St. Joseph
Catholic School

Psalm 117

R. Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.
or:
R. Alleluia. 

Praise the LORD all you nations;
glorify him, all you peoples! 

R. Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.
or:
R. Alleluia.

For steadfast is his kindness toward us,
and the fidelity of the LORD endures forever. 

R. Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.
or:
R. Alleluia.

From the Principal

Dear Parents:

We have had a very smooth start to the school year. I think that is a credit to the staff preparation and to you as parents. Students came ready to work and cooperate. The atmosphere in the classrooms throughout the school is one of order and efficiency.

This school year we are pleased to have four new full time teachers on the staff and another professional working as both aide and teacher. Last year Mrs. Gaines was the fifth grade homeroom teacher, but she no longer teaches fifth grade students. She has largely adopted Mrs. Bonnie Naquin’s schedule. Mrs. Naquin retired at the end of the last school year. Both fifth grade teachers are new to the school.

Mrs. Melissa Aymond teaches fifth grade math, English reading, and social studies. Mrs. Aymond holds a B.S. and an M.B.A. from Southeastern. She comes to us with a year and half teaching experience, having taught Tangipahoa Parish Public Schools and at Southeastern. She is married to Eric Aymond. Both are longtime residents of the area. She has a first grader at St. Joseph and a younger child at home.

Mrs. Colette Hamilton teaches fifth grade religion, math, reading and science. Mrs. Hamilton has a B.A. from Southeastern. She has fifteen years teaching experience. She has taught at St. Pius X and St. Steven in New Orleans, Our Lady of Lourdes in Slidell, Our Lady of the Lake in Mandeville and two years in the public schools. Mrs. Hamilton has a kindergartner who attending St. Joseph. Mrs. Hamilton is married to Shane Hamilton. She grew up in the New Orleans and moved to the Northshore after graduation.

I was most impressed at the interviews with both of these teachers and my first impressions were confirmed by references. I am also most pleased that, for the most part, students in the fifth grade have their academic subjects with these two teachers. This gives students another year before they must adjust to having different teachers for each subject. The fifth grade classes are side by side in the hall which makes for easy transition without the loss of valuable class time.

We look forward to a productive and successful year in fifth grade.

We will introduce the other three professionals to you next week. 

-- Dr. Gerard Toups

Calendar for the Week

Wednesday, August 25
Magazine Sale Kickoff - sale continues until September 8


Friday, August 27
* Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited to attend.
* Spirit Dress
* Magazine Sale continues


Monday, August 30
* Library opens
* Magazine Sale continues


Tuesday, August 31
* Magazine Sale continues
* Speech therapy begins


Friday, September 3
* Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited to attend.
* Spirit Dress
* Adopt-a-Child collection
* Magazine Sale continues


Monday, September 6
* Labor Day Holiday - No school!


Wednesday, September 8
* Magazine Sale ends

Magazine Sale

The Magazine Sale kicks off today!

The postcard book will be collected on Thursday, August 26. Be sure to get yours in for special prizes!

The sale will last until Wednesday, September 8. All orders and payments should be sent in on or before that date.

All of the information concerning the sale is included in the packet set home with each child today.

Prizes are offered for various levels of participation. As a special incentive, all student selling three or more subscriptions/renewals (five for families with multiple children) will attend the BMX bike show to be held on campus later in the school year.

Check out the information and help St. Joseph School with magazine subscriptions/renewals.

Calendars

Our 2010-2011 Calendar/Handbook was sent home to each family today.

Please place the calendar in a prominent place to use as a guide for activities throughout the school year. Because the calendar must be planned a year in advance, some dates might change due to unforeseen circumstances. Check the website in addition to the calendar for up-to-date information.

The school handbook is also included with the calendar. All policies and guidelines are contained in the handbook.

Boys' Shoes

Major flaws have been discovered with the new boys' shoes purchased at the Old School .

The Old School has agreed to refund money on shoes purchased there. Please bring your receipt with you if you decide to return the shoes.

Boys may wear either the new shoes OR the shoes from last year - black New Balance Cross Trainer. This shoe has velcro for the PreK & K students and ties for the students in Grades One through Eighth. The shoes are widely available in stores and online.

Local stores which carry the black New Balance Cross Trainer are:
Perfectly Fit - Minnesota Parkway - Hammond (near the mall)
Ponseti Shoes - Clearview Mall - Metairie
Joe's Shoes - Mandeville.

We do regret the inconvenience this has caused. We thank our parents for pointing out the flaws right away and greatly appreciate their patience with this situation.

Cross Country News

The cross country season has officially started.

Practices are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at PARD (Ponchatoula Area Recreation District) at 5:30 p.m. in the rear of the park by the pond. 

This sport is offered to all students in grades PreK-Eighth.

Students can sign up through Thursday, August 26. If you are interested, please come to practice on Wednesday, August 25, or send an email with your child's information to : sjsrunners@yahoo.com.

St. Joseph Cub Scouts

There will be a meeting of parents interested in their sons joining St. Joseph Cub Scouts on Friday, August 27, at 6:30 p.m. in the school cafeteria.

Cub Scouting is for boys in 1st through 5th grades. 

Additional information can be had by contacting Chris Delatte at 225-572-8117.

Community News

Ponchatoula Little Conference Football & Cheerleaders

Registration:
Saturday, August 28

10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

499 4th Street, Ponchatoula

Football - boys - ages 6-13

Cheerleading - girls - ages 5-13

Fee is $60.

Registration forms are available in the school office.

More information: www.plcf.fanspace.com

St. Joseph Parish

Personnel
Rev. John Dominic Sims, O.P. - Pastor
Rev. Victor F.A. Celio, O.P. - Parochial Vicar
Larry J. Melcanon - Deacon

Sunday Mass Schedule
Saturday Vigil Mass - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday Mass - 8:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 5:00 p.m.

Contact Information
Address - 255 North 8th Street (P.O. Box 368), Ponchatoula, LA 70454
Phone - 985.386.3749
Website - www.stjosephsonline.com