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.