St. Joseph
Catholic School

Psalm 144: 1b, 2, 9-10

R. Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!

Blessed be the LORD, my rock,
who trains my hands for battle, my fingers for war.

R. Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!

My refuge and my fortress,
my stronghold, my deliverer,
My shield, in whom I trust,
who subdues my people under me.

R. Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!

O God, I will sing a new song to you;
with a ten-stringed lyre I will chant your praise,
You who give victory to kings,
and deliver David, your servant from the evil sword.
 
R. Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!

From the Principal

Dear Parents:

This is to inform you that the St. Joseph School Board has determined that there will be no increase in the tuition or registration for the 2012-2013 school year. 

The school will finance the new classrooms in the new building the parish is constructing with $200,000.00 from the savings account. 

This will diminish the funds in the savings account and the Board is counting on the generosity of parents to forward the $100.00 per student that the state is returning to parents in their state 2011 tax return. If you have not yet given that donation or have pledged to make the donation at a later date in this school year when you receive the state tax refund, please do so. Again, donations are tax deductible on federal taxes. Tuition is only 6% deductible on state returns. 

The moderation of tuition increases will continue if parents remain generous in their support of the school in all its fund raising activities and enrollment continues to grow. 

-- Dr. Gerard Toups
   Principal

Calendar for the Week

Thursday, January 19
Reconciliation Grade 8

Friday, January 20
Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited to attend.
Spirit Dress

Thursday, January 26
Reconciliation Grade 7

Friday, January 27
Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited to attend.
Spirit Dress
Math-a-Thon Permission Slips Due
Mother/Son Tailgate Party 6:00-9:00

Monday, January 29 - Saturday, February 4
Catholic Schools Week

See more plans for the year at CALENDAR

Altar Server Training

Registration and the initial training session for those interested in becoming Altar Servers will be held Sunday, January 22, beginning at 2:00 p.m. in the church.

Please make every effort to attend this first session because much of what is covered is not repeated in subsequent sessions. Parents who do not already have a child who has served at St. Joseph are asked to remain for the first session following the registration.

Prospective Altar Servers must be baptized Catholic, have received First Communion, and be in at least the fourth grade. 

The length of this session will depend on how many people attend. We look forward to seeing you there!

Beta Club Induction Ceremony

The SJS Junior Beta Club induction ceremony will be held on Friday, February 10, in the church immediately following the school Mass. 

A small reception for the families of the new inductees will following in the gym. 

Cheerleader Jamfest

The SJS cheerleaders will participate in the Jamfest Competition on Sunday, January 22, at 4:30 p.m. in the Baton Rouge River Center. 

Admission is free. Everyone is invited to come on out and support our wonderful cheerleaders!

Confetti Eggs

It's time for confetti eggs again! The Spring Fair is scheduled for March. It'll be here before we know it. Every year we ask for eggshells to be used at the very popular confetti egg booth. 

Please save your eggshells when cooking.

To easily clean eggs:
1. Poke a hole in the top of the egg with a knife.
2. Peel a small amount of the top of the shell (about the size of a nickel).
3. Pour out the egg.
4. Rinse well and air dry.

Math-a-Thon

St. Joseph School is excited to participate in the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Math-a-Thon program. The Math-a-Thon will be sponosred by the Junior Beta Club, and participation is open to any student in grades 1-8.

Math-a-Thon is a free educational program that teaches our kids the importance of math skills while helping others in need. This year's Math-a-Thon kicked off today, Wednesday, January 18. This morning students watched a video that showed them how they can help kids at St. Jude.

If you want your student to take part in the St. Jude Math-a-Thon, follow the instructions below:

1 - Get permission. Fill out and sign the permission slip in the Wednesay Packet and return it by Friday, January 27.

2 - Get sponsors. Ask family, friends, grandparents, and other people you know to sponsor by making a flat donation, a per page donation, or a per problem donation. Checks should be made out to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

3 - Do the math! Have fun filling out your Funbook! Students will receive their Funbok 1-2 weeks after the permission slips are returned (remember, permission slips are due Friday, January 27).

4 - Collect pledges. Use the envelop to collect your pledges from your sponsors. Return it along with your pledges to school by the deadline on Wednesday, February 29. If you are fundraising and working problems on Math-a-Thon online, be sure to print your total online donations and turn them in with this form. Checks should be made out to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Of course, the best reward for participating is knowing your family has made a difference in the lives of children suffering from cancer and other catastrophic diseases. The added bonus is that Math-a-Thon will help sharpen math skills just in time for Terra Nova testing.

To learn more about St. Jude, visit www.stjude.org. For additional information regarding the Math-a-Thon program and a complete list of prizes, please visit www.mathathon.org.

Through Math-a-Thon, you and your child make it possible for St. Jude to treat patients regardless of a family's ability to pay.

Prospective Parents' Names

Now's the time we ask parents of current St. Joseph students to suggest names of parents of prospective students so that we may send them invitations to our Open House on February 27.

At the Open House, these parents of prospective students can tour the school, see classes in session, meet the faculty, and ask questions about all that St. Joseph has to offer their children.

It's very easy to send names so that the school can mail invitations. Just fill out the form sent home today or click on PARENTS OF PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS FORM, provide the needed information, and send the form to the school office.

We thank you for helping spread the word about St. Joseph School.

Track News

Students in grades 3-8 are eligible to participate in the 2012 Track Season. 

Interested students should sign up as soon as possible on the sheet located on the sports bulletin board in the upstairs hall. 

Parents that need more information should email questions to sjsrunners@yahoo.com or contact Jerri Pevey at 985-969-0702. 

Practices will begin next week. Specific days and times will be announced at school.

Community News

PONCHATOULA YOUTH BASEBALL/SOFTBALL

Walk-in registration for youth baseball/softball will be held each Saturday in February from 9:00-noon.

The final registration will be Saturday, March 3, from 9:00-noon at the Recreation Park Gymnasium on Hoover Road. (NOT the Community Center)

Forms received after March 3rd will be put on a waiting list and will contacted if a spot becomes available.

The registration fee for boys baseball for ages 9-19 is $75.00

The registration fee for T-ball, Coach Pitch, and Softball for ages 5-18 is $60.00.

Registration forms are available in the SJS office.

Title I Parent Center Parent Activities

Title I Parent Center Parent Activities 2012

Call 985-429-9043 for additional information.

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.

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.

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., 11:00 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