Saints School News

School News – December 21, 2020

Saint Wenceslaus Catholic School Office Update

From the Office of Principal:

Dear Parents, Grandparents, and Friends of SWS,

On behalf of all faculty and staff, we wish you a holy, happy and healthy holiday! We are thankful for your attendance, your participation, your support, and your generosity to our school, to our students, and to our entire staff. We are proud to be able to offer a Catholic education to the families of St. Wenceslaus and the surrounding Catholic communities along with those who enroll with us from the other faith denominations of our New Prague area. Blessings to all as we end 2020 and look forward to 2021!

Jesus is the reason for this school!

Christmas Concert – 2020 special edition!
Join us for our annual Christmas concert on Monday, December 21. Let’s watch it in the evening from our homes!

6:00 PM – Preschool link will be sent out on Monday.
https://www.wevideo.com/view/1978977210

6:30 PM – K-8 link opens: https://youtu.be/erx062hYZAg

A special concert watching bag should be coming home to you in backpack

Dashing Thru December– Fun at School!

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!

Summer Preschool and Summer Club House

We would like to determine if there is an interest in having these two programs operational over the summer months.

Please fill out a brief survey if interested.
https://forms.gle/QtZayqGug16WpYAD9

We will make a decison on program opportunities during the 1st week of January so everyone can plan accordingly.

School Sweepstakes Raffle

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

K-8 families received $300 of $10 tickets.
Preschool received $50 of $10 tickets.

The raffle is for cash prizes.
Drawing will be: Catholic Schools Week – February 3.

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

SWS 2020 Finish Strong
Year End Fundraiser

Click Here

All gifts to this fund will help our school maintain our COVID-19 safety protocols.

Amazon Smile Program
Holiday Shopping online?
Sign up. Name St. Wenceslaus Catholic School (make sure it is our school in Minnesota because there are also schools by the same name in other states) Our school receives 0.5% back on all purchases. It might not seem like a lot, but it all adds up over time.Go to this link to register.

https://smile.amazon.com

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.
Click for registration form

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.

Aim Higher Foundation Tuition Scholarships for K-8
The window is now open for applications for the 2021-2022 school year. Apply before February 20 deadline.

This is a needs-based scholarship program. Families apply through TADS by filling out the TADS application and then clicking on the scholarship button for the Aim Higher Foundation. Click here for more information.

Registration for Preschool 2021
We are accepting registration for preschool for fall 2021.
Little Saints Preschool – Click here for forms.

Please help us by passing this form on to family and friends who might be interested in our preschool program.

Preschool 2021-2022 Early learning Scholarship
All students going into the prekindergarten and one year away from kindergarten may qualify for this program.
Get a preschool scholarship $500 to $3000!

Spread the word! This is open to everyone who is “middle income”. Students likely to enroll in our SWS kindergarten the following year are given highest priority for getting this award.

Click here to get more information and the application link.

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)

Directives from the Archdiocese allow for exceptions to go to a 10 day quarantine only in certain cases and when the risk of exposure and academic programming need to be weighed and determined.

Here is a letter from LeSueur Count officials as it concerns the 14 day timing and safety. Click here.

Scott County Health Free Covid Testing

This takes place each Monday at the Knights of Columbus Hall in New Prague and other area locations throughout the week.

https://www.primarybio.com/r/scottcounty

Free Covid Testing – Saliva Test

There are many testing sites and test from home opportunities- all testing is now free so — if in doubt – go take a test!

https://learn.vaulthealth.com/state-of-minnesota/

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.

Calendar of Events:

Mon., Dec. 21 – Christmas Concert -Virtual Evening 6:00PM- Preschool and 6:30 PM -K-8
Wed., Dec. 23 – School Closed for the Christmas break until January 3.
Mon., Jan. 4 – School/Preschool back in session
Tues., Jan 5 – Home/School meeting 6:00 PM
Wed., Jan 6 – Mass – (Gr. 6 plans) – Feast of the Epiphany
Wed., Jan. 13 – Mass ( gr 4a plans)
Wd., Jan. 13 – School Advisory Meeting 6:30 PM
Fri., Jan. 15 – No K-8 Classes but preschool and Club House are open
Mon. Jan 18 – Teacher retreat – No K-8, No Preschool, and No Club House. (Martin Luther King Holiday)
Tues. Jan. 19 – Preschool open house and registration -5:00-7:00 PM
Wed., Jan. 20 – Mass (gr. 4b plans)
Wed., Jan 27 – Mass (gr. 5 plans)
Fri., Jan.29 – NO K-8 classes but preschool and Club House are open
Sun., Jan 31 – Catholic Schools Week begins
Wed. Feb. 3 – Sweepstakes Tickets due
Wed. Feb. 3 – 8:00 School Mass (Gr. 3)

Looking ahead:
Kindergarten preview nights: February 9 and 10
Mon. Feb. 15 – President Day Holiday – School Closed
Fri., Feb. 19 – Fish Fry

*** Please note these schedule changes
Wednesday, December 23
No School Pre -8, No Club House, No preschool, or preschool extended care
December 23 – January 1
No School Pre-8, No Club House, No preschool, or preschool extended care
Friday, January 15
No School for K-8, Preschool and Club House are open
Monday, January 18
Martin Luther King Day- All staff retreat – No School Pre – 8, No Club House,
NO preschool, or preschool extended care
Friday, January 29
No School for K-8, Preschool and Club House are open