From the desk of Mr. Rehder...
Dear St. Stephen’s Families,
I hope you are all finding some time to get outside and enjoy this gorgeous spring weather while it lasts! I’m soaking up every minute of these comfortable temperatures and the fresh air before that dreaded humidity decides to make its inevitable appearance. There is something so revitalizing about this time of year, and it’s been wonderful to see that energy reflected in our students as we head into these final weeks of the school year.
Last weekend was a monumental one for our students' faith journeys. We celebrated our 2nd graders as they received their First Holy Communion here at St. Stephen’s, and our older students joined the rest of the parish candidates at the Cathedral to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. It was such a treat to have Archbishop Hebda celebrate the Mass with them. Seeing our students receive these Sacraments—sealed with the Holy Spirit and nourished by the Eucharist—is a powerful reminder of the mission we share. Please see the photos included below for a glimpse into these beautiful celebrations and join me in keeping these young men and women in your prayers as they continue to grow as disciples of Christ.
Our halls were transformed into a gallery of creativity yesterday for our 3rd–5th Grade Arts Festival. It was such a joy to see so many parents and families taking in the incredible work our students have produced. A huge thank you to Mrs. Kocher, our art teacher, and Ms. Douglas, our music teacher, for the immense hard work they poured into this event. They do a magnificent job of helping our students showcase their God-given talents and find beauty in the world around them.
I hope you are all finding some time to get outside and enjoy this gorgeous spring weather while it lasts! I’m soaking up every minute of these comfortable temperatures and the fresh air before that dreaded humidity decides to make its inevitable appearance. There is something so revitalizing about this time of year, and it’s been wonderful to see that energy reflected in our students as we head into these final weeks of the school year.
Last weekend was a monumental one for our students' faith journeys. We celebrated our 2nd graders as they received their First Holy Communion here at St. Stephen’s, and our older students joined the rest of the parish candidates at the Cathedral to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. It was such a treat to have Archbishop Hebda celebrate the Mass with them. Seeing our students receive these Sacraments—sealed with the Holy Spirit and nourished by the Eucharist—is a powerful reminder of the mission we share. Please see the photos included below for a glimpse into these beautiful celebrations and join me in keeping these young men and women in your prayers as they continue to grow as disciples of Christ.
Our halls were transformed into a gallery of creativity yesterday for our 3rd–5th Grade Arts Festival. It was such a joy to see so many parents and families taking in the incredible work our students have produced. A huge thank you to Mrs. Kocher, our art teacher, and Ms. Douglas, our music teacher, for the immense hard work they poured into this event. They do a magnificent job of helping our students showcase their God-given talents and find beauty in the world around them.
In our middle school, things have been very hands-on this week as our 7th graders began building a canoe with Urban Wilderness on Monday. Watching the students work together to transform raw materials into something functional is truly impressive. They will be finishing the build next week, and the highlight for everyone will undoubtedly be the launch, where they’ll get the chance to test their craftsmanship right on the river. We will be auctioning off this student-made canoe at our Mardi Gras Gala next year, so keep that in mind if you're looking for a one-of-a-kind addition to your summer adventures!
We also had a very proud moment yesterday as we celebrated our 5th Grade D.A.R.E. Graduation ceremony. We are deeply grateful to Officer Schutte and the Anoka Police Department for teaming up with us again this year to offer this vital program. The guidance and mentorship they provide our students are invaluable. I am also excited to share that we have started expanding this program to our 2nd grade students over the last month, with hopes to bring it to even more grade levels in the near future to continue building those strong community foundations.
Looking ahead, I would love to invite you to join us for our school Mass on Wednesday, May 20th, at 8:00 am. Immediately following Mass, we will be holding our spring band concert. Our musicians have been practicing hard, and it is always a treat to hear the progress they’ve made. Your support and presence mean so much to the children, and we would love to see the pews filled with our school family.
On a final note, I know many of our families were tuned in to the game, and it is certainly unfortunate that the playoff run ended for the Wild last night; they gave us a great season to cheer for. We are now turning our attention to the basketball court, with high hopes that the Timberwolves can keep their series alive tomorrow night! As we enjoy these exciting moments in our community and in sports, let us remain mindful of the many ways God provides us with opportunities for fellowship and perseverance. May He continue to bless you and keep you in His care as we walk together through this beautiful season of renewal.
God Bless,
Gerald Rehder, Principal
On a final note, I know many of our families were tuned in to the game, and it is certainly unfortunate that the playoff run ended for the Wild last night; they gave us a great season to cheer for. We are now turning our attention to the basketball court, with high hopes that the Timberwolves can keep their series alive tomorrow night! As we enjoy these exciting moments in our community and in sports, let us remain mindful of the many ways God provides us with opportunities for fellowship and perseverance. May He continue to bless you and keep you in His care as we walk together through this beautiful season of renewal.
God Bless,
Gerald Rehder, Principal
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to the 8th grade students who were confirmed at the St. Paul Cathedral last Sunday with Archbishop Hebda.
Congratulations to all the children who received their First Communion last weekend at St. Stephen's Church.
TITLE FAMILY ENGAGEMENT NIGHT
Reminder to all of our TITLE 1 Reading and Math students. Tonight is Family Engagement Night in the gym with presentation starting at 6 PM, with pizza in the cafeteria to follow. See you there!
ENROLL NOW FOR 2026-27 SPANISH
🎉 'Tis the season to learn SPANISH!
Registration for the 2026–2027 school year is now open!
💲 Register by 6/7 and receive $15 off tuition
📆 Celebrate Spanish in every season — join us for a brand-new theme!
📌 Don’t miss this valuable opportunity for your student to build Spanish skills in a fun, interactive bilingual classroom.
Enroll today: https://futuraadventures.com/minnesota-region/
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL & GOD SQUAD
VBS: THE ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME AWAITS!
Are you ready to discover Holiness: The True Adventure?
This isn’t just another week of summer—it’s a quest to become the saint you are called to be! Join us for VBS 2026 at St. Stephen's Catholic Church for four days of non-stop excitement, faith, and fun.
Dates: July 6 – July 9
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Family Night: Wednesday, July 8 @ 5:30 PM (Dinner & Fun!)
Who: Preschool (Age 4) through entering 5th Grade in the Fall of 2026
Registration closes on June 4th.
Are you ready to trade the couch for the God Squad? We’re looking for leaders who want to do more than just volunteer—we want you to help us build the ultimate VBS experience for our elementary kids!
Why join God Squad?
- Level Up: Gain real leadership skills that look great on a resume.
- Deepen Your Faith: Grow closer to God through prayer, service & community.
- Make Connections: Find your people and build friendships that actually last.
- The Vibes: From the overnight training to the final family celebration, we’re making memories you'll be talking about all year.
Don't wait—registration closes June 4th! Are you in?
Here are the links to the registration:
God Squad: https://forms.gle/J2QNTAvBRaw8KTQ78
VOLUNTEER CORNER
Hello SS Volunteer Community!
It was so great to see many of you at the Volunteer Appreciation Mass! We are truly blessed to have such an amazing community of volunteers
CHECK out the volunteer portal link: SS.Anoka.onvol for the following:
*Daily needs include morning parking lot coverage, Breakfast, Lunch & Recess coverage.
Middle School Dance – Thursday, 5/21 6:30 - 8:30 Chaperones, pop and cups needed!
You must be Virtus Trained prior to volunteering! (see requirements below).
Reminder – we are asking every family to contribute a minimum of 10 hours to our school/church community.
It was so great to see many of you at the Volunteer Appreciation Mass! We are truly blessed to have such an amazing community of volunteers
CHECK out the volunteer portal link: SS.Anoka.onvol for the following:
*Daily needs include morning parking lot coverage, Breakfast, Lunch & Recess coverage.
Middle School Dance – Thursday, 5/21 6:30 - 8:30 Chaperones, pop and cups needed!
You must be Virtus Trained prior to volunteering! (see requirements below).
Reminder – we are asking every family to contribute a minimum of 10 hours to our school/church community.
SPANISH OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY, MAY 17
VOICE LESSONS
Mrs. Douglas will be teaching voice lessons over the summer to anyone in grades 5-8. If you are interested, please contact her at hdouglas@ststephenchurch.org for more details.
SUMMER TUTORING
Looking for academic support for your child over the summer? Look no further!
Ms. Furness is offering tutoring for students in Kindergarten-4th grade (during the 2025-2026 school year) in the areas of Reading and Math. Sessions will last for one hour on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays.
Spots are limited—registration is open now through Friday, May 29th. Secure your child’s place and set them up for success this summer! Click on the link below to sign up:
After registration closes, a schedule will be created and communicated with you.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Furness directly: kfurness@ststephenchurch.org. I look forward to a summer learning adventure!
Ms. Furness is offering tutoring for students in Kindergarten-4th grade (during the 2025-2026 school year) in the areas of Reading and Math. Sessions will last for one hour on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays.
Spots are limited—registration is open now through Friday, May 29th. Secure your child’s place and set them up for success this summer! Click on the link below to sign up:
After registration closes, a schedule will be created and communicated with you.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Furness directly: kfurness@ststephenchurch.org. I look forward to a summer learning adventure!
SUMMER CAMPS AT MOORE THAN DANCE
Check out these neat performing arts classes at the Moore Than Dance studio! To sign up, just click on the link: https://www.moorethandance.com/
TONIGHTS WEBINAR FOR PARENTS & CAREGIVERS
Navigating Friendships, Social Skills, and Bullying
Coach your child to build healthy friendships
Understand the stages of friendship development and how to guide your child’s social life without micromanaging. Tools include Friendship Mapping, Role-Play Repair, and Three-Way Problem-Solving. You’ll leave with a Healthy Friendship Traits checklist and conversation starters.
May 14, 7 PM
https://calendly.com/drjulesnolan/navigating-friendships-social-skills-and-bullying
Coach your child to build healthy friendships
Understand the stages of friendship development and how to guide your child’s social life without micromanaging. Tools include Friendship Mapping, Role-Play Repair, and Three-Way Problem-Solving. You’ll leave with a Healthy Friendship Traits checklist and conversation starters.
May 14, 7 PM
https://calendly.com/drjulesnolan/navigating-friendships-social-skills-and-bullying
ANGEL AWARD WINNERS
Congratulations to this week's Angel Award Winners Andrew B., KJ M., Vivian J., Berrin H., and Ethan E. (not pictured Gio G.) have been rewarded with a Buffalo Wild Wings meal and an Out of Uniform Pass. Thank you, students, for making our school a better place to be!
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 2025/26 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
MAY
8: CUF Raffle Reward - Ice Cream Truck10: 8th Grade Confirmation at the St. Paul Cathedral
11-15: 7th Grade Canoe Building
12: Preschool Field Trip
12: Grades 4-5 Field Trip
13: 3-5 Arts Festival after Mass / DARE Graduation
17: Spanish Open House
20: Spring Band Concert
21: Middle School Dance
22: Field Day at Carl Bonnell Field in Anoka
25: NO SCHOOL, Memorial Day
28: Candle Passing at 9 AM
