Parent Newsletter 11/27/17

A Message from the Assistant Headmaster
 
Dear Parents,
 
A few years ago we established the Parent Liaison Group (PLG) as a means for improved communication between parents and the school's administration. The members of the PLG represent the broad diversity of our families including grade levels of students, large and small families, parishioners and non-parishioners, alumni and those new to Saint Agnes School, etc. Thus, the administration is able to consult a representative sample of families in regards to various matters, and all parents are able to contact members of the PLG to bring any concerns to the administration on their behalf.
 
In the last year, a few existing families from the PLG became engaged in the school in other ways, so we reached out to three new families to participate. I am happy to welcome Anthony and Nell Alt, Terrell and DeLariah Jones, and Chris and Denise Koontz to the PLG! They will serve alongside the existing members Mara Adams, Mark and Denise Kimlinger, and John and Julie Norris.
 
As we near the end of first semester of 2017-18, I am also happy to share some Academic Highlights from the Spring of 2017. Thank you to our Dean of Academics, Mr. Michael Adkins, for taking the time to compile the information below!
 
In Christ,
Mr. Karl Hendrickson
Assistant Headmaster
ALL SCHOOL NEWS
Aggie Academic Successes - Spring 2017 Highlights
A few noteworthy academic successes from last spring:
Class of 2017
-ACT average: 25.3  (MN state avg. is 21.5; National avg. is 20.8)
-Context: a score of "25" puts a student in the top 22% of students testing across the nation
-Over 60% scored higher than 25
-25% scored higher than 30
Current Grades 1-9 on Standford 10 (SAT10) Testing
-(From Spring 2017) Grades K-6 average number of students above the 50th percentile (which denotes average ability) overall on the SAT10 = 80% of students are above the 50th percentile. This is an impressive performance on an achievement test largely employed by private schools that are focused on academic achievement across the country. 
These numbers help to confirm our school's efforts in recent years to improve your student's experience and academic outcomes through the following:
-A supportive and hands-on administration (which now includes a K-6 Lower School Director), who model instructional leadership;
-The hire of excellent, mission-focused teachers;
-Providing teachers with first-rate curriculum and the necessary resources for success;
-Training for teachers on certain subjects and curriculum as necessary;
-A healthy, faith-filled, and caring school environment with consistent expectations of student behavior;
-A school environment supportive of academic rigor.
Thank you for choosing Saint Agnes School for your child or children! We are thankful to God that he continues to send us great students and great teachers!
Important December Dates
December 5 - Sophomore Retreat (Schuler Hall)
December 8 - 9:30am All School English Mass for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
December 11 - 1:00pm Jason Evert presents to 9-12 Grades
December 14 - 7:00pm - 6-12 Band Concert (Houle Auditorium)
December 17 - 4:30pm - 7-12 Choir Concert (Houle Auditorium)
December 18 - 6:30pm K-3 Choir Concert (Houle Auditorium)
December 20 -  7-12 Final Exams / 6:30pm 4-6 Choir Concert (Houle Auditorium)
December 21 - 7-12 Final Exams
December 22 - 7-12 Final Exams / Early Dismissal 11:30am with Junior High Game Day following early release (Bandas Gym) / No After School Care
December 25 - January 7 - Christmas Break. No School
Car Raffle
We have officially kicked off our all-school fundraiser with the Grand Prize being a 2017 Ford Explorer ($35,250 value). The earlier your students turn in their raffle tickets AND money, the more potential for winning the incentives. In fact this Wednesday, November 29th is a Special Giveaway for Aggie Spirit Wear for ALL students who turn in their quota of $100 and families who meet their requirement on Wednesday, November 29th. The spirit wear to be handed out on Thursday, November 30th. Please contact Tawnee Nasseff for more information.
Christmas Toys and Gifts
Generous friends have donated a variety of toys and gifts for Saint Agnes School families. If you could use a little help this Christmas season, please contact Mr. John Ernster to set up a time to shop. Also, the food pantry continues to be open weekly for school families. Both perishable and non-perishable items are available and we encourage you to contact Mr. Ernster to utilize this benefit at (612) 247-0456.
Lunchroom Volunteers Needed
We are in need of daily lunch volunteers in the cafeteria from 10:30AM to 1:30PM. Work once per week, once per month or whenever it fits into your schedule! If you are available during the school day and would like to join our lively, hard working crew, please contact Annette Beaudry at 651-925-8826. All volunteers will need to be up-to-date with the Essential Three Requirements. Learn more about these requirements here.
"Essential Three" Volunteer Requirements
The Archdiocese has mandated that all volunteers who have either regular or unsupervised interaction with minors or vulnerable adults complete the "Essential Three/E3" requirements prior to service. The E3 consists of VIRTUS Safe Environment Training, Background Check and Code of Conduct. These requirements must be renewed every three years. Please visit the parent volunteer page of the website for instructions on how to complete the re-credentialing process. Contact Annette Beaudry with any questions.
K-6 NEWS
Boys Youth Wrestling K-3 
All boys in grades K-3 are invited to give wrestling a try for a short two-week mini season after Thanksgiving.

Practices are from 3:15 -4:15PM at St. Bernard's Monday, Wednesday, Friday beginning November 27th and concluding with a mini tournament at on Saturday December 9th at St. Alphonsus. A bus to St. Bernard's is provided. Boys will need to be picked up there after practice.

Cost is $25 to cover t-shirts and awards. Boys should wear gym shoes (wrestling shoes not required), shorts or sweats, and t-shirt. 
Registration Link  (The mini-matmen link currently says K-2, but it is for K-3)
  
For more information contact Coach Dean Cummings by  e-mail  or phone  612-516-3326

These programs are offered for fun and as an introduction to a great sport. 
"It is just as natural for boys to wrestle as it is for fish to swim or birds to fly" (
from Ten Good Reasons Why Every Boy Should Wrestle).

7-12 NEWS
Upcoming Retreats 
Wednesday, November 29th - Freshman Retreat
The full-day Freshman Retreat will be held on campus and will focus on the theme of Love of Neighbor and Friendship. Students are to be in full uniform this day. As we will have some time for recreation, students are encouraged to bring a pair of tennis shoes as well. A light breakfast and lunch will be provided. Please contact Mrs. Kemp with any questions or with any special dietary needs for our meals.
 
Tuesday, December 5th - Sophomore NET Retreat
We will welcome NET Ministries to our school campus to lead this year's Sophomore Retreat.  The retreat will run the entirety of the school day. Students are to be in full uniform this day.  Lunch will be provided. Please contact Mrs. Kemp with any questions or with any special dietary needs for our meals.
Jason Evert Event (Grades 9-12)
After his cancellation last February, we are excited to welcome back Jason Evert to speak to our students in grades 9-12 this coming December 11th. Jason Evert is an internationally known Catholic speaker who specializes in talking with high school students about the virtue of chastity. He is the author of How to Find Your Soulmate without Losing Your Soul. Feel free to visit his website at  www.chastityproject.com  to learn more. 
Archbishop's Discernment Retreat
The Director of Vocations offers this annual retreat with talks by Archbishop Bernard Hebda. In addition to the talks given by the Archbishop, there will be times of prayer, an opportunity for the Rite of Reconciliation, times of recreation, and plenty of great food. The Archbishop's Discernment Retreat is for men who are seniors in high school to age 50 and are discerning priesthood. This retreat is a wonderful opportunity to gain clarity in your discernment process and to meet other men who desire to follow Christ and to know his will for their lives. Register online by December 13th at  www.10000vocations.org .

Retreat begins 6:30PM Friday, December 29th; Concludes 1PM Sunday, December 31st at Christ the King Retreat Center, Buffalo MN.
STAY CONNECTED
The Parent Newsletter is a weekly publication of Saint Agnes School.