From the desk of Mr. Rehder...
Dear Parents,
Well, let’s get right to the good stuff — we did it again! Thanks to your incredible generosity and the enthusiasm of our students, we not only met our Marathon goal of $40,000, but we also beat last year’s total of $46,000! What an amazing accomplishment for our school community. I am truly humbled and so proud of our students, families, parish, and staff for their commitment to supporting Catholic education here at St. Stephen’s.
Between our School Day of Service last Friday, the School Bingo Night on Saturday, and our Mass and Marathon Walk on Sunday, it was such a joy to see our community come together in faith, fun, and support for our school. The energy, generosity, and spirit shown throughout the weekend truly reflect what makes St. Stephen’s such a special place.
The final total will be revealed at our Marathon Pep Fest next Monday morning at 7:50 AM. It’s going to be a fun and joy-filled celebration — complete with cheers, prizes, and plenty of excitement! At the Pep Fest, we’ll also announce the date for our Superhero Celebration Day, when I’ll keep my promise and spend the day dressed as Mr. Incredible. On that day, students will be invited to wear superhero-themed shirts as we celebrate their amazing efforts to be “Superheroes for Our School!”
A reminder that MEA Break is coming up next week — there will be no school Thursday, October 16 through Monday, October 20. Parent–Teacher Conferences will be held Monday morning, October 20, and again on the evening of Tuesday, October 21. We look forward to welcoming students back on Tuesday, October 21 for another great week of learning.
Lastly, don’t forget our 5th Annual Pumpkin Fest is coming up on Saturday, October 18! This fun family event, hosted by both our school and parish, continues to grow each year. Please pray for beautiful fall weather and check out the details below to see how you can help — whether by volunteering, donating, or simply joining in the fun.
Thank you for making St. Stephen’s such an incredible place to learn, grow, and celebrate together!
Blessings,
Mr. Rehder, Principal
SIGN UP NOW FOR BASKETBALL AND WRESTLING
BOYS BASKETBALL DUE OCTOBER 13 - MIDNIGHT!
All 5-8th grade students! Now is the time to sign up for Girls/Boys Basketball and Wrestling! Please click on the link below to fill out a form. Cost is $125 for the season. We are still looking for B-squad and JV Basketball coaches!!
GROVES LEARNING ORGANIZATION
BELIEVE AND READ
Did you know that St. Stephen’s is partnered with Groves Learning Organization for our reading program in Kindergarten-3rd Grade? The Believe and Read program is an evidence based reading instruction curriculum that incorporates many things like phonemic awareness, phonics and spelling.
Mrs. Eiden is our Groves Certified Reading Interventionist and she takes groups of students every day to get some extra practice on their reading skills. Students learn how to tap and blend words, chop syllables, read and spell sight words and work on how to manipulate the sounds in words.
Ms. Fielder and Mrs. Eiden are our two certified Groves In House Coaches that work in our classrooms closely with our teachers to insure that the Groves Method for Believe and Read teaching is happening with fidelity for our whole group reading lessons.
Are you wondering about what we teach in Believe and Read? Ask your student to show you how they tap out words or chop syllables or play some rhyming games with them to practice changing out the first sound in their words.
Our goal is to partner with you in supporting your student as they continue to develop the skills, confidence, and joy that come with becoming a strong reader.
PUMPKIN FEST & HALLOWEEN PARADE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
On October 18, we will be celebrating Pumpkin Fest again this year! We will need many volunteers for this event to be successful. All volunteer opportunities are IN THE PORTALI! There are OVER 60 volunteer opportunities available! New families, please don't hesitate to reach out to Barb Novinska in the office with any questions. You can sign up directly here:
Pumpkin Fest will also be having a Cookie Walk! Please send in packages of Oreo cookies if you are able. Thank you!!
We will also be having a float in the Halloween Grand Day Parade on October 25, 2026! This is such a FUN, community event!! Please reach out to the school office at 763-421-3236 ext. 0 if you want to participate in this Annual Halloween event!!
We are also in need of candy for the float! When you purchase your Halloween candy this year, please consider buying an extra bag for our parade float! Thank you!!
📚 AFTER SCHOOL HOMEWORK HELP
WITH MS. FURNESS
Looking for extra academic support for your child? Ms. Furness will be offering a Homework Help Group after school at St. Stephen’s on Wednesdays from 2:10–2:55 p.m.
This group is open to 1st–4th grade students and runs from October 29th -
through December 17th with an opportunity to renew your sign up after Christmas Break.
The cost is $20 per week. After sign-ups close, families will receive a calendar outlining their student’s session dates.
🗓 Sign-ups are open until October 24th! Please use the link below:
If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Furness directly at kfurness@ststephenchurch.org. Ms. Furness looks forward to helping your child grow and succeed this fall!
VOLUNTEER NEWS
Good Afternoon SS Community -
Happy FALL! Soak up every bit of this awesome sunshine and warm weather!
Happy FALL! Soak up every bit of this awesome sunshine and warm weather!
We have many volunteer opportunities now loaded in the On Volunteer Portal for you to grab a spot or two! Currently, our daily needs include Breakfast, Lunch, Recess and Virtual Academy (Additional days added)!
SS Pumpkin Fest (Saturday, 10/18) Thanks in advance for filling in SO many spots! It loos like we could use a few food servers for the evening! It’s such a great event you can enjoy, while giving a bit of your time! Please consider helping out at this awesome event!
We encourage ALL families to volunteer at least 10 hours at school/and or church this year! We are so happy to continue our amazing partnership with our community!
If you are a new family and/or need to complete the Virtus Training and access your On Volunteer Portal, (NEW FAMILIES, your Password is Parent@SS2025) please click on the link below.
Do not hesitate to reach out with any questions! Thank you for ALL you do for our school community!
BOOK FAIR
Our book fair is back! The book fair will be here the week before conferences and during conferences.
Your child will visit the book fair during their Library time. Parents you can come shop before or after school or before or after your conference time.
Monday 10/13 - 7:00 a.m -3:00 p.m
Tuesday 10/14 - 7:00 a.m - 3:00 p.m
Wednesday 10/15 - 7:00 a.m - 3:00 p.m
Saturday 10/18 -During Trunk or Treat- 5:00 p.m - 6:30 p.m
Monday 10/20 - 8:00 a.m -12:00 p.m (Conferences)
Tuesday 10/21 - 7:00 a.m - 7:00 p.m (Classes & Conferences)
https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/ststephenschool -Go to our homepage to set up your child’s e-wallet or send them with cash the day they visit the Library.
When you purchase books from our fair part of the money goes towards our school. I can’t wait to see you there! -Mrs. Zschokke
SIGN UP FOR CHEERLEADING
📣 Cheer at St. Stephen’s!
✨ Bring the spirit. Build the strength. Be part of the team! ✨
Practice Times:
- Mondays: 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
- Fridays: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Performance Opportunities:
- Cheer at home boys’ & girls’ basketball games 🏀
- Cheer at wrestling matches 🤼
Who Can Join?
- Open to boys & girls, Kindergarten – 8th grade 🎉
Why Join Cheer?
✔️ Improves strength, flexibility & fitness
✔️ Builds teamwork, leadership, discipline & confidence
✔️ Helps reduce stress & strengthens mental resilience
✔️ Promotes school spirit & a sense of belonging
✔️ Improves strength, flexibility & fitness
✔️ Builds teamwork, leadership, discipline & confidence
✔️ Helps reduce stress & strengthens mental resilience
✔️ Promotes school spirit & a sense of belonging
Did you know?
- Only 30 spots available!
- Last season, all spots filled in just 24 hours ⏱️
- Must attend informational meeting Oct 21st 7:00PM school gym
- Cost is $125.00 per person.
- T-Shirt included.
- Registration opens Oct 22nd.
WEBINAR RECORDINGS AND LINKS
FOR SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER
Oct 23, 7:00pm
Give your child the skills to adapt, recover, and thrive when life doesn’t go as planned.
Learn how resilience is built through everyday moments, not just in times of crisis. You’ll practice Family Storytelling, the Plan B Game, and Micro-Challenges to help kids become confident problem-solvers. Take home a Family Resilience Journal template to record growth moments.
PRESCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
W are pleased to share that the Schulze Early Learning Scholarship (SELS) will continue to support middle-income preschool families. CSCOE and the Schulze Family Foundation will award $200,000 in Early Learning Scholarships each of the next three years (26-27, 27-28, 28-29). Please click on the information below.
LUNCHROOM NEWS
All K-8 students are eating for free this year. Preschool students will need to pay for their lunch. If your K-8 student orders an extra entree, or extra milk, the prices below will apply.
Lunch prices for 2025 are as follows:
Preschool students: $4.25
Adults: $5.00
Extras: $2.00
Milk: $.75
To ensure a consistent and safe environment for all our students, we will no longer permit the use of restaurant carry-out food for lunch, regardless of the reason. However, you are welcome to sign in at the office and join your child in the cafeteria to sit together, or purchase an adult lunch (please call the office in the morning to place your lunch order) to share the experience. Thank you for your understanding and support as we move forward with this change.
Reminder: Per the St. Stephen's Handbook, POP AND ENERGY DRINKS ARE NOT ALLOWED in the cafeteria. If they are brought into the cafeteria, they will be thrown away immediately.
CONFERENCE SIGN UP
It's time to sign up for the 2025-26 FALL PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES! Please click on the link below, find your student's teacher/advisor and sign up for the time that works for you. If you have questions, please contact Heidi in the office.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
OCTOBER
13-21: Scholastic Book Fair in the library
16-17: No School, MEA
20: No School, Staff Professional Development Day/ Conferences
21: Evening Conferences
25: Grand Day Parade in Anoka - Look for the St. Stephen's School Float!!
NOVEMBER
6: Picture Retake Day & Tues/Thurs Preschool Picture Day
7-9: 8th Grade Confirmation Retreat
15/16: Drama Performance at Totino-Grace
RECLAIMING SUNDAYS
October: Rest and Recreation
After all the work God did during the week, on the seventh day, He rested and made it holy. We should, too. In October’s video of our Reclaiming Sundays series, Dr. Pamela Patnode, Catholic educator, author and speaker, encourages families to “keep making the effort.” She reminds us, “The more we can enter into the Lord’s Day with worship, rest and leisure as He intended, the less it feels like an obligation and the more it feels like a gift.” Let’s reclaim Sundays for the Lord and our families. Here is a link to the October video : https://youtu.be/_VR-749Rhys
