St. Joseph
Catholic School

Psalm 147

R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem. 

Glorify the LORD, O Jerusalem;
praise your God, O Zion.
For he has strengthened the bars of your gates;
he has blessed your children within you. 

R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem. 

He sends forth his command to the earth;
swiftly runs his word!
He spreads snow like wool;
frost he strews like ashes. 

R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem. 

He has proclaimed his word to Jacob,
his statutes and his ordinances to Israel.
He has not done thus for any other nation;
his ordinances he has not made known to them. 

R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.

From the Principal

Dear Parents,

Please come and support the fair this weekend. The forecast looks great. The students, especially the little ones, are just bursting with excitement. The funds generated by the fair are important for the school.

Congratulations to Brennan Currier who will compete at the State level in the Geography Bee. Brennan finished among the top 100 students to competing statewide. We thank Mrs. Brenda Allen for monitoring the competition.

Mrs. Lloyd had her baby girl Tuesday morning. Congratulations to the Lloyds. Mom, Dad, and child are doing well.

Miss LaLande is the long term substitute for Mrs. Lloyd. She is a certified teacher. She is a graduate of elementary and secondary Catholic schools and completed her education studies at Southeastern. 

-- Dr. Gerard Toups
    Principal

Calendar for the Week

Thursday, March 7
Reconciliation (5th Grade)
Accelerated Reader Deadline

Friday, March 8
Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited to attend.
Spirit Dress (Spring Fair T-Shirts okay)
Early Dismissal - 11:30
Spring Fair

Saturday, March 9
Spring Fair

Sunday, March 10
Spring Fair 
Dayligt Savings Time Begins

Monday-Friday, March 11-15
Library Closed

Tuesday, March 12
Exams - Grades 6-7-8 - Reading/Science

Wednesday, March 13
Exams - Grades 6-7-8 - English/Social Studies
Mandatory Parent Meeting for those wanting to try out for Cheerleader @ 5:30 in Mrs. Bankston's Classroom

Thursday, March 14
Exams - Grades 6-7-8 - Math
Reconciliation (3rd Grade)
Field Trip Grade 4
Pep Rally @ 1:15

Friday, March 15
Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited to attend.
Spirit Dress (Spring Fair t-shirt okay)
Stations of the Cross @ 1:45 - All are invited to attend.

A/R Deadline - Thursday, March 7

The third quarter deadline for Accelerated Reader is Thursday, March 7, at 3:00 p.m.

Early Dismissal - Friday, March 8

We will have an 11:30 a.m. dismissal on Friday, March 8, so that workers may put the finishing touches on the fair.

Buses will run before school, but there will be no buses at 11:30. Everyone will be carpool. There will be no after school care on that date.

We apologize for the inconvenience. We'll see you all at the Spring Fair!

Lenten Rice Bowls

Help make a difference in the lives of millions of people around the world suffering from poverty and hunger by participating in Catholic Relief Services' Lenten program, CRS Rice Bowl.

CRS works on our behalf to care for the poorest in our world and to end global poverty. Visit www.crsricebowl.org to watch videos, find fun activities and learn more about the difference your prayers, fasting, and almsgiving make in the lives of our brothers and sisters in need.

Your Rice Bowl was sent home last week. To ensure that your donations will be put to use as soon as possible, please return your Rice Bowl to school the week of March 18th, or you may count the money in your Rice Bowl and make a check payable to St. Joseph School. Write "CRS Rice Bowl" in the memo line of the check.

Thanks in advance for your generous support.

Ride Bands for the Fair

Coupons for ride bands went home today. Please check your child's backpack for the coupon.

Coupons may be redeemed for a weekend ride band at the fair ticket booth (Gold Star Amusements) starting Friday, March 8, at 5:00 p.m. The fair opens at 6:00. 

See you at the fair!

Cheerleader Tryouts

There will be a mandatory parent meeting for anyone in grades 4th-7th wanting to try-out for the 2013-2014 cheerleading squad on Wednesday, March 13, at 5:30, in Mrs Bankston's room. 

All information about tryouts and what will be expected throughout the year from cheerleaders who make the squad will be given out at this meeting. No one will be allowed to tryout if they do not have a grown up attend the meeting. 

Tuesday, March 19, will be the clinic where everyone will learn the cheer/dance for try-outs. 

Friday, March 22, will be the actual try-out date. 

If you have any questions, you can contact either Ms Bankston or Ms Toni.

National Geo Bee

Congratulations to Brennan Currier who has qualified to represent St. Joseph Catholic School at the state level of National Geographic Bee. The state Bee will be held on Friday, April 5, in Baton Rouge. Good luck to Brennan as he continues in the competition.

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!

In celebration of the birthday of Dr. Seuss, St. Joseph students joined with other accelerated readers across the country to beat last year's reading records. The national goal of 3,581,992 accelerated reader tests taken was easily overcome. This year, SJS students took 1349 tests for 947.8 points. They easily beat last year's total of 870 tests taken. What great readers! Other Dr. Seuss birthday pictures can be see at DR. SEUSS.

First Grade Field Trip

First grade students really enjoyed their field trip to the Discovery Children's Museum in Hammond. See pictures of all of their adventures at FIRST GRADE TRIP.    

Seventh Grade Field Trip

Seventh grade students study a chandelier at Nottoway Plantation during their field trip yesterday. Check out all of their pictures at FIELD TRIP.  The students had a beautiful day for their adventure.

Papa John's Night

After our SJS night at Papa John's last week, the school received a check for $295.31! That's a lot of pizza! Many thanks to all who participated. Congratulations to Mrs. Caliva's class. They won the pizza party!

Community News

CAMP KATERI
Register your child @ www.rosaryvillela.com for Camp Kateri!
$450 Overnight or $295 day camp.
Join Cqmp Kateri this summer for swimming, fishing, canoeing, arts and crafts, talent shows, campfires, singing, and much, much more!
Camp Sessions are June 23-28 and July 14-19.
Camp is open to ages 7-13.
More information is available by contacting 225-294-5039.

Parish News

Personnel
Fr. Cayet Mangiaracina, O.P. - Parochial Vicar and Administrator
Fr. David K. Seid, O.P, - In Residence
Larry J. Melancon - Deacon
Mike Agnello - Deacon
Dr. M.J. "Dutch" Schanzbach - 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