12/6/2018 Newsletter

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From the Principal's Desk...

Seasons Greetings,

The Christmas Pageant on Sunday, December 16th at 2:00PM is coming together very nicely. We're anxiously awaiting the performance in our new Daniel & Catherine Ivascyn Performing Arts Center which is now equipped with our own lighting, wireless microphones, and more. This inaugural event is sure to be exciting! Please see below for more detailed information regarding arrival time and dress code, as well as the form to return to confirm your attendance. All students are asked to attend. Please remember to mark your calendars!

Clarification on school dismissal at the end of the day:

The Pre-K classes dismiss at 2:15 at the back of the building
Kindergarten also dismisses at 2:15 at the parking lot (side) door
At 2:20 we begin our end of day prayers and announcements. Then, students line up in three groups: pick-up, after care, and bus students. Pick-up students are escorted by the teacher as a class and brought outside to the parking lot exit where teachers identify the adult picking up the student(s) for security purposes, usually two classes at a time to avoid confusion. Grades 5-8 are the last group to leave.

To help, parents and adults picking up should be closer to the area rather than standing far way to be recognized. This will expedite the procedure allowing other classes to dismiss one right after the other. Your corporation is deeply appreciated.

Sister Jeanne and her 4th grade class began the Advent season on Monday morning. Her students read prayers and led the school in several songs. The first advent candle was lit at the conclusion of this beautifully done celebration. Thank you Sister Jeanne and Grade 4 students for a job well done!

Finally, on days when school has a delay due to inclement weather, the morning care will be available 1 hour before the opening of school. For example, if school is delayed 1 hour (9AM), morning care will be available at 8AM, if delayed 2 hours (10AM) morning care will be available at 9:00AM.

Sincerely,

Michael Hackenson M.Ed.

Principal

First Sunday Of Advent: Grade 4 Prayer Service

St. Joseph School Performance at Macy's

St. Joseph School students are invited to

go caroling at the Auburn Mall!

When: Saturday, December 8th from Noon to 1PM

Where: Macy's Auburn Mall location

Who: ANY student in grades 1-8

Dress: Students should wear their formal uniform

Festive hats are also encouraged

We will sing a set list of songs that Macy's has requested: We Wish You a Merry Christmas, Deck the Halls, Jolly Old St. Nicholas, 12 Days of Christmas, Jingle Bells, and Up on the Housetop

Song sheets will be provided. Meet Ms. Bailey inside the mall right outside of Macy's at 11:45. Directions will be given at that time.

Saturday, December 8th

Second Sunday of Advent, Holy Day of Obligation - The Immaculate Conception, Family Mass and Tree Lighting

This coming Saturday, December 8th, please join us at 4 PM Mass for the Installation of the Children of Mary.

Following Mass, we will light the St. Joseph Christmas Tree and then proceed to the school for a visit with St. Nicholas. There will be photo opportunities and snacks.

St Joseph School Athletics

2018-2019 Athletic Season Pep Rally

St. Joseph School students recognized its athletes on Friday, November 30th during their Annual Pep Rally. Led by our cheerleaders, students chanted and sang songs to encourage our winter athletes. They also recognized our fall athletes. The excitement in the new gymnasium was contagious. See the video below.

Basketball Season: Off to a Great Start!

Our basketball players kicked-off their season at HOME this past Sunday against Trinity Catholic Academy. The JV Girls, JV Boys, and Varsity Girls all played great games, but came up a little short. The Varsity Boys were victorious, finishing with a score of 41 - 33.

Upcoming Games

Saturday, December 8th - Intramural : St. Joseph School is proud to be hosting the Route 395 Intramural Games for the 2018-2019 season. This Saturday, our 3rd & 4th Grade basketball players kick-off their season at 9am against Trinity Catholic Academy (TCA). All are invited to come out and cheer on Coach Grupposo and our future stars. Please note that we will be utilizing the two smaller basketball courts at the same time. While we are taking on TCA, St. Joseph North Grosvenordale will also be playing St. James. Intramural games will be played each Saturday at 9am.

Saturday, December 8th - JV Boys, Varsity Girls, and Varsity Boys : Take-on All Saints Academy (ASA). Tip-off is at noon at the ASA, 12 Day Street, Webster, MA.

Sunday, December 9th - JV Boys, Varsity Girls, and Varsity Boys : Take-on St. James. Tip-off is at 1:00PM at St. James Catholic School, 120 Water Street, Danielson, CT.

For a complete game schedule, click HERE

Annual Student Council Coat Drive

During the season of Advent, the Student Council will once again be conducting a coat, hat, scarf, and glove drive in conjunction with the Webster Police Department. These items will be brought by the Police Department to the Webster Food Share for distribution. All sizes, from infant to adult, are accepted. Articles of clothing should be clean and wearable. Winter coats, hats, scarf and gloves may be dropped off at school during the morning drop off beginning Tuesday, December 3rd and ending December 19th. Members of the Student Council will be outside to collect your contributions. Thank you!

Home and School Association Updates

TREE LIGHTING - Dec. 8th

Following the St. Joseph Tree Lighting, the H.S.A. will be offering cookies and juice in the school cafeteria. There will also be Christmas Carols and a visit from St. Nicholas with lots of photo opportunities.

LETTERS TO SANTA DUE - Dec. 10th

Children's letters to Santa should be dropped in the mailbox outside of the main office by December 10th, allowing time for Santa to respond to the children! If you need service hours H.S.A. (Santa’s helpers) will be responding to letters on Dec 13th at 6:30pm in the 3rd floor computer room. Feel free to come help.

Click HERE for a template so your student can send a letter to Santa.

SANTA SHOPPE - Dec. 10th - 13th - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The H.S.A. is in need of help so this special holiday event will be a success. If you're available to help staff the Shoppe, please click HERE and complete the sign-up sheet. Service Hours will be awarded. Please note that we provide this as a fun service to our students, however, we cannot open the Shoppe without volunteers.

SANTA SHOPPE - Dec. 10th - 13th - BUDGET HELPER

So that volunteers may assist students with their shopping, please click HERE to download a copy of a Budget Helper Chart. Please send the chart with your student along with the appropriate amount of money. All items for sale will be between $1-$5.

Please contact HSA@SJS-webster.com with questions.

Kindergarten Pajama Drive

Please read below to find out how you can help Mrs. Durant's Kindergarten Class help others.

FIRST LEGO League Robotics - Update

On Saturday, December 1st, the St. Joseph School FIRST LEGO League Robotics Team known as the Metallic Meteorites competed at the Worcester Qualifier held at W.P.I. Qualifier events are the culmination of several months’ work and the chance for teams to shine!

This season’s theme was Into Orbit. Teams were tasked with identifying a physical or social problem that could occur during extended space travel. After selecting a problem, teams had to find out about the solutions that already exist; think of a new solution or a way to improve a current solution through research; meet with experts; and, share their results. In addition, teams had to design, build, and program an autonomous robot capable of completing missions in a designated playing field. Most importantly, teams were expected to demonstrate Gracious Professionalism and treat all people with respect and kindness.

St. Joseph School is proud to announce that the Metallic Meteorites were awarded the Judges Award for their research project. In addition, due to their overall scores in robot performance, robot design judging, and core values judging, the Metallic Meteorites were invited to complete in the State Tournament at W.P.I. on December 15 ^th .

Team members include: Grade 5 – Paul Mankarios; Grade 6 – Dale Boudreau, William Colebourn, and Lauren Gingo; Grade 7 – Tessa McCabe, Noalani Perez, and Dominic Pigeon; Grade 8 – Patrick Mahlert, Remonda Mankarios, and Olivia Montione. Alternate – Zane Ferri, Grade 6.

The team is sponsored by Leonard Montione and Nordic Shield and coached by Beth & Joey Boudreau and Mariusz Macko.

Congratulations and best wishes at the State Tournament!

Christmas Pageant Excitement!

Christmas is right around the corner!! Here is what you need to know...

The show will take place in our new Daniel and Catherine Ivascyn Performing Arts Center on Sunday, December 16th at 2:00.

Call times are as follows:

Drama Club: 1:00

All students: 1:30

Dress code:

Students are to dress in “Christmas Best”. Please, no hats, overly ornate headbands, etc… Most classes made a head piece.

Girls: Holiday dress, skirt/ sweater combination. Flat shoes.

Boys: Dress pants with shirt, tie, or sweater combination.

ALL SJS students are expected to attend. They have been working hard in music class to entertain you this holiday season.

Wait until you see what they can do!

Cost: $5 - Children and students are free.

Please return the following FORM to confirm your attendance.

DONATIONS OF BAKED GOODS ARE NEEDED

FOR CONCESSIONS! PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED ITEMS FOR THE BAKE SALE.

ITEMS MAY BE DROPPED OFF IN THE PARISH CENTER WHEN YOU ARRIVE.

Migration Mass 2019 - Plans Underway

January 27th:

9:30 a.m. Migration Mass & Celebration of Diversity

Each year, St. Joseph School celebrates National Migration Week, which is sponsored by the U. S. Catholic Conference of Bishops. Your child(ren) represent(s) various cultures and we would like to celebrate this diversity!

Our students are asked to dress in a costume representing their heritage and participate in our procession. In addition, they may bring their country’s flag, banner, insignia, or any other symbol of your faith and culture to display.

So that can confirm that we have a flag representing your family's heritage or purchase one if we do not, click HERE for a registration form.

This is always an incredible event, so please mark your calendar! Following Migration Mass, we will hold our Annual Open House.

ALL STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE ASKED TO ATTEND

A Note of Gratitude

Thank you to the members of the St. Joseph Women's Club and all of our school families for your very generous gifts to us for the Felician Sisters Donation Days. We appreciate your cards, kind notes, monetary gifts, gift cards and prayers. May our gracious God bless all of you and reward you abundantly for your goodness. We remember all of you in our daily prayers.

Sincerely,

Sister Jeanne Marie and Sister Mary Ann