____________________________________

August 27, 2010

REGULAR SCHOOL HOURS:
School hours for all grades - 8:00 a.m. to 2:40 p.m. 
Tutoring is available Monday-Thursday 2:40 to 3:15 p.m.

STUDENT SCHEDULES
Adjustments were made to several students' schedules this week. This may include a room, instructor (Chinese 1, period 4) or lunch change. Students may go into PowerSchool to see these changes.

Updated schedules will also be available before school on Monday, August 30. High school students may pick up their schedules inside the main entrance and middle school students may pick up their schedules from the MS office.

Requests to add or drop classes must be made by Friday, September 3. After this deadline, students are required to remain in classes for the remainder of the year. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Heidelberger.

THANK YOU FOR OPENING YOUR HOMES!
The admissions office would like to thank the following families for generously offering to host a foreign exchange student. We welcome and thank the following people:

    •    M. Paez, grade 7 from Mexico. The Murray family will host him.
    •    D. Cantu, grade 8 from Mexico. The Johnson family will host him.
    •    D. Kim, grade 9 from South Korea will be splitting his stay by semester - the D’Agostino family
          will host him for the first semester and the Reamer family will host him for the second semester.
    •    Y. Ma, grade 11 from China. The Graiziger family will host him.

SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM
There are still some families who have not yet signed the Taher Lunch Program form. Every student's parent needs to complete the form, either signing up for the program or declining it. Please contact Mrs. Marks right away if you have not completed the form - 651.683.1512 - as this needs to be taken care of before the first day of school.

STUDENT BUS INFORMATION
VISTA buses begin on August 30, 2010
*Please note that the TLC buses have been renamed to Sunburst Transit; current riders have been informed of the change.
Any questions regarding VISTA busing, please call 651.683.1574
District 197 buses begin on September 7, 2010
Any questions regarding District 197 busing, please call 651.403.8320.

FRESHMAN RETREAT
August 28-29
More information about the retreat has been added to the Web site, including a time change, what to bring and what to leave home. The schedule and more details are posted online.

PARENTS' BACK-TO-SCHOOL NIGHT
SEPTEMBER 13
Save the date for this important evening. This program provides you the opportunity to follow your son's schedule. During each of the ten minute sessions, the teachers will provide you with information regarding course content, expectations and grading. They will also answer any general questions you may have about the course. The schedule is posted on Cadets.com.

SUMMER READING
Only two days left to finish the required summer reading! Information is posted online.

DEBATE TEAM INFORMATION
On Thursday, September 2, at 3:15 p.m. in Room 113, there will be an informational meeting for all students, grades 7-12, interested in being on the debate team. The informational part of the meeting will be very short, and will be followed by a regular debate practice for those who can stay.

There will be a meeting for parents of debaters after the regular practice on Tuesday, September 7, at 6:00 p.m. - also in Room 113. If you have any questions, please contact head coach Mark Ahlstrom mahlstrom@cadets.com or assistant coach Mr. Doug Hoverson dhoverson@cadets.com.

TAILGATE PARTY BEFORE FIRST FOOTBALL GAME
All families are invited to a tailgate party hosted by the Fathers' Club on Thursday, September 2. The party begins at 5:30 p.m. in the parking lot - kickoff time is 7:00 p.m.

VISTA PRODUCTIONS MEETING
Friday, September 3 - 3:15 to 4:00 p.m.
DeSales Auditorium at Visitation
     Here is where you learn about the many theatrical opportunities we have to offer 
and how you can get involved in the exciting process of learning the craft of theatre.
 You will hear from theatre council members and production team, tour the facilities and meet other VISTA students. Click here for more information.

VISTA PRODUCTION AUDITIONS
Students in all grades are invited to audition for a role in the fall play, Once In A Lifetime. Auditions begin on September 7th. More information is online and available at school.

DADS - SAVE THE DATE!
Fathers' Club Monday Night Football Event
    •    Monday, October 11, at 7:00 p.m.
    •    Pool & Yacht Club in Lilydale (lower level)
    •    Hosted snacks and cash bar
    •    More information available next week.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
Adoration will be offered on the first Friday of every month, beginning in October (there is no adoration in September, change from printed calendar) in the STA chapel beginning with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament directly following 7:15 a.m. Mass until Benediction at 2:20 p.m.

If you are interested in being a regular participant at a particular time each month, please contact Vicki Sheaffer at vsheaffer@hotmail.com or Laura Whitney at laura_whitney@hotmail.com to sign up.  Otherwise, please make note of the adoration dates and visit the chapel anytime during the day for a moment of quiet prayer and reflection.

JOE FINNEGAN MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
Monday, September 13, 2010
Mendakota Country Club
 
The Joe Finnegan Memorial Golf Tournament was started seven years ago in order to honor the life of Joe and enable students enrolled at Cretin-Derham Hall, Convent of the Visitation and Saint Thomas Academy the ability to continue their education, uninterrupted, after losing a parent.  There are still a few openings for the tournament - click here for more information and to register.

ORDER YOUR 2010-11 KAYDET YEARBOOK
The fee is $40 per book for the Kaydet yearbook. Seniors will receive the yearbook and personalization for free. The actual cost per book to the school is $60 so we are able to offer it to the students at a discounted rate.

You may order and pay for the yearbook online – there is no shipping cost involved as the books will be delivered to school.

The deadline to order the Kaydet is December 1, 2010.

DRIVERS EDUCATION CLASSES
STA will offer fall drivers ed classes in partnership with Century College. The classes will be available from October 25 to November 9, Monday through Thursday, 3:30-6:30 p.m. More information will be posted in the coming weeks.

REMINDER ABOUT THE MINNESOTA K-12 EDUCATION CREDIT PROGRAM
We have posted information about the state tax credit from the Department of Education and the Department of Revenue. Link to all the information is on Cadets.com.

TRAFFIC INFORMATION
1) Please be aware that Mendota Heights police have informed us that they will begin ticketing cars parked in the fire lanes in front of school.

2) Please be courteous of our neighbors and use Mendota Heights Road instead of Lake Drive.

3) Parking spots in the main lot marked "reserved" are for employees and guests only.

____________________________________

August 20, 2010

REMINDER ABOUT THE MINNESOTA K-12 EDUCATION CREDIT PROGRAM
We have posted information about the state tax credit from the Department of Education and the Department of Revenue.  Link to all the information is on Cadets.com.

PARENT ORIENTATION FOR ALL 7TH AND 9TH GRADE PARENTS
AND NEW PARENTS IN OTHER GRADES - AUGUST 25
We recommend that parents attend this informative orientation (even if your freshman attended our middle school).  It is a great way to get important information and meet other parents.
   Social 6:15-7:00 p.m. in
   Rongitsch Commons
   Program 7:00-8:30 p.m.

NEW ROUNDABOUT ON MENDOTA HEIGHTS ROAD
If your son will be driving to school and is unfamiliar with roundabouts, we do encourage him to practice before the first day of school and hundreds of STA and Visitation students arrive at the same time.  An informational brochure is posted online.

TRAFFIC INFORMATION
1) Please be aware that Mendota Heights police have informed us that they will begin ticketing cars parked in the fire lanes in front of school.
2) Please be courteous of our neighbors and use Mendota Heights Road instead of Lake Drive.
3) Parking spots in the main lot marked "reserved" are for employees and guests only.

SUMMER READING
Only one week left to finish the required summer reading!  Information is posted online.

ORIENTATION FOR NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS
Orientation for all 7th grade students and new 8th grade students
   9:00 a.m. – Noon on August 27
Students should wear casual clothing and bring their class schedule and student planner; lunch will be provided and students may be picked up at noon.

INFORMATION FOR THE CLASS OF 2014
Freshman Orientation and Retreat
August 27, 28-29. More information about the retreat has been added to the Web site, including a time change, what to bring and what to leave home.  The schedule and more details are posted online.

PARENTS' BACK-TO-SCHOOL NIGHT - SEPTEMBER 13
Save the date for this important evening.  This program provides you the opportunity to follow your son's schedule.  During each of the ten minute sessions, the teachers will provide you with information regarding course content, expectations and grading.  They will also answer any general questions you may have about the course.  More information will be sent on August 27th.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
Adoration will be offered on the first Friday of every month, beginning in October (there is no adoration in September, change from printed calendar) in the STA chapel beginning with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament directly following 7:15 a.m. Mass until Benediction at 2:20 p.m.

If you are interested in being a regular participant at a particular time each month, please contact Vicki Sheaffer at vsheaffer@hotmail.com or Laura Whitney at laura_whitney@hotmail.com to sign up.  Otherwise, please make note of the adoration dates and visit the chapel anytime during the day for a moment of quiet prayer and reflection.

Web site information
Dates: October 1, November 5, December 3, January 7, March 4, April 1, May 6

CROSS COUNTRY PARENTS
Please plan to attend the Time Trials and Kick-Off Picnic/Parent Meeting for all parents and runners of the STA Cross Country team.

DATE: Thursday, August 26
TIMES:
4:45 p.m. – Time Trials at STA – Parents are welcome to attend!
5:30 p.m. – Picnic/Parent Meeting at Mendakota Park
  Additional information was e-mailed directly to CC parents.

NEW! A PAGE FOR PARENTS OF SENIORS
We have created a page on our Web site that will provide important information for the Class of 2011.

ORDER YOUR 2010-11 KAYDET YEARBOOK
The fee is $40 per book for the Kaydet yearbook. Seniors will receive the yearbook and personalization for free. The actual cost per book to the school is $60 so we are able to offer it to the students at a discounted rate.

You may order and pay for the yearbook online – there is no shipping cost involved as the books will be delivered to school.

The deadline to order the Kaydet is December 1, 2010.

DRIVERS EDUCATION CLASSES
STA will offer fall drivers ed classes in partnership with Century College.  The classes will be available from October 25 to November 9, Monday through Thursday, 3:30-6:30 p.m.  More information will be posted in the coming weeks.


____________________________________

August 13, 2010

Thank you to everyone who took time out of their summer to attend the Round-Up!


PAPERWORK REMINDERS
If you have not yet done so, please send your son's immunization record and physical to the school nurse.  Please contact Ms. Poole at 651-683-1545 if you have any questions.

If you did not have license plate numbers for all your vehicles at Round-Up, please contact Mrs. Zimmermann at 651-454-4570 or czimmermann@cadets.com with the information.


ROUNDABOUT AT MENDOTA HEIGHTS ROAD AND VISITATION DRIVE
Construction is complete on the roundabout.  If your son will be driving to school and is unfamiliar with roundabouts, we do encourage him to practice before the first day of school and hundreds of STA and Visitation students arrive at the same time.  An informational brochure is posted online.


TRAFFIC INFORMATION
Please be aware that Mendota Heights police have informed us that they will begin ticketing cars parked in the fire lanes in front of school.
Please be courteous of our neighbors and use Mendota Heights Road instead of Lake Drive.


SUMMER READING
Only a few weeks left to finish the required summer reading!  Information is posted online.


INFORMATION FOR THE CLASS OF 2014

1) Freshman Orientation
As part of the mentorship program, freshmen will be assigned a senior that will serve as his mentor / “Big Brother” throughout the year.  The first activity of the mentorship program is the STA Freshman Orientation Day occurring on 27 August from 0800 until completed.  The schedule and more details are posted online.

2) Freshman Retreat
The retreat is August 28-29.  More information, including Father Thomas F.A. O'Brien's assignment which must be completed before the retreat, is posted online.

3) Mary Everett, Mothers' Club Chair for the new uniform sale, thanks all the parents who contacted her to volunteer - all positions have been filled.


INFORMATION FOR THE CLASS OF 2011 FROM LTC DEPUGLIO
1) Thursday, 19 August, 0800 is the mandatory JO Workshop.
2) Friday, 20 August, 0700 is the Senior Workshop.  All seniors are highly encouraged to attend.  During this workshop, senior leadership positions will be selected for the upcoming school year and the cadet challenge physical fitness test is administered.  Uniform is PT for the fitness test and Class B for the workshop.  Regulation appearance standards are required.  Please contact LTC DePuglio at 651-683-1547 or mdepuglio@cadets.com if you have any questions.  


ATHLETIC INFORMATION

Cross Country - Any student interested in participating in Varsity or JV cross country this Fall should report to the gym on Monday, August 16, at 8:00 a.m. Please come equipped with quality running shoes, shorts, white socks, T-shirt, water bottle and a chronograph watch.

Any new runners may contact Coach Hierlmaier via e-mail toddh@eml.cc for further information. In order to be prepared for the season, daily summer running is crucial (5-7 days/week).


Football - All information about the various levels of football teams is posted online.

Varsity/JV Football Parent Meeting on Thursday, August 19 at 7:15 p.m. in the STA Cafeteria
This is a required meeting for all concerned, (All Seniors, all Juniors, and the Sophomores elevated to varsity to start the season) it will an opportunity for all of us to get organized for the new football season, so please plan to attend tomorrow night and thank you in advance for your attendance.
The meeting will accomplish the following:
    •    Pay varsity dues of $110 (there is assistance if needed, please contact Coach Dave Ziebarth)
    •    Purchase apparel
    •    Purchase individual/team pictures
    •    Purchase season passes to home games
    •    Sign up to help with pasta dinners, pizza parties, etc.
    •    Drop off beverages in the gymnasium: assigned as follows
- Seniors - one case of Gatorade per
          player 
- Juniors and selected Sophomores - two cases of water and one case of soda per player
    •    Dinner is provided for players and coaches
    •    Hear from Coach 'Z' about the upcoming season


Soccer - The soccer season will begin Monday, August 16th for all players entering grades 10-12.
All players in grades 10-12 should report to the “bubble” at 8:00 a.m. The tryouts for varsity and JV will be held during the first week of training. During the week of August 16-20 the players will train from 8:00 a.m. until noon.  The week of August 23-27 the players will train from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.

The Soccer program is structured as follows: Varsity, Junior Varsity and one freshman team.
The incoming 9th graders will begin tryouts on August 23rd. Tryouts will begin at 2:00 p.m. and will be held until approximately 4:00 p.m., on August 23-27.  If you have a conflict, please contact Coach Tangwe at 651-683-1555, ext. 332 or jtangwe@cadets.com.  Please do yourself a favor by avoiding any conflict in the schedule.

All players are invited to use the weight room and the aerobic training that will be going on during the summer at the school. If you have any questions about times call Coach Tangwe.

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP CHESS TEAM
Students interested in joining the champion team should contact Mr. John Geroux at jgeroux@cadets.com.


DRIVERS EDUCATION CLASSES
STA will offer fall drivers ed classes in partnership with Century College.  The classes will be available the end of October/beginning of November.  More information will be posted in the coming weeks.


JOE FINNEGAN MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
Monday, September 13, 2010
Mendakota Country Club
 
The Joe Finnegan Memorial Golf Tournament was started seven years ago in order to honor the life of Joe and enable students enrolled at Cretin-Derham Hall, Convent of the Visitation and Saint Thomas Academy the ability to continue their education, uninterrupted, after losing a parent.   
 
To date, more than $200,000 has been raised by generous benefactors to assist in providing scholarships.   
 
Registration Fee: $175 (includes golf, cart, lunch and dinner)
 
Sponsorship: There are various sponsorship opportunities available ranging from hole sponsor up to tournament sponsor.  Please see the attached documents for sponsorship details.
 
You can register online now.
 
If you have questions, please contact Mr. Joe Seidel at jseidel@cadets.com