August 20, 2021
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Dear Parents-

On August 12, the Governor of Virginia released an order from the State Health Commissioner requiring all individuals aged two and older to wear masks when indoors at public and private K-12 schools in Virginia. Within this directive is the language, "Any person who declines to wear a mask because of a medical condition or any person with a sincerely held religious objection to wearing masks in school may request a reasonable accommodation." 

Yesterday, the Diocese of Arlington, in complying with the state mandate, created the tools by which such accommodations could be requested. The medical form can be accessed here and the religious form here. 

To be clear, The Catholic faith does not provide a basis for such an objection, and a reasonable accommodation for masks does not mean a child will have complete exemption from COVID-19 protocols. No student will be excused from complying with safety protocols for either religious or medical reasons. 

If a student/ family has a sincerely held religious objection to masks, the school will propose a reasonable accommodation based on the information provided on the request and all relevant circumstances in the school. If the accommodation proposed by the school is not acceptable to the family, the student will not be permitted to attend the school until the state's mask mandate is lifted. 

Any family requesting a religious accommodation will be required to meet with the principal and pastor to identify the conflict that exists between mask wearing and the student's religious beliefs, and identify reasonable accommodations.
 
Similar criteria must be met for parents seeking a medical accommodation. If a student has a medical issue, the school will provide, when possible, a reasonable accommodation based on the recommendations of the student's licensed health care provider. 

Any family requesting an accommodation will be required to meet with the principal and pastor to identify the medical concerns and identify reasonable accommodations. If the accommodation proposed by the school is not acceptable to the family, the student will not be permitted to attend the school until the state's mask mandate is lifted. 

Accommodations are not granted as a matter of course, and no student may attend school without a mask until resolution of the accommodation request. 

Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. 

Pray to St. Joseph for all your needs!   (St. Teresa of Avila)

Denise Rutledge
Principal
Building Wisdom and Faith Through Service to God
Click HERE for COVID accommodation full letter
COVID-19 Mask Update
The State Health Commissioner issued an order requiring all individuals aged two and older to wear masks when indoors at public and private K-12 schools in Virginia, effective Thursday, August 12.

Under the direction of the SJS school administration, the Office of Catholic Schools and the Chancery of the Arlington Diocese, all students, faculty and staff must wear a mask while indoors regardless of vaccination status, and until further notice.

The SJS Reopen Plan is amended and updated to reflect the current health emergency.
Bring Waiver for 1st Day of School!
The St. Joseph Catholic School reopening plan was shared with all families last week. No plan can eliminate all risk, and while administration, faculty and staff of St. Joseph Catholic School will exercise all reasonable precautions, parents assume the risk of sending their children to school.

All parents are required to sign a waiver indicating an acceptance of the risks of sending children to school this fall. Access the waiver here, print it and bring it with you on the first day of school. By completing the waiver, you agree to assume the risks associated with sending your child to school during the pandemic. Additionally you agree to complete the daily health screening found on the CDC website.
School Start Dates
Welcome Back!!
August 23 First Day of School:
Grades 1, 3, 5, 7 ONLY
8:00-11:30AM
No Extended Day 

August 24 First Day of School:
Grades K, 2, 4, 6, and 8 ONLY
8:00-11:30AM
No Extended Day

August 25-27 First Full Days of School: ALL GRADES
8:00AM-3:15PM
Extended Day available until 6:00PM
Attendance
For any planned absence, absence due to illness or family emergency, late arrivals, or early dismissals, please email the attendance office and the classroom/homeroom teacher.  

The attendance office's new email:  attendance@sjschoolva.org

Also, please keep in mind that per the parent/student handbook, the latest early dismissal time is 2:15 for a full day and 11:00 for a half-day. 
Back to School Nights
Back to School Nights

Grades 2-6 (Virtual): August 25 @ 7:00PM presentation repeated at 7:30PM. Encore Teachers, Resource Teachers and Counselor available 8:00-8:20PM Links to be provided.

Grade 7 (Virtual): August 31 @ 7:00PM. Encore Teachers, Resource Teachers, Counselor available 8:00-8:20PM Link to be provided

Grade 8 (Virtual): September 1 @ 7:00PM. Encore Teachers, Resource Teachers, Counselor available 8:00-8:20PM Link to be provided
SJS Spirit Wear
Get your spirit wear! We have several spirit wear dress out days
throughout the year - you don't want to miss out!

The store closes on September 13 and all orders will be
delivered to SJS on October 8th. Also, the black 1/4 zip pullover is an approved uniform piece and can be worn in place of the uniform sweater.
All other items below are considered spirit gear and can be
worn at school on designated days!



Or use the QR code below to order!
Recess Volunteers Needed!
Please consider volunteering for recess! We ask that recess volunteers are fully COVID-19 vaccinated and masks are required. Volunteers should also be compliant with the child protection program.

Interested?
Please contact Ms. Karen Settelmaier at k.settelmaier@sjschoolva.org

Thank you!
PTO Corner








TONIGHT!!
PTO Sponsored
Drinks & Lite Bites

We look forward to seeing you on
August 20 from 5-7pm for a
school community adult event!
Pack 913 Kick Off Meeting
St. Joseph Parish Pack 913 Kick-Off Pack Meeting – Water Boats and more!
 
Welcome to the first Pack meeting of our 2021-22 Cub Scout school year! Our St Joseph Parish Cub Scouts will be meeting on Saturday, August 28th, 4-6:30pm @ our St. Joseph Parish track and athletic field. Scouts will be building and launching WATER BOATS with their Dens. Scout should wear their Class “B” scouting activity shirt or any other scouting, school spirit, or patriotic t-shirt. Lawn chairs recommended. Pack Social Distancing guidelines will be observed.
 
New potential Cub Scouts in Kindergarten through 5th grade are welcome to join. Students in any of these grades may join the pack any time throughout the school year. Also, look for a future announcement for our virtual Join Scouts Night to be held on September 13th 7:00-8:00pm. New families wishing to attend either event should contact Steve Bailey at chairperson@pack913.com if interested.  
Upcoming Events
AUGUST

August 20: PTO Sponsored Drinks and Lite Bites (Adults only)
August 23: First Day of School for Grades 1, 3, 5, and 7 ONLY
August 23: 11:30am Dismissal
August 23: No Extended Day available
August 24: First Day of School for Grades K, 2, 4, 6, and 8 ONLY
August 24: 11:30am Dismissal
August 24: No Extended Day available
August 25: Full Day of School (ALL GRADES) 8:00am-3:15pm
August 25: Afternoon Extended Day available until 6:00pm
August 25: Back to School Night for Grades 2-6 (For parents - Virtual)
August 26: Full Day of School (All Grades) 8:00am-3:15pm
August 26: Afternoon Extended Day available until 6:00pm
August 27: Full Day of School (All Grades) 8:00am-3:15pm
August 27: Afternoon Extended Day available until 6:00pm
August 27: School Mass
August 31: Back to School Night for Grade 7 (Virtual)

SEPTEMBER

September 1: Back to School Night for Grade 8 (Virtual)
September 3: School Mass
September 3: 11:30am Dismissal
September 3: NO Afternoon Extended Day
September 6: NO SCHOOL (Labor Day)
September 10: School Mass
September 13: SCANTRON Week (Sept. 13-17)
September 17: School Mass
September 20: SCANTRON Week 2 (Sept. 20-24)
September 24: 11:30am Dismissal
September 24: Extended Day available until 6:00pm
September 27: SCANTRON Week 3 (Sept. 27-Oct. 1)
Stay Connected!




Don't forget to follow the official St. Joseph Catholic School Facebook page (sjschoolva), Twitter account (@sjschoolva), and download the mobile app from the App Store (St. Joseph Catholic School, VA)
St. Joseph Catholic School
750 Peachtree Street
Herndon, VA. 20170