A Message from Mrs. Gunderson...
Dear Parents,
Unfortunately, stress and anxiety are more prevalent now in the lives of school-aged children than ever before. This is one reason why St. Stephen’s is part of Peace of Mind. In partnership with Twin Cities-based Phoenix School Counseling, Peace of Mind provides resources to Catholic schools to help their preschool-eighth grade students, families, teachers, and leaders work through today’s difficulties, as well as prepare to handle future challenges. I want to invite you to join an upcoming Peace of Mind webinar designed for Parents. The webinar will provide you with concrete, parenting strategies to combat stress, anxiety, and perfectionism, and learn how to foster self-motivation in our children. Pre-registration is required. See below:
- Parent Session: February 23, 2023 | 7:00 p.m.
- Topic: Stress, Anxiety, Perfectionism, and Motivation
- Register: Click here
Mass of the Holy Spirit is returning in 2024. Our middle school students and staff will be invited to the Xcel Energy Center where mass will be celebrated with Archbishop Hebda. Although details for the upcoming celebration are yet to be announced, the last Mass of the Holy Spirit was attended by more than 12,000 Catholic school students, teachers, staff and volunteers. The event was sponsored by the Catholic Schools Center of Excellence, Archbishop Bernard Hebda, Bishop Andrew Cozzens and more than 60 priests celebrated the Mass for middle school students from the archdiocese’s 79 Catholic grade schools. The Mass brought Catholic School students together to ask for the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The event featured the local band Sonar, which played music before, during and after Mass. A “Mass Cam” and Catholic trivia questions on the stadium’s big screen also entertained students. As soon as I hear more details about the 2024 Mass of the Holy Spirit, I will share them with you.
If you have not registered your child yet for the 2023-2024 school year, please do so by this Friday, February 10. We are beginning to plan for next year and a great deal of our planning depends on how many students will be in each grade. If you have any questions about registration, please contact Heidi in our school office at: hstaggert@ststephenchurch.org or 763-421-3236.
Lastly, we have two open positions at St. Stephen’s, so please help us spread the word. We are hiring a paraprofessional and a reading interventionist. If you have experience in these areas and are interested, or you know someone who might be, please see the job descriptions and application procedures on our website at www.ststephenchurch.org.
As you know, school conferences are coming up starting next week. Make sure to schedule your conference. We hope for 100% parent attendance!
Blessings,
Theresa Gunderson, Principal
Sign Up for Spring 2023 Conferences NOW!
Please take a moment and sign up for your child's conferences on either Feb. 16 or Feb. 21. Conferences are required with your child's teacher, please make sure you get a time that works for you!
Mardi Gras Classroom Donations
Congratulations to Mrs. Taggart's classroom, for bringing in the biggest donations for Mardi Gras baskets. Congratulations to the Jaxson and Jaymeson for being the family with the most donations to the school. Jaxson and Jaymeson won 5 non-uniform passes and jokes with Miss Barb at the end of the day!
8th Grade Canvas Paintings
Our 8th Grade students have been working on canvas paintings this year. Take a moment to click on the link below and enjoy their hard work!
Athletic Fees Added to TADS
If your child participated in a sport this year, the fees have been added to TADS. Please note that all fees have been invoiced for February 15, 2023, and will be withdrawn from your account then. If you have any questions, please call Heidi in the office.
Volunteers are needed to judge our middle school science fair projects on Friday, February 24th from 8:15 a.m. until about 10:30 in the FCC. Any volunteers would be paid in donuts and coffee in appreciation for your time!
Please note, no experience is necessary and you do not need to have a child in middle school to volunteer. Grandparents, neighbors, aunts and uncles are all welcome to judge. The only requirement is that you have had Virtus training, a background check, and have completed the Volunteer Code of Conduct.
If you are able to volunteer, please email me at jthamert@ststephenchurch.org or leave a message at 763-421-3236 ext. 319.
I appreciate your help making this a great science fair for our students!
Mrs. Thamert, Middle School Science Teacher
Catholic Schools Week Service Project through the month of February
PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR
2023-24 Tuition Agreements
IS COMPLETE
GOOD NEWS! We have filled over 300 seats for next year and are quickly filling Preschool and Kindergarten with new students! Thank you for helping us spread the word about our awesome school! If you have not yet signed your tuition agreement for next year, please log into TADS and complete it today! If you have decided your child will not return to St. Stephen's next year, please contact the office.
CSW Recap - THANK YOU!
Thank you families for participating in so many fun activities during Catholic Schools Week. We raised over $1,500 from our restaurant nights! It's so to have our families show support to local businesses.
Angel Award Winners
Congratulations to this week's Angel Award Winners, Mabel, Joe and Nora! Thank you for showing respect to others, and making our school a better place to be. Enjoy your non-uniform pass!
Catholic United Financial Raffle
KEEP ON SELLING!!!
We are into Week 4 and at 34% of our goal – JUST 2 weeks to go to reach our goal!
Do you want to be the student who sells the MOST tickets school wide and silly strings the principal or staff member? Win the fabulous Karaoke machine? Or, be part of a classroom winner for awesome parties? More tickets to sell are available in the office!
KEEP ON SELLING!!!
Valentine's Day at St. Stephen's School
Let's celebrate Valentine's Day by wearing RED, PINK, PURPLE, OR WHITE!!
Volunteer at St. Stephen's School
We are in GREAT need of volunteers!!!
Message from a parent… thank you Mr. Eiden for adding this to our FB Angels Page, and for signing up for two spots! As you have likely seen already, our school is in need of volunteers. Please look at your calendars and schedule any time you can. Believe me, I know we're all busy and I am as guilty as anyone of pushing it off, I hope getting it scheduled and on your calendar will help.
CLICK HERE OR click link below for a specific area below.
Volunteering is a KEY to your student’s success, along with lots of fun! You can make that difference! Please prayerfully consider helping us out!
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. Even 10:30 – 11:30 would be GREAT! Just put a note in the remarks. 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!
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...
February
16, 21 - Conferences
18 - Mardi Gras - Buy your tickets now!
20 - No School, President's Day
21 - No School, Conferences/Staff Development
March
9 - Jeans/Sports Jersey Day from Bennett Meiser for Mardi Gras Basket Winner
9 - 8th Grade Variety Show
COVID Updates
COVID tests available for every family. Please stop in the office to pick yours up today!