Dear Parents-
Last week we celebrated National Teacher Appreciation Week, and took time out of our hectic schedules to say
“Thank You” to the incredibly dedicated teachers
that serve our students every day. I am thankful for their commitment to the best interests of the children, and their willingness to work tirelessly to meet the needs of students, making St. Joseph Catholic School a warm, loving, and inclusive environment. Kudos and shout out to the PTO and Mrs. Lizzie Young for providing some delicious meals!
Congratulations to our 2nd grade students who received their
First Holy Communion
, on Saturday, May 11. Father Tom and Father David concelebrated a beautiful Mass and the boys and girls looked so wonderful in their special outfits. A huge thanks to Mrs. Carroll, Mrs. Moskowitz, Mrs. O’Neill, and Mrs. Plescia who did a wonderful job preparing students for this important day, and to Mrs. Alice Eelman who conducted the choir. Additional thanks to the amazing 3rd grade parents who provided a delicious, kid-friendly, surprise lunch for the 2nd grade last Thursday, and thanks to the Ladies Society, who worked to create a fun-filled reception on Saturday.
The
May Crowning
is Friday, May 17. The 2nd grade will dress in their Holy Communion finery and participate in the crowning. It is a full day of school. After the ceremony, 2nd grade parents who attended the May Crowning can sign their child out of school for the rest of the day. Second grade students who will stay for the full school day MUST bring their uniform and change clothes. We are trying to meet the needs of our working parents who cannot take the day off. Please feel comfortable with whatever you decide for your child for that day.
Last Wednesday evening we elected our
new PTO board
, including Ed Fitzpatrick, president; Gina Dechant, vice president; Tori Steinman, vice president; Montine Norman, secretary; and Mike McFarlane, assistant treasurer. I am very grateful to this dynamic group and look forward to working with them. I would also like to express my heartfelt thanks to the outgoing board, Melissa Arnold, Ann Woodson, Ryanne Brenner, and Lisa Anderson, for their hard work and dedication to our great school.
Also at the PTO meeting, we were able to recognize several teachers who reached
milestones in their service to SJS
: Mrs. Vintimilla and Mrs. Tierney- 5 years; Mrs. Sears- 10 years; Mrs. Lewis- 15 years; Mrs. Daughtrey- 20 years; and Mrs. Karcz- 25 years. Congratulations and THANK YOU!!
We had a successful
uniform sale
prior to the PTO meeting. Some issues that came up...shorts are approved for grades K-5. The “kindergarten sweater” can be worn again in 1st grade, if it still fits, and all students are to wear solid black or brown shoes. Girls may wear the black and white saddle shoe as an option. Flynn and O’Hara is offering for sale a solid black low-top leather sneaker, velcro closure or lace tie that may be worn with the uniform.
The
preliminary calendar
will be released by the end of this week. Available on that calendar will be all the half-days necessitated by the upcoming Design for Excellence process, as well as vacation start and stop dates. What will not be on the calendar are the specific events that go on throughout the year. They will be added at a later date.
We are in Scantron, week 2. Please make sure your children, grades 3-7, are in school, on time, every day. This
testing season
has brought exciting news as we congratulate our 8th grade students and Mrs. Vintimilla for their success on the World Language Exam. Students who score 77% and above can be considered for level 2 Spanish when entering high school as a freshman. Our students who took Spanish for a grade had a 93% pass rate, with an average score of 92%.
I hope all moms were able to enjoy a great day on Sunday, surrounded by all your children! And if you feel overwhelmed from time to time by all the responsibility of raising children in this uncertain world, treat yourself to a day without social media, enjoy these amazing people we call our kids!
Rejoice and Be Glad!
Denise Rutledge
Principal
