Psalm 52:10,11

R. I trust in the mercy of God for ever. 

I, like a green olive tree
in the house of God,
Trust in the mercy of God
forever and ever. 

R. I trust in the mercy of God for ever. 

I will thank you always for what you have done,
and proclaim the goodness of your name
before your faithful ones. 

R. I trust in the mercy of God for ever.

From the Principal

Dear Parents,

For five years now Mr. Mike Fulmer of Berryland Campers and Berryland Motors has sponsored the school website. Over the years the school has not had to pay any fees for the site. We thank Mr. Fulmer for his generosity acknowledging how helpful the site has been to the school.

I have several complaints about the carpool line. There is an alternative for many parents, and that is to allow the students to ride the bus. I want to assure you that the school does not receive complaints from parents or students who ride the public school buses. Many of the students enjoy being on the bus with their friends. Every student who rides the bus is one who does nor have to be called in the car pool.

The question has arisen as to whether it is possible for students to have Nooks or Kindles at school. I do not believe as a school we should prevent any student for using a Nook of Kindle for reading. There are a couple of caveats. First, any time a valuable device is brought to school, there is a possibility of breakage. These devices are somewhat delicate and the school cannot be responsible for it. The student who owns the piece of equipment must be totally responsible for its safe keeping. The school will only intercede if the instrument is broken purposely by another student. Should it be left on the desk and accidentally fall in some manner in the classroom, the owner will be responsible. Second, a school staff member may at any time confiscate the device if it is used improperly, and it may be examined for content at any time. Students might be disciplined for improper use or for content that is inappropriate for the age of the child using the Nook or Kindle. Some schools limit the use to only the upper grades. Parents must determine if their child is responsible enough to care for the device. I certainly would be reticent to put such an expensive item in a small child’s hands. At present we are not permitting the use of I-pads. They present too great a possibility of distraction. 

-- Gerard Toups, Ph.D.
Principal

Calendar for the Week

Wednesday, August 31
Tripp Roth Day - $1.00 donation
Magazine Sale Continues

Friday, September 2
Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited to attend.
Spirit Dress
Adopt-a-Child Collection
Second Magazine Turn-in Day

Monday, September 5
Labor Day Holiday - No School

Wednesday, September 7
Advisory Council @ 6:00
Last Turn-in Day for Magazines

Thursday, September 8
Penance Prayer Service - Grades 6-7-8

Friday, September 9
Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited to attend.
Spirit Dress

 
See more plans for the year at Calendar

Holiday

Monday, September 5, is Labor Day. This is a school holiday. Enjoy your weekend!

We'll see everyone back at school on Tuesday, September 6.

Magazine Sale Continues

The Magazine Sale continues until Wednesday, September 7!

This is a great fundraiser for the school. Last year's total was our absolute best ever!

Parents can help the school reach this year's goal by renewing an existing subscrition, ordering a new title, and/or giving the gift of reading to a friend or relative.

The school receives 40% of each order.

The sale begqn last Wednesday and runs through Wednesday, September 7.  The school goal is $30,000. The student goal is seven order per student. 

Only two collection days remain:
:
Friday, September 2: second turn-in day

Wednesday, September 7: last turn-in day.

There are many prizes and various ways to contact people about our magazine sale. All the details are in the packets sent home with each student last week. Please read to see how the school can meet its goal this year. 

Thank you so much for your help with this most important fund raiser.

Wearing Red (and Praying) for Tripp

In the picture - from left - sixth graders Olivia Maurer, Haleigh Laylle, Maiya Delpidio, Gabrielle Escude'

On Wednesday, August 31, students at St. Joseph Catholic School gave up wearing their regular uniforms in favor of red shirts and socks with blue jeans in order to raise money for Tripp Roth.

Tripp was born on May 14, 2009. He was diagnosed with a rare genetic skin disease called "EB." Any type of friction on his skin or mucous membranes causes blisters. 

Students were asked for a minimum donation of $1.00 in order to wear red. The SJS student body of 411 students collected over $1100 to donate to Tripp's cause. The students also had a special intention for Tripp during their prayers at morning assembly.

St. Joseph School is very proud of this outpouring of love and caring from our students to this worthy cause.

Please Be Kind in Carpool Line

Many complaints about the carpool line have reached the school office. Here are some facts of which perhaps people are unaware. Knowing these facts may help the line move quicker.

The carpool clog is not a problem unique to St. Joseph School. Many, if not all, schools in the parish, both public and private, are having carpool issues. When 200+ cars are trying to all drop off or pick up at the same time, delays will be inevitable.

EVERY teacher and aide at SJS is on duty either every morning or every afternoon.

Cutting in line is rude and discourteous. We ask that parents be good examples to their own children by complying with the rules of carpool and going to the end of the line.

Carpool lines do not back up in the mornings until after 7:20. The school begins monitoring of students at 7:00 a.m. The line moves very quickly during those twenty minutes.

The closer to 3:00 p.m. time gets, the faster the carpool line moves.

Be nice to the carpool teachers. These teachers have been standing in the blazing heat and oppressive humidity dealing with the safety of the children for thirty minutes or longer. Later in the year they will be diligently at their posts in torrential rainstorms and the "wet" cold that only south Louisiana can produce. In the mornings they deal with reluctant children not wanting to leave their cars and those who are still signing papers, collecting homework, or tying hair bows. In the afternoons they have distracted students who didn't hear their names called and are holding up carpool line. They are doing everything they can to make carpool move safely and as quckly as possible. Some drivers are not nice to the carpool teachers. Yet they smile and wish everyone a good day. 

Have the car unlocked before teachers attempt to open the doors.

In the afternoons, have the carpool sign ready in the passenger window written in black marker and big letters so that it can be seen from afar. That way the child's name can be called in a timely manner. Extra signs are available in the office.

Do not attempt to have parent/teacher conferences during carpool time. As tempting as this is, every two minutes of rolling conversation ties up the carpool line. Two minutes times fifteen cars quickly adds up and causes delays.

Parking in the church parking lot and walking a child to/from the gym is a dangerous practice whether morning or afternoon. Carpool teachers are watching traffic, not children coming in from or going to the parking lot. Entering the lot when cars are trying to leave further clogs the line and is a safety concern. Backing from parking spaces when the carpool line is moving is equally as dangerous.

Another carpool route sheet was sent home today. Please consult it as to the proper route to take for carpool.

Thanks to everyone for their patience and cooperation as we safely get our children to and from school.

Sports News

CROSS COUNTRY

The cross country runners are now in their fourth week of practice and are gearing up for the first meet of the season.

This sport is open to all grades and there are still a few spots if anyone is interested in running.

The team generally practices Monday through Thursday beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Ponchatoula Area Recreation Park.

Anyone interested in running should contact Kirk Jackson (985-969-2840) or Jerri Pevey (985-969-0702). This will be the last week that we can add runners to the roster.

Cub Scouts

St. Joseph Cub Scout Pack 186 is seeking boys in grades first through fifth who are interested in joining our cub scout pack. Please contact Chris Delatte for more information at (225) 572-8117 or cdelatte@excelusa.com

Title I Parent Center Parent Acitivies

Title I Parent Center Parent Activities
2011-2012 

Note:
Individual consultations are given daily to parents seeking guidance in improving their children’s academic skills.

Call 985-429-9043 for more information.  Limited seating in computer lab sessions. 

September  9            9:00 – 11:00                          
Beginner Basic Windows - Part 1
Technology Dept. Lab                 
Technology Resource Teacher
Hammond Jr. High

September 16          9:00 – 11:00                          
Beginner Basic Windows- Part 2
Technology Dept. Lab                  
Technology Resource Teacher
Hammond Jr. High

September 23         9:00 – 11:00                          
Intermediate Windows Part 1 – Jump Drives
Technology Dept. Lab                   
Technology Resource Teacher & Scanners
Hammond Jr. High

October 7               9:00 – 11:00                           
Intermediate Windows Part 2 -  Cameras, CDs
Technology   Dept. Lab                 
Technology Resource Teacher

October 14              9:00 – 11:00                         
Internet Basics – Part 1 
Technology Dept. Lab                   
Technology Resource Teacher

October 21              9:00 – 11:00                           
INTRODUCTION TO TANGI SCHOOLS WEB SITE
Technology Dept. Lab            
Learn to Use Parent Command Center
Learn to Use Parent Resources          
Hammond Jr. High                     
Technology Resource Teacher

October 28              9:00 – 11:00                          
Harcourt Math and Reading Resources
Tech. Dept. Lab                      
Hammond Jr. High               
Technology Resource Teacher

November 4            9:00 – 10:00                         
Helping the Troubled Reader
Hammond Parent Center                    
Resource Teacher

November 11           9:00 – 10:30                        
Parenting the Child With ADHD
Hammond Parent Center                     
Families Helping Families

December 9             9:00 – 11:00                         
Internet Basics  Part 2 –  Cut,  Copy & Paste
Technology Dept. Lab                   
Technology Resource Teacher      
Hammond Jr. High                            

December  16         9:00 – 11:00                          
Technology Dept. Lab                     
Technology Resource Teacher
Hammond Jr. High       

January 6                9:00 – 11:00                                     
Basic Word, Part 1
Technology Dept. Lab                              
Technology Resource Teacher
Hammond Jr. High               

January 13              9:00 – 11:00                                     
Basic Word , Part 2
Technology Dept. Lab                              
Technology Resource Teache
Hammond Jr. High         

January 20              9:00 – 11:00                                    
Computer Fun with Photos Using Word,  Part 1  
Technology Dept. Lab                            
Technology Resource Teacher
Hammond Jr. High                                     

January 27             9:00 – 11:00                                     
Computer Fun with Photos Using Word,  Part 2 
Technology Dept. Lab                              
Technology Resource Teacher
Hammond Jr. High                                     

February 3             9:00 – 11:00                                       
Introduction to Excel
Technology Dept. Lab                              
Technology Resource Teacher
Hammond Jr. High

February 10          9:00 – 11:00                                       
Excel Basics
Technology Dept. Lab                                
Technology Resource Teacher
Hammond Jr. High

February 17          9:00 – 11:00                                       
Introduction to PowerPoint
Technology Dept. Lab                               
Technology Resource Teacher
Hammond Jr. High

February 24          9:00 – 11:00                                      
PowerPoint Basics
Technology Dept. Lab                               
Technology Resource Teacher
Hammond Jr. High

March 2                9:00 – 11:00                                      
Introduction to Publisher
Technology Dept. Lab                              
Technology Resource Teacher
Hammond Jr. High

March 9                 9:00 – 11:00                                     
Publisher Basics
Technology Dept. Lab                          
Technology Resource Teacher
Hammond Jr. High

May & June        Summer Workbooks                       PreK to K through Gr. 7 to 8

Note:
Individual consultations are given daily to parents seeking guidance in improving their children’s academic skills.
Call 985-429-9043 for more information.  Limited seating in computer lab sessions. 



St. Joseph Parish News

Personnel
Rev. John Dominic Sims, O.P. - Pastor
Rev. Cayet Mangiaracina, O.P. - Parochial Vicar
Rev. J.D. Logan, O.P. - In Residence
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 EVENTS:

1) Theology of the Body.

This 8 week program parallels the LifeTeen Theology of the Body. The sessions will be held on Sunday evenings September 11, 18, 25, and October 2, 9, 18, 23, 30, from 6:30-8:30.

To register, please contact Lisa McGill at 985-817-0995 or Julie Hanks at 985-467-4402.

2) Evening at Paul's.

What Makes Marriage Work, Part I: Communication
Fight Less, Love More!

Presented by Jason & Elise Angelette, Willwoods Community Co-Directors

Thursday, September 15, 7:00-8:30, at Paul's Cafe, 100 East Pine Street, Ponchatoula.

$2 beer and wine, $1 soft drinks, free snacks.

No tickets or advanced registration required.


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