Saints School News
School News – September 8, 2020
Saint Wenceslaus Catholic School Office Update
From the Office of Principal:
Dear Parents, Grandparents, and Friends of SWS,
The first two days were so much fun and successful for us. Everything looks very different with all of our protocols in place but I believe that we are all feeling fortunate to be in the building again. We are trying to make our programming as normal as possible, but we also know that how things are now is definitely NOT how we want them to continue for a long period of time. Things are more difficult and take longer when we have to stop to wash, disinfect, and keep ourselves safe with various strategies.
I am finding that people are developing a sense of patience and understanding. I see much more kindness and people reaching out to support and help. This is the part of the COVID consequences that I hope remains strong beyond the virus.I think there is much to teach our children trhrough all of this.
Our faith and trust in God is also growing and developing along this journey. That is why I have chosen a theme for us to see and hear among staff and students in our building.
“Pray Often, Work Hard, Trust God”
This is how we will get through this pandemic together.
Masks from the Government
Watch for a new face mask to come home with your child in grades K-8. These are navy blue in color- issued from the State of Minnesota because of the required rule to wear face masks in schools. We will send these home in the next 2 days.
It is always a good idea to wash before wearing.
We also received paper masks in case your child forgets theirs, soils theirs, or for some reason needs a new one during the school day.
Hot Lunch will be offered every day.
You can see the hot lunch menu every month on the main school website – under “current families”
Please be sure to apply for the free /reduced lunch program if your income quailifies you.
Click here for free/reduced lunch forms
Parent Information Night Google Meets
Conversation, classroom expectations, events for the year. procedures of the classroom, curriculum, Q/A
You should have been sent a link on friday to join in – look for it in your email.
Tuesday, September 8
Preschool 3/4 – 6:00-7:00 PM
PreK 1/2 dyas -7:00-:00 PM
PreK full days – 8:00-9:00 PM
Wednesday- Sept 9
Kindergarten (both classes together) 6:00-7:00 PM
Grade 1. – 6:00-7:00 PM
Grade 2 – 7:00-8:00 PM
Grade 3 – 7:00-8:00 PM
Grade 4 (King’s room)- 8:00-9:00 PM
Thursday, Sept 10
Grade 4 (Christy’s room) – 6:00-7:00 PM
Gr. 5 – 6:00-7:00 PM
Gr. 6 – 7:00-8:00 PM
Grades 7/8 together – 8:00-9:00 PM
Marathon for Non-Public Education
This is the 1st of 3 required fundraisers for our school families. Our school is supported by four major sources: tuition, fundraising, donations, and the parish investment. (The total in our budget this year for our fundraising efforts is $191,000)
We highly encourage you to send out the on-line link to friends, relatives, and others so that they can donate on behalf of your child. We try to achieve a goal for the school and for each student.
School-wide Goal = $46,000
K-8 Student Goal = $150
Prechool Student Goal = $50
Online Donation Link:
https://saintwenceslaus.ejoinme.org/2020marathon
Our marathon will take on a new format with competitions during the school day on Monday, September 28. This will be on a school day and involve the children and teachers only. We hope to include parents again in the 2021 Marathon!
Monday, September 28 is the Feast of St. Wenceslaus. It will be a fun day to celebrate with lots of special marathon activities!
Back to School Paperwork and Forms
PLEASE – Go to the school website and click on the button.
Back to school paperwork and forms
We have lots of paperwork and forms that you need to complete. Many of these can be filled out on line!
Thank you for taking care of this detail. We know it is annoying be we really do need your forms filled out.
Thank you!
Acknowledgement of Risk
Attached is a form that we would like every family to sign stating that you realize the risk of sending your child to school. Sending your child anywhere outside of your home could be considered a risk and many children have have risk of exposure within their own homes. Click this link or go to “Back to School Forms” to find it.
Early Withdrawal Policy
St. Wenceslaus School carefully budgets for how many students will be in attendance during each school year. The school fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30. When a student is withdrawn from school after July 1 to the end of a contract year, a hardship is presented to our school community. With that in mind, the following payment schedule shall be adhered to:
Prior to September 30 – 25% of the total tuition and fundraising commitment is payable to school.
Prior to November 15 – 50% of the total tuition and fundraising commitment is payable to school.
Prior to January 15– 75% of the total tuition and fundraising commitment is payable to school.
After January 15 – 100% of the total tuition and fundraising commitment is payable to school.
****Please note that if school starts out face to face and transitions into distance learning for a short time or a longer period, the school is ready to provide a full distance learning program and the above policy will remain in place for K-8 students.
Preschool families will be expected to continue their financial obligation through short two week quarantine breaks (if required) but if the school (K-8) closes for full time distance learning, Little Saints will continue to offer programming as long as allowed by the MDH for daycare rules within our license. However, should Little Saints Preschool be ordered to close by the MDH, families will be responsible for one full month of tuition after the closing date to assure that our preschool staff is properly and justly paid before the program closes.
Drop off and Pick up
Thanks for being so patient with our drop off and pick up procedures. Things seem to be going smoothly in light of the circumstances. Plan on dismissal time to take about 15 minutes from start to finish.
For those riding the bus…..
Please have a back-up plan. If for some reason NP Public would move to full distance learning, then our school would not have busing and all of our students would need to arrive by car..
Wanted: Substitute Teachers and/or people with 4-year degrees who are willing to step in to help with our classes if our teachers cannot be in the school. Training will be provided. All substitutes will need to be approved with a background check and other documents through Virtus. You do not need to have a teaching degree but you must have a 4-year college degree to be in a classroom with the students. We are very short of this sort of help. Please let us know if you are willing. This will be a paid position – paid daily.
Welcome to all of our new students and families
25 new students in grades 1-8
30 students in kindergarten
We are very blesssed to have all of the new people join our SWS school family.
If you are a new family, do not be afraid to ask lots of questions.
If your family is not new, don’t be afraid to reach out to the new families in your child’s class.
Unfortunately, we can not have our usual family and parent gatherings that have made us so connected to each other.
Tues., Sept. 8 – Parent Information Night – Google Meet Meeting for Preschool
Wed., Sept. 9 – Parent Information Night – Google Meet Meetings for grades K-4
Thurs., Sept. 10 – Parent Information Night – Google Meet Meetings for grades 4-8
Wed. Sept. 23 – School Picture Day
Thurs., Sept. 24 – School Picture Day
Mon., Sept. 28 – Feast of St. Wenceslaus – School Marathon Event Challenges for Students
Please click here to go directly to our safety plan.
This plan is a fluid plan that will be changing as needed.
Saints Return 2020
Stay up-to-date on all activities that take place in 2020
– Latest learning plans for the 2020 year
– Resources for parents
– Links to teachers pages
Go to — Main Page — swsaints.org
TADS Account set up
Reminder: Please go onto TADS to set up your tuition payments for the school year.