St. Joseph
Catholic School

Psalm 130

R. With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption. 

Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD;
LORD, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to my voice in supplication. 

R. With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption. 

If you, O LORD, mark iniquities,
LORD, who can stand?
But with you is forgiveness,
that you may be revered. 

R. With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption. 

I trust in the LORD;
my soul trusts in his word.
More than sentinels wait for the dawn,
let Israel wait for the LORD. 

R. With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption. 

For with the LORD is kindness
and with him is plenteous redemption;
And he will redeem Israel
from all their iniquities. 

R. With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption.

From the Principal

PreK through third grade students enjoyed a train ride after Mass on Friday, April 8, as part of an awareness program for train safety.

More pictures can be seen in the Photo Albums sections of this website.

Current Calendar

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 
* Sock Hop (grades 5-8)

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 
* Sports Award Program RSVP Due

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 

Tuesday, May 3
* Teacher Appreciation Week
* Sports Award Program @ 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday, May 4
* Teacher Appreciation Week
* Advisory Council @ 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, May 5
* Teacher Appreciation Week

Friday, May 6
* Teacher Appreciation Week
* Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited to attend.
* May Crowning
* Crusaders Luncheon
* Pep Rally @ 1:00 p.m.
* Accelerated Reader Deadline

Rice Bowls

A "Rice Bowl" from Catholic Relief Services were sent home earlier this month.

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 (next week).

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

Thank you so much.

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.

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.

Summer Reading

The summer reading list for 2011 was sent home today. 

Students are required to read all selections from their appropriate grade level for the 201--2012 school year. Students will be responsible for these books through tests or projects at the beginning of the 2011 school year.

For your convenience, the library is offering the required books for sale directly through the school. The school receives a discount on these titles, and if you participate in this offer, the savings get passed on to you. 

All of our prices are lower than the same new paperback title on Amazon.com.

Books will be distributed to the students before school dismisses for the summer. Please mark your selections and return the included form with a check for the total purchase payable to St. Joseph School. All pre-paid orders must be received on later than Thursday, April 21.

Sports Award Program

All SJS athletes and their families are invited to the Sports Award Program on Tuesday, May 3, beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the school gym.

Jambalaya, soft drinks, and paper products will be provided. Each family is asked to bring a side dish or dessert.

Every athlete will receive a sports participation award. In addition, the varsity teams will be giving out other awards. The eighth grade students will be receiving their sports plaques.

Please RSVP on the form sent home today by Thursday, April 21, so that an accurate head count can be determined.

Please contact Mrs. Melissa Thomas at mthomas@sjscrusaders.org with any questions.

Sock Hop

St. Joseph School will hold a sock hop on Friday, April 15, from 7:00-10:00 p.m. in the school gym for students in grades 5-8. 

Cost is $10 per person.

The theme of the sock hop is Beach Party!!

Students may bring one guest. Guests must also be in grades 5-8. Guest must sign in at the same time as the host student. Guests must follow the same dress guidelines as SJS students.

Dress code: Long shorts, capris, t-shirts, sandals, and jeans are all fine. Dresses may be worn. As always ... no strapless, no spaghetti straps (one inch is okay), no halters, no one shoulder, no tight or low cut, no short dresses or shorts, no backless, no sweater dresses, etc. If in questions, don't wear it!

Pictures will be available for $5 and $10 packets.

Cafeteria News

Students will not be able to charge lunches beginning Tuesday, May 2. Please make sure your child or children have enough money in their accounts to pay for lunch or bring a bag lunch.

Questions may be directed to Mrs. Gwen Klein, cafeteria manager, at 985-386-8075.

Library Books

The last day for eighth grade students to turn in library books is Friday, May 6.

The last day for all other students to turn in library books is Friday, May 13.

Accelerated Reader deadline for ALL students is Friday, May 6.

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.

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 Deadline

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.

Parish News

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