March 10, 2017
                                                                                                           
From the Office of the Principal
Greetings,

We had our first round of Kindergarten Round Up today. We had a balanced turnout at each session and are hopeful for a great turnout at our last session  on Tuesday night. That will run from  6pm-7:30pm.

A reminder that  Tuesday night,  March 14th is our Open House as well which runs from  5:30pm-7:30pm. This is an event for all current families and new families interested in Loyola. We'll have breakout sessions for all levels including separate breakouts for our Preschool and Prekindergarten classes at  6:15pm . 
 If you haven't had a chance to c heck out some of our award winning science  fair projects yet they will be on display  Tuesday  evening. D on't forget to stay and watch our choir (grades 5-12) perform after the Open House in the Chapel. The performance will start at  7:30pm . I hope to see you there and thank you for your support of Loyola Catholic School!

Blessings,

Adam Bemmels

   
All School News


TWO HOUR LATE START
The next two-hour late start is next Tuesday, March 14.  School begins at 10:00 A.M. and busing is available.  If you need childcare prior to 9:30 A.M., please email secretary@loyolacatholicschool.org
by Monday, March 13, at 3:00 P.M.  Thank you. 
 
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
There will be NO School on Monday, March 20, AND Monday, March 27. 

SPRING CONFERENCES 
Monday,  March 27:
K-5  are  12 - 7:30pm click here to sign up
6, 7, 8 are  4-8pm in the Lower Campus gym
High School is by appointment
9-12 by appointment. Please email teachers to set up appointments. 

LOYOLA'S LENTEN OUTREACH
We will be collecting money to help with building a home for families in need in San Lucas, Guatemala. The cost to build a home is $1150, which will provide lumber, a cement floor and a tin roof.
How can you help? ★ Tithe and donate 10% of your allowance, money you receive as a gift, or earnings during Lent... ★ Skip a snack or a soda once or twice a week and contribute the value... ★ Do special errands or jobs at home to earn a contribution... ★ Skip the purchase of something you really don't need and donate the price... ★ Commit to making a donation each week during Lent... Donation bins are located in each classroom (PS-5) and in your Theology class for (6-12) Last day to donate will be April 14, 2017.

RE-ENROLLMENT FOR 2017/18 
Enrollment information for the 2017-18 school year is now available.

For 2017-18 Tuition information, click  here 

To access the online re-enrollment form for 2017-18, click here 
https://loyolacatholicschool.schoolforms.org

For instructions on how to complete the online 
re-enrollment process, click   here 

If you would like to request tuition assistance, click here:   https://smartaidforparents.com

RE-ENROLLMENT NIGHTS
If you would like help with the re-enrollment process, assistance will be available during conference times:
 
Monday, March 27,  12-7:30pm, Upper Campus 
Monday, March 27,  4-8pm, Lower Campus

Help will also be available on the night of the Open House, Tuesday, March 14, 5:30-7:30pm. 

 Please remember that the Advanced Registration deadline is Friday, March 31. Have your students fully re-enrolled in Ed Edge and Smart Tuition by then to receive a $200 per student tuition credit. 

Please call the school if you have questions: 
507-388-0600.

DISRUPTION WEEK/WEEK WITHOUT WALLS
Many of you have seen the term "disruption week" on the school calendar for March 21-24. This was noted because many of the high school students will be gone on the band and choir trip that week.  It was also intended as a good time to schedule family vacation or college visits. It was thought that this would be a great opportunity to provide our secondary students with learning experiences that they may not typically get in their everyday classrooms- family consumer sciences, mechanics, building, science research projects, business experiences, etc. The week's special activities/expectations are geared toward our high school students, however as we get closer to the week, we will make final plans and share with parents. To read the detailed email that was sent to high school families, click here.

A MESSAGE FROM OUR PARISHES:
Pasta with the Padres, a dinner and silent auction to benefit ECHO Food Shelf and sponsored by the four Mankato area Catholic churches, will be held on Sunday, March 19th at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Grant and Sherman Avenues, North Mankato. Serving will be from 4-7 pm. Priests from the Mankato / North Mankato parishes will be there to help. Joe Kunzel and BullyPulpit will provide entertainment. A free will offering will be taken. Come and have a delicious meal and support ECHO Food Shelf at the same time!

#TESTIMONIAL TUESDAY
A while back we sent a survey to current students, parents, and alumni asking for their thoughts about Loyola. We've compiled their comments and will be sharing them in a series called  #TestimonialTuesday on Facebook, and we'll share them here as well.
 

OPEN HOUSE, PRESCHOOL-GRADE 12



Open House:  March 14, 5:30-7:30pm. Please spread the word to family and friends! Current families are welcome! Come and find out what to expect in your child's grade next year!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

We are looking for volunteers to help with our Open House on March 14! Click here if you are able to help.


KINDERGARTEN ROUND UP


Kindergarten Round up Session 3: Tuesday, March 14, 6-7:30pm. Please spread the word to your family and friends who may be interested in Loyola!

VIRTUS TRAINING
If you need to complete another Virtus session there are four scheduled in the near future.  They are:  Saturday, March 11, 9:00 A.M. and Wednesday, March 22, at 6:00 P.M.   All sessions will be held on the Upper Campus of Loyola Catholic School. 
(A person needs to attend another VIRTUS session if you had training prior to 2016 or if you have never attended a VIRTUS session before.) Please pre-register by going to:  virtus.org.  Please call or email secretary@loyolacatholicschool.org
  or 388-0600 with questions.  


LUCKY 20 RAFFLE IS HERE!

Lucky 20 proxy tickets are in the mail. Watch for them over the next few days. This is the only raffle Loyola is participating in this year!  Thank you for your help and support!

 
GOLF CLASSIC






Save the Date: Monday, May 15, 2017, Mankato Golf Club
Four-person scramble golf event friendly enough for the weekend golfer but challenging enough for the competitive player!  Registration information coming soon!

HOME & SCHOOL ASSOCIATION NEWS
Next meeting: April 4, 6:30pm, Upper Campus
Stay connected to Loyola's Home & School Parent Association in a way that works best for YOU:
Check out our link on the Loyola website    Join our Facebook Group   Click  here  to JOIN our  email list.
Activities News
SPRING SPORTS PARENT MEETINGS
Wednesday, March 15
  5:30PM-  Baseball
6:30PM-  Golf

CONCERT CHOIR
Congratulations to the members of the Loyola Concert Choir, who received 3 superior scores in the highest category possible at the MSHSL Contest at USC on Monday.
The Concert Choir, along with the 5-8th grade choirs will perform their spring concert on Tuesday, March 14 at 7:30pm in the Upper Campus Chapel. All are welcome! 


GIRLS BASKETBALL
The Girls basketball banquet is at 6:30pm,   Wednesday, March 15 in the Upper Campus cafeteria.

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL COACH 
Loyola is seeking a varsity volleyball coach starting with the 2017/18 school year. For more information, click here


UPCOMING GAMES/ACTIVITIES- CLICK HERE
In this newsletter
Elementary School News
Intermediate School News
Secondary School News
Quick References
ATTENDANCE LINE:
507-386-5312
Preschool News
PRESCHOOL OPTIONS 2017/18
Registration is now open for preschool.

 *2 day morning 3 year olds:
Tuesday, Thursday: 8am-11am
*3 day morning 3 & 4 year olds:
 Monday, Wednesday, Friday:  8am-11am
*5 day morning 4 & 5 year olds:
 Monday-Friday:  8am-11am
 *5 day afternoon 4 & 5 year olds:
 Monday-Friday:  12pm-3pm
 *5 day Pre-K  4 & 5 year olds:
 Monday-Friday:  8am-2:55pm

For 2017-18 Tuition information, click  here 
To access the online re-enrollment form, click here  https://loyolacatholicschool.schoolforms.org
For instructions on how to complete the online 
re-enrollment process, click  here 
If you would like to request tuition assistance, click here:  https://smartaidforparents.com
Elementary News
4TH GRADE  VISIT TO LOWER CAMPUS
Loyola 4th graders spent part of their day with our 5th-grade teachers and students, helping to prepare them for the transition to 5th grade. The day included meeting 5th-grade teachers, student-led tours and group projects.


CLUBHOUSE
Kindergarteners and 1st graders worked together to make their afternoon snack this week!

 
YEARBOOK COVER CONTEST
Each year elementary has a contest for the cover of the elementary yearbook (PS-4 grades). This year's theme is #LoyolaProud. All contest entries are due in the main office by  Wednesday, March 29th. Click  here for more info!

K-5 CONFERENCES
Conferences for kindergarten through grade 5 will be held on Monday, March 27. Click here to reserve a time.

6-8  Conferences are open in the gym from  4-8 pm
9-12  Conferences are appointment only

SCIENCE ON SATURDAY
The science departments at Gustavus Adolphus College are pleased to invite 1 st  - 6 th  grade students to Science on Saturday,  on  March 18th, 2017  from  8:00am to noon  in the Nobel Hall of Science on the Gustavus campus. Students will have the opportunity to observe and participate in science demonstrations and experiments led by Gustavus students from the Chemistry, Physics, Geology, Geography, Botany, Neuroscience, and Biology Clubs.  Parents are welcome to stay for the event. Click  here  for more information.

3-5th GRADE SCIENCE FAIR
The Elementary Science Fair for grades 3-5 will be here before we know it.  The Regional Science Fair is Saturday April 29 at MSU, and we would love to have many Loyola students participating. Here are some dates to be aware of:
  • Thursday, March 16-Elementary Project Approval Form due at school. The research plan is an outline of the project the student plans to complete. This form is to be completed before actual experimentation begins and may be turned in at any time up to the deadline. Students who do projects involving vertebrates or human test subjects may have additional forms to complete.
  • Friday, March 31- on-line Registration, fee and T-shirt orders due
Click  here for a copy of the information for the fair. If you have any questions please contact Mrs. Mack, Mrs. Sizer, or Ms. Ruehle.
Intermediate News
5th GRADE SPRING CONFERENCES
Monday, 3/27, 12-7:30pm Click here to sign up

6-8 GRADE CONFERENCES
Monday, March 27, come and go format, 4-8pm
Lower Campus gym.

UPCOMING CHOIR CONCERT - The Grades 5-12 Choral Concert will be held on Tuesday, March 14, at 7:30 P.M. in the Chapel on the Upper Campus (immediately following the Open House).   Grades 5-8 choir members are asked to be there at 6:45 P.M. to rehearse.  Students should wear black pants or a skirt and a white blouse or a shirt. The 7/8 Choir may wear a black or white shirt.

LOWER CAMPUS YEARBOOK
We are now taking online orders for yearbooks. If you would like to order online, please go to:  www.loyolacatholicyearbook.com . There will be order forms coming home with your student in the next week or so. Deadline to order will be  March 31 !  Yearbooks are $15 and will be delivered before the end of the school year. 

Photos Needed!
The Yearbook staff is on the lookout for pictures that have been taken this year at various events. If you have any photos that were taken at school, sporting events, school activities, concerts, etc., please send them to Mrs. Stahl  astahl@loyolacatholicschool.org or add them to our Dropbox site  Thank you!  

SCOLIOSIS SCREENING will be held Thursday, March 30, for students in Grades 6-8.  Please see this letter from the District School Nurse, Jan Derksen-Roth.  If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Martinka at rmartinka@loyolacatholicschool.org.  

6TH/7TH GRADE RETREAT TO WOLF RIDGE
Loyola 6/7th graders will be going  to Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center in Finland, MN. This is an excellent opportunity for our students to grow closer together and have a unique experience. This will also help the students to build cohesion, experience team building, and sharpen leadership skills. The dates of the retreat are Wednesday April 19th, Thursday April 20th, and Friday April 21st. The cost of the retreat will be covered by Loyola; there is no additional cost for families. All 6th/7th grade parents should have received an informational email. Details can be found  here
PLEASE NOTE : If medication is needed for morning, or night time for your student, a medication "envelope" or "envelopes" can either be picked up from the Lower Campus office or can be sent home with your student.  The medication envelope asks for the name of the student, the name of the medication and dosage, and the date and time to be given.  This includes both prescription and non-prescription medication.   An envelope must be filled out for each medication and dosage time; i.e. if a medication is given both morning and evening, then two envelopes are needed. The medication consent form would also need to be filled out for both prescription and non-prescription medications.  Please return the envelopes with medication to the office by Thursday, April 13.  Please contact the Lower Campus office ( rmartinka@loyolacatholicschool.org ) with any medical concerns for your student.

SUMMER SOLUTIONS
workbooks are now available for order for Grades K - 8 in Common Core Math, Common Core English and other help workbooks for your student for $14.99 each.  They are ordered directly, paid for and shipped from Simple Solutions.  Help your child stay one step ahead this summer.  Click  here for the flyer.

3-5th GRADE SCIENCE FAIR
The Elementary Science Fair for grades 3-5 will be here before we know it.  The Regional Science Fair is Saturday April 29 at MSU, and we would love to have many Loyola students participating. Here are some dates to be aware of:
  • Thursday, March 16-Elementary Project Approval Form due at school. The research plan is an outline of the project the student plans to complete. This form is to be completed before actual experimentation begins and may be turned in at any time up to the deadline. Students who do projects involving vertebrates or human test subjects may have additional forms to complete.
  • Friday, March 31- on-line Registration, fee and T-shirt orders due
Click  here for a copy of the information for the fair.  If you have any questions please contact Mrs. Mack, Mrs. Sizer, or Ms. Ruehle.

EXPLORSCHOOL
ExplorSchool is a full-day, two-week summer experience for rising 5th, 6th and 7th graders who are looking for a summer challenge. This is your chance to dive into your favorite topics - from acting to chemistry, mock trial to robotics, environmental studies to studio art. Click here for info.

MINNESOTA INSTITUTE FOR TALENTED YOUTH
Experience the perfect mix of academic challenge and summer fun. At MITY, you will have the opportunity to experience life on a college campus and challenge yourself academically with MITY's two-week summer program, EYM (Expand Your Mind.) EYM students are rising 8th graders, freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors. Click here for info.
MINNESOTA SCRUBS CAMP
Students in grades 5-12 who have an interest in a health profession may find Minnesota Scrubs Camp an excellent opportunity to learn more about these careers.  The dates, ages and cost of the camps vary depending on the location Assistance for students with a financial need may be available.  Scholarship applications are on the registration website. Remember, this camp fills up fast!  Register  here
Questions?  Contact Stephanie at:  stephanie.zojonc@mnsu.edu
Secondary News
SPRING CONFERENCES
Spring conferences for 9-12 grades are by appointment. Please email teachers to set up an appointment. 

TIP TOP TUX FOR PROM/KEY CLUB FUNDRAISER

Loyola Key Club is having a fundraiser through Tip Top Tux.   Just in TIME FOR PROM!
This is a $50 coupon for a tux rental at Tip Top Tux. If you bring in the coupon or show the coupon on your phone to Tip Top Tux $10 will be donated to Loyola Key Club.  Great way to save and donate! Click here for the coupon.

OPEN CAMPUS FOR SENIORS
Open Campus begins March 28, 2017. Return this signed form by Friday, March 17, 2017.
Open Campus is available to seniors only. Open Campus applies to lunch hours, study halls, and advisory blocks (does not apply to TA responsibilities and Independent classes).  
Juniors:  Camp College will be offered at Bethany on July 10-11th.  The purpose is to help students with the college application process.  Students who are first generation college students, students from low income areas, and rural students will be given first priority; however, any junior interested can apply.  They have workshops on financial aid and scholarships, college essay writing, and info on the admissions process in addition to other college topics.  This camp is free!  Our Megan Hillesheim attended last year and loved it! Application due date is March 15th.  For more information, go to

Juniors:  Zap the ACT will be offered one more time this spring.  It will be on Saturday, March 18th at East HS.  To sign up, call 387-5501 or register at www.mankatocer.com

Juniors:  Monday, March 20th, also possibly April 14th (Good Friday), or Ap ril 17th (Monday),  are the last 3 weekdays that we don't have school and college students probably will be on campus, so they would be good days for college visits.  You want to get your visits in when students are around campus.  Ideally, you want to get visiting in by the end of April and apply to colleges late summer or early fall to set yourself up so that your senior year will focus on scholarships and financial aid.  

Juniors and Sophomores:  Minnesota Business Venture, held at St. Cloud State July 9-14 or St. John's campus July 23-28,  is an outstanding week long summer camp for the excellent price of $150 (if registered by April 19th.) It is a leadership camp for any student, and an especially excellent networking experience for anyone interested in business for their future.  Our Colton Corcoran attended last summer and had many good things to say about it. Check it out at www.bestprep.org   Scholarship help is available.

Juniors, Sophomores, and Freshmen:  Minnesota Institute for Talented Youth (MITY), held at Macalester's campus in St. Paul, offers over 30 classes this summer during the weeks of June19-30 or July 10-21.Go to www.mity.org  for more information and application forms. Financial aid is available.

Seniors: Mark your calendars: Diocese of Winona High School Baccalaureate Mass
Wednesday, April 26
11am Mass with Bishop Quinn followed by lunch
Queen of Angels Church, Austin, MN
More details will be sent in a mailed invitation from the Diocese. 

STEM SUMMER CAMPS FOR GIRLS
Click here for information on the Minnesota Center for Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence options for STEM camps for girls, grades 6-8 and 9-12.

Grades 9-12:  Scrubs Camp registration begins Sunday, Jan. 15.  The dates for Mankato's Scrubs Camp is June 19-21, 2017.  Cost is $150.  Students on free and reduced lunch can apply for a scholarship with the program, and other Loyola students who have a financial need can speak with Mrs. Arians.  Remember, this camp fills up fast!  Our students who have an interest in the medical/health science field have found this to be an excellent experience to expand their knowledge of the field.  Students can use this experience as a job shadow if they want.  Here is the link to the registration:   http://www.healthforceminnesota.org/scrubs-camp-scholarship-info/

Grades 9-12:  The Career Center keeps a file of the summer opportunities that are sent to us.  Please contact Mrs. Arians if you have an interest in looking at that file.

Important Dates


3/11 9am VIRTUS Training,  Upper Campus

3/14 2 hour late start

3/14 5:30-7:30pm Preschool-grade 12 Open House, Upper Campus

3/14 6-7:30pm Session 3 Kindergarten Round up

3/14  7:30pm Grades 5-12 Choir Concert, Upper Campus Chapel

3/19 9pm Scrip order due

3/20 No School

3/21-24 Week Without Walls (high school)

3/22 6pm VIRTUS Training, Upper Campus

3/27 No School