Parent Newsletter: 1/2/2019

A Message from the Assistant Headmaster

Dear Families,   I hope you are enjoying time celebrating Christmas together with family and friends! Here are a few notes as we come back to school: The second semester begins on Monday, January 7. Copies of student schedules will be available in the UAC Commons that morning for students in grades 7-12 who wish to pick one up. Requests for schedule changes may be made after school in the UAC Conference Room. A $75 schedule change fee applies to most requests. Report cards for first semester will be available to download and print via Educate by the morning of Saturday, January 5. As has been the case for a few years, printed copies of report cards are available only upon request. Further details on report cards will come with next week's newsletter. I am excited to introduce Permission Click as a platform we’ve adopted to digitize various forms like field trip permission slips, sign-ups, and other agreements. See below for more information! The re-enrollment period for the 2019-20 school year is now open! You should previously have received a notification from TADS with instructions. Current 8th Grade Families: Save the date for the Freshman Placement Test: Saturday, January 20 at 8:00 AM. All current 8th grade students must take the exam. Please see the additional details below from our Advancement Office regarding upcoming events and activities! Yours in Christ, Mr. Karl Hendrickson Assistant Headmaster

Introducing Permission Click! Permission Click is a web-based platform we are implementing to digitize various permission forms, sign-ups and agreements. We plan to gradually introduce its use over the course of the second semester with hopes of maximizing its use in the 2019-20 school year. In some cases, you will need to click a link to choose to sign up or give permission. Two such examples follow in this newsletter, for the JH/HS MCCL March for Life Field Trip and the 2019 ACT Prep Course. In other cases, like a field trip for a specific grade or class, you will receive a direct email requesting your response. Please add notifications@permissionclick.com to your contacts or list of safe senders to ensure delivery. Email requests will come with the subject line: "Form Response Required for Saint Agnes School.” Paper forms will still be available, but only upon request. Thank you to Mrs. DeMarais in the Main Office who has worked to setup our templates and account! Please contact the Main Office if you have any questions.

ADMISSIONS

Preschool-12th Grade Open House - Tuesday, January 8 Please invite your friends to meet our faculty, tour our campus, and join us for our Winter Open House on January 8 at 6:30 PM! If unavailable to join us on January 8, we can always schedule a more personalized family tour. Please feel free to call us in the Admissions Office at 651-925-8803 with any questions.

Re-Enrollment Available through Saturday, January 19 Mark your calendars to re-enroll your child(ren) for next year! Existing families at Saint Agnes School will be given first priority to re-enroll their current students before new applicants will be considered. This priority will be contingent upon the student being in good academic and behavioral standing with the school and the family being in good standing with their tuition account.  Current families will receive a re-enrollment email with instructions on how to re-enroll via your TADS account. There is also a $100 re-enrollment fee per student with a $300 maximum per family. Re-enrollment will be open through January 19. Kindergarten acceptances will begin on January 7, and acceptances for Grades 1-11 will begin on January 21. Please contact Joseph Olson in Admissions at 651-925-8803 with any questions.

9th Grade Placement Exam - Saturday, January 19 Save the date! On Saturday, January 19, from 8:00-10:30 AM, our 8th grade students and 8th grade students from other schools will be taking their freshman placement exam. Parents are welcome to stay and hear an address from Dr. Kevin Ferdinandt on the state of the school and from Mr. Joseph Olson on the admissions/enrollment process and financial aid/tuition management. More information regarding the test will be forthcoming.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Christmas Break Office Hours January 2: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM January 3: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM January 4: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Correction: Little Flowers Group - Wednesday, January 16 Due to a publishing error, we incorrectly announced that the next meeting of the Little Flowers Group would be held this week. The group will be meeting next on Wednesday, January 16. Please contact Arika Heffron for more details.

Musical Fair - Save the Date - Sunday, January 20 The Musical Fair will be Sunday, January 20, at 1:30 PM in Gruden Gym. Don't miss the big announcement, and get a jump-start on audition music and paper work! Grades 2-6 will be accepted for the children's chorus and Grades 7-12 will form the high school chorus. You will not be disappointed!

Art Night - Sunday, January 20 Join us for Art Night, featuring O. Henry’s one act play entitled The Cop and the Anthem. Beginning at 7:00 PM, the night will also include improvisation demonstrations, monologues, music and art displays. Please come to enjoy this evening hosted by the students of the Saint Agnes Drama Club. No admission charge, but a free will donation will be offered.

Prayer Service & March for Life - Monday, January 22 The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis will be hosting a Prayer Service for Life at 10:30 AM Tuesday, January 22 at the Cathedral of St. Paul. Immediately following is the MCCL March for Life at the Minnesota State Capitol. Please see this flyer (insert PDF) for information from MCCL.   The Saint Agnes School Junior High and High School Pro-Life Clubs are coordinating an opportunity for junior high and high school students to attend both the Prayer Service and March for Life. Sign up using Permission Click by Thursday, January 17!

Sign up for the JH/HS March for Life Field Trip!

Please contact Mr. Karl Pedersen (HS) or Mrs. Lynda True (JH) for details. Students younger than junior high are encouraged to attend as well, but transportation and supervision must be arranged by their families.

Father/Daughter Dance - Saturday, February 23 Save the date for this year's Father/Daughter dance! Young ladies in grades 9-12 are invited to attend with their dad, grandfather, godfather, or other male role model. Watch the newsletter for more information on how to attend or volunteer for this annual event.

ATHLETICS

Come Support Our Aggie Athletes this Week! (R) January 3: Wrestling All Meet at Trinity River Ridge (TBD) Boys Hockey at Minnehaha Academy Ice Arena - South Campus (JV 5:00 PM, Varsity 7:00 PM) Boys Swim & Dive vs. Armstrong at Plymouth Middle School (5:00 PM) Boys Basketball vs. Blake at Saint Agnes Bandas Gym (C 5:30 PM, Varsity 7:00 PM) (S) January 5: Wrestling All Invitational at Cannon Falls HS (10:00 AM) Girls Hockey vs. Waseca Public at Minnehaha Academy Ice Arena - South Campus (Varsity 2:00 PM) Boys Basketball vs. St. Paul Academy and Summit at Saint Agnes Bandas Gym (C 3:00 PM, JV 4:15 PM, Varsity 5:30 PM)  View full athletics calendar  here .

4HG Basketball Camp, Grades 5-8 - Thursday, January 10 All 5-8th grade basketball players (boys and girls) will participate in a basketball clinic hosted by 4HG (For His Glory) on January 10 from 6:00-8:00 PM. It will be run by Kelly Scott, a former Big Ten Basketball Champion for the University of Minnesota. There is NO cost for the event; just come with a water bottle and be prepared to have fun! All Saint Agnes basketball players and coaches, please make plans to attend this upcoming 4HG Clinic! Players will hear inspiring messages, learn basic skills, participate in age-appropriate drills, and be given an in-depth introduction into what it means to be a 4HG student-athlete and play FOR HIS GLORY! See flyer with more details. Order of Events + Pray the 4HG Athlete Prayer + Watch the 4HG Video + Review the 4HG Student Code of Conduct + Complete Clinic Training Drills + Distribute 4HG Credo Cards and Swag + Close Clinic with the 4HG Athlete Prayer

Saint Agnes K-8 Swim Team - Register Now! The Saint Agnes Swim Team seeks to take students who already know how to swim and develop their strokes, build physical conditioning, and gain experience in competitive swimming. All students are welcome whether they have extensive experience in competitive swimming or no experience at all; however, in order to be part of the team, a student must be able to swim the length of the pool (25 yards) on their own. Register with Mr. Sam Thompson or online at AggieAthletics.org. Fee for the season is $100 and includes 3-4 regular season meets. Contact Coach Hank Kemp at 651-925-8739 or see the flyer for more information.

ADVANCEMENT

Help Make the Red & White Benefit a Success! This annual event will be held on Saturday, February 9. Here are four ways to be a part of it!   Donate: Year-end sales are a great time to shop for silent auction items. Food and liquor baskets, gift cards, tickets to sporting or music events, or "experiences" are also very popular. Items can be dropped in the main office or the Advancement Office during business hours. Please fill out a donation form so that we can give proper credit with the donated item.  Forms are available for download or in the main office.   Volunteer: A few spots remain.  See where you can still be of service.   Advertise: Advertise your business in the program or submit a congratulatory ad in honor of Fred Blonigen, our 2019 honoree.  Rates and additional details may be found here .   Attend:   Register for tickets and sponsorships online ! Tickets are $100 and tables seat 10.   With your support, we can make this our most successful event yet! Please contact  Mary Appel   with questions or  visit the website  to learn more about the annual Red & White Benefit.

Raffle-Selling Recommendations Throw on the Aggie Gear. Download our poster . Practice a simple (but polite) sales pitch and put the cuteness of your little ones to work! 1. Sell at Celebrations. Take advantage of gatherings to connect with relatives and friends from near and far. Encourage your kids to tell their aunts, uncles, grandparents, and godparents what they are doing in school. Your students can gently invite their relatives to support their Saint Agnes education by purchasing a raffle ticket!   2. Neighborhood Stroll. Send your kids into the neighborhood to bring any lingering Christmas treats to your neighbors. Have them offer raffle ticket sales during these holiday treat exchanges!   3. Go to Church. Come early or stay after Mass to connect with your fellow parishioners. Have your kids wear their uniforms and write their names and grades on signs. Team up with those you worship with to support Catholic education through our school raffle!   4. Get Social. Post a photo of your kids participating in activities at Saint Agnes or share a picture of the car being raffled. Encourage friends to message you if they are interested in buying a ticket. Send emails directly to friends and family for a more personal invite. The final turn in date for the raffle will be Friday, January 11. (After this date, any remaining ticket stubs and money may be brought to the main office). Thank you for all your hard work! Remember, 100% of funds raised stay right here at Saint Agnes! Please contact Mrs. Laurie Weyandt for more information, and see the parent information letter for more details.

PARENTS

Saint Agnes School 2019 ACT Prep Course Register for the Saint Agnes ACT Prep Course! Each session will focus on content and test-taking strategies. Classes meet twice a week (T/Th) from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM, starting Thursday, February 21 and continuing until April 11. The course costs $150 per student, which includes an ACT prep book and ACT flash cards.  Download the flyer , or pick one up in the Guidance Office! Register online using Permission Click (preferred) or use the flyer.

Sign up for the 2019 ACT Prep Course!

Registration is not complete until payment has been submitted. Checks should be made payable to Saint Agnes School with “ACT Course” in the memo line and turned in to Ms. Burr (Classroom 251); or you may pay online . Registration and payment must be received by January 31. If the class is filling up, priority will be given to juniors. Please contact Ms. Samantha Burr  with any questions.

Shine On: A Showcase of Catholic School Talent The Catholic Schools Center of Excellence (CSCOE) and Lundstrum Performing Arts invite students in grades 4-8 attending Catholic elementary schools in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis to share their gifts of singing, dancing, acting, or playing a musical instrument. Auditions will be held January 19-20; up to 20 acts will be invited to perform at the final showcase, held March 17 at the Providence Academy Performing Arts Center. Submit registration form (list Mr. Michael Adkins as school contact) and select an audition date by January 8. More details available online . For questions, please contact Jeannie Judge .

Forming Catholic Hearts & Minds in Faith, Reason, & Virtue

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