January 30, 2020
Greetings!

As we start to wrap up another exciting Catholic Schools Week, we are looking ahead to experiences for students to continue sharing their faith throughout the summer months.

Each summer, CJ provides faith-centered and service-learning experiences to students to   help them grow in their faith to serve those who are less fortunate. This summer, we are excited to offer the following experiences:

  • Taos, New Mexico (June 7-12, $1,400 - $1,500 depending on airfare, limit of 13 students in current grades 10-12). This mission trip experience is designed to immerse 13 students in direct community service at the Taos Pueblo (a Native American reservation, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in North America). Students will spend their time working with Preschool Native American children at the Taos Pueblo Head Start program and participate in agricultural and community restoration projects designed to enhance the quality of life at the Pueblo. Applications are available in Ministry & Service and are due back Friday, Feb. 7.

  • Solsberry, Indiana (June 8-12, $300, limit of 14 students, open to all grades). This rural plunge experience gives students the opportunity to work with local partnerships during the day, to share in reflection and prayer in the evening, and to have a lot of fun in-between. Students from Moeller High School will also join in this mission experience with CJ. Applications are available in Ministry & Service and are due back Friday, Feb. 7.

  • Student Leadership Conference - Boston - sponsored by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur (June 28 - July 2, $275, limit of eight students in grades 10 & 11) Rising juniors and seniors will gather with students from other SNDdeN schools around the country to explore such topics as leadership styles, social justice outreach, communication, event planning and more. In addition to meeting other students and some of the sisters, participants will also have some time to explore the city of Boston. Applications are available in Ministry & Service and are due back Friday, Feb. 7. 

  • Mega LIFE Week (July 13 - 19, $275, limit of 12 students in grades 10 & 11). LIFE Week allows students to grow in their relationship with God and to be faith leaders in their home schools. This year is a special year for LIFE, because it is a celebration of 50 years of LIFE and instead of three different LIFE weeks (Texas, California, Ohio), there will be one LIFE program for all in San Antonio, Texas. Applications are available in Ministry & Service and are due back Friday, Feb. 7.

  • Steubenville Youth Conference (June 26 - 28, $265, limit of 14 students, open to all grades). Students are invited to experience the love of God in a new and more profound way through the Steubenville Youth Conference. The conference program includes daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, internationally-known speakers, and small group discussions. Applications are available in Ministry & Service and are due back Friday, Feb. 7.

First payments for each trip are also due Friday, Feb. 7. Additional information, including applications, about each mission trip is available on the  CJ website   .

Kelli Kinnear, Director of Ministry & Service |  email
COMMUNITY UPDATES

Capstone Collects Books in Correlation with Catholic Schools Week More >

Share the News - Last Call for Hoopla STEM Teacher of the Year Nominations More >

Celebrating Catholic Schools Week 2020 More >
SOCIAL MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS 
Jeffrey Wall '23 was featured on the local news for the work he does outside of the classroom. More >

Eagles attended the all-area Catholic Schools Week Mass at St. Luke. More >

JBN
Congratulations to this week's JBN Student of the Week - Clayton Schommer '21! More >
NEWS   
PARENTS
ISM Parent Survey - PARENT REMINDER
If your family has already participated in our recent parent survey, conducted by ISM, a professional consulting group for private schools, thank you. If your family has not participated yet, there is still time to take part in this survey (one survey per family, please). ISM will compile information from the parent survey, as well as surveys from our Trustees, faculty and staff, and students, to help provide the school with the fullest picture possible of the CJ experience.

Dan Meixner '84, President | email

Thank You!
The faculty and staff thank those who generously donated desserts for the faculty/staff luncheon to celebrate Catholic Schools Week on Thursday! We all enjoyed a wonderful lunch and the desserts were a great way to finish a community meal. We appreciate the wonderful parents who share their students with us and the support you give to our faculty and staff on a daily basis. Happy Catholic Schools Week!

Kelly Muhl, Administrative Assistant |  email
2018-2019 Yearbooks Available for Purchase
If your child missed the opportunity to purchase a 2018-2019 yearbook, there are extras available for purchase. The cost is $65. Yearbooks can be purchased online here or with cash in the business office.

Dan Eiser, Yearbook Moderator | email
MINISTRY & SERVICE
From the Chaplain's Office
Save the Date
On Wednesday, Apr. 1, we will celebrate our first Grandparents Mass and Reception from 8:15-10 a.m. Students will be able to invite their grandparents or other special relative to attend Mass together and then enjoy coffee and donuts. More information will be coming soon.

Fr. Bob Jones, SM, School Chaplain | email
GUIDANCE OFFICE & OPPORTUNITIES
College Credit Plus 2020-2021 Parent/Student Meeting - LAST CALL
Thursday, Jan. 30 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Cafeteria
College Credit Plus is a program that allows high school students to earn high school and college credit simultaneously for courses taken during high school. This includes courses taken at a public college, online through a public college, and courses taught at CJ that have been certified by a college. The college credit is free.
You are invited to attend an informational meeting where representatives from Wright State University and Sinclair Community College will answer questions. The meeting is Thursday, Jan. 30 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. in the cafeteria. Please enter through entrance 17 near the cafeteria.

Re-enrollment for Returning Students
Registration packets were mailed Thursday, Jan. 23. These packets contain all the information needed to register your student for the 2020-2021 school year. The packet includes important information regarding tuition, financial aid awards, summer courses, a timeline of important dates, steps to complete the online Emergency Medical Form , fee schedules, and much more. Please review this information as soon as possible. If you have questions about tuition and billing, please contact Katie Malloy . If you have questions about the online emergency medical form, please contact Emily Saunders . The online emergency medical form and registration fee of $200 are due by Friday, Mar. 13.

Course Selection for Returning Students
Students in grades 9-11 received their course recommendations last week. Students and parents are asked to review these recommendations and discuss what courses your child would like to request for the 2020-2021 school year. One thing that should be considered is participation in College Credit Plus. To find out more information about CCP, please attend an information session on Thursday, Jan. 30 at 6:30 p.m. in the cafeteria.

ACT Testing
All juniors will take the actual ACT test on Tuesday, Mar. 10 from 8 a.m. - 12:30 pm. This test is paid for by the state of Ohio and will result in college reportable scores. It is important for juniors to prepare for this test both mentally and physically by getting enough rest and eating breakfast before the test. Juniors should review  these pre-test items  before the March ACT test day. All juniors need to report to school on Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 8 a.m. to complete the pre-test items.

Parent Teacher Conferences
Thursday, Feb. 20 | 4-6 p.m.
Second semester parent-teacher conferences will be Thursday, Feb. 20 from 4-6 p.m. Parents will be able to sign up for conferences online starting Thursday, Feb. 13 at 3 p.m. continuing through Wednesday, Feb. 19. at 12 p.m. Directions for signing up for conferences will be mailed to parents on Thursday, Feb. 7. 

Class of 2021 - IMPORTANT COLLEGE INFORMATION
Common App Prompts
Essay Prompts  will not change for the 2020-2021 Common App. Current juniors should start thinking about which prompt works best for them and tells their story. One goal is to think of how the essay makes the student stand out from others and tells why a college should want them on their campus. The Common App will open for the class of 2021 on August 1, 2020. The first big application deadline for the class of 2021 is November 1 (some schools are sooner) so students should plan in advance.
Upcoming Events 
Juniors will participate in a college campus visit day and counselors will visit their English classes during the month of March. Counselors will go over what things to look for and questions to ask during college visits. The dates are still being finalized and will be available soon. 
Virtual College Tours
Students and parents are encouraged to "look" at a campus and do some research before they actually head out to visit these colleges in person. Many schools have  virtual tours  and almost every college posts their stats for admissions acceptance percentages by GPA, test score, income, amount of financial aid, and so much more. Students and parents are encouraged to use their  Naviance Student  account to explore colleges and see how they compare to other CJ students that have been accepted to all types of different colleges.

Emily Saunders, Administrative Assistant | email

Summer Art and Gym Courses
Students interested in taking summer gym or art courses may register now for these classes. Additional information can be found under the academics section of the CJ website .

Steve Fuchs, Assistant Principal | email
ATHLETICS
Athletic Accomplishments:
Congratulations to the following teams:
  • Men's & Women's Swimming: The men's and women's swimming team received high accolades at the GCL Championship. You can see some of the results from the men's team here and the women's team here.
  • Wrestling: At the Eaton Invitational, several players earned spots on the podium for their weight class including David Frederick, Marquel Henry, Roman Jones, Nick Machuca and Chris Rau.

Women's Lacrosse Conditioning
Wednesdays and Thursdays | SCC
Women's lacrosse tryouts are less than a month away! Players interested in participating are encouraged to attend upcoming conditioning sessions:
  • Strengthening sessions with Coach Mel: Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
  • Open turf time with the coaches: Wednesdays and Thursdays from 7:30-9 p.m.
New players interested in giving lacrosse a try are asked to contact Coach Cash first.

Danielle Cash, Head Women's Lacrosse Coach | email

CJ Fish Fry
Saturday, Mar. 21 | 6 -11 p.m.
Online registration is now available for the CJ Fish Fry — Saturday, Mar. 21 from 6-11 p.m. If you would like to volunteer to set up, clean up, or help during the event, please contact Laurie Cross.
There are no printed tickets for admission. Online pre-sale registration is $18 and is available on the   CJ website ,  while admission at the door is $20. See you there!

Laurie Cross, Blue Green Club |  email

Upcoming Varsity Competitions
Men's Basketball
  • Friday, Jan. 30 at McNicholas - 7:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Feb. 4 vs. LaSalle - 7:30 p.m.
Women's Basketball
  • Saturday, Feb. 1 at Purcell Marian - 1:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Feb. 5 vs. Fenwick - 7:30 p.m.
Bowling
  • Tuesday, Feb. 4 at McNicholas - 4 p.m.
  • Thursday, Feb. 6 vs. Fenwick - 4 p.m.
Wrestling
  • Friday, Jan. 30 - Dual vs. Oakwood
  • Saturday, Feb. 1 - Double Dual vs. Butler/Centerville

Jeremy Greenleaf, Director of Athletics | email
CALENDAR REMINDERS  
CJ Spirit Store
Updated Hours
Uniform tops and approved sweatshirts, as well as CJ spirit items, can be purchased through the CJ Spirit Shop on select days during the school year, including:  
  • Thursday, Feb. 6 | 4-7 p.m. (Priority Course Selection Day - special location in the band room).
  • Friday, Feb. 7 | 5:30-8 p.m. (Hall of Fame - men's basketball vs Roger Bacon)

Sweatshirts are currently fully stocked. Items from the CJ Spirit Store may also be purchased through the online link on the  CJ website . Please note — items ordered through the online store may take two-three weeks to be completed.

Don MacLeod, CJ Spirit Store Manager |  email
Parent Dances - LAST CALL
Friday, Jan. 31 and Saturday, Feb. 1 | 8-10:30 p.m. | Bainbridge Hall
The Father/Daughter dance will be Friday, Jan. 31 and the Mother/Son dance will be Saturday, Feb. 1 from 8-10:30 p.m. at Bainbridge Hall. The cost is $24 per couple and tickets will only be sold at the door. Parents and children can choose to dress up for this year's theme: Dynamic Duos ( Minnie & Mickey Mouse, Batman & Robin, Chocolate & Peanut Butter, etc... be creative!)

Angela Ruffolo, Teacher |  email
April 2020 Kairos, 2020-2021 FLIGHT and Little Sibs - LAST CALL
Applications Due Monday, Feb. 3
Applications are available in the Ministry & Service office for current juniors wishing to attend the April Kairos and students wishing to be part of Little Sibs or FLIGHT for the 2020-2021 school year. Little Sibs applications are available for current sophomores and juniors and FLIGHT applications are available for current juniors. All applications are due to Ministry & Service by Monday, Feb. 3. More information about these programs are available under the Catholic Faith section of the CJ website. (April Kairos - here , FLIGHT - here , and Little Sibs - here ).

Kelli Kinnear, Director of Ministry & Service |   email
Senior Trip Parent Meeting - LAST CALL
Monday, Feb. 3 | 7 p.m. | Auditorium
For those attending the senior trip, there will be a mandatory parent/guardian meeting on Monday, Feb. 3 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium.

Angela Ruffolo, Teacher |  email
No ELC - LAST CALL
Thursday, Feb. 6
There will be no ELC on Thursday, Feb. 6 due to Priority Course Selection Day. Students need to make ride arrangements to leave the building no later than 3:30 p.m.

Marcus Colvin, Acting Director of Student Services | email
School Schedule Change
Friday, Feb. 14 - No School
There will be no school on Friday, Feb. 14. This is due to the CJ community going above and beyond their item and monetary goals during Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week in the fall. This will be an extension to the already scheduled day off, Monday, Feb. 17, in honor of President's Day. The building will be closed on both of these days. School will resume on Tuesday, Feb. 18.

Greg Mueller, Principal |    email
Spring Sports Parent Meeting
Tuesday, Feb. 18 | 7 p.m. | CJ Auditorium
A meeting for parents of spring student athletes will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium.  

Jeremy Greenleaf, Director of Athletics | email
ACT Bootcamp —  REGISTER NOW
February 28 - March 1
CJ is partnering with Tutors Across America to offer a bootcamp for students to prepare for the ACT test. The bootcamp is directed towards juniors but sophomores are invited as well. The bootcamp will run February 28 - March 1. More details and registration information may be found on this flyer .

Steve Fuchs, Assistant Principal |  email
Honors Awards Ceremony -    SAVE THE DATE
Wednesday, May 6 | 7 p.m. | CJ Auditorium
The Honors Awards Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, May 6 at 7 p.m. in the CJ auditorium. Invitations will be mailed closer to the event but ask families to save the date in advance for this wonderful evening.

Emily Saunders, Administrative Assistant | email
Women's Soccer Assistant Coach Opportunity
CJ is seeking an assistant coach for the women's soccer team. Additional details about the position are available on the CJ website . Contact Dave Burrows with any questions.

Dave Burrows, Women's Soccer Head Coach | email
COMMUNITY BULLETIN  
Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur Events
The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur are hosting two upcoming public events:

Celebrating Sr. Dorothy Stang, SNDdeN '49
Tuesday, Feb. 4 | St. Rita Catholic Parish | 7 p.m.
This year will be the 15th anniversary of the death of Sr. Dorothy Stang, SNDdeN '49. There will be a a special presentation featuring Samuel Clements from the film, "The Student, the Nun & the Amazon" presented on Tuesday, Feb. 4. Samuel will share how Sr. Dorothy's defense of the rain forest and advocacy for the rights of the poor helped shape his current career helping create a sustainable and climate-smart society. RSVPs are requested by Thursday, Jan. 30 and cam be completed here .

Morning of Spirituality
Saturday, Feb. 8 | 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Mt. Notre Dame Spirituality Center - Cincinnati
All are invited for a morning of prayer and reflection with Sr. Kathleen Harmon, SNDdeN. In every celebration of the Mass, Christ takes us into himself and we become one, with him in Eucharist for others. Those wishing to attend are asked to register online here .

Sr. Marie Smith, SNDdeN | email

Encounter - Open to High School Students
Sunday, Feb. 9 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | Ascension Parish (2025 Woodman Dr., Kettering)
Encounter seeks to gather teens from across the Archdiocese for an evening of worship, a keynote, confession, and small group time. Encounter is open to all high school teens. Encounter is a free event — pizza and snacks will be provided.

Tim O'Loughlin, Religion Teacher |  email

Dayton Sister City Opportunity - PARENT INVOLVEMENT
The City of Dayton has a Sister City in Augsburg, Germany. This relationship goes back more than 60 years and is connected to the Dayton Sister City program. CJ has been involved with the Dayton Sister City Program over the last decade. From April 16-26, 18 students from Jakob Fugger Gymnasium will visit Dayton and CJ. I am looking for host families during this time period. This is a great opportunity to get involved, a chance to learn a foreign language and gain an international perspective as in 2021, students will have the opportunity to be involved in the exchange and travel to Augsburg. If you are interested in hosting, please have your student stop by to see me or feel free to email me.

Tony Ricciuto, Social Studies Teacher | email