St. Joseph
Catholic School

Psalm 78: 1-2, 34-38

Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth! 
I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, 

When he slew them, they sought for him; they repented and sought God earnestly.
They remembered that God was their rock, the Most High God their redeemer. 

But they flattered him with their mouths; they lied to him with their tongues.
Their heart was not steadfast toward him; they were not true to his covenant. 

Yet he, being compassionate, forgave their iniquity, and did not destroy them; he restrained his anger often, and did not stir up all his wrath.

From the Principal

Dear Parents,

It looks like many of you had pizza last night. Thank you for your support of the school.

There seems to be significant improvement in the carpool line. The line of cars was gone by 3:00 each day this week. That is about the same time the last bus picks up. The weather has been good, so that helps. I thank the ladies who work so hard in the afternoon to call the students out and get them in the cars. Again we ask that you all be patient and courteous. Cutting in line or blocking the entrances to the street and church parking lot is most inconsiderate, uncharitable, and selfish. We have had fewer complaints about this problem of late. If someone is picking your child up for the first time, please explain to that person the procedure.

Believe it or not we are at the midpoint in the first nine week period. If a student has a D or F average in a subject, a deficiency report will be issued. Otherwise, please check Edline for grades. 

-- Gerard Toups, Ph.D.
Principal

Calendar for the Week

Wednesday, September 14
Midquarter

Thursday, September 15
School Pictures in Uniforms
Reconciliation - Grade 8

Friday, September 16
Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited to attend.
Spirit Dress (or Math-a-Thon t-shirts)

Thursday, September 22
Reconciliation - 6th Grade
Retreat @ STA - 7th Grade
Fall Fest T-Shirt Order Forms Due
Presentation by PHS for 8th Grade Parents
 
Friday, September 23
Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited to attend.
Spirit Dress
Crusaders Announced
Back-to-School Bash for Grades 5-8

See more plans for the year at Calendar

Midquarter

Today, Wednesday, September 14, is the midway point of the first quarter. It's hard to believe we're there already. Please be sure to check Edline in order to follow your child's progress to this point.

Students with a low average in a particular subject will receive a progress report which is to be signed and returned.

Picture Day Thursday

Coming Thursday, September 15!

Barberito Photographers will be taking individual school pictures on Thursday, September 15. Students are to wear regular uniforms on that day.

This is a pre-pay program. A brochure with package prices were distributed today. Each student will have his/her picture taken, but picture packages will only be produced for children who have paid on that day.

Fall Fest T-Shirt Order Form

Enclosed with last week's packet (or available by clicking on the link below) is an order form for the Fall Fest T-Shirt.

Students ordering t-shirts may wear them each Friday during the month of October with their blue jeans, crew socks, and uniform shoes. 

Youth sizes are $12 each. Adult sizes are $14 each. 

Please send the form with payment to the office by Thursday, September 22.

Fall Fest T-Shirt Order Form

Student Council

The 2011-2012 SJS Student Council members are

4th grade - Maria Guay & Paige Bankston

5th grade - Leigh Henderson & Grant Amerson

6th grade - Olivia Maurer & Hannah Henderson

7th grade - Blair Atkins, Carson Wyld, & Claire Perilloux

8th grade - Scott Dufreche, Leigh Fresina, Lauren Hebert, Jeb Kraft, Katelyn McKneely,
& Lauren McKneely 

Student Council sponors are Mrs. Robin Guidry and Mrs. Brenda Allen.

Math-a-Thon

Thank you so much for partcipating in the Math-a-Thon last school year. 

Together we donated over $1500 to ST. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.
 
Normally the students receive t-shirts andprizes shortly after the Math-a-Thon activities have ended. However, because of a smistake in St. Jude's paperwork, it has taken a bit longer. We apologize for this delay, but we are happy to see the students receive their rewards in today's Wednesday packet.

This Friday, September 16, at morning assembly, we will anounce the grand total of our donation and present a small plaque to be hung in the school. The students wo participated may wear their Math-a-Thon t-shirt with the rest of the regular spirit dress uniform in celebration of our success.

We are so proud of our students for taking this opportunity to serve others as Christ would.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Jeri Carroll
Mrs. Stacy Bankston
Beta Club Sponsors

Flamingo-ology

Seventh grade students recently spent time at the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans studying flamingos as well as all the other animals.

As an extension of their biology class, the students enjoyed a pleasant fall day pracitcing the classification of animals by means of a scavenger hunt.

More pictures of the field trip can be found at the Photo Albums tab on this website.

Back-to-School Bash

Back to School Bash

St. Joseph students in the 5th – 8th grades are invited to participate in our first sock hop of the school year. Join us on Friday, September 23, from 7 – 10 pm.

Admission is $10. Snacks and drinks will be provided. Pictures are available in $5 or $10 packages.

Wear your Sunday best (no shorts or spaghetti straps). You may bring one guest. That guest must be in 5th-8th grades. All students and guests must be signed in by an adult and signed out by an adult.

Sports Results

CROSS COUNTRY

The Cross Country Team competed at the STA S&S Sports Invitational Meet last Thursday at St. Thomas.  It was a huge meet; St. Joseph athletes competed against runners from all over the state of Louisiana.

Elementary Girls (3rd & 4th Grade) posted a first place win for St. Joseph.  All five members earned medals and finished in the top 15 spots.  Maria Guay led the team with a 4th place finish followed by Paige Bankston (5th), Brilee Broussard (9th), Heather Habisreitinger (11th) and Krislyn Dapprich (12th).

The Junior High Girls took second place; losing to Trafton by only one point.  Lydia Pevey was the lead St. Joseph runner posting a 5th place finish followed closely by teamates Sara Lavastida (7th), Peyton Le Saicherre (11th), Lauren Hebert (13th), Haleigh Habisreightinger (14th), Holly Guay (15th) and Maria Guay (17th).

Sub Elementary Girls finished third with Hanna Bankston leading the way for her team with a 10th place finsih, Crista Wolfe (11th), Hannah Habisreitinger (14th), Jadyn Richard (16th), and Marley Richard (20th)

Sub Elementary, Elementary, and Middle School boys did not have enough runners to compete as a team but posted some great indivdual times.  Middle School Boys Colin Thibodeaux earned a 2nd place medal and Grant Amerson earned a 4th place medal.  Elementary Boys were lead by Jack Brothers who earned an 8th place medal; Cody Majeau posted an 18th place finish followed by Logan Henly with a 40th place finish.  Carson Thibodeaux earned a 3rd place medal in the Sub Elementary Boys race followed by Brock Smith (27th place) and Caden Dapprich (37th).

All age divisions will be competing this Thursday at Trafton and the Junior High Girls will participate in the Episcopal Round Table meet at Highland Park in Baton Rouge on Saturday.


VOLLEYBALL

Junior Varsity 2-0 in NIAL
Beat Northlake Christian and Our Lady of the Lake
JV won the Trafton Tournament last week going undefeated.

Varsity 2-0 in NIAL
Beat Northlake Christian and Our Lady of the Lake

Play Trafton today. 


 

Alumni Proud - Christopher Ekker

Christopher Ekker (SJS 2006) has accepted membership in the National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS). Christopher will be honored during an Induction Convocation this fall on the campus of Tulane University.

Christopher was the valedictorian of the class of 2010 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Regional High School and is a sophomore at Tulane University majoring in pre-med. He plans to be a pediatrician.

"NSCS is more than just a symbol of academic achievement. Membership gives students access to a number of amazing benefits including career and networking resources, scholarships, travel, and service projects both on campus and in the community," says Stephen E. Loflin, NSCS CEO and Founder.

NSCS is amember of the Association of College Honor Societies and is thenation's only interdisciplinary honors organization for first- and second-year college students. Membership is by invitation only, based on grade point average and class standing. NSCS has more than 750,000 lifetime members and 270 chapters in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

Christopher is the son of Curtis and Dawn Pepitone Ekker, both SJS alums.

STA Starlette Dance Camp

St. Thomas Aquinas Starlettes will offer their dance camp and on-field performance on Saturday, September 24 (camp), and Friday, September 30 (performance), for students in grades preK-8th. The cost is $30 which includes a t-shirt and snack. 

Registration forms are available in the SJS office or by clicking the link below. They are due to STA by Wednesday, September 21. 

Starlettes Registration Form

Community News

PONCHATOULA YOUTH BASKETBALL

Registration forms for Ponchatoula Youth Basketball are available in the school office.
Boys and Girls ages 5-17
Registration dates: September 17 & 24 (9:00-noon) @ Ponchatoula Recreation Park on North Hoover Road
Registration fee is $65. Only checks or money orders will be accepted.
For additional information, please email PYB at ponchatoulayouthbasketball@yahoo.com.


ST. STANISLAUS

St. Stanislaus School will hold informational sessions around the area in the coming months. At each info session, prospective parents and students will hear presentations from St. Stanislaus administrators, parents and students. Attendees will learn about the structure, discipline, religious formation and academic and athletic excellence that St. Stanislaus offers. With weekend transportation to and from New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Covington, St. Stanislaus is a convenient option for parents who are looking for a boarding school that can help their sons grow emotionally, academically and spiritually. We ask that parents RSVP at our website, www.ststan.com.

Dates, Times & Locations:

- October 4, 2011 from 5 – 7 PM in New Orleans at the Hilton New Orleans Hotel (333 St. Charles Ave.)

- October 5, 2011 from 5 – 7 PM in Baton Rouge at the Capitol Park Welcome Center (702 N. River Rd.)

- October 6, 2011 from 5 – 7 PM in Covington at the Greater Covington Center (317 N. Jefferson Ave.)

- October 11, 2011 from 6 – 8 PM in Metairie at the Sheraton Metairie Hotel (4 Galleria Blvd.)

Title I Parent Center Parent Activities

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 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

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.