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March 5, 2010

CITY MEETING ABOUT LAKE DRIVE
    Thank you to all who have given input into this process and to those who attended the Mendota Heights City Council meeting on Tuesday.  After many good comments from all parties, the council agrees that further traffic studies need to take place after the roundabout is constructed at Mendota Heights Road and Visitation Drive.  The City and Council will then review the data and proceed from there, with the possibility of additional meetings.
    One issue that continues to stand out, and the Mayor requested that we address, is the speed of traffic on Lake Drive by a few of our students and parents.  Please use Mendota Heights Road when practical, and let your sons know they should always be using Mendota Heights Road.  Also, please be conscientious of your speed.  Thanks again for all your support.


PEP BAND AT HOCKEY SECTION CHAMPIONSHIP
    The Pep Band will perform at the hockey game tonight.  Report time is 5:30 p.m., the bus will depart at 5:40 p.m. - all band students are required to ride the band bus to the game.


FACULTY INFORMATION
    STA welcomes Ms. Amy Powers as the substitute band director and asks for your continued prayers for a healthy recovery for Ms. Neddermeyer.
    STA welcomes Mr. David Krieger ’04 who is student teaching in the English department the next ten weeks.  Ms. Benz is his lead teacher.


STA ROUND-UP – SAVE THE DATES!
Thursday, August 5 – 2:00 to 7:00 p.m.
OR
Wednesday, August 11 – 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
    This summer, to begin the 2010-11 school year, we will have a new way to distribute materials to, and collect information from, parents and students.  We have made these changes to make it easier and more efficient for parents to acquire all the important information needed to begin a new school year. 
    You must come to school with your son(s) on one of these days.
    You may show up at any time between the hours listed above (no appointment is needed).
SCHEDULES WILL NOT BE MAILED FOR THE 2010-11 SCHOOL YEAR.


HOST FAMILIES NEEDED
    The Admissions office will welcome two foreign exchange students for the 2010-11 school year and we are in need of host families.
    Den, currently an STA sophomore, hopes to extend his stay for the 2010-11 school year.  If you are interested in hosting Den, we can put you in contact with his current host family so a formal introduction can be made.
    The second exchange student, Mauricio, is joining us for grade seven from Monterrey, Mexico.
    If you are interested in learning more about being a host family, please contact Peggy Mansur – pmansur@cadets.com or John Kenney – jkenney@cadets.com.


STA AUCTION VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
    There are still a few openings to help on Friday evening, April 16th, for Family Night, and, on Saturday evening, April 17th, for the Gala.  If you are still willing to volunteer please contact Kathleen Lee.  If you end up with some extra free time April 15th through April 18th, please feel free to stop in for any amount of time and check in at the volunteer table to help as a trouble-shooter or a runner for the Auction. 
    We could not complete the greatest fundraiser of the year without the great STA Community Volunteers!  Thank you for your help!


MOTHER/SON RETREAT IS THIS SUNDAY
    Enjoy an evening of inspiration and reflection with your son(s).  The retreat features Mass, dinner and two guest speakers.  Mollie Raih, mother of five Academy graduates, will share her perspectives on the spiritual journey of motherhood and Nick Stommes, U of M senior member of the Gopher football team and scholar-athlete award winner, will offer his insight into living out your faith in the college life.
March 7
5:00 to 9:00 p.m.
STA Chapel and Cafeteria
$15 per person
Please contact Crystal Crocker if you would like to attend.


END OF QUARTER EXAMS
March 8-11


FATHERS’ CLUB MEETING
March 9
7:30 a.m. at STA Media Center (Multi-Purpose Room)
    Leadership Lessons for Dads: Temperance


LENTEN SOUP DINNER AND CHORAL CONCERT AT VISITATION
    The Art and Music Departments and the Student Council at Visitation invite you to a special event.  They are raising money to be sent to their Salesian Oblate Schools in Haiti and are doing so by selling homemade pottery bowls, created by Visitation artists, and serving a simple soup and bread dinner.
    Following the dinner will be a concert featuring Bel Canto, Chamber Choir, 8th grade choir, STA Men’s Choir, Middle School choir and VISTA Choir.  They will be performing music from all over the world including Africa, China, Japan, Estonia, and the U.S. premiere of a piece from Haiti.
Tuesday, March 9
5:30 p.m. – dinner at Visitation Dining Room
7:00 p.m. – concert at Visitation DeSales Auditorium


DEADLINE FOR SENIOR PROJECTS
March 12
    Students need to have completed 40 hours of service work and turned in their journals to their theology teachers.  Has your son turned in his service work yet?  You can check here.


VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
    The next STA gathering at Feed My Starving Children is Monday, March 15, from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m.  We would love to have you join us.  As our student interest grows we need to provide adequate adult presence.  Thank you for considering this opportunity. Please contact Mrs. Miley at kmiley@cadets.com to sign up.


STA SUMMER ATHLETIC CAMPS
    Registration forms are now available for this summer’s soccer, basketball and football camps.  Click HERE for the information.


UPCOMING EVENTS:

SHOP THE AUCTION
    The exclusive online auction begins on March 15. 
Hundreds of amazing items are now posted online – Click HERE to access the site, view all the items and start your “wish list.”

SENIOR SERVICE PROJECT LOTTERY
Wednesday, March 17
8:00 a.m.

VISTA UPPER SCHOOL BAND CONCERT
Thursday, March 18
7:00 p.m.
Visitation School, DeSales Auditorium

7TH GRADE PARENTS' NIGHT OUT
    All parents of 7th graders are welcome to this casual get-together!  There will be a cash bar and appetizers available for purchase.  If you have any questions, please contact Su LeFevour, Lucy Poole or Angie Ohmes.
Friday, March 19
7:00 p.m.
Pool and Yacht Club, Lilydale

SENIOR CLASS RETREAT
March 21-22
    If you have not done so, please contact Chris Zimmermann at czimmermann@cadets.com right away about the “surprise” we need from you for your son.

MOTHERS’ MORNING OF PRAYER
Reservations are due by March 19
    Saint Thomas Academy Mothers’ Club invites the women of the Saint Thomas Academy and Visitation Community to the annual Mothers’ Morning of Prayer - A Lenten Reflection.  The theme for the morning is “Learning from the Virgin Mary’s ‘Yes’ to God and The Art of the Cathedral of Saint Paul as it tells the story of our Faith.”
Thursday, March 25
The Feast of the Annunciation
9:00 to 11:30 a.m.
Visitation School, DeSales Auditorium
$10 per person
Click here for the registration form

DAY OF REST AND REFLECTION FOR THE MEN OF STA
Saturday, March 27
8:30 a.m. to noon
    The phrase “the disciple whom Jesus loved,” or “the Beloved Disciple’” occurs five times in the Gospel of John, but in no other New Testament accounts of Jesus.  It relates specifically to four moments in the final day of Jesus’s life and the day of his resurrection.  In this regard, the phrase offers a special—and fascinating—portal for reflecting on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter: for in those days “the Beloved Disciple” rests his head on the breast of Jesus, stands at the foot of the Cross, races Peter to the empty tomb, and encounters the Risen Christ on the seashore.

    Our Lenten Day of Rest and Reflection will offer you the opportunity to enter more intimately than ever before into the mysteries of Holy Week and Easter, to approach more prayerfully than ever before the liturgies of this holy time, and to experience more fully than ever before your own “beloved-ness” as a disciple of Jesus.

    Please join us at Saint Thomas Academy the morning of Saturday, March 27.  The Day begins with coffee at 8:30 a.m., two talks by Father Thomas O’Brien, ample opportunity for private thought and prayer, and a period of time in which to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  The day concludes with an informal lunch at noon.

    Father O’Brien is a member of the faculty of Saint Thomas Academy, and serves as its Director of Catholic Identity and Mission.  The Day of Rest and Reflection, a “men-only” event, is open – free of charge – to all alumni of the Academy, its benefactors, the fathers of current students, and present-day students themselves.

    To reserve a space, please contact Chris Zimmermann at 651-454-4570 or czimmermann@cadets.com.

SAVE THE DATE!
Mothers’ Club Spring Mass, Luncheon and Review
Friday, May 14
10:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.


 

____________________________________

February 26, 2010

PROPOSAL TO CLOSE LAKE DRIVE – MARCH 2 MEETING
    The City of Mendota Heights council has approved the construction of a roundabout this summer at Mendota Heights Road and Visitation Drive.  There will now be a Public Hearing on a proposal to close Lake Drive – the proposal is to only allow access to STA from Mendota Heights Road.  
    Thank you to all who have given input into this process, from attending meetings, writing to council members, sharing information on effectiveness of bollards from other communities, and even providing an independent traffic study report. 
    We still need to let the mayor and city council members know our objections.  Please plan on attending the City Council Meeting on Tuesday, March 2, at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. 


2010-11 REGISTRATION MATERIALS – MARCH 1 DUE DATE
    The 2010-11 Registration Materials were mailed on February 12.  If you did not receive your registration packet, please contact Lesia Zownirowycz at 651-683-1552 or lzownirowycz@cadets.com.  The forms need to be completed and returned to our office by March 1.


REGISTRATION FOR AP TESTS – MARCH 1 DUE DATE
    Reminder . . . Recently your son received an AP Bulletin and a registration form (blue) to sign up for the AP exams he needs to take, for each AP class being taken.  The registration form must be turned in to Dr. Heidelberger by March 1.  Failure to return the registration by this date will result in a $20 late fee.  Please call Mr. Bartek at 651-683-1566 if you have any questions.


PARENTS OF SENIORS –
SENIOR PARTY FORMS ARE DUE TODAY
SENIOR PARENT NIGHT IS MARCH 1

1) The deadline to register for the Graduation Senior Party is today, February 26.  Click HERE to access the necessary forms.  Payment may be sent at a later date but please return the completed forms to school ASAP (you can bring them with you to Senior Parent Night).

2) Senior Parent Night is Monday, March 1, at 7:00 p.m. in the cafeteria.  Please make every effort to attend the meeting.

3) The new dates for the Senior Retreat are March 21-22.  If you have not done so, please contact Chris Zimmermann at czimmermann@cadets.com right away about the “surprise” we need from you for your son.


STA COMMUNITY AUCTION INVITATIONS WERE MAILED
    The Gala invitations were mailed on February 22.  If you have not yet received your invitation, please contact the Auction Office at auction@cadets.com to request one.


STA FOOD SERVICE SURVEY EXTENDED
    We want your food service program to be the best it can be, so we are asking for your input.  PLEASE take a few minutes to fill out the survey.  Thank you in advance for your participation.


STA AUCTION VOLUNTEERS
    A HUGE thank you to all of you who have responded to help by volunteering at the STA Auction April 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th.  We are so appreciative of your help for this great school fundraiser!  You will receive a confirmation letter with your assigned duties and shift(s) the week of March 22nd (prior to Easter/Spring Break).  You will receive an e-mail reminder the week of Auction.
    There are still a few openings to help on Friday evening, April 16th, for Family Night, and, on Saturday evening, April 17th, for the Gala.  If you are still willing to volunteer please e-mail Kathleen Lee at  kslee1@comcast.net.  If you end up with some extra free time April 15th through April 18th, please feel free to stop in for any amount of time and check in at the volunteer table to help as a trouble-shooter or a runner for the Auction. 
    We could not complete the greatest fundraiser of the year without the great STA Community Volunteers!  Thank you for your help!


ADVOCACY OF THE HUNGRY
March 1 – 5
    STA food drive – Last year students, faculty and staff, carrying grocery bags donated by Kowalski’s Market, participated in a campaign to collect food for Neighborhood House.  More than 1,000 bags, containing more than 5,000 pounds of food, were donated in one week – a record amount received by the organization! 
    This year, we are doubling our efforts and plan to fill 2,000 bags from Kowalski’s.  Students learned about the food drive in their theology classes and during a presentation at Formation on February 23rd.  Read more about the campaign.


MOTHER/SON RETREAT
Reservations are due by March 1
    Enjoy an evening of inspiration and reflection with your son(s).  The retreat features Mass, dinner and two guest speakers. Mollie Raih, wife of Dr. Tom Raih and mother of five Academy graduates, will share her perspectives on the spiritual journey of motherhood and Nick Stommes, U of M senior member of the Gopher football team and scholar-athlete award winner, will offer his insight into living out your faith in the college life.
March 7
5:00 to 9:00 p.m.
STA Chapel and Cafeteria
$15 per person
Click here for the registration form


MIDDLE SCHOOL CHOIR CONCERT
March 2
7:00 p.m. at Visitation DeSales Auditorium


STUDENT SLIDESHOW ABOUT UGANDA
March 3
7:00 p.m. at STA Cafeteria
    Students who traveled to the orphanage have an informational presentation about their experiences.  All members of the STA community are welcome.


FATHER/SON MASS
March 5
7:30 a.m. at STA Chapel


EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
March 5
8:00 a.m. to 2:40 p.m. at STA Chapel
    All parents, guardians, families and friends are invited and encouraged to stop into the Chapel next Friday, March 5, anytime during the school day.  The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed after the 7:30 a.m. Mass until Benediction at 2:20 p.m.  Please join in this special Lenten opportunity for quiet prayer on campus.


NO DISTRICT 197 BUSES
March 5


END OF QUARTER EXAMS
March 8-11


FATHERS’ CLUB MEETING
March 9
7:30 a.m. at STA Media Center (Multi-Purpose Room)
    Leadership Lessons for Dads: Temperance


DEADLINE FOR SENIOR PROJECTS
March 12
    Students need to have completed 40 hours of service work and turned in their journals


STA SUMMER ATHLETIC CAMPS
    Registration forms are now available for this summer’s soccer, basketball and football camps.  Click HERE for the information.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

SHOP THE AUCTION
    The exclusive online auction begins on March 15. 
Hundreds of amazing items are now posted online – Click HERE to access the site, view all the items and start your “wish list.”

7TH GRADE PARENTS' NIGHT OUT
    All parents of 7th graders are welcome to this casual get-together!  There will be a cash bar and appetizers available for purchase.  If you have any questions, please contact Su LeFevour, Lucy Poole or Angie Ohmes.
Friday, March 19
7:00 p.m.
Pool and Yacht Club, Lilydale

MOTHERS’ MORNING OF PRAYER
Reservations are due by March 19
    Saint Thomas Academy Mothers’ Club invites the women of the Saint Thomas Academy and Visitation Community to the annual Mothers’ Morning of Prayer - A Lenten Reflection.  The theme for the morning is “Learning from the Virgin Mary’s ‘Yes’ to God and The Art of the Cathedral of Saint Paul as it tells the story of our Faith.”
Thursday, March 25
The Feast of the Annunciation
9:00 to 11:30 a.m.
Convent of the Visitation, DeSales Auditorium
$10 per person
Click here for the registration form

SAVE THE DATE
Semi-annual Day of Rest and Reflection for the Men of STA
Saturday, March 27
8:30 a.m. to noon
    The phrase “the disciple whom Jesus loved,” or “the Beloved Disciple’” occurs five times in the Gospel of John, but in no other New Testament accounts of Jesus.  It relates specifically to four moments in the final day of Jesus’s life and the day of his resurrection.  In this regard, the phrase offers a special—and fascinating—portal for reflecting on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter: for in those days “the Beloved Disciple” rests his head on the breast of Jesus, stands at the foot of the Cross, races Peter to the empty tomb, and encounters the Risen Christ on the seashore.

    Our Lenten Day of Rest and Reflection will offer you the opportunity to enter more intimately than ever before into the mysteries of Holy Week and Easter, to approach more prayerfully than ever before the liturgies of this holy time, and to experience more fully than ever before your own “beloved-ness” as a disciple of Jesus.

    Please join us at Saint Thomas Academy the morning of Saturday, March 27.  The Day begins with coffee at 8:30 a.m., two talks by Father Thomas O’Brien, ample opportunity for private thought and prayer, and a period of time in which to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  The day concludes with an informal lunch at noon.

    Father O’Brien is a member of the faculty of Saint Thomas Academy, and serves as its Director of Catholic Identity and Mission.  The Day of Rest and Reflection, a “men-only” event, is open – free of charge – to all alumni of the Academy, its benefactors, the fathers of current students, and present-day students themselves.

    To reserve a space, please contact Chris Zimmermann at 651-454-4570 or czimmermann@cadets.com.


SAVE THE DATE!
Mothers’ Club Spring Mass, Luncheon and Review
Friday, May 14
10:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.