From Lisa Johnston & Carol Martin

Many thanks to all the parents, faculty, staff, parishioners and members of the St. Joseph family who donated items for the baked goods booth at our recent Country Fair. The quantity, quality, and selection of goodies was tremendous. Your caring and generosity is much appreciated. We couldn't have done it without all your help. Mahalo!!
Lisa & Carol
Co-Chairs, Banked Goods Committee
St. Joseph Country Fair

 

Sister Marion Kikuawa arriving in Mid-February 2004

Sister Marion Kikukawa, our new Principal, is tentatively scheduled to come on board in mid-February 2004. Details are still being worked out with Father Scott Bush. Please be assured that Sr. Marion will have intensive support and briefings about my interim administration to ensure a seamless transition to her administration. No disruption to normal school activity will occur. For background, see Oct. 8, Oct. 28 and Nov. 17 postings.

 

December 1 - 6 Jr.-Sr. High School Schedule

Mon. Dec. 1: B Day: 10th Grade Mass, Per. 2, 9:50 - 10:55 a.m. Elem. Chapel. Duty Roster: Cafeteria, A. Soares; Computer Lab: S. Smith; Detention: C. Kua, Rm. 305; Field: M. Sumida; Gym: D. Mena; Halls & Lavs: K. Chung; Library & L.C.: Sr. Charlene; Snack Bar Help: A. Ikeda.

Tues. Dec. 2: A Day: Duty Roster: Cafeteria: A. Soares; Computer Lab: Closed; Detention: D. DeCleene, Rm. 303; Field: P. Lyman; Gym: Closed; Halls & Lavs: S. Wehrsig; Library & L.C.: Sr. Charlene; Snack Bar Help: A. Ikeda.

Wed. Dec. 3: B Day: Parent's Night for Financial Aid, Coordinated by Bob Williams, High School lecture room; Also, afternoon High School Faculty Meeting chaired by the Principal. Lunch: Math League.    Duty Roster: Computer Lab: S.Smith; Detention: C. Kua, Rm. 303; Field: F. Thorpe; Gym: D. Mena; Halls & Lavs: J. Malinowski; Library & L.C.: Sr. Charlene

Thurs. Dec. 4: A Day: Duty Roster: Cafeteria: A. Soares, Computer Lab: Closed. Detention: D. DeCleene, Rm. 303; Field: T. Sugimura; Gym: Closed. Halls & Lavs: R. Cambra; Library & L.C.: Sr.Charlene; Snack Bar Help: A. Ikeda

Fri. Dec. 5: B Day: Flag Assembly Schedule.   Duty Roster: Cafeteria: A. Soares; Computer Lab: S. Smith; Detention: S. Shehata, Rm. 312B; Field: M. Sumida; Gym: D. Mena; Halls & Lavs: L. DeLima (Sm Br)/ B. Andrade (Lunch Br); Library & L.C.: Sr. Charlene; Snack Bar Help: M. Sumida

Sat. Dec. 6: SAT TESTING. Also, School-wide Environmental/Health Audit to be conducted by Raymond Welch, licensed environmental/health consultant retained by Chaminade University to ensure that all Hawaii Catholic schools comply with County, State and Federal health and environmental regulations and national laws. The main focus is the new Weigand Biology/Science Labs which were officially dedicated and blessed by Father Scott Bush last week. St. Joseph personnel involved in this important audit are F. Thorpe, P. Lyman, D. Villena, R. Alapai and the Principal.    St. Joseph School, always safe, always secure.

Note: The Pre- and Elementary School Flag Assembly, uniform inspections and announcements led by Vice Principal Sister Patricia Rapozo is at 7:30 a.m. at the Elementary School Flag poll or in the Cafeteria in case of rain.

 
For photos of last Saturday's Country fair by Parishioner Lee England, Click Here.

Thanksgiving Week Schedule

Mon., Nov. 24: 7th Grade Mass, Period 1; 8th Grade Mass, Period 4, Elementary School Chapel. Duty Roster: Cafeteria, A. Soares; Computer Lab: S. Smith; Detention: D. DeCleene, Field: P.Lyman; Gym: D. Mena, Halls & Lavs: K. Chung; Library & L.C: Sr. Charlene; Snake Bar Help: A. Ikeda. Principal's Office Hours: 1- 3 p.m.

Tues., Nov. 25: Duty Roster: Cafeteria: A. Soares; Computer Lab: Closed; Detention: C. Kua; Field: F. Thorpe Gym: Closed Halls & Lavs: S. Wehrig Library & L.C.: Sr. Charlene Snack Bar Help: A. Ikeda Principal's Office Hours: 1 - 3 p.m.

Wed., Nov. 26: Duty Roster: Lunch: Senior Class; Computer Lab: S. Smith; Detention: D. DeCleene, Field: R. Cambra, Gym: D. Mena, Halls & Lavs: J. Malinowski, Library & L.C.: Sr. Charlene. No faculty Meeting. Have a restful Thanksgiving! Principal's Office Hours: 10 - 1 p.m. Note: The downtown Interfaith Thanksgiving Eve Service is at 7 p.m. at the Community of Christ facility, 1842 Kinoole St. &nbksp;  A Thanksgiving-eve Mass is scheduled at Malia Puka O Kalani Catholic Church in Keokaha, also at 7 p.m.

Thurs., Nov. 27: No School, national holiday: Thanksgiving Mass at St. Joseph Church, 8 a.m. St. Joseph School Office voice-mail is on for emergencies: 935-4936

Fri. Nov. 28: No School. Adoration service, 1 p.m.; Benediction service, 8:15 p.m. at St. Joseph Church. St. Joseph School Office voice-mail is on for emergencies: 935-4936

Sat. Nov. 29: 5 - 9 p.m. R. Yasso Boys Varsity Basketball Meeting with Parents, St. Joseph School patio. St. Joseph School Band to participate in the Hilo Jaycee Christmas Parade which starts at 3 p.m. at the Wailoa Art Center Road and procceds toward downtown Hilo. St. Joseph School Office voice-mail is on for emergencies: 935-4936

Sun. Nov. 30: First Sunday of Advent All students taking Business Economics should log into the Bus. Econ. Yahoo Groups site at 9 p.m. to participate in the second internet chat session which will run to 9:30 p.m.

Heads Up reminder! Midterm exams start on Dec. 16th.

 

SJS Cardinals place 4th in Big Island Math Competition

Led by Suehere Shehata, chair of the St. Joseph School Mathematics Department, the following budding math geniuses participated in the second Big Island Math League competition on Nov. 22 with a respectible 4th place showing: Branden Estrella, Junho Park, Katie Proctor, Jean Huh, John Heaster, Amy Hsu, Josh Pacheco, Minhye Park, Charlene Wang, Rebar Chang, Barret Schlegelmilch, Ji-Yeong Lim and Jonathen Lee. Congratulations!

 

      Forty years ago today, our country lost John F. Kennedy, President of the United States. At his inauguration, he challenged all Americans to do more when he said: "Ask not what your country can do for you; Ask what you can do for your country." I was inspired by that, quit my job at Merrill Lynch, and joined the newly created Peace Corps. Let us all continue to be inspired by JFK's timeless challenge.

 

Sister Marion F. Kikukawa named Principal of St. Joseph School for 2004-2005 School Year

In a letter to parents, faculty and staff of St. Joseph School, Father Scott Bush announced today the selection and appointment of Sr. Marion F. Kikukawa to take over leadership of St. Joseph School.

UPDATE 11/24: She is tentatively scheduled to come on board in mid-February 2004. Details are still being worked out with Father Scott Bush. I will remain at her service to ensure a seamless transition.

Sr. Marion will continue in the tradition of 104 years of dedicated service that the Sisters of the Third Franciscan Order, Syracuse, N.Y. have provided to our school. She recently completed an assignment as General Minister of that Order. Sr. Marion holds Master Degrees in Education Administration, Education and Religious Education and has substantial administration experience. A native of Molokai, she was a teacher at St. Joseph School from 1972 to 1979.

Attention media: For a high-resolution file photo of Sr. Marion suitable for hard copy publication, Click Here.

 

Country Fair Smashing Success !

Although we are still counting the cash and handling late billings related to fair expenses, our preliminary ball-park estimate is that we very likely will have met or surpassed our $50,000 goal -- a really good and necessary boost to our current very slim budget this year. The entire student body, parents, alumni, and friends of St. Joseph - PLUS the weather - all came through with flying colors! Let us all pat each other on the back for a job well done! Click Here for pictures by Parishioner Lee England. Mahalo, Lee!

 

St. Joseph Drama Class performs before audience of 500

The Saint Joseph drama class, which wrote an adaptation of Sleeping Beauty in seven scenes as a class project, performed it at Malamalama School's Medieval Faire earlier this week. Taking part in the outstanding high school production, a first for the Big Island, were Nicole Tait, Laila Moire-Savage, Jason Spain, Emilie Clarke, Erin Chung, Joni Green and Martha Duerr. The play was performed in scenes on a forest trail. Over 500 persons saw the performance which was overseen by Saint Joseph drama teacher Robert Duerr.

 

Find out How Ice Affects our Families this Sunday !

The Diocese Office of Social Ministry is sponsoring a fact-filled presentation by the well-known drug educator, Gary Shimabukuro, who is flying in from Oahu for this powerful and important free event at St. Joseph Church on Sun. Nov. 16, from 1 - 2 p.m. For more information, call Nancy Capellas at 935-3050, Ext. 106. during working hours. Free admission.

 

On this Veteran's Day, let us not forget our local boys who were killed in action during World War II at a time when some of their families were being rounded up and sent to detention camps on the mainland. Their patriotism and ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten. Click Here for the list of these American heros.

 

St. Joseph Volleyball Team Tops in Big Island League; move on to State Championships

The St. Joseph Cardinal girls volleyball team won the Big Island league title at the Kea'au gym last Friday by demolishing Hawaii Prep, 25-11 and 25-13 and closing out its season with a perfect 16-0. The girls now go on to Oahu to vie for the State Championships. This morning's Tribune Herald ran a beautiful color photo of our girls on the front page of the sports section. Click Here for the story that accompanied the photo. Please note: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.

 

Cambra rejoins St. Joseph

Mr. Rodney Cambra, an experienced history and social studies teacher, has resumed his teaching duties at St. Joseph effective this week. Welcome back, Rodney!

 

Shell Hamilton & Brandon Estrella Win Wendy's Heisman State Finalist Medal

Brandon Estrella and Shell Hamilton were two of the top-twenty State of Hawaii finalists for the award which recognizes our nation's most impressive male and female scholar-athletes. The Wendy's Heisman State Finalist award is sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals with the support of Wendy's Old Fashioned Hamburger restaurants and the Downtown Athletic Club in New York. In a letter to the Principal, William R. Valentine, Wendy's Regional Vice-President stated: The Wendy's High School Heisman Award, built upon the integrity of the 69-year-old Heisman Memorial Trophy Award, would like to recognize our nation's most impressive male and female students ... Your school is a very important part of our community, and we always hope to offer programs or activities that will enrich your educational efforts and school life. The awards to Shell and Brandon bring great honor to St. Joseph School and reflect the high caliber of our faculty and staff in contributing to the outstanding performance of these scholar-athletes.

 

Kokua Ann Usagawa & the White Elephant!

Helpers and boxes are needed for final sorting and boxing on Sat. Nov. 8 and Tuesday, Nov. 11. Also, on Thurs. Nov. 13, we need help to unpack and set up items in the high school with the 9th graders. Finally, slots are still open for 2-hour shhifts on Sat. Nov. 15, Country Fair day. PRE-SALES to faculty, helpers and staff: White Elephant is also pre-selling many items, including two VCRs, a twin bed, a washing machine, a weedeater and a couple PCs -- all in good working order. (Note: The PCs originally retailed for over $1,000 a couple years ago, and computer teacher, Stolper Smith's class in PC technology fixed a few previously non-working PCs for sale at the country fair for UNDER $100.) Call Ann Usagawa at 935-1035 or 974-6971 for details.

 

Kokua Lisa Johnston !

The Country Fair Baked Goods committee is in need of 4-5 volunteers to help bake and bag sweetbread on Friday, November 14. We will be working at O'Keefe's Bakery and need help for a few hours, starting at 10:30 AM. Please contact Lisa Johnston at 959-9075 to volunteer or get more information. Thank you.

 

Rumor Control: Car runs into Pre-School Fence

This morning at about 7:40 a.m., a car jumped the curb and hit the fence that surrounds our pre-school playground. The dent in the fence is barely noticeable and no one was injured. The driver, an elderly gentleman, was cited for going up the wrong way of a one-way street.

 

Notice to East Hawaii families: Help us create a homestay opportunity

There are families living in Kailua-Kona, Kohala and areas far away from the Hilo area who would like to send their children to St. Joseph School but cannot do so because of the distance. One solution for such families is to place their children into a home stay program with a caring family already living in East Hawaii and nearer to St. Joseph School.

A modest stipend from the non-East Hawaii family to a host family is part of the program, and the tentative idea is to have the child return to their regular homes for weekends. If you live in East Hawaii and have room in your home for such a program, please contact the Principal’s Office at 935-4936 for information on the requirements and obligations to be a home stay family for St. Joseph School.

Your participation in this innovative program will help us maintain enrollment levels, earn a small stipend, while, at the same time, give Catholic and non-Catholic families that live in Kailua-Kona, Kohala and areas far from Hilo, a cost-effective opportunity to send their child to St. Joseph School.

 

Latest Country Fair Nov. 15 Participant List from Suzanne Baca

Hawaii Army Aviation Support will be landing a UH-60 Blackhawk at 7:00am/Departing at 2:00pm
D.E.A. will be landing their Helicopter at 7:05am/Departing at 2:05 pm
D.L.N.R. will display a boat and info. booth
Volcanoes National Park will set up a tent with Brochures
Hilo Fire Department will display a new Fire Engine & Display Tent
Hawaii Air Guard will display a 20' Satellite Dish and Tent
Hawaii National Guard will bring a Humvee & a display tent
American Red Cross will have a First Aid Booth
American Heart Association will provide free blood pressure screening & stroke info.
Hawaii Blood Bank will have a donation signup program
American Cancer Society will provide self serve info. stand
American Lung Assoc. will provide information/brochures
Diabetes Awareness will provide information/brochures
Turning Point for Families will provide information/brochures
Y.W.C.A. is offering demo's on gym stage:
Muay Thai Kick Boxing/Kenpo Karate/Ballet/Tap Dance/Tumbling/Irish Step Dance/Intro. to Pilates Method/
Middle Eastern Belly Dancing

Outdoor Activities Include:
Momentum Climbing Wall
Dunk Tank
2 Jumping Castles
1 Giant Inflatable Slide

To be confirmed: Hawaii State Dept. of Ag. regarding a booth to educate & inform the public about Coqui Frogs in Hawaii. (Received 1 p.m., posted 2 p.m.)

 

The Country Fair Countdown !

Click Here for details on how YOU can help! Mahalo!

 

Call for Qualified Substitute Teachers

This notice was posted last July but is repeated and updated due to our ongoing needs in this area. The nature of the St. Joseph flexible and open admissions system is such that we may experience unexpected enrollment surges throughout the year. For instance, folks on waiting lists for other schools may find that their child was not admitted to their first choice school but would like to come to St. Joseph as a second choice. We also do not have firm figures for our foreign students due to new immigration and other government requirements. Such students, if qualified, are admitted to our ESL program anytime. Unexpected departures of existing faculty is also always a possibility. This is why a substitute teachers list is maintained. Anyone reading this notice who knows of any experienced teachers who are retired or who may have the time to fill in where needed, please pass the word. Drop by my office for the Substitute Teacher's Form during working hours, or phone Marilyn Pakele, 935-4936, our high school office manager, for more information. She also schedules the required interviews with the Principal on an on-going basis.

 

St. Joseph Team Completes Hazardous Waste & Chemical Safety Workshop

Pam Lyman, Farren Tharp, Danie Villena, Robert Alapai, Marion Buscher and I completed a rigorous 4-hour workshop this morning conducted by Raymond Welch, an environmental health and safety consultant retained by Chaminade University. Mr. Welch is assisting Catholic schools in Hawaii to comply with State and Federal hazardous waste and chemical safety regulations and laws. St. Joseph School, always safe and secure.