Educational Programs and Student Activities

St. Joseph School offers extensive co-curricular and extracurricular activities. The social, emotional, spiritual, and academic growth of the whole child depends upon experiences that take place both in and outside of the classroom. The philosophy of the activities program is to involve as many students as possible in a wide range of activities to enable them to explore and utilize their gifts, talents, and interests and to develop their spirituality.

For more information, please click on the educational program or student activity.

  • Student Activities
    • Halloween Mission Fair

      • The Halloween Mission Fair, hosted by the eighth grade, has become a tradition at St. Joseph School. The students of the eighth grade plan and execute a small carnival atmosphere on school grounds for students in kindergarten through seventh grade. During their visit, the students may encounter fortunetellers, haunted houses, and witches' brew. The kindergarten through fourth grade students may bring their costumes and participate in the Halloween Parade. Fees are collected for a Mission or Outreach Project.

    • Johns Hopkins University Talent Search

      • The Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) conducts a search for academically talented youth each year in grades five through eight. Students who achieve in the 95 percentile or above in reading, math, or language are eligible to participate by taking the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and/or the ACT Test. High scorers on the SAT may choose to enroll in advanced courses held by CTY on various college campuses.

    • Kaleidoscope

      • Every year the students at St. Joseph School submit prose, poetry, and artwork to our school literary publication Kaleidoscope. A parent volunteer helps to organize, input, and edit the students’ work.

    • Immersion Day

      • The goal of Immersion Day is to bridge all the curriculum subjects through a thematically defined interdisciplinary approach. Last year the students of St. Joseph School celebrated their third annual Immersion Day with the study of the Summer Olympics in Beijing, China in August of 2008. On all grade levels and across the curriculum, students learned about the men and women who have made history as Olympic athletes, important facts and traditions about the games, and information about the Chinese culture. Students changed classes to visit teachers on the primary, intermediate, and middle school levels for specialized lessons that included hands-on activities such as crafts, web quests, and games.

    • Literary Contests

      • Students participate in a variety of literary contests throughout the year including: Creative Communications Poetry Contest and a sixth grade writing contest entitled What Prejudice Means to Me. Try Prayer – It Works is another literary contest that our students participate in each year.

    • MASH

      • MASH (Mendham Area Senior Housing) is a community service activity that takes place four times a year and is hosted by the seventh and eighth grades. The students and volunteer parents host and serve dinner for local senior housing residents in Mendham.

    • Music

      • Instrumental music lessons are provided during the school day by Future Musicians, Inc. for students in grade four through eight. The band program enables the students to learn to play instruments and read music. Several schools make up the All Saints Band which performs in concerts throughout the school year. Students in grades two through fifth may also join the chorus.

    • National Geographic Bee

      • Grades five through seven participate in classroom bees, and winners of each class’s competition meets in a school-wide Bee. The school winner may proceed to the state level competition if the student does well on a written test.

    • New Jersey Math League

      • Students in grade five through eight participate in the New Jersey Mathematics League contest each year that focuses on challenging math problem solving. Certificates are awarded to the top five scorers in each grade.

    • Parent/Student Lunches

      • Each grade is scheduled for a parent/student lunch. Parents have lunch with their child in the school cafeteria. Dates are scheduled on the calendar beginning in the fall. Following lunch, an informal meeting is held with the parents and the principal.

    • Robotics

      • In the fall, students in grades six through eight have the opportunity to participate in a math/science after school enrichment program entitled Robotics. The students design, construct, and program robots that carry out a variety of tasks.

    • Santa’s Boutique

      • Santa’s Boutique is held in early December. On this day, the gym is decorated and stocked with many gifts that are purchased or made by parent volunteers. All the students are given the opportunity to shop for inexpensive gifts for Christmas during school hours. Parents are encouraged to come and shop as well.

    • Science Fair

      • St. Joseph School students who reside in Chester are able to participate in the Chester Science Fair, which is held each spring at the Black River Middle School. The fair is the largest elementary science fair in New Jersey, with over 500 students presenting more than 300 projects. The purpose of the Chester Science Fair is to provide an enjoyable and stimulating learning experience for all students.

    • Solar Sprints

      • In the spring, students in grades six through eight have the opportunity to participate in a math/science after school enrichment program entitled Junior Solar Sprints. The program is developed in concert with the U.S. Department of Energy. Student groups design and build model cars powered by solar cells, and then race them at both a county and regional level. Cars are judged on speed, integrity of design, craftsmanship and creativity.

    • Spelling Bees

      • St. Joseph School students participate in several spelling bees each year, including the Mendham Junior Woman’s Club spelling bee, which is open to fourth and fifth grade students in all schools in Mendham.

    • Scholastic Book Fair

      • The students are given an opportunity to purchase books on Book Fair Day at the library. A percentage of the sales are retained for the school library for books and others needs.

    • Student Council

      • Students in grade four through eight are represented on the Student Council. They meet regularly to plan student activities, service project fundraisers, and communicate student concerns to the faculty and administration. They make many contributions to the school and provide solutions to problems such as playground activities and school dress.

    • Student Volunteer Program

      • Students in grades five through eight have the opportunity to participate in the St. Joseph School Volunteer Program. During the year, students visit Holly Manor Nursing Home after school and make crafts and various projects for the residents. Other students volunteer their time after school by preparing food and bag lunches for a local soup kitchen.

    • Story Night

      • Students in kindergarten through second grade are invited to attend Story Night. The children prepare crafts, have a snack, and listen to bedtime stories. This event is usually in October.

    • Talent Show

      • The students showcase their various talents before a live audience of their peers, parents and faculty. The Talent Show is held every other year.

    • Thanksgiving Feast

      • The Feast is organized by St. Joseph School parent volunteers. The students prepare and enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving feast with all the trimmings the week before Thanksgiving. It is a special day to celebrate and remember all our many blessings.

    • D.A.R.E.

      • The D.A.R.E. program is provided in cooperation with the Mendham Borough Police Department to all sixth grade students. The lessons provide students with strategies to build self-esteem and resist peer pressure to use unhealthy and illegal substances.

    • Drama

      • All children in grades kindergarten through eight participate in a performance coordinated by the Drama Department each year. Grades kindergarten through four are the stars of an original Christmas musical typically performed the second week of December. The scenery and costumes are designed by the upper school students and a volunteer staff. In the spring, a Broadway musical is chosen and performed by grades five through eight. The students audition for the cast of the show, while others find their niche designing scenery, lighting or supporting the cast by singing in the chorus. Most shows also have their own corps of dancers who perform during the various musical numbers. Both the Christmas Pageant and the Spring Musical are directed by parent volunteers.

    • Enrichment Classes

      • Throughout the year, enrichment classes are offered. The classes are designed to appeal to all students and may include cooking, science projects, martial arts, bowling, tennis, art, crafts, computers, language, and drama, and creative writing to name just a few.

    • Forensics

      • Students in grades five through eight participate in the after-school Forensics Program. The junior varsity (fifth and sixth graders), and varsity (seventh and eighth graders), teams compete against other schools in the league. Different teams represent the school throughout the year in different competitions. Each competition has a different focus such as Interpretive Reading or Declamation. In addition, St. Joseph School participates in a Gifted and Talented Forensics Competition. The Forensics Program has a long history of success, frequently winning team and individual trophies.

  • Gifted and Talented Programs

    St. Joseph School is part of the New Jersey Consortium for the Gifted and Talented. This Consortium offers programs in which many of our students will be able to participate. The various opportunities are provided to selected students based on their individual gifts and talents. The Consortium programs include: Spelling Bees, Forensics, Math Marathons, Junior Model United Nations, and Workshop of the Arts.

    • Spelling Bee

      • During the year, spelling bees will be offered for grades three through five and also for grades six through eight. Students are selected based on their academic performance, their desire to participate, and teacher recommendations.

    • Forensics

      • An annual Forensics Competition is scheduled. Various schools and teams compete in Interpretive Reading.

    • Math Marathon

      • A small group of third and fourth graders are invited to participate in a Math Marathon in the fall. Later in the school year, a math workshop is provided for some second graders. The workshop presents math concepts by using discussions, manipulative learning, and creative mechanics.

    • Junior Model United Nations

      • Junior Model United Nations is a unique opportunity offered to students in seventh and eighth grade. The participants will be member-nation delegates who work together to study in depth their assigned world problem from the perspective of their nation. At Junior Model United Nations Day, they present the resolutions they have developed to solve their problem, as well as participate in other general assembly activities.

    • Workshop on the Arts

      • Seventh and eighth graders are eligible to participate in a two-day seminar in art, vocal music, instrumental music, dance, drama, and creative writing. The students are divided into groups based on their areas of interest. At the end of the Workshop, the students write and perform a creative conclusion based on a scenario each group is assigned.

  • Guidance Activities

    Our Guidance Counselor, Sydney Davis, works within the classrooms to enhance and re-enforce character education for our students. Topics that have been covered include Self-Esteem, Conflict Resolution, Peer Pressure, Bullying, Taking Responsibility, Respect, Cliques, and Fostering Healthy Relationships. We have age-appropriate curriculums that incorporate videos, role-plays, discussions and handouts to facilitate learning.

    • Bullying Behavior Awareness Project

      • The Bullying Behavior Awareness Project promotes understanding of various forms of bullying and teaches students the skills to stand up for themselves as well as others. Small group in-class videos and discussions are used to facilitate increased self-awareness on how to eradicate bullying behaviors.

    • Red Ribbon Week

      • Red Ribbon Week is a National Drug-Free Campaign. The students participate in daily themes which focus on drug and alcohol preventions.

    • Peace Project

      • The Peace Project involves Mendham High School students visiting our school and demonstrating through role-playing, discussions, and other experiential learning exercises on how to “find and use your voice” to take positive action that makes a difference. These techniques help our students to continue the message of kindness through action and taught skills involving non-violent assertiveness. Ongoing drug and alcohol awareness and prevention curriculums are offered to the upper grades.

    • Step Program

      • St. Joseph School offers a nationally recognized parenting program designed to give parents the insights and techniques for managing and improving relationships with their children. Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP) is a well-tested approach for building strong, loving, parent-child relationships based on effective communication skills and is applicable to all ages of children. The STEP program consists of seven two hour weekly meetings where new skills are learned, tested, and supported by text based instruction, videos, and discussion facilitated by our guidance counselor.