Welcome Back - St. Joseph School€¦ · tions about life in Sampa. They wrote about their favorite foods and games, what they did for fun and if they had pets. The exchange between

Dear St. Joseph School Families, Friends, and Alumni,

We are excited to welcome our students, faculty, and staff to the 2018-2019 school year. It is an incredible blessing to reflect on the past year and remember the extraordinary accomplishments the St. Joseph school com-munity was able to experience together. Building upon our rich history and foundation as a beacon of hope, honor, respect, and justice, we continue to be an institution that promotes strong Catholic values, academic excellence, and service to others. The graduating eighth grade class of 2018 take with them many great memories which highlight the strong presence of God in their lives, friendships nurtured throughout their years at St. Joseph School, and recognition for their hard work and academic successes. We remain committed to guiding each of our students into a deeper relationship with Christ and our Blessed Mother Mary while striving to reach their fullest aca-demic potential. Every classroom and school decision centers on promot-ing a respectful and inclusive environment that supports spiritual, intellectu-al, emotional, and physical health and growth.

Your ongoing support enables us to evolve and improve our ability to educate and prepare our students for their future endeavors. We are im-mensely grateful for your prayers, volunteerism, and monetary contribu-tions that enrich our students’ learning experiences and support campus improvements. Your generosity serves as an exemplary model of giving and support for Catholic education. We look forward to welcoming a new group of students and their families along with another year filled with en-thusiasm for learning and opportunities to make a positive impact in the lives of those we serve.

Many blessings,

Mrs. Sandra Alamo-Ng Mrs. Cynthia Fessler

Principal Vice Principal

Welcome Back Mrs. Sandra Alamo-Ng & Mrs. Cynthia Fessler

Fall 2018

Issue XXVI

2018-19 Faculty & Staff 2

Alumni Story Sampa School, Ghana

3

Development Donors insert

Farewell to the Class of 2018

4

Inside this issue:

A Publication of the St. Joseph School Development Committee for the St. Joseph School Community, Alumni & Friends.

God of wisdom and might,

we praise you for the wonder of our

being,

for mind, body and spirit.

Be with our children as they begin

a new school year.

Bless them and their teachers and

staff.

Give them strength and grace as

their bodies grow;

wisdom and knowledge to their

minds as they search for

understanding;

and peace and zeal to their hearts.

We ask this through

Jesus Christ our Lord.

A Prayer for a

New School Year

2018-2019 Faculty & Staff

Page 2 Deve lopments I ssue XXVI

Mrs. Alamo-Ng

Principal

Mrs. Fessler

Vice Principal 6th Grade Teacher

Mrs. Berg

Office Manager

Mrs. Morand

Business Manager

Mrs. Okerman

1st Grade Teacher

Mrs. Gilboy

Kindergarten Teacher

Mrs. Grant

Kindergarten Aide

Mrs. Teixeira

4th Grade Teacher

AM

Miss Dutton

3rd Grade Teacher

Mr. Briscoe

4th Grade Aide

Mrs. Fuentes

3rd Grade Aide

ESC

Mrs. Winzenread

1st Grade Aide

Admin Asst

Mrs. Maldia

1st Grade Aide

ESC

Mrs. Gutierrez

2nd Grade Aide

ESC

Mrs. Fitzgerald

2nd Grade Teacher

Mrs. Parmental

4th Grade Teacher

PM

Mrs. Finlay

5th Grade Teacher

Mrs. Martinez

7th Grade Teacher

Mr. Bettencourt

8th Grade Teacher

Mrs. Bechtel

Athletic Director

PE Teacher

Mrs. Bono

Yard Supervisor

Mrs. Broadwater

ESC

Miss Brown

Music Teacher

Mrs. Henderson

Library/Computers

Mr. Gutierrez

Custodian

Mrs. Liebanas

Art Teacher

Mrs. Torres

Math & Science Aide

Mr. Negrete

Custodian

Mrs. Constantine

Spanish Teacher

Mrs. Smathers

Math & Science Teacher

SJU Alum and Students Team Up for Ghana School Chase Henderson, Class of 2002

Page 3 Deve lopments I ssue XXVI

It all started very simply. Mr. Bettencourt was looking for a way to get his eighth grade students mo-tivated to participate in the school’s mission drives. An alumnus of the class of 2002, Chase Henderson, was part of a nonprofit program with a mission of helping those in need. So began a project that not only raised money for a school in Sampa, Ghana but also gave the eighth grade students a chance to visit with a culture from across the world that at times was so foreign and yet so much like their own.

The program, Change the World of One, was founded by former Peace Corps volunteer, Jasmine Staff Keefe, after nearly three years of development work in Ghana. She recognized that government organizations like Peace Corps had a lot of restrictions in place to limit how money could be used to address social issues. Some people in need were de-layed in receiving aid as the vetting process was slow. Jasmine was driven by the goal that if the need was justified and if the plan to improve the situation was sound then she was going to work to drive positive change. Chase, also a Peace Corps volunteer in Ghana, had worked with Jasmine and knew she was a focused individual with a good heart and a great work ethic. When he learned that she was continuing to manage projects in Ghana through her organiza-tion, he was inspired to join the mission.

The eighth grade class collected money every month. They sent an average of $65 to the SDA primary school. Through the village elder, Aaron Ofori Atta, or “Nana,” projects would be planned and executed. One month it was wooden desks or a leaky roof. Other months, charts and art supplies would be purchased. In the meantime, the SDA students sent pictures of themselves with short biographies. The eighth graders returned the favor and included ques-

tions about life in Sampa. They wrote about their favorite foods and games, what they did for fun and if they had pets. The exchange between both groups was exciting to watch. At year’s end, the eighth graders sent a video they created about life at St. Joseph School and what it's like being an eighth grader. The Sampa students loved it.

In May, the whole school got involved in the fundraising. A school parent, Mrs. Esser, took charge of a “Penny War” with posters, flyers and huge jars to collect pennies. Every day for a week, all the classes participated in the contest. The winning class, third grade, reveled in their success. The school raised over $3,400 in that short time. This was far and above what Jasmine or Chase had ever imagined! With that amount of money, the people could renovate the en-tire school.

The generosity of the students was well known to Chase. He was taught the value of a commitment to service all through his years at St. Joseph. It was there that the seed was planted. It grew and was strengthened at Damien High School and then in the Peace Corps it became a part of his identity. He couldn’t see himself living any other way. When he was concluding his service in the Peace Corps in Ghana and evaluating the next step in his life, he felt a real anxiety that he was “leaving” these people behind and running the risk of returning to a day-to-day life, neglecting his responsibility to others.

By joining with Change the World of One and watching the fundraising commitment of the students at St. Joseph, he has been able to turn that anxiety into motivation and relief that the mission continues. He has immense hope for the future generations, validated by the incredible work of these students, no older than eighth grade. With under-standing and compassion for one another, no matter our age, we all can be a catalyst for positive change in the world.

These pictures show work being done

at the SDA school in Sampa, Ghana

through the generosity of St. Joseph

School students and families.

St. Joseph School Development Committee

905 N Campus Avenue Upland, CA 91786

Phone: 909-920-5185 E-mail: [email protected]

St. Joseph Upland

@stjosephvikings

REMINDER

Students in Kinder through 4th grade

should be at the Pavilion tables by 7:50

a.m. The late bell will ring at 8:00 a.m.

Students in grades 5-8 must be in the

classroom by 7:40 a.m. The late bell

will ring at 7:45 a.m.

Good Luck and Godspeed to the

Class of 2018

Class of 2018 Leaves St. Joseph School With a Bright Future Ahead

The class of 2018 finished their run at St. Joseph School on Thursday, June 7th with Mass in the

church. This class had shared many memories and events throughout their years at the school, which

were all topped off by annual 8th grade events including, the UCLA game, Friendship Retreat, high

school exam prep classes (followed by late night broom hockey to let off steam), May crowning, the

Day Away retreat and the hours spent bonding with and mentoring their Kindergarten buddies.

27 of 39 graduates went on to attend Catholic high schools. Nine girls received St. Lucy Priory HS

scholarships, including two who received “full rides”. Four girls received Pomona Catholic HS scholar-

ships, one boy received a Bishop Amat HS scholarship and five received scholarships to Damien HS. All

scholarships are based on how students perform on the entrance exams. All local high schools praised

SJU for how well the students were prepared for the rigors of their high school careers.

Students also received cords for academic recognition. 28 members graduated with gold cords, 5

with silver cords and 19 with CJSF honors. Students received service recognition by receiving the SJU

Christian Service, Kiwanis Good Citizen and Daughters of the American Revolution Citizenship awards.

Like the classes that left before, this class will be remembered for it’s collective heart and joy and

many hours spent in service to others. Let us all pray for their continued success and good fortune.