We welcome Mrs. Mary Ann Tarbell to the faculty. Mrs. Tarbell will teach 7th and 8th grade language arts, 7th grade social studies and 7 Red homeroom. Mrs. Tarbell has 7 years experience, having taught English for Prince George's County Public Schools, Prince William County Public Schools and Alexandria City Public Schools. Mrs. Tarbell earned a bachelor’s degree in Communications and Media Studies from Edinboro University (PA), a master’s degree in English from Gannon University (PA) and a master’s degree in English Education from Edinboro University (PA). She holds a VA Postgraduate Professional License in English, as well as English as a second language.

Mrs. Lynn Zimney moves from 3 Blue to work remotely, and act as the liaison for our Distance Learning families, grades K-8. While parents can always reach out to their child’s classroom teacher, parents should call upon Mrs. Zimney for logistics questions that arise for distance learners. Additionally, Mrs. Zimney will collaborate with classroom teachers to provide support instruction for distance learner students in grades 1-4.

Miss Maggie Allbright joins the faculty as 3 Blue teacher. Miss Allbright is new to the teaching profession, having earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Liberty University (VA) and a master’s degree in elementary education, anticipated August 2020, from Grand Canyon University (online). Virginia teacher certification to follow.

Mrs. Nancy Tierney will support our distance learning students remotely by providing instructional support for learning resource distance learners in grades K-5 and study skills/organizational support for distance learners in K-8. Mrs. Tierney will collaborate with classroom teachers to support distance students’ needs.

Mrs. Karen Tiufekchiev will move from Kindergarten instructional assistant to remote teaching, and will support the learning needs of our distance learning kindergarten students. Mrs. Tiufekchiev will collaborate closely with the Kindergarten team of teachers, and she will be available to reteach content, and support the learning needs of our youngest students.

Mrs. Mary Bilbo moves to a hybrid teaching schedule providing live in-person instruction three days per week to 7th and 8th grades students in Literature and Math. Two days per week, Mrs. Bilbo will provide live-streamed instruction to the 7th and 8th grades students. An instructional assistant will support the students in the classroom on the two days Mrs. Bilbo teaches remotely.

Mr. Eric Boyd moves to a remote teaching platform. Mr. Boyd will live-stream instruction for all his classes. He will be available for additional support for both distance learners and in-person learners on a scheduled basis. Mrs. Lisa Carson will provide support for Mr. Boyd’s in-person classes.

Mrs. Catherine Morrison moves from 5th and 6th grade instructional assistant to provide instructional support for distance learning students in grades 5-8. Mrs. Morrison will collaborate with classroom teachers to support distance students’ needs.

I also announce the sad news that Mr. Mark Sawasky has resigned his position with Garwood-Whaley Music. Mr. Sawasky is an amazing band director, and he will be greatly missed. The Garwood-Whaley leadership is working to hire a new band director for SJS. I will pass along information as it is made available.

 Building Wisdom and Faith Through Service to God

Please make sure that masks have multiple layers. One layer of material is not sufficient. Also, no fleece masks!

The type of fabric and layers on a mask are key in stopping the spread of COVID-19.

The PTO is actively working on a date and time for those that pre-ordered school supplies. As soon as we have more information, we will share it with our families!

In need of used uniforms? Contact pto@sjschoolva.org

Here are a few things to think about & prepare:

o Make sure you provide the nurse & front office with a reliable list of emergency contacts for your child in case of an emergency/or your child needs to be picked up from school due to illness. Your emergency contact should be able to pick up your child(ren) within an hour or less

o AUGUST is National Immunization Awareness Month: Make sure your child is up-to date on their immunization if applicable and schedule any appointments that can done prior to school reopening; decreased disruption especially during the first few weeks of school will help reduce any stress associated with adjusting to the “new normal”

You can read the full updated document from CDC by clicking on this link: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/parent-checklist.html

For all school health related forms, please visit the nurses’ page on the St. Joseph Catholic School website

ALL parents & guardians, please read the SJS Allergy plan in its entirety on the nurses’ page. It also lists all the required allergy, asthma & over-the-counter forms that need to be submitted with your child’s medications for your convenience

*****As you plan ahead for your child’s school lunches: Please remember that our classes are peanut/nut -free and since we will be eating lunch in the classroom during this pandemic we ask that your child does not pack any food with peanuts/nuts or maybe manufactured in a peanut/nut facility for the safety of those with a life-threating peanut/nut allergy. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation at this time

The VDH/VDOE are reminding schools to have parents start now to schedule their child's required immunization appointments as well as their commonwealth school health entrance physicals as appropriate. Click here for the health form and more information on Tdap, HPV, and Meningococcal.

Our St Joseph Parish Pack 913 derby winners recently competed virtually against 18 other Powhatan District Cub Scout unit winners. Congratulations to the following Pack 913 Powhatan District Derby and Bake-off Winners for their District wins:

·        1^st place Lions (Kindergarten) - Declan W.

·        1^st place Bears (3^rd Grade) - Tommy B.

·        2^nd place AOLs (5^th Grade) - Aiden W.

·        3^rd place AOLs (5^th Grade) - Seth T.

 Baking Contest:

·        1^st place Bears (3^rd Grade) - Derek P.

·        2^nd place AOLs (5^th Grade) - Nick P.

We are very proud of all our Cub Scouts’ hard work and creativity put forth in their cars and delicious baking designs. For more information on safe Cub Scouting at St. Joseph Parish, please contact chairperson@pack913.com.

*August 26 - First Day of School (Three grade levels per day)

*August 27 - First Day of School (Three grade levels per day)

*August 28 - First Day of School (Three grade levels per day)

Tianna Williams © https://ti-design.ca/