Weekly Update - December 15, 2016
In this update:

A letter from Mrs. Maxwell.

Will you be in town for Christmas? Families Moving Forward needs your help!

A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT that your children want you to see.

Don't forget about our big updates from last week:

Help us spread the word about an exciting offer for next year's Kindergarten class and new families.


News on two significant changes in our preschool program.

Interested in helping with the yearbook? We are in need of an additional parent to work with the 7th and 8th graders to create the yearbook.

Upcoming dates  you should be aware of. 

laurieFrom the Principal's Desk

Dear Families,
Advent continues to be a wonderful experience at St. Michael School.  This Monday morning, we lit the third candle on the advent wreath during our prayer service. The pink candle, representing joy, was a perfect start to the week of our Christmas Program.  The weekly ceremonies, led by 8th grade students, have been conducted with respect and reverence, building our anticipation for Christmas. Please join us for the lighting of the fourth candle on Monday at 7:45 a.m. in the gym. Thank you to our teacher coordinators, Mrs. Vochoska, Ms. Friske, and Ms. Paulsen for helping to make the ceremonies special.
On Tuesday, our preschool through sixth grade students performed in our Christmas Program.  As the little preschoolers walked down the center aisle to begin the concert, my hearts was lifted in joy at the sight of them following their teachers, wearing their best Christmas outfits, and singing about Jesus.
Next, the kindergarten students filled the bleachers and sang. Whispers of delight could be heard throughout the audience as a child spotted their mom or dad and excitedly waved to them while singing. The 1st through 6th grade students sang and read their poems exceptionally well, reminding us of what Christmas is all about: the birth of Jesus! Thank you to all for attending.  
A special "Thank You" to Ms. Paulsen and the teachers for coordinating this special event. Their leadership and skill created an atmosphere for our students to shine!
Did you know that the teachers and staff at St. Michael Catholic School care deeply for your children and work very hard to help each student succeed?  I think you do, but I want to publicly acknowledge their work and dedication to the academic and spiritual development of your children!  
Our last day of school before Christmas break is Wednesday, December 21. I wish you all a wonderful Christmas and a happy and healthy 2017!  Please have a safe and enjoyable holiday.  I look forward to seeing everyone back at school on January 3!  
Merry Christmas, God bless and a Happy New Year.

Blessings,

Laurie Maxwell
Principal

FMFFamilies Moving Forward Needs You!

We have received a plea for help from the coordinators of St Michael's Families Moving Forward program.  With the requirement that all volunteers serving the guests of that program be E3 credentialed, the coordinators are having a very difficult time filling their need for volunteers; most notably Christmas Eve Day and Christmas Day.
If you, or someone you know, will be in town for any of the times listed below, we hope you will prayerfully consider sharing a few hours of your time with the guests that will be with us at the Franciscan Retreat Center.  
Our Families Moving Forward team will be hosting three families (four adults and 10 children between the ages of 2 and 16).  If you are able to help, your responsibility would be simply to be present with the families to make sure they have someone to help them with any questions they may have.  Most often, a three of four hour shift consists of simply playing with the children, socializing with the adults, or watching movies.  This could be a great volunteer activity for your whole family.  
If you, or someone you know, are E3 credentialed and willing and able to help, please contact Kim Hobart (952-994-1514) or Stacy Peters (612-751-7050) as soon as possible.
The specific times needed are:
Sunday, December 18 - 10:00am - 1:00 pm
Wednesday, December 21 - 5:30pm - 10:00 pm
Friday, December 23 - 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Saturday, December 24 - 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Saturday, December 24 - 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Sunday, December 25 - 7:00 am - 10:00 pm
Sunday, December 25 - 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Sunday, December 25 - 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Sunday, December 25 - 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Sunday, December 25 - 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm

ballThe Blues & White Ball presents:  Denim, Disco, and Diamonds

In anticipation of the BIG EVENT, next Wednesday, December 21, all students can be out of uniform in their best Denim, Disco, or Diamonds!

Find those platform shoes, dig that leisure suit out of storage, and get your bell bottoms ready! We are celebrating our school 70's style! 
Denim or diamonds are ok too!

Saturday, February 4, 2017
The Wilds Golf Club

Wondering how you can help?
Purchase gift cards, wine, spirits, or beer to be used for auctions at the event. Donations can be dropped at the school office. You can also purchase items at Viking Liquor and Village Liquor and they will hold the items for the committee to pick up before the event.

Become an event sponsor: Contact Beth Gassen at [email protected] or Lynn Loehr at [email protected]

Donate to the silent or live auction: Sporting event tickets, vacation rentals, and more make great auction items. Contact Maggie Stack at [email protected].
tuitionExciting Offer for Kindergarten and New Families

We shared in a previous update that we are experiencing a high level of interest in our Kindergarten program. We are also receiving many inquiries from families with older students looking for a new school environment. In order to be proactive in our staffing and budgeting for next school year, we have opened 2017-2018 pre-registration for Kindergarten and new families. Submitting a registration form and fee before January 31 will secure future Blues a spot in our school and lock in 2016-2017 tuition rates.  

Please help us spread the word to families you know that are considering St. Michael for their children.
infonightSAVE THE DATE:
Middle School Information Night

Tuesday, January 10
6:00 p.m.

Parents of 5th - 7th grade students are invited to learn more about our Middle School Program. This event is for current St. Michael families as well as any family interested in learning more about St. Michael. Help us spread the word to your family and friends.


preschoolPreschool Updates

We are excited to announce two significant changes to our preschool program for the 2017-2018 
school year.

First, in collaboration with the Catholic School Centers of Excellence (CSCOE), we will join other preschool programs in the archdiocese as a Faithful Beginnings Preschool Program. 

Faithful Beginnings is a new brand that embodies the faith, values, and excellence that characterizes our Catholic early childhood program. We are proud to report that our already high standards for social, emotional, and academic growth align with Faithful Beginnings. There will be no changes to our curriculum.

Faithful Beginnings allow us to be part of a network of Catholic preschools with similar goals and gain access to additional support and resources CSCOE provides.

Second, we are happy to announce expanded options for preschool in the 2017-2018 school year. All 3, 4, and 5 year old children will be able to attend preschool two to five days per week. Morning and afternoon extended care (until 5:00 p.m.) will also be offered. Families are able to choose a schedule that best meets the needs of their child(ren) and family.

If you have any questions on these changes, please contact our Preschool Director, Ashley Lind at  [email protected].

NEW: Yearbook Parent Adviser
Interested 7th and 8th graders will be involved in the creation of the yearbook this year. We are in need of an additional parent to help advise the process. Interested parents should contact Molly at  [email protected].

AprilFest Kids Tent: AprilFest is St. Michael Catholic Church's Community Event. It is held the last full weekend in April. It is filled ith great food, music, fun, and fellowship. The Committee has started planning and is in need of a person or persons to manage the Kids Tent. The Kids Tent is filled with games and entertainment for our youth. Please contact Lauren Peters if you are interested or have questions. He can be reached at 612-751-9620 or [email protected].

Milk Moola Coordinator:  This is an easy at-home project you can do for our school.
Milk Moola®, brought to you by Kwik Trip stores is one of the easiest fundraising programs we have. Our organization earns 5¢ for every cap or bag top collected from Kwik Trip Nature's Touch® products. There is no limit to the amount of cash you can earn and you can use it for school trips, new books, or playground equipment, the possibilities are endless.  Please contact the school office if interested at 952-447-2124.

Other volunteer opportunities can be found here: http://saintmpl.org/volunteer
calendarUpcoming Events

December 19 12:30 p.m. Band Christmas Concert Rehearsal
December 19 6:00 p.m. Band Christmas Concert
December 21
Christmas Party (Preschool - 5th Grade)
December 22 - January 2
NO SCHOOL: Christmas Break
January 5 6:30 p.m. Parent Connections Meeting
January 16
NO SCHOOL: Staff In-Service/
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
.
You can view the entire school calendar here.

STAY CONNECTED: