St. Joseph
Catholic School

Psalm 67

R     O God, let all the nations praise you! 

May God have pity on us and bless us;
     may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth;
     among all nations, your salvation.     R

May the nations be glad and exult
     because you rule the peoples in equity;
     the nations on the earth you guide.     R

May the peoples praise you, O God;
     may all the people praise you!
May God bless us,
     and may all the ends of the earth fear him!     R

From the Principal

Dear Parents, 

Throughout this school year, the faculty and staff have been collecting data for the Southern Association of Schools evaluation that will take place next school year. The Diocese of Baton Rouge has mandated that all schools complete the study so that the diocesan schools can attain Southern Association approval as a district. The teachers have attended workshops in Baton Rouge. Mrs. Little, Mrs. Dyer and I are the coordinators of the project. We have spent numerous days in Baton Rouge at the diocese in orientation sessions. The final copies of the study will be submitted as the school year ends and reviewed at the diocese returned in the fall for revision. The studies will be reviewed by a Visiting Committee in December and several schools will be chosen for visitation. We will not know if we will be chosen for a visit until the committee makes its appearance in Baton Rouge. We thank each of you who have participated in the study and will keep you informed as to the progress in the fall.

The end of the school year is rapidly approaching. The eighth grade breakfast is tomorrow, May 13, and the graduation is next Tuesday May 18, at 7:00. 

A final bulletin will be published next week, but parents should check the website periodically during the summer as it will be updated from time to time. 

-- Dr. Gerard Toups

Calendar for the Week

Wednesday, May 12
8th Grade Exams - Math
Tryouts - Girls Volleyball (Students currently in 4th-7th)
DEADLINE FOR ALL LIBRARY BOOKS TO BE RETURNED TO THE LIBRARY.

Thursday, May 13
8th Grade Breakfast and Practice
6th-7th Exams - Reading & Science
Tryouts - Girls Basketball (Students currently in 4th-7th)

Friday, May 14
Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited to attend.
8th Grade does not come to school.
Spirit Dress

Sunday, May 16
Athletic Awards @ 6:00 in Gym

Monday, May 17
8th Grade Awards @ 10:00 in Gym

Tuesday, May 18
6th-7th Exams - English & Social Studies
8th Grade Promotion Ceremony @ 7:00 in Church.

Thursday, May 19
Last full day for PreK & K

Thursday, May 20
6th-7th Exams - Math
PreK & K Picnic @ 11:00-1:00 at Memorial Park

Friday, May 21
Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited to attend.
Spirit Dress
Yearbook Orders Due
Kindergarten End-of-the-Year Celebration @ 10:00 in Gym
PreK End-of-the-Year Celebration @ 12:30 in Gym

Monday, May 24
Field Day - Students may wear (long) shorts with Spirit shirts & their own tennis shoes.
This is a regular dismissal day.

Tuesday, May 25
Last Day of School for Students - Wear formal uniforms.
Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited to attend.
Awards Ceremony following Mass. - All are invited to attend.
Dismissal is at 11:30. There will be no buses. Two carpool lines will be worked.

Christopher Ekker - Valedictorian

Christopher Ekker, SJS 2006, has been name 2009-2010 Valedictorian at. Thomas Aquinas Regional Catholic High School.

Christopher will attend Tulane University in New Orleans where he will major in biochemistry. He plans to become a pediatrician.

Christopher's parents are Curtis (SJS 1974) and Dawn Pepitone Ekker (SJS 1978),.

Christopher is our first SJS alum to be valedictorian at St. Thomas.

Emily Pevey - Valedictorian

Emily Pevey, SJS 2006, has been name 2009-2010 Valedictorian at. Ponchatoula High School.

Emily will attend Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond where she will major in education. She plans to become a high school math teacher..

Emily's parents are Dennis (SJS 1981) and Jerri Pevey.

PHS Valedictorians

And we have more...........

Ashton Landry and Cody Schmatlz (both SJS 2006) have been named valedictorians at PHS. We're waiting for their pictures to come in.

Advisory Council Ballots

It is time once again to elect new members for the St. Joseph School Advisory Council.

New members must meet the following requirements:
• Be the parent/guardian of a student at St. Joseph School. Because this is a three-year commitment, at least one of these students must be currently in Grade 5 or younger.
• Be a practicing Catholic.
• Be available for monthly meetings for a three year commitment.


Nominations were made by parents and faculty last week. The names of those running are Christie Atkins, Dawn Brown, Ray Cheek, DeShea Johnson, Jerri Pevey, Veronica Pierson, Summer Roberts, Bryce Vining, and Kristy Wisecarver.

Christie Atkins and Veronica Pierson are running for second tersm.

Ballots were sent home today. Please mark three choices and return them  to the school office by Friday, May 14, 2010. New members will be listed in next week's newsletter.

Yearbook Orders

If you wish to order a yearbook covering the 2009-2010 school year, order forms are included in today's packets.

The yearbooks will be in color, have a hardback cover, and include over 100 pages.

Cost the yearbook is $40.

Please return yearbook payment with the completely filled-out order form by Friday, May 21. PLEASE DO NOT SEND CASH. Checks may be made payable to St. Joseph School.

Cafeteria Totals

It's time to settle up any outstanding cafeteria accoutns. Although you may only owe a little, it adds up when we're working with lots of folks. The cafeteria is now owed about $2000. 

May 17 is the last day to make on-line payments. After this date, payments must be made by check or cash.

If you're unsure of what you owe, or if you owe, please get with Ms. Gwen Klein, cafeteria manager, at 985-386-8-75.

Accounts are now considered past due. Thank you so much for clearing up this matter before the end of the school year.

Online payments for 2010-2011 will begin July 26.

Athletic Awards

Student athletes and their parents are invited to attend the Athletic Awards Banquet on Sunday, May 16, at 6:00 p.m. in the school gym.

We are asking that everyone bring a pot-luck type dish. I

f you have any questions, please email Mrs. Melissa Thomas (mthomas@sjscrusaders.org).

2010-2011 Uniform Information

It'll be one-stop shopping for the complete school uniform at The Old School. This year they will also carry the school shoes!

The boys at SJS will be wearing a new school shoe beginning in August 2010-2011. Boys in Grades 1-8 will wear the "Vinney" black lace-up made by Willits. The PreK and Kindergarten boys will wear the same shoe in the velcro style.

Girls in PreK and Kindergarten will change to the velcro style "Lauren" by Willit in navy blue. Girls in Grades 1-8 will continue with the navy blue "Lana" by Jumping Jack.

ALL SHOES WILL BE AVAILABLE IN HAMMOND AT THE OLD SCHOOL beginning the second week in June.

Mark your calendars! The Old School is offering 15% off on all school uniforms and accessories during the entire month of June.

If you want to keep track of your purchases for next year's taxes, just give your name to the cashier at The Old School before you check out. They will record all purchases you make. When it's time for tax season all you'll have to do is call them for a total.

May Crowning

Our May Crowning of the Blessed Virgin Mary took place at Mass last Friday, May 7. Please check out the website to see the pictures of this beautiful event.

Child Protection

In order to comply with driectives from the Diocesan Office of Child and Youth Protection, St. Joseph School is required to present lessons called CIRCLES OF CARE: Safe Environment Curriculum.

A copy of the lesson plans can be found on the Diocesan Child Protection Website.

Lessons will be presented on Tuesday, May 18, during Relgion classes.

If, after viewing the lessons, you would like your child to not be present for the classes, a parent must sign an opt-out form available in the school office prior to the presentation. 

If an opt-out form is not submitted, it is assumed that permission for the lesson presentation is granted.

Community News

SUMMER SWIM LESSONS

Looking for swim lessons? Starting on May 31st lessons will be offered in 3, two week sessions, Monday - Thursday, for 45 minutes, 9am - 12noon. The cost will be $120/session. Students will be placed in classes according to ability and age.

Also, for infants and toddlers(3) there will be a parent/child class meeting 2 days/week. The cost will be $50/session. Please call for more information. Maureen Lavastida 985-386-3137




HOOPSTERS BASKETBALL CAMP

Hoopsters Basketball Camp will be held June 14-17 from 9:00-noon in the St. Joseph Gym. The camp is open to girls ages 5-12 and boys ages 5-10.

Early registration is $50. Late registration is $60.

Enrollment is limited.

Each camper will rceive a camp t-shirt and basketball. Refreshments will be solde throughout the week.

Registration forms are available in the school office.

More information can be had by contacting Kristi Gill at 985-507-4778 



CAMP KATERI

Tangipahoa's best kept secret is back!

Rosaryville will again sponsor its summer camp for boys and girls ages 8-12.

Two sessions will be held this summer: June 20-15 and July 18-23. This promises to be a fun-filled week of activities gearred to developing body, mind, and spirit.

The cost is $395 per child for overnight stays. Day camp is $265. Family discounts are available for two or more children attending the same camp.

There is limited space, so plans should be made now to reserve a spot.

More information can be had by contacting Jay Day, camp director, at 225-294-5039. The website also contains information..

Rosaryville is located at 39003 Rosaryville Raod in Ponchatoula.



SUMMER DRAMA WORKSHOP

Kay Butler and Selisa Hue present their Summer Drama Workshop, "With a Gleeful Heart" from May 31-June 12 from 1:00-5:00 p.m. at Ponchatoula High School. First through twelfth grade students will be accepted.

Cost is $250 for the first child and $200 for each additional child from the same family. Early application (before May 15) will get a $25 savings on tuition price. Space is limited.

Registration forms are in the office. More information can be obtained from contacting
Selisa Hue
% Jitterbug Productions, Inc.
215 N 4th Street
Ponchatoula, LA 70454
selisa.hue@tangischools.org



ABRIE DU PLOOY 2010 SUMMER TENNIS CAMPS

Ages 3-18 at Oak Knoll Country Club. Registration forms are in the office. More information can be had by contacting Abrie de Pooly at 985-542-5756 ext 103 or 985-534-6229 (cell).

St. Joseph Parish News

Parish Website

REGULAR MASS SCHEDULE

Saturday evening at 5:00

Sunday morning at 8:00 and 10:30

Sunday evening at 5:00



EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

Eucharistic Adoration is available in the chapel every Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. till 10:00 p.m. If you wish to sign up for a specific hour, please contact either Laurie Perrin at 985-386-3016 or Wayne Vedeckis at 225-294-6631.

Procedures exist to ensure that the Blessed Sacrament is not left unattended when someone cannot be present during a scheduled hour of adoration.



MARRIAGE MINISTRY SUPPER AND SUBSTANCE

There are only 14 tickets left for the Supper and Substance on June 12 from 6:30-9:00 p.m. at Rockefeller's. Call now to reserve your ticket and enjoy a great dinner, great fellowship, and a short marriage enrichment talk given by Jan and Lloyd Tate from the Diocese of Baton Rouge.

Tickets are $40 and may be reserved bycalling Maureen Lavastida at 985-386-3137. 


TRAINING FOR LECTORS

Anyone interested in becoming a lector, please contact Larry Ernst, e-mail at lernst1@bellouth.net or phone at 985-386-5731.

Lectors serve only at Masses they specify. All requests are honored.

Prayer for Priests

The Year for Priests 2009-2010

Dear Lord,

We pray that the Blessed Mother wrap her mantle around Your priests and through her intercession strengthen them for their ministry.

We pray that Mary will guide Your priests to follow her own words,
"Do whatever He tells you." (Jn 2:5)

May Your priests have the heart of St. Joseph, Mary's most chaste spouse.

May the Blessed Mother's own pierced heart inspire them to embrace all who suffer at the foot of the cross.

May Your priests be holy, filled with the fire of Your love, seeking nothing but Your greater glory and the salvation of souls.

Amen

St. John Vianney, pray for us