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March 26, 2010

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March 19, 2010

QUARTER THREE GRADES / COMMENTS
    To view comments made by teachers for quarters or semesters:
1) Log into the PowerSchool parent portal with your username 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.

HOST FAMILIES NEEDED
    The Admissions office will welcome foreign exchange students for the 2010-11 school year and we are in need of host families for two students.
    1) Mauricio, is joining us for grade seven from Monterrey, Mexico.
    2) Don, from Korea, is currently enrolled at St. Wenceslaus and will join us for 9th grade in the fall.
Den, from Russia and currently an STA sophomore, has found a host family for next year – thank you!

    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.

SHOP THE AUCTION
    The exclusive online auction is now open – NEW ITEMS HAVE BEEN ADDED!

Be sure to return your Gala RSVP before the break!

CADET MAKER ITEMS
    The Cadet Maker Bookstore has several signed first edition copies of Vince Flynn’s Extreme Measures hard cover book available at a 20% discount off the list price of $27.95. Sale price is $22.25! Call or e-mail the bookstore and they will be happy to send you a copy.
    The Cadet Maker is now selling re-loadable gift cards at any value amount.
    Come and see the store for your vacation needs...duffle bags, beach towels, flip flops, and men’s and woman’s polo shirts!

7TH GRADE PARENTS' NIGHT OUT - Tonight!
    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

PARENTING TEENS – WHAT WORKS?
A presentation by Shannon Bailey, Adolescent Health Coordinator
Dakota County Public Health Department
Monday, March 22
7:00-8:00 p.m.
Friendly Hills Middle School
Click here for more information

SENIOR RETREAT
March 21-22
Information was e-mailed to parents of seniors on March 17th.

BASEBALL BEGINS
March 22
Click here for the baseball Web site

The Soup Dinner and Benefit on the printed calendar has been cancelled.


VISTA ORCHESTRA STRING RECITAL
March 24
7:00 p.m.
Visitation School, DeSales Auditorium

MOTHERS’ MORNING OF PRAYER
    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 your space, please contact Chris Zimmermann at 651-454-4570 or czimmermann@cadets.com.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

CLOSE-UP TRIP TO D.C.
March 28-April 2

EASTER/SPRING BREAK
March 29-April 9

SAVE THE DATE!
Father/Son Banquet
Keynote Speaker – Rich Gannon
Wednesday, April 21

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

____________________________________

March 12, 2010

ALERTNOW TEST WILL BE CONDUCTED ON MARCH 15
    Thank you to everyone who updated contact information so that we may use AlertNow (the automated phone system designed specifically to address school emergency communication) as needed. The school will be conducting a TEST of this system on March 15.
    Test messages will be sent to the phone numbers and e-mail addresses we have on file (up to four numbers and two addresses per student). The incoming phone number will show 651-454-4570 and the e-mail subject line will be “AlertNow message from Saint Thomas Academy.”
    Click here for more information.

DRIVING ON 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 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 about your speed. Thanks again for all your support.

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, from Russia and 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 WILL RECEIVE AN E-MAIL CONFIRMATION
    A HUGE Thank You to all of you who have responded to help with Volunteering at the STA Auction. We are so appreciative of your help for this great school fundraiser! In an attempt to "go green" and to save some dollars for the Academy, we have decided to e-mail out volunteer duties and ask for a reply. This is a change from our previous plans, but we think it makes the most sense for the school and the environment.
    We will also send a Volunteer Reminder e-mail out the week of Auction. If you have questions please contact Kathleen Lee at: kslee1@comcast.net. We are so appreciate of your generous time and help, thank you volunteers!

CADET MAKER ITEMS
    The Cadet Maker Bookstore has several SIGNED FIRST EDITION copies of Vince Flynn’s EXTREME MEASURES hard cover book available at a 20% discount off the list price of $27.95. Sale price is $22.25! Call or e-mail the bookstore and they will be happy to send you a copy.
    The Cadet Maker is now selling re-loadable gift cards at any value amount.
    Come and see the store for your vacation needs...duffle bags, beach towels, flip flops, and men’s and woman’s polo shirts!

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.

SHOP THE AUCTION
    The exclusive online auction begins on March 15 at 7:00 a.m.
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 BAND CONCERT
    The students of Saint Thomas Academy and Visitation invite you to attend an evening of music with the Jazz Band and the high school band.
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

REGISTER NOW FOR THESE EVENTS:

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

UPCOMING EVENTS:

SENIOR RETREAT
March 21-22
    A separate e-mail will be sent to senior parents early next week.

VISTA ORCHESTRA STRING RECITAL
March 24
7:00 p.m.
Visitation School, DeSales Auditorium

SAVE THE DATE!
Father/Son Banquet
Wednesday, April 21

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

____________________________________

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.