A Note from the Principal's Desk...
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Dear Parents,
It has come to my attention from multiple students that several are aware of or have viewed the online game, "Mo Mo Challenge." This is considered a dangerous social media game that is described as cyberbullying.
The "Mo Mo Challenge" is directed at children and young adults. The "challenge" features a frightening avatar who asks children to perform various tasks. These tasks can be very dangerous, including self harm.
I wanted to make parents aware of this and encourage you to have a conversation with your child about online safety around social media. The "Mo Mo Challenge" is just one example of such games through social media which can have a negative impact on students and create fear and anxiety.
To learn more about the dangers of social media and cyberbullying, please attend our H.S.A. General Meeting on March 28th at 6:30PM, and listen to our special guest from Dynamic Influence.
Principal
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Congratulations Winter Athletic Teams!
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VARSITY BOYS BASKETBALL:
ROUTE 395 CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS
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After clinching First Place in the regular season, the St. Joseph School Boys Varsity Basketball Team finished strong in the Route 395 Conference Basketball Tournament defeating St. Patrick Cathedral School from Norwich, CT in the championship game by a score of 43 – 41. Eighth Grade student, Anthony Barbale and his younger brother, Seventh Grade student Peter Barbale were named team MVP’s.
The team is coached by Buzz Krysinski and David Barbale. Team members include: Grade 7 – Peter Barbale, Daniel Gronek, Matthew Krysinski, and Kai Lukasek; Grade 8 – Anthony Barbale, Benjamin Duquette, Logan Edwards, Nicholas Fennelly, Patrick Mahlert, George Mulry, and Joshua Njorge. The team will now compete in the Diocese of Worcester New England Qualifier Tournament (NEQT) at St. John’s High School.
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SJS CHEERLEADERS: SECOND PLACE ROUTE 395 CONFERENCE CHEERLEADING TOURNAMENT
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Also concluding the season with a solid performance, the school’s cheerleading squad received second place for their routine at the Route 395 Conference Cheerleading Tournament. Eighth Grade students Kaileigh Strong and Jadyn Williams were named team MVP’s. In addition, Zoey Edwards was awarded “Top Jumper” and Vanessa Cieszynski was awarded “Best Tumbler” in the Grade 5 and under division. Jadyn Williams was awarded “Best Tumbler” in the Grade 6 – 8 division.
The cheerleaders are coached by Jessica Recko and Nicole Tetreault. Team members include: Grade 2 – Rosemary Basha; Grade 3 – Zoey Edwards and Emily Macko; Grade 4 – Leah Boudreau, Vanessa Cieszynski, and Gianna Rosario; Grade 5 – Riley Edwards, Samantha Reseigh, Maeve Sullivan, and Hannah Watson; Grade 6 – Grace Pomfret and Ava Williams, Grade 7 – Jillian Edwards; Grade 8 – Kaileigh Strong and Jadyn Williams.
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The Varsity Girls Basketball Team finished in third place during regular season and tournament play. MVP’s for the Varsity Girls Basketball Team were Kaeleigh Sullivan and Olivia Montione. The Varsity Girls Basketball Team is coached by Brenda Sullivan and Buzz Krysinski.
Team members include: Grade 7 – Toriana Baldassari, Jillian Edwards, Abigail Kibaru, Noalani Perez, Wiktoria Potem, and Gracie Scott: Grade 8 – Remonda Mankarios, Olivia Montione, Kaeleigh Sullivan, and Julia Zdrok.
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JUNIOR VARSITY GIRLS BASKETBALL
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In addition, the Junior Varsity Girls Basketball Team also finished in third place during regular season and tournament play. The team is coached by Angie Siegmund and Lisa Sabacinski. Team members include: Grade 5 – Amelia Duquette, Aleksandra Kurowski, Alexandra Parafinowicz, and Juliana Rudnicki; Grade 6 – Alexandra Bergeron, Lauren Gingo, Elizabeth Mahlert, Maya Podskarbi, and Grace Pomfret.
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JUNIOR VARSITY BOYS BASKETBALL
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Finally, the Junior Varsity Boys Basketball Team finished fifth out of six teams during regular season play in the Route 395 JV Boys Division. Although they did not qualify for tournament play, first year coaches, Matthew Sabacinski and Jacob Murphy, along with veteran coach Al Cieszynski, did a great job developing the skills of their young players. Team members include: Grade 5 – Philopateer Basha, Andrew Bergeron, Treyton Dery, Paul Mankarios, Steve Mathu, Brayden McNair, Matthew Obrycki , and Rocco Rudnicki; Grade 6 – Dale Boudreau, Dominik Duby, Dominik Gielarowiec, Krystian Kowalczyk, and Evan Pomfret.
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Congratulations to all our teams for an incredible season!
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New England Qualifier Basketball Tournament for the Worcester Diocese: March 14-17, 2019
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Our Varsity Boys Basketball Team continues in the Diocese of Worcester New England Qualifier Tournament (NEQT) this coming weekend. Last Saturday morning, they lost to The Nativity School of Worcester. However, they regrouped and defeated St. Bernadette on Sunday. Their next game is scheduled for Saturday, March 16th at 9:00AM. They will play the Nativity School of Worcester again in the double elimination tournament. All games will be played at St. John High School, 378 Main St, Shrewsbury, MA 01545.
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On Friday, March 15th, all students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to wear green in honor of St. Patrick's Day. Students may wear a green shirt with their normal school uniform bottoms. Everyone's IRISH on St. Patrick's Day! All students will be treated to green jello, courtesy of Mr. Hackenson.
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On Tuesday, March 19th all students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to wear red in honor of the Feast of St. Joseph. Students may wear a red shirt with their normal school uniform bottoms. All students will be treated to a red "treat" courtesy of Monsignor Czarnecki.
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4th Grade Student, Brett McCarthy,
Wins Award
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Sr. Jeanne's Fourth Grade class was excited to receive a visit from Emmanuel Communications' President, Cindy Dorsey. She recently visited the school to recognize Fourth Grade student, Brett McCarthy for being chosen as a Weekly Winner in 1230AM, 970AM, and 101.1FM Emmanuel Radio's
2019 Catholic Schools Essay Contest
. The topic for the 2019 essay was "The Value of Moral Discipline in the Catholic Faith." The contest was open to Catholic school and home-schooled students in Kindergarten through grade 12. Essayists were asked to consider the following: "God has given every human being freedom of choice, but this doesn't mean we have the right to do whatever we want. What moral and spiritual values have you learned from your faith that you can share with all the people in our country so we can live together in harmony?"
Mrs. Dorsey told the class that over 7,000 students in the Diocese of Worcester were involved in this essay contest. Brett's essay earned the prize for "reminding all of us of the spiritual value of non-violence, and the importance of making the right choices at school, at home, and in our Catholic faith." Principal Michael Hackenson, Rev. Grzegorz Chodkowski, Brett's parents, Melissa and John McCarthy, and his grandmother, Kathleen Czechowski, joined Brett and Sr. Jeanne for the award presentation. Following the ceremony, Brett and his classmates celebrated the occasion with juice and doughnuts. If you would like to see the award presentation, as well as listen to Brett read his winning essay, please visit www.sjs-webster.com and check-out our recent news. Brett will also be visiting the radio station to record his essay, and have it broadcast on all three of Emmanuel Communications' radio stations. Congratulations, Brett!
To view the award presentation and hear Brett read his winning essay, please click
HERE
to visit our website.
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March 28
Home and School Association General Meeting
See below for more information.
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April 3 & 4
Spring Photos
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April 11
3rd Quarter Report Cards
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Spring Break
April 13 - 21
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April 18
Holy Thursday
Lily Procession
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April 26
Casino Night Fundraiser
See below for more information.
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Making new friends and making memories with old friends are important parts of the school year. Be sure your student has this special keepsake to remember the memories, fun, and friends of the 2018-2019 school year at St. Joseph School.
We cannot guarantee that yearbooks will be available for purchase if you do not reserve a copy today.
Please return your order form with payment no later than April 3, 2019.
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Lenten Flower Sacrifices & Good Deeds
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Lent is the time that we pray more, fast, and give alms. We do these things to help us get closer to Jesus. Perseverance is a virtue that means we choose to do everything for Jesus each day. We never give up! So, this Lent we are going to
PERSEVERE - NOT GIVE UP
in making loving sacrifices and doing good deeds for Jesus! We will try to practice the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy!
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Corporal Works of Mercy
are acts of love that help us care for the physical and material needs of others.
- Feed the Hungry
- Give Drink to the Thirsty
- Clothe the naked
- Shelter the Homeless
- Visit the Sick
- Bury the Dead
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Spiritual Works of Mercy
are acts of love that help us care for the needs of people's hearts, minds, and souls.
- Admonish the Sinner
- Instructing the Ignorant
- Consoling the Doubtful
- Consoling the Sorrowful
- Forgiving all Injuries
- Bearing Wrongs Patiently
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Here are some suggestions:
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Make loving sacrifices and do good deeds for others during the week.
Offer them up to Jesus:
Give up playing a video game; Try to say nice things all day; Give up playing with your favorite toy for a day; Do an extra chore this week; Fix your bed before going to school; Play with your siblings without complaining; Say prayers before going to bed; Do not complain when your parents ask you to do something; Do not watch TV one evening; Lead your family in doing the Stations of the Cross; Attend Sunday Mass.
Be sure to write down your loving sacrifices and good deeds on the Lenten Flower Sheet. Lenten Flower Sheets were sent home with students on Thursday. Click
HERE
if you need additional copies.
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When You Attend Family Mass...
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When you arrive at Family Mass, please see the teacher or school administrator in the back of the church. Give them your piece of paper with your sacrifice or good deed and select a flower to put on the bottom of the cross. (Click
HERE
for a Lenten Flower Sheet.) Then, be seated at the front of the church with your school mates. During the Offertory, you will be directed by a teacher to bring your flower to the Cross. Your loving sacrifices and good deeds have turned into "Flowers for Jesus." What a beautiful gift to give to Jesus for Easter!
See below for the Family Mass Schedule.
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Lenten Family Mass Class Schedule
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All Family Masses are at 9:30AM in St. Joseph Basilica. We ask that all students and their families consider attending, even if you are not scheduled to participate in the Mass.
- March 10th - Grades 7 & PreK-3
- March 17th - Grades 1 & 5B
- March 24th - Grades 2 & 6
- March 31st - Grade 7 & PreK-2
- April 7th - Grades K & 5F
- April 5th - Grade 3*
- April 14th - Palm Sunday - Whole School
- April 18th - Holy Thursday - Whole School
*First Friday Mass @ 8:30AM
Please Note: The Choir will sing at ALL Family Masses during Lent.
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Every Friday at 1:00PM during Lent, our students pray the Stations of the Cross. At each station in the Basilica, the students recall and meditate on events from Christ's last day. Please consider coming to "pick-up" a little earlier on Fridays and joining the students for this devotion.
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We are pleased to share with you that the official dedication of the new gymnasium and parish & performing arts center will take place on Saturday, May 18, 2019 which beautifully coincides with the birthday of St. John Paul II. The first general meeting of the Dedication Committee was held in the new parish center on February 4, 2019. Representatives of various parish and school organizations, including the gym committee, were present. It was decided that the celebration will consist of the following activities: On Thursday, May 16, 2019 there will be an alumni basketball game; on Friday and Sunday, May 17 & 19 the St. Joseph School Drama Club presents, Disney's "High School Musical, Jr."; and, on Saturday, May 18, 2019 we will hold a solemn liturgy at 4:00 pm. The main celebrant will be Stanislaw Cardinal Rylko from Rome with homilist Bishop Robert McManus. Following Mass, there will be a banquet and the blessing of the new gymnasium and performing arts center.
If you would like to participate in the Alumni Basketball game and/or attend the Grand Opening Dinner and Blessing, please click
HERE
so you may sign-up to receive additional information.
The chairman of this celebration committee is Andrew Jolda, co-chairman is Ursula Sobczak and secretary Eva Podgorny.
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Home and School Association News
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General Meeting, March 28th:
The St. Joseph School Home and School Association would like to invite parents and guardians of students, as well as parishioners and friends of St. Joseph School, to their General Meeting on March 28, 2019 at 6:30PM in the school cafeteria. This year, they will be hosting the highly interactive and engaging education speaker, Robert Hackenson, Jr. Robert’s program, Dynamic Influence, has captivated and inspired students and professionals. He started Dynamic Influence with the belief that attention spans are shrinking and if audiences are bored, important messages will be lost. Robert saw a unique opportunity to infuse educational lectures and trainings with his incredible skills as a magician, certified hypnotist, and master of influence. The focus of his presentation at St. Joseph School will be on “Social Media Land Mines” and cyberbullying. Robert has entertained across North American and has made numerous media appearances, but he is making time in his busy schedule to visit with the St. Joseph community and spread his positive message. ALL are invited and encouraged to attend. Admission is FREE. Light refreshments will be served.
All parents and guardians in attendance will be entered into a drawing for gift certificates towards the new school uniforms: First Prize - $100, Second Prize - $50, and Third Prize - $25.
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Just in time for Easter! The St. Joseph School Home and School Association will be selling Braided Pastries from March 11th through March 25th. Flavors include raspberry, apple, cinnamon, strawberry cream cheese, cream cheese, Italian herb, caramel rolls, and cinnamon rolls. They are $13 each. They will be delivered on April 12
th
. Watch for more information. All proceeds will be used for SJS Field Day 2019. The H.S.A. hopes to raise enough funds to purchase t-shirts for all students, as well as rent bouncy houses, and host an ice cream truck. Please help us make this possible. Thank you for your support!
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Off-Season Basketball Work: Grades 2, 3, & 4
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Coach Grupposo is offering the opportunity for boys and girls in Grades 2, 3, and 4 to get some off-season court-time. Practices will be open to any student interested in playing Intramural or JV basketball next year. No prior playing experience is necessary. The focus will be on individual skills.
All sessions will be held on Mondays from 2:30PM-3:30PM in the gymnasium. No signups are necessary, the work-outs will be on a "drop-in" basis. There is a $2 fee for each session. Please note: All attendees MUST have clean, non-marking sneakers. NO STREET SHOES ALLOWED.
See dates below:
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Grade 2
March 25
April 8
April 22
April 29
May 6
May 13
May 20
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Grade 3
March 18
March 25
April 1
April 8
April 22
April 29
May 6
May 13
May 20
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Grade 4*
March 18
April 1
April 22
May 6
May 20
* Scheduled for non-math club weeks.
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Money Raffle - $6,100 in Prizes!
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Don't forget to turn-in your Festival Money Raffle Tickets. To get in on the Early Bird Special, please return your tickets by April 8th.
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The St. Joseph Festival is June 14th-16th and planning meetings are underway. We are still looking for parents to volunteer in several areas at the Festival itself as well in the months prior to the event. If you are interested in helping to plan please join us at our weekly meetings. (Unless noted otherwise, the meetings are at 6:30PM on Tuesdays.) Meetings will be held in the new Parish Center.
Tuesday March 19th - Kitchen Meeting
Thursday March 28th - General Meeting
Tuesday April 2nd - Kitchen Meeting
Tuesday April 9th - General Meeting
Tuesday April 16th - Kitchen Meeting
Tuesday April 23rd - General Meeting
Tuesday April 30th - Kitchen Meeting
Thursday May 9th - General Meeting
Tuesday May 14th - Kitchen Meeting
Tuesday May 21st - General Meeting
Tuesday May 28th - Kitchen Meeting
Thursday June 6th - Final meeting
This is the largest fundraising event for the school, but we CANNOT be successful without you. Please send any questions to
festival@sjs-webster.com
.
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The Winter 2019 Edition of
The Eagle Newsletter
has been mailed to all parishioners and alumni, as well as distributed to current school families. It's been several years since its publication. We hope you enjoy the new look and content. You may also access it online
HERE
. Please feel free to share the link with friends and family!
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Casino Night Postponed to April 26th
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REMINDER: The Mardi Gras Casino Night originally scheduled for March 2nd was postponed due to the inclement weather. It has been rescheduled to Friday, April 26, 2019 from 7:00PM to 11:00PM in the Richard A. Nowak Gymnasium. Tickets are on sale in the rectory and school office.
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Support the St. Joseph Basilica
Scouting Program
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Don't forget to follow us!
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SAINT JOSEPH SCHOOL
47 Whitcomb Street
Webster, MA 01570
Phone: 508-943-0378
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