Receiving the Ashes

Receiving the Ashes
Chase Mack (1st grade) and Father John Dominic Sims with Nathan Plauche (8th)

Ashes

Receiving the Ashes
Angelina Quigley (preK) and Mrs. Alice James

From the Principal

I bring to your attention again the matter of student absences. I personally find it rather strange and unusual that this is a problem at a school like St. Joseph’s. Students of all ages miss important instruction when they are absent from school. I would encourage parents to schedule vacations during the time school is not in session. The school year is already short and there are many of our students who have some difficulty in making up work. Students are required by the state to be in school a certain number of days to be credited for the session. This is indicative the importance our society places on education. There are a number of students in school who are just meeting those minimum requirements for attendance. Again, elementary students should miss school only for serious reasons.

Finally, I wish to keep before you the important date of February 18. That is the day for Open House. Please let us know of families that have elementary age students who might have some interest in the school. We would like to invite them to the Open House. Remember we will have two second grades next school year. We will have room for a number of students. This is the important year when students make their First Communion. 

-- Dr. Gerard Toups

2008 Brotherhood/Sisterhood Awards

Mary Gautier, Tyler Corbin, and Alice James, from left, were named recipients of the Brotherhood/Sisterhood Awards at St. Joseph School in Ponchatoula. 

The Brotherhood/Sisterhood Awards Program is sponsored by the National Conference for Community and Justice. The award is designed to recognize persons who demonstrate a true concern for their fellow human beings regardless of race, religion, or academic achievement in their daily activities both in school and away. The awards were presented by a representative from NCCJ at a school-wide Mass held to kick off Catholic Schools Week. 

Mary and Tyler are eighth grade students while Mrs. James is a faculty member at St. Joseph.

Altar Server Workshop

There will be an Altar Server Workshop on Sunday, February 17, at 1:30 in the church.
This workshop is for all altar servers, “veterans” as well as those currently in training. Your attendance is extremely important. 

Changes in duties before, during, and after Mass will be discussed. Father John will be there to go over the changes and hold a “demonstration Mass” with the changes.
The changes will be implemented after the workshop, so please make every effort to attend.

Kiss-o-Grams

Student Council will be selling Kiss-o-Grams from February 6-13. 

The Kiss-o-Grams will be delivered on Valentine’s Day, February 14. 

Money can be sent in an envelop to the office or to the gym before morning assembly. Checks can be made out to St. Joseph School. 

Kiss-o-Grams are 50 cents each. 

Spring Fair News

The Spring Fair is scheduled for March 28, 29, and 30. This is an addition to the calendar, so please be sure to mark down these important dates. 

The next Spring Fair meeting will be held Wednesday, February 13, at 7:00 P.M. in the school library. 

Room mothers are asked to attend to help with the organization of the classes.

SJS Re-Registration

A re-registration form for students currently enrolled at St. Joseph is attached to today’s packet.
Please remember that the registration fee must accompany the form in order for your child to be considered registered. 

If you are registering an additional sibling for next year, please add them to this form and include his/her registration fee. 

The form is due in the office on or before Friday, February 15. Students registered after this date will be charged an additional $100 late registration fee.

Mother Seton Award

The Home and School have included in today’s packet a ballot for the Mother Seton Award.
Please vote for one of the nominees and return the ballot to the school office by                             Monday, February 11.

Open House

Our Open House for parents of prospective students is quickly approaching!
The Open House will be held on Monday, February 18. 

We are especially looking for students entering grades preK, kindergarten and first.
If you know of anyone considering placing their children at SJS next school year, please contact the school office at 985-386-6421. 

Thank you for your tremendous support of St. Joseph School!

Beta Club Tutoring

We have had an overwhelming response to our offer of tutoring by members of the Beta Club. Because of the large numbers of students who wish to take advantage of this service, we will have to set some limits. 

Each Monday morning, sign-ups sheets will be place near Mrs. Brennan’s classroom downstairs and Mrs. Redmann’s classroom upstairs. The tutoring will be limited to those who sign up in the allotted spaces. 

Our Beta students will be available to assist students who are having difficulty in a particular subject (math, reading, English, social studies, science). 

Unfortunately, we are not able to take students who just wish to sit and do homework with someone. Students who come to tutoring should have all the supplies they need, including books, paper, and pencils.

Meetings & Events

February 6 - 8:30 Ash Wednesday Mass
February 6 - Mid Quarter Reports
February 6 - Current Student Re-Registration Begins
February 7 - Reconciliation (6th grade)
February 7 - Field Trip Grades 2-3-4
February 8 - 1:55 Stations of the Cross (Grades 1-8)
February 8 - 7-10 pm Valentine Sock Hop Grades 5-8
February 13 - 7:00 Spring Fair Meeting Library
February 14 - Valentine Exchange Grades preK-3
February 15 - 8:30 Mass
February 15 - Current Student Registration Ends

St. Paul Quote of the Week

1Cor7:7 ...
Each has a particular gift from God.


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