Dear St. Joe’s Parents,
On Ash Wednesday, all classes Grades 1-8 attended Lenten services in the church. Because we are easing our way into full church gatherings, 4 classes at one time attended 2 different services. I attended the 9:00am service which was also a regularly scheduled parish Mass. The Mass was well attended by parishioners, as you would expect, for the start of Lent. No designated pews were assigned to classes. So, although students sat together, our classes were interspersed with other members of the congregation. Our pastor did a great job as usual, and our students were most certainly engaged throughout. They not only looked great in uniform, but they also behaved in a manner that made all of us very proud.
At the conclusion of Mass, I was approached by 3 or 4 parishioners who wanted me to know how impressed they were with our students. Their comments included, “how proud we must be of these young people,” Later, “You can always count on these St. Joe’s students to do the right thing!” Comments like this happen often, and they are unsolicited. These are “feel good” moments for all of us. You have done a nice job as parents, and we have tried to complement your work here at school. It’s always nice to have others recognize it.
|
|
Sincerely,
Dr. Joe Barnes
Interim Head of School
|
|
This week's Classroom News highlights our Science department of Mrs. Peras and Mrs. Blair! The lower level is always abuzz with different projects and hands on work happening in our science labs.
Sixth grade students are working hard to understand living organisms through classification and cell biology. Students identified different beetles using a dichotomous key and unknown organisms by traits with an interactive software program. All students have or will enjoy using our compound microscopes to see living cells of plant and animal samples, then practice their scientific drawing skills. Students are learning how to see the structure and function of living organisms at both the system and cell level.
In seventh grade we've shifted from our study of plate tectonics, earthquakes, and volcanoes in Earth Science and have begun to dive into the study of Biology with animal behavior, plant processes and reproduction. The seventh graders learned about the different ways animals communicate using sound, light, chemicals, and body language. The students have brought a variety of thoughtful examples from their own lives to the discussion on animal behavior, which has allowed us to have interesting conversations during class. They completed a brief research project in groups where they learned about the behaviors of a specific species of animal and presented their findings to the class. Seventh graders are now discovering the processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration. Their detailed diagrams are impressive and have helped deepen their understanding of these complex processes!
Eighth grade students have entered the world of Chemistry! We began by discussing the building blocks of matter and learning about the Periodic Table. Students chose an element from the Periodic Table and created a model of a single atom of their element. The Science Lab now has a variety of atoms hanging from the ceiling! After learning about physical properties and physical changes, the eighth graders created impressive posters and presented to their classes. Now that they have mastered chemical properties and changes, the students have started an exciting project. They have paired up and have the opportunity to design their own lab that looks at both physical and chemical changes. Each pair has researched a topic and created a question that they will answer through an experiment in which they design. Not only are they designing each step of their experiment, but they will follow their own procedure, analyze, and draw conclusions. Their creativity and diligence in this process has been impressive and I look forward to seeing the results of their hard work!
|
|
Don't forget to spread the word about our Admissions Open Houses! |
|
Saint Joseph School Gala and Auction |
|
Get Your Sparkle on
and
Join us on Saturday, March 26, 2022 at the Four Points by Sheraton, Norwood MA, for the 2022 St. Joseph School Auction and Gala, A Night to Sparkle and Shine.
This year we will be honoring the Faculty and Staff of Saint Joseph School who truly Sparkle and Shine each day for our students.
Tickets are on sale now. To purchase a ticket(s) or for more information please click here
|
|
We are adding auction items daily.
For a sneak peek....
4 Tickets to Garth Brooks at Gillette Stadium on May 21, 2022 with parking!
All Things Cheese & Wine pairing cocktail party for up to 20 guests in your home with Brad Wasik of Wasik's Cheese, Wellesley
VIP Limo Ride to School for 6 lucky students
Live piano music at your next party or event by our very own preschool - grade 2 music teacher, Mrs. Murphy
4 VIP Seats in a Luxury Box for a Bruins Game, including food and refreshments!
Uncork and Unwind on Friday, June 17, 2022 with a visit from Decanted, a vintage mobile wine truck for 10 guests.
4 Tickets to Kenny Chesney at Gillette Stadium with Parking in August.
VIP Lunch for 3 with Dr. Barnes, Interim Head of School
and so many more.
If you would like to make a donation, there is still time. Please email mcox@saintjoes or visit our auction web page click here
|
|
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Please consider volunteering. Volunteers needed for the night of from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m., after enjoy complimentary tickets to the auction! For more information and to sign up please click here
|
|
Virtual Family Bingo is Back!
Friday March 18th, 7 PM
|
|
2022 Saint Joe's Buzz Off Team |
|
The 2022 St Joe’s Buzz Off Team is open for registration!
The One Mission Buzz Off is returning to Gillette Stadium and will take place on Sunday June 5th. This is the 6th year a team from St Joe’s has participated in the Buzz Off and the team has raised over $100k to support children with cancer. One Mission is a pediatric cancer charity that provides an array of services to meet the immediate needs of pediatric cancer patients and families undergoing treatment. Last year the Saint Joe’s Buzz Off Team was honored with the Buzz Off Heroes Award for their ongoing commitment to this wonderful charity. Although there are some team fundraising activities, participants of The St Joe’s Buzz Off team commit to individual fundraising efforts to support the overall team fundraising goal. There is a $35 registration fee and a $200 individual minimum fundraising requirement for children under 14.
Click here to join the 2022 St Joe’s Buzz Off Team.
If you would like additional information or have questions about the Buzz Off please contact Joanie Shea, obrienshea52@gmail.com or 617-513-7886,
|
|
Dedham Community House
Preschool Summer Program
|
|
Needham Community Education
Summer Explorations Program
|
|
Needham Community Education (NCE) has launched the Summer Explorations program, offering students in rising grades 1–9 weeklong, half-day morning and full-day enrichment classes in July. Classes are offered on the topics of science, games and challenges, robotics, fine art, videography, crafts, imaginative play, technology, fitness, engineering and more. Browse the catalog and find a class that fits your child's interests. Online registration opens at 7:00am on Thursday, March 17th.
|
|
Join the Parish Lenten Retreat: March 27 - 29
Join your fellow parishioners at St. Joseph Parish’s Lenten Retreat, the evenings of March 27, 28 and 29. The theme of this year’s retreat is “Return to Me with Your Whole Heart.”
This year’s retreat will be led by Mother Olga of the Sacred Heart. Mother Olga is a gifted speaker who lived through four wars in the Middle East before coming to America in 2001. She is the founder and mother servant of Daughters of Mary of Nazareth, and has dedicated her life to serving students, prisoners, homeless, elderly, handicapped and poor individuals.
The retreat schedule is as follows:
- Sunday, March 27, 5:00 pm – Mass, followed by Adoration and Confession
- Monday, March 28, 7:00 pm – Reflection from Mother Olga
- Tuesday, March 29, 7:00 pm – Reflection from Mother Olga
The retreat is free and open to all, regardless of faith. No registration is needed. You may attend all three nights, or just one or two nights.
A children’s program will be offered by Mother Olga’s Daughters at 7:00 pm on the evenings of March 28 and 29. Children in grades K-6 are invited to attend the program in the lower church while their parents attend the retreat in the upper church. To assist in planning, please register your children in advance using the link below or by calling the parish office: https://stjosephparish21.flocknote.com/signup/84681
|
|
Saint Joseph Parish Lenten Schedule |
|
- Middle School families whose students will not be returning to Saint Joe's this fall need to notify the main office by Friday, March 11th to avoid the FACTS re-enrollment withdrawal on March 15th.
- Color Wars will take place the week of March 21st! Students will find out what team they are on on Friday, March 18th.
|
|
February/March Calendar Dates |
|
- Tuesday, March 15th - Admissions Open House Grades 1-8
- Tuesday, March 15th - First Communion Parent Meeting
- Tuesday, March 15th - All Student Council Reps Meeting
- Thursday, March 17th - Free Tag Day, Saint Patrick's Day
- Thursday, March 17th - Prayer and Pick up 2D
- Friday, March 18th - 9:00am Mass with Grade 7
- Friday, March 18th - Admissions Open House PS, PK, K
- Friday, March 18th - BINGO Night Event
- Monday, March 21st through Friday, March 25th - COLOR WARS!
- Wednesday, March 23rd - PSA Meeting
- Thursday, March 24th - Prayer and Pick up 1A
- Saturday, March 26th - Saint Joe's Gala and Auction
- Thursday, March 31st - MS Student Council Officers Meeting
- Thursday, March 31st - Prayer and Pick Up 1B
|
|
6th Graders finishing up their second trimester making Greek Masks after learning about the history of Greek Theatre in Music/Theatre Class. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
