The Good News | Newsletter Spring 2024

As we bask in the warmth of Spring and the blooming agriculture, St. Joseph Catholic School is thrilled to share our latest news and accomplishments with you. From honoring our Catholic faith's Sacraments to welcoming new sixth grade students along with new teachers, our school community is thriving. With our MayFest Carnival on the horizon, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated volunteers, generous donors, and supportive parents. Our exceptional teachers play a vital role in shaping our students' futures, and we are grateful for their dedication to fostering faith, excellence, and service. At St. Joseph Catholic School, we prioritize providing a safe and nurturing environment that cultivates academic success, service to others, and personal growth. Join us in celebrating the St. Joe's spirit and remaining connected with our journey. Thank you for your unwavering support and belief in St. Joseph Catholic School, Wenatchee.

"God Mounts His Throne to Shouts of Joy" -Psalm 47

Jen Mueller & MaryAnn Castro

Go Seattle Mariners!

Apple Blossom Festival Fun

Wenatchee was dazzled by the outstanding performances of St. Joseph Catholic School's folkloric dance club and Honor Choir at this year's Apple Blossom Festival! The dance club wowed the crowd with their moves, while the Honor Choir mesmerized everyone with their beautiful rendition of "What a Wonderful World" in English and sign language. Parent's Club created our "Love Like Jesus" Youth Day Parade float and we had a booth showcasing our beloved school at the Apple Blossom Festival Pepsi Cola Youth Day. To top it off, our very own MaryAnn Castro is the Apple Blossom Festival 2024 Applarian Chancellor alongside First GentleMan, Nacho. The weekends were a celebration of joy, music, and community spirit, embodying the essence of Wenatchee with the Spirit of St. Joe's! As MaryAnn rightfully exclaimed, "It was AMAZING!"

WENATCHEE APPLARIANS - Washington State Apple Blossom Festival

2024 APPLARIAN CHANCELLOR MARY ANN CASTRO AND FIRST GENTLEMAN NACHO


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Holy Protons & Neutrons!

S.T.R.E.A.M.

St. Joseph Catholic School is a beacon of educational excellence with a rich history dating back to 1955. Our school, now catering to students from preschool through sixth grade, prides itself on fostering a holistic approach to learning. We are committed to nurturing not only academic prowess but also values of faith and community service. Our dedicated faculty and staff work tirelessly to create a conducive environment where students can flourish both academically and personally. 


St. Joe’s consistently ranks among the top educational options in Chelan County. The success of our students, evidenced by the outstanding results in the Smarter Balanced State Assessments, is a testament to our unwavering dedication to academic excellence. Particularly in the field of science, our students excel under the guidance of our S.T.R.E.A.M. teacher, Mrs. Michelle Gutzwiler.


St. Joseph Catholic School offers a journey of academic achievement, personal growth, and community engagement. A child's future begins here.

Middle School Developments

St. Joseph Catholic School recently hosted a parent and student meeting to discuss the exciting expansion to include middle school starting with sixth grade in the upcoming school year. Led by Principal Lisa Martinez, the meeting provided valuable information for parents and students interested in joining the St. Joseph community.


During the meeting, Lisa shared the below presentation slides, which included the new middle school uniforms being planned by the dedicated sixth-grade students and staff. This milestone marks a fresh chapter in the school's history and reflects St. Joe's commitment to providing a supportive faith-first environment for students, families and staff.


Currently, thirteen students have registered for the sixth-grade class, and applications for all grades for the 2024-2025 school year are still being accepted. We are excited to see our students flourish and thrive in this new chapter of St. Joseph Catholic School's journey.

From Lisa
Middle School Slides

Meet the Middle School Team!

Judith Torres

Madalyne Nissen

We are excited to introduce the powerhouse duo who will be leading our middle school students to success at St. Joseph Catholic School. Judith Torres, our 5th grade homeroom and 5th/6th math teacher, is entering her second year at St. Joe's with a passion for inspiring young minds. Joining her is Madalyne Nissen, who will be taking on the role of 6th grade homeroom and 5th/6th ELA teacher. In the words of Lisa, "together they form a dynamic and energetic team" that is dedicated to fostering a nurturing and engaging learning environment. Let's extend a warm welcome to Madalyne as she embarks on this exciting journey with us. Get ready for an incredible academic year filled with growth and achievement!

More on Madalyne

Folkloric Dance

Calling all dance enthusiasts and culture lovers! Get ready to groove to the vibrant beats of St. Joseph Catholic School's Folkloric Dance extravaganza. Led by the talented Liz Falcon, our group of enthusiastic dancers is ready to showcase their fancy moves and spread the joy of dance celebrating the rich tapestry of culture and community through the universal language of dance. Whether you're a seasoned dancer or just looking to have some fun, you are invited to join in this rhythmic celebration, and dance dance wherever you may be!

Sacraments Received

St. Joseph Catholic School recently witnessed a remarkable Easter Vigil ceremony, where the baptism of beloved teacher Lisa Cochran illuminated the darkness with the radiant light of God's love. This symbolic celebration, in the presence of the Holy Trinity, marked a new chapter of faith, hope, and unconditional love. In another poignant celebration, students from second grade and religious education classes gathered at St. Joseph Catholic Church to partake in their First Holy Communion, fostering a deep sense of spiritual unity and reverence for the holy Eucharist. These events serve as powerful reminders of the school's commitment to celebrating the Sacraments and nurturing a strong faith community. Congratulations to all who participated in these significant milestones on their spiritual journey.

MayFest Carnival

You are invited to St. Joseph Catholic School's annual MayFest Carnival! Save the date for Saturday, May 18th, from 12:00pm to 6:00pm at St. Joseph Catholic Church's Kuykendall Hall. Indulge in delicious treats including tacos, hamburgers, hotdogs, cotton candy, shaved ice, popcorn, and more! Exciting entertainment awaits with special appearances by L-Bow the Clown and the talented St. Joseph School Folkloric Dancers. Come prepared with your appetite and dancing shoes for a day filled with fun, food, and festivities. A special thank you to our dedicated MayFest volunteers and committee chair, Maria Guerra, for their commitment to servant leadership. We look forward to seeing you there!

Volunteer Spotlight

Meet Maria Guerra, project designer at MJ Neal Associates - Wenatchee Business Journal

Meet Maria Guerra project designer at the architectural firm MJ Neal Associates. Although architecture has always been her true calling, Guerra has followed a winding path back to it after serving in ...

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Thank You, Guerra Family!

We express heartfelt gratitude to Maria Guerra and her family, for their unwavering dedication and service to the upcoming MayFest Carnival, their ongoing commitment to the School Advisory Committee SAC, and the recent teacher interview team. Maria, Alex and their two boys, help make our school community stronger and more vibrant and their dedication to service have made a lasting impact on our students, faculty, and staff. Thank you, Guerra Family, for your selfless service and unwavering commitment to our school community. We look forward to continuing to work together to make our school a better place for all.

You are Invited! May Crowning

Thank You, Mrs. Pasion

St. Joseph Catholic School thanks Lindsay Pasion for her years of dedicated service as a beloved teacher at our school. She has been an integral part of our community, and her contributions have made a significant impact on the lives of our students. 


As Lindsay moves on to new opportunities next year, we wish her all the best in her future endeavors. We are grateful for the time she has spent with us and the positive influence she has had on our school. 


We will always remember the passion and enthusiasm that Lindsay brought to her work, and we know that she will continue to inspire others in her future endeavors. We hope that she will always remember her time at St. Joseph Catholic School as a positive and rewarding experience.

Sponsor a Student

At St. Joseph Catholic School, we are grateful for the overwhelming support and generosity from our community of donors. Your contributions have had a profound impact on our students' education and well-being, from providing tuition assistance to enhancing the safety and quality of our school environment. We extend our heartfelt thanks for your continuous support, which has allowed us to cultivate a nurturing and thriving learning atmosphere. As we look ahead, we are excited about the opportunity to further collaborate with you on our mission. For those interested in sponsoring a student for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year, please reach out to Principal Lisa Martinez to initiate the sponsorship process.

Active Alumni

The Evans Sisters

Once upon a time at St. Joseph Catholic School, the Evans sisters, Sharon Tompkins and Sherry Hawkins, embarked on their educational journey back in 1955. Starting in 2nd grade during the grand opening of SJCS, they witnessed the school's humble beginnings when only grades 1-4 were available. Class sizes were massive, with one classroom per grade, and the dedicated nuns served as both educators and disciplinarians, instilling values of respect and responsibility. As the school expanded year by year, adding a grade annually, the Evans sisters grew along with it. Sharon reminisces about her fascination with the convent, while Sherry recalls the overwhelming transition from the intimate setting of St. Joe's to the bustling halls of public school. Despite the challenges, their parents' sacrifices to provide them with a Catholic education are deeply appreciated, shaping the grateful perspective they hold today.

Alumni ❤️

Honor Choir at AvaMere

Recently, voices of St. Joseph Catholic School’s Honor Choir echoed through the halls of Avamere at Wenatchee Senior Care, bringing a symphony of smiles to the faces in the audience. The harmonious melodies filled the hearts of residents, proving that music truly knows no age limit. This heartwarming visit is just one of the many ways St. Joe's spreads joy and connects with our Wenatchee community. Let's keep singing, spreading joy, and making the world a brighter place, one note at a time!

Thank You, Advancement Committee! #WenatcheeBillboard

mom_clothesline2.jpg

A Prayer in Gratitude for Our Mothers


Good and Gentle God,

we pray in gratitude for our mothers and for all the women of theory who have joined with you in the wonder of bringing forth new life. You who became human through a woman, grant to all mothers the courage they need to face the uncertain future that life with children always brings.

Give them the strength to live and to be loved in return, not perfectly, but humanly.

Give them the faithful support of husband, family and friends as they care for the physical and spiritual growth of their children.

Give them joy and delight in their children to sustain them through the trials of motherhood. Most of all, give them the wisdom to turn to you for help when they need it most.

-Author Unknown


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