2024 Fun Run: The Groovy Run

Thank you to everyone who registered and gathered pledges for the 2024 Fun Run! Donations are open through tonight, and all contributions are eligible for corporate matches. Fundraising totals will be announced tomorrow.

A special thanks to all the parents who volunteered at this year's event - we couldn't have done it without you!

Thank You for Celebrating Our Blue Ribbon Achievement!

A heartfelt thank you to all the families who joined us on Friday evening for our "Under the Big Top" celebration in honor of Saint Joseph School’s 2024 National Blue Ribbon recognition. It was a joy to come together as a community and celebrate this remarkable achievement. Your support, enthusiasm, and spirit made the evening truly magical!

Parent-Teacher Conferences (AKA "Pick-A-Time")

Parent-Teacher Conferences will take place this week on Thursday, October 24, and Friday, October 25. Sign-ups for time slots are now open. Please click below to reserve your time.

Lost & Found Reminder

Our Lost & Found is quickly filling up! Please make sure to label all clothing, especially SJS outerwear, as many items look similar. During Parent-Teacher Conferences, Lost & Found items will be displayed on a table near the front office, making it easy for families to check and locate missing items. Be sure to take a look and retrieve any of your student's lost (and sometimes not yet known to be lost) belongings.

Progress Reports and MAP Test Scores

Term I progress reports were made available on Friday, October 18:

• Grade 2: Reports were sent home with students.
• Grades 3-5: Reports are accessible online through the RenWeb portal.
• Grades 6-8: The gradebook is continuously open for viewing in the RenWeb portal.

Additionally, MAP test scores for all students in Kindergarten through Grade 8 were sent home on Friday. Please check your student's backpack.

PSA News: Halloween Happenings

Get ready for some Halloween fun at SJS Needham!

Join us on Friday, October 25, 2024, for a spooktacular evening of events for all ages:

Friendly Ghost Gathering

A not-so-spooky craft event for our littlest ghosts and goblins in the ECB!

Time: 4:00-5:00pm | Cost: $10 per family | Location: ECB Play Yard

Note: This is not a drop-off event.

Trunk-Or-Treat

Trick-or-treating, a corn maze, popcorn, and dancing!

Time: 5:00-7:00pm | Cost: $30 per family | Location: School Parking Lot

Note: This is not a drop-off event.

Enter through the Highland Ave. parking lot entrance.

Upper School Monster Mash

Grades 5-8, prepare for a haunted hallway, candy bar, and mummy race!

Time: 7:30-9:00pm | Cost: $15 per student | Location: Upper School Gym

Enter through the May Street gym door.

School Photos

On Friday, a message was sent to all families with information on accessing your child's school photos. If you did not see this email, please check your spam folder or search your inbox for a message from "Cara at C. Jane Go Photo."

The ordering period will close at midnight on Monday, October 28, 2024. All prints will be delivered directly to Saint Joseph School approximately two weeks after the ordering period ends.

If you have any questions, please email hello@cjanegophoto.com.

Communication Update: Text Alert System

There will be a test of our School Closure alert system tomorrow Monday, October 21 at 7pm. Parents/Guardians should receive the text alert on their mobile phones. 

Counselor's Corner: Is Your Child Ready for a Cell Phone?

Wondering when the right time is to give your child a cell phone? What’s the ideal age to make this decision? In this brief video, Common Sense Media explores these questions by offering:

1. Tips and guidelines for determining when it’s appropriate to get a cell phone.
2. Strategies for setting expectations around cell phone use.
3. Advice on using phones safely and responsibly.



For more resources, visit www.commonsensemedia.org. Common Sense Media is a trusted source of entertainment and technology recommendations for families.

Church Happenings

All School Rosary: We invite parents, family members, and friends to join us for a Rosary prayer service on Monday, October 28, at 1:30pm in the St. Joseph Upper Church. Students in grades K-8 will be participating, and we know the power of prayer is even stronger when we come together. We hope you can join us.

All Saints Day Mass: Please join us for an All School Parish Mass in celebration of All Saints Day, a Holy Day of Obligation, on Friday, November 1, at 9:00am in the St. Joseph Upper Church.

2nd Grade Saints Parade: In honor of All Saints Day, our second grade class will host their annual Saints Parade on Friday, November 1, at 1:45pm in the St. Joseph Upper Church. Families and community members are warmly invited to attend.

Athletics

Basketball: Last Call for SJS Basketball! Clinic registrations are now closed, but there are still spots available for team registrations for grades 3-8! Limited spots remain, so be sure to sign up soon. All registrations will close on Thursday, October 24.

For parents needing VIRTUS training to coach or volunteer, Ms. McCabe will be holding two sessions at Saint Joe’s: November 20 and December 9, both from 6:00-9:00pm. Please register at VIRTUSonline.org.

Scoops Lacrosse at Saint Joe’s: We’re thrilled to welcome Scoops Lacrosse to Saint Joe’s this November! They’ll be offering a five-week clinic open to boys and girls in grades K-5, perfect for both beginners and those looking to build their skills. Click below for more information and to register today!

Hot Lunch

The November Hot Lunch Calendar has been posted and the system is open for orders. 

Lunch & Recess Volunteers

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

Sharkbites: This Week's Events

10/21/24 Monday – 

10/22/24 Tuesday – 

10/23/24 Wednesday – 

10/24/24 Thursday – Parent Conferences begin 3pm

10/25/24 Friday – NO SCHOOL (Parent Conferences) | PSA Friendly Ghost Gathering, 4pm | PSA Trunk-or-Treat, 5pm | Upper School Monster Mash, 7:30pm