Dear Parents-
On May 1 we celebrated the feast of St. Joseph the Worker, a feast established to celebrate the dignity of labor. Pope Francis reminds us that all workers provide essential services and that they “play an incomparable role in the history of salvation. A word of recognition and gratitude is due to them all.”
As we continue to celebrate the joys of this Easter Season, I ask that you keep our second grade students in your prayers as they complete final preparations leading up to their First Holy Communion on Saturday, May 7. Mrs. Moskowitz and Mrs. Davis have done a wonderful job preparing students for this special day, and Father Tom and Father David paid special visits over the last weeks to meet with students to discuss parts of the Mass and the vessels and vestments so important to the celebration of the Mass. Father David also invited the students to practice receiving communion with unconsecrated hosts so they are familiar with taste and texture before the important day.
I am very happy to share with you the very exciting news that Mrs. Jeannie Wright has been nominated for Northern Virginia Magazine's Teacher of the Year award. Northern Virginia magazine established this award to recognize the very best educators in our region. Top ten finalists and first place winner will be announced in October. Congratulations to Mrs. Wright!
With mixed emotions I share the following personnel announcements. After 17 years at SJS, Mrs. Nancy Tierney will resign her position as resource teacher as she has decided it is time for her to retire, effective at the end of the school year. In addition Mr. Neil O’Brien has resigned his position as PE teacher so that he can pursue other career options, also effective at the end of the school year. Mrs. Tierney and Mr. O’Brien will be greatly missed. Please keep them in your prayers as they embark on a new chapter in their lives.
Congratulations to Mrs. Sears, and all artists, on a very successful art show! The show saw great art and high energy, fueled by the excitement of just being able to do this– it’s been three years since the last in-person show! Kudos to Artome for meeting the needs of all art enthusiasts with both in-person and online shopping options.
Friday marked the half-way point in Trimester 3, and all grades on PowerSchool were updated. We are down to the last 26 days of the school year, and it is important to check grades and take advantage of the little time left and set goals to end the year strong. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher.
It has come to our attention that some students bring energy drinks to school, and have been sharing these drinks with classmates. Strong advice was issued for parents from the American Academy of Pediatrics: children and adolescents should never consume energy drinks. Energy drinks are not permitted in school.
We hope you are able to celebrate with us at Forks, Corks and Kegs on May 13. This will be our final PTO social event of the year, capping off our social event last August and Night of Hope in December. Forks, Corks and Kegs will be a great opportunity to support the outgoing PTO board and welcome in the new. Also, Friends of Bernie parking spaces will be for sale. Please join us for hors d'oeuvres, beverages, music and fellowship! See details below.
Raising respectful children is not easy, and Jill Rigby, in her book Raising Respectful Children in a Disrespectful World notes, “indulgence produces resentment, which leads to rebellion. Kids need parents who will teach them age-appropriate life skills, whether it is tying their shoes, cleaning their rooms or doing their own homework. They need parents who will teach and watch and wait, parents who have the patience to allow their children to struggle enough to learn a new skill.”
As always, your support is appreciated as we work to build character and raise behavioral expectations!
Pray for peace in the Ukraine.
Pray to St. Joseph for all your needs! (St. Teresa of Avila)
Denise Rutledge
Principal
Building Wisdom and Faith Through Service to God
