August 15 | 2025-2026 Issue - 2

Summer Improvements & Facility Updates

This summer, we invested over $50,000 in capital improvements and upgrades to enhance our school, especially in our arts program areas:

• Music Room – Brand new carpet installed to create a warm and inviting learning space.
• Art Room – New non-slip epoxy flooring, upgraded electrical, a new portable sink (made possible by the Home and School Association), brand new workstations (funded by the Janet Malser Humanities Trust), and an enclosed main water valve/heater in a custom closet (installed by Zeglen Exteriors).
• Safety Upgrades – New radiator covers installed in Grade 2 and Grade 3 classrooms.
• Library Update – Our Librarian, Shana Kosiorek, has been working diligently all summer—alongside PreK–4 Teaching Assistant Pier Cutler and Miss McKenzie Logan—to update, reorganize, and improve our school library so that students can enjoy a more welcoming and resourceful space for reading and research.

Curriculum Enhancements

Our mission is to continually improve the quality of our curriculum and resources. This year, we are excited to introduce:

• Amplify ELA – After a successful pilot last spring, we are fully implementing this superior English Language Arts program in Grades K–8 with an investment of over $20,000.
• Friendzy – A school-wide, biblically based Social-Emotional Learning Program featuring monthly themes and goals integrated into assemblies and buddy class activities.
• STREAM Expansion – Students in Grades 5–8 will begin coding through the Tinkerworks Program led by Saint Joseph School graduate Seth Boudreau. We are also developing a new STEM area for elementary students in our former cafeteria.

New Programs & Opportunities

• Show Choir (Grades 5–8) – Led by the newest member of our Fine Arts staff, Ms. Connie Galli, this after-school program begins Monday, September 15.
• Breakfast Program – Details will be shared as soon as we finalize plans to launch this new offering.
• ParentSquare – Beginning September 1st, all primary school communications will be sent via ParentSquare for streamlined updates and reminders.

Staff Updates

We are blessed to welcome many new faces to our team this year:

• Teaching Assistants – Mrs. Michelle Vezeau (PreK–4), Mrs. Audrey Lopez (Grade 2), and Miss Norah Brennan (Grade 3).
• Grade 2 – Miss McKenzie Logan, who served as the Grade 2 Teaching Assistant before stepping into the instructor role late last year, returns as our full-time Grade 2 teacher. She will be supported by Instructional Coach Mrs. Donna Recko.
• Reading Specialist – Mrs. Kim Gajewski joins Mrs. Carole Demake and Mrs. Phyllis Scully on our reading support team.
• STREAM Instructor – Seth Boudreau will lead coding classes for Grades 5–8.

We also thank Mr. Joey Boudreau for his eight years of service as Athletic Director and welcome Mr. John Kottori into the role.  We would also like to wish Mr. and Mrs. Hester well as they retire from Saint Joseph School, and thank them for their dedication and service to our community.

Policies in Progress

We are currently finalizing a new phone policy and updating our technology policy to ensure a safe and productive learning environment. Please look for our updated "Parent/Guardian Quick Reference Guide" that contains detailed information regarding our morning drop-off process. Full details will be shared soon.

Professional Development & Adjusted Calendar

This year, additional teacher professional development days have been added to provide training in Amplify ELA, MAPS testing, and differentiated instruction. This adjustment has caused a slight delay in publishing the full calendar—thank you for your patience and understanding.

Important Upcoming Dates

• Thursday, August 21 – NEW DATE!
• Ice Cream Social from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM in the Parish Center
• H.S.A. Gently Used Uniform Sale from 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM in Gymnasium
•  School Supply Drop-Off from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM outside classrooms
• Complete Your CORI for the New School Year from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM in the school office
• No AM or PM buses Aug. 26–27
• Tuesday, August 26 – First Day of School (Grades 1–8)
• Tuesday, August 26 – PreK 3, PreK 4, & Kindergarten Parent Orientation at 6:00 PM
• Wednesday, August 27 – First Day of School for Kindergarten
• Thursday, August 28 – First Day of School for PreK 3 & PreK 4 in 5-day programs – Parents may drop their children off at approximately 8:20 AM (following our regular morning drop-off window) and escort their students to their classrooms.
• Monday, September 1 – No School / Labor Day
• Tuesday, September 2 – First Day for PreK 3 in 2-day program - Parents may drop their children off at approximately 8:20 AM (following our regular morning drop-off window) and escort their students to their classrooms.
• Wednesday, September 3 – First Day for PreK 3 in 3-day program & Grades 1–8 Parent Orientation at 6:00 PM - Parents may drop their children off at approximately 8:20 AM (following our regular morning drop-off window) and escort their students to their classrooms.
• Friday, September 5 – First Friday Mass at 8:30 AM & Blessing of Backpacks at 2:00 PM
• Sunday, September 7 – Family Mass at 9:00 AM followed by H.S.A. Back-to-School Social

Volunteer/Service Hour Opportunity

The H.S.A. is looking for six volunteers to assist with the gently used uniform sale on Thursday, August 21 from 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM. Parents who can help may text Co-Chair Krystal Kolesnik at 508-335-1551.