Newsletter (Archived): Newsletter 1013 - Oct 2, 2013 - Oct 9, 2013 [Archive]
Psalm 137
R. Let my tongue be silenced if I ever forget you!By the streams of Babylon
we sat and wept
when we remembered Zion.
On the aspens of that land
we hung up our harps.
R. Let my tongue be silenced if I ever forget you!
Though there our captors asked of us
the lyrics of our songs,
And our despoilers urged us to be joyous:
“Sing for us the songs of Zion!”
R. Let my tongue be silenced if I ever forget you!
How could we sing a song of the LORD
in a foreign land?
If I forget you, Jerusalem,
may my right hand be forgotten!
R. Let my tongue be silenced if I ever forget you!
May my tongue cleave to my palate
if I remember you not,
If I place not Jerusalem
ahead of my joy.
R. Let my tongue be silenced if I ever forget you!
From the Principal
Dear Parents:Two things are in the works:
1) Thanks to a very generous donation of 17 i-Pads and 12 mini-pads by Mr. Troy Davis, a school parent, along with the ten parents and grandparents who donated one pad, and the financial donations of numerous individuals, the school will purchase a cart to house the pads so that the third, fourth and fifth graders will get exposure to the i-Pads with classroom projects this year. This will prepare them for the years to come.
It is our hope that we might still have mini-pads donated for use in the first and second grades. Twelve units in each grade would be most helpful. The cost of these units is $330.00. With the state tax credit of 40% and with the ability to write off the pads on the federal taxes, a parent or grandparent who itemizes would net an out-of-pocket cost of well less that $200.00. The kindergarten already has the units. Please give the school a call if you would be willing to donate a mini-pad. Again the net cost to the parent is substantially less than the cost to the school.
2) The second matter is the floor of the gymnasium. Jerod Breaux and I priced out a floor similar to the one at Holy Ghost at $33,000.00. I do not see that as an unreachable goal. The Crusader Dad’s Club has a selection of two games as part of the football raffle this year, one for the Saints and one for the Tigers, so there will be two winners. Everyone should push these tickets. We need to make this the most successful raffle yet.
There is significant energy in the school this year. Dads, please make the meeting at Mi Patio on Friday. As all of you know, there continues to be significant work to be accomplished around the school. Because of the rapid growth of the school and the aging of certain buildings on the grounds, much needs to be done. If all pitch in to do their part, progress can be fairly rapid.
-- Dr. Gerard Toups
Principal
Calendar-at-a-Glance
Friday, October 4NO SCHOOL BUSES - Everyone is carpool.
Spirit Dress (Fall Fest shirts okay)
First Quarter Accelerated Reader Deadline
Crusader Dads @ Mi Patio 6:00 p.m.
Monday-Friday, October 7-11
The library is closed.
Tuesday, October 8
Exams - Grades 6-8 - English & Science
Field Trip - 2nd Grade
Wednesday, October 9
Exams - Grades 6-8 - Reading & Social Studies
NO SCHOOL BUSES - Everyone is carpool.
Living Rosary @ 8:30
Friday, October 11
Exams - Grades 6-8 - Math
Spirit Dress (Fall Fest shirts okay)
Last Day of First Quarter
Monday, October 14
Last Day to Order Fall Fest Arm Bands
No Buses - Friday, October 4
The Tangipahoa Parish School System will not have school on Friday, October 4, due to their fair holiday.St. Joseph Catholic School DOES have school on Friday, October 4.
However, our students will not have access to bus service on that date.
We will run two carpool lines both in the morning and the afternoon on either side of the building. Please line up for carpool as usual. Teachers will be in place to direct pickup lines.
With the cooperation and patience of everyone, we can unload and load students quickly, efficiently, and safely. Thank you all for your understanding and patience during carpool.
Accelderated Reader Deadline - Friday, October 4
Accelerated Reader deadline for the first quarter is at 2:45 on Friday, October 4. Please check online or with your child's teacher to determine if points have been attained.
The library is open before school begins as well as after school for AR testing. Tests may also be taken in the classrooms.
The library will be closed after the deadline for the week of October 7-11.
Crusader Dads - Friday, October 4
The Crusader Dads will hold a welcoming meeting at Mi Patio on Friday, October 4, beginning at 6:00 p.m.All dads and grandfathers of students at St. Joseph School are invited and encouraged to attend.
More information can be obtained by contacting Jerod Breaux at 504-427-1849.
Exam Schedule
The exam schedule for students in grades 6-8 is as follows: Tuesday, October 8 ..... English and science
Wednesday, October 9 ..... reading and social studies
Friday, October 11 ..... math
No Buses - Wednesday, October 9
The Tangipahoa Parish School System will not have school on Wednesday, October 9, due to their teacher inservice.St. Joseph Catholic School DOES have school on Wednedsay, October 9.
However, our students will not have access to bus service on that date.
We will run two carpool lines both in the morning and the afternoon on either side of the building. Please line up for carpool as usual. Teachers will be in place to direct pickup lines.
With the cooperation and patience of everyone, we can unload and load students quickly, efficiently, and safely. Thank you all for your understanding and patience during carpool.
Living Rosary - Wednesday, October 9
There will be no school Mass on Wednesday, October 9.
Instead of Mass, the school will assemble in the church at 8:30 (usual Mass time) for a their annual living Rosary.
All are invited to attend. Please see the specifics below.
Who: Grades 1st – 8th
When: Wednesday, October 9th, 2013
Time: 8:30 am
Where: in Church – sit in pews, same as Mass
This year we will be praying the PATRIOTIC ROSARY for the consecration of our entire nation to Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart.
Holy, Holy, Holy God
Grant Mary her requests
That we may again be your people,
Not a nation above God
But one nation humbled under God.
Amen.
I will be distributing the rosaries that we made last year for your students to use. If you still have any from last year please let me know because I’m hoping we have enough to go around.
Please practice saying the Rosary with your Religion class(es). Make sure that your students understand that they will only pray the response to each prayer. The 8th graders will lead each prayer. You should also practice singing, God Bless America which we will sing at the end of the Rosary.
***We have permission to wear spirit dress on the day of the rosary. Each grade will wear either a red, white, or blue T-shirt according to the following list:
1st grade – red
2nd grade – red
3rd grade – white
4th grade – blue (they may wear regular spirit shirts)
5th grade – white
6th grade – white
7th grade – blue (they may wear regular spirit shirts)
8th grade – blue (they may wear regular spirit shirts)
PreK & K - red, white, or blue (student choice)
Note: We will still have spirit dress on that Friday.
Fall Fest
Fall Fest shirts were sent home with students today, Wednesday, October 2. They may be worn with spirit dress each Friday in October.The annual SJS Fall Festival will be Friday, October 18, from noon until 2:00 p.m.
All students in grades PreK- 3rd grade are asked to bring in one of the following:
***** homemade treat (ex. brownies, cookies, cupcakes, rice crispy treats, muffins, etc.) - treats need to be covered or in Ziplock bags.
***** juiceboxes
***** bottled waters
Please send in these items the week of the festival (October 14-18).
The 8th grade students will be hosting the games for the PreK-3rd grade students who will be attending the festival.
Students in 4th-7th grades will be on field trips during the festival.
PreK-3rd grade students will be at the festival playing games with prizes, face paitning, and will enjoy several inflatables set up in the gym. The school is selling armbands which allow these students unlimited game play and four tickets for refreshments. Each student attending the Fall Fest must have a grownup chaperone.
The armbands will be presold for $10 through October 14th. Please order on EDLINE. Orders after this date will be $12.
It is easier for everyone if the kids can get their armbands in the classroom prior to the festival. The presold armbands also allow the children to have more playtime.
Tickets for additional refreshments can be purchased at the festival for 25 cents each
Thank you and we are looking forward to another fun Fall Fest!
Individual Pictures
Individual picture packages have been sent home with students today, Wednesday, October 2.Pictures were only sent home with students who ordered and paid in advance.
Retakes for individual pictures will be announced as soon as one is set with the photographers. Thank you for your patience.
Cross Country News
The 2013 Tangi Cross Country Invitational was held on the STA campus in Hammond on September 26. St. Joseph’s Marley Richard led the Sub-Elementary girls team with a fourth place finish. Ava Downey was 14th. The Sub-Elementary girls' team finished second overall.
In the Elementary girls' division, Jayda Babin finished in first place with a one mile time of 6:37. This was Jayda's third time this year winning the race!
The Middle School Girls team won their division with the help of team members Paige Bankston, Madison Gill, Skylar Cheek, Marley Richard, Krislyn Dapprich, Claire Cyrus, Hannah Bankston, and Heather Habisritnger.
Other medal winners from the Tangi Cross Country Invitational included Ethan Laurent, Carson Thibodeaux, Jaydn Richard, and Peyton LeSaicherre. Congratulations to all our runners!
Child Protection
Reminder to parents:Many teachers are in the process of scheduling field trips for their classes.
Parents are sometimes asked to chaperone on these trips. In order for a parent to go with the class, they MUST have ALL child protection requirements completed. This is a requirement from the diocese.
Child Protection is a process that takes a few weeks. It cannot be done at the last minute. If you have questions or want to begin the process, please contact Mrs. Cory Pinion in the school office at 985-386-6421 or send an email to cpinion@sjscrusaders.org.
Yearbooks Have Arrived!
The 2012-2013 yearbook has arrived!Yearbooks for those who pre-ordered have already been sent home with students.
A very limited number of additional copies are available in the school office. The cost is $40.
There's an App for Us!
St. Joseph is excited to announce our new school app! It's available for iPad, iPhone, and Android devices. Find it in the App Store under St. Joseph Catholic School Ponchatoula. It's FREE!
To learn more about the app, school texts, and all of the various communication methods used by the school, please visit our COMMUNICATIONS tab on this website.
Dinner with the Bishop
The Least of These ......... Reflections on Christ's Call to Service
by Bishop Robert Meunch
Enjoy dinner with Bishop Muench and fellowship with your neighbors. Learn about the help Catholic Charities bring sto families in Tangipahoa and hear the Bishop's inspirational message.
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Doors open at 6:00 p.m.
Program starts at 6:30 p.m.
Twelve Oaks Reception Hall
SLU, 500 West Texas Avenue
Hammond, LA
Tickets are $25/person or $200/table of 8. Seating is limited.
Reservations are due by October 7.
For more information, please call 225-336-8700 ext 410 or visit www.CatholicCharitiesBR.org..
Community News
Public Square Rosary
Saturday, October 12
noon
St. Joseph School (in front of school - good weather, in chapel - bad weather)
The purpose is to pray the Rosary for world peace and respect for life.
Come and join us.
PHS Wavette Dance Clinic
Saturday, October 12
$25/student (K through 8th grade) - includes t-shirt, snack. lunch, drinks, team dance, chant, fight song routines
Registration begins at 8:45 a.m.
Parents' show is at 1:30 p.m.
For more information, please contact Molly Bel or Jeanne Ponseti at 985-386-3514.
REGISTRATION FORM
Parish News
Personnel Fr. Paul A. McDuffie, Pastor
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
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