Saint Joe's Scoop: December 3, 2023

December 3, 2023 Edition

Light in the dark.

A very distinctive feature but not exclusive to this season of the year is decorating with lights. I see lights and bulbs and decorations on every corner of the streets. They glow in different sizes, colors and shapes. We love them because they make our homes and communities look amazing. It is the light that strikes us in the dark. We encounter darkness every end of the day and darkness can be scary sometimes. Light dispels the dark and light helps us to see our loved ones.

The season of advent is a season to prepare for the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. We celebrate Jesus’ birthday on Christmas Day. Jesus is the eternal light who comes from heaven to dispel the darkness of sin, hate, violence, selfishness, and all evil. The light of Christ is one that fills our souls with light, hope, and peace, so that we can live as beloved children of God.

Why does it matter that we prepare our houses and hearts to receive the light of Christ? Because we need Jesus every day of our lives, but most importantly in this season. The theme for our beloved school this year is “ Journeying Together.”

It is not beyond our capacity to imagine what “together” might mean for us. No light is strong enough to shine by itself because darkness can be overwhelming. But when we see these different lights, bulbs, street lights, Christmas lights, flash lights, all shining together, we get a great array of light. When we open our hearts to the light of Christ, we shine not only as individuals but more so as a community of Saint Joseph School. And therefore it is imperative that we think about ways in which we can be delighted and hopeful about the promise of Jesus’ birth on Christmas. Let us pray to Jesus Christ to be our light and our delight.

God Bless,

Fr. Michael Ssenfuma | School Chaplain

Trimester II After School Clubs

Winter Club Sessions - Register today! Each winter club session will run once a week, for eight weeks. Meetings will start the week of January 8th. The cost for each club session is $100 per student. Limited space available. There is a minimum of 6 students for the club to run. Once a club reaches 12 registrants, students will be placed on a waiting list. This season our clubs include:

Chess Club, grades 5-8

All levels welcome!

Tuesdays from 2:40 to 3:40pm

Location: Middle school, Mr. O'Keefe's room

Craft Club, grades 3-5

Come and get creative with Ms. Balsamo, creating a variety of projects and activities!

Tuesdays from 2:40 to 3:40pm

Location: Ms. Balsamo's room

Drawing Club, grades 1 and 2

Draw along with Ms. Harris and create wonderful pictures!

Mondays from 2:40-3:40pm

Location: Ms. Harris' art room

Karaoke Klub, grades 2-6

Make new friends and have fun singing along with your favorite singers and your favorite songs!

Mondays from 2:40-3:40pm

Location: Music room with Mr. Farretta

Homework Club, grades 3-5

Come work with friends or find some help to get your homework done.

Tuesdays from 2:40-3:40pm

Location Music room with Mr. Farretta

Coding and Robotics Club, grades 6-8

Join us for imagination workouts with a variety of activities!

Wednesdays from 2:40-3:40pm

Location: STREAM lab with Mrs. O'Connor

Winter Club Sign-Ups

Speech and Debate Winter Session

Speech and Debate will be back for a second session starting January 31, 2024. Students in grades 4-8 are welcome to join the sessions, which will be held every Wednesday from 2:45-4:00pm, right on campus. Follow the link below for more information and registration details.

Speech and Debate Session II

Birthday Book Donation Program: November

Thank you to our October Birthday Book Donation Program participants: Cole Johnson, Gavin Jennison, Isabel Noel, Tucker Shields

As a reminder, families can donate a book to the library as part of a student's birthday celebration! Books may be also given at holidays, in honor of a teacher, relative, friend, or in memoriam.

Birthday Book Program

Library News

Blue Bunny Bookstore is sending Matt Tavares, a popular children's author to Saint Joes. He will read his new book "Dasher" and speak to the classes about writing and illustrating children's literature. He will visit the library classes on Friday, December 8th from 11:00-11:40am.

SJS Team News

We are pleased to announce the newest addition to our team, Mrs. Katherine Kanelos, who will be joining SJS as our dedicated Instructional Assistant on a full-time basis. Mrs. Kanelos will focus her expertise on students in grades 1-3, offering valuable support both inside and outside the classrooms. Her role encompasses one-on-one assistance with students and facilitating small group activities.

Mrs. Kanelos will collaborate closely with teachers, bridging any learning gaps, reinforcing specific skills, and contributing to the enhancement of our curriculum. Her commitment to providing additional challenges for students demonstrates her passion for enriching their educational experience.

Let us collectively extend a warm welcome to Mrs. Kanelos as she embarks on this journey with us at Saint Joe's. We are confident that her dedication and skills will greatly benefit our students and contribute to the overall success of our educational community.

Jesse Tree Project

Thank you to our students in Kindergarten through Grade 3 who crafted ornaments for the Saint Joseph Parish Jesse Tree. The Jesse Tree will be displayed at the St. Joseph Church from December 2nd to December 10th. If your family wishes to participate in the Jesse Tree collection, more information can be found in the weekly church bulletin, and ornaments can be picked off the tree in the upper church.

SJS Middle School Living Nativity

The middle school students of SJS would like to invite you to the annual Living Nativity on December 15, 2023, at 1:30pm in the Upper Church. This beloved tradition goes back over 25 years. Please join our entire school community in the final event of the calendar year at SJS. It is a beautiful reminder for us all of the true reason we celebrate Christmas.

For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:11-12

Watch the 2022 Living Nativity

Christmas Collection for SJS Staff

We are continuing the wonderful tradition of the annual Saint Joseph School Christmas Collection. The Christmas Collection allows families to contribute toward a larger monetary gift for all members of the Saint Joseph School faculty and staff. If you would like to participate, please click below for more info.

SJS Christmas Collection

2024 Family Hockey Night

Get ready for an exhilarating night of ice action at the 2024 Family Hockey Night, sponsored by PSA! Join us as Boston College faces off against the University of New Hampshire on Friday, February 9, 2024, at 7 pm. Tickets are only $15, with limited availability—grab yours before they skate away!

Buy Your Tickets

Santa's Workshop Volunteers

Santa's Workshop is next week! Every December, Saint Joe's celebrates a Christmas tradition, Santa's Workshop. During this time, the elementary school gym is transformed into a shopping wonderland where students can purchase gifts for family members on their list.

Letters with more information will be coming home on Friday via the backpack. Attached to the letter is an envelope and labels that you will need to fill-out with your child prior to the event. The schedule for Santa's Workshop is linked below. Pre-School, Pre-Kindergarten and Grade 5 will shop on Tuesday, December 12, 2023 and Kindergarten-Grades 4 will shop on Wednesday, December 13, 2023. Volunteers are still needed. Please consider volunteering for this wonderful event.

Santas Workshop Schedule

Santas Workshop Volunteers

Giving Tuesday Thank You

Thanks to our amazing community, we raised $19,591 on #GivingTuesday for Saint Joseph School. Your support ensures academic excellence and service thrive. Thank you for making a difference in our students' lives. God Bless, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!

Minted.com Discount

Tis the season for holiday cheer! Elevate your Christmas card game with our exclusive Saint Joe's Minted promo code—guaranteed to add a festive touch to your shopping experience. Use the code FUNDRAISESAINTJOES at checkout for 20% off your order, and 15% of the net sales contribute to supporting our school. Spread joy with unique designs while giving back this holiday season!

BC Child Study

We've teamed up with Boston College's Cooperation Lab, led by Dr. Katie McAuliffe, for a 10–15 minute study delving into how social cognition and behavior, especially cooperation, develop in children. Your child, aged 6 to 12, can take part with your permission. The study, beginning the week after Thanksgiving, explores how considering different perspectives shapes sharing behavior. To learn more and express interest, please read the letter below and complete the electronic consent form.

Study Info

Participation Form

Lunch & Recess Volunteers

Check the sign-ups for Lunch & Recess Volunteering using the buttons below.

Gr. 1-5 Lunch & Recess Volunteer

Pre-School Recess

Pre-K Recess

Kindergarten Recess

Sharkbites: This Week's Events

12/4/23 Monday –

12/5/23 Tuesday –

12/6/23 Wednesday –

12/7/23 Thursday – Kindergarten Nativity Family Performance

12/8/23 Friday – All School Parish Mass, 9am (Feast of the Immaculate Conception)

School Calendar