St. Joseph
Catholic School

Psalm 22

R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? 

All who see me scoff at me;
they mock me with parted lips, they wag their heads:
“He relied on the LORD; let him deliver him,
let him rescue him, if he loves him.” 

R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? 

Indeed, many dogs surround me,
a pack of evildoers closes in upon me;
They have pierced my hands and my feet;
I can count all my bones. 

R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? 

They divide my garments among them,
and for my vesture they cast lots.
But you, O LORD, be not far from me;
O my help, hasten to aid me. 

R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? 

I will proclaim your name to my brethren;
in the midst of the assembly I will praise you:
“You who fear the LORD, praise him;
all you descendants of Jacob, give glory to him;
revere him, all you descendants of Israel!” 

R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

From the Principal

Dear Parents,

The Strawberry Fest Parking was a huge success. The net for the effort was $15,222.03.
A huge thank you to all those who gave up their time Saturday and Sunday and helped. 

The following volunteered and the school community owes them a debt of gratitude: Jeff Schmitt, Krystal Smith, George Waddell, John,Falcon, Veronica Pierson, Vincent D'Antoni, ,Shelly Ernst, John Ryals, Emery Tumulty, Kim Coates, Jeanine Wisecarver, Karin Kugler, Carol Girdwood, Melissa Maurer, Tom Brothers, Eric Thibedeaux, David LaCroix, Melanie,Walch, Ken Walch, Bennie Slade, David Owens, Frankie Hartman, Jeri Carroll, Stacy Bankston, Brittany Cuccia, and Kristi Wisecarver

Thanks to everyone who made the effort to have their children at school over the past week for the Terra Nova Testing. The tests went well and few students were absent. Results will be forwarded to the school near the end of the school year and the plan is to enclose them in the report cards. 

-- Gerard Toups

Current Calendar

Wednesday, April 20
* Secretaries' Day
* Holy Week

Thursday, April 21
* Holy Week 
* Summer Reading Orders Due
* 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 
* All books are due back to the library.

Sunday, May 8
* Mothers' Day

Monday, May 9
* Exams - Grade 8 - Reading, Science

Tuesday, May 10
* Exams - Grade 8 - English, Social Studies

Wednesday, May 11
* Exams - Grade 8 - Math

Thursday, May 12
* Eighth Grade Breakfast & Practice

Friday, May 13
* Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited to attend.
* Spirit Dress

Monday, May 16
* Eighth Grade Awards Program @ 10:00

Tuesday, May 17
* Exams - Grades 6 & 7 - Reading, Science
* Eighth Grade Promotion Ceremony @ 7:00

Wednesday, May 18
* Exams - Grades 6 & 7 - English, Social Studies

Thursday, May 19
* Exams - Grades 6 & 7 - Math
* PreK/K Picnic 11:00-1:00

Friday, May 20
* Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited to attend.
* Spirit Dress
* Kindergarten Program Ceremony @ 10:00
* PreK Program Ceremony @ 12:30

Monday, May 23
* Field Day

Tuesday, May 24
* Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited to attend.
* Awards Program @ 9:30
* 11:30 Dismissal
* Fourth Quarter Ends
* Last Day for Students

April Crusaders

Ashley Brown, second grade, and Bethany Herrick, eighth grade, have been named the April Crusaders of the month!

Teacher Appreciation Week

Teacher Appreciation Week is right after the holidays, May 2-6. This is a perfect time to thank a teacher for the love, support, and care they've given to students all year.

Some activities planned for the week include:

On Monday, May 2, each homeroom class has been assigned one item to bring to the teachers' lounge for everyone to enjoy.

Tuesday, May 3, is "Classroom Supply Day". This day is themed for students to bring their teacher miscellaneous supplies used in the classroom. (Ex - paper clips, staples, post-its, highlighters, dry erase supplies, tape, etc.)

On Wednesday 4, the Home and School Association will provide lunch for the teachers.

A few room moms will provide breakfast for the teachers on Thursday, May 5.

On Friday, May 6, students may bring a teacher appreciation gift to their teachers.

Living Stations of the Cross

The fifth grade students portrayed a Living Stations of the Cross as part of a school-wide half day Lenten retreat on Tuesday, April 19. In the picture above, Noah Swanner plays the part of the Jesus. More pictures will be in the Photo Albums soon.

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. 

Rice Bowls with your financial offering are due Thursday, April 21.

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.

Summer Reading

The summer reading list for 2011 was sent home today (again).

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.

Library Notes

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 


KC/AQUAFINA MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PITCH, HIT, & RUN COMPETITION
The Ponchatoula Knights of Columbus will host a free Aquafina Major League Baseball pitch, hit, and run competition for area boys and girls on April 23, at 9:00 a.m. at Ponchatoula Recreational Park on North Hoover Road.

Competitors are divided into four age divisions: 7/8, 9/10, 11/12, 13/14, and have the chance to advance through four levels of competition.

All participants must bring a copy of their birth certificat and fill out a registration/waiver form prior to the start of competition. 

For questions concerning the compeition, please contact Ray Cheek at 985-320-0786 or email at raycheek@ymail.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