April 16, 2021 - News & Notes
From The Desk Of Principal Kerr
Alleluia, Happy Easter and Happy Friday St. Michael Families!

I had the pleasure of attending the Catholic Schools Center of Excellence Principal Conference Wednesday and Thursday, which is why our News and Notes is a day late this week. This year has been quite the journey, and we have had little time to stop and reflect or to plan very far ahead. The next steps in front of us have needed our full attention. So it was a luxury to have time for reflection with colleagues from around the Archdiocese. And today it is great to be back with our St. Michael Blues!

At this time of year we do need to look forward and plan for next year. We are interviewing teacher candidates and assessing available space as we will need to add a 5th grade classroom next year. We are looking for a librarian and media specialist. We are analyzing Social Studies and Religion standards as we look to update curriculum and instruction in those areas next year. We are considering technology needs, scheduling, fundraisers, and program updates and improvements. The end of a school year is like a snowball rolling downhill. It is best to jump on or get out of the way!

Amid all this forward gazing and planning, I don’t want to forget what our stellar faculty has accomplished this year. In August we came together with a common purpose: a commitment to the noble and important work of educating our children in front of us, in our classrooms where they learn best. Our mission statement calls us to shape disciples of Jesus by igniting the spiritual, academic, and social growth within each child. This is a whole child approach to learning, and we know we could not live up to our mission via Zoom.

We did the practical work necessary to deliver our vision with flexibility, trusting each other to pivot, change and grow when necessary. This has been exhausting and extremely rewarding work. We have pushed through barriers, and overcome obstacles together as a team. Our teachers have done this work without complaint, and even more than that--with joy and gratitude! 

During this last quarter of the school year please pray for our teachers, assume the best in one another, and take time to feel gratitude for this challenging yet rewarding year.

A fun story before signing off: The Schaaf’s, one of our 8th grade families, had the highest bid at our gala and purchased a day off for the teacher of their choice. Will chose to give the day off to his fourth grade teacher Mrs. Vochoska! I just love that even four years later, he and his family still remember and appreciate the care and dedication she brings to her work everyday. Congratulations to Mrs. Vochoska!

Happy Easter, go Blues, and go Gophers!

Mrs. Kerr
PLEASE JOIN US ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21st!
St. Mike's PTO is partnering with Ze's diner in Prior Lake on Wednesday, April 21 from noon until close. Any sales for St. Mike's will be totaled and we will receive a percentage back for the school.

Any families ordering or dining in just need to mention St. Mike's when ordering

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
SAVE THE DATE!
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.
Scholarship Opportunity
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 

Our program is open to kindergarten through eighth 
grade for our entire community.

Summer Adventures Plus (SAP)
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
For more information please see the Summer Adventures Plus Handbook or visit the school website. Please direct questions to Julie Herbst at advplus@saintmpl.org or 612-619-7484.

St. Michael Catholic School’s Summer Adventures Plus is waiting for new decisions or announcements from the Governor’s office to help guide our 2021 summer plans. Guidance around social distancing, group size and venue availability will be critical for our decision-making regarding the structure of our summer offerings. We appreciate your understanding and patience. Updates will be posted as soon as more information is available about the program.
Summer Tutors
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.

Information and resources are available here: COVID-19 Testing for Kids and Families

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
Lynch Basketball Camps:
Work on ball handling, dribble moves to the basket, layup footwork, proper shooting technique, defensive skills including positioning, contesting shots, boxing out & rebounding, as well as shooting and dribbling contests, all in a positive and fun environment!  Play full-court 5-on-5 in the morning & afternoon.  Also will be following all Covid/virus protocols to keep all participants safe. 
 
Lynch Basketball Camps is designed for both beginners and those kids with more experience. Players will be separated by age, skill level and experience.  
 
Camp is held at Shakopee Area Catholic School (SACS), July 12th - 16th, 2021 (5 Sessions), from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm. For both Girls/Boys, ages 8 - 13. Cost: $222.  
 
To register, go to:  http://www.lynchcamps.com
and mail payment to Bloomington address with check or email form to below email address and you can Venmo payment to @LynchCamps.  
  
Other locations: For details, check out our website as well - 
Apple Valley, weeks of June 14th & August 16th
Bloomington (Oak Grove Middle School), week of July 6th
Bloomington (Jefferson HS Activity Center), week of August 2nd
Eagan Community Center, week of August 9th
Eden Prairie Community Center, week of August 23rd

Mike Lynch
Lynch Basketball Camps
952-426-2506

School Office: (952) 447-2124
Fax: (952) 447-2132
24/7 Absentee Line: (952) 447-2230