April 22, 2021 - News & Notes |
|
From The Desk Of Principal Kerr |
|
Over the past several days, I have had the privilege of conducting formal teacher observations. It is always exciting to see the teachers and students in action together. So much excellent teaching and learning is happening here! I have seen 1st graders learning the spelling rules related to adding suffixes to words that end in “Y” by traveling around the room with marker boards, looking for words Mrs. Peterson posted, and practicing application of the rules. For example, making “rainy” into rainier or rainiest. The kids were learning together, and enjoying the chance to move while they practiced the new spelling rules.
I observed middle schoolers learning and applying formulas for finding the volume of cylinders, cones and spheres. That dusted out the cobwebs in my old brain, and I couldn’t help but solve some of the equations along with the kids. I listened along with 7th graders as they read and discussed The Diary of Anne Frank, and appreciated seeing their summarizing skills and critical thinking in action. I observed a science class planting zinnias to facilitate their study of plants. They were brainstorming what they already had learned about plants, and utilized impressive science vocabulary such as autotrophs, photosynthesis, and the carbon dioxide/oxygen cycle.
I saw 5th graders learning and practicing the Socratic Seminar method of sharing ideas and learning from one another as they discussed literature.
This week we have been asked a lot of questions about the happenings in our Twin Cities. These challenging times are teachable moments and opportunities for growth. Archbishop Hebda shared a link to his Mass for the Preservation of Peace and Justice on Monday. In his homily, the archbishop referred to the multiplication of the loaves and fishes and to Philip’s temptation to do nothing, as the challenge of the hungry crowd was too overwhelming.
Archbishop Hebda warned against the temptation to do nothing when the problems faced in society today are too overwhelming. He said, “We can’t control what happens in the trial. We can’t singlehandedly force healing to those who feel the wounds of racism in our land. We can’t bring George Floyd back to life, or Daunte Wright back to life. Does that mean that we do nothing? Absolutely not.”
“We each have to offer our five loaves and two fish, no matter how meager,” he said. “We gather this morning to do just that. To offer our humble prayers. They’re pretty meager. They’re not much different than the loaves and fish. But we offer them to Jesus, and let him work the miracle.”
Our school counselor, Mrs. Brenden, shared some resources for parents in case you are looking for ideas on how to address these difficult times with your children. I copied the links below:
Enjoy this beautiful evening, the weekend doesn’t look too promising weather-wise, but next week it should actually feel like spring!
God bless your families and go Blues, go Gophers!
Mrs. Kerr
|
|
Wednesday Early Dismissal Childcare Time June 2021 |
|
Please let us know if your child(ren) will need Wednesday Early Dismissal Care (12:15 - 2:15) in June by completing this form as soon as possible, and no later than Saturday, May 15, 2021. We are offering this for families who do not have other options available for Wednesday afternoons. If you are able to have your child come home at 12:15, please do so, as the teachers are finding the Wednesday afternoon planning especially necessary this year.
If you are picking up your child before 2:15, we ask that you call the office so that one of our staff members can bring your child safely to their car line pickup zone.
In order to ensure proper staffing and the safety of all students we request no late enrollment.
Please complete one form per student.
|
|
Plan to join us for our Family Picnic on Thursday, May 27th! |
|
SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL OPEN POSITIONS |
|
School Advisory Council (SAC) is looking to fill 2-3 open positions for the ’21-’22 school year. Applicants do need to have child(ren) currently enrolled at the school and be a practicing Catholic. Please fill out the attached application by April 30, 2021. |
|
Father John Deere Council Catholic High School Scholarship
The Knights of Columbus, Father John Deere Council 4914, is offering a total of (4) scholarships to students who will be entering 9th grade at a Catholic high school. The value of each scholarship is $250.00. You must apply no later than May 3rd, 2021.
Your application, typed on an 8.5 x 11 sheet will include your name, address, the school that you graduated from, the school you will be attending and an essay of 500 words or less on “How will I express my love for Jesus throughout my high school career”. The application is to be mailed to: Thomas Esterl, 9233 W 123rd St., Savage, MN 55378.
Scholarships will be awarded on May 21st, 2021. The checks will be presented to you and will be made out to the school that you will attend.
Thank you in advance for applying.
Thomas Esterl
Knights of Columbus
Father John Deere Council 4914
|
|
It's Time to Order School Supplies for 2021-22!
Orders placed by June 10, 2021 will ship directly to school FREE and arrive before school starts in September. Supply kits can be customized by removing items or adding additional supplies as needed.
|
|
Register for Summer Adventures Plus 2021
NEW THIS SUMMER
Summer Adventures Plus (SAP) is open for ages 4 and older.
Limited spaces are available. Registration is required.
Hours of Operation
Monday through Friday 8:00 am-4:00 pm
SAP reserves the right to close due to lack of enrollment.
SAP will be open June 14-August 20
PLEASE NOTE: SAP will be closed the week of July 5-July 9 for routine building maintenance.
Fees
Registration Fee – $60 per child
Session Fee – $50
All fees will be billed via TADS Billing Management
Why choose our program?
Each week a new theme will be introduced. The following special events and activities will tie in with each weekly theme.
-Community service project
-Spiritual theme and bible verse
-Virtual or in-person field trips
|
|
Don't let learning stop over the summer!
- Summer tutoring provides an opportunity to review difficult material.
- Working with a tutor during the summer helps students retain past content for a smooth transition into the following academic year.
Teachers are available to provide summer tutoring to students. Please email them directly for more information or to schedule tutoring.
Mrs. Kelley DeGross, K-5 Math and Reading (Orton-Gillingham trained), degross@saintmpl.org
Mrs. Amy Peterson, 1st grade teacher, K-1 Math and Reading,T-W-Th, peterson@saintmpl.org
Ms. Deanna Vochoska, All Grades and All Areas, vochoska@saintmpl.org
|
|
Lunch and Recess Volunteers Needed! |
|
We still have many empty spots to fill; your help is appreciated!
- Lunchroom and kitchen every day from 10:30am - 12:45pm. If you are available midday, please sign up using the Sign-Up Genius button below.
- Recess from 11:10am - 1:10. Please use the Sign-up Genius button below.
All volunteers must be up to date on Virtus training.
Please visit virtusonline.org to log in or to create an account and complete the required steps to be a volunteer.
|
|
|
|
COVID-19 Testing for Kids and Families
The MDH announced a recommendation for all youth attending school in-person, and their families to get tested every two weeks through the end of the school year. While it is not a requirement, regular testing complements other safety measures already in place, such as masking and social distancing.
Getting tested every two weeks from now until the end of the school year can help keep schools open and sports operating, and ensure we are limiting the spread of COVID-19.
|
|
Routine COVID-19 Saliva Testing
St. Michael Catholic School’s next testing day is scheduled for Thursday, April 15. Because you can not eat or drink 30 minutes prior to testing we recommend that your child/ren test in the evening of Wednesday, April 14 and drop it off in the nurse's office on Thursday morning when they come to school. Do not hesitate to contact Julie Herbst and Hayley Kulstad with questions.
Student COVID-19 Testing Procedures
At Governor Walz’s direction, MDE is removing yet another barrier to testing: the UPS drop box. While some kids live down the street from a drop box, it’s quite a haul for others.Students are now able to send their Vault-at-Home tests back to the lab through St. Michael.
How this works:
-
Students or families order tests through the Vault-at-Home program (remember tests are no cost to Minnesota residents).
- Students complete their test at home.
- Students seal their sample tube and place it in the biohazard bag. The biohazard bag then gets sealed in the shipping bag that came with the test. The shipping label sticker is attached to the bag.
-
Students bring their sealed shipping bag with the shipping label to school on your designated onsite testing day (every other Thursday).
- Students will test on the same schedule as staff every other week. Our next scheduled staff testing day at St. Mike’s is Thursday, April 15.
- Students will need to have a Vault-at-Home kit on hand at home to complete and bring to school on staff testing day.
- Once students receive notice that their sample is being processed at the lab, they can order another Vault-at-Home kit for the next screening day.
- Students will not have to quarantine unless they are experiencing symptoms or have been named a close contact.
|
|
Students can wear shorts in May/June!
|
|
Mindful Parenting for Resilience
In this session we will dive deeper into specific parenting techniques that build resilience in our children and in ourselves. We will also talk about some common parenting practices that can accidentally make our children emotionally weak. The effects of COVID on our children’s mental health will also be discussed. You will leave with straight-forward practices to bolster your children’s resilience and your own coping.
April 12th at 7:00pm
April 27th at 7:00pm
|
|
School Office: (952) 447-2124
Fax: (952) 447-2132
24/7 Absentee Line: (952) 447-2230
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
