Service at SJ. This past week, eight SJ students joined Mr Paul Brunner and Ms Jessica Harris on a Habitat for Humanity Build in Bridgeport. During their seven hour work day, the students weeded, planted, dug fence posts, and chased a snake...Thank you and

great job guys! Pictured above, top: (From top left) Bianca Perez ‘13, Troy Deering ‘13, Jess Wilson ‘14, Corey Scales ‘14, Ms Harris, Mikayla Koecny ‘14, Mary Morrisey ‘14, Mary Lockwood ‘13, and Sydney Hallet ‘13, as well as three Ameri-core volunteers.

Pictured at left: Senior Troy Deering rescued the snake from the screaming squeamish. Elsewhere, Shannon Saranich ‘13 is requesting help in collecting infant and child multi-vitamins. Twice a year student nurses from Sacred Heart University visit Guatemala to bring aid, medical expertise and supplies. Said Shannon, “Guatemala has one of the highest malnutrition rates in the world, with 43% of children under age 5 chronically malnourished. We take our own good health for granted in so many ways, but for these children, something as simple as a bottle of vitamins can truly save a life.” Shannon will be collecting vitamins through December. Please pick up an extra bottle and bring it in to room 315.

Student Ambassador Training. For the very first time, the soon to be finished O’Keefe Center was alive this

week with the sounds of students. The Student Ambassadors arrived Tuesday for an in-house training and got a sneak peek of the new building. Pictured above is a group visiting the media center, distance learning lab, and flex spaces. All were visibly impressed--and excited to engage the new learning environment. All were curious as to who will get to use the new courtyards and what sort of cafe might be making an appearance on the ground floor. The new library will be opened in October.

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This Week atSt Joseph High School

Privilege & ResponsibilitySeptember 23 - 29

Sportsmanship Accolade. The banners fill the walls of the gymnasium but the awards that really convey the character of a school are the ones that hang in the AD’s office. The sportsmanship awards. We recently heard from the The Fairfield County Chapter of Approved Baseball Umpires. Each year the FCCABU evaluates the baseball programs of the area schools, from the freshman teams through varsity, including the coaches, players and the fans, including parents. We are proud that St Joseph High School is the recipient of this year’s Sharkey Laureno Sportsmanship Award.

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From My Window-- Bill Fitzgerald, PhD

“Do Catholic Schools Serve?” As the Admission season heats up, the question, “Why Catholic Schools?” pops up in many quarters. Listening to Fr Mike talk to the students about his experiences as a student at St Joe’s confirms my obvious bias, but are we creating believing Catholic Christians? Or is that the right question? The schools’ mission has shifted from the world of the “Bells of St Mary.” Today, children live in a frenzied world of over-scheduling, over-stimulation, incessant commercialism and materialism. Our role is to counter the mental and emotional and spiritual exhaustion that too often leads to indifference toward God. At St Joe’s, we are at liturgy weekly. We are engaged daily in developing the critical thinking skills essential to “faith seeking understanding.” We are “for others,” near and far, through our service programs. Catholic schools are a secure arena for values clarification and character formation. We bridge the parish and the home. While the “awakening” is always an individual matter—faith is a gift, and a gift is not given until it is opened—we do offer a unique gathering place where reason, faith, and experience can flourish. As our Jewish siblings say, “If not us then who? If not now, then when?

L’Shanna Tova

Counselors Corner. --Ms. Kristina Vaios MA, NCC School Counselor This week in the Office of College and Counseling Services, already several area colleges have visited St Joe’s. With four visits per day and an average of five students per visit, our seniors are truly taking advantage of the opportunity to meet with college admissions representatives and better define their college choices. During these meetings college representatives discuss the college application process for their school, available scholarships, opportunities for study aboard and internship programs, as well as campus life. Even if your student has visited the schools they are applying to, these meetings are useful to attend because the college admissions representative is, in most cases, the person who will be reading your student’s application. Do not pass up an opportunity to speak to your college’s representative.

Did you know? Roger Williams University is now a Test Optional school. This means when you apply you do not have to provide your ACT/SAT scores. University of Rhode Island

(URI) was ranked #1 in New England by Wall Street Journal’s SmartMoney Magazine and 13th in the nation for return on investment in August of 2011.

Prepping the Class of 2017. The high school search process was in swing this Saturday, with Mrs Sorrentino and Mrs Tevolini at the helm of fifty eager 8th graders--all reviewing for the Entrance Exam this month. St Joe’s runs

this prep class for the benefit of all rising freshman, regardless of

their high school destinations. Good luck Class of 2017. As you choose, so you become....

Ahead in OCTOBER

Mass: 8:30 M, Th, FAdoration: 6:45-7:45 M,F

8 Columbus Day, no classes9 Teahcers’ Institute, no classes15 Junior/Senior Retreat17 PSATs, ACRE, and Guidance workshop for seniors

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

Parents Association Membership

Click through on the mug above for

membership!

Parent

Quick Clicks

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: Not sure when the schools are coming for a visit? Check it out on Naviance Family Connection! Seniors can sign up through Naviance Family Connection to attend these meetings and can come to the Office for College Counseling and Guidance to receive a pass.

Parent Association Membership Have you joined yet? The new membership campaign is underway, offering a SJHS Mug with your paid membership--and to date, we 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 Our first collection day was a true success, with a host of winners for the weekly draw--congrats to Colin Mckenna ‘14, Lina Vivo ‘16 and Gino Palumbo ‘13--and thank you to all who have already begun to fundraise for Walk-A-Thon! For those who haven’t yet--not to worry, there’s still time! Don’t forget, every Friday will feature great prizes, as well as entry into the grand draw on the

day of Walk-A-Thon, the 24th of October. For more information about Walk-A-Thon, see Mr Brunner, or to download donation and business sponsorship forms--as well as take advantage of volunteer sign ups-please check our website: www.sjcadets.org/walkathon

The Search Begins The Class of 2017 is out there, and Mrs Marino and the SJ Student Ambassadors are on the lookout. This week there were eight school visits to area elementary schools, as well as two high school fairs. Pictured below are Sean Hurley ‘14, Devin Colandro ‘13, Will Gallagher ‘14 and Taylor Begley ‘13, at one high school fair, sharing the good news of St Joseph High School and answering any and all questions that came their way about life at SJ. Our best marketing message is not the remarkable O’Keefe Center that is nearing completion, or the excellent Faculty and Staff, but you. The 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.

Next PA Meeting Please join us for the next Parent

Association Meeting, this Wednesday on

October 3rd, 7pm in the Mary E Kenney

Library. All are welcome!