Solar Viewing 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday!

Several telescopes will be set up near the original Macy's mall entrance fronting Long's Drugs at Prince Kuhio Plaza) tomorrow (Saturday). They will be fitted with filters that will provide safe viewing of the sunspots and solar storms which are a rare event happening right now. The UH Institute of Astronomy invites the St. Joseph ohana to view this rare celestrial event. For more information, phone 640-9161. Your family and friends are all invited. Mahalo to the Astronomy Institute for informing us about this fine public service.

 

Scholastic Book Fair nets $3,000 for St. Joseph Elementary!

Thanks to the hard work of volunteers Susanne Baca, Thera Burian, Magan Alapai, Sandy Amaral, Jeannie Bayola, Allegra Martins, Rosemary Moutain, Lisa Johnson, Scott Carrothers, Alaina Fuata and cashier Brownie Wyrick, the St. Joseph Elementary School library will be able to buy $3,000 worth of new, good quality books immediately! Mahalo to Teresa Fuata for coordinating this outstanding fundraising event. Atta way to go, people!

 

Christopher Wyrick, 6th Grader Wins Honor

State Representative K. Mark Takai, Co-Chair of the Hawaii Leader for a Day project, announced that Christopher Wyrick, a 6th Grader at the St. Joseph Elementary School is the winner of the Hawaii County Mayor category of this year's "Hawaii Leader for a Day" essay contest sponsored by HMSA and Mayor Harry Kim. Christopher came out on top of all the other entries in the catagory because of his exceptional creativity and ideas about how physical activity and health education can be improved in our school. In addition to a certificate of achievement, Chris won a $100 savings bond, is invited to an awards ceremony at Governor Linda Lingle's State Capital Chambers on Oahu and will spend a day with Mayor Harry Kim to learn at first hand what it's like to be Mayor of this county. Chris and his teacher, Rena Arima, bring great honor to St. Joseph School, and we are all very proud of them. Chris is the son of Dr. Brett Wyrick and Dr. Lovina Sabnani.

 

Principal Candidate Visits

As noted in my Oct. 8th posting, St. Joseph Parish has resumed advertisements in Catholic newspapers in Hawaii and the western states for a permanent principal for St. Joseph School. Father Scott has also been soliciting input from parents, staff and alumni about the desired background and experience of this important person. Over the next several months, I'll be escorting candidates around our campus who may be considering an interest in the post. It should be noted that the Search Committee will not make any decision about this matter for several months, and the candidates seen walking about our campus with me or the Acting Vice Principals are not to be construed as "designated." Of course, we are honored to be graced by the visits of these outstanding men and women who are willing to consider devoting part of their lives to the traditions and idealism of the St. Joseph School. Let us show them our usual respect and aloha as they do their walking tours about campus in the weeks and months ahead. Mahalo!

 

Country Fair Flyers! Read! Printout! Post!

Click on these flyers by Karen Hotniansky, the St. Joseph Parish newsletter coordinator, and pass on the exciting news!
Big Plans!       Games/Prizes/White Elephant!
Foods/Crafts/Baked Goods!      Your Kokua Needed Now!

 

St. Joseph Math Team Places Third in Island-wide Competition

The outstanding St. Joseph math team coached by the Mathematics Department Chairperson, Mrs. Suehere Shehata, took third place in the private school category at the first annual Math League competition held at HPA in Waimea last Monday. Made up of 9th to 12th graders, the amazing St. Joseph team consisted of Jean Huh, Junho Park, Kim Reinhold, Nick Bostwick, Chalene Wang, John Heaster, Jiyoung Lim, Jonathan Lee, Brandon Estrella, Katie Proctor, Amy Hsu, and Minhye Park. The St. Joseph matheletes competed against 140 other students from Big Island high schools.
Atta way to go, St. Joe!

 

Update, Oct. 24: Country Fair Participants

The Hawaii County Fire Department, Hilo Branch will provide a Fire Engine and an information booth. The Hawaii Air National Guard (HANG) will be setting up a 20' satelitte dish, recruitment booth. The HANG Counter Drug Office will provide a drug demand reduction information display. The Hawaii Army National Guard Support Group is flying in a Blackhawk Helicoptor. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Rangers - requested search & rescue (SAR) type equip/demo. The American Heart Association will be providing blood pressure screening, and info. on stokes, etc. DLNR/DOCARE - two Marine Vessels will be on display. The Hawaii Blood Bank will have a booth making appointments for people to donate blood. The American Red Cross will set up a booth and provide first aid if needed, along with brouchures. The American Cancer Society will provide a self serve stand with brochures. The Center for Diabetes will provide a table with brochures. Jumping Castle will provide one of the jumpers. They have offered to donate a second one if available. Momentum Rock Wall Climbing has confirmed they will be there. A Dunking Booth is in the works and volunteer dunkers are requested to step forward (smile). Y.W. C.A. to showcase 6 different groups from 10:30am - 2 p.m. on the gym stage.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Awaiting confirmation:

Army Aviation - we requested 2 Black Hawk Helicopters/1 OH58 Helicopter/LAV (light armored vehicle) Hawaii National Guard - we requested Some Armored Vehicles and a tank! D.E.A. - requested Land vehicles such as 3 wheelers.    D.A.R.E.     Keiki I.D. and PONY OR DONKEY RIDES - are in the works. This current listing will be updated as Suzanne Baca sends in confirmations. Mahalo to Suzanne ! Lastest update: Oct. 24.

 

Kokua Country Fair ! Sign-up Now!

Saturday, Nov. 15 is coming up fast! Parents, faculty, students, staff, alumni, friends and family -- all of us in the St. Joseph Ohana - now is the time to step up for the various planned activites. Please go to your child's homeroom teacher for the sign-up sheets now. Here are some of the activities: Grades K-6, Games; Grade 7, Crafts; Grade 8, Shave Ice & Cotton Candy; Grade 9, Plants & Produce; Grade 10, Baked Goods; Grade 11, Malasadas (NOT limited to the junior class; 18 adults needed per shift; no experience necessary! Help!); Grade 12, Food Booth.

ALSO: For the following, sign-up by phone now! Phone 935-8443. Do it. Mahalo!
    8 a.m. Sat. Nov. 8: Volunteers to make 1,000 lau laus! School Cafeteria.
    Week before Nov. 15: Construction and set up work.
    Nov. 13-14: White Elephant set-up (sorting, pricing - any school day at SJ Elementary)
    On-going Scrip Distribution: Keep it up! Remember, we have weekly incentives, and top sellers in elementary and high schools get special prizes. The class with the most sales get a free pizza party! Mahalo for your kokua for this only school-wide fund raiser for the year.

Beth Andrade, Suzanne Baca, Teresa Fuata, Lisa Johnson and Kevin Hopkins Your St. Joseph Fair 2003 Coordinators (let's give 'um a hand!)

 

Fourth & Six Graders with Principal

All six graders met with me, one-on-one in my office, but because of elementary school testing today, I met with most fouth graders in the cafeteria during the lunch hour until we ran out of time. I then met with the remaining fourth graders on the bench just outside the classroom door until the dismissal bell rang. Like yesterday, I found all of the students friendly, personable, and not at all self-conscious. These future leaders of Hawaii are a credit to St. Joseph and reflect the high caliber of our teachers.

 

Fifth Graders Confer with Principal

I had private meetings with each 5th grader yesterday. We talked about mid-semester report cards and discussed ways to improve class performance and grades by the end of the semester. On Monday, I continue the private meetings with each 6th grader. It was indeed a humbling experience to chat one-on-one with each pupil. All were articulate. All were bright. All were very polite. They are a credit to the St. Joseph School ohana.

 

Marilyn Ige to take over 4th Grade Class

Effective tomorrow morning, Marilyn Ige, an experienced elementary and high school teacher will take over Mrs. Gorman's 4th grade class. Mrs. Ige, a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pahoa, graduated with Honors from Chaminade and earned an M.A. in American Studies from UH-Manoa. She has been a substitute teacher for the past dozen years at various Big Island elementary and intermediate schools, including the St. Joseph Elementary school. Her husband, John, is on the maintenance staff at Hawaii Community College. Marilyn does volunteer hospital communions under the guidance of the St. Joseph Hospital visitations coordinator.

 

Scholastic Book Fare is set for Oct. 23 and 24

It runs during the Elementary Parent/Teacher conference of Oct. 20-24 (Mon.-Fri.) and showcases a large assortment of books as well as computer software. What a great way to encourage reading while, at the same time, getting an early start with your Christmas shopping! Book Fair hours: Oct. 20-22 (Mon., Tues., Wed.): Noon to 3 p.m. Oct. 23-24 (Thurs. & Fri.): 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more informaiton call Collette at 935-4935. Mahalo to Teresa Fuata for coordinating this fine program. FOLLOW-UP: See my Oct. 30 posting for the fine results of this project.

 

Terra Nova Testing Schedule

Wed. Oct. 15, Science, Period 1; Thurs. Oct. 16, Math 1 & 2, Period 5; Fri. Oct. 17, Vocabulary, Language, Mechanics, Spelling, Math Computation, Period 3; Mon. Oct. 20, Reading 1 & 2, Test of Cognitive Skills, Periods 6 & 7; Tues., Oct. 21, Social Studies, Period 4. Calculators may not be used during testing. Mahalo to Angie Soares coordinator of this schedule.

 

Call for tarp covering with poles!

If you have a 20'x20' or larger tarp covering with polls and are willing to help us set it up for the Country Fair, please call 966-7070 and leave a message. The specific dimensions requested are: two 10'x20' and three 20'x40' tarp tents.Mahalo to Susanne Baca for coordinating this important Country Fair logisitics activity. Initial posting for Teresa Fuata, 10/09; updated 10/14.

 

Hanohano & Mena Appointed Temporary Co-Athletic Directors

With the concurrance of Father Scott, I have appointed Rachelle Hanohano and David Mena, co-athletic directors, on a month-to-month basis. I've contacted Richard Robbins, the chair of the Athletic Advisory Board, and have asked him to consult closely with Father Scott Bush as he proceeds to interview and appoint a new board to handle athletic matters at St. Joseph. Hopefully more permanent positions may be alloted by December, the half-way point of the school year, if our financial situation continues on its no-deficit trend. (Note: This notice was originally posted here two months ago but is repeated here to clarify matters for those who may not be aware of the temporary nature of our current arrangement.)

 

St. Joseph Principal Advertisements Placed

Starting Oct. 1 and throughout the month, St. Joseph parish is resuming the publication of want ads for the Principal position at St. Joseph locally and in Catholic newspapers in the western states. The ads are virtually identical to the ads that ran earlier last year which did not result in sufficient applications for consideration, at that time. This was the main reason I was called out of retirement to fill-in as Interim Principal. The resumption of the job search for a permanent (as opposed to Interim) Principal is now underway and will hopefully result in a qualified candidate to take over my post prior to the end of my contract year. The ads call for a Practicing Catholic with a Master's Degree in Educational Administration along with relavent experience. A Search Committee has been appointed to handle this important appointment. Inquiries should be directed to The Pastor, St. Joseph Parish, Rectory Office, 43 Kapiolani St., Hilo, Hawaii, 96720.

 

Wehrsig & Rapozo Appointed Acting Vice-Principals

It is a pleasure to announce that, effective immediately, Susan Wehrsig and Sister Patricia Rapozo, O.S.F., have been appointed Acting Vice-Principals to the Jr./Senior High School and the Pre- and Elementary School's, respectively. The Vice-Principal titles are not assigned lightly. The assignments reflect acknowledgement of their long years of faithful and loyal service to St. Joseph School through good times and bad. Now that we are on a clear path to economic/financial recovery, it is only fitting that these two outstanding individuals assist and guide us into the glorious days yet to come. Congratulations!

 

How to kokua the Country Fair

Ask yourself these questions and ACT! What can I do to help? Can I bake cookies, breads, and/or pies? What can I make for the craft booth? Can I make a monetary donatoin? Does my work place offer something that can be donated for the Silent or Live Auction? Can I help work at a booth? Can I donate items to the Game Booths such as lollipops, canned juice/sodas, or 2-liter drinks? Can I help cook for the Fair? Can I donate needed food items? There is much work to be done, but it is also a great opportunity to have fun while, at the same time, help our school in this one big fundraiser of the year. Together, we can make it happen! Mahalo to Therese Fuata, a Fair Co-Chair, for this announcement. Please phone Therese to volunteer your talents now! Her number is 935-4935. Mahalo!

 

Bob Williams joins St. Joseph career & college counseling staff

Bob Williams, 64, an experienced career and college counseling professional with B.A. (U. of Pennsylvania) and M.A. (UH-Manoa) degrees, has joined St. Joseph effective this coming Monday. He will work with Alice Shaw, our other part-time career counselor, who also holds a Master's degree, to create and implement a comprehensive developmental program for career and college counseling at St. Joseph. The well-regarded Career Kokua software program will be up and running on all computer stations in the school library the same day that Bob reports for work for the first time on Monday. All seniors and their parents will be contacted by Bob within a few weeks to begin the important testing and career mapping activity, so important for all seniors. Juniors will receive career counseling soon after. Bob will be on campus every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Since Alice's days are Tuesday's and Thursday's, this means that St. Joseph school will now have a professional career and college counselor "on duty" every week day.
      Before becoming a counselor at Pahoa High School over a dozen years ago, Bob completed a distinguished military career in the elite United States Army Special Forces airborne command retiring as a highly decorated Lt. Colonel. This American warrior has substantial combat experiece in S.E. Asia where he led classified counterinsurgency operations deep into very hostile territory. He earned his Purple Heart medal on one of these dangerous missions. I'll be tapping into this aspect of the Colonel's experience from time-to-time as we continue to improve our school security situation, a never ending task.    St. Joseph School, always safe, always secure.