1/26/24 Newsletter
September 11th, 2023
Catholic Schools Week
Our Student Council has planned out a fun week for us during Catholic Schools Week (Jan 29th - Feb 2nd). Please view the attachment below to see what the different theme days will be. We're looking forward to a great week!
No Maplewood Bus 2/2/24
Please note there will be no Maplewood bus on Friday, February 2nd.
Last Chance for Gala Shirts!
There is still time to order a "Back to the Pres Future" Gala shirt, but not much so you'd better hurry! All shirt orders MUST be in by Friday, February 2nd.
And don't forget about all the other ways you can help make the 2024 Gala a success!
- Become a sponsor: There are various levels available for sponsorship, and every cent committed to the Gala helps!
- Donate a Live or Silent Auction Item: Do you have a cabin or vacation home? A connection to a fun destination or lots of unused flight miles? Want to host a fun themed party or dinner? 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! The options are limited only to your imagination! If you have anything you'd like to donate as a "big ticket" Live Auction item or as a Silent Auction item, contact Gala Chair, Linda Charnowski, at lprazak@presentationofmary.org today!
- Spread the Word: Share our social media posts about the Gala, let all of your family, friends, and neighbors know about this awesome event, and invite them to attend! Invite information will be coming out soon, but in the meantime tell everyone to mark their calendars for Saturday, April 13th!
Further information regarding all of the above opportunities can be found at our Gala web page. Check it out at the button below!
Gala Raffle Tickets
Each year for the Panther Pride Gala, students sell raffle tickets to help raise funds. Next week, students will be sent home with raffle tickets and a letter explaining the process. One option we offer families is to sell tickets before and/or after church masses, and this year there are also opportunities to sell tickets at our Soup Supper/Fish Fry Dinners during lent. There is a SignUp Genius for these selling dates/times. This is a great opportunity for families to help sell tickets. It is first come, first served as far as getting a spot on the sign up, and we ask that your family only sign up for one slot to start out. If we end up with open slots down the road we will allow families to get another chance. Click on the link below to view the sign up.
Financial Aid Count Down!
There's only 4 more weeks to apply for Financial Aid - don't miss out! To be considered for financial aid, families MUST COMPLETE THEIR APPLICATIONS BY FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23RD. If you miss this deadline, we cannot guarantee you any aid or scholarships. Click the button below to complete your enrollment and financial aid application today! Please reach out to Ms. Lovegreen with any questions at 651-842-6032 or slovegreen@presentationofmary.org.
Valentine's Day Celebreations
This year, Valentine's Day (February 14) falls on the same day as Ash Wednesday. To remain respectful of this important day in the Catholic Faith, we will move our Valentine's Day celebrations to the day before - Mardi Gras! On Tuesday, February 13th, students may come to school in red, pink, and/or white clothing in the spirit of love. Any in-class celebrations will be communicated to you directly by your child's teacher.
Congrats!
Congratulation to Amelia N (8 - percussion), Abby J (7 - clarinet), and Ellie J (7 - flute), who were nominated by Mr. Starr and chosen to participate in the Southeast Minnesota Band Directors Association (SEMBDA) 6-8 Honor Band on Saturday, Jan 13 at John Marshall High School in Rochester, MN. They performed in a band of eighty-seven musicians from twenty-five schools in the southeast region of Minnesota. It was an intense day of rehearsals and sectionals, followed by a concert at 4:00 in the afternoon. The band was conducted by Ms. Kim Kovar from Kellogg Middle School in Rochester. A wide variety of styles was represented by the five pieces played by the band: The Big Circus March by Robert E. Foster, Dancing Kites by Chris M. Bernotas, Energy! by Adrian B. Sims, Little Star by Rob Grice, and Frogs by Randall D. Standridge.
Panther Basketball
Unfortunately the Panthers didn't come away with a win at their game on Wednesday Jan 24th, losing to Trinity Lone Oak by a small margin: 30-23. But you've got two more chances to cheer them to victory at their remaining games on January 31 at 5:00 pm and February 7 at 4:00 pm. Games are in the Presentation gym. Go Panthers!
Donald's Sale
Donald's Uniform Store is having a sale during Catholic Schools Week. Check out the flyer below!
Forum for Grade 3-8 Parents/Guardians
Navigating Social Skills & Social Media: Preparing for Adolescence
We believe that creating a strong parent-school partnership is paramount to student success. To continue to grow that partnership, we are excited to host a forum for parents and guardians of students in grades 3-8, Navigating Social Skills and Social Media: Preparing for Adolescence! Join us as Beth Carver from the Phoenix School Counseling leadership team leads us through an impactful presentation.
Our children are more stressed and anxious than at any time in modern history. How we parent and manage emotions at home can protect our children and bolster their emotional resilience, or it can hinder development and make things worse. This session will focus on parenting strategies that promote healthy psychological development. The influences of technology, the pressures of modern life, and common parenting mistakes will be discussed. Parents will leave with concrete strategies to help their children thrive.
Beth Carver is a mental health clinician who specializes in children's and teen mental health as well as effective parenting and school strategies and approaches. She has experience working to address anxiety, depression, social and friendship difficulties, eating disorders, substance use and abuse, and family transitions related to divorce and death.
Childcare will be provided. Please RSVP at the link below.
Tuesday, Feb 6, 2024, 06:30 PM
Presentation of Mary School Middle School Math Room
Open House
Please note the pancake breakfast has been changed to a free will offering vs. pay per meal. Make sure you stop by the School Information table to grab a Panther Passport. Complete all the activities and turn in the passport for a chance to win Presentation of Mary swag! Lastly, get an additional chance to win when you bring a new friend to the Open House and introduce them to Ms. Lovegreen!
Open House
We’ll begin the day with Mass at 9:30 in the church, followed by a pancake breakfast hosted by the Knights of Columbus (free will offering), and then tour the school to complete fun activities and browse the Scholastic Book Fair to pick up your favorite titles!
Sunday, Jan 28, 2024, 09:30 AM
Presentation of Mary Catholic School, 1695 Kennard Street, Maplewood, MN, USA
Give Back Night at Mac's Diner
Bring your friends and family to dine at Mac's Diner in North St Paul on Monday, February19th between 4pm-close and 30% of your food and beverage purchases will be donated back to the school! Last year we raised almost $700 - let's beat that!!
You MUST bring a printed flyer with you to earn us the donation. Click on the flyer below to print one, or stop by the school or parish office and grab as many as you'd like!
Looking Ahead
Jan 28-Feb 2: Catholic Schools Week
Monday, January 29: Mass of the Holy Spirit (middle school only - Excel Energy Center)
Wednesday, January 31: Basketball Game vs. St. Jerome, 5pm (Gym)
Friday, February 2: No Maplewood Bus
Tuesday, February 6: Parent Forum, 6:30pm (Middle School Math Room)
Tuesday, February 13: Mardi Gras/Valentine's Day Celebrations - students may wear red, pink, and/or white to school
Wednesday, February 14: Ash Wednesday
Monday, February 19: No School - President's Day; Give Back Night at Mac's, 4pm-close (Mac's Diner)
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.