November 18, 2016
Dear St. Joseph Catholic School Community,
Our students have definitely noticed this past week that it’s getting darker earlier. Even at 3 pm on the first couple days of this week, I heard a few different students as they exited the building discussing how dark it already was. It’s now pretty clear to everyone that the seasons have changed. As we find ourselves moving toward winter, with the increased possibility of freezing temperatures and occasional snowy or icy conditions, I want to be sure to remind you of how we share information regarding school closures and delays.
If Vancouver Public Schools make the decision to be closed or delayed, we will follow suit. There may, however, be times when Vancouver schools remain open or without delay, but when we have made the decision at St. Joe’s to close or delay. In each of these scenarios, we will get the information shared with FlashAlert so it can be distributed to you through the channels you’ve indicated when you registered with the FlashAlert system. FlashAlert also gets the news to local media outlets, including TV stations and many media websites. This year we will also share an email using our school email system which pushes out our Cardinal Call and Newsflash messages.
If you live outside the Vancouver Public Schools boundaries and your local school district is closed or opening late, you may follow your local school district’s directions. Since our families live in a variety of local school districts, we encourage you to determine the safety of getting on the roads. If you let us know that you were unable to get out of your neighborhood safely, your child’s absence will be excused. We simply don’t want to put anyone in harm’s way.
If school is cancelled or starts late, morning Extended Care will be cancelled. If school closes early, Extended Care will also be closed.
If you haven’t yet registered for FlashAlert, please visit the St. Joseph Parish/School Page and create an account that you can manage. You can enter multiple email addresses and there are directions on how to add a cell phone number as well.
We have just a short week ahead of us. It’ll be two quick days and then a break for all of you and all of us at school to enjoy some time with family and friends at Thanksgiving. Because next week will be just two days, we will not publish the weekly Cardinal Call. If there’s some information that needs to be passed along, we will send out a brief Newsflash. We’ve included the information about the next two weeks in THE WEEKS AHEAD section below.
God’s blessings,
Joe Manning, Principal
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THE WEEKS AHEAD
Saturday, 11/19
PTO Holiday Bazaar - Marian Hall - 9 am to 4 pm
Sunday, 11/20
PTO Holiday Bazaar - Marian Hall - 9 am to 1 pm
Monday, 11/21
No schoolwide events or activities
Tuesday, 11/22
No schoolwide events or activities
Wednesday, 11/23
No School - Thanksgiving Break
Thursday, 11/24
No School - Thanksgiving Day
Friday, 11/25
No School - Thanksgiving Break
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Monday, 11/28
Advent Prayer Service (planned by Grade 1) - Gym - 8:40 am
Tuesday, 11/29
First Trimester Ends
Wednesday, 11/30
Regular Wednesday Start Time - 7:55 am
Mass - 8:10 am
Regular Wednesday Dismissal - 2:10 pm
Thursday, 12/1
No schoolwide events or activities planned
Friday, 12/2
Bingo Night - Marian Hall - 6 to 8 pm (doors open at 5:30 pm)
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NEWS, UPDATES, & REMINDERS
Annual Family Directory sent home today
The annual St. Joseph Catholic School Family Directory has been published and was sent home with students today. Please check backpacks for your directory. New this year, as we shared in previous Cardinal Call messages, we’ve included email addresses to help assist you with contacting each other.
Mad Science after-school enrichment to begin in December
Mad Science will offer an after-school science enrichment program for students in Grades 1-5 beginning Thursday, Dec. 1. The program will meet on Thursdays from 3:15 to 4:15 pm. Students will be dismissed at the end of the regular school day to the Mad Science instructor and will be brought to the front of the school for pick-up at 4:15 pm. The program will last six weeks. For more information and to register, please open this link. Registrations forms are also available from the school office.
Mass attendance and timely arrival a priority on Wednesdays
We’ve noticed that a number of families are setting appointments on Wednesday mornings and even more have developed a pattern of arriving late. Since we believe Mass attendance to be a central part of the experience at St. Joe’s, we ask that appointments not be scheduled during Mass time. The school day on Wednesdays begins at 7:55 am (with drop off beginning at 7:40 am), and, just as on all other days, students are marked tardy if they arrive after morning prayer and announcements begin. Please help us with making sure that on all days, but especially on Wednesdays, students are on time and ready to head to Mass right after morning prayer and announcements wrap up in the school.
Lost & found to be donated to charity at end of next school week
In these final school days leading up to Thanksgiving, we encourage you to stop by the main hall of the school to look through the lost and found. All items remaining in the lost and found at the end of the day Tuesday will be donated to a local organization.
Eagle Scout project provides emergency supplies to the school
Reid Ashton, St. Joe’s alum and brother of current St. Joe’s students Emily & Ethan Ashton, worked throughout last school year on his Eagle Scout project that has helped supply St. Joe’s with supplies to be used in case of an emergency. Reid’s project consisted of putting together an emergency container at the school and came as a result of his interest in helping St. Joe’s to “be prepared,” which also happens to be the Scout motto. Using the skills that the Boy Scouts taught him, he was able to put together a project plan, supply lists, and then source the materials for an emergency supply container. The container contains enough food, water, and any other supplies you may need in case of any emergency, but mostly focused on preparation for an earthquake emergency. This container is equipped with enough supplies, with rationing, to serve about 500 people for three days. When Reid presented his project to the school, he shared, “I hope the St Joe’s community never has to break that box open in an emergency, but if ever it is needed, I am proud to have been a part of making sure the St Joe’s school and parish will have supplies on hand.” We thank Reid for his service and his desire to help all of us at St. Joe’s be more prepared in case of an emergency.
Please join us for the 6th annual St Joseph Catholic School PTO Holiday Bazaar
Come get your holiday shopping finished before Advent even starts! Our annual bazaar will be held next weekend on Saturday, Nov. 19 from 9 am to 4 pm and Sunday, Nov. 29 from 9 am to 1 pm.
Interested in what vendors will be present? Check out our facebook page where a new vendor has been featured every day: https://www.facebook.com/events/1340242469321122/. Like, and share with all your friends!
New this year: Santa's Workshop! Tell your kids to bring their piggy banks, because we have a shopping area just for them! Volunteers will guide your kids through our Santa's Workshop to help them choose, purchase, and wrap the perfect gifts for their friends and family. Everything will be priced under a dollar and you can have some time to shop kid-free at our vendor tables!
Food concessions will be available for purchase on Saturday, and the Knights of Columbus Pancake Breakfast can fill you up on Sunday morning! Our PTO bake sale will be available both days to satisfy your sweet tooth!
Come out to support the St Joseph School families that will be performing for our customers and vendors!
Entertainment Schedule for Saturday
1 to 2 pm: Claudette Walker School of Dance
2 to 3 pm: “The Diamonds” Dance Troupe
Holiday wreath pick up will be at the PTO table, right next to the spirit wear we'll have for sale!
Questions? Please contact Caitlin Elder at bazaar@stjoevan.org.
End of first trimester is Tuesday, Nov. 29
The end of our first grading period will be Tuesday, Nov. 29. Teachers will work on report cards in the week following. Report cards and fall MAP testing reports will be sent home on Wednesday, Dec. 7.
Fulcrum Foundation application for 2017-2018 available to families in need
The Fulcrum Foundation offers assistance each year to families in need of financial support to provide Catholic education to their children. For more information on applying or determining whether you should apply, please visit this link.
School Wellness Committee seeking a parent volunteer to serve
The St. Joseph Catholic School Wellness Committee is seeking a parent volunteer to become a member. The Wellness Committee helps to implement and analyze the school in regards to how they follow guidelines to ensure students are receiving proper nutrition, smart snacks, and exercise. The committee meets four times a year to evaluate and make recommendations to the wellness plan. Additional members are the vice principal, cafeteria director, PE teacher, and a student representative. Please send your letter of interest to cafeteria director Suzy Knight.
Please consider supporting the St. Joseph Catholic School Annual Fund
Back in September, we kicked off this year’s Annual Fund drive. We sent home this brochure to help share details regarding this annual fundraiser. We are working to increase family participation and are hopeful you all might consider making a gift to the fund. In order to increase family participation to make our school more attractive in grant applications, we encourage all families to make a gift, even if it can only be a small one at this time. Your participation is a sign of your satisfaction with the school and a vote of confidence for the education your child is receiving. Donation envelopes were sent home in September but additional envelopes are available in the school office. Donations can also be made online by visiting this link. Thank you for considering making a gift!
Mark your calendars for Family Bingo Night - Friday, Dec. 2
Come play bingo with us at this year’s Christmas Sweater Bingo Night on Friday, Dec. 2 from 6 to 8 pm (doors open at 5:30 pm). There will be plenty of prizes, crafts, concessions, and a photo opportunity. Christmas sweaters are not required, but please know that prizes will be awarded for Christmas-themed attire. Child care for children not ready to play bingo is available - please register in advance by emailing advocareteam@gmail.com. We look forward to a fun night!
Volunteers Needed: There are many bingo volunteering opportunities, all of which are eligible for share hours. Go to http://signup.com/go/RKjQzY to sign up today. Please remember that you must be up to date with VIRTUS trainings and have a current background check on file with the school. Thank you!
Seton Catholic drama department presents Arlecchino and the City of Love
Be entertained by student actors and actresses as Seton Catholic hosts its first production in its new building. Arlecchino and the City of Love, features a number of St. Joe’s graduates. Shows will be performed on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 18 & 19, at 7:30 pm and Sunday Nov. 20 at 2 pm. Tickets are $5 a person or $20 per family and are available at the door or can be arranged in advance by calling (360)258-1932.
Seton Catholic to host middle school dance for 7th & 8th grade students
Seton Catholic will be welcoming area 7th and 8th graders to a middle school dance at their new building on Friday, Dec. 16 from 7 to 10 pm. There is a cost for attendance, and it includes pizza and water. For more information and to access the permission waiver, please click here.
Upcoming VIRTUS Safe Environments in-person trainings - needed to volunteer at school
All parent volunteers need to be up to date with the Archdiocese of Seattle’s Safe Environments requirements before volunteering this year. This means that you’ve attended an in-person VIRTUS “Protecting God’s Children” class and have a current background check on file. Background checks are required in the first year of volunteering and then each three years after the initial in-person training. An online refresher class is also required each three years after the initial training is completed.
If you are not yet up to date with training requirements, please plan to attend a class so you will be able to volunteer, help out in the classroom, and drive on field trips. The next area class is scheduled as follows:
Sunday, Dec. 11, at 1 pm – Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Battle Ground
You will need to pre-register for the trainings at VIRTUS Online. Begin the registration process by clicking on the “First- Time Registrant” button on the left side of the page. If you have any questions please contact Sheri in the school office at (360)696-2586.
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