St. Joseph
Catholic School

Psalm 40

R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will. 

I have waited, waited for the LORD,
and he stooped toward me and heard my cry.
Blessed the man who makes the LORD his trust;
who turns not to idolatry
or to those who stray after falsehood. 

R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will. 

Sacrifice or oblation you wished not,
but ears open to obedience you gave me.
Burnt offerings or sin-offerings you sought not;
then said I, “Behold I come.” 

R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will. 

“In the written scroll it is prescribed for me.
To do your will, O my God, is my delight,
and your law is within my heart!”
R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
I announced your justice in the vast assembly;
I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know. 

R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

From the Principal

Dear Parents:

The St. Joseph School Advisory Board has approved a $100.00 increase in tuition for the 2014-2015 school year. This calculates to just over 2% increase in cost to a family over the 2013-2014 school year. Rates are on the SCHOOL WEBSITE. Tuition is very competitive with nearby Catholic and private schools.

Parents should be aware that the school will not open the gates in the morning when it is raining as it did Monday morning. We will route cars to the side of the gym where students can be unloaded without getting wet. Please leave your home earlier if the weather is bad to assure that your child is not tardy.

The St. Joseph Staff is preparing for Catholic Schools Week. We will have an active program for the students for the week including the Religion Fair, Distinguished Graduate presentation, Catholic School Mass with the announcement of the Crusaders of the Month and Teachers’ Appreciation Day. 

-- Dr. Gerard Toups
    Principal

Calendar-at-a-Glance

Thursday, January 16
Spelling Bee after School

Friday, January 17
Spirit Dress

Monday, January 20
Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday - No School

Tuesday, January 21
100th Day of School (grades 1-8)

Tuesday, January 21 - Friday, January 31
Student Council Valentines Sale before School

Wednesday, January 22
Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited to attend.
Jr. Beta Club Induction
Circles of Care Instruction
Re-registration for Current Families Begins 

Thursday, January 23
Parent Meeting for Track & Field

Friday, January 24
Spirit Dress

Sunday, January 26
Mother/Son Tailgate Party

Monday-Friday, January 27-31
Catholic Schools Week

Tuesday, January 28
Religion Fair

Wednesday, January 29
Mass @ 8:30

Friday, January 31
Spirit Dress

2014-2015 Tuition/Re-Registration

Re-registration for families already attending St. Joseph Catholic School who plan to return in the fall will begin next week, Wednesday, January 22.

A form will be sent home for everyone to indicated whether or not their child/children will be returning to St. Joseph in 2014-2015. 

Forms will be due back to the school office by Friday, February 7.

There is also a place on the form for siblings who will be entering St. Joseph for the first time next year.

It is VERY important that this form be returned by the due date with the $200 per child registration fee in order to be considered registered for the next school year. 

A tuition increase of $100 for next school year has been approved by the Advisory Council. All tuition and fees are listed on the SCHOOL WEBSITE.

MLK Holiday - Monday, January 20

St. Joseph Catholic School will be closed on Monday, January 20, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

We will resume classes on Tuesday, January 21.

Valentine's Day Fundraiser - January 21-31

The 2014 St. Joseph Catholic School Student Council will begin their annual Valentine's Day fund raiser for chaity on Tuesday, January 21. 

This year, the Student Council is selling Valentine's Day themed pencils with the student's own specialized message on an accompanying heart.

The cost will be $1.00 for each heart/pencil. The proceeds from the sale will go toward a charity in our area.

The hearts/pencils will be distributed to the studens on Friday, February 14, during homeroom. 

To purchase a Paper Heart and a Valentine's Day Themed Pencil:
     1. Fill out completely the recipient information on the cards sent home on                    
                          Wednesday, January 15, or download the form VALENTINE.
      2. Send the card along with $1.00 donation to the morning assembly.
     3. Tables will be set up on January 21-31, for the students to write their        
                          personalized messages on the hearts.
     4. Dadline for the purchase is January 31.

Purchase as many hearts and pencils as you like. Additional cards are available by request in the office.

Circles of Care - Wednesday, January 22

The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People requires that all children enrolled in Catholic Schools receive Safe Environment training. The Diocese of Baton Rouge will provide such training for grades K-12 utilizing the program, Circles of Care.

The Circles of Care lesson for your child's grade level is schedule on Wednesday, January 22. Parents have the right to opt their children out of receiving Safe Environment training. If you choose not to have your child participate in the training, it is required that you sign and submit THIS FORM to the office by Tuesday, January 21. We only need this form is you do not want your child to participate in the safety lesson.

It is the responsibility of the parents/guardians to ensure that school personnel are in receipt of this form.

The Circles of Care lesson plan for your child's grade level may be reviewed at www.diobrocyp.org.

Track & Field Meeting - Thursday, January 23

A mandatory parent meeting for all studenet interested in participating in track and field will be ehdl on Thursday, January 23, at 7:00 p.m. in the school gym.

This sport is open to students in grades PreK-8th. An INTEREST SURVEY was sent home with students today, Wednesday, January 15. Please fill it out and send it back to school. Coaches are needed at some grade levels. 

Questions may be sent to our Athletic Director, Mrs. Melissa Thomas, at mthomas@sjscrusaders.org,

Mother/Son Tailgate Party - Sunday, January 26

Even though it doesn't happen until next year, that's coming quicker than you think!

It's time to start thinking about the Mother/Son Tailgate Party!

The event will take place on Sunday, January 26, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at the school.

Cost is $20 per mother/son ticket and only an additional $5 for each additional son.

Food and drinks will be served at the party.

Tickets can be reserved on EDLINE. Please remit payment to the office in a well-marked envelope.

We'd like to extend our thanks to J&J Inflatables for their donation of jumping inflatables to the party.

We have a flyer if a visual reminder is desired. TAILGATE PARTY.

Update: 
Moms! Bring your ball park chairs or a blanket for a picnic, wear your favorite team shirt, and come play some games and enjoy a wonderful afternoon with your son on January 26th from 2-4. Sign up by Wednesday, January 22!

Benefit Dinner - Tuesday, February 25

The Crusader Dads are sponsoring a dinner for the benefit of St. Joseph Catholic School.

The dinner will be held on Tuesday, February 25, with a social from 5:30-6:30 and dinner served from 6:30-8:30. 

The dinner is hosted by NOLA Cafe' located at 1625 Highway 51 in Ponchatoula.

Tickets are limited. Only 150 will be sold. Tickets are $100 per couple. 

The dinner menu consists of the following:
Wood Grilled Filet Mignon
VooDoo Chicken
Shrimp & Crab Pasta
Twice Baked Potato
Penne Pasta
Sauteed Vegetables
Salad with Choice of Dressing
Bread Pudding
Soft Drink/Tea/House Wine.

A cash bar will be available.

Tickets may be purchased from any members of the Crusader Dads. Tickets are also available in the office. Please make checks payable to Dinners that Make a Difference.

Change in Terra Nova Dates

Our superintendent of Catholic schools, Dr. Melanie Verges, has contacted us with a change in Terra Nova testing dates.

The test dates are now scheduled for the week after our Easter holidays, April 28-May 2, and May 5-8. 

SJS/Papa John's Pizza Results

Papa John's Pizza delivered a check to the school for $262.13. This is for our December date with them. 

The  winner of the pizza party is Mrs. Dufreche's class. Congratulations to them!

Many thanks to all who participated in this easy fundraiser. The next date will be announced soon.

Spring Fair News - Confetti Eggs

St. Joseph School is now taking donations of eggshells to be used in the confetti egg booth.

To easily clean eggs:
1. Poke a hole in the top of the egg with a knife.
2. Peel a small amount of the top of the shell (about the size of a nickel).
3. Pour out the egg.
4. Rinse well and air dry.

Please bring your eggshells to school. Mrs. Curtis will collect them during morning assembly. Do not give them to the office or your homeroom teacher. Label your carton with your name and grade. Those students who bring in two dozen eggs will be treated to a popsicle.

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.

Weekday Mass Schedule
The week day Masses on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday will be at 8:30 a.m. Reconciliation (Confessions) will be available before all week day Masses at 8:00 a.m. in addition to Confessions on Saturday from 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Contact Information
Address - 255 North 8th Street (P.O. Box 368), Ponchatoula, LA 70454
Phone - 985.386.3749
Website - www.stjosephsonline.com