A note from Mrs. Gunderson...
Dear Families,
This has been an event-packed week! On Monday, students heard bells jingle throughout the hallways of our school. The bells were followed by Santa Claus popping into their classrooms for a visit and he brought breakfast to the teachers. At the end of the day, middle school students were recognized for their academic achievements and good behavior during an award ceremony. Yesterday, the beginning and advanced bands played several Christmas arrangements for our student body and parishioners. Thank you to our talented band director, Mrs. Nelson, for her dedication to our band students. Enjoy the pictures below!
PARENTS, I AM IN NEED OF YOUR HELP! I would like to reach out to nearby parishes that do not have a school associated with them and invite their families to check out our wonderful, faith-based school for their children. If you are a parishioner at, or have a connection to a nearby parish without a school, and you would be interested in helping us reach out to them, please email Mrs. Gunderson at tgunderson@ststephenchurch.org and I will share our plan with you. Thank you for your help in advance!
Enjoy the beautiful snowy day!
Yours in Christ,
Mrs. Gunderson, Principal
Activity Fees Billed to Accounts
Activity Fees have been invoiced on all TADS accounts - due beginning December 25. These fees pay all field trips and any extra classroom expenses. If you would rather pay this fee with cash or check, please drop off payment in the school office before December 21, 2023. Thank you!
Christmas Program Reminders
Hello Parents,
As our Advent Program approaches, here are a couple of reminders. The Program will take place on Monday, December 19th at 6:00 pm in the Church. Students should arrive no earlier than 5:45 in their designated FCC room where their teachers will meet them. That is also the place to pick up your student(s) and their jackets.
Kindergarten and 1st grade should be picked up from the pews in church after the program has finished.
There will be a dress rehearsal at 12:30 pm that day and is open to anyone who would like to attend. Students are asked to wear their “Sunday Best” for the program that evening:
Boys: Nice pants, dress shoes, and a nice shirt, sweater, etc. Any color is fine.
Girls: Skirt and top, dress or nice pants are fine. Leggings are okay as long as the top is long and extends onto the leg. All outfits must have sleeves that cover the shoulder. Girls may wear a sleeveless top or dress as long as it is covered by a sweater or jacket or a shirt is worn underneath.
Clothes not okay for program (boys and girls): jeans, sports jerseys, sweatpants, shorts, t-shirts, sweatshirts or hoodies, and tennis shoes.
If you have any further questions or concerns my email is hdouglas@ststephenchurch.org
Thank you and I am looking forward to wonderful evening full of song!
Mrs. Douglas, Music Teacher
Shop on Amazon?
If you shop on Amazon or plan to purchase holiday supplies from the large online retailer, please consider helping St. Stephen's by using our unique charity link while shopping! Simply click the link, save St. Stephen's as your nonprofit of choice, and then shop! Amazon will send us a quarterly donation based on the eligible purchases made using our link.
AmazonSmile is a charitable program developed by Amazon.com. St. Stephen’s is eligible to receive a donation of 0.5% of eligible smile.amazon.com purchases at no additional cost to the consumer.
Out of Uniform Passes for Christmas Purchase
Purchase your Out of Uniform passes in the office for a fun Christmas surprise for your child! They are $5/each or $20/5 passes. Limit 5 passes/child. Questions? Call the office (763) 421-3236.
Angel Award Winners
Congratulations to this week's Angel Award Winners! Thank you Makenzie, Isaac, and Everett for making our school a better place to be and showing respect to fellow students and adults. We appreciate you and are so proud of you!
Volunteer at St. Stephen's School
Hello SS Volunteers-
We are in GREAT need of volunteers! (links below)! Volunteering is a KEY to your student’s success, along with lots of fun! J You can make that difference! Please prayerfully consider helping us out! Thanks so much, blessings to you and your families during this wonderful Christmas season!
Lunchroom: Help out during lunch times with student needs i.e. open milk cartons, assist with silverware, etc. The lunchroom is in need of 3 volunteers EACH DAY. The link below gets you a 2 hour spot (10:30 - 12:30) on any day or days that work for you. You do not need to sign up for consecutive days or weeks.
Virtual Academy Support: Assist small groups of students with signing into computers, passwords, etc. Once students are logged in and tutoring, you may work on your laptop, read, knit, etc. There are several time slots available throughout the day.
Recess/Playground Supervision: 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!
Are you Virtus trained? This process is mandatory to volunteer at our school/church. Please access this link for procedure. Virtus Account Link
Thanks SO much for all you do for our school!
Barb Novinska
Administrative Assistant
763-421-3236
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.
What is coming up...
December
19 - Advent Concert (Preschool - Grade 5) 12:30 PM Rehearsal/6:30 PM Concert
22 - January 2 - Christmas Break
January
3 - Return to school
14 - MLK Day - No School
COVID Updates
COVID tests available for every family. Please stop in the office to pick yours up today!