Continuing the Vision ... Generation to Generation

With the blessing of Father Kauchak, our pastor, the most exciting and important news this school year is the initiation of the Capital Campaign Generation to Generation: Continuing the Vision by St. Joseph Church Parish. The school has always been an important part of the parish ministry. Now, growth in the area and in the congregation has enabled the parish to embark on an ambitious campaign with the school as a central focus. Two goals will impact the school. Building eight classrooms to house the pre-kindergarten, the kindergarten and first grades is the immediate goal of the Campaign. The construction of a multi-purpose building which would serve as a cafeteria and provide a venue for student performances and gatherings for the parish and the school is also central to the Campaign. The support of the Campaign and the generosity of the entire community, both church and school, will determine the timeline for completion of the Campaign goals.
School parents demonstrated their support of the school last year with Jumpstart. The funds raised, along with an increase in enrollment, allowed the school to progress in the following areas.
Academically, the school has reduced pupil-teacher ratio for primary reading and math, initiated an English 1 program for eighth grade, dramatically increased availability and usage of technology for students and staff, purchased $5,000.00 worth of new hardback books for the library and adopted a new social studies program for the entire school. Immediate plans include teaching Spanish to primary grades, establishing a Beta Club, initiating a Literary Club. The newly formed 4H Club is already functioning. 

Additionally, parental generosity allowed for several important capital improvements including a Security System with ten cameras surveying the area around the school, a new burglar alarm system, fencing around the entire campus, sidewalks in the front of the school, new furniture for the primary classrooms to brighten those classrooms and a new phone system.
Finally, in the area of recruitment and public relations, a newly designed website is up and running; newsletters are being distributed to parents grandparents, alumni, and friends of the school on a regular basis; an Open House for recruitment is held each year; and a school data base for families with children enrolled in the school with another for Alumni are now installed and available.
Much has been accomplished but there is still much to do. Through the generosity of the St. Joseph Church Community, the school parents, alumni, and the blessings of the Lord, the school is on the verge of being transformed. As these dreams become a reality, the school will be better equipped to service the families of Ponchatoula and the surrounding area. 

-- Dr. Gerard Toups

First Day of School - August 15, 2007

Our first day of the 2007-2008 school year was August 15, 2007. The day kicked off with an all-school Mass celebrating the Feast of the Assumption. The Mass was followed by the usual unpacking of supplies, labeling of books, creating personal spaces, renewing acquaintances, and meeting the new teacher. 

A fresh new start to a new school year is always exciting!

Our Generous Donors

JUMP START raised $68,575.17!!! Many thanks to all of our generous donors!
JUMP START DONORS:
Several Anonymous Donors
Jim & Becki Alford
Deane Allen
Marvin & Brenda Allen
Eric & Charlene Alphonso
William & Laura Anderson
David & Christi Atkins
Patrick & Amy Babineaux
Scott & Stacy Bagby
Joe & Stephanie Ballard
Brian & Stacy Bankston
Darren & Angel Barrois
David & Deborah Barron
Michael & Tiffany Bass
Allen & Kim Basso
Anthony & Ann Bivona
Larry & Stephanie Bleakley
John & Jenny Bohning
Michael & Jenny Bohning
Keith & Kelly Boudreaux
Emily Bougère
Mike & Jenny Bougère
Philip & Taylor Bougère
Wayne & Jill Brescher
Bobby & Dawn Brown
Suzette Callais
Timothy & Susan Casey
Russell & Joy Castro
Nick & Katy Cavalier
David & Cindy Cervini
Charles & Kelly Chevalier
Steve & Kim Coates
John & Kirsten Constantino
Georgette Corbin
Vincent & Lynette Currier
Kerry & Shelly Cyrus
Jay & Charlotte Dahmer
Frank D’Amico
Lori Davis 
Marc & Kristen Denham
Reggie Dietz
Jason & Nicole Dillon
John & Michele Dufreche
Jay & Jessica Dupont
Mike & Allison Dupont
Glen & Michele Ernst
Andre & Cherrie Escude
James & Sharon Felder
Mitchell & Rhonda Fontenot
Ken & Sharon Frahm
Robin Francis
John & Lori Fresina
Mike & Sandra Fulmer
Don Gaudet
Ed & Tammy Gautier
Lenny & Janina George
Joey & Kim Giluso
Don & Carol Girdwood
Patrick & Lisa Greaud
Kevin & Toni Gregoire
Andre & Kim Gremillion
Kathy Guay
Adam & Kiley Guillory
Jim & Sally Hatfield
Larry & Gina Henley
Rick & Donna Henry
David & Connie Hutches
Scott & Courtney Jacobs
Brad & Sam Johnson
Jesse & Janice Jones
Robert & Melissa
Killebrew
John & Shane Kraft
Edgar & Brigette Kron
D.J. & Janet LaBarre
Nick & Cindy LaMarca 
Tony & Kim LaMarca
Daniel & Kelly Landry
Paul & Claudia Landry
Michael & Clara Latino
Harry & Elaine LeBlanc
Frank & Wendy
LeSaicherre
Tommy & Pam Levatino
Tim & Yoland Levy
Jessica Little
Robert & Suzanne Little
Sherman & Angie Mack
Andre & Sherrie Majeau
Keith & Cathy Martin
Greg & Judy Millet
Gerald & Julie Monteleone
Clay & betty Nepveux
Rosamond Oglesbee
Dexter & Leigh Ann Partridge
Ronald & Dana Pembo
Lance & Cynthia Perilloux
John & Terri Pevey
Paul & Angela Pevey
Kyle & Alisa Picou
Lawrence & Veronica Pierson
Darren & Cory Pinion
Steve & Sandra Plauche
Brad & Catherine Poche
Michael & Denise Poche
Jay & Mary Ransom
John & Cindy Ryals
Jeff & Annie Schmitt
Carter & Jennifer Sharp
Troy & Misti Sibley
Kenneth & Crystal Smith
Dustin & Jennifer Tallo 
Eric & Kim Thibodeaux 
Steve & Jeanne Vampran
Bivin VonAlmon
Tim & Chris Waits
Tom & Julie Waller
Rick & April Wehrs
Carl & Denise West
Peggy West
Justin & Sherri Weymouth
Bill & Andrea Wheat
Sid & Missy Wilde
Greg & Tammy Wilson
Jamie & Vicki Wilson
Chris & Jeanine Wisecarver
Glen & Kristyn Wisecarver
David & Barbara Wright
Glen & Tammie Yoes
Gail Zayas 

CRUSADER FUND DONORS:
Over $1450 Raised!
Catherine S. Allen
E. Ann Boudreaux
Brenda S. Bourgeois
Mary Ann Bourgeois
Lanette Buie
Douglas & Wanda Davis
Lawrence & Marie Ernst
Stuart & Vicki Ernst
Roy & Carolyn Henderson
Wanda Hutches
Dennis & Alice James
John & Betty Kraft
Joseph Lamonte, Jr.
Arthur & Mary Ann Matranga
Larry & Anagene Mobley
Jefferson & Shirley Rebstock, III
Robert & Jewell Tarifa

Alumni News

MARY ANN BOUREOUIS (class of 1946) was our very first response to the Spring 2007 Crusader Fund appeal! Mary Ann writes that she also received the St. Louis Medallion Medal for her hours of volunteer time at St. Rita’s in Harahan. 

Many, MANY thanks to ANN BOUDREAUX (class of 1946) for providing the school with the names and current addresses for the entire class of 1946! St. Joseph School very much appreciates this wealth of information! 

Congratulations to AMY COX (class of 2004) and ERIC LATINO (class of 2004) for being honored as members of the National Honor Society at St. Thomas Aquinas High School! 

Congratulations to the following students who represented STA at the District Literary Rally and placed as noted: DANIEL FOSTER - Biology I -first place CAYLA CLOUATRE - Business/Financial Math - second place CHRIS ROCKER - Environmental Science - second place 

BRIAN STEIB (class of 1973) has joined Florida Parishes Bank as a commercial and consumer lender. Brian has more than 17 years of lending experience and a total of twenty years of banking experience. FPB expects Brian to be an instrumental part of their new Ponchatoula branch. Congratulations to Brian on his new endeavor! 

AMY COX (class of 2004) has been named Queen of the Centurion Krewe for the upcoming Mardi Gras season. Also serving in her court are her brothers Prince BILLY COX (class of 2000) and Duke JIMMY COX (class of 2007) along with Maid TAYLOR DIETZ (class of 2007).

Student Council Officers

Seth Bleakley, Vice President Mary Gautier, Secretary Maria Alphonso, Historian Christie Pevey, President Faith Allen, Chaplain Amy Henderson, Reporter Justin Dufreche, Sergeant-at-Arms

SJS is blessed with a very active Student Council. Grade level representatives are elected by students in Grades 4-8, then officers are elected. Students in all grades look forward to the many service projects and fun days planned by the Student Council.

8th Grade/K Buddies

Matt LaMarca and Bradley Atkins
Heath Greaud and William Chevalier 

Following a long tradition at SJS, Eighth Grade Students are paired up with a Kindergarten Buddy as a way to make the younger students immediately feel welcome and a part of the “big school” family. 

Birthdays and other pertinent information are exchanged between the Eighth Grader and the Buddy. Several activities throughout the year bring the buddies together. Special bonds are formed.

Please Let Us Know

The Crusaders Review is published three times per year by St. Joseph School as a means of communication between the school and the community. Copies are mailed to parents, grandparents, alumni, and friends of the school. Copies of the newsletter are also distributed to parishioners of St. Joseph Church Parish. 

If you currently do not receive a mailed copy of the Review but would like one, please contact the school by email or phone (985-386-6421).

Thank you so much for visiting our website and reading about our school.