Parent Newsletter: 10/15/2018
An Update from the Assistant Headmaster
Dear Parents and Families -
 
Yesterday's snow showers were quite a surprise, weren't they? My children were clearly more delighted than I. I was reminded of all the things I hope to get done yet before winter fully arrives!
 
This is a good opportunity to review our procedures for school closings due to weather. We will make every effort to decide our status on any given day by 6:00 AM and post to the four different media sites (WCCO, KARE11, FOX9, KSTP5) by 6:15 AM. For your own sake, we recommend that you set up text message alerts via those news outlets that allow for it so as to receive the earliest possible notification. For our part, we will most often err on the side of having school. We understand that families come from a variety of different cities, and weather conditions certain directions from Saint Agnes may vary significantly; should any parents make a decision not to send their child(ren) to school, we will respect those decisions and excuse those absences.
 
If school is closed, all co-curricular events and practices are postponed or cancelled. In the event of an early dismissal, announcements about postponements and cancellations are made to the students before they leave school. Normally, if school is let out early, conditions are so bad that all practices are cancelled.
 
NEW THIS YEAR:
This year, if a school closing is necessary, we will also make use of an emergency alert system that is built into Educate by TADS. This communications system allows us to generate a single emergency notification that is sent directly to users according to each user's preferences - phone call, email, and text message. We plan to send a test notification next Monday, October 22, at 9:00 AM. Before or after that test, you can check and update your notification preferences by clicking on your name on the upper left of the Educate portal >> Account >> Communication preferences (Beta) tab >> Edit box >> and select your preferences. Several categories of notifications are possible. For this specific test and for weather-related closures, we will use the "School Closing" category. This is also a good time to review that your contact information is correct!
 
All that being said, I hope winter takes a little more time in coming and that you and your families enjoy the upcoming long weekend!
 
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Mr. Karl Hendrickson
Assistant Headmaster
UPCOMING EVENTS
K-6 Grandparents' and Special Friends' Day - Wednesday, October 17
We look forward to welcoming Grandparents and Special Friends this Wednesday, October 17! If you are able to help with this special day, please contact Mr. Craig Fiedler in the Advancement Office at 651-925-8810. For more details, see the schedule below:
7:55 AM - School Day Begins/Classroom Visit ( Classrooms)
8:45 AM - K-6 School Mass ( Upper Church of Saint Agnes)                             
9:30 AM - Activity ( K/1 in Cafeteria - 2/3 in Gruden Gym – 4, 5 and 6 on Second Floor)
10:30 AM - K-6 Convocation ( Helene Houle Auditorium)
11:15 AM Coffee & Treats ( Ubel Activity Center Commons)

MEA Break - Thursday, October 18 - Friday, October 19
School will not be in session this Thursday, October 18 or Friday, October 19.
Saint Agnes Fall Festival - Sunday, October 21
Don't miss the Parish Festival this Sunday, October 21 from 11:00 AM until 3:00 PM! Please show your support for the parish that so generously supports our school by attending the Festival this Sunday. Volunteers and donations are still needed to make this parish fundraiser a success. Follow these links to volunteer or to learn more . Please contact Kristin Coyne with any questions at 651-998-9509.

Picture Retakes - Tuesday, October 23
Picture retake day is for any new or absent students or for those who are not 100% satisfied with their picture package. If you wish to have a portrait retaken, please bring your original picture package with you to the camera to ensure that the correct order is printed for the retake. If you are new or were absent on the first picture day and want to order photos, please visit mylifetouch.com   and enter Picture Day ID: MI198195Y1. Paper order forms are available in the Main Office. 
Red Wagon Book Fair - Wednesday, October 24
Don’t miss the Red Wagon Book Fair on Wednesday, October 24 during Fall Conferences, hosted in the Lower School Library from 11:00 AM until 7:00 PM! We will have a terrific selection of books to purchase for your readers! All profits come back to the Lower School Library in books for our school. You are also welcome to purchase books as a gift for your child’s classroom. Thank you in advance for your support of the library. Please contact Tricia Roddy with any questions.

Pre-12 Fall Conferences and No School - Wednesday, October 24
Make sure to mark your calendars for Parent/Teacher Conferences on Wednesday, October 24 from 12:00 to 8:00 PM. Reminder: There is no school on this day.  
Pre-6 Conferences:  Grade school conferences will take place in classrooms. Parents may schedule K-6 conferences using Sign-Up Genius here.
7-12 Conferences:  Conferences for parents of students in grades 7-12 are available on a drop-in basis in Gruden Gym (the grade school gymnasium) and the UAC Commons.
Fr. Tolton Production Coming to Saint Agnes - Thursday, October 25
Meet Fr. Augustus Tolton, the first African American priest, in this one-man multimedia performance. From his dramatic escape from slavery to his courageous struggle in the face of prejudice, Fr. Tolton’s inspiring life centers around his message reconciliation and hope. Tolton: From Slave to Priest , the powerful live production performed by actor Jim Coleman of Saint Luke Productions, will be presented in our Helene Houle Auditorium on Thursday, October 25 at 7:00 PM. This riveting drama is filled with all the elements of professional theater, runs 75 minutes, and is suitable for ages 10 and up. Admission will be $10 each ticket. Pay with credit card online or purchase tickets at the door the night of the show. Additional donations are suggested.

Volunteers are needed to help with setup, teardown, merchandise tables, and ushering. Please consider signing up for a volunteer shift between Wednesday, October 24 and Friday, October 26. For additional information, contact Kate Anderson . Learn more at www.ToltonDrama.com . 
ATHLETICS
Come Support Our Aggie Athletes this Week!
(M) October 15: Volleyball  at Highland Catholic (Grade 6 Red, 3:45 PM; Grade 6 White, 4:30 PM; Grade 8, 5:15 PM; Grade 7, 6:00 PM)

(T) October 16: Football 5/6 Playoffs (TBD)
Cross Country All Conference Championship at Battle Creek Regional Park (Boys 4:30 PM; Girls 5:05 PM)
Volleyball at St. Ambrose of Woodbury (Grade 5, 4:30 PM)
Girls Swim & Dive All Meet vs. Columbia Heights at St. Anthony Village HS (5:30 PM)
Girls Soccer Section Game at Mahtomedi HS (Varsity 7:00 PM)

(W) October 17: Football vs. Minneapolis South at Concordia Sea Foam Stadium (Varsity 7:00 PM)

View full athletics calendar here .

Winter Sports Registration Available Online
Registration for Winter sports is now open for grades 5-12 on our Aggie Athletics website . High School winter sports include basketball, wrestling, hockey, cheerleading, boys swimming, and alpine skiing. Grade School and Junior High sports include basketball, Mini Mat Men wrestling, and swimming. Please  contact Mr. Mike Streitz , Athletics and Activities Director, with any questions. Let's go, Aggies!
PARENTS
Prayers for the Mullin Family
We ask for prayers for our parish and school family members, Brian and Jill Mullin. Jill suffered an aneurysm at 37 weeks pregnant with their second son. The baby arrived via C-section and she underwent brain surgery. Jill continues on her road to recovery. The Mullin's oldest son is in our Preschool. If you are able to help with meals, or meal gift cards, please see this  link . Please contact Nell Alt with other questions. Saint Agnes, pray for us!

Masses This Week
October 16: 8:45 AM – K-6 Mass
October 17: 8:45 AM – K-6 Grandparents Day Mass
All-School Fundraiser – Coming Soon!
The past five years, Saint Agnes has participated in an all-school raffle for a new car. This raffle has been and continues to be a huge success, raising over $80,000 for Saint Agnes each year! Once again, the same donor has presented us with a vehicle to raffle off – a 2018 Ford Explorer which seats 7 and includes SecuriCode Keyless Keypad and intelligent access with push button start! Our raffle fundraiser will officially kick-off with the students and selling of tickets in late November. The SUV will be raffled off at the annual Red & White benefit dinner on February 9, 2019. Last year Mark Andersen, current school parent, won the vehicle – this year it could be you! 100% of the proceeds remain at Saint Agnes. Stay tuned for more details!
Box Tops Deadline - Monday, October 29
Last year, we raised $995.40 through Box Tops for Education. We currently have made $295.90 of our $1,000 goal for this school year! Our first submission deadline for Box Tops for Education is coming up soon! Please have all Box Tops submitted to the school or parish office by Monday, October 29. Since Box Tops expire, it is important to turn in however many or few you might have collected before this deadline. Please contact Virginia Blackstone with any questions.
March for Life - January 15-20, 2019
Saint Agnes high school students (grades 9-12) are invited to join a Saint Agnes School group for the Archdiocesan pilgrimage to Washington DC with Archbishop Hebda for the 2019 March for Life. $460 includes everything but 8 meals. For more information, please visit the Archdiocesan event page . Sign up with Mr. Karl Pedersen by Tuesday, October 23, including a $200 deposit. The final $260 is due Tuesday, November 20. Questions can be directed to the Respect Life Club adviser, Mr. Karl Pedersen .
Red & White
Red & White Benefit - Saturday, February 9, 2019
Plans are underway for our annual Red & White Benefit and we are looking for help. At this time, we are looking for parents willing to help secure auction items. This could entail follow up phone calls to businesses to whom we have mailed a solicitation letter, emailing business managers, or dropping in at local establishments and making an ask. We have lots of contact information, but need help in making the connection. This is a great opportunity to volunteer from the comfort of your home! Please contact benefit chairs  Mary Appel or  Robert Blackstone for more information.

Job Opportunity for Students
Warners' Stellian is looking for part-time warehouse associates to join their team this school year! Pay starts at $11.00 per hour with performance-based increases. Commitment is 2+ days per week, may include a weekend day. Start time would be 3:00-4:00 PM. Contact Mr. Flood or Ms. Larson if interested.

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