school and parish communities for their welcome.  Over the years, I have appreciated their continued support of our school.  During this time, I have been able to continue living out my three passions for; our Catholic faith, my family, and education - helping teachers teach, students learn, and partnering with parents and families to get their students to heaven and become saints.  I have been blessed to be part of this community and look forward to what lies ahead.

Thank you parents, students, and staff!  Continue to BE AWESOME!  St. Joseph, pray for us!  Go Jaguars!!

Sincerely in Christ,
Greg Wesely

Principal

Middle School Director and Staff Announcement
We are pleased to announce today the hiring of a Middle School Director at St. Joseph’s Catholic School, in addition to sharing some forthcoming staff changes within the Middle school program as well.

As noted in our recent job postings and renewed vision at St. Joseph’s:  Our full commitment to academic excellence is not merely compatible with our school’s Catholic identity; it is demanded by that very mission. We share in the great duty of providing an education that is both faithfully Catholic and academically first-rate.

In this spirit, we are pleased to announce that Ms. Audrey Wenner has been hired as our new Middle School Director.  She will work under the direction of our new Principal, Ginger Vance, in leading our Middle School program (staff, curriculum, students, culture, mission) while also providing assistance to the overall leadership at St. Joseph’s.  Ms. Wenner holds an MS in Educational Leadership from the University of Notre Dame and has been a middle school teacher and leader within the Rochester Area Catholic Schools for the past nine years.  She will begin her new position on July 1^st.

We also wish to express our sincere thanks to a few middle school staff that are pursuing other options for next year including: Maria Muellerleile (Mathematics), Rebecca Wratkowski (Science) and Anna Petersen (Communication Skills).  Each of these teachers have served us generously and we wish them our best. 

We are pleased to announce the following new Middle School staff – Mrs. Kathleen Diedrick (Mathematics), Ms. Mary Carlson (Science) and Ms. Katie Erickson (Communication Skills).  Please read here for additional details on the new additions to the Middle School team for 2022-23.  Further announcements on the K-5 staffing will be forthcoming in the days ahead.

Kindergarten-Grade 2 Spring Concert - May 17
Our Kindergarten, First, and Second grade students under the direction of Mrs. Bowe, our music teacher, performed in a special concert for our parish senior citizens; Tell the World that Jesus Loves You this afternoon..  It was beautiful to hear the children’s voices share this important message.  In addition, the students will perform for their parents and families on Tuesday, May 17 at 6:30 p.m. in St. Joseph Church.  We look forward to our students wearing their “spring dress attire” and sharing their special songs lead by Mrs. Bowe. 

Preschool Concerts
St. Joseph’s Preschool will be having their end of the year concerts in the Great Room May 18 & 19.  We look forward to these wonderful performances!

Art in Bloom - St. Joseph’s School Art Show May 20-22
Mrs. Hilary Lamusga, Art Teacher has been working with our students to create an art show of student work.  This beautiful display will be called St. Joseph’s School Art In Bloom.   The Art Show will be up for viewing in our Parish Great Room Friday, May 20 after the school mass; Saturday, May 21 after the 5pm mass; Sunday, May 22 after all of the masses.  Thank you to Mrs. Lamusga and to our amazing student artist for providing us with this great art show!

Grandparents Celebration and Art Show Viewing - Friday, May 20
Parents, please share - We would like to invite Grandparents to our School Mass on Friday, May 20 at 9:00am.  Students are welcome to sit with their grandparents.  Grandparents, you are then invited to please stop into the great room to view the lovely student artwork.  We look forward to seeing you!

Principal Wesely Celebration - Sunday, May 22nd 12-2pm
Please join us for a recognition celebration for Principal Greg Wesely on Sunday, May 22nd following the 11am Mass in the Great Room.  

Library Books
Now is the time to begin returning library books.  Please take the time to look around your home and in your child’s backpack to get these items returned.  Thank you!

Tuition Agreements
Agreements for the 2022-23 school year will be sent out through TADS over the next week.  We are asking that all agreements be finalized by the noted due date, prior to the summer break, as it is critical information for us as we finalize employment agreements and staffing needs for next year..  For any families that have applied for financial assistance, please ensure you have submitted any required documentation.

Spring Sports Fees
If your child participated in a spring sport please make note that spring sports fees will be charged to TADS accounts on June 5.

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.  

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

May / June Look Ahead

• Tuesday, May 17 - K - 2 Spring Concert 6:30pm Church
• Wednesday, May 18 - Preschool Concert
• Thursday, May 19 - Preschool Concert
• Friday, May 20 - Mass 9:00am Grandparent Celebration
• Friday, May 20 - Sunday, May 22 - St. Joseph’s School Art In Bloom - Great Room
• Sunday, May 22 - Mr. Wesely Celebration 12-2pm Great Room
• Wednesday, May 25 - Band and Select Choir Recital - Gym 6:30pm; Last day for 8th Graders
• Thursday, May 26 - 8th grade to Duluth
• Wednesday, June 1 - 8th Grade Commencement 6:45pm Church
• Thursday, June 2 -  K-5 Field Day; Grades 6-7 Base Camp; Grade 8 Valleyfair
• Friday, June 3 - Last Day of School Dismissal 12:00pm

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