12/8/23 Newsletter
September 11th, 2023
A (kind of) Winter Wonderland!
Preschoolers had fun playing in the small amount of snow we got recently. Look out - we all know much more is coming!!
Congrats!
A number of our second grade students will be making their First Reconciliation tomorrow afternoon as part of their journey towards receiving their First Holy Communion this spring. Congrats to these students, we're so happy for you as you take these next steps in your faith!
Christmas Concert - Friday, December 15th
The Christmas Concert is next Friday, December 15th in the church. It will begin at 6:30pm with church doors opening at 6:00pm.
That day at school is a Spirit Wear Day (last Friday of the month we're in session!) so students can wear spirit wear to school, but they should dress in nice clothes for the concert.
Band students should meet Mr. Starr in Kenney Hall at 6:15pm to warm up and tune instruments. Jackets and instrument cases can be left there. Once they are done performing they will return instruments to Kenney Hall and then sit with their class to await their turn to sing.
Preschool students should be dropped off in Ms. Susie's classroom between 6:00 and 6:15pm. Preschoolers will stay with preschool teachers while the band plays. After the preschoolers sing, parents will pick up their child from the teacher and may return to their pew to enjoy the rest of the concert together.
Students in grades K-8 that are NOT in band should meet in their classrooms at 6:15pm (please note that Kindergarten students should meet in Mary's Room, across the hall from the office). Parents/guardians can take children's jackets with them. Classroom teachers will then lead students over to the sanctuary where they will sit as a grade with their teacher.
Spirit Wear Day - Friday, December 15
Our December Spirit Wear Day will be on Friday, December 15th. Students can come out of uniform that day if they are wearing Presentation Spirit Wear!
MNSAA School Survey
If you have not yet completed the MNSAA Survey we ask that you please take a few minutes to do so. All surveys must be complete by Friday, December 15th. Click below to learn more.
Join the cast of Matilda, Jr!
Again this year, in partnership with Totino-Grace High School and various area Catholic elementary schools, we are proud and excited to offer the opportunity to be a part of a full musical theatre production to our 5th - 8th grade students. This year we are doing Matilda, Jr.!
Rehearsals will start in January after the Christmas break.
Performances will be Saturday, March 23rd and Sunday, March 24th, 2024.
Rehearsals will take place at St. John‘s Catholic School in Little Canada.
Performances will take place in the Totino-Grace High School Theatre.
Thanks to a generous sponsorship from the Catholic Schools Center of Excellence (CSCOE), there will be NO CHARGE for students to participate!
To sign your child up, click on the link below.
Spirit Wear Sale Ends Today!
Cheer on the Panthers Basketball Team!
The Panther Basketball team is off to a great start this season. Click the link below to view their schedule and come watch them play!
Please note the game originally scheduled for 12/14 has been postponed. A new date is being worked out and will be announced once it is decided.
Panther Pride Gala
Get your shirt!
The deadline to get a Gala shirt before Christmas Break has passed, but you can still order shirts and get them after break! Gala shirt order forms can be found here, or if you prefer a paper one you can request it from the school office.
Donate Items!
We are collecting items for our silent and live auctions. Put together a fun theme basket or donate tickets to a fun event. Do you have a special skill such as cooking or woodworking? Donate a cooking lesson or a few hours of carpentry assistance! Get together with some friends and donate a hosted dinner party! The options are limited only to your imagination! Questions? Contact Gala Chair, Linda Charnowski, at lprazak@presentationofmary.org.
Faith and Family Night with the Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild hockey team will be hosting a Faith and Family Night on Tuesday, February 27th v. Carolina Hurricanes @ 7:00pm. View the flyer below for more info and to get tickets!
Free Throw Contest
Kids ages 9-14 are invited to participate in a free throw contest being hosted by the Knights of Columbus Council #4374.
Date: January 14th
Time: 12:00pm
Location: Transfiguration
Questions: Contact Mike Schilling, 651-334-3822
Advent Coin Drive
Our Advent Coin Drive is in full swing! It will run through Friday, December 15th. Students can bring in various coins to add to their classroom buckets as donations. The two grades that raise the most money in coins will win prizes! First place gets a pizza party and second place gets extra recess! Bills may be brought in for donation, but only coins will be counted towards the class competition.
All proceeds raised will be donated to Save the Children.
Ways to Give this Christmas Season
The Giving Tree
The Giving Tree is a Presentation of Mary ministry designed to help make Christmas special for those in need. We are honored to be able to offer this assistance again this year. Gift suggestions are hung on our giving tree at the Kennard Street Entrance of church, along with instructions on how to return your gifts to the parish. With any questions about the Giving Tree, please contact Kay Mottaz at 651-842-6022 or kmottaz@presentationofmary.org.
Baby Items / Advent Collection
The Respect Life Committee is sponsoring a baby drive for Options for Women East Life Care Center. From December 2 through January 7, we will collect baby items for moms in need and their infants, sizes newborn to 2T. We prefer that all donations be new, but we do accept gently-used clothing. Items can be placed in the creche in the Kennard Street entrance of church. You may also call the parish office if you need to drop items off outside of church times.
Candy Cane Grams
Presentation's Student Council will be selling Candy Cane Grams this Monday, December 11, and the sale will go through Friday, December 15. They will be for sale outside of the art room from 8:15-8:30am each morning and cost $1 each. Students can purchase them to send to a favorite teacher or friend!
Thank you!
A big thank you to one of our school parents, Mr. Kaufman, for using his carpentry talents to build new doors for the cabinets in our science room! We appreciate your time and talent!
Cookies and Cocoa with Santa
Click on the photo to register!
Advent Lessons & Carols Service
Invite your family, friends, and neighbors to join us on Wednesday, December 20 from 7-8pm in the Church for an inspiring candlelit service to prepare our hearts for the birth of the Christ Child. This simple and beautiful service, in which readings from sacred scripture alternate with sung meditations, illuminates a season of joyful expectation. This service will feature Donna Stoering, renowned concert pianist and our parish music director; concert violist, Erin Nolan; tenor Chidi Ohammah; and our Choir and lectors. A light reception will follow in the church Narthex. With questions, contact mail@presentationofmary.org.
Winter Break Events at St. Thomas Academy
SKATE WITH THE CADETS
Thursday, December 21, 12:30-2:30 p.m. at the St. Thomas Ice Arena.
Skate with the Cadets promises an unforgettable experience for kids as they get the unique opportunity to skate with the Cadets Hockey Team! The Varsity players will spend time on the ice with skaters doing engaging drills and activities. In addition to time on the ice, the event will include lunch, and a whole lot of fun! Register at cadets.com/winter.
DONUTS & DRILLS
Wednesday, December 27, 10:00-12:00 p.m. at the Sjoberg Flynn Gym at Saint Thomas Academy.
You're invited for Donuts & Drills on Wednesday, December 27 with the Cadets Basketball Team! Coach Jacob Sand and the team will guide you through basketball drills to sharpen your skills while Strength & Conditioning Coach Steve Rosga will provide strength & mobility sessions too. After the drills, indulge in some donuts! Donuts & Drills is for boys and girls. Register at cadets.com/winter.
Looking Ahead
Saturday, December 9: First Reconciliation, 1:30pm (Church)
December 11-15: Candy Gram Sales, 8:15-8:30am (outside Art Room)
Friday, December 15: Spirit Wear Day; Christmas Concert, 6:30pm (Church)
Wednesday, December 20: Basketball Game vs Holy Spirit, 4pm (Presentation of Mary Gym)
December 21-January 2: No School, Christmas Break
Protection of Youth: All employees, and volunteers who interact with minors, are required to complete and maintain safe environment credentials (E3) through the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. To ensure successful completion of these requirements or if you have any questions regarding our safe environment practices or would like more information on what is needed to volunteer, please contact our Safe Environment Coordinator: Kay Mottaz @ 651-842-6022 or email kmottaz@presentationofmary.org.
To learn more about reporting suspected abuse, please also visit: www.safe-environment.archspm.org/report-abuse/Report.