Bernie's Bark
2.18.2020
Dear Parents-
 
Yesterday, we celebrated the life and work of George Washington. Interestingly, the Commonwealth of Virginia names the day “ George Washington Day ” rather than the more commonly used “President’s Day.” I did a quick search to find out what made George Washington a great leader. History writes that George Washington believed in the people around him, he had exemplary character and treated everyone with great dignity and respect, he put the needs of others first, he held people accountable, he loved and was invested in everything he did, and he was a man of great faith who took his responsibilities seriously and never compromised his principles. George Washington wasn’t Catholic, but the traits that were important to him are mirrored in Catholic social teaching . The words used above are exactly the words we would like to use to describe not only ourselves, but our children as well. Our commitment to our faith and to the practice of Catholic social teaching is an integral pillar in raising the next generation of leaders, and supports our mission of building wisdom and faith through service to God.
 
As a reminder, I mentioned in the Bark on January 14 that the Office of Catholic Schools announced the start date for the 2020-2021 school year. School opens for students on Wednesday, August 26 . I will continue to work on the calendar and provide updates as appropriate, however, the calendar won’t be available until the spring.
 
In the “in case you hadn't heard department,” St. Joseph Catholic School has been awarded a grant from the Westerman Foundation . The $5,500 grant will be used to purchase specialized books as a resource for teachers and students. Teachers will have access to multiple copies of individual titles, which will allow teachers to differentiate their lessons to target a variety of reading levels to meet the needs of each student. We look forward to housing these wonderful books in Bernie's Book Room which will be near the Learning Resource Center. Along with our thanks to the Westerman Foundation, I thank our reading Specialist, Mrs. Tauscher, for her hard work securing this grant!
 
We continue to see cases of both Flu A and Flu B . Classroom surfaces are cleaned after every school day, to the extent possible, by the cleaning staff. It is not possible to wipe every surface in the school, but great effort is made by the cleaning staff and the teachers to wipe down desks, chairs, and other high traffic surfaces. However, if a student comes to school sick, all the cleaning is of no use! Please do not send children to school with fever. In addition, our Wellness Committee adopted a 9-5-2-1-0 approach to help students develop healthy habits. Use this link to access “9” and information related to getting better and more rest. 
 
Over the holiday weekend, the new lighting was installed in Mrs. Zimney’s classroom to match the lighting in Mrs. Karcz’s room. The lighting makes an enormous difference, and with all the gloomy wet weather we have had this winter, Mrs. Karcz is truly appreciating the new lighting! You are invited to stop in and see this difference for yourself. We are so blessed to have such generous families in our school. This is one donation that truly has a direct, immediate and positive impact on our kids!
 
Remember to place your March lunch orders for your children through our school lunch program, in conjunction with Fairfax Food Service. Use this link , to be re-directed to our webpage to find the ordering procedures. Remember to place your order no later than February 28!

As always, if you have any questions, or if I can be of any assistance, please let me know.
 
 Welcome one another....as Christ welcomed you!
                                                                                 (Rom 15:7)
 
Denise Rutledge
Principal

  Building Wisdom and Faith Through Service to God
Spring Fling Dinner & Auction
SJS Tuition Raffle

Want to win a year of Free Tuition to St. Joseph Catholic School?? Enter our Tuition Raffle!! Purchase tickets to win a year of free tuition for a returning student. Tickets will be sold up until the start of the live auction at Spring Fling. Winner will be announced at the end of the live auction and does not need to be present to win.

Kindness Month
February is Kindness Month

The Ambassadors of Peace (AOP), a group of 7th and 8th grade students who lead,
encourage, and promote a positive and caring environment for all students at SJS have designated the month of February as Kindness Month. Throughout the month the AOP will be encouraging students to think of others and perform acts of kindness. Next week we will celebrate National Kindness Week and each day an AOP member will be on the news encouraging kindness at home, in the classroom, at recess and lunch, and in the community. We will also be revisiting The Kindness Pledge students took in the fall. Students have the opportunity to record acts of kindness by filling out forms in his/her homeroom. Let us all do our part and continue to spread kindness!  
Golf Program - Grades 4-8
St. Joseph Catholic School Golf Program
Spring Session for 4 th -8 th Graders!

The golf program is back! Starting in mid-March, the second iteration of the golf program will be held for interested 4 th-8 th grade St. Joseph Catholic School students and St. Joseph CCD participants. This program will be held at Herndon Centennial golf course again and will be held once a week through the end of April. The program will be taught by a combination of parent volunteers and golf course staff. Please see below for additional details:

When: Start in mid-March and will run for roughly 6 weeks through the end of April, to be held one night a week (most likely Monday evenings, but could be on Tuesdays as well if a large number of participants sign up). Start time will be around 5:30pm (may vary some early in season due to daylight).

What: Will include basic instruction and practice for the Spring session, including time on the driving range and chipping/putting green, with some play on the course occurring throughout.

Who: Fourth-Eighth grade St. Joseph Catholic School students and St. Joseph Parish CCD participants.

Equipment/Attire: Does your child have clubs already? Great, please bring them. Don’t have golf clubs? No worries, there are additional sets of junior golf clubs that can be used at the course. Sneakers are suitable (golf shoes not required), and dress will be a golf shirt (or similar) and golf shorts (or golf pants when the weather is colder).

Cost: Anticipated costs are ~$50 per child. This will be finalized based on the number of participants.

Please register by Friday, February 28 th so that we can finalize numbers and plans with the golf course to get us started in mid-March. To register, or for more information or questions, please contact Joel Woodson at joel_woodson@yahoo.com and Tammy McGowan at tammy@themcgowans.com
Yearbook Orders
Order your SJS 2020 yearbook today! Price for the yearbook is $22 and can be ordered online or via cash or check. To order online, click HERE . Enter your school name: Saint Joseph Catholic School. The order forms have gone home with the students.
Make sure to order before March 20, 2020!
March Madness Referees Needed
Parent Volunteer Referees Needed for 5th - 8th Grade
In-school Basketball Tournament
March Madness on Peachtree Street!
The dates are:  
Starting 2/27 until 4/10. Then the final.
Time Slots slots are: 
7th grade - Thursdays - 11:15 - 12:05 , 1:35 - 2:25 
8th grade - Thursdays - 12:51 - 1:36 , 2:23 - 3:08
5 th grade - Fridays - 12:51 - 2:22
6th Grade - Fridays - 10:30 - 11:20 , 2:23 - 3:08
Please email Mr. O'Brien at  n.obrien@sjschoolva.org  if you can help
Yearbook
The Yearbook Staff needs your help! If you have any candid pictures from school parties, field trips, community or other events, please send them to your Class Coordinator for submission. Please note, picture inclusion will be at the discretion of the yearbook staff. Thank you!
Any questions, please contact Mrs. Hatley ( c.hatley@sjschoolva.org )
Volunteer Opportunities
Library Helpers!


Consider volunteering your time to help in the library!

Volunteers are needed to help in the cafeteria and during recess! Get in on the action! Please remember that all volunteers must have completed the Child Protection program. If you have any questions about volunteering for recess/lunch, please contact Laura Stump at lstump@sjcherndon.org .
We appreciate your help!

Herndon/Reston Youth
Lacrosse and Baseball
Last Call!  Only a few days left to register for Herndon - Reston Youth Lacrosse!

What: Lacrosse - Fastest game on two feet.
Who: Boys & Girls – Ages 5 – 15 / Grades K – 8 / No Experience Required!
Where: Practices at Herndon High School or Herndon Middle School / Games throughout NoVA.
When: Practices are underway! Practices 2 days a week. 1 game on Saturday (Boys) or Sunday (Girls)
               
Games start the weekend of March 21/22 nd and run through June 6/7 th.

Register online at www.hrylax.org

Questions? Please contact Ann Duffey, aoduff@msn.com

Herndon Reston Youth Baseball (HRYB) is still open for registration and we want you to join us on the fields! Registration is ongoing at www.herndonbaseball.com . We will be having evaluations for players ages 8-12 on February 23rd, and first practices starting the week of March 16th. Games will start on March 28th. Come sign up and play with all of your friends.

We offer community based teams at the lower levels and offer drafted leagues at the upper levels. We are the only league in the area to offer a 50-70 house league that allows for our players to play like the pros and take leads and have pick offs. We offer a free introductory league for 3 and 4 year olds and have our Buddy Ball league for our players with special needs. We truly have a league for any player at any level.

We are a completely volunteer league and always looking for volunteers as well!

Prayer Leaders
pray_lettering.jpg
February 17: NO SCHOOL
February 18: Matos, C.
February 19: Matson, S. and P.
February 20: Mcarthy, T. and P.
February 21: McCallister, E.

February 24: Masten, K. and P.
February 25: McFarlane, C. and L.
February 26: McGill, J.
February 27: McGowan, C.
February 28: McGowan, G. and D.

Prayer leaders are to report to the library no later than 7:50 AM in order to appear on the morning news show. Parents are welcome to watch the live show.
Upcoming Events
February
February 21: Mass
February 26: Mass
February 26: Ash Wednesday
February 28: 11:30am Dismissal
March
March 2: Read Across America
March 4: Stations of the Cross
March 6: Coffee with the Principal
March 6: Mass
March 11: Stations of the Cross
March 13: 11:30am Dismissal
March 13: Mass
March 13: End of 2nd Trimester
March 16: NO SCHOOL
March 17: Spirit and Service
March 18: Stations of the Cross
March 19: 11:30am Dismissal
March 19: Mass - Feast of St. Joseph
March 20: Report Cards Issued
March 24: 8th Grade Confirmation Breakfast
March 24: 8th Grade Love Mass
March 25: 8th Grade Confessions
March 25: Stations of the Cross
March 27: Mass
March 27: Confirmation Rehearsal
March 28: Confirmation
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
Weekly Saints Quote
750 Peachtree Street, Herndon, VA 20170
Tel: 703-880-4350 Fax: 703-880-4320