Parent Newsletter: 9/10/2018
A Message from the Dean of Academics / Interim Lower School Director
Dear Parents,

I hope you enjoyed the beautiful weekend!
Yesterday's Responsorial Psalm (Ps. 146) reminded me of how blessed I am to be starting my 10th school year at Saint Agnes this fall: "Praise the Lord, my soul!" I have served as Dean of Academics for that entire time, and this year I have taken on an additional role as Interim Lower School Director. Mrs. Minton did an amazing job last year as Director and she continues to offer helpful insight to me while taking care of her new baby, Vivian.

Here's a few insights about our Preschool-6th Grade program for 2018-19:
* For our elementary students, this is the "Year of Faith" as studied in our Virtues in Practice  program.
* The patroness of our P-6 faculty this year is St. Therese of Lisieux. We are inspired by her saying: "Achieve sanctity by being faithful in the smallest matters."
* We opened our new Montessori Preschool space (with 19 of our 20 spots filled!) on August 28.
* Three of our four Dominican sisters teach in the elementary.
* We have a wonderful new K-6 Religion curriculum: "Spirit of Truth" (Sophia Institute Press).
* Kindergarten students will now benefit from a weekly, 75 minute session in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd atrium in addition to Religion class.

I've really enjoyed the varied duties and joyful life of our elementary school. I recently sat cross-legged at a Kindergarten "Morning Meeting" where students shared their various favorites with each other (food, color, etc.)... My left leg was asleep after 10 minutes and I couldn't feel my foot! How do those little ones sit like that for so long?! I will now start stretching more often!

For parents of returning students in grades 1-9, keep an eye out this week for Stanford 10 test results from last May.

I want to thank the wonderful members of the P-6 faculty for helping these past two weeks of school go so smoothly! Thank you, parents, as well for your support and for choosing Saint Agnes - I hope to see and greet you at morning drop-off or afternoon pick-up!

God bless,
Michael Adkins
Interim Director of the Lower School / Dean of Academics
UPCOMING EVENTS
Dr. John Tauer to Address High School - Tuesday, September 11
Dr. John Tauer is a professor in the Department of Psychology at St. Thomas University, as well as UST's basketball coach. Dr. Tauer will be addressing our high school students on Tuesday, September 11. He will speak at Convocation on intrinsic and extrinsic means of motivation.

Welcome Reception for Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist - Sunday, September 16
Please join our parish and school community in welcoming our new teaching sisters! The Saint Agnes Altar & Rosary Society will host a welcome reception for Sisters Teresa Christi, Mary Philomena, Mary Margaret, and Mary Consolata in Schuler Hall on Sunday, Septmber 16 after the 8:30 AM Mass.

Aggie Homecoming Week - September 24-29
Student Activities
Homecoming Week activities begin for students on Monday, September 24! Here's a glimpse of the week:
  • Monday - K-6 Color Day, Morning Meeting; 7-12 Tacky Tourist Day
  • Tuesday - K-6 School Uniform, 8:45 AM Mass; 7-12 Class Color/House T-Shirt Day
  • Wednesday - K-6 Sports/Jersey Day, Student vs. Teacher Volleyball Game; 7-12 Destination Day
  • Thursday - K-6 Faith T-Shirt Day; 7-12 School Uniform; 8:45 AM Alumni Memorial Mass
  • Friday - K-12 Aggie Spirit Day; Pep Fest; Family Tailgate BBQ & Football Game at Klas Field
  • Saturday - 9-12 Homecoming Dance & Coronation

Download the complete schedule for details on out-of-uniform days, activities and games.
K-6 students will have the opportunity to purchase both a Homecoming t-shirt and a FAITH t-shirt. FAITH t-shirts are $10; order forms are due Thursday, September 13. Homecoming t-shirts and 9-12 dance tickets will be sold at lunch September 24-26. T-shirts cost $10. Dance tickets cost $5 pre-sale if you buy a t-shirt or $7 at the door / without a t-shirt.

We'll also be hosting the Alumni Memorial Mass on Thursday, Family Tailgate BBQ on Friday, and Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday, plus various Homecoming games and matches throughout the week. Celebrate Aggie Homecoming with us and learn more at our website .

UMary Bus Trip - Sunday, October 7 - Monday, October 8
The University of Mary and Mrs. Mary Jo Feltl will once again sponsor a bus trip for juniors and seniors to the University of Mary on October 7-8. Buses will depart the Twin Cities from three locations (to be determined based on general areas where students are coming from) and return just before 10:00 PM on Monday, October 8. A schedule of events can be found here . Students may register online for this opportunity. Questions? Please contact  Mrs. Rachel Kemp.
ATHLETICS
Come Support Our Aggie Athletes this Week!
(M) September 10: Football at Brooklyn Center (JV 4:30 PM)
Girls Soccer vs. St. Croix Lutheran at Pioneer Park (JV 5:00 PM, Varsity 7:00 PM)
Boys Soccer at St. Croix Lutheran (JV 5:00 PM, Varsity 7:00 PM)

(T) September 11: Volleyball vs. Fridley at Saint Agnes Bandas Gym (C/JV 4:30 PM, Varsity 6:00 PM)
Girls Soccer at Washington Technology Magnet (JV 5:15 PM)
Girls Swim & Dive vs. Irondale at St. Anthony Village HS (6:00 PM)
Football vs. Blake at Gordy Aamoth Stadium (JH 7:00 PM)

(W) September 12: Boys Soccer at Hmong Academy (Varsity 5:00 PM)

(R) September 13: Cross Country at St. Catherine's College (JV Girls 4:30 PM, Varsity Girls 5:10 PM, Varsity Boys 5:50 PM, JV Boys 6:20 PM)
Volleyball vs. Brooklyn Center at Saint Agnes Bandas Gym (C/JV 4:30 PM, Varsity 6:00 PM)
Girls Soccer at Providence Academy (Varsity 5:00 PM)
Girls Swim & Dive vs. Fridley High School at St. Anthony Village HS (5:30 PM)
Football at St. Anthony Village (5/6 at 6:00 PM)
Boys Soccer at Providence Academy (Varsity 7:00 PM)

(F) September 14: Girls Soccer vs. Mounds Park Academy at Pioneer Park (JV 4:30 PM)
Football vs. Edison at Hamline University (Varsity 7:00 PM)

View full athletics calendar here .
PARENTS
Grades 7-8 Mass of the Holy Spirit Field Trip - Forms Due Today
7th and 8th grade students will be attending the Mass of the Holy Spirit, organized by the Catholic Schools Center of Excellence, on Wednesday, October 10 at U.S. Bank Stadium. They will join students in grades 4-8 from over 70 Catholic schools will come together to celebrate Mass! Permission forms are due this Monday, September 10. Please submit the field trip form and $10 bus/lunch fee as soon as possible. Checks can be made out to “Saint Agnes School.” Contact Ms. Samantha Burr with questions.

Yearbooks for Sale
Yearbooks are on sale now through December 31! Attached is an order form ( English | Spanish ) – all on-campus order forms should be returned to Mrs. Richtsmeier in UAC Room 212. After December 31, the price will increase and all sales are due by February 1, 2019. Any questions or concerns, please contact Mrs. Bridget Richtsmeier .

Reminder: Please Turn in Back to School Forms
All required forms from the Second Summer Mailing, which were also available at the Parent Fiesta, should be turned in to the Main Office as soon as possible. You may download the required back to school forms here  or pick them up in the main office. Thank you for your timely response!

Masses This Week
Tuesday, September 11: K-6 Mass at 8:45 AM
Friday, September 14: K-12 Mass (Latin) at 8:45 AM – Triumph of the Cross
Learn more about school Masses and see the full 18-19 schedule on our website.

The Parent Newsletter is a weekly publication of Saint Agnes School.
Forming Catholic Hearts & Minds in Faith, Reason, & Virtue