Dear Parents-
Welcome back to school after what I hope was a very joyful Christmas break. Like many, my family takes the time to reflect on all the blessings we shared in the year closing out and we look forward to what’s ahead. For my family, we welcomed a new daughter-in-law in 2018, and look forward to adding another grandchild in early 2019. God is good!
Mrs. Carson and I were overwhelmed by the many gifts were received for Christmas. Your generosity and thoughtfulness are greatly appreciated, and we thank each and every one of you for your kindness. Please know that you and your families are always in our prayers, and we wish you many blessings.
The Christmas Season is in its final week, and the beautiful Nativity in our church will come down soon. Mrs. Daughtrey will present a brief talk highlighting the Nativity set, after Mass on Friday. Please feel free to stop by.
January is a very busy month, opening with Scantron test session 2, and ending with Catholic Schools Week. In between is the 2nd grade First Reconciliation on January 16th, the PTO meeting also on January 16th, the March for Life on January 18th, Martin Luther King holiday on January 21st, and by the time the month closes out we will be half-way through the school year!
The
Scantron Test window opened January 7th and runs through January 25th. During this time, students in grades 3-7 will test in the areas of Math, Reading and Language Arts. Please make sure your children are in school during this time to ensure adequate opportunity to complete the tests. If you have specific scheduling questions or conflicts, please contact your child’s teacher.
On January 16th, the PTO will sponsor an evening with Jannet and Ray Clark. Mr. and Mrs. Clark are top motivational speakers, with
over 20 years experience working with children and adults to make positive changes. They are both ordained ministers, and have spoken at both public and private christian and catholic schools throughout the US. They will talk with us about bullying and cyber-bullying and discuss strategies to help us help our children. Please save the date and I hope to see you there!
|
|
Our
Girl Scout
troops hit the ground running when they returned to school, and immediately started working on their Girl Scout blanket-making service project! Blanket-making has been a long tradition for SJS Girl Scouts. Last Friday, ten troops gathered together to make 31 blankets, which will go to the St. Lucy Project and Embry Rucker Homeless Shelter!
I want to thank the leaders for their guidance and support!
Coffee with the Principal
is expanding its offerings, and Mrs. Farrell will be joining us! Our goal is to have productive sharing sessions that address some of the concerns that affect school climate. Mrs. Farrell will facilitate conversations that focus on such topics as bullying, conflict, girl drama, stress and anxiety, among others. Please mark your calendar and join us February 1st, at 8:30. Our topic
Bullying and Conflict---What’s the Difference?
St. Joseph Church and School will host a
Virtus Seminar
on Thursday February 21
st
from 5pm until 9pm. This seminar is required as part of the Child Protection Program for adults who wish to volunteer with youth in the Arlington Diocese. If you have not attended this seminar and wish to volunteer with our youth, you can register for this class at
virtus.org
.
This is a two part program and completion of forms is also required. The packet of forms can be picked up in the School/Church office. Parents are encouraged to volunteer when possible.
The
Junior Choir
starts tomorrow, January 8th, with rehearsal from 3:30-4:30. Please remember that students will be dismissed to the front lobby.
As always, if I can be of any assistance, please let me know.
Rejoice and Be Glad!
Denise Rutledge
Principal
|
|
We welcome SJS dads to come together on Friday mornings to enrich their relationship with both Christ and family.
The first meeting will be held the morning of
January 18
th
at 6:30 AM in Room 209.
This is an awesome program!
Don't miss out!
|
|
|
Kindergarten Registration - Current Families
|
|
Any current SJS families with upcoming Kindergarten students are encouraged to complete the registration paperwork
as soon as possible! Please see Mary Lewis in the front office for forms. We look forward to welcoming our future Saints!
|
|
St. Joseph Church and School will host a Virtus Seminar on
Thursday February 21
st
from 5pm until 9pm. This seminar is required as part of the Child Protection Program for adults who wish to volunteer with youth in the Arlington Diocese. If you have not attended this seminar and wish to volunteer with our youth, you can register for this class at
virtus.org
.
This is a two part program and completion of forms is also required. The packet of forms can be picked up in the School/Church office.
|
|
Mark your calendars for our PTO meeting scheduled for
Wednesday, January 16th at 7:00pm!
Join us for an evening with Jannet and Ray Clark as they discuss bullying and cyber-bullying. Most importantly, they will provide tools to help us help our children.
|
|
|
|
Catholic Schools Week is right around the corner! That means we have exciting events in store including our annual Talent Show scheduled for February 1!
If your child plans to participate in the Talent Show, please complete and turn in the permission form
no later than January 18th
.
|
|
|
Coffee with the Principal and School Counselor
|
|
Please join us on Friday,
February 1st at 8:30am for coffee with the principal! Mrs. Farrell, our school counselor, will be joining us!
Our goal is to have productive sharing sessions that address some of the concerns that affect school climate. Mrs. Farrell will facilitate conversations that focus on such topics as bullying, conflict, girl drama, stress and anxiety, among others. Topic includes
Bullying and Conflict---What’s the Difference?
Sharing session will take place in the upstairs meeting rooms above the front office.
|
|
The Knights of Columbus Council is hosting its annual Father-Daughter Dance at St. Joseph parish hall on Saturday,
February 16th
from 7:00-9:30 pm.
Detailed information to follow.
|
|
Blanket-making has been a long tradition for
SJS Girl Scouts
. Ten troops gathered and made 31 blankets, which will go to the St. Lucy Project and Embry Rucker Homeless Shelter. Way to go, ladies! These Girl Scouts continue to do great things!
|
|
Fairfax Collegiate EV3 Robotics Club
|
|
Build Your Brain Power!
Fairfax Collegiate is partnering with St. Joseph Catholic School to provide an after-school robotics program -- EV3 Robotics Club.
This club focuses on LEGO’s EV3 robotics platform. Students design, construct, and program their robots to perform in sensor-based challenges, as well as robotic competitions.
Classes held after school at St. Joseph Catholic School. Seats are limited!
|
|
Please consider giving the gift of your time to help out in the library! See SignUp Genius link below for more information! Sign up times and dates will be sent out monthly starting in January.
Thank you for your support!
|
|
"If you really want a child to thrive and blossom ... let them engage in creative play. But most importantly, let them experience boredom; there is nothing healthier for a child than to learn how to use their own interior resources to work through the challenges of being bored. This then acts as the fertile ground for developing the powers of observation, cultivating patience, and developing an active imagination."
--
Glow Kids
, by Nicholas Kardaras, Ph.D.
|
|
Katie and Laura Evans (Class of 2017)
Robotics Team Leaders and Award Recipients
In 2017, a group of St. Joseph Catholic School students competed in the First Lego League International Invitational Tournament at Legoland, California. They had qualified by placing second out of hundreds of teams in the State of Virginia based on their scores for teamwork, project development and completing a robot challenge. Katie Evans, Laura Evans, Alexandra Geho, Meagan Hosker, (all Class of 2017) enjoyed the experience so much that they immediately spoke of coaching a team themselves. This year that dream came true. Katie and Laura developed Girl Scout Gold Award projects that used the First Lego League competition as the measure of success. They recruited a team comprised of younger SJS Girl Scouts (Christa A., Anna B., Livie G., Maddie L., Maura F., Amelia H.). Katie taught the team STEM skills as the girls learned to design and program the robot. Laura taught the girls skills needed to succeed in leadership positions by guiding them in the development and presentation of a virtual reality program of running through downtown Herndon. Alex and Meagan assisted every step of the way.
The team of coaches won the Volunteer of the Year award at the Ashburn regional competition. The six-grade team won their regional competition in Ashburn and went on to the state competition at JMU in December. They were proud to bring home a trophy for teamwork and were successful in the other two judged categories, as well. All involved in the project agreed that in addition to the skills learned, everyone enjoyed the deepening of friendships from the course of the season.
Awesome accomplishments, ladies! We are so proud of you!
We love to hear from our alumni!
Share the word and share your story!
|
|
Each week the SJS News crew have helpers lead the school in morning prayers. Parents are welcome to watch the morning news show after carpool on days that their child is our prayerful leader. Siblings say prayers together on their designated day. The following are students for the upcoming weeks:
January 7: Amans, S
January 8: Anderson, R, J, and C
January 9: Annavarapu, M
January 10: Arias, M
January 11: Arnold, J and Z
January 14: Asma, L
January 15: Asquith, D
January 16: Auton, S
January 17: Babka, C and Z
January 18: Bagin, B
|
|
|
Youth Day for Basketball
We will be hosting Youth Day for any students K-8th grade. Students are invited to attend a Boys’ and Girls’ basketball game. Students who register in advance will receive a bag, water bottle, and free ticket to the game. You can register for the event here:
http://www.bishopoconnell.org/admissions/how-when-to-visit
|
|
Stay Connected - Twitter and Facebook
|
|
Don't forget to follow SJS
on Twitter and Facebook!
A lot is happening at SJS and you don't want to miss out!
Twitter: @sjschoolva
Facebook: sjschoolva
|
|
|
January
January 11 - Mass
January 13 - Donut Sunday hosted by KOC
January 16 - First Penance
January 16 - PTO General Meeting (7:00pm)
January 18 - Respect for Life Mass
January 21 - No School
January 23 -
Morning Rehearsal for Advanced Band
January 23 - Band Practice - Beginner and Advanced
January 25 - Interim Grades
January 25 - 5th grade STREAM lab
January 25 - Mass
January 27 - Beginning of Catholic Schools Week
January 28 - Talent Show rehearsals
January 29 - Open House
January 30 -
Morning Rehearsal for Advanced Band
January 30 - Band Practice - Beginner and Advanced
January 30 - 8th grade Confirmation
February
February 1 - Talent Show
February 1 - Coffee with the Principal
February 6 -
Morning Rehearsal for Advanced Band
February 6 -
Band Practice - Beginner and Advanced
February 7 - Science Fair
February 8 - Mass
February 10 - Donut Sunday hosted by Knights of Columbus
February 12 - 7th Grade field trip
February 13 -
Morning Rehearsal for Advanced Band
February 13 - Band Practice - Beginner and Advanced
February 15 - Mass
February 18 - No School (President's Day)
February 20 - SJS Club Pictures
February 20 -
Morning Rehearsal for Advanced Band
February 20 - Band Practice - Beginner and Advanced
|
|
750 Peachtree Street, Herndon, VA 20170
Tel: 703-880-4350 Fax: 703-880-4320
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
