Christmas Concert! 
Join us for our annual Christmas concert on Monday, December 21. Let’s all watch it in the evening from our homes!

We will be sending you virtual links on this day to the preschool concert and the K-8 concert. You can share these links with grandparents, relatives and friends.  There is nothing more special at a Catholic school than the annual Christmas concert. We are happy to bring this to you and hope it brings you Christmas cheer this year.

Note ***** Our concert is not the same as in past years. We cannot have kids standing next to each other singing. Masks will be on and kids spread out. Some classes will show you alternate demonstrations of skills without singing. These activities comply with our safety protocols.

(Preschoolers are an exception and will be singing next to each other)

14 day Quarantine stays in place for SWS
Some of the directives have recently changed with the CDC, however, St. Wenceslaus will continue with the 14 day plan (when there are exposures) until directives come from the Archdiocese later this month.

Picture Retakes
This opportunity is for those who missed out first day of pictures back in September.  Also if your child’s picture did not turn out due to eyes shut, then you can bring it in and request a retake. Call the office to request a retake or contact Sherry. sherry.hartman@swsaints.org or 952-758-3133

Baby Jesus Update
We purchased a new baby, Jesus, to fit inside of our school manger. We hope our lost Jesus is on display in a good home this season.

School Sweepstakes Raffle

Packets of tickets went home in your child’s backpack this week.

We need all school families to participate as best as they can. K-8 families will receive $300 in tickets to sell and preschool will receive $50 in tickets. ($10 each)  The raffle will be for cash prizes.

Tickets will will be due by the end of January with the winners chosen during Catholic Schools week (February 3)

If you can sell more than your share at your place of employment or with your realatives, we would greatly appreciate the help.

Dashing Thru December– Fun at School!

Monday, December 14th
“SANNNNTTTTAAAA!!! I KNOW HIM!!!!” – Buddy
Wear your favorite Christmas t-shirt (or red and green)!

Friday, December 18th – POLAR EXPRESS!!!!
Wear your PJ’s and enjoy a snack while we watch THE POLAR EXPRESS in the afternoon!

Monday, December 21st
“Buddy, you’re more of an elf than anyone I ever met.
And the only one I would want working on my sleigh tonight” – Santa
Wear your antlers, elf hats, ears, earrings…your favorite holiday headgear!

Tuesday, December 22nd
“There’s room for everyone on the Nice List” – Buddy
It’s Ugly Christmas Sweater Day and
let’s all watch THE GRINCH to send us off into Christmas break!

Registration for Kindergarten Families

Now – Open to the public!

1. For every kindergarten student who registers from this point until June 1 – all kindergarten tuition gets lowered by $50 for every kindergarten family upto 28 students.

2. Kindergarten students who are registered by January 31, 2021, and stay enrolled in fall 2021 will receive an additional $150 tuition credit from a CSCOE (Catholic School Center of Excellence) grant! – This is a firm deadline so don’t miss it.

Saintly Service
November/December – St. Ignatius – to assume positive intent.
October – St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta – to be assertively friendly.
September –  St. Benedict – to offer incredible hospitality.

Car Pick up line
Things to consider to help keep it smooth

1. Dismissal will be from 2:30-2:45.
2. Stay calm.
3. If parking, only park in second tier of parking lot.

4. If you normally have to get out of the car to help buckle in the younger kids, please park and do not go through the drive-through lane.

5. The drive-through lane works best for the kids who can open a door on their own and jump in quickly.

6. Please give your last name to the teachers who are outside helping. It is overwhelming to think quickly of who is who.  It is also hard to tell who you are with a mask on. Roll down your window to give your name if you aren’t getting out.

7. Kids are called out by name to avoid a bottleneck in the hall.
8. We will have students leave as soon as their name has been called.
9. This will all change when regular bussing returns.

 Expectations on teachers for homework:

• Child sick with normal illness – teacher provides make-up work the next day.
• Child on vacation – teacher will give makeup work after return.
• Child home due to exposure quarantine – teacher give homework 1-day late and provide short Google meet after 2:30 pm.
• Child home due to positive testing – teacher will provide homework 1-day late or when child is healthy and will do short Google meet after 2:30 pm.
• Full class on quarantine – teacher provide full distance learning plan (but only if teacher is healthy)

  Teachers may choose to make exceptional arrangements in special circumstances.

Travel Considerations

From the CDC Guidelines:
Testing before and after travel can reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. Testing does not eliminate all risk, but when paired with a period of staying at home and everyday precautions like wearing masks and social distancing, it can make travel safer by reducing spread on planes, in airports, and at travelers’ destinations.

If you participated in higher-risk activities during your international travel, take the everyday actions listed above AND do the following after travel:
Get tested 3-5 days after travel AND stay home for 7 days after travel. Even if you test negative, stay home for the full 7 days. If your test is positive, isolate yourself to protect others from getting infected. If you don’t get tested, it’s safest to stay home for 14 days after travel. Avoid being around people who are at increased risk for severe illness for 14 days, whether you get tested or not. Always follow state and local recommendations or requirements related to travel.

From: Governor Walz’s executive order- travel advisory
Unnecessary travel strongly discouraged. Consistent with federal guidance and to protect our neighbors, Minnesotans are encouraged to stay close to home and are strongly discouraged from engaging in unnecessary travel, particularly to other states or countries.

Travel advisory. Persons arriving in Minnesota from other states or countries, including returning Minnesota residents are strongly encouraged to practice self-quarantine for 14 days after arrival by limiting their interactions to their immediate household. This recommendation does not apply to individuals who must cross state or country borders for work, study, medical care, or personal safety and security.

From SWS Safety Plan:
We ask our families to make prudent decisions about travel and respect a possible quarantine upon returning from travel.
Travel during the school year – weekdays, weekends, and school breaks.
All families must inform the school if they have traveled to a location outside of the United States during the school year. All students and staff must quarantine for 14 days after returning from all foreign travel.
All families must inform the school when they have traveled by air and to any place outside of the State of Minnesota. Students may be asked to quarantine if they have traveled by air to any location. Students may be asked to quarantine after returning from a trip if the place of travel was in an area determined to be a “hot spot” by the CDC.

Volunteers needed! 
We are looking for a few volunteers to help livestream the school Masses or to help with this in the parish on other days.  You will work alone in the sacristy running the camera. Training will be given but it is not a difficult task.  Thanks for considering!