St. Joseph
Catholic School

Psalm 33

R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you. 

Upright is the word of the LORD,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
 
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you. 

See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine. 

R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you. 

Our soul waits for the LORD,
who is our help and our shield.
May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us
who have put our hope in you. 

R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

From the Principal

In the Picture ... left to right ... Dani Majeau, Bethany Herrick, Krystal Waddell, Abby vonAlmen

Dear Parents:

Praise God for the wonderful weather this weekend, and thanks to all of you who worked so hard to make the fair a huge success. We also want to express publicly our sincere appreciation to the business community who, through their sponsorships and donations, supported the school. In my discussion with George Waddell, he was confident that the fair would net the largest profit of any fair to date. Details will follow.

I am sure many of you have noticed the beautiful new flagpole in the front of the school. Mr. Don Descant of Descant Construction, a grandparent of the Dane and Jonah Schmitt, donated and installed the new flagpole. We thank Mr. Descant for his generosity. The new flagpole gives us a clean and respectful place to hang the flag every day.

Each year St. Joseph School enters two students in Algebra I and two students in English I at the District Literary Rally at Southeastern. The district extends to schools in Baton Rouge, Covington, and LaPlace. The school competes in Division V. Generally, about ten schools are represented in Division V. Each school is limited to two competitors. Just as in years past, the St. Joseph representatives performed extremely well. Abigail vonAlmen placed first in Algebra I, and Krystal Waddell placed third. Bethany Herrick placed second in English I, and Danita Majeau placed fifth. Abigail and Bethany will represent St. Joseph at LSU at the State Rally Competition on April 16. 
Parents should know that in terms of all the students who represented high schools in Tangipahoa Parish, Abby’s score was second and Krystal’s score was third in Algebra I. In English 1 Bethany’s score was highest in the parish and Dani’ s score was third. Considering the fact that Hammond High, Ponchatoula High, and St. Thomas entered participants, we are most proud of this achievement. Finally, it should be noted that St. Joseph participants are eighth graders; most of the participants in English I and Algebra I are ninth graders.

Next week we will highlight the seventh grade students who performed well enough on the ACT to be recognized by the Duke University Talent Identification Program. 

-- Gerard Toups

Current Calendar

Thursday, March 24
* First Grade Field Trip
* Reconciliation (3rd Grade)

Friday, March 25
* Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited to attend.
* Advisory Board Nomintions Due
* Crusaders Announced
* Spirit Dress (optional fair t-shirt may be worn)
* Stations of the Cross @ 1:45
* Cheerleader Tryouts @ 3:15-4:30

Sunday, March 27
* Third Sunday of Lent

Monday, March 28
* Mardi Gras Parade (rescheduled) @ 1:00 

Tuesday, March 29
* Spring Pictures

Wednesday, March 30
* Girls' Basketball Pictures

Thursday, March 31
* Boys' Basketball Pictures

Friday, April 1
* Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited.
* Adopt-a-Child Collection
* Spirit Dress 

Easter Holidays
* Friday, April 22 - Friday, April 29 (We have no school on Good Friday.)
* Stations of the Cross @ 1:45

Basketball Pictures

Basketball pictures for both varsity and junior varsity girls' teams will be taken on Wednesday, March 30. A form has been sent home last week for ordering pictures. If you still have your uniforms at home, please bring them for the picture.

Basketball pictures for both varsity and junior varsity boys' teams will be taken on Thursday, March 31. A form has been sent home last week for ordering pictures. If you still have your uniforms at home, please bring them for the picture.

Easter Holidays

Although our calendar does not mark it as such, Friday, April 22, Good Friday, is a holiday for students at St. Joseph. Students also do not come to school the week following Easter, April 25-29.

Classes will resume on Monday, May 2.

Mardi Gras Parade

The Mardi Gras parade has been rescheduled for Monday, March 28, beginning at 1:00. See you at the parade!

Cafeteria News - Low Balance Alerts

Below are instructions on how parents can receive “Low Balance” alerts through the Schoolfiles website. 

Once the parent is in their profile they need to 

click on "Cafeteria/Concessions Purchases"

then "Options"

then "Set Up Alerts"

then complete the information requested.

Tuition-in-Full/Tuition Loans

Tuition payments for the 2011-2012 school year are due in the school office on or before Monday, May 2.

Anyone taking the First Guaranty loan for tuition should have the paperwork turned in to the school office on or before Monday, May 2. Loan papers are included in today's packet.

 

Spring Pictures

Barberito Photographers will be at St. Joseph School on Tuesday, March 29, to take spring pictures.
A full color brochure with the student's image will be sent home for your consideration in approximately three weeks. 

Students may wear their own clothes to school for the pictures. Solid colors are recommended. Students are asked to refrain from wearing green. 

Clothing must be appropriate to the values of St. Joseph School. No shorts may be worn. Blue jeans may not have holes in them. Shoulders and midriffs must be covered. Dresses and skirts must be of appropriate length. Too tight clothing, crocs, high heels, and sandals may not be worn. ALL SHOES MUST HAVE A BACK OR BACK STRAP.

Rule of thumb --- If you think it wise to pack optional clothing in case what is worn does not pass the guidelines, choose to wear something else.

Student Council Donation

Sarah Ryals, SJS Student Council president, presented a check to Mrs. Roberta Connelly, representative from the American Heart Association, at morning assembly March 23.

The $650 was raised by Student Council through the sale of Valentine heart grams to students the week prior to Valentine's Day. Heart grams were delivered by Student Council members on the holiday.

For 8th Grade Parents

The Eighth Grade Packet outlining upcoming events and deadlines was sent home with students today. This is a very busy time of year for the eighth graders. Please read the packet, take the appropriate actions, and keep the packet for reference as the year quickly comes to a close.

FRIDAY, MARCH 25
Students will be measured for caps and gowns on Friday, March 25. Please be sure your student is at school on time in order to make this process run smoothly.

TUESDAY, MARCH 26
Spring pictures. Please see elsewhere in this newsletter appropriate dress for spring pictures.

MONDAY & TUESDAY, APRIL 4 & 5
Eighth grade Terra Nova testing.

MONDAY & TUESDAY, APRIL 18 & 19
Eighth grade LEAP testing at PHS. We already have permission slips for this trip away from school. Students need to be sure to bring sharpened pencils.

WEDNESDAY - FRIDAY, APRIL 13-15
Complete Terra Nova testing.

FRIDAY, APRIL 15
Eighth grade class fee due ($100)
Yearbook order/fee due ($40)
DVD order/fee due ($25)
Order forms for yearbook and DVD are included in the packet.

TUESDAY, MAY 3
Athletic awards ceremony @ 6:00 in the gym.

FRIDAY, MAY 6
May Crowning
Accelerated Reader Deadline

MONDAY, MAY 9
Reading & Science exams.

TUESDAY, MAY 10
English & Social Studies exams.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 11
Math exam.

THURSDAY, MAY 12
Breakfast - 
Eighth grade breakfast @ 8:30. Students are to report to school at regular time. They will be taken by bus to the KC Hall where they will meet their parents for breakfast. Students are returned to school by bus following the breakfast.
Practice -
Students will practice for the promotion in church after returning from breakfast. Girls are to bring their dress shoes that they will be wearing for the ceremony for the practice.

FRIDAY, MAY 13
No school for eighth graders ONLY.

MONDAY, MAY 16
Eighth grade awards ceremony. Students will wear regular uniforms and report to the gym for the start of the 10:00 a.m. ceremony. Other than the awards ceremony, eighth graders do not have school today.

TUESDAY, MAY 17
Eighth graders do not have school. 
6:15 p.m. 
Students should meet in the church chapel with caps and gowns already on. 
PLEASE - Parents are not allowed in the chapel.
7:00 p.m.
Promotion ceremony begins.
8:00 p.m.
Reception in gym for graduates, their families and guests.
9:00 p.m.
Eighth grade party at the KC Hall in Ponchatoula. Parents are responsible for dropping off and picking up the students.

Eighth graders DO NOT come to school on the days following the promotion ceremony.

Community News

1 MILE FUN RUN/WALK AND 5K RACE
Child Advocacy Services will sponsor a 1 mile fun run/walk and 5K race on Saturday, April 2, beginning at Cate Street Square Park in Hammond.
Registration may be completed online, in person, or by mail.
More information can be obtained by clicking on the Blue Ribbon tab at www.childadv.net or by calling 985-902-9586.

ARE YOU READY TO "BE THE DIFFERENCE IN A CHILD'S LIFE"?
The next CASA volunteer training for Tangipahoa parish begins April 26, 2011. Currently we have in 14 children Tangipahoa parish waiting for someone to be their voice.
I hope that you will take the next step and be the difference in a child’s life. You will find that being the voice for an abused and/or neglected child brings immeasurable rewards! For more information please contact Connie Stein at (985) 902-9583 or go to www.childadv.net. 

Child Advocacy Services (CAS) is a private, non-profit umbrella agency providing services
through the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Program, Children’s Advocacy
Center (CAC) Program, and other services supporting our mission to give Voice, Healing,
and Security to children. CAS offers advocacy, clinical services, and prevention education for
children and families in 10 parishes including Ascension, Assumption, East and West Feliciana,
Livingston, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John, and Tangipahoa Parishes. CAS is one of
only of 57 non-profits accredited through LANO, meeting the highest standards in
management of finances and services.

Children's Advocacy Center
“Powerful Voices for Children!”
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) are trained volunteers who serve as powerful voices for abused and neglected children. A CASA stands beside a child with the primary goal of helping them reach a safe and permanent home. The Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) conducts forensic interviews for children in a safe environment who have disclosed sexual or severe physical abuse. Additional advocacy, clinical services, and prevention are offered. 

TANGI HUMANE SOCIETY
The Third Annual Pet Expo will be held on Saturday, April 2, from 10-4 at Ponchatoula Recreation Park on North Hoover Road. Games, vendors, raffles, a pet fashion show, and pet contests will be held throughout the day. More information can be obtained by visiting www.tangihumanesociety.org.

NORTH OAKS JUNIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
Each summer North Oaks Health System in Hammond offers young people (ages 14-17, the opportunity to become part of its team of health care professionals through the Junior Volunteer program. Applicants will be placed on a first come, first served basis and positions are limited. Volunteers are asked to give a minimum of 50 hours during the summer. Please contact North Oaks at 985-230-6811 for an application and to learn more about this exciting opportunity. 


HOOPSTERS BASKETBALL CAMP
The Hoopsters Basketball Camp will be held June 13-16, from 9:00-12:00, at St. Joseph Gym. Girls and boys ages 5-10 are invited to participate. Early registration (deadline May 27) is $55. Late registration is $65.

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

Registration forms are available in the school office.

For more information, please contact Kristi Gill at 985-507-4778 or hoopstersbasketballcamp@gmail.com.

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 

ST. JOSEPH ALTAR

St. Joseph Altar Committee will sponsor its annual St. Joseph Altar, the weekend of March 26 & 27. Traditionally, all items used for the altar are donated and all proceeds collected from the altar are distributed to the poor of the parish through our St. Vincent de Paul Society.

The members of the St. Joseph Altar coordinating committee request donations of goods, services and money towards the preparation for the altar. The following items are needed for cookies: all purpose flour, sugar, 3lb cans of Crisco shortening, powdered sugar, evaporated milk, and dried figs. If you can donate any of these items, please bring the items to church and place them in the box marked St. Joseph Altar. 

CALLING ALL STUDENTS GRADES 3RD-12TH
We are looking for children to play the role of saints for the St. Joseph Altar. The St. Joseph Altar will be on March 27. The children will be asked to participate in the rosary procession, Mass, and feeding of the saints. The children will have to furnish their own costume. There will be a short practice on Monday, March 21 at 6:00 p.m. in the gym. If you are interested in participating, please call Fay Murray at 386-8151 or the church office at 386-3749.

NEEDED: 3 gallons grape juice, fresh shrimp, and 8 chocolate bunnies that sit up.


Please call Fay Murray at 985-386-8151.