Enrollment at St. Joseph Grade School averages between 850 and 900 students in Grades K to 8. There are about 103 students at each grade level; most homerooms have 30 to 35 students. Our three kindergarten classes have teaching assistants and meet five times per week for a full day. Our first and second grades also have teaching assistants.

St. Joseph Grade School students come from Toms River and approximately twenty surrounding towns. Our children represent all levels of ability. For those with special learning needs, a learning specialist provides additional instruction and a state funded program. The student population has remained relatively stable. Forty-two percent of those graduating in 1997-98 have attended St. Joseph Grade School for eight years. St. Joseph Grade School takes pride in its reputation for academic excellence, a dedicated faculty, a high degree of parent involvement and its newly instituted advanced technology lab.

The Student Activities Program at St. Joseph Grade School is varied and diverse in accord with our school's philosophy that each child is a unique
individual with special talents.

The activities listed below supplement and enhance the curriculum throughout the school year:

 

 

RELIGIOUS:

School-wide Liturgies, Holiday Para-Liturgies, May Crowning, Dialog and Living Stations carry us along our Faith journey. Grades 2 to 7 participate in many spiritual activities that accompany their sacramental preparation.

COMMUNITY:

Students are encouraged to give back to the community that so strongly supports them, through theChristian ServiceClub the Parish youth group, the Parish Christmas Giving Tree, The entire student body contributes to the Missions and Holy Childhood Association.

SOCIAL:

The P.T.A. sponsors many social activities that create a bond between home and school. Parents and children enjoy the opportunity to join in community at events such as the New Parents Orientation Tea, Spaghetti Dinner, Skating Parties and Ice Cream Socials.

ACADEMIC:

Throughout the year, classes cross grade levels and buddy-up with each other for various activities. Students of all grade levels are challenged creatively and academically by community organization-sponsored essay and poster contests, the Scholastic Olympics as well as the National Science and Social Studies Olympiads. Students at these levels are invited to participate in the John Hopkins University's "Institute for the Academic Advancement of Youth" (IAAY). End-of -the-Year Field Day, Awards and Moving-up Ceremonies are just a few of the ways we recognize the yearly accomplishments of our students.

SAFETY:

Sixth grade students participate in a water and boat safety class.

CLUBS & OTHER ACTIVITIES:

Through the Student Council, grades three through eight can act as the governing body and also represent the primary grades. Other activities include: Band, Chorus, Primary Spring Sing, Safety Patrol, Yearbook, Poetry Club, Guiding Light Literary Magazine, Walk-A-Thon, Intramural Basketball at all levels and an Interscholastic Sports program that includes Cross Country, Basketball, Track , Softball, Tennis and Baseball for the middle and upper grade levels.

HEALTH

St.Joseph Grade School employs a full time registered nurse, assisted by two part time nurses. The school nurse is available for any student who feels ill or is injured during the school day. The nurse administers immediate first aid to injured students. In the case of severe injury, emergency care will be given and parents will be notified. Vision screening is provided for all students. Audiometric screening is provided for grades K through 4, 6 and 8. Yearly Scoliosis screenings are provided to all students in grades 5 through 8. Medications, both prescription and non-prescription, are administered by the school nurse. Students requiring medication at school must have a written statement from the family physician which identifies the type, dosage, time, interval, purpose and side effects of medication, along with written permission by parent/guardian requesting that the school nurse administer the medication. Student immunization records must be complete and up to date at the time of registration. Students returning to school after recovering from a communicable disease must be readmitted through the nurse's office. Communicable diseases include German Measles, Measles, Mumps, Chicken Pox, Scarlet Fever, Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye), Mononucleosis, Impetigo or any unidentifiable skin rash or lesion.

CAFETERIA

Saint Joseph Grade School students eat lunch in a supervised cafeteria. Students may either bring their lunch or purchase hot or cold lunch. Drinks and snacks are also available to supplement lunch. In addition, both hot and/or cold lunch is delivered daily to the Kindergarten classes located in the lower level of St. Joseph Church. The food service publishes a new menu at the beginning of each month.

GUIDANCE

We employ a school counselor who offers counseling on family, social and academic problems in an individual setting. Group sessions are offered throughout the year on emergent problems that are brought to the counselor's attention by teachers, staff or parents.

LEARNING SPECIALIST

Saint Joseph's employs a part time learning specialist who conducts early intervention screening of all students in Kindergarten and first grade. The learning specialist also acts as a resource for teachers, staff and parents by providing educational evaluations and recommendations for students having academic difficulties.

REMEDIAL

Saint Joseph Grade School receives remedial assistance from the Catapult Learning which provides compensatory education, speech therapy and child study services.