Weekly Newsletter – December 1, 2019 From the Principal’s Desk

MISSION STATEMENT Rooted in Catholic faith, and committed to academic excellence, St. Joseph Catholic School

develops personal responsibility, character, service, and leadership.

ST. JOSEPH BOOK FAIR - Dec. 2nd to Dec. 6th

Our Scholastic Book Fair is a reading event that provides the books kids want to read. It's a wonderful selection of engaging and affordable books for every reading level. Students will be visiting the Book Fair during their library/media periods. They will also be able to stop by the Book Fair during lunch recess. Of course, the Book Fair will be open on Wednesday during Cookies with Santa.

Enjoy cookies with Santa and Mrs. Claus! Join us on Wednesday, December 4th, from 3:15–5:00 pm

You can also shop our Book Fair online at: https://bit.ly/2r7bysX (Share the link with family and friends!)

We're still looking for a few volunteers! https://sugeni.us/3LwE Since this event is during the school day, all volunteers must have attended the Safe Environment Training Class and completed a background screening.

Soccer Coaches Needed We are looking for soccer coaches for the boys and girls soccer teams this year. The commitment is from January to the beginning of March. It will be about two days per week (possibly 3) but never on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday. If you are interested, please contact Coach Kolbe for more information at kkolbe@sjsfl.org.

St. Joseph Catholic School

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Cookies with Santa & Mrs. Claus

Monday, Dec. 2nd - It's Christmas in the Courtyard! Decorating will begin at 8:15 am. You many count this time as volunteer hours! Thank you to our PTO officers for organizing all of the decorations. Sign Up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/SJCScourtyard

Wednesday, Dec. 4th - 3:15 pm to 5:00 pm. Come and chat with Santa & Mrs. Claus. Receive some yummy Christmas cookies/treats. Learn about our Christmas traditions. Make special reindeer food! Christmas face painting will be available for $1 per print. All proceeds will be donated to the school library for the purchase of new books!

Remember to browse through the BOOK FAIR while you're here. Books make great Christmas gifts!

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KnightsofColumbusPosterContest

The Knights of Columbus “Keep Christ in Christmas” Poster Contest is open to all students from five to fourteen years of age.

Students may pick up poster paper and entry forms in the school office. Please have your child use the supplied poster paper to comply with the contest requirements. All Entries are due back in the office by December 13th.

AGE GROUPS Contest entrants compete in one of three age groups:

• Ages 5 through 7 • Ages 8 through 10 • Ages 11 through 14

Mark Your Calendar for Our Christmas Program “Sing with Me the Christmas Story”

December 17, 6:00 pm St. Joseph Church

Christmas Program – Costume Information

Girls: Christmas Dresses, flat shoes, no heels please. Boys: Collared dress shirts in white or Christmas colors, dress slacks. No jeans or t-shirts, please. If your child has a special part and needs a costume, you will be notified by Mrs. Geyer or the classroom teacher.

Cold Weather Clothing

Parents have been checking the Eagles Nest for cold weather wear. If your child has outgrown uniform garments, please consider donating to our school to assist other families.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration

Please join us for the Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration on December 12th at 1:45 pm

St. Joseph Church

Parents and guardians are invited to attend.

Students are invited to bring roses or flowers on December 12th for the procession.

A Night Before Christmas at G.T. Bray Park – Volunteers Needed

We have been asked to participate in this community event and share information regarding St. Joseph Catholic School. We need parent volunteers to set up, assist with a table activity, donate candy canes, and to pass out treats. Students who assist parents and wear their uniform or Spirit shirt will receive a dress down pass.

Information about the event: Santa will be coming to G.T. Bray to visit with the children. The event will include face painting, bounce houses, wagon rides, and much more. This year features over 15 tons of

snow and 150-foot long snow slide that even grown-up "kids" will enjoy. Families who complete Santa's passport and will be entered to win a gift certificate, too! This awesome event is great for kids of all ages. Wristbands for this event are $5.00 for children and include unlimited participation in all activities, bounce houses, snow, etc. Food is available at an additional cost.

Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm Location: G.T. Bray Park VOLUNTEER LINK: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/GTBray or visit our school webpage at www.sjsfl.org and choose the Volunteer Opportunities link,

ActivitiesDecember 2 – December 6

Monday, December 2 Book Fair – Library – 8:00 to 3:30 pm Third Grade – Lowry Park Zoo Field Trip 8:30 – 10:30 am 3:00 – 4:00 pm3:00 pm3:15 – 4:15 pm 3:15 – 5:00 pm

Decorating the Courtyard Odyssey of the Mind Meeting (Grades 6 – 8) – Room 723 Jr. Legion of MaryChoir Practice Little Pros Soccer – Party & Scrimmage

Tuesday, December 3 Book Fair – Library – 8:00 – 3:15 8:15 am Gala Planning Meeting – St. Joseph Room 3:15 pm Violin 3:00 – 4:00 pm Intermediate Guitar

Wednesday, December 4 Book Fair – Library – 8:00 – 3:15 3:15 – 5:00 pm Cookie with Santa and Book Fair - Courtyard 3:00 – 4:00 pm Beginning Guitar

Thursday, December 5 Book Fair – Library – 8:00 – 3:15 8:15 am – 8th Grade High School Placement Test – St. Joseph Room 3:00 – 4:00 pm Intermediate Guitar 3:00 – 4:00 pm Irish Dance

Friday, December 6 Book Fair – Library Jesse Tree Gifts Due in the School Office Spirit Day – Spirit Shirts with uniform shorts, skorts, or jeans (no rips or tears) with school shoes Kona Ice During Lunch Recess 2:00 – 2:45 St. Nicholas Day – 3rd Grade Mini Retreat

Jesse Tree Gifts – Due December 6th

Our Jesse Tree is in the school office lobby. During Advent, our school community assists four social agencies in our community: Hope Family Services, Palmetto Migrant School, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Samoset Elementary School. Each ornament on the tree is a gift tag that has the name of an agency and a suggested gift. Thank you for helping us bring Christmas cheer to those less fortunate in our community.

CalendarDatesMarkYourCalendar

December11 SchoolMassDecember12 DecemberBirthdayCelebrationsDecember13 KindergartenTriptoSummerfieldDecember13 KeepChristinChristmasPosterContestEntriesDueDecember14 SafeEnvironmentTraining–9:00am–St.JosephRoom Register:https://bit.ly/2KQUbTKDecember14 ANightBeforeChristmas–GTBrayPark-10:00am–2:00pmDecember17 ChristmasProgram–6:00pm–St.JosephChurchDecember18 VPKChristmasPlay-8:30am&12:15pmDecember18 PenanceService(Grades3–8)December19 June½BirthdaysCelebrationDecember20 EndofSecondQuarterDecember20 SchoolMass(Grade4)December20 ChristmasParties&MiddleSchoolDanceDecember20 EarlyDismissal–11:30amDecember23–January6ChristmasBreakJanuary7 SchoolresumesJanuary15 KofCBasketballFreeThrowContest–3:15–ParishCenter

https://www.holyheroes.com/Holy-Heroes-Advent-Adventure-s/48.htm

Advent Activities

StudentsingradesPKthrough1willbeusingaspecialAdventprogram,TheShepherd’sTreasure”.ThisisanalternativetotheElfontheShelfandeachdayfocusesonpreparingforJesus’birthday.ManyofouryoungerstudentstalkabouttheElfonaShelfduringtheAdventseason,whichhasbecomeapopularprograminmanyfamilies.WhynotmergeyourElfontheShelfwithChristianAdventpractices. Afewideasarelistedbelow:ElfontheShelfWritingaLettertoBabyJesusInsteadof(orinadditionto!)havingyourkidswritealettertoSantaaskingformore“stuff”thisyear—havethemwritealettertoJesusthankingHimforallthethingshehasprovidedforthemalready.Yourelfcandelivertheblankletterforyourchildrentofilloutduringtheday,andthendropitofftoJesusonhiswaybacktotheNorthPoleafterthekidsareasleep.Dependingonyourchildren’swritingabilities(andtheamountoftimeyouwanttospendonit),youcouldhavethemwriteoutafullletteronablankpieceofpaper.

ChristianElfontheShelfWorshipingBabyJesusTheWisemenworshipbabyJesus.TheshepherdsworshipBabyJesus.Whynotyourelftoo?OneoftheabsoluteeasiestChristianElfontheShelfideas—thisoneisperfectforthosemorningswhenyouneedsomethingcleverandFAST!Bonuspoints:Youcaneventellyourkidsthattheirelfprobablydoesn’tknowtheChristmasstoryandaskthemtotellittohim.They’llhaveagreattimeteachingtheirelfallaboutJesus!

ElfontheShelfReadingtheBibleWantyourelftosetagoodChristianexample?HavehimreadtheBible!Oncethekidsfindhim,haveeveryonejoinhiminreadingtheChristmasstoryaloud.ORifyourchildrendon’talreadyhaveagoodchildren’sBible,youcouldhavetheelfbringthemoneasanearlyChristmaspresent.

ElfontheShelfSingingHymnsWholovessinginghymns?ChristianElfontheShelfdoes!AndwhilethisisoneoftheChristianElfontheShelfideasthatdoestakealittlepre-planning,(sinceyouhavetoprintoffthesheetmusic),it’sstillprettyeasyandtotallyworthit.PrintoutsomeChristmascarolsandputtheminafolder.Ifyourchildrenwouldn’trecognizehymnsheetmusic,youcaneasilysubstituteaChristmasCDofhymns.TaketimetosingtheChristmascarolstogether.

ElfontheShelfHelpingOutwiththeHouseworkOnecommoncomplaintpeoplehaveaboutmostElfontheShelfideasisthatcreatingallthemessesandmischiefthatmakeElfontheShelfsofuncausesalotofextraworkformom.Butthegoodnewsis—yourChristianElfontheShelfcandotheexactopposite!Insteadofyourelfmakingmesses,haveyourChristianElfontheShelfhelpcleanupandgetthekidstohelpcleanuptoo.It’sagreatwaytoteachyourkidsgivingandselflessness.

St. Joseph Catholic School Hot Lunch Order December 2 – December 6 (One order per student)

Student: Homeroom: Grade:

MONDAY - Hamburger on Bun $3.75 Baked Fries Green Beans Rosy Applesauce Milk and Juice

TUESDAY - Mini Corn Dogs $3.75 Steamed Carrot Coins Broccoli with Cheese Sauce Pineapple Tidbits Milk and Juice

WEDNESDAY – Chicken Dippers $3.75 Hushpuppies Baked Beans Cucumber Slices with Dip Cinnamon Applesauce Cup Milk and Juice

THURSDAY – Corn Dogs $3.75 Mashed Potatoes Strawberry Cup Ice Cream Milk and Juice

FRIDAY - Pizza $3.75 Steamed Corn Fresh Veggie Cup with Dip Orange Slices Milk and Juice

TOTAL (Charge to FACTS)

Parent Signature:

1 Day = $ 3.75 2 Days = $ 7.50 3 Days = $11.25 4 Days = $15.00 5 Days = $18.75

You Shop Amazon Gives

AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way to support our school. The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of your eligible purchases. On your first

visit to AmazonSmile you will need to select Saint Joseph Catholic School to receive donations from

eligible purchases before you begin shopping. Support our school by starting your shopping at http://smile.amazon.com/ch/27-0362454.

How do I shop at AmazonSmile? To shop at AmazonSmile simply go to

http://smile.amazon.com/ch/27-0362454. from the web browser on your

computer or mobile device. You may also want to add a bookmark to smile.amazon.com to make it even easier to return and start your shopping at

AmazonSmile.

Can I use my existing Amazon.com account on AmazonSmile? Yes, you use the same account on Amazon.com and AmazonSmile. Your shopping

cart, Wish List, wedding or baby registry, and other account settings are also the same.

How do I select a charitable organization to support when shopping on AmazonSmile?

On your first visit to AmazonSmile smile.amazon.com, you need to select a charitable organization to receive donations from eligible purchases before you begin shopping.

We will remember your selection, and then every eligible purchase you make at smile.amazon.com will result in a donation.

Ask your friends, family and co-workers to participate!