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Principal's Letter
Catholic Schools - Faith, Academics, Service
February 6, 2012
“You can pray anytime, during the day or night. It is a good idea to pray every morning. Through your prayer, you are willing to receive good things, allowing yourself to have a happy day. When you pray in the morning you are sending a love letter to God and you will get a similar reply: a lovely day. Oh, but you need to write the letter with the ink of faith. Yes, with faith, no fake! I mean, you need to be sure that what you are asking is already yours. You have it already and you are grateful for it.
I want to share with you my morning prayer.
Good morning Universe. Good morning God.
Here I am, willing to create a happy day.
I'm open to make worthy changes in my life.
I'm open to love. My life is full of love.
I'm open to health. I feel great! My body works perfectly.
I'm open to success. I'm the person I want to be. I do what I love
to do and I have all what I want to have.
I'm open to money. Money comes to me every day by different ways.
I'm open to happiness. Happiness is my natural state of being.
I'm open to inspiration. I'm connected with my source.
I'm aligned with the Universe. I vibrate high positive energy.
I'm open and ready to receive all the blessings and good things for me.
I'm ready to give and create value in other people's lives.
I'm sending love to my family, my town and all people who are open to receive.
I'm sending blessings and good vibes to heal the world.
Thank God for all the things I have in my life and for the ones coming to me.
Thank the Universe for this wonderful day.”
Thank You
To Mrs. Brazil and Mrs. Dichoso for preparing our Catholic Schools Week Mass on Sunday * to the choir for their melodic voices * to Mr. Esquivel for taking care of the technology aspects of the day* to Mrs. Mastrogiacomo and all her helpers who worked hospitality detail* to Father Eddie and all those assisting at the celebration of the Mass on Sunday*to the faculty and staff who have spent countless hours directing, gathering, and placing your student’s projects and assignments up around the buildings for your viewing enjoyment, and to my dedicated office staff who “rolled up” their sleeves to get everything organized for the application and testing process.
To all of our families who came to celebrate Mass with us on Sunday, and then walked over to go through the classrooms, talked with the teachers, and visited with friends. It is always exciting to share the wonderful projects that are going on in the various grade levels, along with the spirit and pride the children display for their school environment.
To Mrs. Padua, Mrs. Zelnik, and their fabulous crew of assistants for the delicious and well-organized Special Persons’ Luncheon. We really did need “comfort food” on that day, and they came through with flying colors on their food selection.
Sadly, this is the last year these dedicated ladies will be heading up this event. Both of their daughters are moving into the Eighth Grade, and they would like the time to volunteer for all the wonderful closing activities that will take place before their girls graduate. So, we need a chairperson or chairpersons to take over. If you are interested, talk with Valerie and Jen
about the details of this event. It is one of our most popular “happenings,” and we really don’t want it to fade out into history.
Tuition Assistance
We have updated the tuition assistance information on the web site. Information can be located by following this path:
* on home page, click on general information
* next page, click on tuition and admissions
* next page, click on tuition assistance
* next page, click on tuition assistance programs
*** Please read through the information very carefully ***
Don’t forget that we have scheduled a workshop on Thursday, February 9, from 3:00 – 7:00 PM for those people who may have questions, concerns, or need additional support with filling out the forms. Please call the office to set up an appointment for that evening. We are here to assist as much as we can with your efforts to secure funds for next year’s tuition. *** Be sure to bring all your paperwork with you. ***
Partners in Faith
Please note the highlights in this issue:
* As parents, we focus on teaching our children about the Lenten custom of “giving up something,” but we neglect the rest of the devotions and observations that make Lent a fruitful season. The min article on Page 1 reminds parents to round out the season with more than just a Lenten sacrifice.
* Every Sunday is a “little Easter” to celebrate with your family. The article on Page 2 gives practical ways to bring the joy of Easter to your home each week.
* Every now and then a parent can get overwhelmed by the responsibilities of daily life and feel as if God has grown distant. The feature, Parent Talk, describes how one parent was struggling to put her faith in her relationship with God until her daughter showed her how to pray through the trouble.
* Find your Lenten calendar enclosed with a faith-based activity for each day of the Lenten season. Designed with the three pillars of the season in mind, the activities are do-able by any family regardless of circumstances.
Spelling Bee Information
Oral Spelling Bee – Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 1:00 PM in the gym
Come and cheer on your student Spelling Bee contestants! The students are energetic and super supportive of their schoolmate contestants. Come join in the fun and excitement!
Prizes
First Place: A new Miriam Webster Dictionary PLUS a free language course from the K12 Company in your choice of Spanish, French, German, Latin or Chinese
Second and Third Place: A free 6 month subscription to the Encyclopedia Britannica and more . . .
All Oral Spelling Bee Participants: A Certificate of Accomplishment.
*** The First Place winner will represent St. Joseph in the Regional Spelling Bee (written and oral) held in Walnut Creek on Saturday, March 24. The Regional Winner will continue to compete and has a chance to go to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington D.C. this June.
Bricks
Please consider purchasing a brick to honor your graduating student or your First Communicant. What a special way to always remember the day. :) Forms are available online and in the office.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
We need two or three volunteers to help administer the Bee. The teachers do some parts, but a few parents are needed to help set up. And one or two people to help with checking the rules, keeping track of the students participating, recording the selected words, and recording the winners.
Please contact the Spelling Bee coordinator, Elyse Heilshorn at 510-703 5407 or eheils5@gmail.com.
WANT TO EARN HOURS AND HAVE FUN?
Volunteer to coordinate the Spelling Bee next year. Guidelines, timelines and templates are all prepared and ready to use. A fun, fast job. Give our students the opportunity to excel in spelling!
Contact the current coordinator, Elyse Heilshorn to learn more or volunteer, at 510-703 5407 or eheils5@gmail.com.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR AUCTION MERCHANDISING ROOM
Volunteer to help track, sort and distribute purchased items at the Auction March 17. About 5 fundraising hours can be earned working from 7 pm to midnight.
Please contact the merchandising room coordinator, Elyse Heilshorn at 510-703 5407 or eheils5@gmail.com to volunteer.
Calendar:
2/7 Kindergarten Testing for incoming students
2/8 New teacher in-service for Grades 1, 4 and 6. The School Department offers the new teachers in the diocese opportunities to attend workshops on a variety of topics centered on student learning, special needs, discipline, lesson planning, assessment, etc. In the afternoon, our teachers will move to another venue and take part in our Catechetical Certification training on “Ministry Spirit.” We are very fortunate that we are offered these events in order to strengthen and reinforce the knowledge we have “in place” as educators.
PTG meeting in the Sixth Grade classroom, 6:30 PM
2/8 – 2/10
I am out serving on a WCEA/WASC Team for St. Michael School in Livermore. A WASC evaluation provides a continuous school improvement process that enables the broader school community to focus on mutually developed goals that will enhance student learning and ensure that students are prepared to contribute meaningfully to our global community when they leave school. This will be my thirteenth opportunity to sit with a group of talented
teachers/administrators who dedicate many hours to support, appreciate, and affirm what is taking place on another campus within the Diocese of Oakland. Just as with our WASC process, I will have the chance to observe, bring back new ideas, and talk with the school community members about the things they consider a success and those they want to implement to prepare their students for the future.
2/9 Kindergarten Testing for incoming students
Tuition Assistance Workshop, 3:00 – 7:00 PM. Please call the office for an appointment.
Play practice from 3:30 - 5:00 PM
2/12 Father Richard’s 50th Anniversary. Join the St. Joseph Community for 12:30 PM Mass in the church, followed by a reception in the school gym. Come and reminisce.
Blessings,
Mrs. Marseille
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