Do You Know Jesus?

Do You Know Jesus
Year A, Palm Sunday
Matthew 26: 14-27: 66

          Just like the Stations of the Cross, The Passion of Christ tells of Jesus’ last days on earth before His resurrection. How do you think Jesus was able to get through the most difficult time in his life? Your faith can get you through difficult times in life. This is exactly what Jesus shows to us today in The Passion. Christ had faith in his Father and he asks us to do the same – have faith in Our Father.  God is watching over us even when we forget to pray. God invites us to talk to Him in tough times.
            How do you think Jesus felt when he was made fun of as a king? How would you feel if you were Jesus? Have you ever felt challenged and later realized it was your faith in God that got you through the difficult time?

Office Notes
It's All About the MANNA!
Congratulations!
We got our out of uniform day!
Almost exactly 50% of school families purchased Manna this past weekend. A lot of orders were for $15, $20, or $25, and that is OK. Added together we made $725 this weekend for our school!
Look at what is possible if every family purchased Manna every week: $725 X 2 = $1450 X 52 weeks = $75,400 !!!
And buying Manna is even easier with our standing order program: fill out a standing order and automatic withdrawal form and you will receive your order automatically every week through your messenger child.
Click and Print Manna Form
Click and Print Automatic Withdrawal Form
Click and Print Standing Order Forms

Student CounciL News
St. Patrick's Dance March 15th
Reminder Student Council is celebrating St. Patrick's day with a dance for 7th & 8th Grade, March 15, from 7pm to 9pm. Coach Josh Porter will be the DJ! Permission slips were sent home with students last week.
PARENTS PLEASE REMEMBER TO PICK YOUR CHILD UP IN THE SCHOOL HALL!
Students will be released only from the school hall. $5 before Saturday or $8.00 at the door

POP TAB TOPS!
Student Council wants your POP TAB TOPS! Please remember to collect pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House Charities! We will be taking all pop tops collected to Springfield April 18 to be counted amongst over 100 other schools! All money generated from the pop tabs will go directly to the Ronald McDonald Houses to help families dealing with devastating illnesses. Please bring your pop tops in a zip lock baggie and place them in the Ronald House in the School Hall. Thank you!

Become a Prayer Hot Liner!

Would you like to be part of a miracle? Please join me in providing “Power of Prayer,” by becoming a Prayer Hot Line member. After my Mom suffered a brain aneurism (10+ years ago), I spoke with my Aunt in California to inform her of the news and found out she had already heard about my Mom, before our family got the word to her! How was that possible? Through a Prayer Line! I remember feeling my Mom was going to be OK, knowing that there were prayers coming from people we didn't even know! So, ten years ago I started the St. Joseph Prayer Hot Line with a handful of members.

Today it has grown to over 70+! There is nothing to buy, no meetings to attend, just your remembrance in Prayer for the Intentions sent. We all know the Power of Prayer.

As members of St. Joseph Catholic School, we encourage our children to pray, and this is one way we can. You can add your e-mail and/or your children’s. Several families are involved, and the Prayer Intentions go straight to them, and to you.

For security reasons, these e-mail addresses are not released to any other group, not even to other Prayer Hotline Members. The St. Joseph Prayer Hotline is a wonderful way to remind us of our own blessings, when you learn of others who are in much more difficult situations.

You appreciate your health and God’s gifts, when you are praying for someone that has just been in an accident, lost their job, or found out they have a serious illness. It is up to you how you choose to pray. Some people say rosaries, some people mention them at different times during the day - it doesn't matter. These are great conversations to have with our children.

Become part of that miracle of prayer, and if you and your child feel comfortable, send me your E-Mail addresses. Prayer Intentions are sent electronically, whenever they are called in.

We truly can help someone in need, by including them in our daily prayers. It is just awesome to be able to help people in this way. Miracles do happen with the Power of Prayer! Please contact me at: bernmatt@borgard.us, or call me 630-969-3467 Blessings, Bernie Borgard

Bulletin Board

The School Board Corner for Week of March 10, 2008

This week, as part of the School Board’s weekly communications to the school community, we want to report ideas we received on “How to Change and Improve St. Joseph’s School.” These ideas were received verbally and through surveys at the Town Hall Meeting on January 29.

The suggestions fell into four categories. First, as mentioned a couple of weeks ago in the School Board Corner, there were several suggestions to improve academics which included starting a pre-school, adding Spanish to the curriculum, and hiring an education specialist to help challenged, average, and gifted students learn more in both basic and advanced subjects. Of these three ideas, adding Spanish to the curriculum is most viable and is now a focus of our Principal, Mrs. Stasi. If implemented, Spanish classes will likely be on a paid, extracurricular basis.


The second category of suggestions was on ways to broaden and balance the fundraising and volunteer efforts across more people. The School Board, in conjunction with Parent Forum and A&B, are addressing that with its new Finance and Development Committee as we wrote in last week’s eMessenger. More on this to come in future communications as the committee is formed and begins to communicate its ideas.

The third set of suggestions involved improved communications between the school teachers and parents. Mrs. Stasi will explore this issue with the faculty at a development day session.

Lastly, there were some very focused suggestions to improve the school, such as instituting a recycling program, extending the school day so that the kids can have recesses, prayers before lunch, class assignments on the web, etc. All will be considered by the Principal and faculty.

Battle of the Books
Good luck to our middle school students who will be competing for the championship in the Battle of the Books on Friday, April 4th, at 1:20, in the school hall. PARENTS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND!
6th Grade:
Clare Theisen, Kelly O'Brien, Emma Welsh, Emily Hodshire,
Becky Wade, Elizabeth Malone, Jonathan Blanchard, Matt Perino
8th Grade:
Charlotte Skala, Matt Blanchard, Joey Hughes, Katie Jarecki, Tori Przybyl, Maeve Meier, Andrew Drennan, Tim Kritzler, BrianMeier, Greg Musil

Four 8th Grade Students To Take Science Fair Projects to State

We’re celebrating here at St. Joseph School! Our eighth graders have worked hard over many months to complete their Science Fair projects. All our students should be proud of their accomplishments, as this project incorporates so much of what they have learned over their years here at St. Joseph.

St. Joseph School was allowed to send eight Science Fair projects to compete at the Regional Science Fair, held on March 7th at the University of St. Francis in Joliet. Our top eight (8) finalists represented St. Joseph School.

Based on the results of the March 7th Regional Science Fair, three (3) projects will be competing at the State Level on May 2nd-3rd at the State Science Exposition at the University of Illinois in Champaign!

Students receiving Gold Awards & Qualifying for State Competition are:
Michael Binder – What Helps a Lima Bean Plant Grow Taller? Earthworms or Fertilizer?
Kyle Crawford – Does the Type of Bulb and Wattage Affect the Amount of Heat Produced?
Taylor Kasal and Brigid Morrison – Up in Flames Students Awards also included:

Student Awards Also Include:
Gold Award:
Tim Kritzler – Bread Mold Growth

Silver Award:
Cailin Aguayo and Erica Ryan – To What Extent Do Certain Substances in a Container Affect the Breakage of an Egg?
Megan Bradley and Martha Farrell – Comparing the Heights of Green Bean Plants Grown With and Without Miracle-Gro
Ian Correll, Austin Ruf, and Warakamol Uramporn – Which Potato Produces the Most Electricity in a Circuit? Russet, Sweet, or Yukon?
Jeff Sweeney – Which Antacid Reduces Acidity in the Soil the Most?

Congratulations to all of these students!

If you own or know someone I can borrow a large capacity slushie machine for Mother /Son Dance, please call Peggy at (630) 969-3157 or email at delaplanefamily@aol.com.

If you have access to sports posters and/or pennants for free or low cost for the Mother Son Dance, please call Coleen Theisen at (630) 964-5015 or email ctheisen6@hotmail.com

Do you want to have our school highlighted on WGN News at Noon and Nine?

Do you want our school to receive a scholarship to Sylvan Learning Center?

Then consider submitting a nomination for your favorite teacher!






We've been blessed with awards from the Downers Grove Junior Woman's Club.Let's try for WGN! Act fast, as the contest only runs from January to June! Read on....! WGN-TV's Teacher of the Month is presented to outstanding Chicagoland teachers. Each month from January to June 2008, WGN-TV will recognize one teacher who has made a difference in his or her school or community; this teacher will have demonstrated commitment to scholastic achievement, community service and extra-curricular activities.

Winners are teachers who have truly put forth an extra effort to make a difference in their school and community, thereby affecting people's lives and providing inspiration to others. The winning teacher's school will be featured on WGN News at Noon and Nine and will receive a scholarship to Sylvan Learning Centers.

If you are currently a student age 13 or older in the Chicagoland viewing area or NW Indiana, nominate a teacher whom you feel makes a difference at your school or in your community. If you are younger than 13, a parent or legal guardian should fill out this form.

Please fill out one entry per teacher; multiple entries per teacher does not increase the likelihood that candidates will be chosen. Go to WGN-TV's website for previous winners write-ups. Here's the link: http://wgntv.trb.com/community/contests/wgntv-teacherofthemonth-customform,0,446 4065.customform

Thanks for considering your teachers!

Crusader Pride

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

There will not be combined awards ceremonies this season. Each team will be celebrating at their own events. Go Crusaders!

TRACK EARLY SEASON STARTS THIS WEEKEND.
Please visit the blog for updated times and locations for practice.

Congratulations to all the basketball teams involved in the playoffs this weekend. Please do not attend track practice until your season is completed. To allow students to go support their classmates at the playoff games, practice times have changed.

SJS TRACK FAST FACTS
For important information regarding track visit the blog @ http://www.sjstrack.blogspot.com/

Information Regarding Sports Physicals
While you're planning your spring break and summer vacations, please take time to schedule your sports physicals for the 2008-2009 sports season. Annual physical exams are required before playing school sports, which includes participating in volleyball and football camps prior to school starting. The physicals should preferably be performed between May 1 & July 15th. Completed physical forms must be returned to the school office no later than July 15th.

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

Next Monday, March 17, the last pre-orders before Spring break are due in. They will be delivered Wednesday.

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 2% increase and will now contribute 7% for $10 cards. Marriott will contribute 14% on the $50, $100, or $500 cards. JC Penney's will contribute 6% and Honey Baked Ham will contribute 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 contribution percentage. These are Eddie Bauer 10%, TJ Maxx 8%, and Macy's 10%.

Sellers for this week:
Friday, March 14, 9:30am school T. Brandenstein / B. Kelly
Saturday, March 15, after 5:00pm mass S. Errichiello / S. Ilagan
Sunday, March 16, after 8:45am mass M. Menard / C. Dunn
Sunday, March 16, after 10:30am mass M. Harnik / J. Wiechec
Friday, March 21, 9:30am school Good Friday - No School

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