The Principal’s May Newsletter

Dear School Families,

Happy Easter and happy spring! As we come to the end of the 2022-23 school year, it is a perfect time to reflect, to celebrate student growth and learning and all we have done together as a community of faith. There are so many daily blessings at our school that I am so very grateful for. I am thankful for our amazing students, our dedicated staff, and our beautiful families. We, as a team, with God & faith always in the lead, make St. Joe’s the special place that it is, the rich environment where seeds are planted and strong roots are formed, where growth is encouraged in all.

The month of May offers a special opportunity to honor our Blessed Mother Mary and to uplift our students who will receive their First Holy Communion on Saturday, May 13. On Friday, May 19, we will crown Mary at 9:00 a.m. during school Mass. All are welcome to bring flower offerings that morning, and our First Communicants can wear their dresses and suits to Mass as well. Over the month we will also focus on the Virtue of Responsibility, being reliable in your duties and accountable for your actions. Please help to teach and reinforce this at home as well. Several of our staff members are caring for family members who are seriously ill. Please hold them all in your daily prayers as they move through this challenging time.

In response to the staff promotions that will take place next school year, we are in the midst of the hiring process, as we are seeking two classroom teachers. We have formed an interview team with a variety of stakeholders represented: Deacon Robert Turner (Chaplain), Lisa Martinez (Principal), Holly Berdan (Teacher), Erin Stitt (Teacher/ Instructional Coach), & Maria Guerra (Parent). We have received applications from five highly qualified teachers, and will be interviewing this week and next week. We hope to have candidates selected and contracts offered no later than June 1, 2023. The school should be in a position to announce the 2023-2024 staff list at that time. Thank you for your prayers and patience.

I’d like to add a quick update on playground plans and carpet replacement in classrooms. As you know, we were unable to raise funds necessary to replace the toy structure (cost=$100,000-$250,000), so we chose to repair and paint the structure. We also added wood chips and sand, and are currently working to replace the swing seats and chains and to patch and repair the curly slide. Investigation into replacing the curly slide is also under way. Plans to re-carpet several classrooms this summer are also solidifying. Quotes have been gathered, materials are being selected, and we are working through the diocesan building process. This work is set to happen this summer. An update will be released after it has been completed. Thanks for supporting these projects!

MayFest is fast approaching (Saturday, May 20, 11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.), and we are so grateful for all who are leading the planning of this fundraising/community building event. We need all hands on deck to help! If you have not done so already, please sign up HERE to help with something. Thank you for your involvement! Events coming up this month are listed below.

Have a blessed month!

Peace-Lisa Martinez

May Events

No School: Friday, May 5, & Monday, May 29

First Communion: Saturday, May 13, at 10:00 a.m.
*4th & 5th grade choir please arrive by 9:30 a.m. dressed in Sunday Best (meet in choir room)

Christian Field Day: Thursday, May 18, Walla Walla Point Park (all day)

All City Track Meet: After school on Thursday, May 18, High School Track—for those who qualify

May Crowning: Friday, May 19, 9:00 a.m. at school Mass.
First Communicants, please wear dresses and suits. Students, please bring fresh flower offerings.

International MayFest: Saturday, May 20, 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Please sign up HERE to help.
*Choir please be at the school by 11:45 a.m. to perform at 12:00 p.m.