Dear Parents,
It’s hard to believe that the first month of school is behind us. The students are settled in and working hard; teachers are growing in their practice to differentiate lessons to meet individual needs of students; and as a school, we are working on deepening our personal relationships with Jesus Christ. We know that the more we grow in our relationship with Christ, the more we will emulate Him, and the better we will feel about ourselves, our peers, and our community.
In conjunction with this, we celebrate that October is Bullying Prevention Awareness Month. Last week, I spoke with students in grades 6-8 on the topic of harassment. In opening that discussion, I asked each group, “Why did your parents decide to send you to St. Joe’s?”
It was heartwarming to hear the responses: “My mom and dad want me to have a good education,” was often mentioned. And just as many students spoke of the importance of faith, and being the person God created each of them to be. We can learn so much from the children, because the answers they gave me during those discussions is what really matters.
As parents, who truly only want the best for your children, it is important to answer the same question. Why are your children at St. Joe’s? What is really important? I am going to guess that you would say that what is important are the amazing teachers who work endlessly for your children. Teaching is not a glorious profession, but these men and women give every moment of everyday to benefit your children. I can tell you truthfully that it is an honor and a privilege to work with all of them. I am also guessing that you send your children to St. Joe’s because you want them in a safe, loving, protected environment, where they are not exposed to the evils of social media, violence, and intolerance. At St. Joe’s, you are confident that your children are safe from the dangers that often plague public schools. Most importantly, I would guess your children are at St. Joe’s for faith formation and character building. You care deeply about your children and you want them to grow up to be amazing, moral, loving, positive, and faith-filled members of society.
I invite you, as the primary educators of your children, to join us in developing that personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He put us all together in this place at this time for a reason. He has called each of us to know Him and serve Him. We just need to focus on what really matters.
Rejoice and Be Glad!
Denise Rutledge
Principal
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Grades in PowerSchool - Update!
Parents are now able to view grades in PowerSchool! We appreciate your patience. If you have any questions with PowerSchool, please contact Lisa Pearce at l.pearce@sjschoolva.org Thank you!
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Young Adult and Audiobooks
Permission Form
We are so fortunate to have a wide range of books in the SJS library to appeal to all ages, maturity, and reading levels. Young Adult books are labeled YA because they may contain more mature content than others. If you would like your child to have access to Young Adult books and/or any of the many audiobooks aimed at grades 4-8,
please fill out the
and return to Mrs. Moschetto in the library.
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Volunteers Needed!
Mrs. Moschetto, our new librarian, is
looking for volunteers
to assist with checking in books during the k-5 library times.
No experience necessary!
A firm commitment to one 45 minute time slot per week on a Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday is best. If someone would prefer to assist by shelving and check-in, this job is done in the morning between 8:30 and 9:00.
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Win the Pumpkin!
Guess the weight of the pumpkin and win! Each student may submit only ONE entry.
How will you estimate the weight if you are not allowed to pick up the pumpkin?
What resources or methods will you use to figure out how much this beauty weighs?
Where:
Library
When:
September 24 - October 12
Time:
Vote during library class!
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St. Joseph School's Robotics Teams/Clubs serve as a vehicle to ignite our students' excitement about science, technology, religion, engineering, arts and math (STREAM) subjects.
Master the robots or the robots will master YOU!
EV3 Robotics 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. Initial student projects include hill climbing, beacon retrieval, color sensor navigation, and robot combat. Advanced programming and more complex robotics tasks are available for students ready for additional challenges. Students with any level of robotics experience are welcome to join.
There will be two levels of EV3 Robotics Club available this fall session. One club for Grades 5 & 6, and the other designed for Grades 7 & 8.
Dates:
October 16th - December 4th (no class Nov. 20th)
Time:
Tuesdays, 3:30-5:00 PM
Location:
SJS Library
Cost:
$195/student
Please note:
This an 8-week, 90 minute session
Please contact Jen Guzman from Fairfax Collegiate with questions
(email: Jen_Guzman@FairfaxCollegiate.com).
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Winter Uniform Begins October 9th
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It's a good time to check hemlines on skirts, jumpers, and pants! Try on those sweaters, shirts, and P.E. uniforms to ensure the fit is right! Winter uniform goes into affect on October 9th! Refer to the
Parent/Student Handbook or visit the
School Uniform page on the SJS website for guidelines and more information. School uniforms must be purchased at
Flynn and O'Hara. They are located in Fair City Mall at 9650 Main Street Fairfax, VA. 22031
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Family Donation Plan
Thank you to all the families
that have sent in their donation!
There is still time! Please download the
Family Donation Plan form
and submit to the school office. Our goal is 100% participation by all SJS families! Help make that happen! We appreciate your continued support!
As presented at Back to School Night by our PTO Board, we have taken a streamlined approach with fundraising. We have simplified fundraising to alleviate the amount of time and demand put on the busy schedules of our SJS families. In lieu of numerous fundraisers throughout the year,
we ask each family to make a donation of $65.00.
We have received a very positive response thus far, and we are grateful for the giving spirit of our families. Please download the
Family Donation Plan
form and submit to the school office.
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Register for the SJS 5k / 1 Mile Fun Run!
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Interested in becoming a race sponsor?
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WE NEED YOU!
Consider helping the day of the race. We are thankful for the many volunteers that help make the race successful!
Click to VOLUNTEER
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Stay Connected - Twitter and Facebook
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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
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St. Joseph Catholic Church Craft Fair
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Save the date!
Sat Oct 27, 2018
We are looking for business sponsors! Applications for vendor booths are now open to the public. Filling up fast! Contact Jacki Esguerra 571-331-6274 or stjpcraftfair@gmail.com
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Child Protection Program -
Virtus Seminar at SJS!
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The Virtus seminar at St. Joseph’s has been set for
Thursday Oct 4
th
at 5:00 pm. Individuals who wish to attend should go to
virtus.org
to register. Please contact Beth Covert if you have any questions!
At St. Joseph School and Parish ALL VOLUNTEERS who interact with children at any Parish or School sponsored activity such as volunteering in school, Scouts or Religious Education, Youth Ministry, CYO, etc.,
must complete and be compliant with the
Child compliance paperwork can be turned in to Beth Covert in the school office as soon as it is completed. No need to wait until you attend your Virtus seminar!
For questions, please contact
the
Child Protection Liaison
for St. Joseph Parish, Beth Covert, at bcovert@sjcherndon.org
or (703) 880-4357
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Herndon Children's Literary Festival featuring Kwame Alexander
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In collaboration with local author, Kwame Alexander, Arts Herndon presents the
first Herndon Children’s Literary Festival. Kwame Alexander, founded the Capital BookFest in 2005, and it has brought thousands of people year after year to the various locations that it takes place in.
- Panels and author conversations, featuring adult and teen authors.
- Outdoor Festival in Historic Herndon, Virginia
- Featuring food, live entertainment, authors and Artisans.
- Participants can purchase books, illustrations, specialty artwork, and gifts
- Free Admission to the public. All day strolling entertainment.
When: Sunday, October 7, 2018
Time: 11:00am until 4:00pm
Where: ArtSpace Herndon, 750 Center St.
Cost: FREE
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Plan a fun night out with the family and support the 8th grade!
Join us on Oct. 10 at Chick-fil-A in Reston
5-8pm
! See you there!
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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.
October 1: Sippel
October 2: Skelton
October 3: Smiley
October 4: Smythers
October 5: Spear
October 8: NO SCHOOL
October 9: Spizuoco
October 10: Steinman
October 11: Stephenson
October 12: Sullivan
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Last year St. Joseph School received $661.20 from submitting Box Tops.
For the 2018/2019 school year, we have already earned $152.00
Let’s see if we can earn $1,000 this year!
Simply clip Box Tops and send in envelopes/bags of 50 or use the
to collect 25 at a time!
Look for these Box Tops on hundreds of products. They come in all shapes and sizes and each one is worth $$ for our school:
Drop at the office, in the hallway box where the children enter, or via backpack mail to: Steven F. 8th Grade – Mrs. Bilbo
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8th grade Spirit Wear is available for purchase!
All checks made payable to:
SJS with "8th grade spirit wear" in the memo.
Please turn in order forms to the front office.
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Volunteers for
Lunch and Recess
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Want to volunteer? Help make lunch and recess fun and safe for our children. Click the button below to learn more and sign up.
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Middle School (6th-8th) Ministry this Fall
Join the Middle School youth in the SJS Gym for an evening of games, treats, and sharing!
Fridays @ 7:00pm-8:15pm
October 12, 2018
November 9, 2018
December 7, 2018
For more info Contact Kelly Power at singerpie@aol.com
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Paul VI High School
All are invited to join the VI Man cheering on our Panther varsity football team. Free to all and no reservations are needed.
with questions.
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Bishop O'Connell High School
Open House:
October 14, 1:00-4:00. Presentation begins at 1:00. Families are invited to see a presentation, meet our faculty and coaches, and tour through our building.
Youth Football Day:
September 22, at 1:00 pm. Students K-8 who register in advance will receive free admission to the game, a drawstring bag and an O'Connell water bottle.
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Bishop Ireton High School
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The
BI Coding Club
is hosting Hack BI, a 24-hour hackathon, open to 8th - 12th graders.
This FREE event will take place at Bishop Ireton on November 3-4. For more information and registration, see
hackbi.org
. Space is limited so register early. The grand prize is a paid internship. and there are many other prizes as well.
No experience necessary
-- workshops are provided for beginners, intermediate, and advanced programmers!
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September
October
October 12 - Coffee with the Principal
October 14 -
Donut Sunday
(after Mass times: 7:00am, 8:00am, and 10:00am)
October 20 - Book Fair (9:00am - 12:00pm)
October 21 - Book Fair (9:00am - 1:00pm)
October 22 -
Book Fair
(Last day of Book Fair. Limited hours.)
October 27 - 3rd Annual 5k and 1 Mile Fun Run
October 27 - St. Joseph Church Annual Craft Fair
November
November 1 - 4th grade All Saints Mass
November 2 - Coffee with the Principal
November 4 - Daylight Savings Time Ends
November 7 - 11:30am Early Dismissal Parent/Teacher Conferences
November 8 - 11:30am Early Dismissal Parent/Teacher Conferences
November 9 - 11:30am Early Dismissal Parent/Teacher Conferences
November 9 - Mass
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750 Peachtree Street, Herndon, VA 20170
Tel: 703-880-4350 Fax: 703-880-4320
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