Do You Know Jesus?

Do You Know Jesus
Fifth Sunday of Lent, Year A
John 11:1-45

            The Holy Spirit, through Jesus, raised Lazarus from the dead. This was living proof to Mary, Martha and the others present that Jesus was the son of God. The Holy Spirit lives within each of us so that one day we too will be able to join God in Heaven. We should always be aware of the presence of God in our lives, sometimes we need to remind ourselves of this. Here is a prayer that you can say to help remember that God is with us always.

Lord, help us to be like Martha,             To see clearly that you are the son of God and the life of the world. Make our belief and your life in us, grow a little stronger each day of our lives.*

* The Complete Children’s Liturgy Book, by Katie Thomp

Office Notes
Out of Uniform Day from MANNA
MANNA is a program through which you can help St. Joseph School without any cost to you. You purchase gift cards for such businesses as Jewel, Shell, McDonalds, etc. The vendor provides a discount to St. Joseph School and you can redeem the card for your full cost at the respective vendors. We encourage all parents to look at this week’s MANNA form and please consider purchasing at least one item. Saint Joseph School will get a percentage of the purchase. Saint Joseph students will have an Out of Uniform Day on March 13 if 50% of our parents order at least one MANNA item.
Please try MANNA this week and see how easy it is to help Saint Joseph, again, without any cost to you, as you can redeem your cards for your full cost.

School Registration Due Now
Parents, please remember to return the school registration form (online) the due date was February 28 – thank you
Click here for Registration Form

Important Information Regarding
Changes in Student Physicals for
5th & 6th Grade Students

We have been notified by the State Board of Education and the Illinois Department of Public Health that the physicals required for Students entering Grade 5 has now been changed to Students entering Grade 6.

The letters and forms that were mailed home to the Grade 4 families will not be necessary for the 2008 – 2009 school year. We have been told also that the current 5th grade students will probably NOT need another physical to enter Grade 6 for the 2008 – 2009 year -

While there will be no 5th grade physical required for our 4th grade students –
if they are planning to do sports there will be a physical required for sports.
All students in 5th through 8th grade need a sports physical each year.

Winter Wonderland Thank You

A big shout out and thank you to all the people who helped make the Father Daughter Dance a huge success. Who knew the night would begin with fireworks when the caterer failed to show?
A huge thank you to Bill Gall and Skuddlebutts for coming to the rescue. Please patronize this business for helping us out in a pinch. If you see Bill, make sure to tell him thank you! I would like to thank all the volunteers who helped transform the school into a winter wonderland. It was really beautiful. I would like to thank all the wonderful bakers who answered the call for the dessert table. The dessert table was awesome. Thank you to the ladies who helped the night of the dance. The coordination of food and frenzy and pictures and dancing was quite a feat. I would list all the volunteers here if I could, but your messenger would be an additional 3 pages long.

Please accept my sincere thank you for all your hard work. Please know that an event like this cannot take place without you and your help was much appreciated.
Lastly, thank you to the Dads and the daughters - it is so much fun to see everyone dressed up and dancing and having a great time.

Read more about the Skuddlebutt Here!

Bulletin Board

The School Board Corner for Week of March 6, 2008

Hear Ye! Hear Ye!….The School Board is looking for people to join its new Finance and Development sub-committee.  Read on to see what this is about.

Overview:  As mentioned in last week’s eMessenger, the School Board will be communicating on a regular basis with the school community through this medium and others.  Last week’s School Board Corner reported from the Town Hall surveys on parents’ general view of the school and on ideas for recruitment and retention of students.  This week’s School Board Corner continues with Town Hall ideas on school finances and fundraising.  Next week we will report on ideas to Change/Improve St. Joe’s School.  Keep in mind as you read this that there are 386 students from 227 families attending the school, grades K-8.  The goal is to have between 400 and 450 students attending the school, and to keep the school on stable ground financially.

School Finances:   Kevin Delaplane mentioned several important facts at the Town Hall in his presentation on “School Finances/Proposed Budget and Tuition.”  (1) $1.95 million is the total projected expenses for the school in 2008-09.  (2) 80% of this pays for teacher and staff salaries/benefits.  (3)  Sources of revenues to meet the expenses are student tuition (50%), parish subsidy (27%), family stewardship and fundraising (21%), and miscellaneous (2%). 

Tuition:  We use a cost-based approach to setting tuition in grades 1-8.  Overall tuition per family is paid through a combination of mandatory tuition and voluntary, tax deductible stewardship.  The school is made affordable through multi-child tuition discounts and by tuition assistance (used by 14 families).  The proposed 2008-09 budget reflects a  kindergarten tuition increase to $1200 per child and a grade 1-8 tuition increase of about 5%.  These increases will help to offset our rising costs of salaries, pension/medical insurance, utilities, and insurance.    

Parish Subsidy:  Father Jerome and the parish are fully committed to the school, as it reflects two-thirds of the parish budget.  Although the parish has a budget deficit projected for next year, the parish has committed a $525,000 subsidy to the school for next year (2008-09), same as this year. 

Stewardship:   Stewardship is tax deductible.  Two-thirds of school family stewardship is used to pay school costs.  The overall response to the stewardship program has been very positive.  However, about 40 families are consistently behind in complying with their pledges, which hurts the school’s finances.  On another note, if your employer has a matching gift program, please utilize this benefit to match your stewardship contribution. 

Fundraising:  We have seen wonderful fundraising efforts evolve over the last few years from the Cruise the Night, to the Men’s Nights, to the Grand Raffles, to the Hoe Downs and Party Partners.  School fundraising also involves the Annual Appeal, currently underway until March 31 to meet a $50,000 goal.  It also includes traditional A&B and Parent Forum programs.  As we look forward, new ideas and great people (Hear Ye! Hear Ye!) are needed for fundraising and for coordination of events throughout the year.  To that end, the School Board is starting a Finance and Development sub-committee that will liaison with A&B and Parent Form and which will focus on coordinated fundraising, donor development, and development of a 5-year financial plan for the school.  The sub-committee will consider all donor development and fundraising ideas from the Town Hall, including alumni campaigns, corporate campaigns, grandparent campaigns, student phone-a-thons, Heritage Fest events, Tivoli events, parade events, 3 on 3 basketball, and golf matches.  The financial plan would set goals and create a program of old and new fundraising events and campaigns, spread out over several years on an organized basis, to meet both short term and long term goals for the school. 

Perhaps one dominant fundraising theme can be the 100th anniversary of St. Joe’s School, fast approaching in 2010.  The School Board will soon meet with the coordinator of Northwestern University’s successful 150th anniversary to learn about fundraising ideas that can be built around our school’s 100th anniversary.  We will report to you on that meeting when it takes place. 

Hear Ye!  Hear Ye!  If you have an interest in joining the Finance and Development sub-committee or would like to learn more, call or email Kevin Delaplane (630-969-3157 and delaplanefamily@aol.com) or Kevin Lynch (630-964-0442 and klynch@pritzkerrealty.com).

2nd Grade Cub Scouts
2nd Grade Cub Scouts--Reminder!! Monday March 10 is our bowling outing!! We will leave directly from school after dismissal. Pick-up is at Tivoli Bowl at 4:15pm. (This will take the place of our regular monthly afterschool den meeting.) Please wear your Cub Scout uniform shirts. See you all then, Wolves!

Penny War Raises Money for New Orleans!

Downers Grove - St. Joseph's Student Council sponsored a Penny War to help raise funds for New Orleans Catholic Charities. Every year, St. Joseph's Student Council organizes a Lenten collection. Past fundraisers included collecting spare change during Pizza Days. This year, Penny Wars was chosen by our Student Council members, and with the school's permission, the war was on! The idea for this Penny War came from The Illinois Association of Junior High Student Council, an organization that St. Joseph School belongs to. This phenomenal association provides opportunities for our student council members to attend leadership workshops, camps, conventions and much more. This popular activity is done often across the country, but it was a St. Joseph School first! Members of the Student Council would like to thank the school for their support. In a matter of days, St. Joseph School raised $3,386.78 for Catholic Charities of New Orleans! Appreciation also goes to Mrs. Susie Fahey and her coworkers at Downers Grove National Bank for counting the many coins.

Mrs. Rozylowicz Receives Outstanding
Teacher Award

Mrs. Rozylowicz is being awarded for her Outstanding Teaching by the Downers Grove Junior Woman's Club! Congrats! Watch for more to follow...!

Spelling Bee

The ComEd DuPage County Spelling Bee Final took place on Wednesday, February 27th in Lisle. Our own Brian Meier was one of 31 talented participants. Four were from Downers Grove Schools. Brian competed through 12 of the 14 rounds. That 12th round was tough, knocking out all but the three finalists and prize winners. Brian took St. Joseph School far in this competition, as this win sent the finalist on to the National Competition in Washington, D.C. Brian was fighting a tough competitor. The winner of the Spelling Bee, also from Downers Grove, had previously participated in 18 Spelling Bees, this being her 9th win! Brian was a powerful force for St. Joseph School, never hesitating with his spelling. Although Brian missed a word, he realized his mistake but couldn't go back to correct once a letter is said. Following the competition, organizers commented that they knew Brian would do well. We are proud of Brian for taking St. Joseph so far in this Spelling Bee competition and thank him for representing our school. G.O.O.D. J.O.B.!

What a “Chicago Winter” we are having!  Spring is coming! 
Celebrate “New Life” in your home with a beautiful Lily or Azalea plant
from Phillips Florist. 

These make wonderful hostess gifts for Easter Sunday gatherings, too! As a service to you,
order your Easter Lilies and Azalea’s through us! 
Help us raise funds to help support Youth Mission/Service Trips & Leadership  Conferences.
COST:  LILY = $16.00     AZALEA = $23.00       FLORIST:  PHILLIPS
THESE PLANTS ARE BEAUTIFUL 6 1/2” “florist quality.”
(You would pay minimum $18.00 to $28.00 in the florist shop for these high quality plants.
 Yes, you may be able to purchase Lilies at grocery and wholesale stores  for less.
 Remember, there is a real difference in quality.)

Sorry, at these prices, Phillips was unable to give us a choice of color on the Azalea’s.They promised the best looking plant available for our sale. Pre-order only!  In past years, on delivery weekend,  MANY parishioners wanted to purchase a plant when they saw the quality of these healthy, beautiful, Phillips Florist plants.   DON’T DELAY ~  only a couple of weeks to get your order in.

ORDERS DUE:  Absolute Deadline is March 10, but please send in A.S.A.P.
 (place order form in collection basket at church, on the counter in the narthex, drop it off at the Parish Center, or turn it in to your child’s Religious Education or St. Joseph School teacher)
PICK-UP:  St. Joseph Church on Palm Sunday Weekend, March 15-16, after all Masses (not 5:00 pm Sunday) Click here for easy print and order forms.
Love, St. Joseph Parish Teens

Crusader Pride

4TH Grade Basketball Clinic & Parent Meeting
Sunday March 9th
2:55pm Parent Meeting
Boys 1:30pm-3:00pm
Girls 3:00pm-4:30pm

GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF THE BASKETBALL TEAMS
DURING PLAY-OFF WEEKEND!

Click here for current Basketball News including practice schedules, rosters and games information.
Basketball Schedules / Rosters and Practices

ST. PATRICK'S DAY POT OF GOLD RAFFLE "TOP TEN WINNERS "
Congratulations to our "Top Ten" Winners and Thank You for Supporting
St. Joseph Athletic Programs.

1st Place Erin Kennedy
2nd Place Michael Binder
3rd Place Molly Marciniak
4th Place Lucas Naber
5th Place Sean Byrne
6th Place Aimee Dragus
7th Place Margaret Johnson
8th Place Ian Correll
9th Place Abby Ryniec
10th Place Cameron Roedel

Fundraising

Manna

Manna Order Form
Manna Automatic Withdrawal
Manna Standing Order Forms

How many school families can purchase Manna certificates in one weekend? Well, we have never counted. Would it be a record? Not sure. This weekend we are going for a school record and we will count all orders - large and small. If at least 50% of the school families buy Manna this weekend, our students will be out of uniform on Thursday March 13th. Purchase dates include March 7, 8, 9, and March 10 pre-orders.


Pre-orders will resume Monday March 10.

Spring break is coming in the month of March bringing an increase in percentage back to St. Joseph for the following vendors. Hyatt $25 & $100 are 10%. Burger King has a two percent increase to 7% for $10 cards. Marriott will discount to 14% on the $50, $100, or $500 cards. JC Penney's will discount 6% and Honey Baked Ham will discount 11% on their $20 certificates. Several of these denominations are not listed on our forms. If you are interested in these denominations, contact Cindy Jagielo at sjagielo@sbcglobal.net and make note on your manna order.
Several vendors have permanently increased their discounts. These are Eddie Bauer 10%, TJ Maxx 8%, and Macy's 10%.

Sellers for the this week:
Friday, March 7, 9:30am school M. Anderson / K. Lynch
Saturday, March 8, after 5:00pm mass N. Woods / J. Correll
Sunday, March 9, after 8:45am mass M. Ruf / M. McCormick
Sunday, March 9, after 10:30am mass J. Provenzale / L. Provenzale
Friday, March 14, 9:30am school T. Brandenstein / B. Kelly

PROMOTIONS UPDATE
Thank you to everyone for participating in our promotions at school. We are doing very well this year.

TARGET We will be receiving a check for $1390 this month.
That makes over $2500 for this school year. We continue to be the top school in the area receiving over $16,000 from Target since the program started. Next time you check out at Target check out the list at the cashier we are the top school listed.

JEWEL SHOP & SHARE
We received a check for $144 for our January Days. Look for our final days to happen on April 14-16th 2008.

ULTRA We received a check for $236 this month. Keep saving your receipts. They have a promotion to benefit the Church that runs from March 3, to June 1st.

CAMPBELL SOUP LABELS We have collected over 10,000 points through labels and other Campbell's promotions.

BOX TOPS We just made a submission and should be receiving a check for over $300. We have raised over $1000 with them this year. We have raised almost $4000 this year for our Parent Forum to help offset the costs of school functions to our families. Thank you to everyone for participating and keep collecting it really makes a difference.

Community News

Chess Tournament Sponsored by DGFrog Saturday March 8
Join us for an exciting day of chess and prizes!
This 5 round, non-rated tournament is open to all levels of players. Each player will have five games.
The tournament will end by 3:00 P.M. Kids grades 1-8 Saturday, March 8, 2008 Location: Hillcrest School, 1435 Jefferson, off Dunham Rd. Check in time: 9:30 a.m. First round starts 10 a.m. Lunch: 12:00-12:30 p.m. (approximately) Trophies Awarded 2:30-3:00 p.m. Cost: $15.00 per player Bring your chess set and a bag lunch (or lunch money for pizza) Register online at www.dgfrog.org