November 12, 2020
Dear Parents,
As we celebrate our veterans, we are reminded of the sacrifices they made to secure the freedoms that our country provides. In particular we are graced with Freedom of Religion, which allows our school to exist and to provide a prayerful atmosphere in which to learn. Pope Francis has reminded us numerous times of our responsibilities to one another as God’s people. In the atmosphere of care and compassion for the poor, of seeking peace and justice within our school family, we strive each day to be reflections of Jesus Christ.
We continue to remind you that masks are of the utmost importance to everyone’s health in our school. Please be mindful of the choices you are making for your families outside of school time.
Our school will hold a Food Collection from November 16th through November 19th. These donations will be given to the Gemma Moran Food Pantry on behalf of our students and families. Items needed include canned meats and tuna, canned vegetables and soups, peanut butter, pasta and pasta sauce. Please check the expiration dates prior to sending your donations.
In keeping with our call to service, we will also hold our annual toy collection for the Department of Children and Families. This will start on November 30th and end on December 11th. Due to the COVID restrictions, the gifts will be packed in boxes and picked up by the DCF. The usual wrapping will not take place.
We are always aware that not everyone can do everything. We simply ask that you do your best.
We will close for Thanksgiving recess at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 24th and resume school on November 30th. There will be NO afterschool care on November 24th.
After Thanksgiving, all students will be required to wear St. Joseph School sweaters or sweatshirts. No others will be acceptable. Thank you for your cooperation in the matter.
There has been a calendar revision for February. Since our “sister” schools in the Diocese, including St. Bernard, are closing for the full week of February 15th through the 19th, we will do the same and take the FULL WEEK for WINTER BREAK
We remind everyone once again that if for some reason your child is going to be absent from school, it is your responsibility to call the front office and to send a note prior to the absence if it is not due to illness, or upon your child’s return if it is due to illness. Please do not email or text the teachers for this purpose. Mrs. Tejera will be checking on students who are absent.
If you are traveling out of state for any reason, the school will need to know where you are going and your mode of travel to determine (based on health department regulations and school policy), whether or not your child will need to quarantine and/or be tested prior to returning to school. Your patience and your respect of these policies is for the protection of everyone involved. We assume that for the safety of your families and all in school that you are following healthy practices as well.
Our annual Christmas Wreath Sale is underway. You should have received information regarding this. Also, once again this year 100 Annual St. Joseph Christmas ornaments are being woodcut for us and donated by the Colin and Ashley Higgins. These will be for sale as they were last year. Please look for the flyer coming soon. The new ornament features a Nativity with the year and school name. When everyone does a little, we all gain much! Thank you!
May Jesus, Mary our Blessed Mother, and St. Joseph watch over us and protect us. I continue to hold you in my prayers, and ask that you keep me in yours.
Marianne Cote
Principal