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Get ready for a sweet start to Kindergarten!
All incoming St. Joseph kindergartners and their families are invited to Popsicles at the Park at Trendwood Park (77th & A) on Sunday, June 28 and Sunday, July 19 from 6:30-8:00 pm! Come enjoy popsicles, playtime, and a chance to meet new friends before the school year begins.
Please join the Student Family Association and the School Administration for a new parent orientation meeting Monday, August 4 in Resurrection Hall. Preschool families, join us at 6:00 pm. K-8 families, join us at 7:00 pm. Enter through the Church doors.
Come learn the ins and outs of St. Joseph School and bring any questions you may have about the school year! Parents only, please. Only one parent is needed per family.
This year's SFA-sponsored Ice Cream Social will be held on Wednesday, August 14 from 6:30-7:30 pm. See the flyer below for more details!
Totus Tuus 2026 is now full!
Teen Mental Health
A Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report recently came out highlighting the rise in Adolescent Mental Health and Bryan Health is taking a lead in providing helpful information to our community. We are hosting a Facebook Live event on Tuesday, April 18 featuring our very own Andrea Ruiz, LIMHP from the Bryan Counseling Center with a special focus on Youth Mental Health. Here is the link to landing page https://www.bryanhealth.com/teen-mental-health and the link to the Facebook event https://fb.me/e/C6eDKj0y.
A general information flyer is below.
St. Joseph School Employment Opportunities
Beyond the Bell Staff
St. Joseph School’s after-school program, Beyond the Bell, is seeking support staff for the 2026-2027 school year! This part-time position is perfect for a high school student with a free period at the end of the school day or a college student. Hours are Monday-Friday from 3:00-5:30 pm when school is in session with occasional 1:00-5:30 pm days. Staff assist the BTB director with childcare, child safety, preparing snacks, supervising indoor & outdoor activities, and facilitating a safe, encouraging environment for students ranging in age from preschool through 8th Grade. Previous childcare experience appreciated but not required. Start date is August 2026. To apply, email a resume and references to carrie-finson@cdolinc.net, or call 402-489-0341 with questions.
Who's excited for Catholic Schools Week? We are!! And we hope you are too! Below is the plan for the week's activities as well as a list for dress-up days to celebrate living the Catholic school life! Download the full schedule: CSW-Event-Outline-2026
Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community
CANA – January 24, 2026
CANA is our Parish’s primary fundraiser to benefit the church and school The proceeds are used to grow and implement improvements in our education program. This event helps ensure a Catholic education is available to every child and is key to achieving our school’s call to loving service and mission of total personal development. This year, a generous donor has agreed to match all CANA donations up to $150,000! Please prayerfully consider making a year-end-donation that will be matched dollar-for-dollar if made by January 24, 2026. All donations are tax deductible. Visit https://onecau.se/2026cana.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2026
Celebrating the Community of Our Parish Family
♦ 9:00 a.m. Opening Mass (Youth Choir) All students are encouraged to wear uniforms to Mass!
♦ Jr. High announcer at Masses: 7:30, 9:00, 11:00, 5:00)
♦ 10:15-11:15 am Open House and Academic Fair (7th/8th Science Fair in cafeteria)
♦ 10:15-11:15 am Student Council Bake Sale (school entrance & cafeteria)
MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2026
Celebrating the Community Around Us with Service
♦ Each grade level does a service project (letters to seminarians, pictures to Madonna, etc.)
♦ 7:00 PM Light the Night holy hour at the Cathedral for FAMILIES. Join Bishop Conley in praying for our Catholic Schools.
♦ All-School Assembly: Pius X Choirs performance, 2:30 pm
♦ Parent Lunches for 1st and 4th grades. Sign-up form: ParentInvitetoLunch2026.
♦ “We're All on the Same Team - Team Jesus!” – Wear jersey/sports team/religious*
TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2026
Celebrate the Community of Parents and Volunteers
♦ Students write “Thank You” notes to parents
♦ SFA Faculty/Staff Luncheon
♦ Parent Lunches for Kindergarten and Jr. High. Sign-up form: ParentInvitetoLunch2026.
♦ Talent Show, time TBD
♦ “Shine from the Inside Out” – Wear your clothes inside out*
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2026
Celebrating Our Faith Community
♦ Eucharistic Procession after Mass followed by Adoration and 2:55 pm Benediction – Parents welcome! (3rd graders wear First Communion outfits for the Procession.)
♦ Parent Lunches for 2nd and 6th grades. Sign-up form: ParentInvitetoLunch2026.
♦ “Put Your Best Foot Forward” - Students wear their uniforms OR dress in your nicest clothes for the Lord
THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2026
Celebrating the Community of Our Students
♦ Special Student Activities (determined by teachers)
♦ Dessert with student lunch
♦ Parent Lunches for Pre-K, 3rd, and 5th grades. Sign-up form: ParentInvitetoLunch2026.
♦ Volleyball game – 8th grade vs. Staff 2:15-3:00 PM (K-2 optional)
♦ “Crazy about Catholic Schools” – Wear mismatched/crazy combinations of clothes*
FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2026
Celebrating the Community of Our Administration, Teachers, and Staff
♦ Teacher swap option
♦ Jr. High Bowling in the morning
♦ 1:00 PM Dismissal
♦ “Better Together” - Classes choose a theme*
SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 2026
Celebrating the Communities of our Families
♦ Morning at the Movies – SFA-sponsored activity for school families. *Students must be accompanied by an adult*
• 8:45 am donuts, coffee, and juice will be available
• 9:30 am free movies begin at East Park Cinema – "David" and "Zootopia 2"
*Please check the non-uniform portion of the Dress Code LINK for non-uniform guidelines.
+Student Council will sell $1 suckers all week - classrooms will arrange dates/times.
2026 Catholic Schools Week Dress-Up Days
Our school uniforms set us apart and show pride in our school. But who doesn’t like to dress up? The following are guidelines for special dress days during our celebration of Catholic Schools Week. (Students who choose not to dress up with the theme must wear their school uniforms.)
Please read the following guidelines to students:
Since we are doing a Eucharistic Procession on Wednesday of CSW, we ask for students to dress either in their school uniform that day OR dress up for the Lord (think of “Sunday best” or dressing for a wedding or special occasion).
If you choose to dress up, here are the expected guidelines:
• Skirts and dresses for girls must reach slightly above the knee or lower. Tops of dresses must be modest - no sleeveless or low-cut necklines.
• Dress shirts and blouses are encouraged. Jerseys, t-shirts, tank tops, sleeveless tops or low-cut necklines are not allowed. Shirts may not be tied up at the waistline.
• Pants should be dressy pants or nice khakis.
• Pants not permitted include: jeans; sweatpants/running pants; baggy or saggy pants; pants that are frayed, faded, multi-bleached, stone washed or that have holes; stretch pants, stirrup pants, leggings/jeggings, or pants that are skin tight.
• Boys may choose to wear a tie.
We want to dress in our beautiful and best as we walk with Jesus!
You may also choose to wear a HAT during the school day, but have it off for Mass, adoration and the procession.
Schedules are available in the Youth Choir folder on the bulletin board by Resurrection Hall main doors. Sing-along Sundays occur except for scheduled Full Choir Sundays. Download the Spring 2025 Youth Choir Schedule.
Beginning on January 1, 2025, all clergy, religious, employees, and volunteers who work with minors will be required to renew their training during the month of January. Visit CMG Connect - Catholic Mutual Group to complete this.
Walk for Christ 2024 is on September 27!
What is Walk For Christ?
Walk for Christ is St. Joseph School’s yearly fundraiser that combines faith, fun and fellowship in one event. As a family, the fundraising will depend if your child chooses to call friends and families for donations, walk the neighborhood for prayer petitions, or do service projects to raise money. As they witness and share their gifts they return to school with their contributions, having fun along the way! On the final day, the students, parents, and faculty of St. Joseph's School walk a designated route around the school grounds and park area praying for our sponsors, donors, personal intentions, and community along the way.
In recent years, Walk For Christ funds have provided for improvements to St. Joseph School's technology; gymnasium microphones and audio equipment; funding for buses for class field trips; updates to classrooms, the gym, and cafeteria; new window coverings throughout the school; new playground equipment; teacher/staff appreciation events; student scholarships; preschool para support; community-building events; and many other school improvements. Most importantly, your donation provides an education that recognizes the human dignity and nurtures the gift of each child at St. Joseph School throughout the entire curriculum.
Visit The WFC Website to donate, find the week's schedule, order shirts, and more!
Each year near the beginning of October, in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary, our 3rd Grade classes lead a Living Rosary for their parents and the student body.
Each year, our 4th Grade students perform the Living Stations of the Cross for the whole school and invite the Parish to join them. Below are some of the photos from March 27, 2024.
Save the Date! April 26th SFA’s Parents' Night Out Comedy Show
Laughter is the best medicine! Get your very own VIP Opera Box Seats for 6 at the Rococo Theatre Friday, April 26th and get a meet-and-greet with Jen!!!! Jen Fulwiler is a wholesome Catholic comedian and often a speaker at the SEEK conference. Bishop Conley himself recommended her for the SFA comedian night! She is a national best-selling author, has a popular radio show and an Amazon Prime special.
Standup comic Jen Fulwiler
Hair and Makeup: Nora Hess
© Jen Fulwiler 2022
Additional Event Details:
Friday, April 26 at the Rococo Theatre
Doors open: 7:00 pm
Show: 8:00 pm
S.M.A.R.T. Parenting Tips for Online Safety
Good Morning Everyone:
As many of you know, I am passionate about educating others about internet safety and the risks that are posed to our kids online. I firmly believe that most risks that our kids are exposed to have some connection to digital technology. As such, we must continue to educate parents and encourage them to engage their kids in regular conversation regarding online risks.
Next week, February 6th, is Safer Internet Day. I encourage all of you to use this day to remind kids and their parents to communicate with each other about proper use of the net. Attached you will find SMART tips for parents. These documents are easy to read and filled with great tips and resources for parents.
My contact information is below in case you have questions.
Stay Safe!
Monty Lovelace
Lieutenant | Nebraska Information Analysis Center (NIAC)
Nebraska State Patrol
P.O. Box 94907
Lincoln, Nebraska 68509
4600 Innovation Drive
Lincoln, Nebraska 68521
Cell: 402-805-7042
24hr: 402-471-4545
Monty.Lovelace@Nebraska.gov
statepatrol.nebraska.gov
This transformative program enables students from lower-income families, students with special needs, students who experience bullying, students from military families, students in foster care, and students who are denied option enrollment by public schools to access scholarships to attend the private school of their choice.
Scholarship applications will be available by mid-February. Be sure to sign up with your contact information on OSN’s website so you will be among the first to know when scholarship applications are available.
If you have any questions, please email info@nebraskaopportunity.org.
Scholarships are funded through tax credit contributions by Nebraska taxpayers. Taxpayers can give to OSN and claim a dollar-for-dollar tax credit up to 50% (or $100,000) of their state income tax liability. OSN then uses those taxpayer contributions to empower vulnerable Nebraska families with educational freedom.
For more information about this meaningful giving option, visit nebraskaopportunity.org/giving.
The purpose of report cards is to communicate to parents information about their child's progress and achievement. Here are a few tips on how to handle report cards when they come home:
Dear Parents of 4th – 8th Grade Students,
When schools give students access to devices and online accounts, an incredible world of learning opportunities opens up — as well as potential dangers.Digital safety is critically important to St. Joseph School, which is why we are now using Bark for Schools to help us protect our students both online and in real life.
Read more in the letter below.
We're partnering with Catholic Social Services to do a Lenten Food Drive! Check out the flyer for a list of the most needed items.
Nebraska Information Analysis Center
4600 Innovation Drive
Lincoln, NE 68521
Toll Free: 888.580.6422 / Phone: 402.479.4049
NEfusioncenter@nebraska.gov
Product ID Number: NIAC-2023-4374-32
“Swatting” Hoaxes Disrupt Schools Across the Country
Released: 27 February 2023
The NIAC is releasing this bulletin to provide situational awareness to the education sector regarding a national trend of false school shooting and bombing threats.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) received nearly 6,000 reports of threats against schools in 2022, which is a 60% increase from 2021. Additionally, schools nationwide have reported an increase in hoax threats. These hoax calls are referred to as swatting. Swatting is a word that is used to describe calls that falsely claim an active shooting is underway or that a bomb has been placed in the school. These calls are designed to trigger the immediate and widespread deployment of armed law enforcement to a specific site. These types of calls will most likely continue throughout the 2023 school year.
Five Nebraska schools have experienced swatting threats in 2022. To date in 2023, schools in Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Texas, and Vermont have been targeted.
These threats typically are called into law enforcement communications centers and not the actual targeted school. Similarities in these hoaxes include:
• The use of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), which allows the caller to easily mask their identity and location.
• The caller uses a foreign accent or mock foreign accent.
• The caller states a specific number of victims, weapons used, and on-site location. The caller may mispronounce school names or locations, or reference non-existent classroom numbers.
• The caller feigns a sense of urgency, either presenting themselves as a witness hiding in a classroom during an active attack, or a perpetrator walking up to the location armed with a firearm and/or explosives.
The NIAC encourages school and district administrators to network with local public safety partners to discuss current school safety protocols.
Please report any suspicious activities and behaviors to the NIAC at 888-580-6422 or nefusioncenter@nebraska.gov, or by submitting a Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) online at https://sars.nebraska.gov/
Teen girls ages 12-15 who want to develop skills to manage anxiety and better social interactions. This group will explore new ways of overcoming negative thoughts, build confidence and uplift other peers struggling with similar issues.
The group meets from 4:00-5:00 pm on Wednesdays.
Contact the Immaculate Heart of Mary Counseling Center at 402-489-1834 to join!
Parents, know what social media outlets your children are using and the potential pitfalls. Not all of these apps are bad in and of themselves, but they still have the potential.
Starting July 16, 2022, people in distress — including those who are suicidal or experiencing a mental health or substance-use crisis — can call, text, or chat 988 to reach support. This new easy-to-remember number may be new, but its lifesaving concept isn’t — dialing 988 will route callers to the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The current Lifeline phone number (1-800-273-8255) will still be active after 988 launches nationally.
For the Year of St. Joseph, we are doing pilgrimages to spiritual sites that honor St. Joseph as well as touring businesses or groups that so some sort of artisan work.
Our Preschool classes toured the church, visited the Parish office and Rectory, and helped clean up the church:
The Kindergarten through 2nd Grade pilgrimage was to St. Mary Church and Aquinas High School's shop, which builds houses:
3rd and 4th Grades trekked out to Red Tractor Leather at the Czyz property and visited the School Sisters of Christ the King at their Motherhouse:
The 5th and 6th Grade pilgrimage was to the Holy Family Shrine and Trade Well Pallet in Gretna:
Jr. High students made a pilgrimage to Zongker's Custom Woods and St. Joseph Church in Omaha:
On occasion, (generally on early dismissal days for faculty meetings), students will be allowed to have a no-uniform day. Other no-uniform days may be announced by the administration. Students must follow the guidelines below for no-uniform days:
Pants: Dress pants, khakis, capris (mid-calf length), overalls, loose knit slacks, colored jeans, blue jeans or loose-fitting athletic/sweat pants may be worn. Pants not permitted include:
- Baggy or saggy pants;
- Pants, jeans, or capris that are frayed, faded, multi-bleached, stone washed or that have holes;
- Stretch pants, stirrup pants, leggings/jeggings, skinny jeans and all pants that are skin tight.
Skirts/Dresses: Skirts/split skirts and dresses may be worn and are to reach just above the knee or lower. Tops of dresses must follow the guidelines for blouses below.
Shirts/Blouses: Shirts must be modest, long enough to sufficiently cover the midriff and no low-cut necklines. Shirts may not be tied up at the waistline. Tank tops, sleeveless tops or low-cut necklines are not allowed. Shirts must be neat and clean. Clothing that is offensive, immoral, or otherwise inappropriate in a Catholic school environment is not acceptable. Tight-fitting/compression-fitting shirts are not allowed for boys or girls.
Shorts: Only school uniform shorts may be worn in September, October, April, and May.
Shoes and Socks: Shoes and sandals without a strap around the back of the foot may be worn. Socks (or tights or hose) must be worn. For safety reasons, heels (spike, stiletto, block, tapered, blade, wedge, etc.) higher than 2 inches are not allowed.
Jewelry and makeup: Uniform regulations remain in effect.
Confused about PowerSchool? Here are some helpful descriptions of what it encompasses and a PDF below with tips on how to log in and use it!