St. Joseph Catholic School - Back to School
fall 2026 CCS NewsletterA Milestone Year at St. Joseph Catholic School
Fall at St. Joseph Catholic School is off to a fun and energetic start! Students have jumped right into the new school year with excitement—trying new things, taking on challenges, and helping one another along the way.
One of the best things about St. Joseph is the awesome support from our families, parish, and local community. It’s truly a team effort, and we’re so thankful for everyone who gives their time, talent, prayers, and support to help our school thrive.
This year is especially meaningful as the St. Joseph school building is turning 100 years! For a full century, these halls have been filled with laughter, great families, and countless memories. The building itself has a unique history, beginning as a community center complete with a bowling alley and movie theater before its rooms were eventually transformed into classrooms.
This summer, thanks to the generous support of the St. Joseph Booster Club, four classrooms were restored to their original hardwood floors—bringing new life to the spaces while preserving a piece of the building’s history for the students learning there today. We are proud to continue the traditions that have shaped SJCS while creating new memories of our own.
We thank all those who have been part of our caring community, past and present, for making St. Joseph a place where our kids can learn, grow, and laugh together. We can't wait to see what the rest of this milestone year brings!
Welcoming New Faces to SJCS
St. Joseph Catholic School is excited to welcome three teachers to the SJCS community this year. Cadence Koste and Ella Hatlestad are beginning their first years as teachers, while Julie Lamm joins the faculty with 11 years of teaching experience after serving SJCS as a long-term substitute last year.
Cadence Koste | First Grade
We are excited to welcome Ms. Koste to St. Joseph Catholic School as our new 1st Grade Teacher!
This is Ms. Koste’s first year of teaching, and she is especially excited to watch her students reach milestones they may not have thought they could achieve. She is also looking forward to growing in her faith alongside her students throughout the school year.
When asked why she chose SJCS, Ms. Koste shared that our staff’s close-knit, welcoming, and generous spirit has made her feel supported as she begins her teaching career.
Julie Lamm | Third Grade
Julie joins the third grade classroom after serving as a long-term substitute at SJCS last year. She brings 11 years of teaching experience and a deep love for Catholic education, family, and faith. Julie earned degrees in English Literature and Elementary Education from North Park University in Chicago and previously taught in Pittsburgh and Green Bay. She and her husband have five children and a daughter-in-law, and their family has accumulated nearly 90 combined years in Catholic schools from PreK through college. Outside the classroom, Julie enjoys sports, gardening, reading, hiking, cross-country skiing, and spending time with family.
Ella Hatlestad | Fifth Grade
Ella is a recent graduate of the College of St. Benedict and already a familiar face to many at SJCS, having worked in classrooms and in the after-school program while attending CSB. She continues a strong family tradition of serving in Catholic education that began with her grandmother and continues through her parents, Erin and Jamie, who both work within Catholic Community Schools. We are excited for the care, enthusiasm, and dedication Ella brings to her first year in the classroom.
