Story of the Apple Tree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anonymous

A nobleman was riding his horse along a road and saw an old man digging in his garden. Beside the man lay a sapling ready for to be planted. The nobleman called out, "What kind of tree are you planting?"

"An apple tree," replied the old man.

"An apple tree! How old are you?" exclaimed the nobleman.

"I’m 90," came the answer.

"You are 90 years old and planting a tree which will take years and years to bear fruit?"

"Tell me," said the old man, "did you ever eat an apple when you were young?"

"Certainly, why do you ask?"

"Well," said the old man, "who do you think planted the tree from which those gifts were obtained?"

The nobleman hesitated, "I have no idea."

"You see, sir, our forefathers planted trees for us to enjoy, and I am doing the same for those who will come along after me. How else can I repay my debt to those who lived before me?" ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +Dear Parents, June 1, 2015

Happy June! Can you believe that in just 11 short days (or long, depending on the day) we will begin our summer vacation? The year has flown by! Thank you to Mrs. Geiling, Jenn Messina, and to all who helped to make the Masterpieces and Meatballs Night a great event! We thank Mrs. Ducassoux and Jazz Band for providing the entertainment. It was a wonderful way to show our children’s art work and to enjoy some time with family and friends! Thank you to all who helped and all who attended!

At this time of the year, it is very easy to become overwhelmed by the deadlines and events that mark the end of every school year. Yet, do we take time to look over the whole year? Do we take time to count blessings? Do we look at the gifts that were obtained and thank God for those who shared those with us? Do we look for ways to pass gifts onto others?

As the principal of St. Joseph School, I surely am blessed! I get to be with your children every day. I love to watch their faith grow and to witness their joy and spirit daily. I am blessed to share the mission of Catholic education with our hard-working and dedicated faculty and staff. I am blessed to have the support of our priests and that they are so present to our children and families. I am blessed to work side by side with you, our parents and families, as we strive to help our young people nurture and share their gifts so they can be all God calls them to be. Thank you for your support and encouragement in this blessed mission!

May we all talk time during these next couple of weeks to plant seeds of gratitude, joy, and hope that will be passed on to our children and to each other!

Have a great week! God bless you! Sister Catherine Irene, IHM

June 6 – June 14 Barnes and Noble Book Fair See flyer on the Principal’s Page

Looking Ahead for the Rest of the Year: June 1 – 4 Grade 8 Final Assessments June 2 – 5 Grades 1 to 7 Final Assessments June 3 Kindergarten Fun Day Parish Staff Meeting at 1:30 p.m. June 4 Pre-K End-of-the Year Picnic at 11:00

Altar Serving Training at 3:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. June 5 Kindergarten Closing at 10:00 a.m. Bishop Shanahan Graduation June 6 – June 14 Barnes and Noble Book Fair June 8 Faculty Meeting and Workday: NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS June 9 – 11 NOON DISMISSAL with busses and CARES June 9 Grade 8 Dance; Spirit Day for Grades 5 to 7 June 10 Grade 8 Graduation at 7:00 p.m.; Spirit Day for Grades 1 to 4 June 12 LAST DAY OF SCHOOL: Closing Liturgy at 10:15 a.m. NOON DISMISSAL with busses – NO CARES June 16 – 20 St. Joseph Parish Festival June 22 – 25 St. Joseph Parish Vacation Bible Adventure (VBA) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

End-of-the-Year Assessment Schedule: Grades 1 to 3: June 2 – Religion June 3 – Math June 4 – ELA

Grades 4 and 5: June 2 – Religion and Math June 3 – Science and ELA* June 4 – Social Studies and ELA* (*ELA may be given on either day)

Grades 6: June 2 – Religion and Science June 3 – Math and ELA** (**Please note the change in day) June 4 – Social Studies

Grade 7: June 2 – Religion and ELA June 3 – Math and Social Studies June 4 – Science

Grade 8: June 1 – Religion and Math

June 2 – ELA and Social Studies

June 3 – Science

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ CYO Registration: It is important that you go to this site to register now. Some sports fill up quickly! Please go to https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B475HnvVgtLvQ1dEOUhJVmVrTm8/view?pli=1 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Spirit Days: June 9 and 10

Grades 5-7 will have Spirit Day Tuesday, June 9th. Grades 1-4 will have Spirit Day Wednesday, June 10th. Students are to wear a green/ black t-shirt or gym uniform shirt and their gym shorts. Sunscreen should be applied prior to coming to school. Students are permitted to carry a water bottle.

In honor of the upcoming World Meeting of Families, we are creating a giant collage of all of our St. Joseph School families. The collage will be proudly displayed on the bulletin board in the library hallway in September.

Don’t be left out! Before summer break, please send us a copy of one of your family photos in an envelope labeled “Family Photo Collage”. Photos may be large or small, old or new, color or black-and-white, formal portraits or candid shots. Anything will do! If you have any questions or would prefer to send a digital image, please contact:

Jenn Messina messinas5@verizon.net

Thank you for helping us to showcase our beautiful St. Joseph School family!

SEND US YOUR FAMILY PHOTOS!

2015 Saint Joseph Community Festival

Volunteers Needed

Tuesday, June 16 through Saturday, June 20

If you are interested in volunteering at a Game Booth, please complete the electronic form

on the Festival Sign-Up Genius website by Tuesday, June 9th

All volunteers will receive a Volunteer Certificate

This is a great opportunity to gain Service Hours for Confirmation

If you have questions or are having problems signing up, contact

Tina Perelli at tinaperelli@verizon.net or call 484-883-2183.

2015 St. Joseph Community Festival

Directions to Sign Up to Volunteer

1. Log on to the 2015 St. Joseph Community Festival Website at

www.stjoesfestival.com and follow the prompts OR go directly to

http://www.signupgenius.com/tabs/43071DD01A6CB0-2015joseph1

2. At the top of the form, click the day you are interested in volunteering.

Find the Game you would like to volunteer for. (The St. Joseph Games are

labeled BALLOON BREAK, LOBSTER TOSS, & THE WHEEL) Check the Sign

Up box for the time you are interested in and then click the Submit and

Sign Up Box at the bottom of the Form. Note: Up to 2 volunteers per game

per shift.

3. Fill in your name, email address and phone number. You may also add a

Comment next to the game if you have a special request. Click Sign Up

Now to complete the sign up process.

Thank You for Volunteering!

Email tinaperelli@verizon.net or call 484-883-2183 with questions

2015-2016

St. Joseph School Tentative School Calendar

Opening Days of School AUGUST 2015 Sunday August 2 Flocco Shoe Sale: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Thursday August 20 Home and School Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday August 26 New Family Picnic, 5:00 p.m.

Monday August 31 Faculty Organizational Day

SEPTEMBER 2015 Please note: We will not have staggered openings in September for Grades 1 to 8.

Tuesday September 1 School begins, Grades 1 to 8 report: Full Day

Kindergarten Orientation, 9:00 a.m.

Wednesday September 2 Grades 1 to 8 report: Full Day

Kindergarten Girls report: Full Day

Pre-K 4 a.m. Open House: 9:00 a.m.;

PK 4 p.m. Open House, 1:00 p.m.

Thursday September 3 Grades 1 to 8 report: Full Day

Kindergarten Boys report: Full Day

Pre-K 3 Open House, 9:00 a.m.

School Liturgy at 10:15 a.m.

Friday September 4 Faculty In-Service Day: No School for Students

Monday September 7 Labor Day: SCHOOL HOLIDAY

Tuesday September 8 Pre-K 3 begins

Back-to-School Night, Grades 6 to 8, 6:30 p.m., in Cafeteria

Wednesday September 9 Pre-K 4 begins

Back-to-School Night, Grades PK to 5, 6:30 p.m. in Cafeteria

Thursday September 10 Parent Band Meeting in PMC, 7:00 p.m.

Monday September 14 Hot Lunch Begins: All Band lessons begin this week

Wednesday September 17 Homeroom Parent Meeting, 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday - September 23 – World Meeting of Families: All Archdiocesan Schools Closed

Friday September 25

Welcome, Pope Francis, to Philadelphia!!!!