St. Joseph School Philosophy of Education
St. Joseph Catholic School, an elementary teaching facility within the Belleville diocesan school system, aspires to the optimum spiritual, mental, emotional and social growth of its students, with emphasis on the development of educational potential and acknowledgement of individual needs and abilities.
Through a balanced curriculum of religion, language arts, natural and social sciences, mathematics, health, physical education, art, and music, St. Joseph School seeks to attain the following goals.
Moral and Spiritual Development- To implement a program including teaching of Catholic doctrine, the tradition of the church, scripture, liturgy, and Christian morality, and provide the students with experiences in Christian living in order to help them develop reverence for God, respect of His creations, and the recognition of the basic goodness of themselves and others.
Social Responsibility- To instill discipline that is both positive and self-directed, evolving from an initial self-respect and awareness of the rights and needs of others and emphasizing the concept of charity as well as justice in social interactions. Academic Excellence- To encourage intellectual development through logical and investigative thinking, as well as written and verbal expression, within a curriculum which includes basic concepts and skills as well as the incorporation of current educational methods.
Emotional Growth- To stimulate emotional growth by creating an atmosphere of freedom of expression tempered with concomitant responsibility for one’s actions.
Physical Fitness- To encourage physical fitness through a program emphasizing healthful living, exercise for physical development, and an opportunity to participate in interscholastic activities.
Extracurricular Activities- To enrich the core curriculum with opportunities to participate in activities which develop leadership skills, public speaking, and ease in working with people of different ages and abilities.
As it prepares students for the future, St. Joseph Catholic School instills pride in both students and faculty by maintaining standards of excellence and an esprit de corps that will make it an outstanding educational facility. Therefore, St. Joseph School is an asset to the Catholic ideals of education and the people it seeks to serve.
ST JOSEPH SCHOOL MISSION
St. Joseph School provides excellence in education, instills Catholic faith formation, and promotes service to the community thereby creating lifelong learners and conscientious citizens.
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY AND WELLNESS PLAN
The Catholic elementary and secondary schools of the Diocese of Belleville, listed in the official Catholic School directory published annually, admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. They do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and local programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. (Policy 5111.1)
St. Joseph School's Wellness Plan
PROFILE OF A ST. JOSEPH SCHOOL GRADUATE
A graduate lives the Gospel message:
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Centers life around Jesus and a relationship with God
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Demonstrates a thorough knowledge of Catholicism
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Participates in prayer, Mass, liturgies and Sacraments
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Treats others with respect and dignity
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Practices understanding, compassion and forgiveness
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Who is of another faith tradition, knows and understands Catholic teaching and is also an active participant in his/her religious group
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Acts with good judgment, encourages others, and empowers others
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Sets a positive example of discipleship and serves as a role model for younger students
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Demonstrates good sportsmanship
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Exhibits humility
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Demonstrates confidence, faith in oneself and one’s gifts
A graduate demonstrates academic excellence:
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Possesses skills to be competitive academically and successful in high school and beyond
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Demonstrates critical thinking skills and the ability to solve problems creatively
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Works collaboratively and creatively with others
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Possesses competences in all areas of study as outlined by the Diocese of Belleville and the State of IL
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Demonstrates an independent responsibility for learning
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Conveys information in an effective and clear manner
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Uses technology/digital media as an educational tool, media device, and communication tool
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Reads, comprehends, applies, analyzes, and evaluates various text and materials
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Recognizes that learning continues beyond the classroom through various means and modes
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Strives for personal best
A graduate is committed to service in the community:
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Understands, promotes, and practice Catholic social justice in the community
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Commits to continued service to the parish (usher, lector, song leader, greeter)
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Shares talents for the purpose of enriching other people’s lives
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Views the environment as a gift from God and accepts his/her role as a steward of God’s creation