Dear Parents-
The
holy season of Lent
begins tomorrow. Although not a holy day of obligation, please feel welcome to join us at the school Mass tomorrow morning at 9:30. The reception of ashes is a symbol of how very sorry we are for our sins, and how we hope to share in the life of Christ. The ashes are also a public expression of our love for our faith.
Congratulations to Georgia H., 8
th
grade. She was the
National Geographic School Bee winner
. She has been notified by the National Geographic Society that
she is one of the semifinalists eligible to compete in the 2019 National Geographic GeoBee Virginia
State Competition. The contest will be held at Longwood University in Farmville, VA
on Friday, March 29, 2019. Georgia is the first student from St. Joseph Catholic School to advance to this level. We wish her the best of luck!
Coffee with the Principal is rescheduled for
Friday, March 15 at 8:30am
. We plan to discuss bullying and conflict, and hope to start the discussion on what the home-school partnership looks like, so that we are working together for the benefit of all the children. We want to identify what we “need” from each other to be successful at creating a safe climate. Please remember that this is not the forum to discuss any particular incident. If you have a private matter to discuss, please reach out to either myself, Mrs. Farrell or Mrs. Carson.
There has been some discussion on Facebook and other platforms regarding an internet user named Momo, who created the
“Momo Challenge.”
There is sufficient evidence to suggest that no injuries to children have resulted from this character. However, it creates an opportunity for parents to discuss appropriate use of the internet with their children. This challenge, whether real or not, should remind all parents to monitor what the children are exposed to when using the internet. Cyber-Safety experts urge all parents to control the children’s use of the internet in general, and social media in particular. Please see last week’s Bark for a link to best parental control apps for 2019.
The stranger danger rules that you established for your children when they were young, apply to the Internet
Trimester 2
ends on Friday, March 8, and students have a half-day of school. Monday, March 11 is a student holiday and report cards will go home on Friday, March 15. Just a reminder that the parent portal will close on Friday, March 8 at 9:00am, and will reopen Monday, March 18. If you have any questions on the parent portal, please contact Mrs. Pearce.
Parents of 6-8 grade students should have received an electronic communication from me detailing the upcoming presentation on the
Gift of Human Sexuality
.
In accordance with diocesan policy, this program is designed as an
opt-in
opportunity for parents and students. We recognize parents as the primary educators of children and we are privileged to work with you. With that idea, I invite parents of students in grades 6-8 to a presentation on Thursday March 14th at 7:00 p.m. in Hall A, where you will receive the information that will be presented to the students in class.
Don’t forget
SJS students entering PVI
as freshmen this fall can register on Wednesday, March 13, from 5:00-6:00pm in our library. We are grateful to Mrs. Hanley for scheduling this event for our students’ convenience.
Each time I bump into Mrs. Brenner in the hall, she has a new and intriguing auction item to talk about, whether it is an exotic trip or a ride in a police car, every single item is unique and fun! Mrs. Carson, Mrs. Lewis, Mrs. Pearce and myself have an exciting offering up our sleeves as well! Please consider joining us at the
Spring Fling and Auction on April 6
. Our appeal is for lighting and other classroom enhancements. Research on lighting in the classroom shows that it has a significant influence on student achievement. Studies show that students exposed to “daylight” lighting score up to 26% higher on math and reading achievement tests! (see Cheryn, S., Ziegler, S., Plaut, V., and Meltzoff, A. (2014). Designing Classrooms to Maximize Student Achievement.
Behavioral and Brain Sciences.
Retrieved from ilabs.washington.edu)
As always, please let me know if you have any questions.
Rejoice and Be Glad!
Denise Rutledge
Principal
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Annual Dinner and Auction - April 6
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We are 1 month away from our largest fundraiser! Did you buy your tickets, yet?
Take advantage of the "Early Bird" special!
Have a unique suggestion for an auction item that you’d love to see this year!? Reach out to Ryanne Brenner
ptofundraising@sjschoolva.org
with your ideas!
Please continue selling your “SJS Friends & Family” Raffle tickets. Thank you to all who have already turned yours into the front office!
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Auction Spotlight -- HOT Item Alert!
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There is nothing better than pulling a home cooked dinner out of the oven. Enjoy 9 home cooked dinners prepared by someone else and delivered to you! Each month, September 2019 through May 2020 the winner of the
“Monthly Family Dinner Delivery”
package will enjoy a gourmet dinner (including dessert), lovingly prepared by one of our
SJS chefs
.
Each
chef
will deliver dinner to your family (serving 6-8 people) to SJS (or other agreed upon location) for the winner to pick up on a mutually agreeable day during their assigned month.
You will enjoy 9 unique culinary experiences, loving prepared for you by one
of our own SJS families!
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Upcoming 1/2 Day and No School
March 8
:
11:30am Dismissal
March 11
:
No School (Professional Development Day)
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Daylight Savings Time - March 10
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Spring Forward! Don't forget to set your clocks one hour
ahead before you go to bed on Saturday night!
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Photos for Yearbook! Date Extended!
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Date has been extended!
Submit pictures by March 8th!
Want your pictures in the yearbook?
Share your p
hotos from SJS sports, Scouts, classroom activities,field trips, talent show, etc!
• If it does not automatically log you into the site, enter username: 412373674
• Browse to select the photo(s) you wish to upload.
• Enter information about the photo and provide contact information in case the staff needs additional information. Please include class or grade
• Click "Upload Chosen Images".
The Yearbook Staff will review all photos and determine final yearbook content. We cannot guarantee that all submissions can be used in the book.
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Blessing of the Baptismal Font
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This past weekend, we celebrated the blessing of the beautiful new
baptismal font!
Thank you to Fr. Tom, parishioners, Knights of Columbus, and all those involved in the planning
and oversight of this project!
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Celebrating the Lenten Season
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Check out this video! Ash Wednesday and Lent in 2 Minutes!
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Coffee with the Principal - New Date!
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Please join us on Friday,
March 15th at 8:30am
for coffee with the principal! Mrs. Rutledge, Father Tom, and 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.
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Garwood Whaley Honor Band Members
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Congratulations to our students who earned a seat in the Garwood Whaley Honor Band! St. Joseph Catholic School has the most members who are participating out of any school in the diocese (schools who participate in band programs)! Many of these students who remain in band through eighth grade go on to high school and participate in Marching Band and Concert Band. Thank you to Mr. Sawasky for your direction and instructional skills in preparing our students!
We are proud of our Saints!
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Senior Honor Band:
Cora T - 7 clarinet
Brigid M - 8 flute
Jack D - 8 trumpet
Paulette F - 8 trumpet
Caroline S - 8 percussion
Gerald F - 8 baritone
Griffin H - 8 bass clarinet
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Junior Honor Band:
Amelia H - 6 alto sax
Reagan G - 5 trumpet
Emilia V - 5 trumpet
Ryan G - 6 trombone
Hailey G - 6 flute
Marcella M - 5 flute
Khang L - 5 clarinet
Avery A - 5 clarinet
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Congratulations to Our Cub Scout Pack and District Pinewood Derby Winners!
St. Joseph Cub Scout Pack 913 had over 80 participants at our annual Pinewood Derby Race, Design, and Bake-Off competition. Congratulations to the following Scout winners:
AOLs (5
th Grade)
- Khang L., Ken V., Koen F., Paul M.
Webelos (4
th Grade)
- Aiden W., Patrick M., Jackson K., Liam C., William C., Nic P.
Bears (3
rd Grade)
- Chase K., Liam M., Lucas S., Daniel K.
Wolves (2
nd Grade)
- Tommy B., Gavin W., Scottie G., William M., Mason M., Derek P.
Tigers (1
st Grade)
- Luke L., Nathan D., Sebastian P., Liem L., Charlie G.
Lions (Kindergarten)
- Thomas M., Liam B., Edward G., Jake W.
Bake Off Pack 913 Champion - Liem L.
and
Race Pack 913 Champion - Tommy B.
Additional congratulations to go out to our Scouts who went on and competed at the Powhatan District Championship last weekend:
Tiger Race 1
st
Place - Luke L;
Wolf Race 1
st
Place – Tommy B;
Webelos Bake Off 3
rd
Place – Liam C!
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March Madness - Volunteers Needed
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It's March Madness on Peachtree Street!
Parent Volunteer Referee Needed
for
5th - 8th Grade In-school Basketball Tournament
Starting 2/26 until 3/22....and then the final!
Time Slots slots are
:
7th grade - Tuesdays - 10:37 - 12:07
8th grade - Tuesdays - 1:37 - 3:07
5th grade - Thursdays - 9:45 - 11:15
6th Grade - Fridays - 12:45 - 2:15
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Gift of Human Sexuality: Grades 6-8th
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Parents of 6-8 grade students should have received an electronic communication from me detailing the upcoming presentation on the
Gift of Human Sexuality
.
In accordance with diocesan policy, this program is designed as an
opt-in
opportunity for parents and students. We recognize parents as the primary educators of children and we are privileged to work with you. With that idea, I invite parents of students in grades 6-8 to a
presentation for parents to be held on Thursday March 14th at 7:00 p.m
. in Hall A for you to receive the information that will be presented to the students in class.
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Mark your calendars!
The SJS Cheerleading camp, coached by Miss Denneny and Mrs. Morrison,
will be held the week
of
June 17-21
from 9:00am-12:00pm in the gym.
All rising 1st through 8th graders are welcome to attend!
Registration will open in April and a cheer spot
will be auctioned off at the Spring Fling
!
Stay tuned for more details!
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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!
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Want to volunteer? Help make lunch and recess fun and safe for our children. Click the link below to learn more and sign up.
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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:
March 4: Brown K
March 5: Brown D, G, I
March 6: Brown L
March 7: Brown A
March 8: Brown F
March 11: No School
March 12: Bruno G, D
March 13: Burdick W, E
March 14: Burns M
March 15: Butler S
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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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March
March 6 -
Morning Rehearsal for Advanced Band
March 6 - Band Practice - Beginner and Advanced
March 6 - Mass Ash Wednesday
March 8 - End of Trimester 2
March 8 - 11:30am Dismissal (Teacher Workday)
March 11 - No School
March 12 - 8th Grade Love Mass
March 12 - 8th Grade Breakfast
March 13 -
Morning Rehearsal for Advanced Band
March 13 - Band Practice - Beginner and Advanced
March 15 - Coffee with the Principal
March 15 - Report cards issued
March 15 - Stations of the Cross
March 15 - 8th Grade Confirmation Rehearsals
March 15 - Mass
March 16 - 8th Grade Confirmation
March 19 - Mass - St. Joseph Feast Day
March 20 -
Morning Rehearsal for Advanced Band
March 20 - Band Practice - Beginner and Advanced
March 22 - Kindergarten Noah's Ark Program
March 22 - Stations of the Cross
March 27 -
Morning Rehearsal for Advanced Band
March 27 - Band Practice - Beginner and Advanced
March 29 - Stations of the Cross
March 29 - Mass
April
April 2 - Lenten Confessions
April 3 - Lenten Confessions
April 3 -
Morning Rehearsal for Advanced Band
April 3 - Band Practice - Beginner and Advanced
April 5 - Stations of the Cross
April 5 - Mass
April 5 - Coffee with the Principal
April 6 - Annual Spring Fling Dinner and Auction
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750 Peachtree Street, Herndon, VA 20170
Tel: 703-880-4350 Fax: 703-880-4320
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