__________________________________________________

October 30, 2009

Dear STA Parents and Guardians:

QUARTER ONE GRADES / COMMENTS –
To view comments made by teachers for quarters or semesters:
1) Log into the PowerSchool parent portal with your user name and password.
2) From the main page you can review your son’s grades.
3) By clicking on the letter grade, you will be taken to a page with the details of the assignments and
    grades for the quarter/semester.
4) Above the list of assignments you will see Teacher Comments
If you have a question about your son’s grades, please contact the teacher directly for more specifics.

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES –
Please join us for Parent-Teacher Conferences:
   Wednesday, November 11 ~ 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
   Thursday, November 12 ~ 2:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Enter the school at the main entrance to pick up your son's schedule, a teacher seating chart, and a name tag. We allow five minutes for conferences which are arena style. If more time is needed, please schedule an appointment with the teacher for another time. The second day of conferences tends to have lighter attendance, thus decreasing wait time. There is no school Friday, November 13.

PARENT DIVERSITY FOCUS GROUPS –
On November 19, and December 17, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Media Center meeting room (Multi-Purpose Room, MPR) at Saint Thomas Academy, there will be a “Parent Diversity Focus Group.” This meeting is open to all members of the community. Thoughts, feedback and ideas collected at these meetings will be used in the development of the school’s “Comprehensive Diversity Plan.” We hope is see many of you at the meetings.
CONTACT: 1SG Fernando Hernandez at fhernandez@cadets.com

CROSS COUNTRY TEAM –
Good luck to the Conference Champion Cadets as they compete in the section championship today!

FOOTBALL GAME – OCTOBER 31
The Conference Co-Champion Cadets play their first section game on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. If you can’t make it to the game you can listen to the free audio webcast at MSBN.

You are encouraged to join the team by supporting the goal to find a cure for breast cancer. October is breast cancer awareness month and just like NFL players added pink to their game, so did the Cadets. Purchase a “Crucial Catch” towel near the concession stand on Saturday and support the team by waving your towel. The towels are also available in the Cadet Maker Bookstore. All proceeds from the sale of the “Crucial Catch” towels will go to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation.

INFORMATIONAL MEETING FOR ALPINE SKI TEAM – NOVEMBER 2
A meeting for Alpine Ski is on Monday, November 2, at 7:00 p.m. for all interested Alpine Skiers and their parents. Anyone who is planning on trying out for the Alpine Team must be at this meeting in the Media Center meeting room (MPR).
CONTACT: Team captains Tom Grojean, Bill Schaefer or Dylan Thomas, or their parents.

INFORMATIONAL MEETING FOR WRESTLING TEAM – NOVEMBER 5
Attention returning and prospective wrestlers: A one-hour meeting for all interested Wrestling Team members and their parents is Thursday, November 5, at 7:00 p.m. in the Media Center meeting room (MPR). Topics will include the season schedule, registration, fees, and health forms.
Please note that the wrestling team is open to grades 7-12 and to students of all sizes. No prior wrestling experience is necessary.
- Enter through upper middle school doors by the Cadet Maker.
- Captain’s practices will begin Monday, November 2 (3:30 - 5:00 p.m.) in the wrestling room.
CONTACTS: Team captains Ruben Hidalgo, Luke Cashman or Tom Schwietz, or their parents.

INFORMATIONAL MEETING FOR SWIMMING AND DIVING TEAM – NOVEMBER 9
Swim team and parent meeting!
All are welcome … swimmers and divers …middle school and high school… even if you’ve never competed!!
Monday, November 9 ~ 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. in the cafeteria
- Apparel samples will be available, so bring your son to check for sizes.
- Senior swimmers (Class of 2010) should be present to have their picture taken.
- Topics to be covered include registration, season schedule, fee collection, health forms, volunteer
   sign-ups, Florida trip and various other fun items.
CONTACT: Karin Wicker (contact information in the student directory)

VISTA PRODUCTIONS’ FALL PLAY BLITHE SPIRIT – NOVEMBER 6, 7, 8 and 13, 14, 15
Hold on to your monocle, the British are coming to school! VISTA Production’s fall play is a classic drawing room comedy written by England’s cheekiest writer. Noel Coward is known for his aloof yet over-the-top characters with some of the most challenging dialogue ever written. The play features entertaining antics and interesting plot twists, coming to a hilarious, explosive end.
Tickets for Blithe Spirit may be purchased through the VISTA office at 651-683-1750 or at the door prior to a performance. Adult tickets are $10 and student and senior tickets are $5.
CONTACT: Wendy Short-Hays at 651-683-1750 or wshortha@vischool.org

FROM THE MILITARY DEPARTMENT –
1) Our annual Veterans Day Ceremony is on November 10, at 9:30 a.m. All parents and veterans are invited to attend.

2) The Military Department will show the movie “Taking Chance,” starring Kevin Bacon, during veteran’s week in all military classes. The movie is the true story of one soldier’s death in battle and a nation’s reverence and gratitude toward its war dead.

3) For those students who are interested in applying to a service academy or for a ROTC scholarship – the deadlines are approaching. Please see LTC (Ret) DePuglio for more information.

LIMITED EDITION CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT –
During the Christmas season, the STA Mothers' Club has a tradition of selling limited-edition memento ornaments. Over the years, these ornaments become special keepsakes for the Christmas holidays. This year’s Christmas keepsake is a blue, 3-1/4 inch, round, glass ornament with the Saint Thomas Academy colored logo and the prayer of Saint Thomas Aquinas. Click here for the order form

MOTHER/SON MASS AND BRUNCH – DECEMBER 6 AND 13
The annual Mass and Brunch is Sunday, December 6, and Sunday, December 13.
This is a very special event for mother and son alike, and you are encouraged to register early as there is limited space for each Sunday. Click here for the registration form

SEND YOUR PHOTOS TO KAYDET YEARBOOK –
The yearbook staff invites students and parents to submit photos for the yearbook. If you have great photos of school events or of you and your friends having fun, we would like to see them. All students and parents are encouraged to submit their photos to the Kaydet staff for possible inclusion in the yearbook. Click here for details and instructions

SCHEDULE FOR SENIOR PHOTOS IS ONLINE –
Click here to access the schedule

COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVES VISITS – NOVEMBER 2-6
Each year, 60+ colleges/universities send representatives to the STA campus to meet with juniors and seniors. Next week Mr. Bjork welcomes reps from Illinois Wesleyan University, Gustavus Adolphus College, Winona State University, Carleton College and St. Olaf College. Click here for the full schedule

STUDENT TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES –
San Lucas Toleman Mission in Guatemala: January 2010
- Applications are available in Mr. Roger’s room; the registration deadline is extended to November 5.
Close Up in Washington, D.C.: March 2010
- The trip is open to 10th-12th graders and deposits are due to Mr. Jurkovich by November 20.
Kampala, Uganda Service Trip: January 2010
- Please see Mr. Tangwe if you would like to help the Daughters of Charity Orphanage.
Student Trip to Peru: June 2010
- Please see Ms. Reuter for more information; the registration deadline is extended.

LAST CALL FOR SUMMER READING BOOK SWAP –
If you have 2009 summer reading books that you will no longer need, please consider donating the books to school. Two years ago we started the summer reading book swap and, based on the positive response to the initiative, we have decided to make this opportunity available for the 2010-11 school year.

For every book you are able to donate by November 2, we will try to find the same number of summer reading books (donated by others) that your son will need for next summer. Click here for details and the donation form

PHOTOS POSTED ON CADETS.COM –
Click here to see photos from Homecoming, Grandparents Day and others.

UPCOMING EVENTS –
November 1 – Admissions Open House ~ 1:00 p.m. – Tell your friends!!
November 1 – Daylight Saving Time Ends – set your clock back one hour
November 6 – Father/Son Mass ~ 7:30 a.m. at STA Chapel
November 6 – Eucharistic Adoration ~ begins at 8:00 a.m. at STA Chapel
November 6 – Sophomore Retreat
November 9 – Thanksgiving Food Drive Begins (coordinated by Theology teachers)
November 17 – Mothers’ and Fathers’ Club Meeting ~ 7:00 p.m.

__________________________________________________

October 23, 2009

Dear Parents / Guardians:

H1N1 INFLUENZA INFORMATION FROM RITA BEATTY, PROTECTION OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH INITIATIVE COORDINATOR, FOR THE ARCHDIOCESE OF SAINT PAUL AND MINNEAPOLIS

1) H1N1 is widespread in the community, not just in each school, and it is possible your child will be exposed to the virus.

2) Reminder: Below is the list of CDC warning signs to look for in pediatric cases; take your children to the doctor immediately if any of the warning signs are present. Call or take your child to a doctor right away if your child of any age has:
- Fast breathing or trouble breathing
- Bluish or gray skin color
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Not waking up or not interacting
- Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
- Has other conditions (like heart or lung disease, diabetes or asthma) and develops flu symptoms, including a fever and/or cough.

3) The H1N1 vaccine is available now for medically fragile children and will be available for all children in the coming weeks; speak with your medical provider about getting your child immunized against the virus.

4) Please remember to screen your children before sending them to school and notify STA if your child is ill with influenza-like illness, as this information is being tracked for the Minnesota Department of Health.

5) Attached is a new H1N1 parent brochure available from the CDC. If you cannot open the file, it is available on the Cadets.com Web site – click here to access it.

END OF THE FIRST QUARTER –
      The end of quarter 1 is Friday, October 23. If your son has been ill in the last couple of weeks, he may need to take an incomplete grade until he makes up missed work. We request that quarter 1 incompletes are made up by Friday, November 6. Students who need an extension should see their teachers to make arrangements.
     When a student returns to school, it is his responsibility to meet with all his teachers to form a plan to make up work in a timely manner. Many teachers arrive at school early, so students may be able to make up work before school as well as during tutoring. A student who has an incomplete grade is ineligible to compete in a competition, but he may practice. Once the incomplete grade is made up, a student immediately regains eligibility if he has a 2.0 GPA and no Fs.
     These are unusual times and we realize that some students have many assignments to make up. Teachers will give a reasonable amount of time for students to catch up.
     Please contact your son's teachers or Dr. Heidelberger if you have any questions.

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES –
Please join us for Parent-Teacher Conferences:
   Wednesday, November 11 ~ 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
   Thursday, November 12 ~ 2:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Enter the school at the main entrance to pick up your son's schedule, a teacher seating chart, and a name tag. We allow five minutes for conferences which are arena style. If more time is needed, please schedule an appointment with the teacher for another time. The second day of conferences tends to have lighter attendance, thus decreasing wait time. There is no school Friday, November 13.

GRANDPARENTS’ DAYS – OCTOBER 26 AND 27
We know that these days are very special and meaningful for students and grandparents alike but if anyone is ill we ask that, for the safety of others, they stay home.

BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION – SUPPORT YOUR VISTA BAND –
      Check your cupboards for Cheerios, Fruit Roll Ups, Cake Mixes, Viva paper products, Ziploc Bags, Kleenex boxes...every few Box Tops adds up! Please turn your tops in to Mrs. Neddermeyer or to Mrs. McQuillian in the Middle School office.
      Please keep collecting throughout the year. The next cash in date after October 30, 2009, is in March 2010. We will be using the collection to benefit all levels of VISTA Band programs.
Click here for more details and information about the “Box Tops” Web site

COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVES VISITS – OCTOBER 26-30
      Each year, 60+ colleges/universities send representatives to the STA campus to meet with juniors and seniors. Next week Mr. Bjork welcomes reps from Loras College, University of Southern California, Creighton University, Saint Louis University, University of Colorado-Boulder, Regis University, Colorado State University, Drake University, Hamline University, Loyola University of Chicago. Click here for the full schedule

SAVE MONEY!! –
      If you have 2009 summer reading books that you will no longer need, please consider donating the books to school. Two years ago we started the summer reading book swap and, based on the positive response to the initiative, we have decided to make this opportunity available for the 2010-11 school year.
     For every book you are able to donate by October 30, we will try to find the same number of summer reading books (donated by others) that your son will need for next summer. Click here for details and the donation form.

HAUNTING FOR THE HUNGRY – OCTOBER 28
Students may wear a Halloween costume to school on Wednesday if they bring at least $2 cash and two non-perishable food items. The food and money will be donated to the Franciscan Brothers Food Shelf in St. Paul.

INFORMATIONAL MEETING FOR SWIMMING AND DIVING TEAM – NOVEMBER 9
Swim/Dive team and parent meeting!
All are welcome ... swimmers and divers ... middle school-high school ... even if you’ve never competed!!
   Monday, November 9 ~ 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. in the cafeteria
- Apparel samples will be available, so bring your son to check for sizes.
- Senior swimmers (Class of 2010) should be present to have their picture taken.
- Topics to be covered include registration, season schedule, fee collection, health forms, volunteer sign-ups, Florida trip and various other fun items.
Please contact Karin Wicker if you have any questions (her contact information is in the school directory).

2010 STA BASEBALL CLINIC FOR TRAVELING PLAYERS –
      Twenty five percent of clinic registrations have arrived. Note that a canceled check is confirmation that your son or daughter's spot has been reserved. If you are waiting to register because of other pending schedules, please be assured that if you sign up for my clinic and a conflict arises, I will happily provide a full refund.
     Again, be assured that if you sign up early and for whatever reason you need to back out later, I will provide a full refund.
      I look forward to working with your family soon,
Paul Weinberg (STA varsity baseball coach)
Link to more information and the registration form

UPCOMING EVENTS –
October 26 – Middle School Grandparents’ Day
October 27 – High School Grandparents’ Day
October 27 – VISTA Choir Concert at Vis ~ 7:30 p.m.
October 29 – Senior Field Trip to The Buddy Holly Story
October 30 – Haunting for the Hungry
November 1 – Admissions Open House ~ 1:00 p.m. – Tell your friends!!
November 1 – Daylight Saving Time Ends – set your clock back one hour

To ensure that you receive timely information from the Academy, please be sure that your current e-mail is on file. If you change your e-mail address, or any other contact information, please notify Mrs. Zimmermann in the main office - 651-454-4570 or czimmermann@cadets.com.

__________________________________________________

October 16, 2009

Dear Parents / Guardians:

Reminder – PLEASE do not send students to school if they are ill.

Reminder – all the information in the weekly e-newsletter is available online at Cadets.com/Newsletters.

CHANGE OF UNIFORM – OCTOBER 19
October 19 is the Corps of Cadets uniform change-over day. Cadets are required to transfer into the Class B uniform for daily wear. The Class B uniform is the blue shirt with sleeves rolled down and a tie. Additionally, for grades 9-11, hoodies and sweatshirts are no longer authorized as an outer garment - only an STA letter jacket or the STA black uniform jacket is allowed. These uniform policies will remain in effect until April 2010. For Middle School students, their uniform changes to the long-sleeved shirt with tie.

ORDER YOUR KAYDET YEARBOOK -
Due to budgetary constraints, this year there is a fee of $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 – http://jostensyearbooks.com?REF=A04156100 – there is no shipping cost involved as the books will be delivered to school. December 23, 2009 is the deadline to order your book.

NATIONAL SPEAKER NATHAN DUNGAN – OCTOBER 20
The Saint Thomas Academy Mothers' Club and the Visitation Parents' Association are hosting an evening with personal finance expert and national speaker, Nathan Dungan. Nathan is the president and founder of Share Save Spend, an organization dedicated to helping youth and adults develop healthy money habits.

This event will take place at Visitation in the DeSales Auditorium at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 20, 2009. We hope you can attend this wonderful event and encourage you to attend with your son.

To learn more about Nathan Dungan and his organization, visit www.sharesavespend.com

ARCHDIOCESAN VOLUNTEER TRAINING AT STA – OCTOBER 22
Virtus is a “Safe Environment” training program aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse. The Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis has mandated that all priests, principals, teachers archdiocesan employees and volunteers who have regular and ongoing contact with children participate in “Safe Environment” training. This training is simply to ensure the protection and the security of all children and vulnerable young adults.

If you plan to volunteer at Saint Thomas Academy you will need to participate in this training. We will offer this training on Thursday, October 22, at 12:30 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room in the STA Media Center. The session will finish by 3:30 p.m.

There are some exceptions to this training. If one works at the Auction, the Senior All Night Party, or similar activities, you do not need this training. If you would like to register for this program or have questions, please contact Wendy Hanson at 651.683.1513. If you cannot make this training, it is offered at many times and locations in the Archdiocese.

In order to receive credit for attending this session, you must do three things:

1.    Pre-register at www.virtus.org   (Call school for information: 651.683.1513)

2.    Arrive on time for the presentation and sign in. It is suggested that you arrive early; if you miss the beginning of the first video or neglect to sign in, your attendance will not be confirmed.

3.    Attend the entire three hour presentation.

END OF FIRST QUARTER – OCTOBER 23
Quarter 1 ends Friday, October 23. If a student has been absent, it is his responsibility to meet with his teachers to create a plan to make up work in a timely manner. Parents should contact teachers directly if they have questions about their son’s class work. Please check PowerSchool for academic progress.

VISTA JAZZ BAND SWING DANCE – OCTOBER 23
You are invited to the third annual Swing Dance! Come out to STA for a great night of music and dancing (bring your family, friends, parents and neighbors). Doors open at 7:00 p.m. and optional dance instruction begins at 7:15. The cost is only $25 per adult couple, $5 per student at the door. All proceeds benefit the VISTA Band Program and their performance tour to Brazil in 2011.

STA SUMMER READING BOOK SWAP –
If you have 2009 summer reading books that you will no longer need, please consider donating the books to school. Two years ago we started the summer reading book swap and, based on the positive response to the initiative, we have decided to make this opportunity available for the 2010-11 school year. For every book you are able to donate by October 23, we will try to find the same number of summer reading books (donated by others) that your son will need for next summer. Click here for details and the donation form.

GRANDPARENTS’ DAYS – OCTOBER 26 AND 27
Middle School link to schedule of events and registration form
High School link to schedule of events and registration form

VISTA FINE ARTS SOCIETY SPONSORS SENIOR FIELD TRIP – OCTOBER 29
The VISTA Fine Arts Society will sponsor a trip for the seniors to see “The Buddy Holly Story” at the History Theatre. The Fine Arts Society sponsors a number of events throughout the year. Click here to learn more about the Society’s events and how you can help their efforts.

STUDENT TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES –
San Lucas Toleman Mission in Guatemala: January 15-23, 2010. Applications are available in Mr. Roger’s room and are due October 30.
Close Up in Washington, D.C.: March 28-April2, 2010. The trip is open to 10th-12th graders and deposits are due by November 20. More information about Close Up

2010 STA BASEBALL CLINIC FOR TRAVELING PLAYERS –
The annual clinic will begin in February. The deadline to register is January 24, 2010. Early registration is recommended as space is limited and Coach Weinberg had to turn away people last year. Click here for more information and registration.

UPCOMING EVENTS –
October 19 – Uniform “Change Over” Day
October 19-22 – End of Quarter Exams
October 19 – Volunteer Opportunity at Feed My Starving Children
October 20 – Registration Deadline for Grandparents’ Days
October 20 – Mothers’ Club / Visitation Parent Association Meeting at Vis ~ 7:00 p.m.
October 22 – Eighth Grade Retreat
October 22 – VIRTUS Volunteer Training at STA ~ 12:30 p.m.
October 23 – VISTA Jazz Band Swing Dance at STA ~ 7:00 p.m.
October 26 – Middle School Grandparents’ Day
October 27 – High School Grandparents’ Day
October 27 – VISTA Choir Concert at Vis ~ 7:30 p.m.
October 29 – Senior Field Trip to The Buddy Holly Story
October 30 – Haunting for the Hungry

__________________________________________________

October 9, 2009

Dear Parents / Guardians:

Reminder – PLEASE do not send students to school if they are ill.

Reminder – all the information in the weekly e-newsletter is available online at Cadets.com/Newsletters.

Reminder – the second Taher Lunch Payment was due on October 1 ($212.50). If you have not yet done so, please mail your check, payable to STA, to Julie Marks in the business office.

HOMECOMING ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2009
Homecoming Carnival – Family Event
All members of the STA family, past and present, are welcome!
5:00 p.m.
Practice Fields

Alumni Tailgate – Family Event
All members of the STA family, past and present, are welcome!
5:00 p.m.
Gerry Brown Stadium
Cost: $5 meal or a la carte

Football Game Kickoff
All members of the STA family, past and present, are welcome!
7:00 p.m.
Gerry Brown Stadium

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2009
STA Community Mass
All members of the STA family, past and present, are welcome!
10:00 – 11:00 a.m., reception to follow
Court/Chapel

Open Ice Skating
All members of the STA family, past and present, are welcome!
1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Saint Thomas Ice Arena

FROM DR. HEIDELBERGER –
- Wednesday, October 14
Seniors will be off campus for a morning of reflection.
Freshmen, sophomores and juniors will take standardized tests and 8th graders will be in class. Please do not schedule appointments for this morning. It is important for students to arrive on time. There is no make-up date for the tests. Lunch will not be served. Students are in dress code. These students will be dismissed at 11:40 a.m.
The 7th graders will go on a field trip and return to STA at approximately 12:30 p.m. They are in dress code.
- There are no classes October 15-16. The main office is open until noon on the 15th and is closed on the 16th.
- The end of first quarter is Friday, October 23. Quarter 2 begins Monday, October 26.
- Parent-Teacher Conferences are November 11-12.

CHANGE OF UNIFORM –
October 19 is the Corps of Cadets uniform change-over day. Cadets are required to transfer into the Class B uniform for daily wear. The Class B uniform is the blue shirt with sleeves rolled down and a tie. Additionally, for grades 9-11, hoodies and sweatshirts are no longer authorized as an outer garment - only an STA letter jacket or the STA black uniform jacket is allowed. These uniform policies will remain in effect until April 2010. For Middle School students, their uniform changes to the long-sleeved shirt with tie.

VISTA JAZZ BAND SWING DANCE – OCTOBER 23
You are invited to the third annual Swing Dance! Come out to STA for a great night of music and dancing (bring your family, friends, parents and neighbors). Doors open at 7:00 p.m. and optional dance instruction begins at 7:15. The cost is only $25 per adult couple, $5 per student at the door. All proceeds benefit the VISTA Band Program and their performance tour to Brazil in 2011.

2010 STA BASEBALL CLINIC FOR TRAVELING PLAYERS –
The annual clinic will begin in February. The deadline to register is January 24, 2010. Early registration is recommended as space is limited and Coach Weinberg had to turn away people last year.
Click here for more information and registration.

STA SUMMER READING BOOK SWAP –
If you have 2009 summer reading books that you will no longer need, please consider donating the books to school. Two years ago we started the summer reading book swap and, based on the positive response to the initiative, we have decided to make this opportunity available for the 2010-11 school year. For every book you are able to donate by October 23, we will try to find the same number of summer reading books (donated by others) that your son will need for next summer.
Click here for details and the donation form.

GRANDPARENTS’ DAYS – OCTOBER 26 AND 27
Invitations were sent to grandparents for whom we have an address on file. We receive the addresses from the student registration form that parents fill out at the beginning of every school year. If that section was not filled out, we could not mail an invitation for Grandparents’ Day.
Click here for Middle School schedule of events and registration form
Click here for High School schedule of events and registration form

STUDENT TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES –
- Service Opportunity in Kampala Uganda: Thank you to the families who attended the Uganda informational meeting on Tuesday. If you were not able to attend this meeting, and would still like more information regarding this service opportunity, please contact Julius Tangwe at jtangwe@cadets.com.
- Student Trip to Peru: June 2010. Applications are available in Ms. Reuter’s room and the registration and deposit deadline is October 14.
- San Lucas Toleman Mission in Guatemala: January 15-23, 2010. Applications are available in Mr. Roger’s room and are due October 30.
- Close Up in Washington, D.C.: March 28-April2, 2010. The trip is open to 10th-12th graders and deposits are due by November 20.
Link to information about all the STA student trips

UPCOMING EVENTS –
October 10 – Mega Chess Tournament at STA
October 10 – Homecoming Dance at STA ~ 8:00 p.m.
October 11 – All-Community Mass at STA ~ 10:00 a.m.
October 11 – All-Community Open Skate at STIA ~ 1:00-3:00 p.m.
October 12 – VISTA Orchestra Concert ~ 7:00 p.m. at Visitation
October 13 – Ms. Isaac’s Book Reading at Fischerville ~ 3:30 p.m.
October 14 – PLAN, EXPLORE and PSAT Tests
October 14 – Senior Reflection Day
October 14 – Early Dismissal ~ Noon; no district 197 buses
October 15-16 – No School
October 19-22 – End of Quarter Exams
October 19 – Volunteer Opportunity at Feed My Starving Children
October 20 – Registration Deadline for Grandparents’ Days
October 20 – Mothers’ Club / Visitation Parent Association Meeting at Vis ~ 7:00 p.m.
October 22 – Eighth Grade Retreat
October 22 – VIRTUS Volunteer Training at STA ~ 12:30 p.m.
October 23 – VISTA Jazz Band Swing Dance at STA ~ 7:00 p.m.

__________________________________________________

October 1, 2009

If your son is home sick please be sure to call school and report his illness – high school (651-683-1511) and middle school (651-683-1520). PowerSchool, our online student information system, is where parents and students should check school assignments. If assignments are not posted for one of your son’s classes, please contact his teacher directly to ask about the necessary work.

Reminder – the second Taher Lunch Payment was due on October 1 ($212.50). If you have not yet done so, please mail your check, payable to STA, to Julie Marks in the business office. Thank you!

EAGLE AND TORCH AWARDS RECIPIENTS
Congratulations to our Eagle and Torch Award recipients! Students who earned an annual GPA of 3.67 or better for the 2008-09 school year received their Eagle Award at a ceremony September 28. We distributed the Torch Award at Formation September 29 to students who earned an annual GPA of 3.33 - 3.66 last year.
2008-09 Eagle Award Recipients [pdf] and 2008-09 Torch Award Recipients [pdf]

MID-QUARTER COMMENTS
To view comments made by teachers for the mid-quarter:
1. Log in to the PowerSchool parent portal with your user name and password.
2. From the main page you can review your son's grades.
3. By clicking on the icon at the top of the page labeled "Teacher
Comments," you will see any comments a teacher may have posted.

BRIDGING FURNITURE DRIVE – OCTOBER 2 AND 3
- Friday, October 2 ~ 2:00 to 7:00 p.m.
- Saturday, October 3 ~ 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

From the 2009-10 Campus Ministers:
   We are writing to announce and encourage your support in the 2009 Bridging Furniture Drive that will take place this Friday and Saturday. Bridging is a Minnesota-based non-profit organization that helps people in need furnish their homes, people who need your help for such simple things as beds and chairs, lamps and tables, tableware and silverware, pots and pans. Our goal this year is to fill Bridging’s semi-truck with furniture and house wares.
   We need your generous participation to make this year’s drive a success! Do you have any of the items at home that you might donate? Please bring them to the Bridging truck, located in the main drive of Saint Thomas Academy. We have a 56-foot semi and a 28-foot truck to fill, and you can help!
Thank you for your support.
   We will be at the trucks to accept your tax-deductible contributions (we’ll give you a charitable contribution receipt) — hope to see you there!
Click here for more information about what items Bridging can and cannot accept

JUNIOR COLLEGE PLANNING SEMINAR – OCTOBER 5
For juniors and their parents. The seminar will focus on the search process, standardized testing, college visits, and using our college counseling software. October 5, 7:00 p.m. at STA.

HOMECOMING WEEK – OCTOBER 5-9
Uniform for the week:
Monday – regular uniform
Tuesday – “Comfy” Day
Wednesday – “Jersey” Day
Thursday – regular uniform
Friday – High School-Full Class A (includes blouse coat, hat and gloves), students can wear the Homecoming T-shirt and jeans/shorts after the morning Review; Middle School-long-sleeved shirt and tie for the morning, students can wear the Homecoming T-shirt and jeans/shorts after the morning Review.

Homecoming Dance - October 10

     The Homecoming Dance at Saint Thomas Academy is Saturday, October 10, 2009 from 8:00-11:00 p.m. Anyone arriving after 8:45 p.m. will not be allowed into the dance and his or her parents will be called.
     The dance is open to grades 10-12 and the cost is $25 per couple or $15 for singles. Pictures will be available from The Photographer’s Guild. The cost for photos will be $18 for couples (two 5x7 and four wallets photos) and $5 per person in group pictures (one 5x7 for each person in the photo). Dress for the young men will be shirt, tie, dress slacks (no jeans); and sport coats are optional.
     Our goal at Saint Thomas Academy is to have a dance that is safe and enjoyable for all who attend. Parents, I ask you to talk with your son about the decisions he makes on this evening. Please advise him against using alcohol or other chemicals and attending parties where this type of behavior may occur.
     Please note that the dance is after curfew in Dakota County. As long as the students are heading straight home after the dance the police have assured me that this will not be a problem.
     All of us at Saint Thomas Academy are committed to supporting you as parents to provide a healthy and fun experience for your son. I believe if we all promote the same goals, the Homecoming Dance will be a safe and enjoyable evening for all.
Complete letter from Mr. Byrne, including information about Homecoming Week [pdf]

HOMECOMING ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS – OCTOBER 9 AND 11
Friday, October 9
Tailgate Party and Family Fun Party at the stadium (5:30-7:00 p.m.)
Homecoming Football Game (7:00 p.m.)
Sunday, October 11
All-Community Mass (10:00 a.m.)
Open Ice Skating (1:00 – 3:00 p.m.)

MS. ISAAC’S READING AT FISCHERVILLE – OCTOBER 13
Ms. Donna Isaac, author, poet and English instructor at STA, will read from her new chapbook “Tommy,” a collection of 25 elegiac poems in honor of her brother who died from cancer. The poems vary in form and use motifs of memory and landscape to connect with the process of grief, hope and acceptance in light of such loss.
Fischerville Coffee House, 2150 Dodd Road, Mendota Heights – October 13 at 3:30 p.m.

TALKING MONEY WITH YOUR CHILDREN SEMINAR – OCTOBER 20
The STA Mothers’ Club and Visitation Parents’ Association are bringing personal finance expert Nathan Dungan to DeSales Auditorium at Visitation on October 20 at 7:00 p.m. All STA and Vis parents are invited and students in grades 6-12 are encouraged to attend with their parents.

GRANDPARENTS’ DAYS – OCTOBER 26 AND 27
Invitations were sent to grandparents for whom we have an address on file. We receive the addresses from the student registration form that parents fill out at the beginning of every school year. If that section was not filled out, we could not mail an invitation for Grandparents’ Day.

COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVES VISITS –
Eleven representatives are visiting STA next week. The full schedule is posted in Naviance (our college counseling software) and the College Counseling Web site.

STUDENT TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES –
Link to information about all the STA student trips

- CLOSE UP IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
The 2010 trip is Sunday, March 28 through Friday, April 2. (Students will not miss any class time and will be back in time for Easter weekend! And, it is between winter and spring athletic seasons. What great timing!) This year’s trip leader is Mr. Jurkovich (a 1983 high school participant and two-time teacher participant). The trip is open to 10th-12th graders and deposits are due by November 20.

- SAN LUCAS TOLEMAN MISSION IN GUATEMALA
- STUDENT TRIP TO PERU
- SERVICE TRIP TO KAMPALA UGANDA

UPCOMING EVENTS –
October 8 – Mothers of Alumni Gathering at Pool and Yacht Club
October 12 – VISTA Orchestra Concert ~ 7:00 p.m. at Visitation
October 14 – PLAN, EXPLORE and PSAT Tests
October 14 – Senior Reflection Day
October 14 – Early Dismissal ~ Noon; no district 197 buses
October 15-16 – No School