Philosophy

St. Joseph University Mission Statement
St. Joseph University School is a Catholic school built on a strong academic curriculum and centered in Christian values. It serves children from diverse faiths, ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds to prepare them to be lifelong learners.
Utilizing individual talents and learning styles, students will reach their fullest potential as compassionate, caring, successful adults using their life skills to face a changing world and to better our community.

Belief Statements

• Children will learn when they believe they can.
• Children will learn in an environment that is physically and psychologically safe.
• Children will learn when they have opportunities to learn in their Learning Style.
• Children will learn when there are multiple forms of assessment - class quizzes, standardized tests, demonstrations, interviews, projects, etc.
• Children will learn when mistakes are seen as part of learning and not as a punishment for failure.
• Children will learn in a label free environment.
• Children will learn in an atmosphere with a positive feeling tone that includes creativity, fun, humor and patience.
• Children will learn when all students have access to quality teaching, similar opportunities, and when they have some say.
• Children will learn when there is open communication among teachers, students, administrators, parents and the community.
• Children will learn when support is available at all states of the learning.
• Children will learn when it is an active process that includes working alone, in small groups, and as a total class with variety of learning activities that contain a combination of lectures, independent work, and hands on activities.
• Children will learn when the physical and performing arts (music, art, physical education, movement, dance, etc.) are included in all the curricular areas.

Vision Statement
St. Joseph's students will approach life embracing creativity and innovation, equipped with skills and knowledge to continue their learning within our school environment and beyond.
The educational staff will maintain and reinforce the focus of the New York State Standards, skills, and values through continued mentoring and instruction.
St. Joseph's will strive for collectivism and collaboration, maintaining transparency and truth. The culture will celebrate diversity and appreciate a broader understanding of individual perspectives. The staff will relate to the parents and communities in an opening, welcoming interactive manner with a process to problem solve and grow.
Our students will be eager, adaptable and proactive lifelong learners who will be successful members of society dedicated to the service of others and rising to their fullest potential.

Theme - Lifelong Guidelines
Students at St. Joseph School are expected to take responsibility for their own behavior. To help students make good choices, we have implemented these lifelong guidelines: Trustworthiness, Truthfulness, Active Listening, No Put Downs, Personal Best. Personal Best can be defined by terms called the Lifeskills. The purpose of the Lifeskills is to provide parameters that help students evaluate their own performances-- to guide them, individually and in groups, to an understanding of which social behaviors will enhance their success.

The Lifeskills are:
1. Integrity: To act according to a sense of what's right and wrong
2. Initiative: To do something because it needs to be done
3. Flexibility: To be willing to alter plans when necessary
4. Perseverance: To keep at it
5. Organization: To plan, arrange, and implement in an orderly way; to keep things orderly and ready to use
6. Sense of Humor: To laugh and be playful without harming others
7. Effort: To do your best
8. Common Sense: To use good judgment
9. Problem Solving: To create solutions in difficult situations
10. Responsibility: To respond when appropriate, to be accountable for your actions
11. Patience: To wait calmly for someone or something
12. Friendship: To make and keep a friend through mutual trust and caring
13. Curiosity: A desire to investigate and seek understanding of one's world
14. Cooperation: To work together toward a common goal or purpose
15. Caring: To feel and show concern for others

The Lifelong Guidelines are social outcomes we have set for our students and ourselves as adults. They are consistent with brain research, based upon respect for others and self and, when consistently followed, ensure that students are ready for academic learning.