St. Joseph
Catholic School

Psalm 23

R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. 

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul. 

R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. 

He guides me in right paths
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage. 

R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. 

You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows. 

R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. 

Only goodness and kindness will follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come. 

R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

From the Principal

Dear Parents, 

This year, an effort is being made to teach the students manners. 

As a matter of fact, I personally find the students at St. Joseph to be very aware of manners. For the most part, they treat the teachers with respect and treat one another with kindness. At times we all falter, so the effort is being made to point out those failings to the students and to work on our own attitudes and our professional and Christian demeanor. We ask that you as parents join us in emphasizing to your children the importance of civility.

Also, there are at times when we as adults fail to demonstrate proper behavior. I congratulate each of you for being on time in the morning. We do our best to hasten the carpool line. It does seem that the carpool line in the morning and afternoons offers an opportunity for some improvement in this area. 

The school receives complaints quite regularly because drivers cut in line. At times drivers do not leave room for the buses to leave at dismissal. Once in a while certain members of the community take out their frustrations on a member of our staff. I ask all of you to join us in our efforts to keep carpool a place of calm efficiency and safety.

The carpool line can certainly be a near occasion of sin. It is frustrating and difficult. We try to relieve some of the pressure by dismissing preschoolers and kindergartners early. Again, we do ask all to be civil and be patient. 

-- Dr. Gerard Toups
    Principal

Calendar for the Week

Friday, August 24
Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited to attend.
Spirit Dress

Wednesday, August 29
August Birthday Free Dress 

Friday, August 31
Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited to attend.
Spirit Dress

Wednesday, September 5
August Birthday Free Dress

August Birthdays

Happy birthday to everyone born in August!

The August birthday free dress has been moved due to Hurricane Isaac.

All students at St. Joseph who had a birthday in August  may come out of uniform on Wednesday, September 5. This is the only day students August birthdays may come out of uniform. There is no make-up day. Out of uniform guidelines can be found on the WEBSITE.

Cub Scouts

It's not too late to join Cub Scouts!

Cub Scouting is for all boys in the 1st through 5th grades.

Cub Scouts have two meeting per month. Meetings last no longer than one hour.

If more information is needed, please contact Chris DeLatte at 225-572-8117 or cdelatte@excelusa.com.

Becoming a World Family

For parents of seventh and eighth grade students:

The Catholic Student Exchange is a program that gives students and families an opportunity to enrich their lives. Students between 11 and 16 years of age are eligible to participate in this cultural and educational experience.

Latin American students, who have been thoroughly selected and prepared, arrive in the US in mid-October and return to their homes in mid-December (only for eight weeks). They have all completed several years of education in English. All expenses, including air fare, ground transportation, school tuition, lunch, full medical insurance, and spending money, are paid for by each exchange student. While in the US, they attend all school and extracurricular activities of the host student.

While hosting, the US families continue with their busy everyday activities and share their values, customs, and traditions with their guests. These valuable experiences enhance understanding and tolerance of our different cultures. Please consider giving your family and school this wonderous opportunity to make new and lasting friendships through our Catholic faith. Your hospitality will make a significant difference in the world.

Please send an email or call for further information:

Mariela Obiols                                                      Deann Ponciano
mo@catholicstudentexchange.org                  catholicstudentexchange@yahoo.com
985-209-7273                                                       985-232-3107

Visitwww.catholicstudentexchange.org to fill out an appplication form.

FaceBook

St. Joseph Catholic School is on FaceBook. 

If you are too, you can "like" us at https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/St-Joseph-Catholic-School-Ponchatoula-LA/154552894610716.

Kindergarten/8th Grade Buddies

Eighth grade student Chandler Poche' and his kindergarten buddy Jack Sceroler spend time getting acquainted as the pairings of buddies are announced.

On Wednesday, August 23, a long-standing tradition at St. Joseph School was renewed as Eighth Grade students met their new Kindergarten buddies for the year.

Following breakfast, kindergarten students were introduced to their brand-new eighth grade buddies. These pairs spent time together learning about each other and getting familiar with their partners for the year.

Eighth grade students accompany their little friends to Mass each week. They sit together while the older student models expected behavior in church. At Thanksgiving, the students dress as Pilgrims or Indians for the Mass. Many other events are planned throughout the year when these buddies can enjoy school life together. These experiences lead to fond memories and lasting friendships over the years. Every eighth grader who was at SJS in kindergarten can still recall the name of their own eighth grade buddy. 

Eighth Grade/Kindergarten Buddies is a great tradition at St. Joseph School.

More pictures of eighth graders with their buddies can be seen at PHOTO ALBUMS.

Cross Country

All students (PK - 8th) grade are eligible to run Cross Country.

If your child is interested in running please contact Kirk Jackson or Jerri Pevey by emailing them at sjsrunners@yahoo.com.

Please include your child's name and grade in the email.

Returning runners in the middle school and junior high divisions have been practicing all summer.

Practices for new runners will begin on August 27th.

Target Fund Raiser

What a great EASY fund raiser Target has going on! St. Joseph School parents can get involved.

Parents just need to vote for the school. For every 25 votes, SJS gets a $25 gift card for school supplies. One vote per day is allowed per person.

Here's the LINK.

Let everyone know. Voting ends September 8, so hurry!

Cafeteria Help Needed

The St. Joseph School cafeteria is looking for a part time worker (10:30-1:30). Please contact our cafeteria manager, Gwen Klein, at 985-386-8075 for more information.

Community News

EPIK 5K RUN
A one-mile run and a 5K run will be sponsored by EPIK on Saturday, September 22. Runners will start their races at Cate Square Park in Hammond.

Early entry fees are $25 for adults and $10 for children under 12.

More details can be found by downloading the registration form or by contacting the following:
Mike Sons, EPIK Porduction Direction at 225-788-4409
Blaine Ehrlich - EPIK CEO at 985-507-4586
Holly Sons, EPIK Fundraising Director at 225-788-4140
Carthon Engram - EPIK Sales Manager at 985-351-4223,

Proceeds benefit St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.

Registration forms can be found at EPIK 5K RUN. Registration forms can be turned in at Ponchatoula Fitness, Perfectly Fit, or Rival Nutrition.

Parish News

Personnel
Rev. John Dominic Sims, O.P. - Pastor
Rev. Cayet Mangiaracina, O.P. - Parochial Vicar
Larry J. Melancon - Deacon 
Mike Agnello - 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