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Parent Newsletter: 9/5/2017
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A Message from the Headmaster
At the start of each school year, I present at an initial convocation to all of the 7-12th grade students. This year, I focused with them on Faith
, Reason and Virtue. I am including my remarks to the students for you here:
Today is the Feast of Saint Augustine and the beginning of the 2017-18 school year. On this Feast of Saint Augustine, I would like to speak briefly with you about the following Scripture passage, and what it means in Saint Agnes School's context:
"Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe" (1 Timothy 4:12).
Augustine was a 4th century man who squandered some of his youth with sinfulness. He became a great Saint in the Church. If he were still here to speak with you today, he would encourage you to learn sooner than he did how to be an example of those who believe, most especially in your speech, your conduct, your love, your faith, and your purity.
In Saint Agnes School's Philosophy of Education, it is written that we hope to help you develop "a Catholic heart and mind" by focusing on Faith, Reason, and Virtue. Here you will seek to learn the truth via your reason (your mind) so that you can will the good via your virtue. You will do neither well (learn the truth nor will the good) without the grace of God given to you through faith.
So let's turn back to the first letter of Paul to Timothy. "In speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe." There are five words there --speech, conduct, love, faith, purity. If you are pure of heart, you will love people well by speaking positively to and about people in our midst. You will conduct yourself virtuously, if you do all things with the strength found only in faith in Christ.
Saint Augustine learned the truth, and willed the good. He balanced faith, reason, and virtue well. He developed a Catholic heart and mind. We hope you will do that same thing. You will only learn the truth via your reason if you get God's help through faith.
Saint Augustine...Pray for us!
The first week has gone particularly well, thanks in large part to a terrific faculty and wonderful students. Thanks for entrusting them to us!
Blessings to you,
Kevin Ferdinandt
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Parent/Student Handbooks & other paperwork due
If you have not yet picked up a Parent/Student Handbook, please visit the Main Office to obtain a copy. Other back to school paperwork may also be completed at that time, or you many download the required forms here. C
ompleted forms should be returned to the Main Office.
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9/5: Aggie Apparel for sale in Commons this week
Aggie apparel will be for sale in the commons beginning on Tuesday, September 5, through Friday, September 8, from 7:00 to 7:50 AM
.
Stock up on your red and white in preparation for the school year! You may also purchase items online from
Lids Sideline Store.
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9/6: Saint Agnes Food Pantry opens this Wednesday
The Saint Agnes food pantry opens this Wednesday, September 6. The pantry is open weekly from 1:30-3:30 PM and contains both perishable and non-perishable items. Any Saint Agnes family who wishes to take advantage of this resource is encouraged to
contact John Ernster at [email protected] to set up an appointment for Wednesday or make other arrangements.
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9/7: Join us for the first Masses of the 2017-18 school year!
The first Masses of the year will be held this Thursday, September 7. Grades K-6 will attend Mass at 8:00 AM and grades 7-12 at 9:30 AM. Masses will be held upstairs in the church. Saint Agnes families and friends are most welcome to join with us in prayer on this day and throughout the school year.
Learn more about school Masses and get the full 17-18 schedule.
An additional opportunity for Mass this month is at 7:10 AM on Wednesday, September 13, in the convent chapel, accessible by the second floor of the school building. This Mass is held before school so that parents, students, families and faculty can all attend. Visitors may use the main entrance of the school building.
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The student schedule for Homecoming has arrived
H
omecoming Week activities begin for students on Monday, September 18.
Here's a glimpse of the week:
- Mon., 9/18 - K-6 in full uniform, 7-12 out of uniform
- Tues., 9/19 - K-12 out of uniform
- Wed., 9/20 - K-12 out of uniform
- Thur., 9/21 - K-12 in full uniform, Alumni Memorial Mass & Brunch
- Fri., 9/22 - K-12 out of uniform, Family Tailgate BBQ
- Sat., 9/23 - Hall of Fame Induction, 9-12 Homecoming Dance
Families should have received a postcard by mail containing information on the Alumni Memorial Mass (9/21), Family Tailgate BBQ (9/22), Athletic Hall of Fame (9/23), and all other Homecoming games and matches. We hope you'll join us as we celebrate Aggie Homecoming this fall! Learn more at
www.saintagnesschool.org/homecoming.
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School pictures from Lifetouch
Picture day
packets are still available in the Main Office or you may order them online at
mylifetouch.com
using ID# MI197195Y0. Retakes will be held on Wednesday, October 25.
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Yearbook Information for K-12
It's only the second week of school, but it's not too early to order your yearbook! Pre-order your books for grades K-8 and grades 9-12 online with the following links:
There's still time to purchase a yearbook from last year, so
contact Mrs. Richtsmeier
about our limited supply of last year's yearbooks. Pricing is $25 for K-8 and $50 for 9-12 books.
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9/8: Freshmen headed to Base Camp this Friday
The Saint Agnes School Class of 2021 is headed to
Base Camp this Friday, September 8.
This day away from campus at Fort Snelling is an opportunity to get to know others and deepen the friendships that have begun to form in these initial days of the year.
A reminder that students have received the forms and parents will receive an email with specific details.Permission forms must be returned to Mr. Olson prior to the field trip departure this Friday, September 8. It is an out of uniform day for freshmen, and a class t-shirt will be provided, to be worn with modest
shorts or pants. Please direct any questions on the out of uniform day to Mr. Tom Flood. Closed toes
shoes must be worn for safety purposes; no sandals or any footwear that leaves toes exposed. Lunch will be provided and dietary concerns may be directed to Mr. Joseph Olson.
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Complimentary college visit opportunity to U of Mary
A local benefactor of area Catholic high schools is once again offering an opportunity for Catholic high school juniors and seniors to partake in a free college visit to the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND. Busses will leave from the Twin Cities at 7:00 AM on Sunday, October 29, returning in the late evening of Monday, October 30. Students will attend Mass at 8:00 PM on Sunday evening. Parents are welcome to join students on the trip.
Download a permission form here or pick one up in the Guidance Office. Forms should be returned directly to Mrs. Mary Jo Feltl by email at
[email protected] or by fax at (612) 592-8899. Questions? Please contact Mrs. Feltl at (952) 270-1865.
Please Note: This is a privately sponsored event. Parents must still contact the school if they wish to excuse a student's absence on Monday, October 30. Saint Agnes School does NOT collect or process the permission form.
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Fall sports shuttle bus schedule
A shuttle bus
will run daily from Saint Agnes to West Minnehaha Recreation Center. On occasion, the shuttle bus may not be available. Every effort will be made to notify students when the bus is unavailable.
Monday-Friday Schedule
- Departures begin at 3:00 PM and will continue until 3:40 PM
- Return trips begin at 5:00 PM and continue until 6:00 PM
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9/5: Addresses for grandparents & special friends due today!
Today is the final day to return address request slips or
submit the information online. Invitations will be mailed to all grandparents and special senior friends shortly. K-6 Grandparents Day is o
ne of our favorite days of the year, held on Tuesday, October 3. Additional details will be published once invitations go out. Questions?
Please
contact Mrs. Kate Boyle
at (
651) 925-8880.
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9/6: Hope t-shirts must be ordered by Wednesday
The "hope" shirt is available for purchase to students in grades K-6 until Wednesday, September 6. Hope is the virtue in practice for the 2017-18 academic year, and so this shirt may be worn on the Wednesday of Homecoming Week, and for other activities this year such as Catholic Schools Week, Field Day and other out-of-uniform days. The purchase of a hope shirt is optional, but shirts will only be for sale through Wednesday, September 6.
The high school students design a homecoming t-shirt each year, and this year, those shirts will be made available in youth sizing. If K-6 students wish to purchase the high school homecoming t-shirt to be worn on the Friday of Homecoming Week, September 22, they are availab
le for
$10
. Those orders are also due on Wednesday, September 6.
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Beginning string lessons now available for K-6 students
Students in grades K-6 have an opportunity to take violin lessons after school on Wednesdays and Fridays in the music department of the Ubel Activity Center. 30-minute lessons are available starting at 3:30 PM for $20 per lesson. There is room for 20 students to participate this fall, and space is available on a first come, first serve basis. Rental instruments are available for a fee of $80 per year and financial assistance is available for those who qualify.
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9/21: Little Flowers Girl's Group at Saint Agnes
Another year of Little Flowers begins at Saint Agnes on Wednesday, September 20! All girls in grades K-6 are welcome to come together to study Catholic Saints and virtues through stories, flowers, crafts and other activities. On the third Wednesday of each month, the girls meet in Schuler Hall (lower level of the church) from approximately 2:45 until 4 PM. Moms are welcome to accompany their daughters, but it is not necessary. The program runs for nine months ending in May with a lovely mother/daughter tea.
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