Weekly Newsletter: 2/22/2022 |
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Saint Agnes School and Today's Inclement Weather
This morning’s weather-related decision was especially difficult, due to the fact that the snow only began here in St. Paul at around 5:00 AM and the forecast for additional snow was significantly reduced. That being said, we landed on the side of being in school (which has been our custom), given lower projected snowfall totals.
Please know that, since our students come from all over the metropolitan area (77 ZIP Codes), we will always respect a parent’s decision to keep their child(ren) home on a day of inclement weather. Also, the Church has established parents as the primary educators of their children; and so, Saint Agnes School will excuse weather-related absences when parents choose to keep their student(s) home.
It actually seems quite appropriate to begin Upper School Snow Days with a healthy dose of snow. May God bless the travels of all our families today and throughout the year!
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COVID-19 Update (as of Friday 2/18)
As of last Friday, 2/18, we had one student in our senior class out with the Coronavirus. It appears that we are on the downward slope!
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The Anniversary of the Dedication of the Church of Saint Agnes
This Sunday we celebrate the Anniversary of the Dedication of the Church of Saint Agnes!
We invite everyone to attend the 10:30 AM OF Sung Latin Mass this coming Sunday, February 27th.
We are blessed to have the Bishop Emeritus of New Ulm joining us for this special occasion! Bishop LeVoir was ordained to the priesthood on May 30th, 1981. The next day--Sunday, May 31st--he celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving here at Saint Agnes. He was ordained the fourth Bishop of New Ulm on September 15th, 2008.
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Sunday Funday for Families Following the Dedication Anniversary!
All parish and school families are invited to Schuler Hall after the 10:30 AM Mass on February 27th for a Sunday Funday! Come celebrate a family Mardi Gras with other Saint Agnes families and make some new friends!
Activities will include board games, bingo and other fun things to do. The Knights of Columbus will be serving donuts, chili dogs and beverages, but you can feel free to bring your own lunch.
Bring your family to the 10:30 AM Mass on Sunday, February 27 to hear Bishop John LeVoir, and come down after Holy Mass for the fun starting at approximately 11:45 AM. Or, just join us at 11:45 AM! We will eat, play, and then gather in the Chapel for recitation of the rosary at 1:30 PM to close the event.
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2022 Saint Agnes Lenten Lecture Series
Mark your calendars for this year's Lenten Lecture Series, beginning on Friday, March 4th and continuing each Friday during Lent through Friday, April 8th!
In honor of the 700th anniversary of the great poet’s death, this year's Lenten Lecture Series theme will focus on Dante Alighieri's masterpiece, “The Divine Comedy.” A fantastic lineup of local speakers, plus special guest Dr. Patrick Gardner (Thomas Aquinas College), will serve as our Virgil, walking us through hell, purgatory, and heaven.
Whether you've read some or all of Dante's masterpiece before, or whether you've never opened the book, all are welcome and encouraged to attend! No book is required--come for a few talks, or come for the whole series! Free and open to the public.
The talks will be held at the Church of Saint Agnes in Schuler Hall following the 7:00 PM Stations of the Cross on the Fridays of Lent. Refreshments will be served by the Altar & Rosary Society.
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Mardi Gras at the Church of Saint Agnes
The 8th Annual Saint Agnes Men’s Mardi Gras Event will be held on Tuesday, March 1st, at 7:00 PM in Schuler Hall. There will be a Rosary held at 6:30 PM in the Chapel that you are invited to attend as well. There will also be a brief talk prior to the starting of the event.
Peter Dahdah will again be making his legendary gyros, we will have Scotch and whiskey, in addition to the customary beer and cigars, for those so inclined.
We will have a free poker tournament (Texas Hold ‘Em) starting at 7:45 PM.
RSVP to the Church of Saint Agnes Parish Center. Please extend an invitation to anyone you think might be interested in joining us!
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Lent 2022 Resource for Kids!
Looking for an activity book for Lent for your grade schooler? Blessed is She is a Catholic women’s community that publishes women and children’s studies. Your child may have brought home one of their studies in the past from school.
This Lent, they’re offering children’s books suitable for grade school students that are focused on the theme of trusting Jesus and giving Him everything. The book “All You Have” is available right here. This Lenten resource is for both boys and girls.
"All You Have is an excellent, age-appropriate resource for kids to use during Lent to grow in holiness and in their prayer life. The reflections, readings, and Scripture passages are designed to help them reflect on how to live the Catholic faith in their daily lives and grow closer to Christ.”
-Michael Adkins, Director of Lower School
A few school community members were involved in the production of this and other Blessed Is She materials, including our very own Miss Rose Coleman, 3rd Grade teacher!
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Summer 2022: Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Training for Adults
Mrs. Meggie Langlois, our PreK-2 CGS Coordinator and teacher is offering a week-long training on Level I of the CGS program this summer!
- June 20-25, daily 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- Training at Saint Agnes School
- Cost: $330 (Level I in 2022), $330 (Level II in 2023); $660 for both summers
- Montessori-based: Catholic faith formation program based on Scripture and liturgy
- Based on the belief that God and the child are already in relationship
- Provides a place for the child and God to come together and grow
In the atrium both children and their catechist can hear, ponder, and celebrate the most essential mysteries of the Christian faith!
For more information, please see the PDF brochure here or email Meggie Langlois. Register and pay online at our online payments page under “Events” in the CGS box; please enter your name and email address for contact.
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Center for Mission 2022 Writing Contest
The Center for Mission is sponsoring their annual writing contest focusing on the question, "How has listening to Jesus’ voice led you to live out the Church’ s mission to continue Christ’s work?" There are multiple grade brackets and prizes for the top essays! Entries will be accepted January 31-March 4, 2022.
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2022 Snow Days Information |
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9th Grade Course Registration – Tuesday, March 8th
All students entering 9th grade for Fall 2022 will register for courses at a special event on Tuesday, March 8th. This is for current 8th graders at Saint Agnes as well as those students coming from other schools. Parents and students will get an overview of the high school academic program and have the opportunity to review course placement and make elective requests.
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Updates from the Counseling Office |
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ACT Prep
Unfortunately, we are unable to offer an ACT Prep Course like we have in years past. In order to support our students, we have a few suggestions for them to prepare:
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Purchase The Official ACT Prep Guide 2021-2022 as a self-guided preparation.
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Purchase The Official ACT Self-Paced Course. This self-guided option is fully online. Mr. Walter is generally in the Upper School Library 1 or 2 afternoons each week (M-Th, through Mid-March) until about 5:00pm. Consider taking advantage of this time to use the Library computer lab.
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Want to practicing taking the test? Mrs. Trana will be offering a full-length ACT Paper practice test on Monday, March 21st and Wednesday, March 23rd from 3:30-5:30PM. Monday will cover English and Mathematics. Wednesday will cover Reading, Science, and Writing. This option is FREE. For preparation purposes, please sign up here: ACT Practice Exam with Mrs. Trana.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact Mrs. Trana.
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Attention Juniors: Registration for the ACT
It’s time to begin thinking about the ACT! You can find instructions to register here.
Saint Agnes is hosting the ACT on April 2, 2022. You must be registered by February 25! Due to COVID restrictions, we anticipate significantly reduced capacity. Note: April 2, 2022 is the Saturday at the end of our Spring Break this year.
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Scholarship Updates from the Counseling Office
As seniors prepare for the next chapter of their educational journey, we know how important it is to know of scholarship opportunities. Your senior students have been emailed information regarding the following opportunities:
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Trana, Saint Agnes College Counselor.
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Senior Devon Selmon Wins Oratorical Competition
Devon Selmon, senior and student council president was the winner of the American Legion 4th District Oratorical Competition and will advance to the semifinals in Anoka in two weeks.
The 4th District Competition was held at Arcade-Phelan American Legion Post 577. Devon is pictured with 4th District Commander Dave Dahl and Oratorical Chairman Lou Michaels.
Here is a link about the contest that you may want to take an excerpt from. They have to speak about the US Constitution.
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See the Saint Agnes athletic calendar for all times, locations, and livestreams for this week's games.
See the attached flyer for more information regarding busing, Covid-19 policies, and the NFHS Network.
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2022-2023 Important Dates
August 25 – First Day of School
September 5 – No School, Labor Day
October 3 – No School
October 19 – No School for Lower School
October 20, 21 – No School, MEA Break
October 28 – No School, Fall Conferences
November 23-25 – No School, Thanksgiving Break
December 21 – Last Day of Semester 1
December 22 - January 3 – Christmas Break
January 4 – Start of Semester 2
January 16 – No School, MLK Jr
February 17-22 – No School, Presidents Day Weekend
March 20-24 – Spring Break
April 7-10 – No School, Easter Break
May 8 – No School for Upper School
May 29 – No School, Memorial Day
June 2 – Last Day of School
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Forming Catholic Hearts & Minds in Faith, Reason, & Virtue |
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