St Joseph Private Catholic School Millbrook NY, Dutchess County NY

Our chess club began 6 years ago with Mrs. Fegan as moderator. The club meets from September through May on Wednesdays from 3:15-4:00. We are members of the U.S. Chess Federation and use the official game pieces. Each week 20-30 children, in grades pre k though 8, join us for this "game of kings".

This year we introduced Millennium Chess invented by Hudson Valley resident Bruce Gustin. It is a double chess board played with two sets of chess pieces. We hope to have Bruce visit in the spring of 2007.

Our Ballroom Dance classes are under the direction of local dance teacher June Kauffman, and its offering is based on having enough students sign up for it. Children in grades Kindergarten through 7th grade learn the fox trot, waltz, cha cha, meringue, salsa, mamba and the rumba. The children demonstrate grace and self confidence.

Each year under the direction of Ms. Jean Michetti, children in grades 5-8 perform in a school play. For 2006 it was Charlotte’s Web and 2007 it is Beauty and the Beast. The quality of the production is excellent and gives the students a way to share their talents.

Last year brought the first issue of the “St. Joseph Journal”. We strive to print 2 issues a year focusing on the writing of the children in all grades. We also spotlight art work of our students. Our 7th grade students are the editors and staff. The computer classes type the articles, and the editorial staff pastes up the storyboards before submitting to our publisher, the Lakeville Journal in Lakeville CT.

The students learn teamwork and a valuable educational skill of organizing information. The students also take a field trip to the printing facility to see how the papers are printed and bound for distribution. Mrs. Fegan and Mr. Stanford are the advisors.

Ms. Anne Wing, our art teacher holds Art Club several times during the school year. Under her direction the children use a variety of materials for their projects, clay, papier mache, craypas, paint and charcoal.

Boys and girls in grade 3-8 are eligible to participate in our basketball program. Under the direction of Mrs. Eileen Bishop, (a CYO coach for 25 years), our younger children have the opportunity to practice becoming stronger players. Mr. Tom Cunningham coaches the older students, many of which also belong to the St. Joseph CYO team.

This year Mrs. Martha Belardo began giving piano lessons after school to Kindergarten through adult students. The students involved are enthusiastic love to practice! Lessons are held on Tuesday and Thursday afternoon. There is a fee for this activity.