The SJS Boys Cross Country Team won their FIRST EVER League Meet held at Bishop Fenwick High School on October 16. Way to go boys, we are so proud of your hard work and commitment!

On October 7, the 4th and 5th grades took the bus to the Topsfield Fair.  We started by visiting the little piggies and there learned some interesting facts:  a female pig who has had one liter receives the grand title “Sow;” pregnancy usually lasts 3 months, 3 weeks and 3 days;  and there are about 12 piglets in a liter.  After “pigging out” we  headed toward the sheep pens, but those timid creatures immediately cowered together in the middle of the arena, frightened by our din!  We soon learned that a little silence and some cooing go a long way to making friends with the wooly animals. 

Coolidge Hall was our next stop but along the way, we stopped to watch the woodturners carve spinning tops.  Many of our youngsters were lured into purchasing one!  Coolidge Hall is home to the local area's fine and folk artists who use the venue to show off their handiwork.  One woman sits patiently making a complicated lace pattern; another is “diamond” painting, and a third spins a beautiful raspberry colored wool.  Other crafters show how to make old fashioned bedspreads and table runners with “yoyos”.  We missed the man who carves wooden ocean scenes - Winslow Homer-esq -  but we did see the man who makes stained glass windows;  it is endlessly fascinating to watch the cutting knife run effortlessly over the glass without seeming to make a scratch, but then one tap and the glass breaks in two along an unseen line! 

We then moved onto the highlight of the day for most participants; the Swiftly Swine pig races.  Many of our children were chosen to act as cheerleaders for the competitors!  After a satisfying lunch we visited the Bee House to see worker bees busily making honey and or protecting their queen.  Already 1:10?  Yikes - late for the bus,  but wait!  One cannot leave the fair without stopping to take a picture with the largest pumpkin weighing in at 2,092 pounds!  As always, the Topsfield Fair never fails to enchant, entertain and educate!

This year St. Joseph is proud to present “Peter Pan” for our school play.  We are looking for pirates, lost boys, Indians, and of course someone to play Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Wendy, her brothers Michael and John, and the exquisitely horrible Captain Hook!   Imagine yourself in Neverland!  Come and join our merry troop!  Drama club will start in November and run on Mondays and Tuesdays from 2:20 - 3:20 for children in grades 1 - 8.  To sign your child up click here.

The Drama Club is also looking for help with all aspects of play production:  prop production, backstage management/help, costume design/management, announcements/advertisements, concierge set up, carpool to and from Bishop Fenwick during week of dress rehearsals, and clean-up.  If you can help with any one of these areas, please click the same link to sign-up. 

If you are interested in signing your daughter up for a Girl Scout troop, now is the time! Girls in Kindergarten and up are welcome. If St. Joseph School has enough interest, they can start a new troop at our school. If not, there are other troops around Wakefield that our students could join.

Please see this flyer for more information.

Girl Scouts

Our band and string program is now enrolling for live after school lessons! Lessons will be held on Wednesday afternoons; students will receive their exact lesson time after all registrations are received. Rental instruments are available.

Online registration can be done here, or return the form that was sent home in your child's backpack. 

Current offerings:
1) Violin grades 1-8
2) Band instruments grade 3-8 (trumpet, trombone, saxophone, clarinet, flute, bells, percussion)

Date: Friday, October 22

Cost: $1.00

Attire: Wear pink or white

Cause: National Breast Cancer Foundation

One of the foundation’s top priorities is to “Educate women on what they can do to be proactive with their breast health. Knowledge and early detection save lives.”

----------------------------------------------------------

Date: Friday, October 29

Cost: FREE

Attire: Wear black, orange, or a Halloween design. No costumes allowed. 

   Join the club and get your homework completed at school!    

Grades 1-5

When: Monday through Thursday 2:15 -3:15

 Attend some days or every day.

 Where : Mrs. Parris' Room

Cost: $10 per child per day

Register: Students must be registered to attend, as no drop-ins are allowed. Please return this form to the front office.

*Payments will automatically be deducted through the

FACTS Management System

*Please bring extra snack and a book to read if finished early