From the desk of Mr. Rehder...
Dear Parents,
What a chilly, wet start to fall we’ve had this week—a far cry from the 80's and 90's we enjoyed just a week ago! Even so, our students have been adjusting beautifully and making the most of every opportunity to learn and grow.
A reminder that there is no school for the rest of this week or next Monday as we take our MEA Break. We look forward to welcoming everyone back next Tuesday, October 21.
Next Monday, October 20, we will hold Parent–Teacher Conferences from 8:00 AM–12:00 PM, and again on Tuesday, October 21 from 3:00–7:00 PM. If you haven’t yet signed up for a conference time, please see the link below to reserve your spot. These meetings are a great opportunity to connect with teachers and celebrate the progress your child is making so far this year.
And speaking of celebrating — our Superhero Day is coming up on Tuesday, October 21! This special day is our reward for not only meeting but exceeding our School Marathon goal, raising an incredible $47,000! Students are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite superhero (or real-life hero) for the day. Please remember that no weapons or look-alike props are allowed as part of costumes. We’ve reminded our students that a superhero isn’t just someone in a cape — it’s anyone who helps others, shows courage, and models kindness and responsibility in our community. I can’t wait to see what everyone comes up with!
A quick shout-out to our 7th and 8th grade students and families who are heading out early tomorrow morning for their trip to Washington, D.C.! What an amazing opportunity to experience our nation’s history and see the incredible sites up close. God bless you on your journey and have a fantastic time! A special “THANK YOU” to Mr. Evavold and Ms. Berchem for setting up and leading this trip!
As we move further into fall, just a reminder that shorts are no longer allowed to be worn to school until spring. Skirts may still be worn, but please make sure they are paired with appropriate colored leggings or tights underneath for warmth and modesty.
Lastly, Winter Sports Registration is open! Although boys’ basketball registration has closed, there’s still time to sign up for girls’ basketball and wrestling through November 14th. Please see the link below for details and registration information.
Wishing all of our families a safe, fun, and relaxing MEA Break!
Blessings,
Mr. Rehder, Principal
PUMPKIN FEST RAFFLE TICKETS
Reminder:
If you wish to support Pumpkin Fest this Saturday, October 18, don’t forget about the two raffle tickets sent home with your child! Each ticket is $10 and gives you a chance to win a free year of K–8 tuition for next year. Please make sure you turn in all tickets AT PUMPKIN FEST for your chance to win!
If you wish to support Pumpkin Fest this Saturday, October 18, don’t forget about the two raffle tickets sent home with your child! Each ticket is $10 and gives you a chance to win a free year of K–8 tuition for next year. Please make sure you turn in all tickets AT PUMPKIN FEST for your chance to win!
The event will include Trunk or Treat from 5:00–6:30 p.m., plus kids’ games, food, and more!
We hope to see you there! 🎃
SIGN UP NOW FOR GIRLS BASKETBALL
AND WRESTLING
All 5-8th grade students! Now is the time to sign up for Girls 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!!
NO SHORTS AFTER WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15
Please remember shorts will no longer be allowed after today, Wednesday, October 15. Pants or tights/leggings under skirts and jumpers are required until April 12.
LOST AND FOUND IS OVERFLOWING
Our Lost and Found bin is OVERFLOWING! When you come in for conferences, please take a moment to look for missing items that belong to your child.
HALLOWEEN PARADE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
GRANDE DAY PARADE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!
The annual Grande Day parade is Saturday, 10/25 at 1 pm. Calling all Grande Day Parade float peeps to join in the fun with our St. Stephen’s float! We are looking for 15-20 adults and kiddos to walk in the parade and/or sit on the float (Age 10 or younger). This is SO much fun and we would love your help. Check out the portal to sign up! Details on when and where to meet will follow.
Do not hesitate to reach out with any questions! Thank you for ALL you do for our school community!
📚 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 -
I cannot believe we are into the middle of October! Such a wonderful month of fun!
I cannot believe we are into the middle of October! Such a wonderful month of fun!
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)!
Calling all Grande Day Parade float peeps! We are looking for 15-20 adults and kiddos to walk in the parade and/or sit on the float (Age 10 or younger). This is SO much fun and we would love your help. Check out the portal to sign up!
In advance, thank you to all of the SS Pumpkin Fest (Saturday, 10/18) volunteers! Thanks in advance for filling in SO many spots! It’s such a great event you can enjoy, while giving a bit of your time!
RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER……
Annual Holiday Craft Fair – MANY volunteers needed! This is a wonderful way to shop AND volunteer for a shift or two!
Friday, 11/21 – Set up starting at 3:00 pm
Saturday, 11/22 – All Day spots available, starting at 6:45 am
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.
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.
ANNUAL BAKE SALE
Our Annual Bake Sale during our Craft Fair is Saturday, November 22, 2025. Donations needed! We will need lots of baked goods to make this a successful event!
Please label your items and have them packaged to sell (ziploc bags, sturdy paper plates inside freezer bags or disposable clear containers). Packages of 6-12 are recommended. We will price your donated items at the school.
Bring your items to the hallway outside the Parent Resource Room (enter through the main school doors) on Friday, November 21st by 5 PM, or Saturday, November 22nd between 8 - 10 AM to the bake sale tables.
Remember, the more you bake, the more we make for St Stephen’s School!
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
18: Pumpkin Fest
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
11: Veteran's Day Parade - Watch for more information
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
