The Principal’s March 2024 Newsletter

The mission of St. Joseph Catholic School is to use the knowledge of God’s love to educate the whole child by instilling strong moral values, respecting and serving our diverse community, and achieving academic excellence for future success.

Warm Greetings School Families,

I hope this newsletter finds everyone very well. The annual Have-a-Heart Auction was an enormous success. The success of this event speaks to the dedicated community that we have at the school. A GIGANTIC thank you goes out to all of the people who worked so hard, going above and beyond, to make everything come together so beautifully. I am so very thankful for God’s love that shines through our families, students, faculty, staff, parishioners, and benefactors! The gross profit from the auction totaled approximately $266,000, with nearly $49,000 of this raised specifically to support the 6th grade/ middle school expansion.

FAITH: As we journey through Lent, I pray that you and your family have had the time to quietly reflect on the gifts that the Lord has given us and had time to simplify, sacrifice, pray, and give to others, as a way to strip the unnecessary and come closer in relationship with Jesus. We look forward to Holy Week, starting with Palm Sunday on Sunday, March 24th, the Easter Triduum, and Easter season to follow. Please join us for Stations of the Cross on Thursday, 3/28, at 1:45 in the school gym. We will not have school on Good Friday, and we will have spring break the following week, starting on Easter Monday. Our Virtue of study during the month of March is Mercy, caring for those who suffer. Please emphasize the importance of embracing and living this virtue at home with your families.

EXCELLENCE: Faculty and staff have been participating in Magnificat Catechist classes offered by priests from the Diocese of Yakima. The first session focused on the beauty and complexity of Liturgy. It was a powerful way for us to learn more about the importance and beauty of the Catholic Faith, so we can deepen our understanding and pass that knowledge on to the students and families at St. Joe’s. Our next class, scheduled for March, will focus on the Social Doctrine of the Church. In addition to these classes, teachers have also had training on The Science of Reading/Structured Literacy, led by Erin Stitt and Shanna Brooks (NCESD) in order to continue with professional development and the applications of best practices in the classroom. Middle school planning is moving forward with curriculum review and schedule drafting. We are very excited to meet with incoming 6th grade students and parents
as we venture forward with planning and building our program!

SERVICE: Our Catholic Schools Week service project to raise items for St. Francis House went very well, and we are grateful for the donation of nearly 70 sleeping bags from local business, Cocoon. We are looking forward to our Empty Bowls Soup dinner on Thursday, March 7 2024, from 5:00-6:30 p.m., at Kuykendall Hall. Painted Bowls will be $15 each (includes soup), and paper bowls will be $10 each (includes soup). Parents can pre-order their children’s bowls HERE-please do so by Wednesday, 3/6. Bowls for additional family members will be available to purchase at the event. All proceeds will go to support the St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank. Enrollment is in full swing! If you have any questions or need assistance with applying for financial aid, please let us know. Have a wonderful month. My door is always open-please reach out with any questions or concerns.

Blessings-Lisa Martinez