Back to School Night. It was like The First Day of School 2.0. The halls buzzed with activity, though this time it was with the sounds of parents deciphering schedules, looking

for Room 308, trying to unlock lockers, and negotiating the hot and cold food cafes. The main thrust of the evening was to light the spirit of collaboration: a must in any 21st century school. And while student collaboration and the use of new technologies, the installment of a Freshman orientation coordinator and a Library media center director, are all key ingredients, Principal Mayo reminded the assembly that success of any student depends first and foremost on the collaboration and engagement of parents.

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Education is not the filling of a bucket, but the lighting of a fire. --Yeats

SEPTEMBERthe week ahead:

25 Freshman Student Council Speeches

26 Teaching & Learning Professional Development NO SCHOOL

Student Ambassador Training

29 Freshman Trip Departs 30 Freshman Trip Returns

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This Week atSt Joseph High School

Privilege & ResponsibilitySeptember 16 - 22

Sports Wrap Up. It was a week for firsts. Boys Cross Country beat stiff competitor Ridgefield for the first time ever at their quad meet. Varsity football showed Wilton a fierceness on the field that took the Wreckers by surprise, in our first home game of the season. The boys prevailed with a 34-0 Victory, the first ever over Wilton on Dalling Field. And if not firsts, then at least a celebration of continued success is due to Girls Varsity Volleyball, racking up another win this week over Central.

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From My Window-- Bill Fitzgerald, PhD

From Faith, For Faith.

“To Teach as Jesus Did” is the mission of all Catholic schoolteachers. That is what separates, elevates, Catholic schools from every other. But to grasp the difference, grasp St Francis’ teaching: preach the gospel…use words if necessary. You need to sit in a classroom and witness Catholic schoolteachers at work. Back to School Night was a great chance to do that, and the packed house Thursday evening suggested many were “caught” by the faith of our teachers. Catholic schoolteachers demonstrate the values that undergird our faith. They teach from faith, for faith. More than a task, it is a mission. More than a trade, it is a way of life. They live a way of life that values life. One study identified the reason for the academic success of Catholic schools is the authenticity of our teachers. It is who they are, as much as what they know. It is also true that their work is an extension of the family and parish, all of us engaged in shaping responsible, moral, and faithful young men and women. Watching the parents scurry between classrooms, the teachers busily explaining their goals and methods, and Fr Mike directing traffic in the halls--I kept thinking how blessed we are.

Counselors Corner. Did you know? UCONN has been named one of the Top 20 Public Universities and applications are up 131% for the Storrs Campus. Fairfield University was named #2 in the Best Regional University North in the “Best Colleges 2013”. This is the second consecutive year Fairfield University has achieved the #2 position in the “Best Colleges” national ranking. Be sure check page two of TWSJ every

week for the listing of colleges and universities that will be visiting St Joe’s in the week to come.

College Readiness Evening for Parents. The Guidance department is actively engaged in seeing each child gain entry to the school of his or choice. The way they are going about it is to engage the parents, as well as the teachers and the colleges in encouraging awareness and action. New Director of Counselling, Karrie Sullivan, has extensive experience in the college admissions office as well as college counselling. She worked admissions at Curry College, a school that has made a major impact on college life in Massachusetts, and Quinsigamond Community, where she shepherded the two-year students onto four year schools. She is joined by two new counselors, Ann Branca and Kristina Vaios, both of whom have demonstrated a professional background in high school guidance programs. Monday evening, joined by our senior counselors, Mrs Baird and Mr Nogueira, the department hosted Senior Parent Night where Mrs Sullivan, Ms Branca, Ms Vaios, Mrs Baird, and Mr Nogueira all spoke about the college application process, the importance of recommendations, essays, the Early Action and Decision distinctions and requirements, how to apply for financial aid, schedule for scholarships,the NCAA clearing house for athletes, and the importance of staying in touch with the entire process through the Naviance Family Connection, a program available to all parents. Their final words were: stay in touch, call with your questions, work with your child. The college search process is a family event.

Are you involved? St Joseph High School’s prowess in athletics and our dedication to service in the community are no secrets. As we hit the third week of school though, our extra curriculars are up and running in full stride. Already in gear are the Italian Club, Math Club, Guitar Club and even the Ukulele Club. We’ve had the pleasure of hearing the choir and campus ministry perform at our opening liturgy. The fall play will soon be underway as well. St Joseph High School is a community of diverse interests: make sure to take the time to engage yours. Step out of your comfort zone and try something new. With over 40 clubs, you have a wealth of choices. Visit www.sjcadets.org/clubs for an overview.

Vocations. St John Fisher Seminary will host two High School Discernment Nights for young men, to learn to discern God’s voice. It’s a chance for young men to discover and explore God’s will for their lives. The first night will be on the 9th of October, and an alternate night on December 4. For more information, please contact Father Sam Kachuba, via e-mail: frkachuba@diobpt.org

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Your weekly dose of events on tap for St Joseph High SchoolParents Corner: Upcoming Events at SJHS

Parents Association Membership

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NOW IN! Our 50th Anniversary items have arrived! Back to school proved how popular these items will be...with t-shirt, polo shirt and sweatshirt sales through the roof. Don’t miss out! All 50th polos are acceptable uniform shirts, too, and the We Are 50 t-shirts are the Official Homecoming t-shirt, as well. Make sure to stop by and pick one up soon!

College Visits next week: Babson College • Manhattanville College •Mount Saint Mary College • The University of Scranton • Newbury College • Western Connecticut State University • Plymouth State University • Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey at New Brunswick • Hofstra University • Saint Anselm College • Wagner College • Manhattan College

Parent Association Membership Parent Association is off to a great start this year, following Back to School Night. The new membership campaign is underway, offering a SJHS Mug with your paid membership--and to date, we now have over 230 families on the books! If you’ve already joined at the $15 level, you can upgrade your membership by $5 to receive your mug. If you’re not yet a member--don’t delay! Use the quick click to the left to sign up today. More information about the important role that the PA plays can found on the SJ website, too.

St Joseph Alumni Bookstore The Bookstore is happy to announce extended hours this school year. In addition to lunch hours, the store will be open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday after school from 2 to 3:30pm.

Walk-A-Thon Each year, our entire community comes together to support the efforts of Catholic education at St Joseph and helps to raise funds for school-wide enhancements. In the past, funds raised from Walk-A-Thon have helped to pay for the renovation of the science labs, a new athletic field and track, the wireless sound system in our gym and the flat screen TV/ Message Boards located throughout the school. This past year the cold café was updated with air conditioning. To help in this effort, we ask each student to have a goal of $100 in donations but any amount would be greatly appreciated. This Friday, September 28th is our first collection date. We hope that your son or daughter will be able to participate fully in Walk-A-Thon: for more information, to download donation and business sponsorship forms--as well as take advantage of volunteer sign ups-please check our website: www.sjcadets.org/walkathon

Next PA Meeting Please join us for the next Parent Association Meeting, on October 3rd, 7pm in the Mary E Kenney Library. All are welcome!

The Search Has Begun It’s official--Mrs Marino has begun building the class of 2017! Our best marketing message is not the remarkable O’Keefe Center that is nearing completion, or the excellent Faculty and Staff, but you. Our St Joseph High School Open House is on October 21. Live on a busy street or near one? Please pick up a lawn sign! Have a business that can display a poster for the Open House? Please stop by the front office and request one! Every bit helps. Please spread the message of how special St Joe’s and the St Joseph Community is to all.