Parent Newsletter: 5/22/17
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Attendance Hotline: (651) 925-8777
Headmaster's Update
 
New members prepare to recite NHS pledge
National Honor Society (NHS): Congratulations to our new NHS inductees who were sworn in at a special convocation on Friday, May 19.  New to NHS for 2017 are the following students: Matthew Bettencourt, Paige Bourland, Sophie Clark, Joseph Connolly, Annika Cook, Brian Donnelly, James Eilen, Kelly Ferguson, Gabriel Fink, Andrew Hilo, Amisa Jones, Amelia Knapp, Benjamin Lenzmeier, Micah Lin, Brianna Lopez-Moran, Lucy Maloney, Lauren McCann, Joseph Mischke, Kentale Morris, Cecilia Petruconis, Lillian Rother, Cecilia Stariha, Ellen Steffes, Conrad Tibesar, and Emma Vaske.

Mrs. Donna May's Last Concert: This past Sunday, May 21, Donna May concluded her high school choral concert career in the new Helene Houle Auditorium. It was an extraordinary evening, with beautiful music by the Saint Agnes Strings and the junior and senior high choirs, as well as a nice tribute to the seniors, and a standing ovation (with flowers) for Mrs. May!  Fittingly, alumni joined Mrs. May on stage at the end to sing, "The Lord Bless You and Keep You." It was a suitable end to a career dedicated to superb music in concerts that can transport an audience. A special thank you to all who made the concert such a success!

Academic Convocation Monday Afternoon (5/22): We have been looking forward to honoring our students for their academic achievements, MSHSL awards, and other student honors at our annual Academic Convocation on Monday, May 22, at 1:40 PM. We will be naming our highest award winners, the Palm award, to our top male and female graduates. Also awarded will be the Valedictorian, Salutatorian, and departmental awards, among other things.

Grade School Activities This Week: This week, second grade students have a symposium on Ancient Greece in the Auditorium on Wednesday morning and the third grade students have one on Ancient Rome this Thursday. The fourth grade students have a science show on Thursday afternoon. The entire Grade School has Field Day on Friday. Lots of fun for the elementary students as we make our way through the penultimate week of the 2016-17 school year! be sure to check the daily announcements page for additional details.

Senior Banquet: This past week at our Senior Banquet, the faculty honored each of our graduating seniors. What an amazing event! A special thank you to Mr. Adkins, Mrs. Weyandt, and Mrs. Appel for their hard work pulling off the event. At the same time, we unveiled a photograph of the class of 2017 to be hung above the senior lockers in the Ubel Activity Center.  We have been working hard to get each of our 76 graduating classes' pictures onto the walls of the school. Stay tuned for more as we work this summer and next year to get more of our history (and alumni) onto our walls.

A Week of Concerts: Last week, we also had a number of concerts in our new auditorium.  Grades 2-4 had their concert on Monday evening (5/15). Fifth and sixth grade students sang and played during last Wednesday's choir and band concert (5/17). The week prior we featured grades K and 1 (5/10) and the 7-12 bands (5/11). It is a great gift to behold the ongoing commitment of our families and students to making excellent music!
Saint Agnes School Philosophy of Education 
Next week, our series on the school's Philosophy of Education will conclude with the final appendices. Take a look back at all  previous installments on the Philosophy of Education .
FINAL DAY for Summer Series Student Registration
Today is the final day for summer series registration. With more than 200
students signed up, be sure to review the offerings with your child and sign up online today to secure a spot! Don't miss out on opportunities such as 
Keyboarding, Athletic Camps, Writing Camps, Minnesota History Camp, Museum Madness, Less Stress, More Freedom - Study Skills & Homework Strategies, Guys & Gals' Retreats, and Personal Finance.

Adult/Alumni offerings will remain open for registration until one week prior to the start of the class (note dates below). Registration is only $15 for alumni, parents, and parents of alumni.
- June 20, 22, 27, 29 Book Discussion: 10 Ways to Destroy Your Child's Imagination , 6-8 PM
- July 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26: Dr. Pentecost: The Trial & Death of Socrates, 7-8 PM
- July 14: Women, Wine, & Portraiture! 7:00-9:30 PM
- July 25, 27, Aug 1, 3: Dr. Ferdinandt: Catholicism Clashes w/ Contemporary '-isms', 7-8 PM 
- Aug 7, 9, 14, 16: Dr. Whalen: America: Faith & Culture, 7-8 PM 
- Aug 14: Training Our Children for Academic Success, Gr. K-6, 6-8 PM
- Aug 8-9:  Training Our Children for Academic Success, Gr. 7-12, 6-8 PM
Fast Pitch Team Advances in Section Playoffs! Next Game is Today, 5/22
The Aggies have advanced to the double-elimination phase of the Section 4AA playoffs with a 15-0 victory over St. Paul Washington last week. Freshman Mary Menke and 8th grader Gemma Rossini combined to throw the shutout. Sophomores Maria Gutzmann and Lily Hafner both collected two hits in the game and drove in a combined five runs.

Next up, the #2 Aggies will face #8 Brooklyn Center today, May 22! Win or lose today, they will play again on Tuesday and will face either #3 Minnehaha Academy or #6 St. Croix Lutheran. Both games start at 4:30 PM and will be held at Carlander Field on the campus of Concordia University in St. Paul.

Come out and cheer the Aggies on to a victory! See the 4AA playoff bracket here.
No School - Memorial Day is 5/29
A reminder that there is no school on Monday, May 29, in observance of Memorial Day.
7-12 Final Exams Begin on Tuesday, 5/30
7-12 final exams begin on Tuesday, 5/30. The daily exam schedule is available here.
Last Day of School: Thursday, 6/1
Please note the important information on the last day of school, Thursday, June 1.
  • K-6 Final Mass of the Year: 8:00 AM in Upper Church
  • 7-12 Baccalaureate Mass: 11:00 AM in Upper Church
  • EARLY DISMISSAL:1:00 PM. (K-6 will have pepperoni pizza for lunch)
  • NO AFTER SCHOOL CARE: all students are to be picked up at 1:00 PM
  • Senior Picnic: following Baccalaureate Mass in church parking lot
  • Graduation Rehearsal: 1:15 PM in Bandas
Please ensure that cafeteria accounts are brought current by this date. You may  check your account balance on Cornerstone and make a payment on the school website  or by check/cash in the main office. Funds remaining in the account will roll over to the 2017/18 school year. For households with no returning students, refunds will be sent by mail in June. Questions? Please contact  Sandy Veal at ( 651) 925-8815.
76th Saint Agnes School Commencement: Fri., 6/2
Graduation Ceremony
Saint Agnes School will celebrate the Commencement Exercises of the Class of 2017 on Friday, June 2, at 7:00 PM in Bandas Gym. Mother Assumpta Long, O.P., will offer the Commencement Address. No tickets are needed and families are welcome.

Volunteers Needed!
Volunteers are needed for the  graduation reception on Friday, June 2, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM in the UAC Commons.  Traditionally, junior parents and/or students have hosted this event, but all help is welcome. Duties include preparing and serving cake and punch followed by a quick clean up. Please use this link to sign up.
Ways to Help with Senior Party on 6/2
A handful of parents are busy planning a party for the senior class at Pinz in Oakdale after graduation on June 2, and they could use your help! First, they are working to collect door prizes to be given away at the event. If you are aware of any organization or individual that is willing to donate door prizes for this event, we would appreciate your help in procuring these items! Possible examples include: dorm related items, gift cards or money to be used towards the purchase of a mini fridge or microwave. Contributions may be sent to the school office to the attention of Mr. Hendrickson and he will get them to the parent volunteers to get them ready for the party. Secondly, they are looking for chaperones to assist at the party from 9:00 PM to 1:00 AM. This is open to any interested parents, not just parents of seniors. Please sign up via SignUpGenius here or  contact Mr. Tom Wallisch with questions.
Darius Lopez Selected for All-Star Series
Congratulations to senior Darius Lopez, who was selected to play in the Minnesota State High School League All-Star Series on June 23 and 24 in Chaska. Read the article here.
Retirement Party for Mr. Blonigen & Mrs. May: Tues., 6/6
Last chance to write  a short message or share a special memory about Mr. Blonigen and Mrs. May!   Join us for a retirement party for Mr. Blonigen and Mrs. May on  Tuesday, June 6, from  4:30 to 7:30 PM in the  UAC. It's open house style, so come any time! Saint Agnes f amilies, parishioners, alumni, former faculty, past parents and all friends of Saint Agnes and these retiring teachers are most welcome to attend. Spread the word to other Aggies!
Used Uniform Sale is Tuesday, 6/20
Save the date for the annual Used Uniform Sale! It will be held in the UAC Commons on Tuesday, June 20, from 7:00 to 8:00 PM. Please also consider donating your gently used uniform items for students at all levels. 
"Mathletics" Summer Online Math Enrichment
The Mathematics Department at Saint Agnes is pleased to offer new online math enrichment and remediation opportunities through "Mathletics" this summer (replacing the Aleks Program)!  Mathletics is one of the most-used educational websites to integrate home and school learning through an enjoyable and rigorous web-based learning program. Students can compete against others at or above their grade level, problem solve through game-like learning modules, and work on speed and accuracy for fundamental math concepts. This opportunity is available to K-12 students (through Algebra 2), and the cost to participate is $30 per student (normally $99 for parents), paid through the school website.  Please register and pay online here (make sure to enter your student's name and grade).  Your subscription is good for a full year.  Contact Ms. Jenni Davern for more information or to request this course.
College Application Boot Camp: 8/7-8/10
This four-day, intensive workshop will jump-start the college application process, ensuring that students are on-track as they begin their senior year.  Incoming seniors (class of 2018) will complete at least one college application, write and revise application essays, complete an activity resume, discuss college majors and careers, attend group workshops, meet with a guidance counselor as needed, visit a college campus, and talk with college admissions representatives. Cost is $90. Download the registration form here or contact Rachel Kemp with questions.
Job Opportunities for Aggie Students, Alumni & Parents

Sweet Martha's Cookies at the MN State Fair

Gary Olson, co-owner of Sweet Martha's Cookies, stopped in to offer our students a chance to apply for a job at the Great MN Get Together! They have worked with other schools and would like to include our students in this opportunity at their popular cookie stand. They only hire in-house references, so it is great that they want our students to apply! Must be 16 years of age.  Apply online with Sweet Martha's Cookie Jar .

Warners' Stellian 
Warners' Stellian is looking to hire six part-time warehouse associates for the summer to join their team. They hope to fill these positions as soon as possible! Make sure to include Sinat Agnes in the "referred by" field of the application. The warehouse is located one mile north of Saint Agnes, just off of Dale and Atwater. Download the Warners' Stellian application.

Donald's Uniform Store
Donald's Uniform is hiring for full and part-time positions with flexible hours. Students, college students and parents make great employees because you are familiar with our uniforms! Email Barb Williamson or call her at (651) 288-9301.
3rd Qtr After School Care Fees Due
Third quarter After School Care fees are due with your next scheduled TADS payment (on or after 5/5/17). Emails containing the amount and due date were sent to all families on April 27-28. Please contact Sandy Veal with questions: (651) 925-8815.
Register for 2017-18 Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Registration is now open for 17-18 Catechesis of the Good Shepherd at the Church of Saint Agnes. Non-parishioners and school families are encouraged to sign up.  There are three sections available per week for 3-6 year-olds:  Tuesday mornings from 8:00-9:30 AM or 10:00-11:30 AM, and Wednesday mornings from 10:00-11:30 AM. Please register online.
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The Parent Newsletter is a weekly publication of Saint Agnes School. 

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