A St. Michael Catholic School Monthly Newsletter
September 2015
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Quick Links
Spirit Wear!

Spirit Wear orders are due by
September 18th

Did you like the new Wildcat Mike Sweatshirts? Click on your preferred style below to download the order form.





Order these items online by clicking here or download an order form by clicking here.
What's Happening in September?

Monday, September 7
No School/Labor Day

Tuesday, September 8
First Day of School
(Grades 1-8)

Little Angels, KPrep & Kindergarten Orientation

Wednesday, September
Little Angels, KPrep & Kindergarten Orientation

Thursday, September 10
First Day of School
Little Angels, KPrep & Kindergarten

School Advisory Council (6:00 PM)

Friday, September 11
First Day of School
Little Angels

Marathon Kick-Off

Monday, September 14
NWEA Testing

School Pictures

Tuesday, September 15
NWEA Testing

Wednesday, September 16
NWEA Testing

First School Mass (8:00 AM)

Wednesday, September 16
VIRTUS Training (6:00 PM)

Thursday, September 17
NWEA Testing

Marketing
 Committee (6:00 PM)

Friday, September 18
NWEA Testing

Monday, September 21
NWEA Testing

Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center
(Grade 6)

Tuesday, September 22
NWEA Testing

Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center
(Grade 6)

Curriculum Night
Grades 1-4 (6:00 PM)

Wednesday, September 23
NWEA Testing

Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center
(Grade 6)

Thursday, September 24
NWEA Testing

Curriculum Night
Grades 5 & 6 (6:00 PM)
Grades 7 & 8 (7:00 PM)

Friday, September 25
NWEA Testing

Tuesday, September 29
Children's Mass (8:00 AM)
St. Michael Feast Day

Wednesday, September 30 
NO CHILDREN'S MASS
See September 29
A Message from the Principal

Dear St. Michael Parents,
 
Staff workshop week has ended; the staff eagerly awaits the students' arrival Tuesday morning when the door opens at 7:25 am. We spent the week in professional development getting ready for students to enter into a new year of spiritual, academic and social development.
 
We began our week on retreat together as a staff. Fr. Joe, our retreat director encouraged us to reflect on our purpose and mission for teaching in a Catholic school. He stated that part of the difference in our school, is that we treat each person as a beloved and respected son or daughter of God. Each student is a Temple of the Holy Spirit and was lovingly created in God's image.
 
Over the summer our instructional coach, Ms. Kaczmarek, mapped out the first four months of professional development themes and goals which we began working on during workshop week. We created our collective commitments for our students, our team norms, and reviewed the essential standards in both language arts and math. The month of September's teacher meetings will focus on creating a common writing rubric, standards based grading and creating rubrics for assignments.
 
Another focus of the week was the social-emotional development of the students and staff. We recommitted ourselves to making sure that everyone that enters our school feels welcomed and loved. We as a staff have made the following four agreements:
 
#1 Help Others Succeed
#2 Communicate "You Matter"
#3 Honor the Absent
#4 See the Problem, Own the Problem
 
I invite you to learn more about these four agreements by attending the Top 20 Parent Night being offered this fall. (More information coming soon.) It was evident, through the parent survey that we need to be consistent with our discipline. We are committed to following the Student - Parent Handbook discipline guidelines.
 
Meet the Teacher night was a huge success! Thank you for your participation. The gym was full of families learning more activities, Spirit Wear and the new lunch program. Did you get a chance to see the new sweatshirt with Wild Cat Mike on it? Fr. Tom was seen throughout the building visiting with students, parents and staff. The walking tacos were delicious and went quickly. Over 100 people attended a beautiful dedication ceremony for our Emily Kostik playground bench. Again, thank you for the huge success!!

Please note: News Notes will now come out monthly.  You will get a weekly note from me by Friday each week.   
 
Blessings,
 
Laurie Maxwell
Principal
Standards-Based Grading

This upcoming school year, we will continue to make progress on Standards-Based Grading in 
1st - 5th grade.   I think the biggest challenge for many of us, is that this is a change from the way we were graded and it may be hard to embrace it initially.
 
One of the biggest differences in Standards-Based Grading is that the standards drive the instruction, allows teachers to differentiate, reflects a student's current level of performance, measures students towards proficiency, and, by far the most important, is on-going. It's not a once-and-done mentality, students are assessed multiple times throughout the year on some of the same standards. 

Think of this circumstance in traditional grading methods: A student takes a quiz early on in a chapter and they scored very low on that quiz, that score would be averaged together with other scores that were better than the score on that first quiz, their score would result in a lower grade, even though they've showed they understand the material in the chapter now. With standards-based grading, students are given multiple opportunities to show that they understand the material before they are assessed at the end of the chapter.
 
Here is what the Standards-Based Reporting Scale looks like and what you will see on your child's report card.
 
Standards-Based Grading Scale: Scores are based on 4, 3, 2, 1 and N/A
4 - Exceeds the Standards
Student consistently exceeds grade-level standards and expectations. Performance is measured or characterized by self-motivation and the ability to apply the skills with consistent accuracy, independence, and a high level of quality.
3 - Meets the Standards
Student consistently meets grade-level standards and expectations.   Performance is characterized by the ability to apply skills with accuracy, independence and quality with minimal assistance.
2 - Partially Meets the Standards
Student is progressing toward grade level standards and expectations. Performance varies in consistency with regard to accuracy and quality.   Student requires additional practice and support.
1 - Below Standards
Student is not meeting grade level standards and expectations.   Additional instruction, practice, and support is necessary to move toward grade level standards and expectations.
N/A - Not assessed at this time
Designates that the content and skills listed are not a major focus for instruction and assessment during the reporting time period.
 
One important thing to remember is that a child's grade in Standards-Based Grading is not based on learning behaviors, which is a different set of criteria. Standards-Based Grading is strictly based on what a child can or can't do on a standard. Learning behaviors include: uses time well, completes work in a neat and organized manner, asks appropriate questions, works well with others, works well independently, etc. These behaviors are assessed separately on the report card and their criteria is as follows:
 
Successful Learning Behaviors
4
Consistently
3
Frequently
2
Sometimes
1
Rarely
N/A
Not assessed
at this time
Golf Classic
Sunday, September 13, 2015
Legends Golf Club
Prior Lake, MN

We have a few four-somes left!   
Don't golf?  Come for dinner!



Sign up to golf and have dinner or
just have dinner with us.   
 
We Need Your Help!
Please consider volunteering your time in the Kitchen, Lunchroom and Playground Sept/Oct/Nov.  We thank you!

Visit Sign-up Genius for
dates/times/positions.

Sign-up Genius

 
 
Save the Date!  Marathon is Friday, Oct 2, 2015
Kick-off begins Friday, Sept. 11th
Annual Service Marathon Goal:
$100 per PreK - 8 students,
$25 for Little Angels.
 
Help support our school as we join in the annual MN Marathon for Nonpublic Schools.  Stay tuned for more information on this fun event.
  • Sit in a Lazy-Boy for a day
  • Secretary for a day
  • Reserved seating for the Christmas Program
  • Win Spirit Wear, Pizza Parties, iPod Shuffles, FitBit Flex, Donald's gift certificates
  • Dunk tank (dunk the teacher) at Family Fun Night!
  • Sunday pancake breakfast
Want to Volunteer?  Here's what you do!
It is the policy of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis that anyone interested in working or volunteering with children must go  
through a three step process in order to do so.
 
  • First, volunteers must go through a background check. Background check forms are available in the school office.
  • Secondly, volunteers must sign a Volunteer Code of Conduct.  This form is also available in the school office. 
  • Finally, volunteers must complete a three-hour VIRTUS training session.  To see a listing of the sites, dates and times and to register, visit http://virtusonline.org/virtus/

St Michael Catholic Church will be hosting a VIRTUS training on Wed, Sept 16 at 6:00 pm.   

Staff News
What a busy summer it's been!
  • Mrs. Groehler gave birth to Andrew Theodore on Saturday, July 18.
  • Mrs. TenEyck just gave birth Friday, Sept 4th to Henry Michael
  • Ms. Heitkamp became Mrs. Lind

Congratulations to all of you!

 

St. Michael Catholic Church Children's Choir
 
Registration has begun for children and youth choirs:

 Joyful Light Children's Choir for children in grades 2-4.
New this year: Two rehearsal options will be offered each week (you select one): Wednesday 2:30-3:15PM or Thursday 5-5:45PM.
Rehearsals start on September 23/24.
 
  Radiant Light Youth Choir for children in grades 5-8.
New this year: Two rehearsal options will be offered each week (you select one): Wednesday 3:30-4:15PM or Thursdays 6-6:45PM.
Rehearsals start on September 23/24. 
 
Registration is $30 per family and the deadline is Fri, Sept. 18. Forms, more information, and calendars are available in the narthex and parish website.
 
Choirs sing about once a month at Mass and the choir season ends on Easter Sunday.
 
If you have questions, please contact Angie O'Brien, Director of Music, at 447-2458 or [email protected]
Thank You, Doug Fossum!
Doug has been busy and invaluable to us:

*Updating the computer network to improve the wireless access for new Chromebooks and teacher laptops. 

*Preparations to make the same wireless service available in all three parish buildings. 

*Assisting Darlene with a server purchase to support MS Windows Laptop roll-out for staff to also include shared MS Windows support for all parish staff.

*Preparations for future fiber optic service to improve speed and reliability  of Internet access. 

*Arranging partnership with the county, Integra and and possibly the local school district for reasonable cost and higher speed/bandwidth.

*Most importantly, rewired the front office security & camera system and eliminated wires sticking through the office floor lobby!
Uniform Compliance
Please revisit the uniform policy for this year. The uniform policy will be enforced at St. Michael.  There are times during the year when students become less attentive to the requirements and it is our job to make sure the code is followed.  Your help is much appreciated as we work to adhere to the standards set in the policy.  We will send violation notices home with students who are not in compliance, and appreciate your support in responding positively to these violations. http://www.saintmpl.org/uniforms
St. Michael Catholic School Advisory Council Members
 
Pastor: Father Tom Walker
Principal: Laurie Maxwell
Board Chair: Jason Daniel
Vice Chair: Kim Tremain
Parish Council Liaison: Dave Orham
Board Members:
 Meghan Chappuis
Cory Goracke-Postle
Neal Hauser
Amy Lenz
Leslie Meyer
Dale Pavek
Kate Stockman
Holy Family Catholic High School
Fire Fan Night at HFCHS
Families are invited to join the Holy Family Catholic High School community for Youth Fan Night at Fire Football on Friday, September 18. Activities for the night include an exciting Fire football game, kids' activities, fan tunnel to the field, giveaways, and entertainment by the HF pep band and dance club. Print your free admission ticket to the game at
Academy of Holy Angels
Danceline Mini-Clinic for Grades K-thru 8
Come spend time with the acclaimed 
Academy of Holy Angels Starliners!

Saturday October 3rd
8:30am -12:30 pm
Special performance for family and friends at 12:00 noon!

Academy of Holy Angels Gym
6600 Nicollet Ave. Richfield

Great fun, dance instruction, snacks, T-Shirt and a picture of you!

Wear comfortable clothing, and dance shoes or tennis shoes!

The cost is $38.00 The registration form is available at: 
www.ahastars.org/page/show/594535-dance-club-fall

Questions: Call Joan Johnston at 612-599-9013 or