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Introduction Athletic Association Band Big Brother/Big Sister Birthday Treats Book Fair Box Tops/Campbell’s/Tyson Labels Brown Envelopes Catholic Schools Week Choir Christmas Play Drama Club Family Day Field Day Fundraisers Annual Fund: Christmas Raffle: Magazine Drive: Entertainment Coupon Books: 50/50 Tickets: Family Dinner Nights: PTF Dinner Auction: Together We’re Better (TWB) Halloween Party Liturgical Committee Lunch Duty/Recess Duty Money Music Program Parent, Teacher and Friends (PTF) Mission Statement Recycling Program Room Parent duties Rotary Field Day School Speech Team Student Masses Mass Servers Kick Off Mass All Saints Day Mass Thanksgiving Mass Catholic Schools Week Mass Christmas Eve Mass Lent Masses May Crowning Closing Mass Sacraments First Reconciliation: First Communion: Confirmation: Sisterless House Spirit Wear Student Appreciation Day Student Council Teacher Appreciation Day Teacher Biographies Teacher Christmas Gifts Uniforms Uniform Store Yearbook
Annual Fund: The school year closes with the annual fund campaign, sponsored by the School Board. Pledge cards are sent to parents, alumni and parishioners requesting their support for St. Joseph School.Christmas Raffle: Each year a Christmas raffle is held. Each family will receive 3 tickets at a cost of $50 a ticket. Half of the money collected stays with the school and the other half is distributed in cash prizes.Magazine Drive: The school year kicks off with an annual magazine drive. Students are asked to sell magazines with a portion of the sales price benefiting St. Joseph’s. There is no required minimum amount to sell. This fundraiser is sponsored by the School Board. Entertainment Coupon Books: In October the PTF kicks off the sale of Entertainment coupon books. Each student is asked to sell at least one book to benefit enrichment programs sponsored by the PTF.50/50 Tickets: Each month, the PTF sponsors a 50/50 drawing. Tickets are sent home for each family. You can enter monthly or fill out all 12 tickets at the beginning of the year to be entered in each month’s drawing.Family Dinner Nights: The PTF sponsors dinner nights at different restaurants throughout the year. A portion of the sales goes to the PTF for various enrichment programs. Look for flyers and notes in your brown envelopes announcing the nights to support St. Joe’s at local restaurants including Pizza Hut and Tequila’s.PTF Dinner Auction: In the spring every other year, the PTF organizes a dinner auction to benefit St. Joseph School. See the PTF website (www.stjosephptf.com) for more information on the next dinner auction and how you can help with this important fundraiser. Together We’re Better (TWB)This is a scrip program where you buy gift cards for participating merchants. The merchants sell the PTF their gift cards at a discount and you buy them at face value. The PTF splits the profits 50/50 with you. You can elect to apply your portion towards your tuition, the tuition assistance program or to the PTF. This is a great way to save on your tuition and help the school by making your everyday purchases with these gift cards.
Mission StatementThe mission of St. Joseph School Parents Teachers and Friends Organization is to provide assistance and resources (financial and human) which will serve to, but are not limited to: 1. improve and enhance our school facilities and the learning environment; 2. supplement educational programs and materials; 3. create stimulating learning experiences both in and out of the classroom; 4. foster closer relationships between home and school; and 5. encourage community-wide participation in school activities and events. It is our belief that through the collaborative team efforts of this organization, that any sponsored event or activity and any goods or services provided or purchased, will be made in the best interest of the school and the students. Annually, the organization will look to the school staff to provide direction in the form of needs and priorities.EditRecycling Program The school has a drop box for paper/magazine recycling. Cardboard is not accepted. Drop off your recycling anytime and the school earns money. EditRoom Parent dutiesClassroom Room Parents coordinate the Christmas and Valentines Day parties with the teacher and volunteers. Parties usually last about an hour and half. EditRotary Field Day5th through 8th grade students are invited to Freeburg Elementary School, along with other local schools including St. John and Smithton Elementary School, to participate in field day sponsored by the Rotary Club.EditSchool Speech TeamStudents in grades 5-8 may try out for the school speech team. There are three Diocesan Speech Meets over the course of the school year. The school speech coach will help students decide whether humorous monologues, serious monologues, or duet acting is best suited to their style for presentation.EditStudent MassesStudents attend mass during the week according to the following schedule: Kindergarten and 1st grade – Thursday; 2nd grade through 8th grade -- Tuesday and Thursday. 3rd grade and up participate in the Mass and 2nd grade begins to participate after they have made first communion. Mass ServersIn 4th grade, all students are trained as mass servers. Upon completion of training, the mass server coordinator sends information to parents. Parents indicate which mass their child can participate in and the child is placed in the serving rotation. Students may elect not to participate after they are trained. There are also several special masses during the year in which the students participate in all parts of the mass. Throughout the year each class may participate in or be in charge of a regular weekly mass. Each class teacher is in charge of assigning roles and planning these masses. Parents are encouraged to attend these masses. The following special masses occur each year: Kick Off MassAt the beginning of the school year the entire student body attends and participates in the kick off mass which establishes the religious theme for the year.All Saints Day MassIn November, the 3rd grade participates in the all saints day mass. After studying the saints in religion class, each 3rd grader chooses a saint to present at mass. They dress up as their saint and read a short description of the saint during mass.Thanksgiving Mass All students bring non-perishable food items to the altar to donate to the food pantry. During mass, the eighth grade makes a presentation bringing chairs to the altar to represent those who may be absent or less fortunate. The children are asked to put an empty plate at their Thanksgiving tables to remember the less fortunate or family members who are absent.Catholic Schools Week MassOn the Sunday before the beginning of Catholic Schools Week, the students participate in the mass and the teachers and staff all attend the mass at St. Joseph’s. The theme for the week and planned activities are announced at the mass. Christmas Eve MassThe first grade students dress up as angels and participate in the mass. They walk in the processional, sing songs and read during the 5:00 p.m. mass. Lent MassesAt the beginning of lent, 1st grade class dresses as a caterpillar and puts away the Alleluia. After Easter, the 1st grade dresses as a butterfly and brings the Alleluia back. May CrowningThe 3rd grade class sings songs and says a special prayer at the May Crowning mass. One of the 2nd graders making their first communion places a crown on the statue of Mary. All students are invited to bring fresh flowers to present to the Virgin Mary during mass.Closing MassThere is an all school mass at the end of the year, usually on the last day of school. The eighth grade class passes the leadership torch and the mass closes the religious theme of the year. Students receive special awards in recognition of their achievements during the year. EditSacramentsStudents are prepared for the sacraments as part of the religious curriculum. In second grade, students make their First Reconciliation and First Communion. Eighth graders celebrate the sacrament of confirmation. First Reconciliation: Students learn about the act of contrition, confession, penance and absolution. A ceremony is held for the second graders and their parents. Students recite special prayers and sing and then make their confessions. First Communion: The second grade prepares for first communion throughout the school year. The first step is first reconciliation. After first reconciliation, they begin to learn about the sacrament of communion and the special ceremony for their first communion. Information regarding mass time and dress for the occasion will be sent home by the teacher. Confirmation: Eighth grade prepares all year for confirmation in spring. A total of 30 hours of the students time volunteering is required. It breaks down to 5 family hours, 10+ community hours, and 10+ parish hours. EditSisterless HouseThe “sisterless” house was formerly a convent for nuns who taught at St. Joseph School and served the needs of the parish. Since St. Joseph no longer has any nuns, this building is now referred as the “sisterless” house. The PTF Uniform Store is housed on the second floor and meeting rooms are available for parish and school organizations.EditSpirit WearSpirit wear can be ordered from two sources. St Joseph School sends an order form out in the fall for spirit wear including polo shirts, t-shirts and sweatshirts. These items can be worn throughout the year. The PTF also sells a variety of fun spirit wear items including jersey shirts, hats, shorts, warm ups, sports bags and water bottles. Separate order forms are distributed for PTF spirit wear usually in the fall and the spring. Students are allowed to wear approved spirit apparel on designated “Spirit Days” throughout the year, usually on the 17th of every month and special occasions dictated by the administration. Visit the PTF website to view spirit wear being offered. EditStudent Appreciation DayThis is usually a no uniform day. The PTF plans a special day for the entire school – for example: a day at the movies or the zoo. Parent volunteers participate in providing supervision and snacks for the activities.EditStudent CouncilThere are nine student council members consisting of one representative from 4th through 8th grade plus four officers. 5th thru 8th graders are eligible to run for President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary. Student council members running for office make an election poster and give a speech. All students in 4th through 8th grades vote for officers. Student Council meets once a month and plans various activities including: student dance for students in 5th through 8th grade, bake sales, spirit days, and special lunches (for days when no hot lunch is available). Excess funds raised are donated to local charities or used for special projects such as adopting animals from the St. Louis Zoo. Student Council also organizes food collections for the local food pantry. EditTeacher Appreciation DayThe committee plans a special luncheon for our devoted teachers and monitors an extended recess for the students to allow teachers to enjoy their special day. PTF provides gifts for each teacher. One of the primary functions of PTF is to ensure that our faculty and staff feel our appreciation for the care and love they provide our children every day at school.EditTeacher BiographiesTeacher BiographiesEditTeacher Christmas GiftsMany students and parents enjoy giving gifts to teachers and staff at Christmas. As an option parents may choose to participate in PTF’s school-wide gift giving program where each family selects the amount they wish to contribute to specific teachers and staff members. Together We’re Better gift cards are purchased based on their individual preferences. A card identifying all contributors is provided to each teacher and staff member. EditUniformsSee the St. Joseph Student Handbook for details regarding the uniform policy and school dress code. Uniforms can be purchased at Fischer Uniforms, Land’s End, the PTF Uniform Store (see below) and various retail stores. Together We’re Better (TWB) gift cards can be used at Land’s End and other retail stores to purchase uniforms.EditUniform StoreThe PTF Uniform Store is located in the “sisterless” house. The uniform store offers gently used uniforms and spirit wear at greatly reduced prices. Families are asked to donate items for sale in the store. Donations can be dropped off on the back porch of the “sisterless” house. Hours are by appointment only. Please see PTF website for contact information.EditYearbookStudents in 5th grade through 8th grade can volunteer for the yearbook. Students get to pick out different graphics, borders, backgrounds, and fonts for all of the pages. The yearbook group meets twice to prepare the book. Parents and students are encouraged to share pictures. The yearbook accepts copies or e-mailed photos until the end of the school year (May). Students receive yearbooks the following year, so we can include events from April and May.
Mass ServersIn 4th grade, all students are trained as mass servers. Upon completion of training, the mass server coordinator sends information to parents. Parents indicate which mass their child can participate in and the child is placed in the serving rotation. Students may elect not to participate after they are trained.
Kick Off MassAt the beginning of the school year the entire student body attends and participates in the kick off mass which establishes the religious theme for the year.All Saints Day MassIn November, the 3rd grade participates in the all saints day mass. After studying the saints in religion class, each 3rd grader chooses a saint to present at mass. They dress up as their saint and read a short description of the saint during mass.Thanksgiving Mass All students bring non-perishable food items to the altar to donate to the food pantry. During mass, the eighth grade makes a presentation bringing chairs to the altar to represent those who may be absent or less fortunate. The children are asked to put an empty plate at their Thanksgiving tables to remember the less fortunate or family members who are absent.Catholic Schools Week MassOn the Sunday before the beginning of Catholic Schools Week, the students participate in the mass and the teachers and staff all attend the mass at St. Joseph’s. The theme for the week and planned activities are announced at the mass. Christmas Eve MassThe first grade students dress up as angels and participate in the mass. They walk in the processional, sing songs and read during the 5:00 p.m. mass. Lent MassesAt the beginning of lent, 1st grade class dresses as a caterpillar and puts away the Alleluia. After Easter, the 1st grade dresses as a butterfly and brings the Alleluia back. May CrowningThe 3rd grade class sings songs and says a special prayer at the May Crowning mass. One of the 2nd graders making their first communion places a crown on the statue of Mary. All students are invited to bring fresh flowers to present to the Virgin Mary during mass.Closing MassThere is an all school mass at the end of the year, usually on the last day of school. The eighth grade class passes the leadership torch and the mass closes the religious theme of the year. Students receive special awards in recognition of their achievements during the year.
First Reconciliation: Students learn about the act of contrition, confession, penance and absolution. A ceremony is held for the second graders and their parents. Students recite special prayers and sing and then make their confessions. First Communion: The second grade prepares for first communion throughout the school year. The first step is first reconciliation. After first reconciliation, they begin to learn about the sacrament of communion and the special ceremony for their first communion. Information regarding mass time and dress for the occasion will be sent home by the teacher. Confirmation: Eighth grade prepares all year for confirmation in spring. A total of 30 hours of the students time volunteering is required. It breaks down to 5 family hours, 10+ community hours, and 10+ parish hours.