old Principal's Page

Spring 2009

2009-05-06T17:30:00.000-07:00

Congratulations and thank you to Ms. Hatfield, Mrs. Jeatran, Ms. Moore, and Mrs. Abell for their work with the 8th graders on the Young Audience Radio Show, A Jazz Story. The students did an excellent job. They also were supported by Mrs. Jeatran, and the middle school teachers. Thanks to the visiting musicians, David and Steve Allee, and Brayton Jones, from Zionsville High School.

Thanks to Mrs. Ditsch and Mrs. Groves for their assistance and preparation for Math Pentathlon Competition. I also wish to thank the parents who spent the day supporting the teams and feeding them!
Our track team is doing very well and is supported by many parent volunteers. Thank you! We need your help to make these events the very best.

Thanks to Mrs. Jeatran for arranging the plant sale again this year! I know she had help from her seventh graders, thank you!

Progress Reports were sent home yesterday. Please review page 10 in your school handbook if you have questions about athletic eligibility. As stated in the handbook, students who do not turn in their homework on time may become ineligible to participate. Please encourage your children to give it their very best these last weeks of school.

We have hired a teacher for the full day Pre-Kindergarten class. Her name is Stephanie Marr, and she is a graduate of Marian College. We welcome her to the school staff. Jeanne Conner will continue as part time in the Preschool program. She will join Peggy Kline and Peggy Johnson, who will also be teaching part time preschool classes!

As many of you know, Gina Bayt is leaving teaching to join her family business. We will miss her! She has done great things with our students. We welcome Ms. Amy Scheidler who is a graduate of Indiana University.

Upcoming events:

May Crowning May 7
Walk-a-Thon/Field Day May 8
Littlest 500 May 9
Last TKD class May 13
KIB prep day May 16
KIB/Lilly Day of Service May 20
Volunteer Breakfast May 21
Last day of Preschool May 22
No School May 25
Cultural Arts Program May 27
Kindergarten graduation 9:00 May 28
8th grade dinner 5:30 Graduation
Mass 7:00PM May 28
Last Day of School May 29
Prayer Service 9:00AM
Dismissal 11:00AM (Please note change in time)

Lent

2009-03-05T12:02:00.001-08:00

Thanks to Mrs. Schneider and the third grade class on their Wax Museum presentation last week! Each year it gets bigger and better. The students are to be congratulated on their preparation and performance!
Thanks to the moms who stepped in and volunteered in the school office while Mrs. Kaczmarek was on her mission trip to Honduras. Your help was appreciated!
Congratulations to 8th grader Ben Osborn. Ben was our school winner for the National Geographic Bee. He was then required to take a written test given to all school winners throughout the state. Ben has now qualified to represent our school and participate in the state level of the National Geographic Bee! One winner from each state will advance to the national competition in Washington DC. Good Luck, Ben!

We still have some Opinion Please Surveys out. Please send those in by Friday. I would like to gather the data from as many as possible.

The new spring ISTEP tests have been challenging for students, not only at SJA but throughout the state. Unfortunately, it will probably take a couple of attempts to shake out the kinks in this new testing. This was true the first time ISTEP testing was mandated to the schools. We encourage the students to do their best and we will all learn what we need to do to better prepare in the future. This initial testing is more difficult than the April testing, which is a multiple choice format. The scores should be returned to the schools in August. Know that we still have to give our best effort, no matter what. Parents, please continue to encourage your children. The tests do count, even if they seem flawed at this point.

Students in grades 3 through 8 received a Tony Dungy book this week. The books were donated by parishioner Dan Ferrara. We hope the students will be motivated by what they read in the book.

During Lent, we have asked that the Middle School hallway remain as quiet as possible, so we can listen to God talking to us. The students are doing a nice job with this. We know it is not easy!

Mrs. Sharpe

Weekly Message from Mrs. Sharpe

2009-01-14T13:41:00.000-08:00

Beatitudes for Parents
Blessed are those parents who make their peace with spilled milk and mud, for such is the kingdom of childhood.

Blessed are those parents who refuse to compare their children with others, for precious unto each is the rhythm of his or her own growth.

Blessed are those parents who treat their children with consistency, for this makes children secure.

Blessed are those parents who have learned to laugh, for it is the music of the child's world.

Blessed are those parents who can say, "No" without anger, for comforting to the child is the security of a firm decision.

Blessed are those parents who love their children in the midst of a hostile world, for love is the greatest of all gifts.

Blessed are those parents who read these words.but more blessed yet are they who follow them.

Our Students
Congratulations to Ben Osborn for achieving first place in the National Geographic Geography Bee. He will represent our school in this competition. Congratulations to Clay Miller, second place and Sophia Barney, third place. Great job!

Parents in Preschool, Kindergarten, Grades Two and Three: Please look for a letter I sent home today. If you have any questions, please contact me.

Congratulations to Mrs. Jeannine Vesper who has been awarded the St. Joan of Arc Distinguished Graduate for 2009. She will be recognized at our Children's Mass, January 29, 2009. Mrs. Vesper graduated from St. Joan of Arc School in 1951. She came back to teach after graduating from college. Throughout the years she has supported the school in a variety of ways. Most recently, she has been a volunteer at the school. Many remember her special treats on St. Patrick's Day! Please join us.

Important Dates
COFFEE WITH THE PRINCIPAL is scheduled for Friday, January 16th at 8:15 AM. All our welcome!

There will be no school on Monday, January 19th in honor of Martin Luther King.

Catholic Schools Week celebration begins January 25 and runs through Friday, January 30th. More information will follow.

Dress warmly!

Mrs. Sharpe

Welcome Back to School

2008-08-05T18:19:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the website for St. Joan of Arc Catholic School. This site is still a work in progress, but we hope you find it informative and interesting.

I am in my sixth year as principal at St. Joan of Arc School. I am proud to say this school has the best faculty and staff in the city of Indianapolis. If you don’t believe me, just ask around! I am a product of Catholic schools. I believe Catholic schools provide an excellent education. St. Joan of Arc is even a step beyond the others because our community is truly diverse religiously, socio-economically, racially and culturally. This allows our students to learn with a more realistic understanding of the world. We are sincere when we say, “very open enrollment.”

The school is fully accredited, preschool through eighth grade, by the State of Indiana and the North Central Accreditation Association. St. Joan of Arc School has also been designated as an Exemplary School by the State of Indiana.

The school provides some financial assistance, and accepts CHOICE Charitable Trust funding. Again, welcome, and please contact me at mpsharpe@sjoa.org if I can answer additional questions or take you on a tour of the school.

Our school parents are very supportive and would be most happy to talk to about SJA as well. Contact sabell@sjoa.org if you would like to learn more about the school from a school parent.

Mary Pat Sharpe