December 10, 2021 Edition |
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Dear St. Joe’s Parents,
Are there any parents who can say that growing up for them was easy. Was the road through adolescence and the teenage years stress free and absent of difficulties/challenges? I think not. It is certainly no different for our children in 2021.
One difference…one added layer between then and now is the atmosphere or the culture that surrounds us. Our children are living in a world that makes it difficult to focus on schoolwork, homework, and after school activities alone. Between Covid, school violence, and everyday tensions in the country/world, our young people have a lot to handle. I was struck with this thought during this past week as I stood at the test and say location and watched as parents accompanied their child(ren) through the line…swabbing, consoling, and at times, wiping tears. These are not easy times. Congratulations and thanks to all who are helping our children navigate these “troubled waters.” School break is but a week away. We all need that break, most especially our children.
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Sincerely,
Dr. Joe Barnes
Interim Head of School
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We are modifying our reporting practice to the St. Joe’s community of positive COVID cases. Till now, we have informed the entire school of the discovery of a positive case. We have been told and have witnessed firsthand the undue anxiety that this school wide reporting has caused. As a response to this, we will continue to monitor, respond, and report to those who are directly affected/impacted, i.e. classes and close contacts. It will not be a school wide notice. We believe that “need to know” is the guideline we will use going forward. |
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Santa’s Workshop is coming! Every December, St. Joe’s celebrates a Christmas tradition – Santa’s Workshop. During this time, children have the opportunity to purchase gifts for everyone on their Christmas list.
Please review the schedule for grades preschool – grade 5. Note: grade 5 will be shopping on Tuesday, December 14th, grades kindergarten – grade 4 will shop on Wednesday, December 15th and preschool and pre-k will shop on Thursday, December 16th.
Letters have gone home with more details and an envelope for your child to fill out with information as to who they are shopping for. Please check your child’s backpack for the Santa’s Workshop letter and envelope. Please return the envelope with your child on the day they will be shopping.
Tuesday, December 14, 2021
1:20 pm – 1:40 pm 5A
1:40 pm – 2:00 pm 5B
2:00 pm – 2:20 pm 5C
Wednesday, December 15, 2021
8:30 am – 8:50 am K1
8:50 am – 9:10 K2
9:10 am – 9:30 am K3
9:30 am – 9:50 am 4A
9:50 am – 10:10 am 4B
10:10 am – 10:30 am 4C
10:30 am – 10:50 am 1A
10:50 am – 11:10 am 1B
11:10 am – 11:30 am 1C
11:30 am – 11:50 am 3A
11:50 am – 12:10 pm 3B
12:10 pm – 12:30 pm 3C
12:30 pm – 12:50 pm 2A
12:50 pm – 1:10 pm 2B
1:10 pm – 1:30 pm 2C
1:45 pm – 2:05 pm 2D
Thursday, December 16, 2021 at the Early Childhood Building
8:30 am – 9:00 am Pre K 1
9:00 am – 9:30 am Pre K 2
9:30 am – 10:00 am Preschool 1
10:00 am – 10:30 am Preschool 2
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Thank you to all of our 5th and 6th grade families who contributed their time and efforts to making fleece blankets to donate. It was a big success! The veterans who received our adult blankets were very appreciative, so we reached out again and asked what else they might have need for. We will be doing a collection with the upper grades and then asking the lower grades to make cards to send.
GRADE 8- Winter Hats
GRADE 7 – Winter Gloves
GRADE 6 – Socks
GRADE 5 – Chocolates
ALL OTHER GRADES – Cards (made in school)
All donations should be in by Friday, 12/17.
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During this Season of Advent, the 8th grade students are busy preparing their annual gift to the parish community. This year, due to the pandemic, we will not be able to invite the parish community to join us for the live performance of the Nativity story. Only parents and immediate family members of the 8th grade students will be in attendance. However, the show will be videoed and posted on the school YouTube page. Please tune in to enjoy our students retelling of the story of the Birth of Christ.
In other 8th grade news, the Class of 2022 is in the process of making important decisions about where they will go to high school next year. Students who are applying to private schools are in the midst of taking the HSPT and ISEE entrance exams and writing essays for their applications. We are so proud of all their many accomplishments over their years here at Saint Joes and know they will make a great impression in their interviews and school visits.
Finally, a BIG thank you to all of the 8th grade students who have been showing their teachers little acts of kindness. Their notes of gratitude sent before the Thanksgiving break were so heartfelt and genuine. The faculty were very delighted by this unexpected gift.
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Thank You notes for Christmas Collection |
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If you child has requested thank you notes for the Christmas Collection, please have all notes written and returned to the front office or the red letter mailbox outside of the front office no later than Tuesday morning (December 14th).
Thank you for your dedication to our teachers and staff at SJS!
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Morning Drop Off - Important |
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The test and stay lines in the front of the school coupled with parents exiting the back parking lot on to Pickering St. has created a dangerous situation. Cars traveling down Pickering, dropping off students, as well as parents parking to accompany their child to test and stay has caused congestion and some very unsafe moments. PLEASE drive slowly in that area. We will try to place a teacher/administrator in the street to control the traffic. |
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There are 10 more spots open for Ski Club, grades 5-8 ONLY. Please make sure to read through the whole form for pricing and more details. This must be completed by December 15th or until all 10 spots are filled.
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Saint Joseph Prep - Admissions Info |
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Saint Joseph Prep has two more Prospective Student Shadow Days, one on November 17 and another on December 1. These Shadow Days are set to run from approximately 7:20 am- 12:00 pm and allow students to shadow classes and be paired with a current SJP student to experience a day in the life of an SJP student. If you have a student interested in doing one of these Shadow Days, please have them send an email to admissions@saintjosephprep.org to register.
December 15, 2021 -Priority Application Deadline (application through Ravenna)
December 31, 2021 -Financial Aid Applications Due (via FACTS)
February 3, 2021 – Admissions Decisions Mailed to Students
March 1 & 8, 2022 – Admitted Student Visit Days
March 31, 2022 – New Student Registration Deadline
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Once again the Needham Women’s Club will hold their Annual Holiday House Tour virtually and as a drive by outside event. The event will begin as a scavenger hunt on November 26 for children to find “Holly” the house tour Puppy in stores in Needham. Prizes will be awarded to all participants who complete the visit.
December 12th - Car parade beginning at 5pm at Memorial Park and will pass many by of the homes and neighborhoods. The tours will continue until December 31.
Locations of Homes, Holly Scavenger Hunt form and Parade Route will be online at NeedhamWomensClub.org. If interested in participating contact cynthiamagowan@gmail.com.
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- At morning drop off it is important to please pull all the way up to where the teacher is standing to prevent a back-up of cars on Highland Ave. Also, students should exit cars once you pull up along the school, please do not wait until you are at the front of the line to have your child get out of the car.
- Please send us your Christmas Cards! We display all of them for the faculty, staff and students to see in the main office!
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Saturday, December 11th - Gingerbread House Decorating Event
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Tuesday, December 14th - All Student Council Reps Meeting
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Wednesday, December 15th - Santa's Workshop (Free PJ Day)
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Wednesday, December 15th - Toys for Tots Collection
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Friday, December 17th - School Mass - 7th Grade
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Friday, December 17th - 8th Grade Live Nativity
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In the spirit of the season, 5th graders are busy making Christmas cards for St Joseph home-bound parishioners. A loving way to share their time and talents with others! |
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