Newsletter (Archived): Newsletter 968 - Sep 5, 2012 - Sep 12, 2012 [Archive]
Psalm 32
R. Happy the people the Lord has chosen as his own.They are happy, whose God is the Lord,
the people he has chosen as his own.
From the heavens the Lord looks forth,
he sees all the children of men.
R. Happy the people the Lord has chosen as his own.
From the place where he dwells he gazes
on all the dwellers on the earth;
he who shapes the hearts of them all;
and considers all their deeds.
R. Happy the people the Lord has chosen as his own.
Our soul is waiting for the Lord.
The Lord is our help and our shield.
In him do our hearts find joy.
We trust in his holy name.
R. Happy the people the Lord has chosen as his own.
From the Principal
Dear Parents,As I told parents at the Home and School Meeting, the school has made significant progress this last year thanks to the hard work and generosity of parents, grandparents, parishioners and friends.
1. The renovations that began in 2010 to the classrooms in the main building have continued over the past year. In total four of the six classrooms downstairs are completed. Upstairs, three classrooms have been completed. Two have not been touched, and one is in process. In the classrooms that have been completed, ceilings have been dropped, new lighting fixtures replaced, walls and trim have been repaired and painted, and quiet, efficient air conditioners with compressors outside have been installed. Because we use our own personnel, the cost for renovating these classrooms has been kept to under $5,000.00 a classroom.
2. Second graders have moved into their classrooms across the street. The total cost to the school for those units approaches $250,000.00. Classrooms are very similar to the Early Learning Center classrooms with water fountains, restrooms and a sinks available to the students. The parking lot for the Ministry building will give the school additional spaces for school and should relieve congestion.
3. The parking area along the gymnasium has been paved by the school. The cost for that project was $29,000.00. Teachers no longer have to be concerned with rocks being thrown. The area drains properly, and finally the space will be available for as part of the fair grounds for the spring.
4. The school now receives internet from fiber optic technology. This has improved our service to the classroom teachers and the students dramatically.
5. The seventh grade has been doubled to two homerooms. That leaves only the eighth grade to be doubled next school year.
6. Edline has been upgraded to provide better service for both teacher and parents.
7. Finally, enrollment has grown to 427.
-- Dr. Gerard Toups
Principal
Calendar for the Week
Friday, September 7
Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited to attend.
Adopt-a-Child Collection
Spirit Dress
Saturday, September 8
Last Day to Vote for SJS at Target Fund Raiser - see article this newsletter
Tuesday, September 11
Papa John's/St. Joseph School Pizza Night
Wednesday, September 12
Midquarter Reports (on Edline)
Thursday, September 13
School Pictures (in uniforms)
Reconciliation (8th)
Friday, September 14
Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited to attend.
Spirit Dress
Fall Fest T-Shirt Orders Due
Totally Awesome Sock Hop @ 7-10
Fall Fest T-Shirts
It's time to order Fall Fest T-Shirts!We're doing something different this time. Orders can be made on Edline.
On right-hand side of the Edline homepage, there is a link labeled SHIRT ORDERS. Shirt prices and orders for the whole family are available at this site. Once the form is submitted, you still must send in a check for the entire cost. Please note the name and grade of your oldest student on the envelope with the check.
Shirts will not be distributed until payment is received.
Papa John's/SJS Night
Calling all Pizza Lovers!
On Tuesday, September 11, St. Joseph Catholic School will again pair with Papa John's Pizza for the easiest fundraiser ever!
All you have to do is serve pizza for Papa John's for supper on that day. Whether it's pick-up or delivery, mention St. Joseph's when ordering, and the school will get a percentage of sales that evening.
Be sure to also mention your child's homeroom teacher's name when ordering. The class with the most orders will have a pizza party later in the year.
Traditionally, SJS has been the top school for sales for these fundraisers. Let's keep that tradition going, enjoy great pizza, and help the school financially - all at the same time.
Bonus - If you pick up in person, you'll meet lots of St. Joseph friends doing the same thing at Papa John's.
Picture Day
Barbarito Photographers will be at school on Thursday, September 13, to take school pictures!All students will be photographed. They are all to wear regular school uniforms.
Picture packages will be available on a pre-pay basis only. Information was distributed today, September 5. Please follow the directions on the flyer from the photographer.
Totally Awesome Sock Hop
It’s Sock Hop Time! It will be “TOTALLY AWESOME!!!”St. Joseph students in grades 5 – 8 are invited to our back-to-school sock hop on Friday, September 14th from 7 – 10 pm in the St. Joseph School gym. The cost is $10 per person, pay as you enter. Each student may bring one guest (grades 5 – 8). We are celebrating the 80’s, so dress in your most awesome attire!
If you have any questions about the sock hop or the appropriate attire, please email sgaines@sjscrusaders.org. .
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!
Becoming a World Family
For parents of seventh and eighth grade students: ESPECIALLY BOYS!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
Visit www.catholicstudentexchange.org to fill out an appplication form.
Community News
CATHOLIC CHARITIES 4TH ANNUAL FASHION SHOWThe 4th Annual Fashion Show to benefit Catholic Charities will be held on Sunday, September 30, at 1:00 p.m.
Special guest will be Randi Rousseau of WDSU 6 News.
The event will be held at Bantaa's Fleur de Lis at 111 North 6th Street in Ponchatoula.
Tickets are $35.00 per person. Ticket information can be found at 985-370-0007.
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
PersonnelRev. 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
See Old News: Archive