Back to School Night, Version 2020!
We have been working hard to determine a way to continue the Back to School Night tradition at St. Michael. Our teachers are so excited to be back in their classrooms and to meet their students. However, Back To School Night will need to look different than it has in previous years. In order to maintain the appropriate social gathering guidelines, we are inviting parents and students to come to school on September 2nd in three different identified groups:
  • NEW Families- Anyone with students in K-8 who are new to St. Mike’s this year
  • Begin in the church for an orientation and welcome with Mrs. Kerr at 4:15 pm
  • Classroom visits begin at 5:00 pm for new families
  • Returning Families-Alphabetical by last Name A-L
  • Begin in church for a welcome with Mrs. Kerr at 5:30 pm
  • Classroom visits begin at 6:00 pm
  • Returning Families-Alphabetical by last Name M-Z
  • Begin in church for a welcome with Mrs. Kerr at 6:00 pm
  • Classroom visits begin at 6:30 pm

Students may bring their school supplies to drop off for the first day of school, and will have a chance to meet their teachers. Preschool will hold a separate orientation on September 8 and 9. Watch for more information from preschool director, Ashley Lind, who will be scheduling individual 25 minute orientation conferences with each preschool family. During this time, you will have the opportunity to drop off supplies and paperwork, explore the classroom, meet your teacher and learn about our curriculum, policies, procedures and classroom expectations.
Distance Learning
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As we prepare to greet our students and prioritize in-person learning for every student everyday, we also understand some students may need to learn from home. Students at home will be invited to participate in classroom instructional activities via GoogleMeet. (Students will not be attending all day through the virtual platforms, but will be invited to join during direct instruction.) Work will be assigned via SeeSaw and Google Classroom, to be completed and returned via the same platforms. We have purchased virtual learning Units of Study, and are planning project-based learning opportunities for students in and out of the classroom. Very few families have requested distance learning as their main option, but we know there will be times when students must quarantine during the school year. Our distance learning plans will focus on uninterrupted learning for all St. Michael students.
Quarantining
Many of you have questions about quarantining students and teachers. We are following the guidelines from MDH. These guidelines are still in flux. We will ask students, staff and faculty to stay home if:
  • They have been in contact (within 6 feet) for 15 minutes or more with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19
  • They have symptoms of COVID-19
  • They have tested positive for COVID-19.

Those who have quarantined will be allowed back when:
  • At least 10 days have passed since the first symptoms
  • AND there has been no fever for 24 hours (w/o meds)
  • AND symptoms have improved.

The many mitigation efforts we are planning will reduce the risk of spread, and reduce the chance of coming into close contact with someone at school who has tested positive.
These include:
  • Small classroom cohorts for safe distancing and less exposure to mixed groups
  • Seating arrangements for distancing and facing the same direction
  • Cleaning and sanitizing of classroom and school surfaces
  • Hand washing breaks
  • Teaching respiratory etiquette
  • Social distancing in building and limiting foot traffic in halls
  • Changes in routines for lunch and recess
  • Cohorts for Mass attendance
  • Teachers rotating in middle school rather than students
  • Taking learning outside as often as possible

Many things will look different this year by necessity, and we are confident in the protocols we have developed. Being in school is important for our children spiritually and academically, and it is crucial for their social-emotional development. Every year we prioritize the needs of our children with a “kids first” attitude, and this year that will be especially important. Please trust that we are making decisions to ensure the health and safety of our community as we do the important work of educating our children. We have a lot of professional as well as personal and practical knowledge among our faculty members. We will succeed in providing an excellent experience for our St. Michael Blues with your trust and support. We can do this, we want to do this, we must do this!
School Schedule Update
Bus
This week we learned that the Prior Lake-Savage Area School District must make a change to our busing service due to the shifts in their instructional schedules this year. We will have buses running as usual on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. However, on Wednesday afternoons, transportation is only available for an early release. Busses will pick students up at 12:15pm on Wednesdays. (Wednesday morning will run as usual.)
We will plan to have care and homework help available for students who need to stay at school from the early dismissal time (12:15) to the end of the regular school day. At 2:15 students needing care will transition to Adventures Plus (Regular Adventures Plus fees will apply after 2:15). We sent a survey (one question) on Tuesday to find out how this change will affect families. Please take the survey if you have not already done so. We need to plan accordingly.
We Blew The Top Off Our
Matching Grant Goal!
Many thanks to everyone who pitched in to help us raise not $10,000 but over $20,000!! The Schulze Family Foundation will match $10,000 as will the Harper Family Foundation. So our $20,000 turns to $40,000! God is good (and so are His friends)! We can certainly use this money, especially as we are purchasing equipment and materials for distance learning such as, air exchange units, hand sanitizer stations, and all sorts of extra materials to avoid sharing common classroom equipment. We are also seeing an increased need for financial aid as families are feeling the economic pinch of the pandemic.
Again, thank you to all who participated in this grant challenge, and please continue to hold our benefactors in your prayers. 
 
Our St. Michael Family in Action
St. Michael Catholic School is known and recognized for our students and alumni. Our mission statement is truly reflected in the students who have learned and grown here. We are all about inspiring spiritual, academic and social growth in each of our St. Michael Blues. It makes us proud to see our work with our students manifested in the way they live their lives once they graduate and move out into the wider community. Colin Glynn, SMCS Class of 2017, is an excellent example.
St. Michael Alumnus Colin Glynn finished his Eagle Scout project the weekend of August 8th and 9th. His project began last spring when Colin was tasked with developing, leading and executing a community-service project to fulfill his Eagle Scout requirement with Troop 331. Colin has also accomplished several requirements to demonstrate leadership qualities that earned him several badges during his tenure with the Boy Scouts.  
Colin’s project culminated in a beautiful outdoor learning space in Mary’s Garden, located between the bus doors and the playground. Colin’s vision for this project was an opportunity to honor his Catholic Faith, give back to St. Michael, and provide an environment that students could benefit from for years to come. He was inspired by a fellow Eagle Scout James Cirillo, and received help and support from friends and family. He sought advice from his parents who are both educators to ensure that the space would work for both students and teachers.
Colin reached out to the St. Michael faculty as well, surveying teachers and checking in with the administration to make sure that his idea would add value for them. Colin shared, “This project grew in importance as I knew the 2020/2021 school year would look different, and I knew it would be important to have a space that would allow students to get out of their classrooms.”
Colin acknowledged those who provided support and accountability for his vision: his parents Patrick and Shannon; his friend Will Hockman who encouraged and motivated Colin as an experienced Eagle Scout; and his community donors, John Stamos of Trimmer Trees in Lakeville who provided the tree stumps, Al Imholte of Prior Lake Ace Hardware who donated the rocks, and the Prior Lake Lions Club who contributed funds that helped pay for the wood and drainage system.
We are proud of the young man Colin has become, and look forward to using this learning space. Some of our preschoolers got a chance to do that already!
Do you need school supplies?
Order By August 26th!
Our school supply ordering window has been re-opened for one last chance to order school supplies. The teachers' requested items are listed by grade. Your order will be shipped directly to your home. Orders are due by August 26th.
We're Hiring!
Adventures Plus Child Care Aid:
Two positions are open for an Adventures Plus Child Care Aide at St. Michael Catholic School. Candidate must be available to work 2:00 – 5:00 when school is in session, have strong communication skills, enjoy working with children and have or be willing to get their First Aid/CPR certification. Please contact Julie Herbst at 612-619-7484 or julieherbst@saintmpl.org for more information.


Preschool Substitutes Needed!
Faithful Beginnings Preschool at St. Michael Catholic Church is looking for qualified subs for the upcoming 2020-2021 school year.

Substitutes are required to have the following in order to sub in preschool:
 -Essential 3 through the Archdiocese
  -DHS background study and fingerprints
  -Pediatric first aid/CPR
  -Child development training
  -Orientation/policies/procedures/allergies
  -Abusive Head Trauma
  -Cultural training
  -Disability training

Full job description available by contacting our Preschool Director Ashely Lind. To apply, please send your resume to ashleylind@saintmpl.org.