Newsletter (Archived): Newsletter 1026 - Jan 22, 2014 - Jan 29, 2014 [Archive]
Psalm 144
R. Blessed be the Lord, my Rock! Blessed be the LORD, my rock,
who trains my hands for battle, my fingers for war.
R. Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!
My refuge and my fortress,
my stronghold, my deliverer,
My shield, in whom I trust,
who subdues my people under me.
R. Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!
O God, I will sing a new song to you;
with a ten-stringed lyre I will chant your praise,
You who give victory to kings,
and deliver David, your servant from the evil sword.
R. Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!
From the Principal
Dear Parents,Next week is Catholic Schools Week. There will be numerous activities to mark the week. Ask your children about what is happening at school during the week. The theme of the week is “Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service.” The theme encompasses several concepts that are at the heart of a Catholic education. First, schools are communities—small families in their own right, but also members of the larger community of home, church, city and nation. Faith, knowledge and service are three measures by which any Catholic school can and should be judged.
As I have served in Catholic schools over these many years. I have come to realize more and more that the heart of Catholic schools is community. No one is of need of community more than a child. A child needs to feel that he or she belongs. The Catholic school that provides that sense of community succeeds in a special way. The children come to us as little four year olds and leave as young men and women striving to find their place in the world. Catholic schools offer children comfort, security and acceptance in addition to an education. It is a second home. The meaning ‘community of faith’ is a very broad concept. Our effort is to fill the school with teachers and staff who love children and care for them with attention and concern. All work to have the children also care for one another. As a group we strive to follow Jesus when he said, “Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14
On Monday Mrs. Ashley Notariano will be announced as the alum of the year for St. Joseph School. Ms. Note, as she is known to her students, joined the St. Joseph faculty in August. She has taught at Holy Ghost School and in the Tangipahoa Public Schools. She is an1988 graduate of St. Joseph and has a M. A. degree in Educational Leadership. She is certified for elementary grades and National Board Certified. She has been a wonderful addition to the St. Joseph staff.
-- Dr. Gerard Toups
Principal
Calendar-at-a-Glance
Thursday, January 23 Parent Meeting for Track & Field
Student Council Valentine Sale
Re-registration for 2014-2015
Friday, January 24
Spirit Dress
Student Council Valentine Sale
Re-registration for 2014-2015
Sunday, January 26
Mother/Son Tailgate Party
Monday-Friday, January 27-31
Catholic Schools Week
Student Council Valentine Sale
Re-registration for 2014-2015
Tuesday, January 28
Religion Fair
Student Council Valentine Sale
Re-registration for 2014-2015
Fair Planning Meeting 6:30 in Library
Wednesday, January 29
Mass @ 8:30
Student Council Valentine Sale
Re-registration for 2014-2015
Friday, January 31
Spirit Dress
Student Council Valentine Sale
Re-registration for 2014-2015
Family Movie Night
Tuesday, February 4
Home & School Meeting
Re-registration for 2014-2015
Wednesday, February 5
Mass @ 8:30
Bring Bagged, Boxed, or Canned Good
Adopt-a-Child Collection
Midquarter
Re-registration for 2014-2015
Thursday, February 6
Individual Picture Re-takes
8th Grade Cap & Gown Pictures
Re-registration for 2014-2015
Friday, February 7
Spirit Dress
Sock Hop
Re-registration Ends
2014-2015 Re-Registration
Re-registration for families already attending St. Joseph Catholic School who plan to return in the fall begins today, 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.
Valentine's Day Fund Raiser
The 2014 St. Joseph Catholic School Student Council began 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. Deadline for the purchase is January 31.
Purchase as many hearts and pencils as you like. Additional cards are also 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 last week, 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,
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. .
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.
Family Movie Night - Friday, January 31
Put on your comfy jammies, bring your pillows and blanket, and enjoy the showing of our feature presentation of Despicable Me 2. The St. Joseph Home and School will be hosting a movie night on Friday, January 31, for all St. Joseph students and their families.
It will begin at 7:00 pm in the St. Joseph gym.
Admission is free to this event with popcorn and juice available, also at no charge. If you prefer to bring your own snacks, please feel free.
Doors open at 7:00, and movie begins at 7:15, so be ready for a great night with your family!
Click to see the movie TRAILER.
Jr. Beta Club Installataion
New members of the St. Joseph Catholic School chapter of the National Jr. Beta Club were installed in a ceremony following Mass this morning.Pictured above are the new members of the club. More pictures, including the pinning of new members, can be seen at BETA in the Photo Albums section of this website.
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.
Prospective Students
If you have friends, neighbors, or relatives who might be interested in sending their children to St. Joseph School, please provide us with their names and addresses so that we may send them an invitation to our Open House. Prospective parents will be able to see classes in session, meet and talk with the teachers, ask questions, and get a "feel" for St. Joseph School at this Open House.
Our parents are our best advocates. Thank you for your tremendous support.
You may download the form at OPEN HOUSE, fill it out, and send it to the office. You may also email information to sjsoffice@sjscrusaders.org.
Change in Terra Nova Dattes
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.
Spring Fair News
Spring Fair packets were sent home today, January 22. All of the information concerning the fair is included in an easy to follow format.
Included in the packet are:
fair events and stage performance schedule
raffle ticket letter
jambalaya cook-off form
fiar toshirt order form
explanation of pay-one-price GoldStar Rides bracelets
ride pass order form
sponsorship letter
class basket/silent auction drop-off
and St. Joseph's first ever 5K fun run.
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
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