Principal's Update
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December 8th
Good evening Saint Joseph School Community. I continue to pray that all are well and safe I guess winter is here with this chilly weather. Please dress your children in warm clothing with coats, hats and gloves. Students may wear their gym uniforms even if it is not their gym day. We have plenty of heat in the school building.
Please keep your child home if they are not feeling well. Doctors say this flu virus and other illnesses are going around. Wearing mask is optional, but is recommended if your child has a slight cough or picks up colds easily. If students or out for three or more days due to illness, they must have a doctor's note to return.This week is a full week of school. If you did not have a Parent/teacher conference, please email your child's teacher to arrange a conference. Report Cards are in the office., but a conference is needed for them to be released. Grade 3 and 5 teachers will contact parents for a conference.
All after school activities will take place this week. Horseback will meet for both groups only on Tuesday December 9, 2025. All fees must be paid by Monday December 8, for students to continue to participate.
Extra Pizza money is due by Thursday December 11, 2025.
Thursday December 11, will be a Christmas color Tag Day. Tag day dress policy will be in effect. No torn, distressed or inappropriate writing on c;lothing. No crocs, clogs. or slippers can be worn. Donation is $2.00.
Any outstanding November tuition is due. Any outstanding invoices are due. Contact Ms. Lizzy in the office if you have any questions or concerns.
Our Christmas concert will be Wednesday December 17, 2025 at 9:30 AM in the gymnasium. Grades Prek thru grade 5 will participate. Information will be sent home.
We are still collecting for victims of the Jamaica hurricane. Please leave donations in the front hall of the school.
Thank you for your continued support and cooperation of Saint Joseph School.
God bless,
Ms. Cavaness
Principal
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Contact Us
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Ms. Karen Cavanesskcavanessstjosepheo.comPrincipal
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We're in this together
“We’re in This Together”
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As we look forward to the 2025-2026 school year here at St. Joseph School
East Orange, I want to share with you a few things from my heart for the
coming school year.
We welcome our new families and our returning families to our school
community. We, here at St. Joseph School, are committed to creating an
environment where every student feels safe, seen, and supported and will
be given what they need to have a successful academic year promoting
academic growth and personal development. This will only happen through
partnership, communication and trust between home and school.
What does this look like:
A. Relationships at school matter, and we are working to get them right.
● At the center of everything we do is the belief that children
learn best from those they trust. You may have heard your child
talk about a favorite teacher, coach, or mentor. This didn’t
happen by incident, it was intentional, cultivated and essential
● Our teachers, coaches and staff members are trained to
prioritize relationships because we know the academic,
emotional and social growth is developed in relationships with
safe, trustworthy adults.
● We know we aren’t perfect, and won’t always get it right, but we
are committed to learning and growing from our mistakes just
like our students learn.
B. Our faculty and staff are trained on building trust and sustaining
Boundaries
● Every adult in our school is expected to be a trustworthy adult,
someone your child can go to when they need encouragement,
support, comfort or challenge.
● Clear training as Protecting God’S Children Awareness
sessions and tools that focus on creating strong connections
and healthy boundaries,
● Creating trust through compassion, consistency and
transparency
● Communicating and maintaining healthy boundaries to ensure
all interactions are appropriate, safe and in the best interest of
the student’s development.
● We also support staff in how to communicate with families and
how to manage concerns professionally and when extra
support is needed.
● This training is on going as needed for staff.
C. Here is what you can expect from our school community
● We will treat your child with dignity and respect
● We will communicate clearly, consistently and within health
boundaries
● We will follow school policies as outlined in the Student/Parent
Handbook
● We will assume good intentions, seek to understand, and
respond with care.
● We will make space for your child to grow, take healthy risks,
and develop resilience
● We will value you as a vital partner in this journey
D. What we hope we can expect from you
● You are the expert on your child. We ask you to see us as the
experts on student development. When we meet in the middle
with mutual respect and clear expectations,together we can
provide the strongest support for your child.
● Support your child in getting plenty of rest and getting to
school on time
● Read messages or information sent home and respond in a
timely manner
● Speak positively about our school and the adults at school.
Your child will adopt your attitude towards SJS. A good one will
help them grow
● Allow space for your child to be resilient and experience natural
consequences
● Resist communicating with your child during school hours
● Attend events, games, contests, and concerts your child
participates
● Encourage your child to seek out and connect with trusted
adults at school
● Reach out to the school office if resources are needed.
I hope you read this message and keep it as a reminder that behind every
confident, capable student is a village of adults, parents, teachers,
coaches, staff members at St. Joseph School working together to develop
a productive , independent child.
“ We’re in this Together”
God Bless,
Ms. Cavaness
Principal
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