Newsletter (Archived): Newsletter 902 - Dec 8, 2010 - Dec 15, 2010 [Archive]
Psalm 72
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.O God, with your judgment endow the king,
and with your justice, the king’s son;
he shall govern your people with justice
and your afflicted ones with judgment.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
Justice shall flower in his days,
and profound peace, till the moon be no more.
May he rule from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out,
and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.
He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor;
the lives of the poor he shall save.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
May his name be blessed forever;
as long as the sun his name shall remain.
In him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed;
all the nations shall proclaim his happiness.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
From the Principal
Dear Parents,On Wednesday December 8th, Mrs. Little, Mrs. Dyer, and I attended the reading of the report of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools for the Diocese of Baton Rouge.
For years the Catholic High Schools of the area have been approved by the Southern Association but the elementary schools have never been asked to participate in this process.
For the first time since the founding of the Diocese of Baton Rouge fifty years ago this year, all Catholic schools are now approved by the SACS.
Over the past eighteen months St. Joseph School has been part of an assessment that included numerous members of the school community. Through stakeholder questionnaires, in-services held by the diocese, faculty meetings, and much reflection by all involved, a report was generated and approved by a visiting committee from across the South.
I wish to thank all those who so willingly gave their time and energy to this project. A special thanks to Mrs. Little who oversaw the project, synthesized the data, and composed much of the document for submittal. I also thank Mrs. Dyer who served as a coordinator for the process. Teachers spent numerous hours meeting analyzing the school’s program and discussing those areas to be addressed. As the weeks progress the school will share with you the areas that came to the attention of the faculty and staff and the manner in which these areas will be addressed.
-- Gerard Toups
Current Calendar
Thursday, December 9* Donations for Father's Gift Accepted
* Santa Bear Donations Accepted
* Hornets Tickets Pick-Up @ 5:00-7:30 on the stage in the gym
Friday, December 10
* No School Mass
* Spirit Dress
* Donations for Father's Gift Accepted
* Santa Bear Donations Accepted - Last Day
* Hornets Tickets Pick-up @ 7:30-3:00 in the school office
Sunday, December 12
* Third Sunday of Advent
Monday, December 13
* Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe - Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited to attend.
* Donations for Father's Gift Accepted
Tuesday, December 14
* Donations for Father's Gift Accepted
Wednesday, December 15
* Exams - Grades 6-7-8 - Reading, Science
* Donations for Father's Gift Accepted
Thursday, December 16
* Exams - Grades 6-7-8 - English, Social Studies
* Donations for Father's Gift Accepted
Friday, December 17
* No School Mass
* Spirit Dress
* Accelerated Reader Deadline
* Donations for Father's Gift Accepted
* No Afternoon Buses
Sunday, December 19
* Fourth Sunday of Advent
Monday, December 20
* Exams - Grades 6-7-8 - Math
* Christmas Hat Day - $1.00 donation to 4-H
* No Buses - All are carpool both morning and afternoon.
Tuesday, December 21
* Mass @ 8:30 with Live Nativity - All are invited to attend.
* Crusaders Announced
* Christmas Program @ 9:30
* Christmas Parties @ 10:30
* Dismissal @ 11:30
* No Buses - All are carpool both morning and afternoon.
* Second Quarter Ends
Wednesday, December 22
* Hornets Game - Tyler Carollo sings!
Wednesday, December 22 - Sunday, January 2
* Christmas Holidays
Monday, January 3
* Classes Resume
* Third Quarter Begins
Cold Weather Clothing
Now that colder weather is upon us, we need to remind everyone what is acceptable uniform wear for St. Joseph students: Girls may wear navy leggings with white socks or white or navy tights with their regular uniforms.
Both boys and girls may wear a white long or short sleeved shirt with no writing under their regular uniform shirts.
All students may wear the SJS sweatshirt with or without the hood or the SJS heavier jacket or a solid white or navy blue cardigan sweater (no zippers). The sweatshirts and jackets are available at The Old School on Church Street in Hammond.
NO OTHER OUTERWEAR WILL BE ALLOWED TO BE WORN IN THE CLASSROOMS.
Hornet Tickets & Shirts Are In!
Thanks to all who ordered St. Joseph School/New Orleans Hornets game tickets. The tickets and t-shirts are in!
SJS sold 225 tickets for the SJS/NO Hornets game on December 22, when our own 8th grader Tyler Carollo will sing the National Anthem!
Please pick up your tickets and shirts at one of the following time:
Thursday, December 9, anytime between 5:00-7:30 p.m. in the SJS gym. A basketball game will be going on at that time. Please pick up tickets at the stage area.
or
Friday, December 10, anytime between 7:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. in the school office.
An adult must sign for the tickets. Tickets will not be given to the students.
Santa Bear
Again this year we will be combining efforts with St. Joseph Parish, the Daily Star, and Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Department to provide Christmas toys for children in need. By combining our efforts, the Sheriff's Department can better check families and make sure that they are legitimate. Also, the Sheriff's Department will take care of deliveries.
Please bring toys UNWRAPPED to the school library by December 10. Toys that indicate violence will not be accepted. Please NO GUNS, BOW & ARROWS, ETC.
Make can Advent sacrifice by doing this for a child who is less fortunate.
Funds for Father
This is the time of year that we recognize those who serve us. We are asking each child for a donation for a gift for Father John.Father has had a difficult time with his operation. He has returned to us and worked hard for the children. He says Mass for them, and they always enjoy his messages. He arranges for reconiliation for the children on a regular basis. he oversees the school and supports our efforts to provide a faith-filled experience for the children.
We will be collecting for a gift over the next couple of weeks. We ask that all donations be sent in by Friday, December 17. We thank you for your generosity.
8th Science Fair Winners
St. Joseph School is proud to announce the eighth grade winners of the school science fair. In the picture with the first place project, "The Effect of Water Type on Tadpole Growth", are, from left, Sarah Ryals (first place), Bethany Herrick (second place), and Krystal Waddell (third place). Open House for Parents of Prospective Students
We ask parents now to begin to recruit students for the school for next school year. Open House this year is scheduled for February 21, which is President's Day.As parents, you come into contact with other parents who have school-aged children. This often happens at Christmastime. You are our best recruiters. You have family, friends, and co-workers who have children starting school, who are moving into the area, or who are not happy with the education their children are receiving. Let them know about St. Joseph. Let us know about them.
Please send the names and addresses of parents who you think might be interested in sending their children to St. Joseph. We will simply invite them to the Open House. The prospective parents need not know how we received their names. Increasing school enrollment will allow us to provide a better education for all the students. Please use the form sent home today for that purpose.
No Buses
St. Joseph School will not have buses on the following days:Friday, December 17 - afternoon. Buses will run in the morning.
Monday, December 20 - no buses at all
Tuesday, December 21 - no buses at all
Carpool will run on both sides of the gym.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation and patience as we get the students to school and home in a quick and safe manner.
St. Joseph School has a FULL DAY of classes on Friday, December 17.
St. Joseph School DOES have class on Monday and Tuesday, December 20 and 21.
7th Social Studies Fair Winners
St. Joseph School is proud to announce the seventh grade winners of the school social studies fair. In the picture with the first place project, "Winchester Mystery House", are, from left, Remi Wilson (first place), Christopher Ballard (second place), and Blake Vampran (third place). Accelerated Reader Deadline
The Accelerated Reader deadline for the second quarter is Friday, December 17.Parents are reminded that if tests are taken after school, the library closes at 2:50. Please be mindful of this time constraint.
Students taking tests after school should have read the book PRIOR to entering the library.
Only students are allowed in the computer lab area.
6th Science Fair Winners
St. Joseph School is proud to announce the sixth grade winners of the school science fair. In the picture with the first place project, "What Items Are Biodegradable?", are, from left, Sydnie Gregoire (first place), Ian Waller (second place), and Emily Hines (third place). Tuesday, December 21
Tuesday, December 21, is the last day of school before the Christmas Holidays.The schedule for this day will run as follows:
* No buses - All students are carpool both morning and at dismissal.
* 8:30 - Mass with Live Nativity - All are invited.
* 9:30 - Christmas Program in the gym - All are invited.
* 10:30 - Christmas parties in the classrooms.
* 11:30 - Dismissal
* No After School Care
* Second Quarter Ends.
Christmas Hat Day
The SJS 4-H Club has declared Monday, December 20, Christmas Hat Day! For the donation of $1.00, students may wear Santa hats, reindeer antlers, or other Christmas headgear on that date.
Please bring donations for the wearing of the hats on that date.
5A Social Studies Fair Winners
St. Joseph School is proud to announce the Grade 5A winners of the school social studies fair. In the picture with the first place project, "Operation Market Garden", are, from left, Alex Wisecarver (first place), Samuel Troxclair (second place), and Olivia Maurer (third place - not pictured). 5B Social Studies Fair Winners
St. Joseph School is proud to announce the Grade 5B winners of the school social studies fair. In the picture with the first place project, "Cliff Palace", are, from left, Jayden Berthelot (first place), Courtney Balisteri (second place), and Noah Swanner (third place). Christmas Holidays
Christmas Holidays begin with 11:30 dismissal on Tuesday, December 21. Classes will resume on Monday, January 3. St. Joseph School wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.
Partners in Education
WINN DIXIEWinn-Dixie would like to remind parents and others who have the new Fuelperks! card to re-link them to the organization's UPC barcodes. This will ensure that the school is credited with the right donation in the future.
You can visit the local Winn-Dixie store to convert to the new card or visit www.winn-dixie.com/fuelperks for more information.
If you need a new bar code, please contact the school office.
TARGET
St. Joseph School just received a check of over $200 from Target thanks to parents and supporters who have signed up for their Take Charge of Education Program.
These donations are accumulated when supporters of the school make purchases using the REDcard. Target donates up to 1% of these purchases to eligible schools designated by the shopper. Each September, checks are distributed to the schools.
You can help support St. Joseph School through Target by following the steps below:
Here's how to participate:
Apply and get approved for a REDcard®.
Enroll in Take Charge of Education and designate a K-12 school.
Start shopping with your REDcard®.
Donations to Schools
We'll track purchases made by participating REDcard® holders, then send a no-strings-attached donation check directly to the school principal.
Checks are distributed once a year. If the total of accumulated donations is less than $25, the amount carries over to the next payment period. You can track your school's progress at Target.com/tcoe.
Community News
SLU CHEERLEADING CLINICSLU will hold a cheerleading clinic on Saturday, December 11, at the Southeastern Pennington Center.
The clinic is for students in grades K-8th. Cost is $35.
Registrations forms are available in the school office.
For more information, please contact Paige Lapeyrouse at 985-549-3654 or Paige.lapeyrouse@selu.edu.
St. Joseph Parish
PersonnelRev. John Dominic Sims, O.P. - Pastor
Larry J. Melcanon - Deacon
Weekend 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
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