St. Joseph
Catholic School

Psalm 27

R. The Lord is my light and my salvation. 

The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid? 

R. The Lord is my light and my salvation. 

One thing I ask of the LORD;
this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD
and contemplate his temple. 

R. The Lord is my light and my salvation. 

I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD. 

R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

From the Principal

SJS Students of the Year - Krystal Waddell and Joseph Pellettieri

Dear Parents:

Good News!!

First

The Student of the Year Program is designed to recognize outstanding elementary, middle, and high school students. The program is sponsored by the State Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Students are recognized for their academic achievement, leadership, and citizenship. The following students were invited and completed the required portfolio; fifth graders Traci Carollo, Joseph Pellettieri, and Mallory Vining and eighth graders Sarah Ryals and Krystal Waddell.

The process continued with the assessment of the students’ portfolio locally for submittal to the Diocese of Baton Rouge. One student is chosen from fifth grade and one from eighth grade to represent the school at the Diocese in Baton Rouge. Joseph Pelletieri represented St. Joseph in fifth grade and Krystal Wadell represented the school in the eighth grade. The diocese chooses three or four students at each level to interview from the twenty-three schools who submit portfolios. We are most pleased to announce that Joseph Pellettieri will be interviewed by diocesan representatives on Friday, January 28th. This is an honor for Joseph, and we know he will represent the school well. The students who are chosen on Friday will represent the Diocese of Baton Rouge at the state competitions.

Second

Congratulations to members of the Junior Girl’s Basketball Team who are
competing for the first place trophy tonight at Our Lady of the Lake in Mandeville. The team is undefeated in NIAL play and defeated Mary Queen of Peace in the semifinals of the tournament yesterday 51 – 8. They play Trafton Academy for the championship today. High scorers for the game yesterday were Lydia Pevey-17, Allie Amerson-12, and Karlee Kraft-10. Other members of the team include Blair Adkins, Mallory Vining, Jayden Berthlot, Clair-Chapin Perilloux, Haleigh Laylle, Kennedy Martin, and Emily Hines. The girls play hard and are a pleasure to watch. We thank Coach Trish Landaiche for her hard work with the girls and the parents for their support.

I will take this as an opportunity to thank all the coaches who volunteer their time to work with our student athletes. Their time and energy is important to all the students who enjoy participating in St. Joseph’s extensive sports program. 

-- Gerard Toups

JV Girls Basketball Team

front row, left to right - Jayden Berthelot, Haleigh Laylle, Kennedy Martin, Clair-Chapin Perilloux, Mallory Vining
back row, left to right - Karlee Kraft, Allie Amerson, Emily Hines, Blair Atkins, Emily Pevey

Current Calendar

Thursday, January 27
* Reconciliation - 7th Grade

Friday, January 28
* Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited to attend.
* Crusaders Announced
* Spirit Dress

Sunday, January 30 - Saturday, February 5
* Catholic Schools Week 

Monday, January 31
* Mass @ 8:30
* Diocesan Appreciation Day for Support Staff

Tuesday, February 1
* Diocesan Appreciation Day for Teachers
* Fair Meeting @ 6:30 in the Library

Wednesday, February 2
* Re-registration of Current Students Begins
* National Appreciation Day for Catholic Schools
* Distinguished Graduate Dinner

Thursday, February 3
* Diocesan Appreciation Day for Pastors
* Religion Fair
* Home & School Meeting @ 6:30 in the Gym

Friday, February 4
* NO SCHOOL MASS
* Diocesan CSW Mass in Baton Rouge
* Spirit Dress

Tuesday, February 8
* Class Pictures in Uniforms
* 8th Grade Pictures in Caps & Gowns
* Field Trip - Fifth Grade

Wednesday, February 9
* MidQuarter Reports Online
* Advisory Council Meeting @ 6:00 in Library

Thursday, February 10
* Reconciliation - Sixth Grade

Friday, February 11
* Mass @ 8:30
* Adopt-a-Child Collection
* Spirit Dress
* Last Day for Re-registration without Penalty

Beta Induction

After Mass on Friday, January 28, the following students will be inducted into the SJS Junior Beta Club. These students and their parents are also invited to a short reception in the gym following the indcution ceremony.

8th Grade
Shelby Bagby, Leah Dahmer, Raylea Willoughby

7th Grade
Scott Dufreche, Lauren Hebert, Lauren McKneely, Katelyn McKneely, Kitch Taylor 

6th grade
Christina Ernst, Alyssa Henderson, Emily Ransom, Ian Waller 

Serving as officers for the club are: President Abigail vonAlmen, Vice President Danita Majeau, Secretary Paul Mitchell, Treasurer Krystal Waddell, Historians Bethany Herrick and Sarah Ryals.

New Tuition Rates/Re-Registration

New tuition rates for 2011-2012 were sent home last week. New rates are also posted on the school website in the Admissions Section.

Re-registration for students already attending SJS will be sent home on Wednesday, February 2. These forms and the registration fees are due back to the office by Friday, February 11.
Tuition and bank loan papers are due Monday, May 2.

Current students registering after that date will be assessed a late fee.

Open registration for new students will begin during the Open House on Monday, February 21.

'Saders Cheerleaders Are Great!

St. Joseph cheerleaders participated in the JamFest competition in Baton Rouge over the weekend. They placed seventh in the intermediate junior high division. They competed against teams from New Orleans, Lafayette, Plaquemine, and many other areas in southern Louisiana.

We are especially proud that in their entire “JamSession” made of 45 teams, St. Joseph School cheerleaders won the “Sportsmanship” award.

Please join our Crusader cheerleaders when they compete this Sunday at Southeastern University for “Kickin’ it for Kids”. A spectator fee will be charged: $10 for ages 13yrs and over, $4 for 12yrs and under, Free for 5yrs and under. St. Joseph cheerleaders are scheduled to compete at 11:00. All admission fees will go directly to charities such as Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge, and Children’s Hospital in New Orleans.

Hope to see you there!

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.

100th Day of School

Skylar Cheek, Taylor Tumulty, and Alaina Frahm (from left) at their "little old ladies" best.

Students in Second Grade celebrated the 100th Day of School last Wednesday, January 19. The students came to school dressed as they think they'll look at age 100 and participated in many special activities designed to celebrate the day.

More pictures from the day can be viewed in Photo Albums on this site.

Track Sign-Up

A sign up sheet for Track & Field is located on the sports bulletin upstairs. 

Please sign up or younger grades may email Mrs. Melissa Thomas (mthomas@sjscrusaders.org) if you are interested in being a part of the 2011 Track & Field Team.

St. Joseph Parish

Personnel
Rev. 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 


MARRIAGE MINISTRY
The St. Joseph Marriage Ministry Presents: Evenings at Paul’s An Evening for Married and Singles from St. Joseph Parish and School Date: Thursday January 27, 2011 Time: 7:00 to 9:00 PM Location: Paul’s Café in Ponchatoula Topic: Making Good Marriages Great – Married Love and Natural Family Planning Presenter: Father Jose I. Lavastida, Rector of Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans Married Couples and All Singles Adults 18 or Older are Welcome Admission is Free – No Advance Registration Required Snacks and Refreshments will be offered 

FINANCIAL PEACE COURSE
Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace Course Offered at St Joseph location: 
St. Joseph Catholic School Primary Building Ponchatoula, LA 
Starts on February 3rd - A few spaces left! 
Time: Thursdays, 7:00pm - 8:45pm 
Cost: $100 for kit and course 
Dates: February 3, 2011 March 31, 2011 February 10, 2011 April 7, 2011 February 17, 2011 April 14, 2011 February 24, 2011 April 28, 2011 March 3, 2011 May 5, 2011 March 10, 2011 May 12, 2011 March 24, 2011 
To sign up or for more information, please contact Ryan McGill (985) 233-9996. 
Sponsored by St. Joseph Marriage Ministry