"St. Joseph's School strives for academic excellence by encouraging the development-mind, body, and spirit-within an environment of Christian values  and the Catholic faith."   -School Mission Statement 2006

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ST. JOSEPH’S SCHOOL FAMILY NEWSLETTER

MAY 7, 2012

"Now let the heavens be joyful,
Let earth her song begin:
Let the round world keep triumph,
And all that is therein;
Invisible and visible,
Their notes let all things blend,
For Christ the Lord is risen
Our joy that hath no end."
                -- St. John of Damascus, doctor of the church

OUR EASTER CELEBRATION CONTINUES-ALLELUIA!
    
Mother’s Day and Fishing Opener this weekend-the end of the school year is coming quickly! 

We will send out one more Family Newsletter on May 21 followed by a State of the School Report that we will mail to you with the children’s report cards in June. Thank you for your attention to these letters as they come home to you.  

TUITION CONTRACTS will be sent to you in the last Family Newsletter.   When you receive these we ask that you~
~Mark any changes you wish to make (payment plan, address, phone number, etc.) OR write “No Changes” on the form
~RETURN FORM TO OUR OFFICE BY JUNE 1

TUITION ASSISTANCE FORMS for 2012-2013 school year will be available in the school office.  Please pick one up at your earliest convenience. Tuition Assistance Applications are due to SMART Tuition the week of June 4.

SCHOOL BOARD   As we near the end of this school year, I want to acknowledge and thank the members of the 2011-2012 School Board. The mission of the St. Joseph’s School Board is “to provide for the necessary guidance and decisive environment for the proper function of the school.”  (Board Constitution, April 2006)     This consultative board works with the principal and the pastor to help set procedures in place to achieve overall goals for the school. This Board was an important part of supporting the move to our new school and reviewing the Parent Student Handbook. All outgoing Board members have agreed to Fr. Jerry’s request to stay “onboard” for the next year to help with our school accreditation, a gift of their time for which I am grateful. I appreciate the contributions and service of Bob Beaver, Molly Miskovich, Kim Geislinger, Amanda Butterfield, Steve Achan, Amanda Dosen-Windorski, Tricia Sterle, Maria Asplund,Patty Gould St. Aubin, Heidi Chandler, Mandy Dick, and Jean Key.  I would be remiss if I also did not acknowledge the service of Matt Romanik, whose presence we greatly missed this past school year.
    
Thank you to all our Board members for sharing your ideas and expertise in service to St. Joseph’s School.

SERVICE HOURS
We mailed out notices for families who have not yet completed Service Hours for this past year.  I am once again impressed that most families have completed their service commitment.  Our school is a better place because of YOUR involvement. Still need some hours?  Here are three opportunities
•Serving Coffee & Doughnuts after the Masses on THIS Sunday, May 13, is the responsibility of St. Joseph’s School Families- please let Mrs. Matetich know if you can help out.  Instructions provided!
•FUN FESTIVAL is the last day of school, Thursday, May 31.  Contact Doreen Seekon or our school office if you can help out.
•Boxtops, Soup Labels & Milkcaps are being counted-but we could use more help.  Again, contact the school office if you can help.
•Get started on hours for 2012-2013 by helping out with St. Joseph’s SpiritFest this July.  Please contact Shannon or Jamie Harker, Peg Schroeder or our school office if you can help with this fun event!

Please refer to the FUNDRAISING & SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES booklet for more ideas on how to fulfill your Service Hours.  You can find this booklet on our website. Click on the Parent Resources tab.

Fr. Jerry’s Annual Cookout in Celebration of Service & Fr. Jerry’s Birthday is Thursday, May 17.  An invitation is included in this week’s envelope.If you have volunteered at our school this past year-but did not receive an invitation-PLEASE JOIN US at noon on that day!

OUR BUSY ST. JOSEPH’S STUDENTS!!!
~Congratulations to our Second Graders and other students who made their First Communion this month.
~Congratulations to our Fifth Grade DARE students on their graduation (and Dominic & Jacinta on their winning essays!)
~Congratulations to our Math Masters Team who placed TOP in our area at the regional Math Masters meet!
~Thank you to the Preschoolers who picked up garbage on the grounds around our school in observance of Earth Day and the Fourth Graders who planted trees for Arbor Day along with other fourth grade classes in the area.
~Good luck to students in grades 4-5-6 as they present their Science Fair projects to the judges from throughout the Grand Rapids community who volunteer their time to be with our students.  Good work!

REMINDERS about the last week of school 

You are invited and encouraged to come to all of these activities.  
-Birthday Blessings for May, June and July will take place at May 23 Mass
-No school on Monday, May 28
-School Honor Assembly on Wednesday, May 30 at 10 am, in the school gym. During this assembly, we take time to recognize achievements of students, especially those older students who have been here throughout their academic career.  Everyone is invited to come.
-Sixth Grade Graduation Mass on Wednesday, May 30, at 1:30.  All classes will attend this Mass.  The Fifth Grade Parents will host a reception for the graduates and their guests following Mass.  Students (except 6th Graders), should wear their uniforms on this day-no shorts at Mass, please.
    
-Fun Festival is the last day of school, Thursday, in the afternoon.  Helpers are needed for this fun event.  See enclosed sheet for information. This is a non-uniform day.             
-Good-bye time…teachers request that students return to their classrooms at the conclusion of the Fun Festival  to be with their classmates and teacher and say good-bye….one last activity and prayer together before the year is over!

One additional Fun Festival note to St. Joseph’s School Families-please remind former students from St. Joseph’s School who currently attend the High School and Middle School that the teachers and administration expect them to stay at their school that day unless they have written permission from a parent.   We wish to work in cooperation with the other schools in this matter-thanks!  

Lost & Found Items….will be donated to Goodwill during the first week of June.  Please take time to look in our school Lost & Found Areas, one by the SAC entrance and one in the SAC Room.  Thank you!

LIBRARY:  The last days for library classes are soon.   Overdue notices are being sent home. Please search high and low for those elusive volumes that have (temporarily) hidden themselves-thanks!  

FIELD TRIPS, ETC….  In addition to school-wide events, there are MANY classroom end-of-the-year events.  Please check those backpacks and take-home folders. Call us if you have any questions (326-6232).

Summer SAC runs June 18 through August 17, Monday – Friday, from 7 am to 6 pm.  Please contact Jodi Weber, SAC Director, for more registration packets and information.  You can reach SAC by calling our school office (326-6232) and following the prompts to connect with SAC’s extension.

Blessings to All our Mothers on this upcoming Mother's Day and Good luck to all the anglers out fishing this weekend!

Mrs. Teresa Matetich
Principal, St. Joseph’s School

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St. Joseph's School is accredited through the Minnesota Non-public School Accreditation Association (MNSAA). Average class size is 22 students in grades Preschool through Grade 6.