Parent Newsletter: 10/2/2017

A Message from the Headmaster

KFerdinandt
Dear Families,

Since we are a bit over a month into the new school year, I wanted to share with you a new development in Saint Agnes School's march toward excellence. Effective this past summer, we have added a Headmaster's Council to our parish finance council (and our corporate board) that will help ensure that the school will thrive for the next fifty years.

The Headmaster's Council is comprised of 6-8 adults who have a deep interest and support for Saint Agnes School. We will meet 5 times each school year. Similar to many K-8 parish-based schools, this advisory council will offer input on a wide array of topics--from recommendations for future tuition increases to budgetary consultation to policy advice. As the name conveys, the council will be advising me as the headmaster of the school. I am excited to work with each of them, and our two meetings thus far have been a real shot in the arm for me as we figure out how best to lead this great gift that is Saint Agnes School.

This year's Headmaster's Council is comprised of 7 wonderfully generous people: Mr. Jason Adkins (current parent and parishioner), Mrs. Christine Buss (current parent), Ms. Mary Jo Feltl (alumna of Saint Agnes School), Ms. Helene Houle (friend  to Saint Agnes ),   Dr. Michael Naughton (current parent), Dr. Robert Tibesar (alumnus and current parent), and Mr. Jack Weyandt (alumnus of Saint Agnes School).

We will continue to keep our Parent Liaison Group (PLG) active as a way for parents to offer input and feedback, so they will remain a resource for our community as well.

Please pray for us as we continue to find ways to keep Saint Agnes the wonderfully thriving community that it is.

Blessings to you, 
Kevin Ferdinandt
All School News
10/12: Spread the word! Our K-12 Open House is Thur., Oct. 12
The first open house of the year is next week on Thursday, October 12! Stop by the advancement office or the main office for a postcard to be delivered or mailed to family, friends or neighbors who may be interested in learning more about Catholic education at Saint Agnes. Snail mail not for you?  Like and share our event on Facebook here.
10/22: Volunteers needed for parish fall festival
If you have not yet volunteered for the Church of Saint Agnes Fall Festival, we could use your help! See shift times and sign up here or contact Kristin Coyne at [email protected] or (651) 998-9509. 

Don't miss the festival on  Sunday, October 22, from 11:00 AM until 3:00 PM!
10/26: Fall Conferences and no school on Thur., Oct. 26
Make sure to mark your calendars for Parent/Teacher Conferences on Thursday, October 26, from 12:00 to 8:00 PM. A reminder that there is no school on this day as previously published.
Saint Agnes in the news: Pioneer Press story on Aggie Coach O'Brien
Former U of M assistant coach Dan O'Brien find a home at Saint Agnes. O'Brien joins head coach Tom Flood and the Aggies this season.  Read the article published September 28.
Spring 2017 Stanford 10 results
Students will be bringing home results from last spring's SAT10 test, accompanied by a letter to parents to help interpret individual results. Questions? Please contact Mr. Adkins.

Our School's Performance: Above Average
The Stanford 10 is an achievement test largely employed by private schools focused on academic achievement; it is not common for public schools to administer the exam. Therefore, your child's performance will be based on national norms of excellence and comparisons to other students' results who attend competitive, private schools across the country; this is worth keeping in perspective when reviewing the results. I am pleased to report that each of the grades K-8 that participated in the SAT10 exam performed well above average (65% or above) this year in the overall category ("Complete Battery") and in the core areas of Total Reading and Total Math; in addition, students scored notably high (over 70%ile and higher) in the area of "Total Math" in the upper elementary and junior high.

Sample of SAT10 Success from Last Spring
The results of our students are compared to those from other competitive, private schools across the country. When reading  results, please keep in mind that 50 percentile = average.
  • Current Kindergarten - will test first time this coming spring 2018
  • Current 1st grade - 69% of Aggie 1st graders are at or above the 50 percentile 
  • Current 2nd grade - 82% of Aggie 2nd graders are at or above the 50 percentile 
  • Current 3rd grade - 85% of Aggie 3rd graders are at or above the 50 percentile 
  • Current 4th grade - 79% of Aggie 4th graders are at or above the 50 percentile 
  • Current 5th grade - 89% of Aggie 5th graders are at or above the 50 percentile 
  • Current 6th grade - 77% of Aggie 6th graders are at or above the 50 percentile 
  • Current 7th grade - 85% of Aggie 7th graders are at or above the 50 percentile 
  • Current 8th grade - 72% of Aggie 8th graders are at or above the 50 percentile 
  • Current 9th grade - 79% of Aggie 9th graders are at or above the 50 percentile
Please check cafeteria account balances
Parents, please check your household cafeteria balances. We have not been able to start the negative balance alert email reminders yet this year. Hopefully the alert system will be working soon.  To access the Cafeteria information for your Household:
  • Log into Educate
  • At the top, select "School" and then "Cafeteria" from the dropdown menu 
  • This screen will show all cafeteria activity; student meal/milk purchases, payments made and the balance
  • You may also select "Make Cafeteria Payment from this screen" as well
Lunch is $2.90; extra entrĂ©e (doubles) is $1.70; extra milk or milk with lunch from home is $0.30; breakfast is $1.80 for grades 1-12. Please contact Sandy Veal  for more information.
Important October dates

Tuesday, October 3:  Grandparents' Day

Friday, October 6:  Rosary Pilgrimage to the Cathedral, grades 4-6

Wednesday, October 11 
  • 7:10 AM Mass in the Convent Chapel, open to all
  • Grade 12 Leadership Retreat to Mount Olivet Conference and Retreat Center
  • Grades 9-11 PSAT/PLAN Testing
  • Grade 8 to Calvary Cemetery
  • Grade 5 to Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden   
Thursday, October 12:  K-12 Open House,  6:30-8:00 PM 

Tuesday, October 17: 3rd grade field trip to Mill City Museum

Wednesday, October 18: NO SCHOOL, K-6
Thursday, October 19: NO SCHOOL, K-12

Friday, October 20: NO SCHOOL, K-12

Sunday, October 22:  Saint Agnes Parish Festival, 11:00 AM-3:00 PM

Wednesday, October 25
  • Picture Retake Day
  • Book Fair, 2:45-3:30 PM 
Thursday, October 26
  • NO SCHOOL, K-12
  • Book Fair, 12:00-6:30 PM
  • Fall Parent/Teacher Conferences, 12:00-8:00 PM
Tuesday, October 31: All Saints Eve Party, after 5:15 Mass until 8:00 PM
Rectory garden space is getting a new look!
Plans for creating an outdoor patio space that parish/priest/groups can use directly behind the rectory house are in the works. The large lawn space around the maple tree will remain the same.  A rectangular space that abuts the rectory will have the sod removed, flagstone and pavers added, plus sand and gravel for leveling/drainage. This is a call for extra materials that anyone might have lying about or would wish to donate for this project. Wish list items include  enough pavers and/or flagstone to fill an area with the dimensions of 15' x 35'. We also would like to build a trellis with a planter to provide a screen and a small garden space for the priests. The picture gives an idea  of what we hope to construct.  Thank you for your time and consideration of your request. God bless you. Please call or text  Therese Cho with questions or to make a donation at ( 651) 356-1676.
Openings for after school piano lessons still available
There are still some openings for after school piano lessons on campus. Please contact Mary Smisek at [email protected]  to learn more.
Relive the magic of Mary Poppins. DVDs available for purchase.
Relive the magic of Mary Poppins, the first production to perform in the Helene Houle Auditorium last spring. Dr. Thomas Stierman has done a magnificent job in capturing the excitement of closing night. The DVD is professionally packaged with the Mary Poppins logo on the case and disc.  The cost is $10.00 and DVDs may be purchased in the main office. Checks to Saint Agnes or exact change would be greatly appreciated.
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.
K-6 News
10/3: Grandparents & Special Friends Day is tomorrow!
The day has arrived! Tomorrow, October 3, we will welcome grandparents into our K-6 classrooms. If a grandparent or special friend has not received their invite, please inform them of the schedule below. They are welcome to be a part of this special day! Parking is avilable in the main school parking lot and small lot between the school and church. Questions? Please contact Mrs. Kate Boyle at (651) 925-8880. 
     7:55 AM School Begins/Classroom Visits (Classrooms)
     8:30 AM K-6 School Mass (Upper Church)
     9:15 AM Activity (K-1 Cafeteria, 2-3 Gruden Gym, 4-6 Second Floor)
     10:15 AM K-6 Assembly (Helene Houle Auditorium)
     11:00 AM  Coffee & Treats for Guests (Ubel Activity Center Commons)
11/9: Singapore Math Info Session
Save the date! On Thursday, November 9, parents of K-6 students are invited to join us for an informational session on Singapore math skills. This event will equip parents with basic Singapore math skills at various levels in order to support students at home. More to come!
Fall basketball workouts for boys and girls in grades 5-8
Boys and girls in grades 5 through 8 can sign up for fall workouts. These are intense skill workouts for serious players who wish to improve their skills. These are not designed as traditional "fun", but rather to give satisfaction and enjoyment through improving! The workouts consist of about 90 minutes of skill development and team play. To sign up, please fill out this form and return to Mr. Hopkins ASAP. Questions? Please contact Mr. Hopkins.
7-12 News
10/11: PSAT/PLAN testing to be held on campus
Saint Agnes will administer the PSAT and PLAN tests on Wednesday, October 1 1. Both are preliminary college readiness and preparatory tests and serve as practice for the real ACT and SAT college entrance exams.   
 
PSAT for All Current Sophomores & Juniors  (View Parent Letter) 
Testing fee: $15. Students may pay online here or bring a check to the Main Office. Please make checks payable to Saint Agnes School and include PSAT in the memo. Payment is due on Monday, October 9. Learn more about the PSAT.

ACT's "PLAN" for All Current Freshmen (View Parent Letter) 
Testing fee: $15. Students may pay online here or bring a check to the Main Office. Please make checks payable to Saint Agnes School and include PLAN in the memo. Payment is due on Monday, October 9.
 
Please contact Mrs. Rachel Kemp with any questions.  In the coming week, t he Guidance Office will distribute any practice booklets and informational material s that are provided to us.
STAY CONNECTED
The Parent Newsletter is a weekly publication of Saint Agnes School.
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