Weekly Update - September 22, 2016
In this update:

A letter from Mrs. Maxwell regarding communication from her office. And a quick update on the focus of our Instructional Coach this year.

Marathon  is off to a great start! Three top homerooms received breakfast treats this week: Ms. Baer, Mrs. Schroeder, and Mrs. Olmanson's. Check out below for this week's winners.

PreciouStatus is LIVE! Get the details below.

Please join us for the Top 20 Training Presentation!

Another VIRTUS training session has been added in October. This training is required for all new volunteers.

We've also included some no cost  fundraising items, information about the Laker Educational Foundation Blue Jeans Bash, and Upcoming Events.
laurieFrom The Principal's Desk

My heart is full of joy and gratitude this week. We have much to celebrate, starting with the glorious all Catholic schools Mass this Thursday at CHS stadium. Our students were in awe of the masses of children in attendance. Here are just a few comments students made about this once in a lifetime event:
  • I got to see the Archbishop and Bishop in person, my mom and dad have not even gotten to do that!  I even got to shake the Bishop's hand.
  • The music was awesome, celebrating with music as we waited was fun.
  • I loved being on the mass cam and seeing our school on it too.
  • I cannot believe how many priests there were at the mass!
  • I really didn't think this event could be anything but boring.  This event was amazing, nothing like I expected.
Personally, the most memorable moment for me was looking out at all of our children celebrating together our faith in Jesus, taking serious the message of Archbishop Hebda to invite the Holy Spirit to be with them, discern their future vocation, and always strive for excellence.

It was wonderful seeing so many families at our Curriculum Nights this week.  Together we will ignite Spiritual, Academic and Social Development in our children!

Parent Spring Survey Results Part Two: Communication
(Part One: Consistent Discipline can be reviewed here)

You told us you wanted us to elevate the consistency of communications across the school (from teachers to administration).  I commit to the following communication plan.  

Families will receive a Weekly Update e-mail every Thursday (please forgive the delay this week...with an event every night, its been a little busy).  It is important that families read these emails as it is our school's number one tool for communication on the happenings at St. Michael School.  

Please feel free to email me at any time, I commit to responding within 48 hours.  If you need to communicate with me right away or the same day, call the office and leave a message with Mrs. Hall.  

Please do not hesitate to make an appointment to meet with me.  Again, Mrs. Hall will be able to arrange a time for us to get together. 

Please refer to our handbook as you have questions about procedures or policies.  Your child's teacher should be your first go with questions and concerns about academics or the day to day life in the classroom. Lastly feel free to call the main office with questions.  I look forward to sharing teacher's communication plan next week.
 
Blessings,

Laurie Maxwell
Principal
mskWhat has Ms. K been up to?
We are so thankful to have an Instructional Coach at St. Michael. With the new year, we wanted to take a moment to update you on Ms. Kaczmarek's areas of focus.
  • Involved in implementation of the new math curriculum in grades K-4.
  • Co-teaching either to challenge or assist students in small groups or one-on-one 
  • Coordinates the Student Assistant Team to ensure we are meeting the needs of all students  to help them succeed
  • Instructor for Middle School Strategies class to help students with skills, organizations, and time management
heroMarathon Updates

Marathon Day is almost here! As of Thursday night, our donation total is $8,549. Thank  you to all parents, friends, and family members who have donated. Our goal is $50,000.

Weekly Breakfast Winners:   On BNN this morning, we announced the Ms. Johannes, Ms. Friske, and Sister  Melissa's homerooms will have a breakfast treat delivered on Monday. Congratulations!

Online Donations: Online donations can be made by here

Does your employer have a company match program? Click here.

Volunteers: All parents are invited to be part of our service project. Please watch for additional details.

Family Fun Night:  Make sure Family Fun Night is on your calendar! Join us Friday, October 7 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. for Human Foosball, Bingo, and El Jefe Food Truck.

Parent's can be heroes too: The parish Nurse Ministry is sponsoring a blood drive on Tuesday, October 4 from 1:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. in Archangels Hall. You can donate blood and be a hero, too! Sign-up online by clicking here.
preciousPreciousStatus is LIVE!

You read about our pilot class in the State of the School over the summer! Now, all classrooms have it! Every parent should have received an e-mail from PreciouStatus this week. If you did not see it, please check your spam or promotions folders.

What do you do next?

1 - click on the e-mail link and download the app
2 - start receiving updates on your child and their classroom

Check out this parent reference guide.

PARENTS: if you were part of the pilot program you will need to download the app again.
top20Top 20 Training Night!

Guiding Our Children through Life's Challenges:
Becoming the Best Version of Ourselves

Tuesday, October 4
6:30 p.m.
St. Michael Catholic School

Parents of ALL students preschool - 8th grade are invited to attend.
All 5th - 8th grade students are encouraged to attend.

Learn more about Top 20: top20training.com

virtusAdditional VIRTUS training session added at St. Michael

In response to the Charter for the Protection of Children and Youth, the Archdiocese of Minneapolis and St. Paul requires training sessions for all adult volunteers having regular and/or unsupervised contact with children and youth. The  program specifically address how the entire parish and  school communities can protect all of God's children from  sexual abuse.
 
A FREE VIRTUS training is being offered at St. Michael  Catholic Church on Tuesday, October 11 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. in Archangels Hall. Please register online at www.virtus.org. Call Tammie at 952-447-2491 if you need assistance.
fundraisingNo Cost Fundraising at St. Mike's

NEW - Box tops:  Did you hear about the new Box Top Bonus App? Click here for the details.

Metro Dining Cards are here!  Click here for more details.

Uncle Ben's Beginners: Cook with your child and win $15,000 for yourself and $30,000 for the school. Click here for details.

Bright Future Promotion from Cheese Heads: How would you spend $10,000 at St. Mike's? Tell Frigo Cheese Heads in 50 to 200 words. Click here for the details.
lakerLaker Educational Foundation Blue Jeans Bash
a note from Cory Postle

As some of you may know,  I serve on the board for the Laker Educational Foundation.  The Laker Educational Foundation has a history of supporting St Michael Catholic School through grant support. This Blue Jeans Bash is the fundraiser through which they raise the majority of their funds- to distribute back to the schools.
 
I would love to see our St. Mike's community well represented at the event. Tickets are $50 per person and I am selling them; I am hoping ten people from our school community will join me. It is a fun night out, including social hour, dinner, silent auction, and comedian.

Please let me know if you are able to join us Friday, October 14, with social hour beginning at 6pm. ...also, please spread the word to any who may be interested.
 
Thanks
Cory Postle

calendarUpcoming Events

September 26-30
NWEA Testing (Click here for the full schedule)
September 29 8:00 a.m. School Mass - St. Michael Feast Day
September 30
School Pictures
October 3-6
NWEA Testing (Click here for the full schedule)
October 4 6:30 p.m. Top 20 Training Presentation
October 7
Service Marathon and Family Fun Night
October 13 6:30 p.m. Marketing Meeting (contact Maggie Stack if you'd like to join at mstack@stmichael-pl.org)
October 13 12:30 p.m. Reconciliation for grades 3-8 - Parents welcome!
October 19-21
MEA Break - NO SCHOOL
October 24
Staff In-Service - NO SCHOOL
.
You can view the entire school calendar here.
volunteer volunteer2Volunteer at St. Mike's

Volunteers are essential to the success of St. Michael Catholic School. We welcome parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, alumni, and friends to volunteer. Please review the many opportunities to help find one that best meets your skills and interests .

The current active sign-ups are:


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