Weekly Newsletter 1-23-23

Weekly Newsletter: 1/23/2023

March for Life/50th Anniversary of Roe V. Wade Events/Feedback

It was a privilege to see so many students, parents, and alumni at the March for Life yesterday at the State Capitol building. What a great witness to the unity of vision we share regarding abortion and the current problematic legislation being considered by our elected state representatives!

The 58 Saint Agnes students who returned yesterday from Washington made quite an impression on representatives from the Archdiocese as well, including the Archbishop and one of our beloved priests in the Archdiocese. One priest wrote me the following today:

“Having returned last night from the March for Life, I simply want to share with you how incredibly impressed I was with the students from Saint Agnes School. When I expressed my intent to attend the Archdiocesan Pilgrimage for Life months ago, I did so largely to encourage my own…parishioners, several of whom in fact signed up with their schools. I never saw a list of participants until right before we left, nor did I request to be placed in any particular bus. I had no idea how many Aggies were going until recently. I ended up being on the bus with the 10th and 11th grade Aggies. The students were joyful, articulate, wholesome and fun! Your faculty and parent chaperones were incredible! We began our journey home on Sunday after the all-day-long “Students for Life” conference. At 9:45 pm in the midst of small group discussions students were asking me how they can best live their faith, or how they can best answer the arguments that they hear about premarital chastity and contraception and pregnancy, etc. The level of serious reflection and sincerity from 10th and 11th graders both amazed and edified me….May God continue to bless Saint Agnes School.”

Bob Ercolani Endowed Scholarship Announced

We are thrilled to announce the establishment of the Bob Ercolani Endowed Scholarship. For more than 30 years, Mr. Ercolani served as a teacher, coach, and administrator at our school. The Bob Ercolani Endowed Scholarship will honor the legacy Mr. Ercolani created at Saint Agnes and provide financial assistance to high school students and athletes.

An anonymous donor has already committed over $100,000 in Bob's name, and with additional donations we hope to draw on the accrued interest of this scholarship to help more students and young athletes afford the opportunity to receive a Saint Agnes education for years to come.

Late last week this story was featured on FOX9--you can view the story above and read the full press release here.

National School Choice Week

This week we're celebrating National School Choice Week. We thank all of you, our families, for choosing Saint Agnes School!

Saint Agnes School Podcast Returns!

In this episode of the Saint Agnes Podcast Series, Host Michael Adkins takes listeners on a brief tour of educational neuroscience and its relevance for liberal arts classical education. This episode contains 5 parts: Part I offers an intro to educational neuroscience (2:16-6:24); Part II reveals how modern science of the brain affirms the classical liberal arts model (6:25-10:53); Part III is a fascinating interview with our Guidance Counselor Mrs. Jolene Schmitz on how to support our students with brain-based strategies (10:54-20:42); Part IV offers an overview of the brain lessons I taught in my Latin classes (20:42-23:39); Part V is an overview of data and feedback from a student survey I administered after the lessons - you'll also hear directly from students! (23:40-32:04); The episode ends with a brief recap and offer of resources (32:05-33:18).

LISTEN HERE

Financial Aid and Scholarship Applications

If your family is seeking financial assistance for the 2023-24 school year, financial aid applications are due by February 28^th. Even if you have filled an application and received aid in the past you must complete this process every year if you are seeking aid for the following year.

NEW THIS YEAR, all families with a current 8^th grade student going into 9^th grade that is applying for aid is asked to fill out our general Need-Based Scholarship Application (no cost) along with the financial aid application. We have been in the process of cultivating more external scholarships to fill financial aid packages for families and many of these scholarships request extra information regarding applicants that are presented to their committees. If we need further information to present (essay’s, letters of recommendation, further participation, etc.) we will directly request those also from your family.

Call our Director of Admissions, Mr. Joseph Olson, at 651-925-8803 should you have further questions.

Red & White Benefit Needs You!

Saturday, February 11th, 5:30 PM. Purchase Tickets Here.

Silent Auction Donations are still needed! Wines/liquors, household items and gift cards are most popular. Cash is always welcome and we’ll do the shopping!

Or shop our Amazon Wish List for convenience!

We would also welcome help for a last-minute push to call or visit businesses, liquor stores and restaurants to ask for donations. The Red & White is a major source of scholarship money for our families. We need everyone to chip in to make it a success.

Several Volunteer positions are still open. Click for more descriptions.

Please drop donation items in the main office by Wednesday, January 25^th

Questions? Please contact Catherine Kirkland at 651-400-8361.

All proceeds directly benefit the students of Saint Agnes--your support, in whatever capacity, is invaluable.

2023 Musical: Good News!

Time is running out on your chance to create a memory you will never forget. Registration for the musical closes this Friday, January 27, which is only five days away. Registration and audition material may be picked up on the table under the stairs in the Commons. Completed forms should be turned into the office.

Grades 7 through 12 may join the chorus (No auditions needed)
Grades 2 through 6 may join the Children's Chorus (No auditions needed)
Grades 9 through 12 may audition for lead roles (Auditions are Jan. 31 or Feb. 1)

This show has more leads than usual plus much involvement of the chorus. There are two football numbers, so men--we can use you. Every Senior who joins us the last year always regrets not joining the musical sooner, so don't be one of them! The fun and excitement of opening night cannot be matched by anything else. Even Mike Streitz will be part of the cast!

Remember, Friday, January 27th is the deadline to register.

2023 Summer Series & Instructors Needed

Each year Saint Agnes students, parents, and alumni have the opportunity to learn something new through our Summer Series program, and we are looking for new and exciting classes to offer our students and wider community.

This year, our Summer Series program runs from Monday, June 12th through Friday, August 18th. If you are interested in teaching a class or would simply like more information, please reach out to Mrs. Miriam Naughton, the Summer Series Coordinator. We are looking forward to an exciting summer of learning and hope to have you with us!

2023 VBS Instructors Needed

Running as a part of our Summer Series program, our VBS is also in need of instructors! If you are interested and able to serve with this program, please reach out to Mrs. Miriam Naughton, the Summer Series Coordinator.

Burns' Supper Bagpiper Needed!

Mrs. Miriam Naughton is once again putting on the Burns' Supper this year in Gruden Gym from 1-2PM on January 25th for her students! However, she is in need of a bagpiper who would be willing to come in and play for approximately 30 minutes during the Supper.

If you play the bagpipes or happen to know someone who does and would be willing to play for our students, please contact Mrs. Naughton!

Catholic Schools Week Lower School Overview:

Father/Daughter Dance - Saturday, Jan. 28th

Plan to rock around the clock for the annual Father-Daughter Dance this Saturday, January 28th, 2023. Girls in grades 9-12 are invited to attend this 1950’s Sock Hop themed event with their father, grandfather, godfather or other male role model. Dress your fifties best (semi-formal dress code) and don’t forget your dancing shoes. The event will feature a wide variety of music and dances complete with expert instruction, a dessert buffet, and a professional photo.

Tickets are $35 per family through January 26th and $45 at the door.

Purchase tickets on the Saint Agnes School website.

Event Schedule

6:30 PM – Social Hour and Professional Photographs**

7:00 PM – Music, Dancing & Expert Instruction by Dancers Studio, Dessert Buffet

10:00 PM – Evening Concludes

** A professional father/daughter photograph is included in the ticket price.

How You Can Help

Please consider volunteering to help at this event:

*Event set-up from 9:00 – 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 28th

*Help during the event (two shifts available) from 5:00 – 8:00 PM or 8:00 – 11:00 PM

*Donations of gift cards for the purchase of desserts from Lunds, Kowalskis, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Wuollets, Café Latte, and Bread & Chocolate may be dropped off in the Main Office during school hours (please mark for Father-Daughter).

*Please click here to find all volunteer opportunities for this event.

Please contact Jodi Galush at jodigalush@comcast.net if you have any questions.

More Honor Band Congratulations!

Congratulations to:

Rosemary Blackstone

Sarah Bourland

Gabe Osterbauer

Elinor True

Noel Varco

On Monday, January 16^th, these five students were chosen to participate in the College of St. Scholastica Honor Band in Duluth, MN. They were part of a band made up of the top musicians in the state of Minnesota. They spent the day rehearsing, in master classes with faculty, and concluded with a wonderful concert at the end of the day.

Well done, band students!

Art Afternoon Acknowledgments

Thank you to all students who participated in Art Afternoon 2023! Congratulations to the cast of Order Up--the one-act play was quirky and humorous. Well done!

We also want to recognize the 22 students that performed in the talent portion of the show. We were entertained with a variety of performances!

Semester One Honor Roll & Lettering in Academics (9-12)

Mr. Michael Adkins, Dean of Academics, is pleased to announce the 2022-23 Semester One Honor Roll:

2022-23 Semester One Honor Roll

Congratulations to all those students who’ve earned a spot! For students in grades 7-12 who earned a spot on the Honor Roll, a certificate will be provided to you soon.

At Saint Agnes School, our goal is that every student achieve the maximum capacity of his or her God-given potential.

Students in grades 7-12 earn a place on the Honor Roll in the following ways:

Semester GPA of 3.00-3.32 = Honor Roll
Semester GPA of 3.33-3.66 = Dean's List
Semester GPA of 3.67-above = Headmaster's List

The criteria for Academic Honors and qualifying for a letter in Academics are as follows:

First Letter (Academics Patch - Book or Lamp):

2 consecutive semesters of Headmaster's (formerly Principal's) List (3.67 GPA and above)
3 consecutive semesters of Dean's List (3.33-3.66 GPA)
4 consecutive semesters of Honor Roll (3.00-3.32 GPA)

Subsequent Letters (Bar Patch):

1 semester of Dean's List or higher

Visit our website to see patch examples and where to purchase them for letter jackets under Academics and “Awards and Honors” tabs. Please note that letter patches are not provided by the school.

Aggie Athletics Calendar

View Aggie Athletics calendar here.

Spring Sports Registration is Now Open

Registration is now open for all high school, junior high and grade school spring sports.

Registration will close February 24^t^h. Please register at our Saint Agnes Registration Page

High School Sports: Baseball, Softball, and Boys and Girls Track.

Grade School and Junior High Sports: Baseball and Softball. Those students in grades 7 and 8 that wish to join Track must register on the high school page.

Clay Target (Trap) is offered for students in grades 7-12 and you must register by clicking on the Clubs and Activities tab on the registration site.

Boys and Girls Lacrosse will appear on the registration site by Thursday

Contact Mr. Streitz if you have any questions.

President’s Day Baseball Clinic

The Aggie Baseball team will hold a baseball camp on Monday, February 20th.

Grades 4-6 Students: Register for the 9-11 AM session.

Grades 7-8 Students: Register for the Noon-2 PM session.

Only 35 participants allowed per session. Cost is $35 and includes a t-shirt and a chance to win several baseball-related prizes. Two campers per session will be chosen to be bat boys for a 2023 Saint Agnes home game.

Please register under the Clubs and Activities tab on the Saint Agnes Registration Page.

Contact Coach Streitz if you have any questions or find more information here.