St. Joseph
Catholic School

Psalm 17

R. Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full. 

Hear, O LORD, a just suit;
attend to my outcry;
hearken to my prayer from lips without deceit.

R. Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full. 

My steps have been steadfast in your paths,
my feet have not faltered.
I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
incline your ear to me; hear my word. 

R. Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full. 

Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings.
But I in justice shall behold your face;
on waking, I shall be content in your presence. 

R. Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.

From the Principal

Dear Parents,

Thanks to all who helped at Grandparents Day. It was heartwarming to see how many grandparents take time to come and be present to their grandchildren. We received numerous complements. 

Thanks to Mrs. Dyer for her part in preparing the prayer service, Mrs. Carroll and her crew for the Book Fair, the office staff for their help in organizing, the ladies who served the cookies and coffee and all others whose efforts made the day a success.. The students’ readings are the highlight of the day. I thought the quote from one of the students that “What happens at Grandma’s, stays at Grandma’s” was particularly telling.

Mrs. Casey who teaches third grade has taken a Leave of Absence because of illness. She is being replaced by Mrs. Nicole Maurin. Please remember Mrs. Casey and her family in your prayers. We all pray for her return to St. Joseph in full health.

The faculty and Staff of SJS wish everyone a safe and Happy Thanksgiving. We look forward to seeing you for three weeks of school before the end of the semester and the Christmas holidays. 

-- Dr. Gerard Toups
    Principal

Calendar-at-a-Glance

Friday, November 22
Spirit Dress

Monday, November 25-Friday, November 29
Thanksgiving Holidays 

Sunday, December 1
First Sunday of Advent

Monday, December 2
Blessing of Advent Wreaths

Tuesday, December 3
Mass @ 8:30
Adopt-a-Child Collection
Bring a bagged, boxed, or canned good
Home & School Meeting @ 6:30
SJS/Papa John's Pizza Night

Wednesday, December 4
NO SCHOOL MASS
Advisory Council Meeting @ 6:30

Thursday, December 5
Field Trip - 6th Grade

Friday, December 6
Spirit Dress
St. Nicholas Day

Sunday, December 8
Second Sunday of Advent

Tuesday, December 10
December Birthdays

Wednesday, December 11
Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited to attend.
Bring Bagged, Boxed, or Canned Good

Thursday, December 12
Guest Speaker - 7th Grade

Friday, December 13
Accelerated Reader Deadline 
Spirit Dress
Father/Daughter Dance

Sunday, December 15
Third Sunday of Advent

Monday-Friday, December 16-20
Library Closed

Monday, December 16
Exams - Grades 6-8 - English/Science

Tuesday, December 17
Exams - Grades 6-8 - Reading/SS

Wednesday, December 18
Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited to attend.
Bring Bagged, Boxed, or Canned Good

Thursday, December 19
Exams - Grades 6-8 - Math
Kindergarten Polar Express Day
PreK Christmas Fun Day

Friday, December 20 -
Spirit Dress
Last Day of Second Quarter/First Semester
Christmas Program/Parties
11:15 Dismissal

December 23-January 3
Christmas/New Years Holidays

Monday, January 6
Classes Resume 
No Buses

November Crusaders

Congratulations to Nate Palisi (2nd grade) and Avery Myers (8th grade) our November Crusaders of the Month!

Book Fair Family Shopping - Thursday, November 21

The St. Joseph/Scholastic Book Fair will be held Monday-Friday, November 18-22.

Our bookfair has its own website. You or anyone else may order from the website if you can't make it to the fair. This is great for filling that Christmas list! The website also has shopping times and a contact link to our bookfair chairman. Check it out at BOOKFAIR. 

Family Shopping Night is  Thursday, November 21, from 6:00-7:30.

See you there!

Bishop's Visit - Tuesday, December 3

The bishop will be at St. Joseph to visit with the students on Tuesday, December 3.

He will begin his visit with Mass at 8:30. Due to the Bishop's visit, we will not have our school Mass on Wednesday of that week.

We look forward to welcoming Bishop Meunch on that day.

Thanksgiving Holidays - November 25-29

St. Joseph Catholic School will be closed Monday-Friday, November 25-29, in observance of Thanksgiving. We hope everyone has a blessed week off.

Home & School Meeting - Tuesday, December 3

The next Home and School Meeting of the year will be held on Tuesday, December 3, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the gym.

As this is a business meeting for adults, we appreciate parents making arrangements for their children.

To learn more about the Home and School Association, please visit the school website atHOME & SCHOOL.

SJS/Papa John's Pizza Night - Tuesday, December 3

It's time for SJS/Papa John's Pizza Night again!

Mark you calendars for Tuesday, December 3. If you order from Papa John's Pizza that evening and mention the school's name, the school receives a percentage of the proceeds that night.

We've had wonderful response in the past, and the school has received a check from Papa John's each time.

Don't forget that the class with the most orders will win a pizza party, so also leave a teacher's name when ordering.

Last month, Mrs. Harwell's kindergarten earned a pizza party, and the school received a check from Papa John's for almost $250! What an easy and enjoyable way for the school to get money!

December Birthdays - Tuesday, December 10

All students at St. Joseph who have a birthday in December may come out of uniform on Tuesday, December 10.

This is the only day students with December birthdays may come out of uniform. There is no make-up day.

Out of uniform guidelines can be found on the WEBSITE.

Accelerated Reader Deadline - Friday, December 13

The last day to take an Accelerated Reader test for the second quarter is Friday, December 13. The library will be open until 2:50 on that day.

Father/Daughter Dance - Friday, December 13

It's Totally Awesome 80's at the annual Father/Daughter Dance.

The theme is 80's wear. An award will be given out for the best dressed couple!

All grades are invited.

All dads are welcome to come and enjoy a night out with their little girl(s).

There will be music, dancing, food, drinks, and pictures available.

Friday, December 13, from 7:00-9:30 p.m.

The early bird price is $20. This admits one dad and one daughter. It's only $5.00 extra for each additional dad or daughter.

At the door, the price increases to $30 per dad/daughter with an extra $5.00 for each additional dad/daughter.

We know special circumstances permit another male figure in the student's life. This may include grandfather, uncle, etc.

Sign up on EDLINE specifying the gir(s) who will be attending and who will be their escort. Sendyour check to the office.

Pilgrims & Indians

Eighth grader Darien Boesch poses with his kindergarten buddy Zachary Bagby in their pilgrim hats as part of the SJS traditional Pilgrims and Indians Thanksgiving Mass. All of the pictures can be seen at THANKSGIVING.

7th field trip

.Grant Amerson and Chase Mack balance cups as part of the 7th grade field trip to Tickfaw State Park. To see all of the pictures, go to SAFARI.

Grandparents' Day a Success!

.Students spent Friday afternoon enjoying Grandparents' Day at school! The pictures are now posted in the Photo Albums on the school website. Check them out at GRANDPARENTS. 

Cafeteria Basket Winner

Hayden Broussard (5th grade) won the November cafeteria basket.

To learn basket giveaway details and see the December basket, visit our CAFETERIA page.

Community News

PONCHATOULA CHRISTMAS LIGHTING EVANGELIZATION/OUTREACH

We are looking for volunteers to come help share our Catholic faith with the people in our community at the Ponchatoula Christmas Lighting on Friday, December 6, at 5:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall (old church).

Donations Needed:
cookies
hot chocolate powder
cups, plates, and napkins
marshmellows
Christmas decorations
arts and crafts supplies

Behind the Scenes Volunteers:
set up 5:00 p.m.
clean up 8:30 p.m.

Christmas Carolers and Greeters
children, teens, and adults

We will be passing out cookies and hot chocolate, doing a craft with the children, and singing carols. Adults will also be passing out books and media about Jesus and Catholicism.

It's very important that we Catholics be out in the community doing various types of evangelization/outreach. Plese come help us shar the Spirit fo Christmas with our community.

If you are interested in helping out, please contact Rachel Rojo at 504-432-3360.

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