St. Joseph
Catholic School

Psalm 23

R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. 

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul. 

R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. 

He guides me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage. 

R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. 

You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows. 

R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. 

Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come. 

R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

From the Principal

In the picture - sitting, left to right, Scott Dufreche, Emily Waddell, Savannah Barrient, Blake Piediscalzo. Standing, left to right, Kitch Taylor, Melissa Hebert, Lauren McKneely, Katelyn McKneely, Jeb Kraft.

Dear Parents,

In case anyone is unaware, this weekend is the Strawberry Fest. Parking cars on the school grounds has for years provided an excellent source of income for the school. Help is always needed. This year George Waddell, the fair chair, indicated that this was the most cooperation he has experienced for the fair. Parents served their assigned shifts and supported the fair with their time and their money. For the Fest parking, we only want your time. Please sign up and help with this most important project.

For the 2010-2011 school year, ten seventh grade students qualified to take the ACT test as part of the Duke University Talent Identification Program. This is the same test taken by the students who are preparing for entrance into college, and the test is scored in the same manner. 

Savanna Barrient, Scott Dufreche, Melissa Hebert, Jeb Kraft, Katelyn McNeeley, Lauren McNeeley, Blake Pediscalzo, Kitch Taylor, and Emily Waddell participated. 

Five of the students will be recognized at the State Recognition Ceremony to be held at Northwestern State University at Nachitoches. In order to be recognized, students must have at least one of the following scores: English 20, Math 20, Reading 21, Science 21. 

Students may also be recognized if they have three of the four following scores: English 19, Math 19, Reading 20, and Science 20. 

Melissa Hebert will be recognized under the last provision. Jeb Kraft will be recognized in Reading. Katelyn McNeeley will be recognized in English, Math, and Reading. Lauren McNeely will be recognized in English, Math and Reading. Kitch Taylor will be recognized in English and Reading. 

Congratulations to each of the students who qualified and those who received special recognition. This group represents a large percentage of the seventh grade class and is a continuing confirmation of the excellent academic work that is being accomplished in the classrooms at St. Joseph School. 

-- Gerard Toups

Current Calendar

Thursday, April 7
* Home & School Meeting @ 6:30 in gym

Friday, April 8
* Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited.
* Spirit Dress
* Math-a-Thon Due
* Home & School Officer Nominations Due
* Stations of the Cross @ 1:45

Saturday, April 9
* Strawberry Festival Parking

Sunday, April 10
* Fifth Sunday of Lent
* Strawberry Festival Parking

Monday, April 11
* 8th Grade LEAP Testing
* 2nd-7th Grade Terra Nova Testing

Tuesday, April 12
* 8th Grade LEAP Testing
* 2nd-7th Grade Terra Nova Testing

Wednesday, April 13
* 2nd-8th Grade Terra Nova Testing
* Midquarter Reports
* Advisory Council @ 6:00

Thursday, April 14
* 2nd-8th Grade Terra Nova Testing

Friday, April 15
* Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited.
* Crusaders Announced
* Spirit Dress
* Stations of the Cross @ 1:45

Saturday, April 16
* State Literary Rally

Sunday, April 17
* Palm Sunday 

Monday, April 18
* 1st Grade Field Trip
* Holy Week

Tuesday, April 19
* School-wide Retreat
* Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited.
* Holy Week

Wednesday, April 20
* Secretaries' Day
* Holy Week

Thursday, April 21
* Holy Week

Easter Holidays
* Friday, April 22 - Friday, April 29 (We have no school on Good Friday.)

Saturday, April 30
* First Reconciliation 

Sunday, May 1
* First Communion Practice

Monday, May 2
* Classes Resume
* Tuition/Loan Papers Due in School Office
* Teacher Appreciation Week

Strawberry Fest Parking

We’re still looking for volunteers!

Strawberry Fest Parking is our second-largest (and easiest!) fund raiser at St. Joseph.
St. Joseph School depends on funds from the Strawberry Fest Parking to add programs which benefit all the students without adding to the cost of attendance. To make the fund raiser work, we depend heavily on our great volunteers. 

Many thanks to those who have already volunteered to help with parking! But we still need more help to make it easier on all.

Come out, volunteer, meet old friends, make new ones, and get a great suntan all while helping St. Joseph School with this great (and easy!) fund raiser.

No previous experience is necessary. On-the-job training is available.

Another volunteer form has been sent home today. Shifts most in need of help are starred. Please volunteer for a shift and return the form to school tomorrow.

Have a question? Need more informaiton? Contact:
Jeff Schmitt (parking chairman)
j2ads@yahoo.com
985-320-7711.

Rice Bowls

A "Rice Bowl" from Catholic Relief Services were sent home last week. 

Operation Rice Bowl is a Lenten program that asks us to remember the hungry in the world.

Please remember to make this program part of your Lenten almsgiving sacrifice and pray for our brothers and sisters around the world who are hungry. Place your financial offering in the "Rice Bowl" and return it to school during Holy Week.

For more information, go to orb.crs.org.

Thank you so much.

Advisory Council

Last week, parents of the school had the opportunity to vote for new members for the 2011-2012 St. Joseph School Advisory Council. 

The winners were Stephanie Brothers, Jeff LeSaicherre, and a re-election of Jeff Schmitt.

They will be joining fellow members Christie Atkins, Jayna Berthelot, Raymond Mauterer, Jerri Pevey, Veronica Pierson, and Mary Ransom in monthly meetings as parent representatives on the Advisory Council.

Many thanks go to Nicole Dillon and Michael Poche for their past work on the Council.

We also wish to thank those who agreed to run for the positions and all of the parents who voted for new Council members. A great response was received.

Home & School Officers

As we come to the close of the school year, the Home and School Association is in need of nominations for officers for the coming year. 

A nomination form has been sent home today.

Please list your nominations for officers. Nominees will be contacted, and those who accept the nominations will be listed ona voting form to follow.

Please return the nomination form to school by Friday, April 8. Thank you so much for your involvement in the St. Joseph Home and School Association.

Tuition-in-Full/Loan Papers

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.

Magazine Sale

Our annual magazine fund raiser begins in August. Your support by saving magazine subscriptions for then will be greatly appreciated. 

But you can also help today. New or renewed magazine subscriptions can be now by visiting www.qsp.com. It's that simple. Students will earn prizes for these early orders.

Our school code is 425016451.

Your support allows 40% of the subscription price to stay locally at St. Joseph School to fund many needed items and activities throughout the year. 

If we can count on your support this year, we are sure to have a successful campaign.

Blue Run

In the picture - Sarah Lavastida (left) and Lydia Pevey

Members of the track team opted to participate in the Inaugural Blue Run sponsored by Child Advocacy Services rather than participate in a track meet on Saturday. 

SJS runners and their parents paid their own entry fees and joined in this agency’s mission of preventing child abuse. SJS had over 30 parents, students, and alumni registered and competing. 

Lydia Pevey (6th grade) won the overall female division and Sarah Lavastida (4th grade) won the 10 and under division. 

Coach Kirk Jackson, Mattix Smith, Slade Smith, Crystal Smith, Maria Guay, Logan Henley, Gina Henley, Peyton LeSaicherre, Aschlen Harborth, Marley Bohning, Scott Dufreche, Michelle Dufreche, Dawson Pinion, Cory Pinion, Claire Lavastida, Emily Waddell, Savanna Barrient, Leigh Fresina, Holly Guay, Claire Chapin Perilloux, Lane Perilloux, Cyndie Perilloux, Kathy Guay, Haleigh Habisreitinger, and Mac Barrient competed in the event as well. 

Peyton LeSaicherre was a winner in the “Best In Blue” Costume Contest. Kraemer Jackson, a former SJS student who is now a freshman at St. Paul’s, won the overall male division.

Child Advocacy Services provides services and advocacy to abused and neglected children in our area. In 2010 Child Advocacy Services CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) program, served 475 children who were victims of abuse and neglect. CASA depends on volunteers to make a difference in the lives of these innocent children. Currently there are 20 children in Tangipahoa parish waiting for someone to be their voice. 

If you would like more information on becoming a CASA volunteer please contact Jerri Pevey or Connie Stein at 985-902-9583 or www.childadv.net. The next CASA volunteer training will begin April 26, 2011. 

A wonderful article quoting Coach Kirk Jackson and lauding the St. Joseph team was written in the local paper. The article can be read by clicking on Hammond Daily Star.

Math-a-Thon

Just a reminder!

Math-a-Thon donations are due Friday, April 8. All checks should be made out to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

If you have lost the original donation envelope, please make sure that you put the donations in a sealed envelope labeled with your child's name, grade, and Math-a-Thon.

Homeroom teachers will collect the money and books and turn them into the office.

Thanks to everyone who participated!

Yearbooks

Last year's yearbook (2009-201) will be delivered before the end of this school year.

The cause of the delay is due to computers crashing a few times and all of the information being lost in the crashes. The yearbook had to be created again from scratch each time.

To resolve this issue, information is now being saved on several computers.

If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact Mrs. Dawn Ekker at dekker@sjscrusaders.org.

For 8th Grade Parents

The Eighth Grade Packet outlining upcoming events and deadlines was sent home with students two weeks ago. 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.

MONDAY & TUESDAY, APRIL 11 & 12
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
Class fee due ($100)
Yearbook order/fee due ($40)
DVD order/fee due ($25)

FRIDAY, MAY 6
May Crowning
Accelerated Reader Deadling

MONDAY, MAY 9
Reading & Science Exams

TUESDAY, MAY 10
English & Social Studies Exams

WEDNESDAY, MAY 11
Math Exam
Pancake Breakfast for Class ONLY

THURSDAY, MAY 12
Breakfast @ KC Hall with parents - See packet for details.
Promotion practice

FRIDAY, MAY 13
No school for 8th grade students

MONDAY, MAY 16
Awards Ceremony @ 10 - See packet for details.

TUESDAY, MAY 17
Promotion @ 7 - See packet for details.
Reception @ 8 - See packet for details.
Party @ 9 - See packet for details.

Community News

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. 


CAMP KATERI
Rosaryville is now registering for its annual Camp Kateri. 

Two sessions will be available, July 10-15 and July 24-19. 

The camp is for boys and girls ages 7-13.

The cost is $450 for overnight and $295 for day campers.

More information can be had by visiting www.rosaryvillela.com or by calling Director Jeff Day at 225-294-5039.

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