The Panther Post
September 25, 2020
Principal's Page
Greetings to all of our Presentation Families,

We hope you have been able to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather this past week. The fall colors should be magnificent this weekend. It’s important for us to point out to our children these types of gifts we receive from God. Not everyone gets to see the changing of the seasons. The simple things in life are some of the most treasured.

The cold and flu season is just about to start. We encourage everyone to get a flu shot this year. There are many places around town for you to get shots. We’ve had a few cases of strep throat already too. Thank you to everyone who has kept their children home as precautionary measures while determining the alignment of your child. Thanks be to God, they have been allergies, colds and strep.

It is important when you call or email the office about an illness to state specifically the symptoms or illness. Anyone who has been exposed or tested for COVID due to symptoms or exposure should also state that information when contacting school. There are several free testing options available. We’ve included more information about these clinics below. Please help keep our school open and safe by keeping your child home if anyone in the household has a confirmed case. Use the decision making tree to help you determine whether or not to send your child. They also need to be fever free without medication. Thank you for adhering to these health guidelines. 

This past week, we held our first “silent” fire drill. To keep everyone safe, we dismissed each class separately and strategically through different doors when evacuating the building. This allowed everyone to practice getting out of the building in case of an emergency in a safe manner. We will continue to use this process for each of our planned emergency drills. We’d like to remind all of you to practice and talk with your child(ren) about what you all would do if you needed to evacuate your home. Designate a relocation site, a specific neighbor’s house or spot across the street from your home. These simple discussions can save a life. Let’s hope and pray we never have to put these practices in place.

May the weekend ahead be filled with quality family time enjoying the great outdoors.

Blessings to you and your family.

Sue Lovegreen, principal
Click here for an article from the MN Department of Health announcing more sites to get free Covid-19 testing, including a site in Maplewood.

Click here for Presentation's Covid-19 Decision Tree to help guide you should anyone in your family experience symptoms.
Lower Parking Lot Reminder!!

When picking up students from the lower parking lot at the end of the day, please remember that you must exit the parking lot past the preschool playground onto Prosperity! We don't want to cause backups to the traffic on Larpenteur, to the cars waiting in the pick up line, or have any fender benders! Thank you!
Volunteer Opportunities!!

We need help with lunchroom supervision/cleaning and supervising recess.

Working from home? Use your lunch hour to come hang with your kiddo and get some fresh air!!

Lunchroom helpers: Contact Jenna Rose Bradshaw for times and details (jrbradshaw@presentationofmary.org) 

Recess helpers: Contact Linda Charnowski for days and times (lprazak@presentationofmary.org)
Drop-Off Reminder

Students will not be allowed to enter the building until 8:15am, so please make sure they are dressed for the weather if they will be waiting in line outside prior to that. Next week is supposed to be chilly with some rain, so break out those umbrellas and jackets!!

Doors are locked at 8:30am. Any students arriving after that time should enter through the office door (S1) so they can ring the doorbell to be let into school.
Is your family in need of school supplies? Do you know anyone that is? The Salvation Army in Maplewood has a large number of backpacks filled with school supplies that are free to families in need. Stop in to see them at
2080 Woodlynn Ave, St. Paul, MN 55109.

Picture Day Information

Picture Day is Tuesday, October 6th!

Click here to order your child's school pictures. If preferred, you may print and turn in this form in an envelope.
CSCOE Presents: Dr. Jules Nolan Peace of Mind Resource

Session for parents: Stress and Anxiety in School-Aged Children

Even before COVID, anxiety had become the most commonly diagnosed issue in classrooms across this country. Given the stress of this time, of disrupted school and more pressure on families, we are seeing a rise in the stress and anxiety demonstrated by children. In this session, you will learn concrete strategies to help your children become more resilient to stress and to better endure normal anxious feelings. You will also find tips to differentiate “normal” stress and anxiety responses from more serious symptoms, how to intervene without interfering, and when to seek help. 
Remaining Sessions are
September 29, 6:30 p.m.
Wanted Section

Fourth Grade - Beans to fill bean bag chair
Ms. Prahl - Shoe boxes, any size or color
Curious about what's new in the Parish? Click here for the most recent newsletter.
Our Mission: The purpose of Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary School is to provide a Catholic community that fosters the religious and academic development of the individual student in a safe and welcoming learning environment.
Our Philosophy: Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary School creates a supportive Catholic community committed to the Gospel message that calls us to faith, service, and worship. An environment of respect, peace and justice fosters an appreciation of God’s gift of life in all people. Each student is empowered to develop their own potential, which will lead to excellence in academics, athletic activities and the fine arts.