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St. Joseph School Mission Statement

"To educate children in the Catholic tradition by creating an environment in which each student is challenged to develop his/her full potential academically, spiritually, and morally."

Enrichment Programs

In 1995, the budget was approved to extend the hours of our Middle School computer teacher so as to create an 8^th grade Algebra enrichment class. The success of this group was seen in the motivation of the students and their advanced placement in high school. Now, our enrichment math program begins in grade 5. Students who qualify for this program meet the challenges of their math talents.

This year the administration with the budget approval of the School Board employed our Middle School math teacher Full-time. We currently have math enrichment classes 5 days per week in grades 5-8. These classes address the needs of those students who excelled in the mastery of the regular curriculum. Students must receive the recommendation of their prior teacher and have qualified by their test scores.

An additional reading specialist has been hired by the school to assist teachers in meeting the needs of all students. Whole class flexible grouping with our recently adopted Literature series allows for all students to receive challenges in areas they excel with out isolating them from the group. Our reading specialist works with students and teachers in an effort to meet individual needs.

Technology

When ten Apple Computers were introduced into St. Joseph School in 1985, who would ever have thought where we would have been headed! Technology and the technology vision for St. Joseph School has certainly moved ahead.

A School Technology Committee was formed in the summer of 1996 and began to develop short and long range plans for SJS. SJS still uses the Apple II computers to review and reinforce classroom instruction, but we are moving toward a PC based school. In the summer of 1997 the classrooms, offices, and small instruction areas were wired for voice, data, and cable connections. A central hub was installed. With mobile workstations available to all teachers, the magic of the Pentium PC and the Internet can be brought into any classroom. The library/multimedia center is also equipped with PC’s networked to the hub. This enables students to do research via the PC or to use the tool for word processing, creating presentations, etc. The hardware and programs available are always being upgraded.

Technology is moving forward with the financial support of the annual school budget and the commitment of the dedicated School Board.

Teachers are connecting to the superhighway through in-service courses and workshops as well as classes at the local community colleges.Technology is becoming a tool to teach with just like chalk and blackboards!