A note from Mrs. Gunderson...
Dear Families,
My heart is full as I think back to the wonderful turn out at our Olweus anti-bullying movie night last Friday! Thank you to our Olweus team and thank you to those who were able to spend the evening with us as a community! I saw smiles, laughter, socializing and fun had by all. Check out a few pictures of the event:
Marathon
Our final Marathon Pledge Turn-In Day Is tomorrow! Take a moment to watch a short video I prepared for you. Please ask your employer if they will match your donation! This is “free” money for our wonderful school! We are extending the company match donation turn in to Monday, October, 10.
I hope to see all of you this Sunday at the 10:30 mass and the marathon afterward. My husband Jim and I will be there!
St. Stephen's School Marathon
Join us for the Marathon on Sunday, October 9th!!! Attend 10:30am mass with your family and meet over at the school playground afterwards.
**Be sure to wear your school uniform top to get an out of uniform pass!**
You can pick that up from Mrs. Gunderson and Mrs. Staggert at the playground.
Once everyone has gathered, we will welcome everyone, pray together and head out on our one mile "Marathon". For those of you that are not planning to attend mass, plan to arrive to the playground parking lot no later than 11:45am.
We will walk as a community and end up back at the playground parking lot for a hot dog lunch that will be provided by the Knights of Columbus.
THANK YOU KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
THANK YOU MARATHON COMMITTEE
After lunch feel free to play a bag toss game in the parking lot, paint a kindness rock for our rock garden or make your own green screen video in the gym! There will be a free will donation for lunch and the green screen videos!
We look forward to seeing you all!
Sign Up for Fall Conferences
Now is the time to sign up for Fall Conferences at St. Stephen's School. Just click on the link below, choose your teacher, and sign up with your child's name. If you have any questions, please contact your teacher directly. Thank you.
Catholic United Financial FREE Educational Workshop for Young Families Oct. 12 at 6 PM
Pumpkin Fest - Can YOU Help?
Hello Amazing St. Stephen’s School Families,
Hopefully, by now you have heard of The Great Anoka Pumpkin Fest St. Stephen’s Catholic Community is planning from 5 pm until 10 pm on Saturday, October 22 in the school parking lots. For all the details of the evening, please see below.
In order to host this family-friendly event, we need volunteers! We are seeking helpers to assist with setup 2-5 pm, cleanup 7:30-10:30, food and beverage preparation and distribution 5:30- 8:30, and SO MUCH MORE! Volunteer opportunities are available for both youth and adults. Please call (763.712.7485) or email Alyssa Brunell (abrunell@ststephenchurch.org) with your availability, and for more details.
Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something. Share your gifts of time and talent with St. Stephen's Catholic Community!
Food, fun, and festivities are happening at St. Stephen's Catholic Community on Saturday, October 22 from 5 pm - 10 pm in the School Parking Lots (506 Jackson St. Anoka, MN 55303). This is a family-friendly event so come join us and bring the kids!
Details of the event include:
- Enjoy Anoka Halloween Light Up the Night Parade with us at 7 pm on 5th and Main St.
- Warm up by the fire pit and make s'mores!
- Bring the kids in costume to Trunk or Treat, a fun and safe way for children to trick-or-treat. Please remember a bag to collect goodies in! Trunk or Treat will take place from 6 pm until 7 pm in the southeast school parking lot.
- If you would like to decorate your vehicle trunk and hand out candy, please email Kristen by Friday, October 14.
- Trunk decorating will open at 4 pm inside the gated parking lot.
- Purchase festive food and drinks for the whole family. Hot dogs, chips, hot chocolate, coffee, apple cider, and beer!
- Participate in The Great Anoka Pumpkin Fest Raffle that supports the many ministries offered at St. Stephen’s. All CASH prizes with SEVEN lucky winners. $5,000 for the grand prize winner!
- Raffle packets for parishioners are available in alphabetical order in the Gathering Space starting September 17. If you do not see an envelope with your name on it, please let a staff member know.
- If you would like to purchase a $10 raffle ticket, please stop in at the Parish Office.
- Raffle tickets must be turned in to St. Stephen's by 11:30 am on Sunday, October 23, 2022. Must be 18 years older to win. Drawing is held at 12:30 pm on October 23 at the St. Stephen's Faith Community Center.
Square Dance at St. Stephen's School
DATE CHANGE
October 25, from 6:30 - 8 PM, St. Stephen's School will host a fun night of Square Dancing! This family-friendly event is open to all kids and adults. They are only asking for a free-will offering. Come and dance the night away with Andy, the square-dancing caller, who will teach us modern square dancing, and other country line dancing. It should be a fun night for all!
Volunteer at St. Stephen's School
WE are truly blessed to be a part of the generous community! Many spots have been filled! THANK YOU! Don’t look away tho, continue watching for spots to open!
Current open spots are 10/11 and 10/13.
We have DAILY Lunchroom needs AND Virtual Academy needs. Please consider filling in a spot or two! We cannot do this without your help!
Click below – easy as that!
AND
We have a GREAT new volunteer spot we would LOVE to fill each day!
Hello! Do you love fresh air? A nice brisk hour outside a day or two a week? We have a spot for YOU! We would love to give our teachers a bit of extra time each day! 2 shifts each day! We hope you will prayerfully consider!
Hello! Do you love fresh air? A nice brisk hour outside a day or two a week? We have a spot for YOU! We would love to give our teachers a bit of extra time each day! 2 shifts each day! We hope you will prayerfully consider!
DID YOU KNOW?
There are many corporations (both small & large), that offer to pay and/or allow their employees to Volunteer within their community! Reach OUT and ask your employer! What a win/win for our school! Please reach out to your place of employment, to see if they have a plan, or will offer!
ART ADVENTURE OPPORTUNITIES!
We are looking for interested Picture People for the Art Adventure Program through Minnesota Institute of Arts (Grades K-4, 1 volunteer for each teacher). This awesome program begins in December (approx. 5 hours TOTAL), which includes training and in-person/virtual classroom discussion with students. Connecting with teachers on what best suits their class needs. Each volunteer would receive a booklet of the art pieces and run with it however it would be appropriate for that age group. Please reach out to our Art Adventure Coordinator, Jackie Mjolhus, jtoulouse@hotmail.com
Please reach out to me if you have any questions!
Please reach out to me if you have any questions!
Middle School Students - SAVE THE DATE!
B.A.S.E. Updates
Due to lack of enrollment, B.A.S.E. will not be offering care on October 19, 20, and 21 due to lack of enrollment.
Please email Mary Schaeppi with any questions at mschaeppi@ststephenchurch.org.
Thank you!
Raise Money for more Playground Equipment
with BoxTops for Education
You can help us raise money for new playground equipment by simply downloading the BoxTops App, buying products that have the BoxTop brand logo, and scanning your receipt! Just follow the easy directions indicated on the flyer below. Since the beginning of the year, we have already raised $53.00! Thank you families!
Coats for Kids Drive
Back for another year, the Anoka Knights of Columbus will host their Coats for Kids Drive at St. Stephen's this fall.
Please consider donating a new or gently used winter coat for a child or teen in need. Collection boxes will be placed in the Gathering Space, near FCC 10, and by the Parish Office from October 8-23.
Coats will be distributed first to those in need within the St. Stephen’s Catholic Community, and then out to the greater Anoka area.
There is no need to sign up to receive a coat. Coats will be distributed Sunday, November 6 after the 10:30 am and 12:30 pm Spanish Masses. Distribution will take place in FCC 10.
For questions, please contact Dan at cdknapek@msn.com.
Last Week for Button Sales!
September 26 - October 7
It is that time of year again and we are excited to be celebrating our 102nd year! Anoka Halloween™ is a non-profit organization that promotes our many free family friendly events and donations to elementary school media centers, plus high school scholarships. The only way that we can continue to offer these benefits to our community is with the help of you and your student.
Every year, we encourage families and students to support not only Anoka Halloween™, but your child’s school by selling this year’s Anoka Halloween™ button as pictured above. The buttons may be purchased for just $3 per button. Anoka Halloween™ will give back 50% PROFIT to your child’s school. That’s $1.50 per button sold! No other fundraiser offers half of the sale! What a great and simple way to easily earn money for your school! The button also offers many local store discounts and entrance to several of our festival events.
In the past years, the kids have enjoyed participating in the button sales, as well as the “prize” they can earn. The student that sells the most buttons will receive a $25 check to do with what they want, in addition to receiving a plaque with their name and a ride on our Anoka Halloween™ vehicle during the Big Parade of Little People parade, on October 29th . Also, the one classroom that sells the most
buttons will win a pizza party! Super exciting for the kids!
If you would like more information about Anoka Halloween™, a list of the many events offered, fundraising, or merchandise, please visit Anokahalloween.com. Thank you so much for supporting Anoka Halloween™ and your child’s school.
St. Stephen's Lunch Program
The lunch program is doing FABULOUS! Thank you, parents, for being aware of how much money is in your child's lunch account, and adding money when needed.
St. Stephen's Craft Fair BAKE SALE
Craft Fair Bake Sale Donations Needed!
Mark your calendars! Our Annual Bake Sale will be held Saturday, November 19th in conjunction with the Craft Fair. We need lots of baked goods to make this a successful event!
Please label your items and have them packaged to sell. We will price items at school. Package in zip-loc bags, sturdy paper plates inside a freezer bag, or place in disposable clear containers. Packages of 6-12 are recommended.
Please drop off your items in the school entryway on Friday, November 18 before 5 PM or drop them off the day of the bake sale from 8-10 AM.
What is coming up...
September:
30 - Olweus Kick-Off, Movie Night in the Parking Lot!
October:
8 - Middle School Dance
9 - Marathon after 10:30 Mass
11 - Square Dancing in the Gym
12 - Catholic United Financial Informational Meeting
22 - PumpkinFest
COVID and St. Stephen's School
As the school year is just beginning, we want to be transparent about our expectations of COVID and our students. IF your child tests positive for COVID, we will continue to stick with the policy that your child will stay home for 5 days from the symptom start date. After 5 days, if the child is symptom free, and off all medicines, he/she may return to school full-time. If you have any questions regarding COVID and your child, please do not hesitate to call Heidi in the school office at 763-421-3236.