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 From the Principal's Desk
We began the first week of Advent as a school with one candle lit in the school gym - the candle of hope. Hope, a desire for something with the expectation to receive it. As I listened to students throughout the week, I became very aware of the fact that children naturally hope in a variety of ways.
In the morning car line one preschooler hoped for snow so that we can play in it, while an older student hoped for snow so we would not have school!
As I passed a child in the hall she declared, "Mrs. Maxwell, I really hope you eat lunch with my table today."
In the middle school last week 6
th
graders were hoping for good grades on their math test.
The 7
th
graders hoped that their school mass would go smoothly.
Hopes for specific Christmas toys are being discussed in the 3
rd
through 5
th
grade hall.
By 5th grade, I can see that our children's hope has truly transformed into eternal thinking. They hope in Christ's coming and being united with him in heaven. Their hope has traveled from their head into their soul. They possess the virtue of hope, they hope for Divine union and eternal happiness.
Hopes, desires and dreams bring optimism in our lives. Hoping brings us above the line.
At St. Michael, beginning with preschool, your children learn about and practice the virtue of hope. They gather together as a class each morning and pray for others. Prayers for grandpa's chemo treatments and for babies in my mommy's tummy are said daily. Prayers for their absent classmates health, for others to know Jesus, and for those that sleep on the streets can be heard throughout the school.
What are you and your family hoping for this advent?
Blessings,
Laurie Maxwell
Principal
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High Honor Roll
Congratulations to the following 7th and 8th grade students who received High Honors Awards for 1st Quarter. To receive high honors a student must have a GPA of 3.8 or better for the quarter.
High Honors (3.8-4.0)
Grade 8:
Laura Breyen, Benjamin Burke, Rachel Cirillo, Nicholas Dekker, Ashley Giles, Colin Glynn, Thomas Guyer, Emily Johnson, Audrey Klein, Jennifer Kramer, Abigail Kuboushek, Kristen Langdon, Sophie Larson, Sophia Lewis, Grace Mahowald, Ella Martell, Samantha Meyer, Margaret Muelken, Kathryn Nollette, Lydia Pavek, Alexandra Pellicci, Alec Preslicka, Rachel Schriever, George Sher, Jackson Stephany, Tatum Tande, Shannon Wallskog
Grade 7:
Jackson Drews, Cole Edwards, Evelyn Edwards, Michael Gabbard, Michael Heimel, Kyle Johnson, Thomas Keller, Sarah Krouse, Jordan Lemanski, Grace Meyer, Emily Thielen, Bella Valentine
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Celebrate Sister Melissa!
Veronica Wolfe, St. Mike's graduate and Prior Lake High School Girls Hockey Player, is honoring Sr. Melissa as part of their Teacher Appreciation game.
Let's fill the stands with Blues and cheer on Sr. Melissa!
Tuesday, December 6
Dakotah Ice Arena
Immediately after the 5:00 p.m. JV game
(approximately 6:15 p.m.)
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Staffing Update
It is with both joy and sadness that I announce Maggie Stack's departure from St. Michael after almost 2 years of service. Maggie will be leaving us for another wonderful work opportunity. Her talented communication skills have created a common voice and style for our weekly emails and marketing material. Maggie, along with our marketing team, has created a open house format that is warm, welcoming and informative.
Maggie looks forward to continuing to volunteer as part of the Marketing Committee and other events throughout the school year.
Thank you Maggie for your warm smile, weekly meetings, passion and dedication to St. Michael Catholic School. You will be missed.
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Families Moving Forward
As a school community we will be working with the Families Moving Forward Committee to help end homelessness one family at a time. St. Michael will be hosting families over Christmas at the Franciscan Retreat Center. They are in need of volunteers to help entertain the children and bring meals to the Retreat Center. This is a perfect opportunities for families to spend time with those in need. Children should be 5th grade or older. The specific times are:
Sunday, December 18: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. host/activities (3 hour shifts)
11:00 a.m.: Bring brunch for the families
5:00 p.m.: Bring dinner for the families
Friday, December 23: 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.: activities with the families
Saturday, December 24: 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.: host/activities (3 hour shifts)
11:00 a.m.: Bring brunch for the families
5:00 p.m.: Bring dinner for the families
Saturday, December 24: 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.: host/activities (3 hour shifts)
11:00 a.m.: Bring brunch for the families
5:00 p.m.: Bring dinner for the families
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Diaper/Baby Items Drive
Ends Friday, December 16
St. Michael Catholic School's Respect Life Group is hosting a diaper and baby items drive. Our group will be stuffing diaper bags with all items collected for the Shakopee Community Assistance. There will be drop off locations in both the elementary and middle school.
What to bring: Diapers (the biggest needs is sizes 4-6) and any new baby items including toys, rattles, bath soap, books, or clothes.
Any donation is greatly appreciated!
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Food Drive and Fresh Thyme
Please join us at a Christmas Food Drive!
On Sunday, December 11, St. Mike's students will be collecting food at the Savage Fresh Thyme to donate to the CAP Agency.
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The Toy Corner Box is Back!
For the month of December, the Toy Corner donation box is back! The Toy Corner is in need of new and gently used toys, books, games and stuffed animals for families in need.
The Toy Corner supports families that live in Prior Lake, Savage and Shakopee, and have children aged 0-16.
The Toy Corner is a private 501 c 3 non-profit organization and contribution receipts are available in the school office. Also, if you know of a family that is struggling to provide gifts for their family this holiday season, and they live in Prior Lake, Savage, or Shakopee, please have them call The Toy Corner to make an appointment. The number is 952-230-6356.
"A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices. For yonder breaks, a new and glorious morn."
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Mad Science Returns in January!
Grades 1 - 5
Tuesday After School Program
Start your chemistry career off right with Mad Science's Crazy Chemworks. You'll explore the chemistry of everyday life through spectacular hands-on activities with real lab equipment. You will learn how to work in a lab, operate different lab equipment, tell the difference between acids and bases, identify chemical reactions, observe chemistry that happens in the blink of an eye, and bond molecules together in ooeygooey slime. You'll also explore the micro-world of molecular chemistry and delve into the secrets of hydrogen bonding. At the end of each class, you'll add to your own lab by taking home a Graduated Cylinder, pH Paper, Action Flask, set of Atomic Coins, Professor Beakerdude, and a batch of Mad Science Slime, created by you!
Register here.
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Statements will be mailed the first week of December to all families that purchase Scrip and have a balance. We are at the halfway point for purchasing scrip so you should have purchased $1800 worth of scrip at this point to stay on target. If you have purchased less than $500 by the end of November, you will be switched to the $200 Payment Plan and will be billed through Educate. If you have already purchased $3,600 worth of scrip, you have fulfilled your obligation and will not receive a statement in order to save money on postage.
Scrip sells quickly during the holiday season so plan ahead. The deadline to place SCRIP special orders is
9:00 a.m. on
MONDAY, DECEMBER 12 for pick up beginning on
DECEMBER 16. All SCRIP SPECIAL ORDERS WILL NEED TO BE PICKED UP BY
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21 if the gift cards are needed before Christmas.
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AprilFest Kids Tent: AprilFest is St. Michael Catholic Church's Community Event. It is held the last full weekend in April. It is filled ith great food, music, fun, and fellowship. The Committee has started planning and is in need of a person or persons to manage the Kids Tent. The Kids Tent is filled with games and entertainment for our youth. Please contact Lauren Peters if you are interested or have questions. He can be reached at 612-751-9620 or
lauren.peters@mchsi.com.
Milk Moola Coordinator:
This is an easy at-home project you can do for our school.
Milk Moola®, brought to you by Kwik Trip stores is one of the easiest fundraising programs we have. Our organization earns 5¢ for every cap or bag top collected from Kwik Trip Nature's Touch® products. There is no limit to the amount of cash you can earn and you can use it for school trips, new books, or playground equipment, the possibilities are endless.
Please contact the school office if interested at 952-447-2124.
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Upcoming Events
| December 2 |
6:30 p.m. |
First Reconciliation |
| December 8 |
8:00 a.m. |
School Mass: Feast of the Immaculate Conception |
| December 13 |
12:30 p.m. |
Christmas Program Rehearsal (Preschool - 6th Grade) |
| December 13 |
6:30 p.m. |
Christmas Program (Preschool - 6th Grade) |
| December 19 |
12:30 p.m. |
Band Christmas Concert Rehearsal |
| December 19 |
6:00 p.m. |
Band Christmas Concert |
| December 21 |
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Christmas Party (Preschool - 5th Grade) |
| December 22 - January 2 |
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NO SCHOOL: Christmas Break |
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You can view the entire school calendar
here.
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