Newsletter (Archived): Newsletter 839 - Mar 4, 2009 - Mar 11, 2009 [Archive]
Right to Life Winners
Right to Life Poster Contest Winners From left Sean Holmes, Alexa LeSaicherre, Nicholas Scamardo, Cassidy Fulmer
From the Principal
Dear Parents,Last evening the Visiting Team for the Diocese of Baton Rouge was welcomed with a Mass and reception in the cafeteria after school. Today members of the Team will be around the school and will respond to the self-study of the faculty regarding plans for the school for the future.
Part of the evaluation was a Parent Survey. The school received about sixty responses to the survey. The response of parents to the survey was overwhelmingly positive.
Areas that rated the lowest, but with which most parents were pleased, was facility, maintenance, and grounds; the athletic program; and the attention given to individual needs.
Certainly, the facility continues to need to be upgraded. However, there has been significant progress made in that area. The addition of the teacher’s lounge where staff has access to a bathroom and a sink was an important step to making the place comfortable for those who serve the students. The computer lab has significantly improved the amount of time students are in an instruction environment. The new classroom building will enhance the program for the lower grades next school year. The installation of subsurface drainage along both sides of the gymnasium and the along the main building and the new paint and cleanup of the interior of the gymnasium by the Home and School certainly improves dramatically the facility. There is much work to be done, but with parental help, progress will continue. A step back is the loss of the playground which will have to be addressed when construction on the new building is completed.
The athletic program received a few moderate ratings although most were pleased and a number had no opinion. There was concern because there was no baseball team this year and some parents have indicated to me they would like to see tackle football as part of the program. Until significant growth in enrollment occurs in the upper grades, the school may encounter problems fielding certain teams. The success in competitive sports in which the school does participate has been outstanding. It is recognized by the school that the sports program is very important to many of our parents.
Finally, Father Kauchak and I had a discussion Monday regarding children with special needs whom the school is not in a position to serve. Again, as the school grows, efforts to reduce pupil-teacher ratio and support programs for those students who have special needs will become more feasible. The school is fortunate in that Tangipahoa Parish School Board has offered the Catholic schools more assistance in this area than in any of the other four civil parishes in which I have served. The need is recognized.
I thank those parents who have responded for their affirmation. To all I say, “Get involved!” and progress will continue toward making St. Joseph a better place for the families it serves.
—Dr. Gerard Toups
Calendar Events
Calendar for the Week:March 3-4 - SEP X
March 5 - Penitential Prayer Service Grades 3-5
March 5 - 7:00 Spring Fair Meeting - Library
March 6 - 8:30 Mass
March 6 - Adopt-a-Child Collection
March 6 - Spirit Dress (Spring Fair T-Shirt Option)
March 6 - Accelerated Reader Deadline
March 6 - 1:55 Stations of the Cross Grades 1-8
March 6 - 7:00-10:00 p.m. Sock Hop
March 8 - Daylight Savings Time Begins Spring Forward
March 9 - Exams - Reading & Science Grades 6-7-8
March 10 - Exams - Social Studies & English Grades 6-7-8
March 11 - Exams - Math - Grades 6-7-8
March 11 - Last Day of Third Quarter
Sock Hop
Sock Hop
Friday, March 6
7:00-10:00 p.m.
SJS Gym
$6.00 per person
Grades 5-8
SJS Students and their Guests
Dressy/Casual Attire
Refreshments Provided
Pictures Available at Small Extra Charge
Spring Fair Meetings
Meetings have been scheduled to finalize plans for the Spring Fair.Thursday, March 5 @ 7:00 p.m. - Library
Thursday, March 12 @ 7:00 p.m. - Library
It’s not too late to get involved! Please attend and offer your help and ideas!
Pay-One-Price
An order form for Pay-One-Price ride bands for the Wild West Spring Fest on March 20-21-22 is included with today’s packet.Ride bands are $13.00 in advance. They will be $15.00 at the fair.
Please complete the order form and return it with payment to school by Friday, March 13. Tickets will be sent home on Wednesday, March 18.
Fish Fry
SJS will be serving fish fry dinners through the car pool line starting at dismissal.The cost of a dinner is $7.00. If you would like to purchase advance tickets, an order form is included for your convenience.
Please return the order form and payment by Friday, March 13.
New Altar Servers
Any student in Grades 4-8 who wishes to become an Altar Server should a registration/orientation meeting at the church on Sunday, March 8, at 1:30.This meeting is for new servers, not those already trained.
Parents should check with Glen or Michele Ernst about pick-up time when they drop off their children.
St. Joseph Altar
Any students in grades 4-8 who wish to be a “saint” and participate in the St. Joseph Altar should contact Mrs. Faye Murray at 985-386-8151 for information and details.The Altar will be held on March 15.
SJS Cheer Clinic
The St. Joseph cheerleaders will sponsor a mini cheer clinic on Saturday, March 28, for any SJS students in PreK through Third Grades.The clinic will begin at 8:30 and mini cheerleaders will perform for their families at 1:30 in the school gym.
The cost will be $25, and participants will receive a certificate, a t-shirt, and an SJS hair ribbon.
Please register by Friday, March 6, to be included in the fun!
A registration form is included with today’s packet.
Exam Schedule
The exam schedule for third quarter will be as follows:
Monday, March 9 Reading and Science
Tuesday, March 10 English and Social Studies
Wednesday, March 11 Math
Due to the half day schedule on Wednesday,
some math exams may have to be taken on Thursday.
Poster Contest Winners
Congratulations to the following winners of the Knights of Columbus “Respect for Life” Poster Contest:Fifth Grade -
1st Place - Cassidy Fulmer
2nd Place - Blake Vampran
3rd Place - Emily Waddell
Sixth Grade -
1st Place - Nicholas Scamardo
2nd Place - Kirsten Jackson
3rd Place - Grayson Boudreaux
Seventh Grade -
1st Place - Alexa LeSaicherre
2nd Place - Callie Fulmer
3rd Place - Kraemer Jackson
Eighth Grade -
1st Place - Sean Holmes
2nd Place - Catherine Costa
3rd Place - Kevin Carlton
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