St. Joseph
Catholic School

Duke University TIPS Students

Standing from left,
Josie Serigne, Taylor Ransom, Brandon Nguyen, Scott Felder, and Luke Yoes, seated

From the Principal

Last Saturday at Southeastern, three of our students competed in District Rally. The area includes all of the Northshore and the Baton Rouge area. We enter our eighth grade students who take Algebra I and English I into District Literary Rally to compete with the high school students. Since we have only a few eighth graders, we compete in Division V. All three students placed, and two qualified to go to LSU and compete in April for state recognition. Jon Morgan Pevey placed second in English I and Seth Bleakley placed third in English I. Jon Morgan will be allowed to compete at state but since Seth is also from St. Joseph, he cannot compete under state rules. Four students qualify, but they must represent four different schools. Maria Alphonso qualified for state as the fourth place finisher in Algebra I. 

We wish also to congratulate the five seventh graders who took the ACT as part of the Duke Talent Identification Program known as TIP. These students took the same test as the Juniors and Seniors in high school who are anticipating entering college. The tests are scored in the same way. Scott Felder, Taylor Ransom, Josie Serigne, Brandon Nguyen, and Luke Yoes took the test and scored between 18 and 21. I am sure all would agree that these are impressive scores for students in seventh grades. 

We congratulate all these students and recognize that these honors are the result of the hard work of the students themselves and their teachers. 

—- Dr. Gerard Toups

Down to the Wire!

So much is going on with the Spring Fair just around the corner! 

Please take a minute and read carefully the special attached flyer which outlines all the fellowship opportunities to be had while helping with the fair. 

Also included is information about when to wear the fair t-shirts, the fair holiday, POP tickets, and the chicken dinner! 

The next meeting concerning the Spring Fair will be tonight, Wednesday, March 19, at 7:00 p.m. in the library. 

Another meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 26, at the same time and place. 

We look forward to seeing a crowd of enthusiastic parents there! 

Our Spring Fair success depends on everyone’s help! 

Cafeteria Updates

Beginning Tuesday, April 1, the cafeteria will be offering extra entrée sales (when available) to students in grades 3-5. These sales are already available to students in the upper grades.
As we are approaching the end of the school year, please double-check to make sure that all cafeteria accounts are paid up-to-date.

Save Those Labels

Student Council is collecting the following product labels:
Box Tops for Education,
Campbell’s Soup (needs the UPC attached, please don’t cut them off),
Community Coffee. 

Please send them to the office.

SJS Registration

Registration for new students to St. Joseph is going well. 

Several classes are already filled, but we still have some openings for students in grades Kindergarten and First. 

Due to the decision to double Third Grade, openings are also available in that there.
If you are aware of anyone who would like to send their child/children to St. Joseph School, please let them know that registrations are being accepted in the office during school hours, 7:30-2:30.

Tuition and Loans

Thanks to all the many parents who have already sent in their loan papers for the 2008-2009 tuition.
Anyone anticipating taking a tuition loan through First Guaranty Bank is encouraged to send the paperwork sent out in last Wednesday’s packet to the office as soon as possible. All loan paperwork is due by Thursday, May 1. 

Please remember that tuition for 2008-2009 is due in full to the school office by Thursday, May 1.

St. Jude Math-a-Thon

On behalf of the children and families who have found hope at St. Jude Children’s Hospital, a great big THANKS is offered to St. Joseph math students in grades 4-8. These students raised $4807.79!!! What wonderful sacrifices during the Lenten season to help others in need.

Running Away with Track and Field Honors

The SJS Track Team is off to a great start this season! 

The Eagle Invitational Track Meet on March 8th, resulted in the middle school boys winning second place out of 14 teams overall. 

Calyn Landaiche, Kade Bleakley, Kaleb Kramer, Joey Gaines, Zacary Barrient, Ronald Rembo, Kraemer Jackson, and Luke Bleakley all placed in the top three in their respective races. 

The Trafton Academy Junior High Invitational Track Meet was held on March 12th. Many of our sixth grade students ran in this meet with the junior high teams. In addition to Calyn Landaiche, Luke Bleakley, and Kraemer Jackson placing in the top three in their respective races/events, Alex von Almen was also named Girls’ MVP of the meet! Go Alex! 

Track and Field is much more than just running. Many of our team members tried new events during the last meeting such as the shot put, discus, javelin, pole vault, long jump, and high jump.
There are several meets left this season. New team members will still have plenty of time to compete. 

If you are interested in joining the team, come to our next practice. We will be training again on Monday, March 24, at 5:00 p.m. at the Ponchatoula Recreational Facility.

Meetings & Events

March 19 - 7:00 Spring Fair Meeting in the Library
March 19 - Report Cards
March 20 - Spring Fair T-Shirts
March 21-30 - Easter Holidays
March 28-29-30 - Spring Fair
March 31 - Spring Fair Holiday
April 1 - Classes Resume
April 2 - Promotion Pictures (Grades K & 8)
April 2 - during school Spring Sports Pictures (Basketball, Softball, Baseball, Track, Golf)
April 3 - Field Trip (Grade 7)
April 4 - 8:30 Mass
April 4 - Adopt-a-Child Collection

St. Paul Quote of the Week

1Cor5:8
Therefore, let us celebrate the feast,
not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness,
but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Spring Fair Flyer

Spring Fair—March 28-29-30 

Meeting I!
The next Spring Fair meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 19, at 7:00 in the library. Everyone is urged to attend. 

Meeting II!
A final Spring Fair meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 26, at 7:00 in the library. Everyone is urged to attend. 

Fair T-Shirts!
Students who purchased fair t-shirts may wear them with spirit dress on tomorrow, Thursday, March 20. 

How Sweet It Is!
Donations for the Sweets Booth will be accepted in the carpool line between 7:30 and 9:00 a.m. On Friday, March 28. If you have any questions please contact Courtney Jacobs at SCOTTJ74@BELLSOUTH.NET. 

Last Call!
Tomorrow, Thursday, March 20, is the last day to send in items for the Silent Auction, Baskets, Lagniappe Booth, Confetti Eggs, and items for the Prize Booth. 

Room Mothers' Note!
Very Important! Room Mothers should forward a copy of their schedules to the office tomorrow, March 20! Sending this information is very important to the running of the fair. Thank you so much for all your hard work! 

Fair Holiday!
Monday, March 31, will be the school fair holiday. Enjoy your extra day off! 

Thanks a Bunch!
Thanks to all parents and sponsors for your continued support of St. Joseph’s Spring Fair. Your enthusiasm is most appreciated! 

Contact Us!
Any questions, comments, or suggestions are welcomed. Please contact: Lori Kyle @ 985-789-5079 or Lenny George @ 504-258-7781.