Parent Newsletter: 5/20/2019
A Message from the Dean of Academics /
Lower School Director
Dear Parents,

The spring semester is coming to a close! Our K-6 students are wrapping up SAT10 testing, high school students are taking AP exams, and all are preparing for final projects, papers, and tests. It is a busy time of year with many concerts, sporting events, and award ceremonies. Please encourage your students to prioritize their time well to end the semester strong. Our hope is that all students at Saint Agnes are able to meet their highest potential in faith, reason, and virtue!

I'm excited to promote the following Summer Opportunities for you and your family:

I hope these many diverse opportunities complement your family's busy and joyful summer!

Michael Adkins
Dean of Academics & Director of the Lower School
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK
Senior Reflection: Rachel W. '19 | Striving for Greatness
Celebrating our Class of 2019 this month of May with reflections offered from graduating seniors to the 7-12 student body. Rachel W. '19 shared some senior wisdom with underclassmen on living in the moment, having gratitude, and striving for greatness every step of the way.   #GoAggies
Notre Dame & Dartmouth Book Awards Presented to Aggie Juniors
Congrats to two Aggie Book Awardees, juniors recognized for excelling in academics, extracurriculars, and other areas! Mr. Hendrickson presented the Notre Dame Book Award to Clare S. '20 and parishioner Mrs. Karen Perez presented the Dartmouth Book Award to Thomas S. '20. #GoAggies
Aggie Junior Wins Runner-Up in Archdiocesan Writing Contest
Congrats to Maggie T. ’20 for winning 2nd place out of 800+ entries in the Archdiocesan Center for Mission writing contest for the 10th-12th grade division!  #GoAggies
Aggies Awarded Catholic United Financial Post-High School Tuition Scholarships
Congratulations to 7 Aggies awarded  Catholic United Financial  Post-High School Tuition Scholarships!: Hannah A., Emily D., Lillian H., Raymond R., Thomas S., Cecilia S., Cecilia S. #ClassOf2019 #GoAggies
Grade 5 Visits Historic Fort Snelling
Grade 5 spent Thursday morning at Historic Fort Snelling learning about Minnesota history and life at the Fort these past 200 years! Students watched a blacksmith create a nail, learned about primitive 19th century medicine, and saw the home where the famous slave Dred Scott and his family lived. 5th graders loved seeing history come alive at the Fort!   #GoAggies
Aggie Parishioner Featured in The Catholic Spirit: " Portraitist Reviving Talent by Painting 50 Modern Saints"
S/O to Mrs. Bernadette Gockowski, Saint Agnes parishioner and wife of 4th grade teacher Mr. David Gockowski, for leading others to God through the good, true, and beautiful that she creates. Sign up for her beginning watercolor class at Saint Agnes this summer and be sure to follow her at The Colorful Past Project . Read the full article by The Catholic Spirit here . #GoAggies
A Fabulous Aggie Alphabet Fair!
On Tuesday, May 7, our 6th graders (along with the staff of the lower school library), hosted our 8th Annual Saint Agnes Fabulous Alphabet Fair based on Debra Frasier’s book  Our Fabulous Fair Alphabet . This school carnival featured vocabulary strengthening activities, where students in K-4 won words, filled their gamecards, and earned blue ribbons! Thanks for joining us for a great afternoon! Be sure to check out our photo gallery online.
UPCOMING EVENTS
7-8 Junior High Field Trip to Valleyfair - Permission Slips Due Today, May 20
When: Monday, June 3. The bus will leave Saint Agnes at 12:00 PM and leave the park at 8:00 PM with an expected return of 8:45 PM.
Cost: $35. Permission slips and fee are due Monday, May 20 . Please contact Mr. Duresky with any questions.
JH Academic Awards - Tuesday, May 21
2019 Academic Convocation for Junior High students will be held in the Helene Houle Auditorium on Tuesday, May 21 beginning at 8:45 AM. Academic recognition and awards will be presented to students in grades 7-8. All parents are welcome to attend! Invitations to parents or guardians of students who will receive special honors will be made in advance of these ceremonies. Please contact Mr. Michael Adkins with questions.
Future Kindergarten Class of 2032 BBQ Picnic - Wednesday, May 22
Kindergarten families, join us on Wednesday, May 22 for a special BBQ Picnic, the first-ever meeting of our Class of 2032! Please RSVP online if you plan to join, and feel welcome to invite other families who might still be looking for a Kindergarten option next year. Contact Admissions Director Joseph Olson for more information at 651-925-8803.
Summer Series Registration Deadline! -
Wednesday, May 22
Students K-12 (from all schools) are invited to read great books in local coffee shops, play sports, perform Shakespeare, conduct science experiments, hike in local parks, and so much more! Adults can join the fun too, with classes on knowing and defending Catholic teaching, St. Francis de Sales’  Introduction to the Devout Life , and opportunities to paint and sip! Our Summer Series Calendar shows the weekly layout for three months of camps and courses. Camp descriptions available on  our website . Please register by Wednesday, May 22 so we can staff our camps accordingly.  Contact Ms. Theresa Kinyon with questions.
9-12 HS Academic Convocation -
Friday, May 24
The 2019 High School Academic Convocation will be held in the Helene Houle Auditorium on Friday, May 24 beginning at 1:45 PM. Academic recognition and awards will be presented to students in grades 9-12. All parents are welcome to attend! Invitations to parents or guardians of students who will receive special honors will be made in advance of these ceremonies. Please contact Mr. Michael Adkins with questions.
K-8 Field Day - Friday, May 24
Field Day for all K-8 students is Friday, May 24 from 9:30 AM-1:45 PM at West Minnehaha Playground. See the parents letter for more details . Questions can be directed to Mr. Sam Thompson .
7-12 Final Exams -
Beginning Wednesday, May 29
Final exams will be held Wednesday, May 29 through Friday, May 31.  Download schedule here. Students in grades 7-12 are dismissed after the exam periods/end-of-year events are completed each day: Wednesday (after Baccalaureate Mass, appx. 12:15 PM), Thursday (12:20 PM for 7-11; after graduation rehearsal for seniors), and Friday (11:30 AM). Teachers will be available for review sessions, and students may stay on campus to study in various locations. As in the past, with a prior parent note or call, seniors with study halls need not report to campus during study hall exam times. Please note that K-6 dismissal remains at 2:45 PM both Wednesday and Thursday. All students are dismissed at 11:30 AM on Friday and there is no After School Care.
Senior Party Volunteers Needed - Friday, May 31
Parent volunteers are needed to assist with the Post-Graduation Senior Party for the Class of 2019! Please see the attached flyer for more information! Contact Mrs. Tina Graner or Mr. Karl Hendrickson with questions.
2019 College Boot Camp - August 5-8
The Guidance Office is excited to announce our annual College Application Boot Camp, a four-day, intensive workshop to jump-start the college application process, ensuring that students are on-track as they begin their senior year. 
When: August 5-8, 2019
Where: Saint Agnes School & Local Colleges
Who: Incoming Seniors – Class of 2020!
What: At Boot Camp, students will complete at least one full college application, write and revise application essays, complete an activity resume, discuss college majors and careers, attend group workshops, meet with a guidance counselor for individual conferences (as needed), visit at least one college campus, talk with college admissions representatives.
Cost: $90
Registration: Registration forms here or students may pick one up in the Guidance Office.
Questions: Contact Mrs. Rachel Kemp
ATHLETICS
Aggie Athena Award Presented to Senior Athlete
Congratulations Maria G. ‘19 on receiving the Aggie Athena Award! The St. Paul Area Athena Awards program honors outstanding female high school seniors for their athletic achievements - Maria was selected as the Saint Agnes School recipient for her accomplishments and leadership in volleyball, basketball, and softball. #GoAggies
Softball Senior Day Victory a No-Hitter and a 100th Win for Coach Dan Berthiaume!
The Saint Agnes softball team celebrated Senior Day on Tuesday afternoon with a 20-0 victory over Columbia Heights. Maria Gutzmann hit for the cycle and Annika Odenbrett threw a no-hitter to lead the Aggies. With the win, Aggies coach Dan Berthiaume has reached the 100-win milestone in his 7th season. Read more about the game. #GoAggies
Come Support Our Aggie Athletes this Week!
(M) May 20: Softball vs. Presentation at West Mini (Grade 6, 4:00 PM)
Softball Varsity Section Tournament vs. Legacy Christian Academy at Carlander Field, Concordia University (4:00 PM)
Boys Lacrosse vs. St. Cloud Tech at St. Cloud State Husky Stadium (JV 5:00 PM, Varsity 6:30 PM)

(T) May 21: Track & Field All Meet at Blake School - Hopkins Campus (Time TBD)
Baseball Varsity Section Tournament vs. St. Croix Lutheran at Barnes Field, Concordia University (4:15 PM)
Track & Field All JV Meet at St. Croix Lutheran (4:15 PM)
Baseball vs. St. Patrick, Hudson at Burton Field, Hudson, WI (Grade 5, 4:30 PM)

(W) May 22: Softball vs. New Life Academy at HealthEast Sports Center (Grade 8, 4:00 PM)
Boys Lacrosse vs. Waconia at Minnehaha Academy South Campus (JV 4:30 PM, Varsity 6:00 PM)

(R) May 23: Boys Lacrosse vs. Irondale at Minnehaha Academy South Campus (JV 4:30 PM)
Boys Lacrosse vs. North St. Paul at Minnehaha Academy South Campus (Varsity 6:00 PM)

(F) May 24: Boys Lacrosse vs. St. Paul Central at St. Croix Lutheran (Varsity 7:00 PM)

Visit our website for directions and up-to-date times and locations.
GRADES 9-12
Summer Student Pass - $29 for Unlimited Rides on Buses & Trains
Any current 9-12th grade student can get unlimited rides on buses and trains up to a $3.25 fare and you can ride any time between 5:00AM-10:00PM every day of the week. Passes are valid from June 1 through September 3. Visit metrotransit.org/summer-pass or view the flyer for more details.
Employment Opportunities with Sweet Martha's Cookie Jar
Sweet Martha's is looking for employees 15 and older to work the 2019 Minnesota State Fair. If you are interested, go to  www.sweetmarthas.com/application  to apply. Please use "Saint Agnes" as your Sweet Martha's reference. Please email  katie@sweetmarthas.com  with questions.
Job Opportunities for Students: From the Guidance Office
Donald’s Uniform Store – Full and Part-Time Positions

Cedar Creek Landscaping
Hiring high school students for the summer!
Contact: Mike Klein at 651-324-8144 or visit cedarcreeklandscaping.net

Transportation Security Officers at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport
Note: Must be 18 years of age or older

Please contact Mrs. Rachel Kemp with any questions regarding these job opportunities.
PARENTS
Box Tops for Education - Please Submit By the End of the Year
As you prepare for the end of the school year, please be sure to submit your Box Tops to the school or parish offices! Many Box Tops expire on 6/30/19, and it is very important to turn them in soon.
 
No need to trim or check for expiration dates: Just bring in as is, and we will do the rest. Just have a small amount? Please still turn in, as it all adds up in the end. We are currently halfway of our goal of $1,000!

New Digital Box Tops are starting in June 2019  
Instead of clipping Box Tops, families will be asked to download the Box Top App and scan their receipt. Any Box Tops that are not expired can still be clipped and turned in. More information will be sent as the new program is launched.
  
Go to  www.boxtops4education.com  for more information or email Virginia Blackstone for questions.
Volunteers from Multiple/Prior Archdiocesan Locations: E3 Updates - Extra Paperwork May Be Needed
If you are a new volunteer to Saint Agnes and have come from another Archdiocese location, you will need to check your E3 compliance for Saint Agnes . We ask that all new volunteers fill out a Volunteer Application for Saint Agnes. Copies can be found in the school or parish office or through this link .

You may have completed all your E3 within the past three years, but Background Checks (BG) and MN BCA 123B.03 (123B) reports are authorized, paid for, and “owned” by the primary location in your VIRTUS account at the time it was submitted. If that was not Saint Agnes, we cannot access them. With a signed release from you, we can get copies sent for our records, but that can take 1-2 weeks to process. This release would need to be redone each time a new report is submitted.

If Saint Agnes will now be your new primary location, you can change that within your VIRTUS account, so all future records will be processed by Saint Agnes.

Volunteers at schools (but not parishes) are now required to have completed the (one-time) 123B report. It may not have been submitted for you in the past. If that is the case, we may need to run a new BG to run the 123B. This could take 1-2 weeks and needs additional paperwork. 

If you have ANY questions about your E3 status, please contact Volunteer & Safe Environment Coordinator, Annette Beaudry at 651-925-8826.
QUICK LINKS FROM PAST WEEKS
Join us for one final Don Bosco Holy Hour Friday from 2-3PM in the lower church chapel to pray for Saint Agnes! Special intentions offered this week for Seniors as they prepare for graduation.
Mark your calendar for K-12 spring testing dates !
Please bring cafeteria accounts to current by the end of the school year.
Allow families the chance to send their children to the school that is the best fit for them! Learn more about how to talk to our legislators about supporting school choice.
Coupons available for preschool, kindergarten, and new student uniforms. Shop June 1-30 for 10-20% off everything at Donald's Uniform Store.
Forming Catholic Hearts & Minds in Faith, Reason, & Virtue