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Parent Newsletter: 5/01/17
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Attendance Hotline: (651) 925-8777
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A Message from the Headmaster
Dear parents and friends,
I am excited to introduce Mrs. Emily Minton as our new Director of the Lower School effective July 1, 2017. Mrs. Minton is finishing up her second year at Saint Agnes School, and she has quickly garnered the respect of students, teachers, parents, and administrators alike. She will have responsibility for the operations of the lower school (Kindergarten through Grade 6), in addition to working to establish a Pre-Kindergarten program, overseeing before/after school programs, overseeing curriculum mapping, and supervising grade school teachers.
Mrs. Minton received a Presidential Scholarship to attend St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree that specialized in elementary and special education. Then she pursued a Master of Science Degree in Education (with a reading specialist certification) from St. Joseph's University immediately following her Bachelor's degree, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. She has received a Teacher Education award and a Reading Specialist award.
We are excited to welcome her to our administrative team.
In her own words, Mrs. Minton's "personal philosophy of education accentuates the Saint Agnes School mission and vision." In addition, she possesses a "deep passion for Catholic education. Faith, reason, and truth are perpetually intertwined and must remain a steadfast part of elementary education to allow children to grow as disciples of Christ." She is excited to do her best to make Saint Agnes's Lower School the best possible place it can be!
Blessings to you,
Kevin Ferdinandt
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Headmaster's Update
Opening Weekend of the Musical
The first weekend of the musical in our new Helene Houle Auditorium was a smashing success! On opening night, we recognized Ms. Houle with a bouquet of flowers for the inaugural production, and after receiving the flowers, she spoke into the microphone, saying, "My accountant said that this is the best money I've ever spent. I happen to agree with him!" A special thanks to all the student players, to the parents for all their hard volunteer work in making it happen, and to Mr. Johnson and his crew for pulling off a great show. Several people I spoke with alluded to the quality by calling it a "professional production!" Many of them remarked that they never expected to see this caliber of production from students! Kudos to the Saint Agnes community.
It's National Teacher Appreciation Week
This week is National Teacher Appreciation Week.
Thank you to all of our teachers for their work day-in and day-out for our students. Teacher Appreciation Day is Tuesday, so feel free to send a note or message to a faculty member.
Three Students Selected for '17-'18 All State Band & Choir
We have had three students named to the All State Band and Choir. Junior Margaret Blackstone (French Horn) was named to the All State Band, and Junior Sarah Tarnowski (Alto II) and sophomore James Eilen (Tenor I) were selected to play and sing at Orchestra Hall next February for the Minnesota Music Educators Association (MMEA) state convention. Congratulations to Margaret, Sarah, and James for their extraordinary achievement!
Saint Agnes Summer Series Camps & Classes
If you have not yet signed your children (or yourself) up for our wonderful spate of Summer Series offerings, please make sure that you do so in the next two weeks. We still have limited space available in a number of different offerings, but do not wait.
See what's happening this summer.
Schools Addressing Netflix Series
In case you have not yet heard, Netflix released a new series entitled "13 Reasons Why," which was released a month or so ago and has gained significant viewership among middle and high school students across the country. Although we have heard only bits and pieces from our students, we wanted you to be aware that it has a TV-MA rating, and some people reported that it "glamorizes suicide."
Feel free to take a look at this news report for a bit more information.
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Saint Agnes School Philosophy of Education
Without parents, who entrust us with their children, our school would not exist. Nor could we function without parents who are supportive of our mission and very actively involved in the lives of their children. Thus, it is important that Saint Agnes School and its families share the same expectations for the role of parents in our joint mission of forming the hearts and minds of our children. Father's commentary is in red as we continue with Appendix A by looking at the role of parents as stakeholders.
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AP Exams Begin Today, 5/1
Monday, May 1, 8:00 AM - AP Chemistry
Tuesday, May 2, 8:00 AM - AP Spanish Language & Culture
Tuesday, May 2, 12:00 PM - AP Physics I: Algebra-based
Wednesday, May 3, 8:00 AM - AP English Literature & Composition (Grade 12)
Friday, May 5, 8:00 AM - AP US History
Monday, May 8, 8:00 AM - AP Biology
Tuesday, May 9, 8:00 AM - AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC
Wednesday, May 10, 8:00 AM - AP English Language & Composition (Grade 11)
Wednesday, May 10, 12:00 PM - AP Macroeconomics
Friday, May 12,
8:00 AM - AP Microeconomics
Friday, May 12, 1
2:00 PM - AP European History
Friday, May 12,
12:00 PM - AP Latin
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An Hour of Prayer for Catholic High Schools, Tomorrow, 5/2
You are invited to an hour of prayer for Catholic High School leaders and teachers, that they may continue to grow abundantly in every aspect of the Catholic faith. All are welcome for Prayer, Adoration & Benediction tomorrow, Tuesday, May 2, from 7:00 to 8:00 PM at
St. John the Baptist Church in New Brighton. No registration required. Refreshments following.
This event is sponsored by Campus Fidei, a Twin Cities parents group whose mission is "to work together to strengthen and support Catholic High School education that is faithful to all of the teachings of the Catholic Church."
Visit their website to learn more about the organization, or visit the Facebook event page.
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Sign Up for Engineering Day by This Fri., 5/5
The School of Engineering at the University of St. Thomas
is issuing a special invitation to our students for "Explore Engineering Day" on June 6, 2017. This day is planned specifically for any Aggie interested in learning more about a career in engineering. Students will experience a college engineering facility and program first hand. Several recent graduates
and some of our current seniors have chosen to attend the UST School of Engineering. This will be a hands-on day that includes projects selected from six fields of engineering study and presentations by UST professors. There is NO COST to attend and the day includes lunch and a campus tour. The day begins at 8:00 AM on the University of St. Thomas campus and ends with pickup at about 1:00 PM. There is limited space so register by this Wednesday, May 5! Learn more or sign up with Mr. David Crompton:
dcrompton@saintagnesschool.org
or (651) 470-4996.
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K-8 Field Day is Friday, 5/26! T-Shirt Orders due 5/10!
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'17 Field Day T-Shirt Design |
Field Day is here! Here is the summary of K-8 Field Day, scheduled for Friday, May 26, at West Minnehaha Playground:
When:
9:30 AM - 1:45 PM, Friday, May 26
Where:
West Minnehaha Playground
T-Shirt Orders Due: Wednesday, May 10
Permission Slip Due:
Monday, May 15
Lunch:
Bring bag lunch -or- order school lunch
Travel:
Students will be bused or walk
Attire:
Modest, weather appropriate play clothes*
* Socks and tennis shoes required!
K-4 / 7-8 Permission Slip |
5-6 Permission Slip |
Field Day Info |
T-Shirt Order Form
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Spring Concerts Begin on Wed., 5/10
Our upcoming concerts will be held in the Helene Houle Auditorium at Saint Agnes School:
- K-1 Spring Concert, 5/10 at 2 PM
- 7-12 Band Concert, 5/11 at 7 PM
- 2-4 Spring Concert, 5/15 at 7 PM
- 5-6 Band/Choir Concert, 5/17 at 7 PM
- 7-12 Choir Concert, 5/21 at 4:30 PM
Bookmark the online calendar to stay current on what's happening in these last weeks of school.
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Honor Mr. Blonigen & Mrs. May with a Tribute by 5/20
Join us as we celebrate the retirement of Mr. Blonigen and Mrs. May on
Tuesday, June 6, from
4:30 to 7:30 PM in the
UAC.
Appetizers and beverages will be provided. This is an open house style event, so stop in at any time. Families, parishioners, alumni, former faculty, past parents and friends of Saint Agnes are most welcome!
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Thank You from Grade School Library
The Grade School Library would like to express our deepest gratitude to the Hintgen family for their wonderful donation of a set of 25 brand new Almanacs! Each year the 4th graders have an extended unit on almanacs. We have been using a set of 2007 almanacs for several years. The students were extremely excited!
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Saint Agnes Summer Series for K-12 Students, Alumni & Adults
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Box Tops for Education Due 6/1
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Register for 2017-18 Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Registration is now open for the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program at the Church of Saint Agnes. Held during the 2017-2018 school year, CGS is a Catholic, Montessori catechetical method based on Scripture and Liturgy, and tailored to preschoolers. Non-parishioners and school families are encouraged to sign up.
There are three sections available each week for 3-6 year-olds:
Tuesday mornings from 8:00-9:30 AM (to accommodate school families especially), Tuesday mornings from 10:00-11:30 AM, and Wednesday mornings from 10:00-11:30 AM. Bonus: School parents can drop off their big kids at school, bring their preschooler to the CGS atrium, and then go to the 8:00 AM Mass in the church's chapel.
Please register on the parish website.
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