From the desk of Mr. Rehder...
Dear Parents,
Today we celebrate World Kindness Day! This day serves as a beautiful reminder of the positive impact that kindness can have on individuals, communities, and the world at large. It encourages each of us to practice intentional acts of kindness and to foster a spirit of compassion and generosity. At St. Stephen’s, we strive to make every day “Kindness Day” through our words and actions toward one another. While we know we’re not perfect, we walk each day with Christ in our hearts, doing our best to live joyfully and faithfully for Him. It’s truly a gift to work and learn in a community where that is lived out so genuinely each day.
Christmas Basket Program
Thank you to everyone who has already sent in donations for our annual Christmas Basket program! It’s exciting to see students coming in each morning with items to help fill these baskets for families in need within our local community. Please remember that all donations are due by Thursday, November 20th. You can watch this special event live on the St. Stephen’s School Anoka Facebook page (link on the bottom of the newsletter) on Friday, November 21st at 7:40 AM, or look for photos afterward in our school updates. Thank you for helping us bring joy and hope to others this season!
Thank you to everyone who has already sent in donations for our annual Christmas Basket program! It’s exciting to see students coming in each morning with items to help fill these baskets for families in need within our local community. Please remember that all donations are due by Thursday, November 20th. You can watch this special event live on the St. Stephen’s School Anoka Facebook page (link on the bottom of the newsletter) on Friday, November 21st at 7:40 AM, or look for photos afterward in our school updates. Thank you for helping us bring joy and hope to others this season!
St. Stephen’s Christmas Card
Our school community came together yesterday afternoon for our annual St. Stephen’s School Christmas card photo! A big thank you to Mrs. Goranson and Mrs. Baker for coordinating and helping us bring back this wonderful tradition again this year. Watch your mailboxes — your card should arrive before the “big man” himself does!
Our school community came together yesterday afternoon for our annual St. Stephen’s School Christmas card photo! A big thank you to Mrs. Goranson and Mrs. Baker for coordinating and helping us bring back this wonderful tradition again this year. Watch your mailboxes — your card should arrive before the “big man” himself does!
Winter Sports Registration
A quick reminder that sign-ups for Girls Basketball and Boys Wrestling are still open through the end of this month. For our boys interested in wrestling, if you’ve never tried it before but want to give it a try, we encourage you to sign up! After a few practices, if your child decides it’s not the right fit, you may unenroll and receive a full refund of the $125 program fee. Wrestling is a great way for our boys to build discipline, confidence, and teamwork while having fun with their classmates. Please see the link below in the newsletter for registration details.
A quick reminder that sign-ups for Girls Basketball and Boys Wrestling are still open through the end of this month. For our boys interested in wrestling, if you’ve never tried it before but want to give it a try, we encourage you to sign up! After a few practices, if your child decides it’s not the right fit, you may unenroll and receive a full refund of the $125 program fee. Wrestling is a great way for our boys to build discipline, confidence, and teamwork while having fun with their classmates. Please see the link below in the newsletter for registration details.
As we continue through this season of gratitude, may we remember that kindness is love in action — and love always points us closer to Christ.
Blessings,
Mr. Rehder, Principal
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 a girls basketball coach!! Please reach out to Mr. Rehder if you are interested at grehder@ststephenchurch.org.
VETERAN'S DAY 2025
Veteran's Day 2025 was a HUGE success! We had over 20 Vets in attendance, and the entire school was in awe of their achievements. We couldn't be prouder of our students' respect and honor they showed our guests. Thank you, Veterans, for making a DIFFERENCE, and showing our students how important it is to serve our country. And, thank you to our student council, Ms. Hull and Mrs. Novinska for planning this important event at our school.
ANGEL AWARD WINNERS
Congratulations to this week's Angel Award Winners: Caleb, Lillian, Harman, Taylor, Joe and Ethan have been recognized for making our school a better place to be! Enjoy your out of uniform pass, and a free meal at Buffalo Wild Wings!
VOLUNTEER NEWS
Happy Beautiful Thursday!
We are in GREAT need of volunteers (20+) for our Annual Craft Fair coming up Friday, November 21 (eve) and Saturday, November 22 all day. PLEASE consider taking a spot or two to fill this event. We have many spots for Middle School students to fulfill their service hours.
Also, consider our daily needs, evening sports concessions and Middle School Dance. We couldn’t do these awesome events without your partnership, and we are grateful for your gift of time.
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.
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!
WEBINAR RECORDINGS AND LINKS
FOR TONIGHT
Nov. 13, 7:00pm
Big feelings happen at every age — learn to help your child (and yourself) stay calm and in control.
Explore how emotional regulation develops and why co-regulation comes first. You’ll learn the Zones of Regulation system, create a Calm Down Space that encourages self-soothing, and use Stop–Breathe–Say as a family-wide pause tool. Take home a Feelings Chart and Calm Down Space Checklist for easy implementation.
Craft Sale Gift Baskets Needed
Attention St. Stephen’s families:
We could really use some gift baskets again this year! We will use the baskets to auction off during the craft sale on Saturday November 22nd.
All proceeds from the baskets go directly to the school! You have been so generous in the years past and I’m hoping to see some great baskets again this year. Please bring your baskets to the office by Thursday November 20th.
If you have any questions please contact Jennifer Klemz 763-213-2142
Your donations are VERY MUCH APPRECIATED!!
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.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
NOVEMBER
15/16: Drama Performances at Totino-Grace
20: Preschool Open House
20: Middle School Dance 6:30 - 8:30 PM
21: Food Brigade
22: Craft Fair
24-28: NO SCHOOL - Blessed Thanksgiving Week
DECEMBER
15: Advent Program in the Church. 12 PM Dress Rehearsal / 6 PM Program
24 - Jan. 2: Christmas and New Years Break
