St. Joseph Catholic School News

GRATEFUL - This week we were blessed to have Deacon Sroder stop in the K - 5 classrooms dressed as Saint Nicholas and share a story about the goodness of this man and how he helped those in need. Ask your child about the significance of the gold coins that were passed out in class.

Great news! St. Joe's will begin to offer full day PK next year along with the 1/2 day options. This helps us to meet the needs of more families and offer a terrific program filled with faith and learning for our youngest learners. Also, we will be offering summer childcare for our grade school students along with summer camps and activities. Watch for more information on these opportunities after the first of the year!

ONE QUESTION SURVEY - Please help us in our budgeting and enrollment process and let us know about children in your households who will be NEW to St. Joe's next year. Please complete one survey per family https://forms.gle/rn5P9p16ufysv32SA

We were so blessed to have Deacon Sroder visit the school to play Saint Nicholas on December 6th. Thank you for your time!

Thanks to the Home and School volunteers who assisted with the Christmas plant sale and to the families who purchased things from this fundraiser. Your support is appreciated.

What a wonderful concert for senior members of the parish community and grandparents. Thank you to Mrs. Bowe and the K - 2 students. We could not have done it without the parent volunteers who set up the Great Room for the event and those that donated cookies and juice boxes. We are grateful!

The participants for the PK Friday Fun Day - Winter Fun had a terrific time. Thank you to the families that registered and to our PK staff for putting on the wonderful program!

We appreciate the parents who attended the field trips this week with our 2nd graders to the Landing and to those who attended with the 4th graders to see "A Christmas Carol" at Cretin-Derham Hall.

We appreciated all of the teachers and staff who participated in the door decorating contest. The photos today are from the doors that are making the building festive!

Current school families with students in grades K – 7 will be automatically re-enrolled with the required annual family registration fee applied to family TADS accounts in February for the 2023-2024 school year. If you would like to have your re-enrollment held or if you have additional questions about enrollment for next school year, please contact Lisa Wrobel liwrobel@stjosephwsp.org or by calling 651-457-8550 by January 1st. Enrollment for new incoming families as well as Preschool will be opening very soon.

Please join us for the following concerts next week:

MS Vocal & Band concert on Tuesday, December 13 at 6:30 in the church.

K - 2 Vocal concert on Thursday, December 15 at 6:30 p.m. in the church.

Both concerts will be live streamed for those family members and friends who are unable to attend in person. Please use the parish live stream site to access the concerts.

We are excited to be offering our St. Joe’s swim team again this year. Swim Team sign up and information will go out next week to all school families. Swim team practice will begin in early January and will run through the end of March. Practices will be held typically on Sunday afternoons.

At this time we are in need of a Head Coach, Assistant Coach and several Lane Coaches. Please contact David Reyes dareyes@stjosephwsp.org and Matt Lasure matthew.lasure@gmail.com by Tuesday, December 13 to get more information! If you volunteer to coach, we wave your swim team student fee. Thank you!

Please share the posts from our social media accounts, especially those for upcoming events and information sessions. Tell others that they can also schedule an individual tour to learn more about the school.

We are looking for some testimonials from current families that we can pull out some quotes for social media and on our website. If you are willing to make a statement, please email it to Mrs. Vance. Your full name will not be used on the statement, just initials or that the quote comes from a certain grade level parent. Thank you for your consideration.

If you are loving what is happening at St. Joe's, please give us a great review on Google!

Please save the date of February 10, 2023 for the St. Joseph's Catholic School Gala at the Omni Viking Hotel in Eagan. This is our school's primary fundraising event each year for parents, grandparents, alumni, parishioners and friends... an extremely fun night celebrating our school and the gift of a Catholic education. Leading up to the event, we will be soon kicking off our annual School Raffle, which provides a practical opportunity for our students to support the school as well. This years prize will be cash! Winning raffle tickets are picked at the Gala. More details coming soon.

Students need to be in their classrooms by 8:40 a.m. Please try to have them dropped off by 8:35 to be certain they are on time. We do begin having students exit cars by 8:17, so the line can start moving earlier. Thank you!

Please register your child for the next after school art classes. Students have loved participating. in the program! Click the link below for the day and use the information for that day's flyer to register for the sessions.

Register your K - 8th grade child for Chess. The class teaches students at all levels of ability how to play chess or improve their game. Learn more by clicking the flyer below.

SCHOOL CALENDAR -

• Tuesday, December 13 - 6th - 8th Vocal & Band Concert in Church at 6:30 p.m.

• Wednesday, December 14 - Spirit Wear Day

• Thursday, December 15 - K - 2nd Concert in Church at 6:30 p.m.

• Tuesday, December 20 - Preschool Christmas Concert in Church at 6:30pm

• Wednesday, December 21 - Festive Sweater Day

• Wednesday, December 21 - School Rosary 9:00 a.m.

• Thursday, December 22 - Monday, January 2 - Christmas Break

• Tuesday, January 3 - No School for Students - Professional Development

• Wednesday, January 4 - School Resumes - Spirit Wear Day

• January 9 - 20 - Winter MAP Testing K - 8

CSCOE is proud to partner with Lundstrum Performing Arts to celebrate the gifts of our Catholic school students and nurture their talents.

Students in grades four through eight from all Catholic elementary schools in the State of Minnesota are invited to participate in Shine On! A Showcase of Catholic School Talent as performing and/or visual artists.

Shine On! Fast Facts

1. Students will submit video auditions and photos of artwork via an online portal.
   

2. Finalists in Shine On! receive professional coaching from our partner, Lundstrum Performing Arts.
   

3. Did you know there is an opening and closing ensemble?! All entries are encouraged to join. Entries can also opt to only participate in the ensemble.
   

4. Monetary prizes are awarded for both winners and schools!

IMPORTANT DATES

Performing Arts Submission Window - NOW OPEN!
November 13 - December 11, 2022

Visual Arts Submission Window
January 1 - 31, 2023

Shine On! Showcase
March 12, 2023 | 3:30 - 5:00 pm
Visitation School, Mendota Heights

REGISTRATION INFORMATION to register and upload their entry.

Performing Arts Registration @shineontalent.org

Visual Arts Registration @shineontalent.org

Learn more at shineontalent.org to submit their pieces. This has all the information YOU will need as a participant.

ST. GIANNA MOM’S GROUP

Wednesdays I 9:00am

Fridays I 10:00am (Following the School Mass )

Bride’s Room/Nursery

For news and updates be sure to follow our Facebook Group:

“St. Gianna Mom's Group of the Church of St. Joseph”

ALL WOMEN ARE INVITED

ADVENT MORNING OF REFLECTION

Saturday, December 17 I 8:30-11:00am

Msgr. Foran Great Room

8:00am Mass (optional) followed by a lovely brunch, friendship and reflection by Dr. Erika Kidd, professor at University of St. Thomas, Catholic Studies Program.

Cost is $10. Register online at churchofstjoseph.org.

Bring a sister, mom or friend for a morning of refreshment and friendship as we prepare for the holy season of Christmas.

St. Joseph's Catholic School educates students through faith formation, academic excellence and the development of virtue to be disciples of Christ.

Email: office@stjosephwsp.org
Website: https://www.stjosephwsp.org
Location: 1138 Seminole Avenue, West. St. Paul, MN 55118
Phone: 651-457-8550
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StJoeSchoolWSP

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