St. Joseph's Regional Jr. High School
News & Notes ~ Week of November 24, 2019
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Mission Statement: St. Joseph Regional Jr. High School is a Catholic, inclusive school for 7th and 8th grade where students learn and grow in respect for God, themselves, and others, engage in academically rigorous curricula and a wide-range of meaningful service and enrichment experiences.
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Beating the "Second Quarter-Syndrome"
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Wow, can you believe it's almost Thanksgiving? This has to be the fastest school year in recorded history!
The teachers, staff and I are looking forward to a pleasant two-day week ahead and a relaxing few days off. Those who are traveling, please be safe, and for those hosting, may your tables be full of delicious food and unforgetable moments. I am looking forward to hosting as I usually do, mortifying my sister with every strange thing I can do to cranberry sauce and also making her favorite pumpkin roll. I find as the years pass, it is up to my siblings and me to create the holiday experiences we wish to have, so that's what I do!
The second quarter is well-under way and I have been monitoring work habits and grades with teachers. This is also the time when new content and processes are introduced and first-quarter
review season
is in the rearview. It is exactly the time to buckle down. THEREFORE, Monday and Tuesday students will be using before school, study skills and recess time to make up any missing work before the vacation begins. We'll use the Tuesday afternoon movie time for those who need it. Not doing their work is simply not an option. The consequence of not doing their work, will be doing their work.
Students should be using the agenda books to record assignments, important events, and things to remember. This is not optional. This singular habit is a critical factor in successful academic outcomes. It's tempting for students to let things slide this time of year, though we are all holding them highly accountable to high quality, completed work which they are all more than capable of doing even with support.
I am at school at 6:00am every single day. I am more than happy to sit with any student who has not completed their work to the best of their ability at that time. It would take one time of getting an adolescent out of bed at 5:00am to do their school work with the principal before they get the message that they should use their classtime and resources wisely to get the job done. This is not a detention, this is called follow-through and they will need it every step of the way, so it's best they learn it now in the nurturing environment of St. Joe's. : )
Have a Blessed Week,
Dawn
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Update on the Reading Classes
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Having been a reading/writing specialist for 15 years, I had no doubts they would like the books I'd brought them and the actvities they would do.
In just the first few weeks, all of the students have new Goodreads accounts, they've all finished at least one book, reading and writing book reviews, conducting video book reviews, participating in reading conferences with teachers, discussion their comprehension, sharing recommendations with one another, and they are asking for more (see video to the left)!
They have dedictated a total of 675 more minutes of reading JUST in this reading class!
By the end of quarter two they will have read more than 2,250 more minutes than they did in quarter one!
Take it from Alex, this changes adolescent readers.
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- Our Advisory Board meeting will be on January 16th, 6:00pm-7:30pm in the St. Joseph's library. Notes from the November meeting are here. This board has been reviewing outward facing documentation to assure it aligns with our mission. In January, we will be reviewing the St. Joseph Regional Jr. High budget.
- Please see our new and improved website with Parent Page! I've been workng hard to update our website one piece at a time. Check out all of the new content. I am open to any feedback that could help make it more easily accessible, so please feel free to offer that if you have it.
- Looking Ahead: I will be adding a page with information about enrichment activities including camps, workshops, etc.
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Basketball
- The Auburn game on 12/6 is a one-way bus and 4:00pm start for boys, 5:30pm start for girls.
- We are in need of a timer for the games. If you already plan to attend and don't mind helping out, please email Mrs. Martineau at pmartineau@stjoesjrhs.org.
- Please visit the Athletics page of our website if you still need to pay our Pay-to-Play.
Looking Ahead
- We will be in need of a track coach!
- If you or someone you know has experience participating in or coaching track and enjoys mentoring students, please ask them let Mrs. Martineau.
Clarification: Ski Program at Pat's Peak
To clarify, p
lease note that the ski program is ENTIRELY run by Pat's Peak. It is not part of our athletic program. We relay the information about their program but we do not facilitate transportation or the program. For that, please contact Josh Auger at Pat's Peak.
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November 27-29 - Happy Thanksgiving! (Break)
Looking Ahead:
December 6th: Hawaiian Christmas Dance
December 11: Progress Reports Issued
December 13th: Whole school visit to The Palace Theater for A Christmas Carol, 9am-12pm
December 17th - Ugly Sweater Day
December 19th - Band Concert & Drama Presentation , 7:00pm
December 20th - 10:00am Christmas mass at St. Anthony's Parish, Soup Kitchen visit, 2:30pm
December 20th-January 6th, Christmas Vacation
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Celebrations and Traditions at St. Joseph Regional Jr. High
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First Annual "Friendsgiving"
Was A Success!
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Our St. Joe's family had the most wonderful afternoon with delicious food, an abundance of wholehearted friends, and prayers of gratitude. Sharing food and time for bonding, laughter, and making memories was a blessing. Mrs. Deignan helped select a prayer read by several of our students together. She also set up prayer envelopes, so students will be praying for one another in their school for the month of advent.
Many thanks to all of the parents who helped provide turkey with all of the fixings, desserts, cider, chocolate milk, eggnog, water and those who came to help serve.
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This week our St. Joseph Gold Cross recognitions go to Hyacinth Destiny, Meredith McWilliam, Maria Dufour, Brooke Harnden, Sarah Sewall, and Jonathan Roth.
How does one earn a St. Joseph Gold Cross?
Students are recommended by teachers when they have observed student acting on behalf of our mission statement, acting self-lessly, practicing caring and kindness, showing respect for others, themselves and God through service work and interactions with peers.
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In case you missed our Facebook posts, we collected
616 boxes of mac 'n cheese for the Trinity High School Food Baskets.
Mr. Rosa's homeroom earned a dress-down day of their choice with 258 boxes alone!
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New Activities St. Joe's Choir ~ Coming Soon!
Thanks to experience with acquisiting of federal grants, I was able to acquire $4,136.00 through the Title IV grant for after school enrichment activities. Beginning in January, Mrs. Deignan will be leading a St. Joseph Regional Jr. High School Choir. Not only is Mrs. Deignan an exquisite vocalist, she has experience in ministry, faith formation and leading children's choir. Many of our students expressed interest in the fall, and we listened! More details to follow.
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