Dear Parent / Guardian,

It is with great anticipation that I welcome you to another school year. We are extremely excited to welcome the Class of 2022 to Joliet Catholic Academy, and also celebrate the accomplishments of the newly minted graduating Class of 2018. The Class of 2018 collectively earned over $12 million towards college scholarships, performed over 12,000 hours of community service, had 31 students named Illinois State Scholars, and achieved a mean ACT score of 24.4 (30.04 in the Honors Program; 27.1 for the top 50% of the class).

What do these numbers signify in context? Over 75% of the Class of 2018 earned a 21 or higher on their ACT, with 99% percent of graduates continuing onto college and a 100% college acceptance rate. Additionally, 70% of JCA students successfully passed A.P. Examinations, well above the local and state averages of 65.6% and 37.6% reported in 2017. Also for comparison, Illinois’ state public school averages of 46% scoring 21 or higher on the ACT, and 68% of graduates continuing onto college provide evidence for the competitive advantage of a Joliet Catholic Academy education.

These numbers reflect not only the outstanding achievement of our student body, but also the sacrifice by our families and community to give JCA students a faith-based education that is second to none.

There is no doubt the Class of 2018 has left an indelible mark on the halls of JCA, and will venture to do the same for the local community and beyond as they strive toward successful futures.

As we turn the page towards the 2018-2019 school year, I’d like to highlight some important dates this fall:

August
12 Freshman Welcome Mass at 5 p.m.
15-16 Freshman Orientation Days (1/2 days)
17 First Day of Classes (1/2 day)
21 First full day of school
23 Parent Back to School Night
24 Opening School Mass
30 Fall Spirit Raffle Begins

October
28 Open House for Prospective Families

November
8 Open House for Prospective Families

December
1 JCA Entrance Exam

Regards,

Ryan Quigley
JCA Director of Admissions and Communications
Office: 815.741.0500, ext. 214
Stay Connected and Help Promote JCA

Don’t miss the latest news about JCA, Angels and Hilltoppers, events, and more; stay connected through social media. “Like” Joliet Catholic Academy on Facebook, “Follow” JCAOnline on Twitter, and check out Joliet.Catholic on Instagram. 

Several extra-curricular clubs and sports also operate social media pages that the main JCA accounts will share and re-tweet. With changes to Facebook's algorithm over the last year, the more people that can share articles coming from the main Joliet Catholic Academy Facebook page, the better we can organically market all of the great things happening at JCA. Please continually re-tweet and share social media posts.
Freshman Welcome Mass

What? Mandatory Freshman Mass and Picnic,
Where? Student Activity Center – enter doors facing Ingalls Ave.

When? August 12 - 5:00 p.m. Mass. Mass is followed by important informational meeting and then a picnic. The picnic should begin by 7 p.m.

Tip: If not done already, prepare your locker after the BBQ; ask student ambassadors for assistance and walk your schedule.
Back-to-School Night for Parents

Thursday, August 23
JCA Student Activity Center
7:00 p.m.

Did you ever wonder what your teen goes through each day as a high school student? Want to meet your student’s teachers and find out about course requirements and expectations? Attend JCA’s Back-to-School Night and you’ll find all of your answers! You’ll walk through your student’s daily schedule, chat with teachers and fellow parents, and enjoy refreshments. Parents begin the evening in the Student Activity Center between 6:30 p.m. and 6:55 p.m. where they can pick up their student’s schedule and a school map. First period will begin at 7:00 p.m. and classes will end around 8:45 p.m. Questions regarding Back-to-School Night should be directed to the Vice Principal’s Office at 815.741.0500.
Fall Sports Tryouts

Any student wishing to go out for Girls or Boys Fall Sports needs to turn in their completed Physical along with the online Athletic form either prior to or on the first day of tryouts. Athletes WILL NOT be able to participate until all of those forms are completed and turned in. A new physical is required if it has been 13 months since your last physical was done. If you need a physical form to bring to your physician, it can be downloaded from our Athletic website 8 to 18 under Resources (IHSA Pre-Participation Examination Form).  

Incoming Freshmen DO NOT need to turn in a sports physical as the physical that is required of them before the start of school is sufficient.  The physical may be turned in to either the Coach of each respective sport, the main office (Attn: Athletics/Debbie Dispenza), mailed (1200 N. Larkin Ave., Joliet 60435 –Attn: Athletics/Debbie Dispenza), faxed: (815) 741-3830 or emailed: ddispenza@jca-online.org.

Football

Monday, August 6 th
Freshmen    3:00-6:00 p.m.
Sophomores  3:00-6:00 p.m.
Varsity       3:00 -6:00 p.m.
Will take place at JCA football practice fields

Boys’ Golf 

Monday August 6th at Prairie Bluff, 1215pm-4pm (Range from 12:15 pm-1 pm, Tee times begin at 1 pm, 9 Holes of golf).

Tuesday August 7th at Joliet CC, same instruction as above.

Wednesday August 8th at Joliet CC, 8am Range/Practice area followed by a meeting at school to pick up equipment and uniforms afterwards.

Any questions or concerns please contact Head Coach David Mondrella at 815.546.9394.
*There will be a $15.00 greens fee each day for tryouts. Athletes may not try out without this! (Greens fees will be paid for by the school for practices and meets after tryouts for those who make the team.)

Girls’ Golf 

Monday, August 6 th at Idlewild Country Club, Flossmoor.
Mini bus will leave JCA at 3:10 p.m. No charge, play and practice.

Tuesday, August 7 th at Woodruff Golf Course, 1:45 p.m. Cost is $15.00/person.

Wednesday, August 8 th at Idlewild Country Club, Flossmoor.
Mini bus will leave JCA at 3:15. No charge, play and practice.

Thursday, August 9 th at Inwood Golf Course. Practice only. Time TBD.

Boys’ Soccer 

August 8 th, 9 th, 10 th: – 11 th: 7-9 a.m. and 3-5 p.m.

August 11 th: 7 to 9 a.m. ONLY

August 12 th: OFF

August 13 th to end of season: practice 3-5 p.m.

**Please bring water, shin guards, soccer cleats**
 Will take place at the JCA Soccer Complex located behind the school, near the tennis courts.

Boys’ and Girls’ Cross Country 

-Wednesday, August 8 th at 7:15 a.m. at JCA Heritage Quad
-Thursday, August 9 th at 7:15 a.m. @ Hammel Woods (Crumby entrance at Black and Bronk Road)
-Friday, August 10 th at 7:15 a.m. at Four Seasons Park, Shorewood

Girls’ Volleyball

Wednesday, August 8 h in the Student Activity Center - main gym
           Varsity:         7:00 a.m. -9:30 a.m.      
           Sophomores:  10:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m.        
           Freshmen:       1:00 p.m. -3:30 p.m.  

Girls’ Tennis

Wednesday, August 8 th at 10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. at JCA tennis courts for both varsity and junior varsity. Bring tennis racquet and tennis shoes.
Campus Ministry
Meals on Wheels Drivers Needed!

JCA has a 30 year history with the Meals on Wheels program in Joliet. One day a week, a representative of JCA has delivered meals to home-bound senior citizens and hopefully brightened their day a little in the process. During the school year, parent volunteers drive two senior students on our assigned route every Friday. If you have flexibility in your schedule and would like to help with this important service program, you can fill out the parent volunteer form, or email or call campus ministry directly. With enough volunteers, parents should only be asked to drive once-a-month at most. Campus Ministry is proud to help with this service tradition and would like to extend their gratitude in advance to all that volunteer.

HOUSING NEEDED FOR NET MINISTRIES TEAM
 
This coming school year we will once again be welcoming NET ministries to our school to lead our underclassmen retreat. They explain it best on their website by saying
 
“NET Ministries challenges young Catholics to love Christ and embrace the life of the Church. Every August, 175 young Catholics aged 18-28 leave behind their jobs, school, family, and friends to devote nine months to serving with the National Evangelization Teams (NET).
Divided into 16 teams, they travel across the U.S. for nine months to share the Gospel with young people and their families. Since 1981, NET teams have led over 32,000 retreats and ministered to more than 1.9 million young Catholics.”
.
We are lucky to have a NET team at JCA and need to ask your help in hosting them. When NET ministries are visiting a parish or school like ours, they rely upon the kindness of their hosts to provide housing and two meals for the team. What that means is that they need a clear floor to lay their sleeping bag on and a small breakfast and friendly dinner. 
 
The team splits into pairs or sometimes trios so we will need between 4 or 5 houses to offer them. They will be spending the night October 2 nd and 3 rd . If this is something you and your family would like to participate in, please contact campus ministry with your interest. We will be happy to go over details and answer any questions.

Questions? Contact Campus Ministry.

Melisa Ferro
Campus Minister
(815) 741-0500 ext.262
Parent Association Volunteer Form

Please complete the below form and return to JCA’s Main Office by Wednesday, 8/22/18 to be eligible for a drawing to receive $200 off your tuition.
2018-2019 School Calendar
The 2018-2019 School Calendar has been posted online. There is also a pocket calendar available with important dates listed throughout the entire school year.

The online version can be accessed by clicking on the below tab. The calendar and events can also be uploaded to smart phones and Outlook or gmail accounts.
Asbestos Management

Parents, teachers, employee organizations, and other relevant groups: Please be advised that the Asbestos Management Plan for JCA, as required by law, is available for inspection during normal business hours by representatives of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the State of Illinois, and the public – including teachers, other school personnel, representatives, and parents at 1200 N. Larkin Avenue, Joliet, Illinois 60435 within five working days after receipt of a written request for inspection. The school may charge the reasonable cost of making any copies requested. 
Nurses Corner
Important information for All students

The JCA medication policy has been updated in accordance with the State of Illinois and Illinois State Board of Education.  It is important that you and your student(s) review the policy as there are changes and action needed prior to the start of school if any medication is to be taken during school hours. The new Medication Administration Authorization (MAA) form is required prior to any medication administration. Telephone consent will not be accepted. Medication Administration Authorization is required for any prescription and non-prescription (OTC medication).

Students with asthma or history of asthma are requested to submit an asthma action plan to the Health Office.

Students with epilepsy, diabetes, or allergies requiring emergency treatment are requested to submit an action plan.

All International students and students who travel internationally

I n accordance with the CDC guidelines, those students coming from or traveling to a country for greater than 2 weeks where TB disease is common (most countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Russia) are required to have an Interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) either QuantiFERON®–TB Gold In-Tube test (QFT-GIT) or T-SPOT®.TB test (T-Spot) completed in the United States within 21 days prior to the first day of school . IGRA results are to be submitted to the Health Office prior to the start of the school year. Students who do not comply with health record requirements are subject to exclusion from school.

Incoming Freshmen :

Reminder that your incoming school physical is to be on file by July 1 if you are participating in a fall sport. A separate sports physical is not required. Physicals are valid for 395 days.

Seniors only :

Reminder: students are to have received the MENINGOCOCCAL CONJUGATE VACCINE (MCV4) prior to the start of their 12 th year of school.
Spirit Shop Summer Hours

If you would like to get a jump on purchasing your uniforms for the upcoming school year, please stop in the Shop!

Spirit Shop will be open:

Uniform and Lock Sale

August 2 nd ---  12:00pm – 7:00pm
August 3 rd, 6 th, 7 th, 8 th – 10:00am – 3:00pm

After the Sale is over, we will close the Spirit Shop and re-open August 15 th

* we will be open a short time the evening of the Welcome Mass on August 12 th*

During the School year, the Spirit Shop is open when class is in session.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

Paula Gorski
Paula Gorski, Spirit Shop Coordinator
Joliet Catholic Academy
815-741-0500 x231
2019 Senior Portraits

WHO:      Class of 2019

WHAT:     Senior Portrait & Yearbook Pictures

WHERE: JCA – enter at the main office

WHEN:     Monday, June 18- Friday, July 23
                 Monday, July 30- Friday, August 4

WHY:       In order to appear in the yearbook, all seniors must have their photo taken by VIP. Photographs submitted from other studios will NOT be accepted into the yearbook.

How:           SENIOR PORTRAIT SIGN UP : Please make an appointment online at studio.il.vipis.com or over the phone at 847-499-9300

Additional Information:

Retake Date: Wednesday, October 3 at JCA. Yearbook pose only. Yearbook photos are free of charge. Retake appointments will be scheduled in SEPTEMBER.

Yearbook Deadline : Your photo selection must be submitted to VIP by October 19, in order to appear in your school’s yearbook. If you do not select an image, one will be selected for you by VIP. Information regarding how to submit your yearbook selection to VIP will be provided after your photo session.

Yearbook Photo Attire:  School dress code must be followed in order for your photo to appear in the yearbook. No tank tops or low cut tops for ladies, and no facial hair for gentlemen.

SIGN UP NOW WITH VIP – Go to vipis.com

School Pictures August 21-23

School Pictures will be taken on August 21 through August 23. Freshmen will receive a hard copy of the order for during freshman orientation and will be taking their pictures on Tuesday, August 21. Juniors and sophomores will receive an order form during theology on Monday, August 20. Sophomores will take pictures on Wednesday and juniors on Thursday. All students will take their pictures during their Theology class. Seniors will take I.D. pictures only in uniform.

The dress code for picture day is a colored polo shirt with uniform shorts and shoes. 
Summer Assignments

Summer assignments will be distributed to current freshmen, sophomores, and juniors in their respective classes. Incoming freshmen received their summer assignment through the mail in April. Summer assignments will also be available on the JCA website, www.jca-online.org, under the Student tab. 
Schedules and Booklists

Class schedules have been e-mailed to students. Incoming freshmen and transfer students will also receive a printout of their schedule through the mail. Schedule change requests must be made in writing. Forms are available in the main office. More than one change request can be made on the same form. There is a $75 fee per change requested. No schedule change is official until the student receives written notification. If a change cannot be made, the fee will be returned. 


Book lists and supplemental items information will be e-mailed to sophomores, juniors, and seniors along with their schedule in July. Incoming freshmen will receive information on books and supplemental items through the mail along with their course placement in July. A detailed booklist including ISBN numbers and supplemental items information will be available on the JCA website, www.jca-online.org, under the “Parents” tab.
Shadow Visits and Private Tours

Here at JCA, we realize that each family has specific needs, questions and expectations for their child. Therefore, we offer private tours to families throughout the year. Simply contact the Admissions Office at 815.741.0500 to schedule a mutually convenient time. The JCA Admissions Staff values our current JCA families as the greatest ambassadors for our school. Recommending an area family or student you know who is in 7th or 8th grade, or a potential high school transfer students, is a great way to help spread the word about JCA. Please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Quigley or Mrs. Ragusa in Admissions to connect with local families interested in JCA.

Shadow Visits offer seventh- and eighth-grade students an individualized experience by pairing a prospective student with a current Angel or Hilltopper who shares his/her academic and extracurricular interests. Students may shadow on most Fridays that JCA is in session from September through April.

Current high school students wishing to transfer to JCA are also encouraged to schedule a Shadow Visit and will be offered the opportunity to spend the day at JCA as part of the transfer process.

Parents/guardians who are considering having their high school student transfer to JCA should contact the office of the Vice Principal of Faculty and Operations at 815.741.0500, ext. 217.
JCA in the News