Marianne McKimpson, SJNRA parent and author, will have a book signing at Borders at the Lycoming Mall, on Saturday, December 5, 2009 from 2-4pm. Her book is called "Playing in God's Garden" and deals with the death of a sibling. The book is dedicated to Steven Tafelski, McKimpson's brother, who was a big supporter of SJNRA when he was alive.
All are invited to join the Academy family as we celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on Tuesday, December 8 at 10:00 am at St. Boniface Church.
In just a matter of a few days, we will be at the start of another basketball season. The Jr. High Girls have been playing for over a month and 7th Grade team carries a 8-2 record, while the 8th Grade team has a 9-1 record. The Boys and Girls Varsity teams have been practicing for almost two weeks and are trying to gel together after the loss of all the Seniors from last year and I know they are anxious for their first games. The Boys have their first game at home on Saturday, 12 December at 1:00 PM. The Girls will play their first game at Columbia Montour Vo-Tech on Tuesday, 15 December at 6:00 PM. The Boys 7 & 8th Grade basketball teams will be starting practice with open gym on Saturday, 5 December from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and will also have open gym again on Saturday, 12 December from 8:30 to 10:00 AM. During the basketball season, we will have current basketball schedules available at the concession stand area. Also, for current up to date schedules for all our sports, go to "highschoolsports.net" and click onto the state and then our school.
1. BASKETBALL COACHES FOR BOYS & GIRLS VARSITY AND JR. HIGH: We had a few changes in some of the coaching positions and the following are the coaches for all our basketball teams:
Girls Jr. High: Dave Lechniak (8th Grade) and Matt Henderson (7th Grade)
Girls Varsity: Steve Sholder (Head Coach), Seth Burch (Assistant Varsity), Matt Henderson (Assistant Varsity & JV Coach)
Boys Jr. High: Matt Duffy (8th Grade) and Patrick McFadden (7th Grade)
Boys Varsity: Paul Petcavage (Head Coach), Justin Marnon (Assistant Varsity), Ryan Brown (Assistant Varsity & JV Coach)
2. CONGRATULATIONS TO JOEY ORSO: We would like to recognize and congratulate Freshman Joey Orso for being the first student from St. John Neumann to ever play in a Varsity Football game. Joey is a member of the Loyalsock football team and had the opportunity to play in the Loyalsock - Danville game on Friday, 13 November. He is also on the team as they make their way through District playoffs. For your information, St. John Neumann has a Co-Op program in Football and Wrestling with the Loyalsock High School and we certainly would like to see more of our students participate in these programs. For information, contact Mr. Lupacchino at 323-9953, ext 217.
3. ALUMNI GAME ON SUNDAY, 20 DECEMBER 2009: Just a reminder that there will be an Alumni game for any former Neumann Boys and Girls students on Sunday, 20 December 2009 at 3:00 PM in the school gym. Miss Beth Ratke is organizing this event. There is no admission to the game, but everyone is requested to bring (many) canned goods or non-perishable food items as all the food will be donated to the St. Anthony's Center for needy people. If you are interested in participating or helping at the event, you can contact Miss Ratke at 323-9681 or email at
huskieschick55@yahoo.com This will be a fun day and a good opportunity to see some of our former athletes and we will have plenty of Oxygen tanks available and bags of ice to heal those sore bones.
4. SWIM PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS: As mentioned previously, we have been contacted by Mr. Zaq Harrison, who is the Head Coach of the Williamsport YMCA Swim Team, and he is offering to have our students join their Y Swim Team program and is willing to provide training and instruction to the swimmers and act as their coach for any competitions or to compete in any High School or District events. For students in grades 9 thru 12, the fee to join the Y and team membership is normally $250 per year, however, through the donation of a supporter of St. John Neumann, one half of that fee ($125) will be covered and it will only cost $125 for any individuals that desire to participate in this program.
Also, Mr. Harrison has a program available for any students in grades 6, 7 & 8 that are interested in becoming involved in the swimming program. For any details and information, please contact Mr. Zaq Harrison at 323-7204 or email him at
kewmon@aol.com or contact Mr. Lupacchino in the Athletic Office at 323-9953, ext 217.
5. ATHLETIC PARTICIPATION FEE: Since Basketball season is here, we would like to again remind all the parents that each student that participates on any sports team or cheerleading, that they must pay a $30.00 fee for each sport or Cheerleading that they participate in during the school year. There is no discount for two or more sports or for two or more family members. The fee should be paid in the Athletic Office or at the Main School Office and vouchers can be used for payment. If any family member feels they are unable to pay the fee, then they can discuss their situation with the Principal or the Athletic Director. Team uniforms will not be issued to the players until the fee is paid.
6. UPGRADE & REPLACE TROPHY CASES: We are still looking for assistance from any individuals that are willing to donate their skills and services or to donate funds in order to replace our four old trophy cases that we have on the first floor in the front entrance area of the school. We need new, bigger and longer size cases to be built in order to hold all the awards that we have accumulated over the years. We currently have trophies and awards that are sitting on top of the cases as we have no room to display these awards. Over the years our sports teams, cheerleading and Odyssey of the Mind teams have won numerous trophies and awards and we just do not have adequate space to display them. If anybody is willing to assist with labor, material or funds to get these trophies cases built, please contact Mr. Lupacchino at 323-9953, ext 217.
7. SPECTATOR SPORTSMANSHIP: Due to the fact that we are in the confined area of the gym, this is the time of the year when spectator comments and noise tend to get out of control. We would like to remind everybody that when you are sitting in the stands, you are only a spectator and are there to cheer and support your team. You cannot be a coach or referee, therefore please do not make any inappropriate comments or remarks towards the officials, coaches, players or opposing teams or spectators. The opposing teams, spectators and officials are guests in our facility and should be treated accordingly. You certainly would not want yourself or our team members to receive inappropriate comments when we play at another school, therefore please show the proper respect at all times to our guests. Failure to do so can and will result in your removal from the gym and could result in being restricted from watching future sporting events. So again, control your emotions and comments and just sit back and cheer and enjoy the game.
8. SCOREKEEPER NEEDED FOR BOYS VARSITY GAMES: We are in need of any individual that is interested in being the scorekeeper for the Boys Varsity/JV Basketball teams. You are able to get credit for your volunteer hours if you score keep for the games. Also the pay is excellent as it is guaranteed not to put you in a higher tax bracket and you will not have to pay any Federal Income tax, State Income tax, County or City taxes as they do not tax anybody that earns a big zero for keeping score. If interested, contact Mr. Lupacchino.
In behalf of Mr. Mark Lorson, the Assistant Athletic Director and myself, we wish all our Neumann families a very Merry Christmas and a Healthy and Happy 2010.
As usual, see you at the games!
