St. Joseph's School Parent Letter

A Message from Principal Rickbeil 

In this week’s video, Mr. Rickbeil interviews some of our youngest students to ask them why you should be attending the Gala on March 1, 2025.  I think we will agree that they came up with some great reasons! 

No School February 13, 14, 17- Conferences Prek-8 / Professional Development / President’s Day

Parent teacher conferences will be held on Thursday, February 13 from 10am-6pm.  There is no school on this day. Conference sign ups will close at midnight on Sunday, February 9th - please click here to schedule your conference time.   These conferences are by appointment only for all Prek-8 teachers.  Teachers and parents are encouraged to request conferences to discuss any updates or concerns. .

There is no school on Friday, February 14th for Professional Development.  There is no school on Monday, February 17th in observance of President’s Day.

Father Daughter Dance - Tomorrow!

The Father Daughter Dance is tomorrow,  Saturday, February 8th. Please click here to register.  This is a very fun and memorable event hosted by our parish and school.  This is also a very busy event and last year we hit capacity, so it is very important to get registered. Please consider the volunteer opportunities for the event. Volunteers are needed to help with setting up the day of, serving and cleaning during the dance and cleaning up after, any amount of time you can give is greatly appreciated!

Enrollment for 2025-2026 and Important Financial Aid / Scholarship Deadlines 

Financial Aid and Aim Higher Scholarship deadline is February 28, 2025.  Please note that you are required to apply each year for both financial aid and the Aim Higher Scholarship.  Please log into your TADS account and complete your Financial aid and Scholarship applications now.  Please do not miss these deadlines.  The Scholarships Section of the Aim Higher Foundation website also provides resources for you, including deadlines, links to TADS, flyers in Spanish and English, an extensive FAQ list, and more.  

Each year families are billed the re-enrollment fee of $200 for K-8 per household.  This fee will be billed through TADS in March.

St. Joseph’s School Choir

Congratulations to Mrs. Broberg and the Middle School Choir.  They performed the National Anthem this past Wednesday evening at the University of St. Thomas women's basketball game.  

Math Counts Club

Congratulations to Mrs. Diedrick and our MathCounts Club for participating Thursday in the South Capital Competition held at Inver Hills Community College.  We are very proud of our students!

Our 8th Graders are Building a Canoe!

For the past week, two teachers from Urban Wilderness have been working with our 8th grade students to build a full-size canoe.  Working in 90-minute shifts, our 8th graders have done great work over the course of the week, and should have the canoe finished by the end of next week. 

Important Information Regarding Governor’s Proposed Budget

The governor’s proposed budget eliminates critical funding for students who attend nonpublic schools. This harmful decision unfairly targets families who rely on nonpublic schools that serve their child’s needs. Please see this one-pager and additional resources for more information on this.

The Sacraments at Saint Joseph

Father Luke and the Faith Formation Staff recently released a brochure called The Sacraments at Saint Joseph, and it is designed to help people understand our approach to sacramental preparation. It includes information about who can receive the various sacraments, what preparation looks like, how to begin the preparation process, and where to go with your questions. Our hope is that it will be useful to people who are interested in receiving the sacraments themselves or in helping their child or loved one receive the sacraments.

We especially encourage parents of school-age children to read this document, as it lays out our approach to First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation – three milestones of our young people’s lives that might look a little different than they did five years ago. The electronic version of The Sacraments at Saint Joseph is available here. Hard copies will be available in the parish office, the school office, and the gathering space. 

School Mass Sunday – February 23

Please join us Sunday, February 23 for the 9:00 Mass for School Mass Sunday.  We invite students to wear their school uniforms and find Father Luke, Mr. Rickbeil or Mrs. Lamusga for a ticket for a spirit wear pass (requires 2 tickets- 1 per mass) or a piece of candy.  If you would like to sign up to help on Sunday, February 23 or any future school Mass Sundays, please sign up at this Sign Up Genius.

St. Joseph's Catholic School Gala: March 1, 2025

The St. Joseph's Catholic School Gala is just THREE WEEKS away and the excitement is building!

We are thrilled to announce that Kenny McMahon (STJ '86) with special guest Ali Gray will be performing at our first annual Gala: After Hours event! This amazing duo is prolific on the local club scene with originals and covers sure to get you singing and dancing along! So make sure to come to Gala and then STAY for Gala: After Hours! 

Tickets are still available! Click here to register. Still on the fence about attending? Why not volunteer instead! Volunteering is a great way to experience Gala while also supporting our school. Click here to sign-up.

We're still looking for a few items for our Live Auction. Items like football tickets, vacation homes, Christmas light installations, and boating experiences are always very popular! Please contact the school office if you'd like to donate to the Live Auction.

We're also looking for a number of items for our Silent Auction. Click here to view the list of basket suggestions and to sign up! Donating a basket - both as an individual or as a group - is a great way to support Gala and our school.

Remember: The St. Joseph's Catholic School Gala is our BIGGEST fundraiser of the year, with proceeds going directly back into our community to help us retain staff, support our students, and make St. Joe's education affordable for ALL families. Thank you for your support!

DONATIONS & SPONSORSHIPS

Interested in donating a basket or event tickets for the Silent Auction? Please click here for a list of suggested items and to sign-up! Interested in donating something not on the sign-up? Please click here! Sponsorship opportunities are also available! Please click here for more information.

VOLUNTEERS

Volunteering at Gala is a wonderful way to support the event, while also getting a behind-the-scenes peek at all that goes into this special event. Please click here to learn more about available opportunities!

District Food Service

All of our students have their student ID badges from ISD 197.  Each student received one for their backpack as well as one they keep in the classroom.  On the ID badge is their student specific lunch ID.  While student lunches are free, having a milk with a home lunch is a charge.  If you have not already set up a lunch account for your student, please click here and use the student ID on the badge.  These accounts are set up through ISD 197’s My Payments Plus. 

St. Joseph’s School Art Show April 4-6 

We are very excited to announce our upcoming Art show April 4-6.  Please watch for more details in the coming weeks.  We are looking for volunteers to help with this great event!  Please click here to learn more.  

Middle School House Program Recently Featured in The Catholic Spirit
The Catholic Spirit recently ran a story on house programs in Catholic schools across the Archdiocese, including our program.  Several of our students are quoted, as well as Mr. Rickbeil and Ms. Carlson.  The article summarizes the vision of our program, including the formation and fun that our middle school students experience in our middle school.  A link to the article is available here.

Planning Ahead for the 2025-26 School Year

Attached here is a preview of the 2025-26 school year calendar, listing all days where we are off school.  The NCEA conference will be coming to Minneapolis in April of 2026, so schools across the Archdiocese will be closed the week following Easter as this annual convention for Catholic school teachers returns to Minneapolis for the first time in 16 years.  Additionally, we will have a Spring break a week earlier than normal to allow our teachers to enjoy some time away as well. 

Home & School Association

Our Home & School Association works hard to help us coordinate volunteers.  Below you will find 2 SUG to help coordinate volunteers for recess helpers and lunchroom helpers!  Thank you all so much for coordinating this for our school!

Recess Helper Sign up

LunchRoom Helper Sign Up

Yearbook Sales Now Open

Presales are now open for the St. Joseph’s School Yearbook Order Your Yearbook Today! - St. Joseph's School.

Middle School Youth Group

Calling all 6th – 8th graders!  St. Joseph Middle School Youth Group meets twice a month for ALIVE Nights – at time for games, fellowship, formation, and prayer.  Maybe you are wanting even more time with your friends after Alive Nights.  If so, stay for Mass at 5:30pm and dinner at 6pm!  Learn more about middle school youth group by clicking here!

Event Dates:

Wednesdays at 4pm

February 19

March 5 & 19

April 2 & 16

May 7 & 21

REVIVE

St. Joseph Church and School is once again hosting monthly Revive Nights for our entire community.  Revive is our way of participating in the Eucharistic Revival.  It includes adoration, music, prayer, and reflection.  Please click here to learn more about REVIVE!

Event Dates:

Wednesdays at 6:30pm

February 26

March 26

April 23

May 28

June 18

EMMAUS

The Handmaids of the Heart of Jesus will be hosting a monthly Emmaus event at St. Joseph.  It will include a time of recreation, a holy hour (with childcare), and a shared meal and you will still be home by bedtime!  Please mark the dates, invite others to come along and join us!

Event Dates:

Sundays from 3:00-6:00pm

March 16

May 18

SIPPING WITH THE SAINTS

Join us as we learn more about some saints and feast of the church and explore some beers, wines, and cocktails to enjoy in their honor.  Our aim is to bring the book Drinking with the Saints to life and to grow in fellowship.  Open to adults ages 21 & up.  Register by clicking here.

Event Dates:

Friday, February 21 – 6:30pm

Friday, April 25 - 6:30pm

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