Parent Newsletter: 9/11/2017
Headmaster's Update

Pledge of Fidelity

This past Thursday at our K-6 and 7-12 Masses, all of our teachers pledged fidelity in accordance with the Mandatum in Ex Corde Ecclesiae. It is a gift to work in a school where all of our faculty value truth and love in a way that offers a pledge to give our students to teach them that truth in love. To that end, we had two separate pledges. 
The first was for teachers of all subjects, grades, and disciplines (other than Theology). It reads:
 
"I hereby declare my role and responsibility as a teacher of a theological discipline within the full communion of the Church.  As a teacher of a theological discipline, therefore, I am committed to witness to authentic Catholic doctrine in the way I speak and act, and to refrain from putting forth as Catholic teaching anything contrary to the Church's Magisterium."
 
The second pledge was for teachers of Theology and Religion. It reads:
 
"I hereby declare my role and responsibility as a teacher at Saint Agnes School.  As a teacher in a Catholic school, I am committed to respect and reasonably defend the Catholic faith in speech and action, especially as it relates to faith and morals, and will refrain from putting forth as Catholic teaching anything contrary to the Church's Magisterium."

Morning Mass in Convent Chapel
I am pleased to invite you, on behalf of Fr. Moriarty, to Mass in the Convent Chapel on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:10 AM. It is a great gift to our school community that the presence of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament is so near -- just down the hall! The first such Mass of this year is this Wednesday morning, 9/13. More information is below. All are welcome.
All School News
9/13: Morning Mass at 7:10 AM this Wednesday 
All are invited to attend a 7:10 AM Mass on Wednesday, September 13, in the convent chapel (second floor of the school building). Visitors may use the main entrance of the school. 

Additional Opportunities for Mass
Families are most welcome to join us for Masses when school is in session. On Thursdays, grades K-6 typically attend Mass at 8:00 AM and grades 7-12 at 9:30 AM in the Church of Saint Agnes. K-12 Masses are held about once per month, and on those days, grades K-6 attend the 9:30 AM Mass.  There are some exceptions to this, so we invite you to  learn more about school Masses and those days when school Masses do not fall on Thursdays.  

In addition to the weekly Mass, usually held on Thursdays, grades 2-6 typically attend one other Mass, according to the following schedule:
  • Monday - Grade 3
  • Tuesday - Grade 5
  • Wednesday - Grade 4
  • Friday - Grades 2 & 6  
9/18 - 9/23: Aggie Homecoming Week

Student Activities
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
  • Fri., 9/22 - K-12 out of uniform, Family Tailgate BBQ
  • Sat., 9/23 - Hall of Fame, 9-12 Homecoming Dance 

Volunteers Needed for Family Activities at Hamline's Klas Field on 9/22

Saint Agnes families, alumni and friends are invited to a free tailgate BBQ before Friday night's football game at Hamline's Klas Field. Volunteers are needed to help with set-up, grilling and tear down. Consider lending a hand for a portion of the evening! You'll get to know other Aggie families and meet countless alumni and friends, including this year's Hall of Fame inductees!

 
See shift times and sign up to volunteer for the Homecoming tailgate!

We'll also be hosting the Alumni Memorial Mass on 9/21 and Athletic Hall of Fame on 9/23, plus various Homecoming games and matches throughout the week. Celebrate Aggie Homecoming with us and learn more at www.saintagnesschool.org/homecoming.
9/18: Aggie apparel will be for sale during Homecoming Week
Aggie apparel will be for sale in the commons during Homecoming Week, September 18-22.  You may also purchase items online from Lids Sideline Store.
Lunchroom volunteers are needed
We are in need of daily lunch volunteers in the cafeteria from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM. Work once per week, once per month or whenever it fits into your schedule! If you are available during the school day and would like to join our lively, hard working crew, please  contact Annette Beaudry  at (651) 925-8826. All volunteers will need to be up-to-date with the Essential Three Requirements.  Learn more about these requirements here.
Private lessons for brass & woodwind players in grades 5-12
Saint Agnes will offer private band lessons for students in grades 5 through 12 through our K-3 music teacher, Mrs. Mary Truran, and her husband Steve. Mrs. Truran will teach beginning to advanced level saxophone and all other woodwind instruments (beginning to intermediate). Mr. Truran will teach beginning to advanced level trumpet and all other brass instruments (beginning to intermediate). Space is limited. Cost is $20 per half hour.  Contact Mr. Rick Peters to learn more  about this opportunity!
Yearbook Information for K-12
Place your yearbook orders for this year's keepsake book! Cost is $20 for grades K-8 and $50 for grades 9-12. Get the links to purchase online or download order forms here.

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.
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.
Open to hosting an international student? Let us know!
Have you ever given any thought to hosting an international student for a semester or a year? At Saint Agnes, we work with a variety of organizations and independent families that are interested in placing students from all over the world with a family in the Saint Agnes community. Host families are compensated when they take a student in. Use this link to learn more about these programs and to let us know that you might be interested!
7-12 News
9/23: Homecoming dance for grades 9-12
The homecoming dance for students in grades 9-12 will take place on Saturday, September 23, from 7:00 to 10:00 PM. Royalty will be introduced at 7:15 PM. Parents are welcome to attend the royal court's introduction, but are asked to depart at the conclusion of the coronation. Pre-sale tickets will be sold during lunch from September 18-20. Tickets purchased at the door are $7. Semi-formal attire is required. Please see the handbook for guidelines.
10/29: 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.
K-6 News
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. 

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. 

Learn more about the program online; the Saint Agnes group will be doing "Wreath 3" this year. Materials will not be ordered until the first meeting, so girls just need to bring themselves.
Please contact Kristin Coyne or Amy Schaeffer f or more information or to sign-up.
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