December 11, 2022 Edition

Hammerhead Shark Sighting


Students in Grades 5 and 6 made fleece knot blankets to give to those in need. This is a 15-year community outreach tradition that provides an opportunity for hands-on service. The Grade 5 blankets are being sent to children in need at Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy, and Grade 6 blankets are being sent to adults in need at the Bedford Veterans Quarters. Thank you to all the community members who helped with this meaningful project and to the Grade 5 and 6 students and teachers for all their hard work!

Santa's Workshop

The elves have been busy getting ready for Santa’s Workshop! 

This wonderful Saint Joe’s Christmas tradition is this Tuesday and Wednesday. Students in preschool thru grade 5 will be treated to a winter shopping wonderland where they can purchase gifts for everyone on their Christmas list, and we will provide bags and labels for them to wrap their gifts.


Santa’s Workshop Envelopes have been sent home. Your child should bring the envelope with them on their assigned day. We ask that you and your student complete the information requested on the envelope and fill out the gift labels for everyone on their list before coming in on their shopping day.

Here are a few suggestions to make the shopping experience go smoothly:

  • Shopping choices at Santa’s Workshop can be overwhelming, at times, for students. Please discuss with your child who they will be buying gifts for.
  • To help the elves suggest age-appropriate gifts, write the age of those named on the list. You can also include next to the name, "grandmother/grandfather/aunt/uncle/pet cat or dog/etc.
  • Please make the list manageable. The students will have approximately 20-minutes to shop.

We hope you and your students enjoy the magic of the Santa’s Workshop experience!

Thank you to our Santa’s Workshop Co-Elves Ali Mazza and Jennifer Soivilien.

Santa's Workshop Schedule

Volunteers are still needed for:


  • Grades 2 and 4 8:15 – 11:00am (Wednesday)
  • Grades K and 1 12:15 – 2:15pm (Wednesday)
  • Clean-up 2:30 3:30pm (Wednesday)


Reminder: All volunteers need to have a current CORI on file. All volunteers should check in at the main office upon arrival.

Volunteer for Santa's Workshop

SJS Living Nativity

Join us this Friday, December 16, 2022, at 1:30 pm in the Upper Church for the annual Living Nativity. All are welcome!


This beloved tradition goes back over 25 years. This year, we are delighted to include our entire school community in the audience and the Grade 6 and 7 choir. The performance is the final event of the calendar year at SJS Needham and a beautiful reminder for us all of the true reason we celebrate Christmas.

Speech and Debate

Sign-ups due by this Friday 12/16

Students grades 4-8 | Wednesdays, 2:45-4:00 pm | Winter term: 1/11/23 - 3/15/23 | Spring term: 3/25 through 5/31 | In person, on campus | $325 per term, $575 for both

More Info & Sign-Up

Christmas Collection

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. The deadline to participate is tomorrow, Monday December 12th. 

Christmas Collection

Designer Bag Bingo - Ladies Night Out

Save the date!

Ladies grab your friends and join us for an evening of Fun Bingo and a chance to win a Designer Bag on Thursday, January 19, 2023! This will be a fun-filled event and a great night to get together with friends. Tickets are $30 and will be on sale after the Christmas break.

January Lunch Box Program

The January Lunch Box Program menu is live on the EZ School Apps website. Please make your student's lunch selections by Friday, December 30th.


New in January: Chicken quesadillas and grilled chicken offered with salads!

EZ School Apps

Family News


Congratulations to Miss Molly Newman and her NEW husband Jake!

God Bless the newlyweds!!

Sharkbites: This Week's Events

12/12/22 Monday – Holiday Door Decorating Contest Begins, Grades 5-8

12/13/22 Tuesday – Santa's Workshop, PreSchool, PreK & Grade 5 | Grades 6-8 Field Trip

12/14/22 Wednesday – Santa's Workshop, Grades K-4 | Christmas PJ Day (all school)

12/15/22 Thursday – Classroom Christmas Parties | Christmas Surprise, Preschool-Grade 3 | Holiday Door Judging | Prayer & Pickup 4B

12/16/22 Friday – Grade 3 Mass, 9am | Live Nativity, 1:30pm, Upper Church, all are welcome

School Calendar
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