Information for the week of May 25th

For the last few weeks, our students have been preparing for our Spring Concert. It has made for a very exciting time around the school and in the classrooms. It is necessary to adjust our daily schedule so that the students are prepared to entertain the school community next Wednesday evening.

Here are details everyone needs to have:

Wednesday, May 27th

- Students return to school after the memorial Weekend

- Students will have MUSIC Classes. This will be used to rehearse one final time, including a full dress rehearsal prior to the show that evening.

- Band students should bring instruments. They will also have a rehearsal during the school day

- Students should come dressed in their regular or warm weather uniform - NO GYM UNIFORMS

- A letter about the Spring Concert with arrival times, room assignments, what the students should be wearing, etc. went home on Wednesday, May 20th. A copy has been attached to this message.

Thursday, May 28th

- Gym classes will be made up this day. Students should wear their gym uniform to school.

- Students will also have Art classes.

Friday, May 29th

- Our Annual Memorial Day Celebration in honor of our "Fallen Heroes" will be held in the Auditorium after the 9AM Mass (approximately 9:45AM).

- All students will attend.

- Parents, grandparents, other relatives and friends are invited to join us for this wonderful event.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

A representative from Flynn & O'Hara Uniforms will be at the school on Tuesday, June 9th from 1 - 3PM for uniform fittings and ordering.

I would like to also take this opportunity to wish everyone a safe, relaxing and memorable Memorial Weekend. Thank you and God Bless!

My dear friends,
The Second Grade students here at St. Joseph’s School has made their First Holy Communion. I ask you to join me in congratulating them and praying with me that these young people and their parents experience the ever-present Jesus in their lives.

Jessica Berry Jada Bishop

Nicholas Buccheri Erica Caruso

Caitriona Conway Zachary Cotter

Michael DiLullo Edward Drew

Daniel Eliseo Patrick Feehan

Morgan Giannetta Brytany Gonzalez

Nicole Goodrow Gabriella Lebitsch

Brendan Infantino Jack Kiernan

Jack Keenan Laura Rodriguez

Emily Prophet Aidan Spillane

Michael Ryan Ascensy Santos-Perez

Prayer at a Child's First Communion

Lord Jesus Christ, in the Sacrament of

the Eucharist You left us the outstanding

manifestation of your limitless love for us.

Thank You for giving our child the

opportunity to experience this love

in receiving the Sacrament for the first time.

May your Eucharist presence keep him/her

ever free from sin, fortified in faith,

pervaded by love for God and neighbor,

and fruitful in virtue, that he/she may

continue to receive You throughout life and

attain final union with You at death. Amen.

Sincerely,

Mr. Hugh Keenan, Principal

Friday Flash

Thought this week would be a good opportunity to mention a few things that are of importance and pass along some information for all. I will put more details into the March Newsletter.

First, Cardinal Egan and Dr. McNiff, Superintendent of Schools, have announced that no schools will be closing for the 2009 - 2010 school year. This is certainly good news for all of the students and families who choose Catholic Education throughout the Archdiocese.

Second, Dr. McNiff has established a working committee whose task it is to address all of the aspects of Catholic Education in the Archdiocese. This committee is creating a Strategic Plan to be published on or near the end of this school year.

Third, the Archdiocesan calendar is being evaluated and some changes will be made to make things easier at a local school level. Hopefully, details will be ready for publication in time for the March newsletter.

Lastly, the IRIS Contact Policy is almost ready. It should be sent home early next week.

Thank you for all you do for the students of St. Joseph's School. Have a wonderful weekend.

A Message From The Principal

Dear Friends in Faith,

With the celebrations of Catholic Schools Week completed, I am spending some time this Friday afternoon reflecting. With all the thoughts zipping through my head the one feeling I keep returning to is one of amazement. I will elaborate.

I was amazed by my students last Monday as we opened Catholic Schools Week at Mass at 9AM on Monday. They are always well behaved but they were more prayerful and reverent than usual. Several parishioners in attendance stopped me to acknowledge their behavior and congratulate me on the “fine students” that I have.

I was amazed by my teachers again throughout the week. Their willingness to do whatever it takes to motivate, stimulate and educate their students is inspiring. They are the ones to be congratulated when our students behave so well in church.

I was amazed by the parents of our students. Many hours were sacrificed to make each of our school events celebrating Catholic Schools Week a great success. Our parents sacrifice so much and do so willingly time and time again. I often use that word: “sacrifice.” This week one of the parents corrected me. She said, “Mr. Keenan, it is not a sacrifice. It is a privilege.”

I was amazed by our Pastor, Msgr. Moore, again. He took time out of his busy schedule last week to support our school and students, again. He traveled with me to Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains to join other pastors and priests, principals and parents throughout the county at a Political Forum. The purpose of the Forum was to ask for the assistance of our local legislators. We need their help in the fight against the Governor’s proposal to cut Mandated Services which I have written about previously in the bulletin. If there is another Pastor more supportive of Catholic Education in this Archdiocese I have yet to meet him in my 20 years as a Catholic Educator.

I finish this message with an invitation. I invite families in our parish to come visit our parish elementary school. You will witness for yourself the work we do, the spirituality of our students, the willingness of our teachers and the amazement felt by those who believe in our school.

God bless each and every one of our parishioners. May Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary watch over you and yours throughout the New Year.

Reflections on Catholic Schools Week

With the celebrations of Catholic Schools Week completed and the prospect of another cold weekend ahead of me I am spending some time this Friday afternoon reflecting. With all the thoughts zipping through my head the one feeling I keep returning to is one of amazement. I will elaborate.

I was amazed by my students this Monday as we opened Catholic Schools Week at Mass at 9AM on Monday. They are always well behaved but they were more prayerful and reverent than usual. Several parishioners in attendance stopped me to acknowledge their behavior and congratulate me on the “fine students” that I have.

I was amazed by my teachers again this week. Their willingness to do whatever it takes to motivate, stimulate and educate their students is inspiring. They are the ones to be congratulated when our students behave so well in church.

I was amazed by the parents of our students. This week many hours were sacrificed to make each of our school events celebrating Catholic Schools Week a great success. Our parents sacrifice so much and do so willingly time and time again. I often use that word: “sacrifice.” This week one of the parents corrected me. She said, “Mr. Keenan, it is not a sacrifice. It is a privilege.”

I was amazed by our Pastor, Msgr. Moore, again. He took time out of his week to support our school and students, again. He traveled with me to Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains to join other pastors and priests, principals and parents throughout the county at a Political Forum. The purpose of the Forum was to ask for the assistance of our local legislators. We need their help in the fight against the Governor’s proposed to Mandated Services that I have written about previously in the bulletin. If there is another Pastor more supportive of Catholic Education in this Archdiocese I have yet to meet him in my 20 years as a Catholic Educator.

I finish this week with an invitation. I invite families in our parish to come visit our parish elementary school. You will witness for yourself the work we do, the spirituality of our students, the willingness of our teachers and the amazement felt by those who believe in our school.

God bless each and every one of our parishioners. May Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary watch over you and yours throughout the New Year.