Dear Parents-
It seems so fitting that we open the school year near the memorial of St. Clare, founder of the Order of Poor Ladies. St. Clare was one of the first followers of St. Francis of Assisi, and they are considered to have been good friends, both determined to live a life in poverty. St. Clare is credited with performing many miracles both during her life and after. After her death in 1253, the Order of Poor Ladies was renamed Order of St. Clare, referred to now, as the Poor Clares. St. Clare was canonized on September 26, 1255 by Pope Alexander IV.
As we get ready to start the school year, I am happy to introduce new faculty members.
As previously announced, Mr. George Pierson joins our faculty as our new PE teacher. Mr. Pierson is a former Division 1 football player from Kansas State University (KS), where he earned a bachelor’s degree in communications with a minor in leadership. He has spent his career in fitness education working most recently as strength and conditioning coach, Underground Athlete, George Mason University. Mr. Pierson is currently working towards a Virginia teaching license in physical education.
Mrs. Karina Lee joins the faculty as our music teacher. Mrs. Lee has five years teaching experience, most recently teaching K-8 music and art at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School in Falls Church, VA. Mrs. Lee earned a bachelor’s degree in music education from Adelphi University (NY) and she holds a Professional Educator's license in K-12 Music.
Sra. Maria DeCastra joins our faculty as our Spanish grades 5-8. Sra. DeCastra has seven years teaching experience, most recently teaching high school Spanish at Cortona Academy in Herndon, VA. Sra. DeCastra earned a bachelor’s degree in human development and learning with a concentration in elementary education from Saint Agustin University (Peru) and a master’s degree in communication from St. Mary’s University (Peru).
We also welcome Mrs. Maura Culligan, who joins the faculty as our computer teacher. Mrs. Culligan is well-known to our community as a long-time and active parent volunteer in our school. Mrs. Culligan holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial (Systems) Engineering from Lehigh University. She is currently pursuing an Educational Technology certificate at James Madison University.
Brother Kolbe also joins our staff as a part-time instructional assistant in 3rd grade as he prepares to pursue coursework in elementary education.
In addition to new staff, several returning staff members have taken on new positions, some teachers even reporting that they are in their dream jobs…and that has a tremendous benefit for all our students! A complete list of faculty and staff can be found on the website. Please keep all our new staff as well as our returning staff in your prayers as they take on the new school year.
Parents are reminded that the last day to access RAZ kids for summer reading practice for rising 1st grader - rising 4th grade students will be Friday, August 12th. After that date, Mrs. Tauscher will begin to transfer students to their new grade level account. During that transition time, students will not be able to access their accounts temporarily. New login information will be shared during the first few weeks of school by your child's new homeroom teacher. Rising 4th grade students will be transitioned out of RAZ kids.
School is opening without the burden of COVID, the calendar is filling up fast. Please access the most accurate and up-to-date calendar on the school website, and in the Bark. The calendar is always subject to change, not just adding events, but changing dates/times of previously scheduled events. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call the school!!
Denise Rutledge
Principal
Building Wisdom and Faith Through Service to God
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Parents, please make sure to submit this year's new walker form if your student will be a walker/biker this school year. Parents of afternoon walkers are reminded that walkers can not be picked up by car in the SJS parking lot. All walkers must actually walk off the campus. Click HERE for the Walker form.
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Welcome Back: Meet the Teachers!
Sunday, August 21 from 10:00am – 11:00am
in Parish Hall
Bring your family over to Parish Hall after 9am Mass. Enjoy donuts, coffee, and the opportunity for students to meet teachers and staff in a relaxed setting before the big day. We look forward to seeing you, Saints!
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2022-2023 First Day of School:
Wednesday, August 24 (11:30am dismissal)
NEW student orientation = August 22
Back to School Night (K and 1st) = August 17
Back to School Night (Grades 2-5) = August 30
Back to School Night (Grades 6-8) = August 31
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Extended Day Registration - Now Open |
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2022-2023 Hot Lunch Program |
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Say Yay! We are excited to introduce our new lunchtime partner: Yay Lunch, where parents can order more nutritious versions of foods kids love. All meals are local, made fresh every morning + delivered directly to school.
Sign up today for the latest information on your child’s lunch program. Yay Lunch will send you a reminder when menus and ordering go live. Get 50% off your first week with promo code WELCOME50 and never worry about lunch again!
Click HERE for more information and Parent FAQ!
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St. Joseph Catholic School loves volunteers! As more opportunities to volunteer in the school open up, please remember that you must complete the Child Protection Program for the Arlington Diocese to be able to volunteer.
This is a two part program. Part one is an online background application and part two is attendance at a Virtus Seminar.
For more information on completing this program, please contact Beth Covert in the Church/School office at (703)880-4357 or bcovert@sjcherndon.org.
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Lunch and Recess - Volunteers Needed! |
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Volunteers needed for lunch and recess.
Want to volunteer for lunch? Please contact
Want to volunteer for recess? Please contact Karen Settelmaier at k.settelmaier@sjschoolva.org
**All volunteers must be compliant through the Child Protection Program. For more information, please contact Beth Covert at bcovert@sjscherndon.org
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Come and run a mile or two,
Develop friendships old and new,
Set some goals and see them through,
We'll work hard and have fun too!
Dear Saints Families,
We hope you have been enjoying a healthy and happy summer! The Arlington Diocese NVJCYO Cross Country and Track & Field Fall 2022 seasons will begin soon and we hope that your young athletes will join our St. Joseph's Parish team in some healthy practices and competitions as your family's schedules allow.
Who can participate? Cross Country and Track & Field training is available for all St. Joseph’s 2nd-8th grade parishioners (SJS, CCD or home school). [NOTE: 2nd graders are eligible to practice with the team and will be permitted to run in cross country meets; but, the Track & Field meet will only be available to 3rd through 8th graders.]
Practices:
Competitions:
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Oct 8 Track & Field Meet at Bishop O’Connell High School
- in the past, a morning meet (7:30am to approx. noon) included grades 6-8 and an afternoon meet (noon to approx. 6pm) included grades 3-5
- rain date: Oct 9
- 3 Cross Country meets [Times TBD]:
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Sep 17: Developmental Cross Country Meet #1 at Lee District Park
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Oct 15: Developmental Cross Country Meet #2 at Saint Paul VI High School
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Nov 5: Championship Cross Country Meet at Fort Hunt Park
How much does it cost?:
- $30 for an individual and $20 for each additional sibling will cover practice and meet fees, drinks, and an end of season party
- Team shirts will be purchased separately if you do not already have one
- Families with athletes who choose to compete in the Arlington Diocese Meets will also be asked to volunteer time to help manage events
How do we join?:
- Attached Paper forms can be filled out, signed and returned by email or printed and handed to a coach at the first practice
- Health and emergency contact information
- Code of conduct
- Payments can be submitted using a debit or credit card during the Diocese Online registration process [Coming soon... we will email the link when available]
Why should we join?
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Be part of our team! As a combination of individual and team events, the Track & Field and Cross Country program offers an opportunity for each person to be part of a group that encourages each other to improve in running, jumping, and throwing. Individual events are offered across several age groups and levels of skill and motivation. The more each athlete wants to train, the faster he or she will improve his/her abilities. Several members join to train to compete in the meet while others join for the great cross-training this offers for other sports. We can all improve individually and as a team!
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Flexible schedules: Teammates and families are encouraged to join as many practices and meets as family schedules can accommodate; but, there are no minimum time commitments. You are also welcome to try out a practice before enrolling.
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Low-cost family fun: access to multiple practices/meets per week from late Aug to early Nov… Parents are also encouraged to join in the running, jumping and throwing (or helping manage event training, keep scores, etc.) with our student athletes.
Please pass along this invitation to any other members of the St. Joseph’s parish who may be interested in joining. And, please let us know if you are unable to join and would like to be removed from our email list.
Thank you from your SJS Track & Field Coaching team!
Lisa Anderson
Matthew Eggers
Kelly Hartley
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Box Tops for Education is a super easy way for you to help
St. Joseph Catholic School earn money! IT'S SO EASY!
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Download the free Box Tops app for your phone, shop, and scan your store receipts through the app! By scanning, the app knows which products count! Super easy!! Download the app - when you create your login, assign your rewards to St. Joseph Catholic School. You can find the school by entering the zip code (20170) or searching for the school.
Thanks for your support!
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Stay Connected!
SJS Mobile App, Twitter and Facebook
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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)
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750 Peachtree Street, Herndon, VA 20170
Tel: 703-880-4350 Fax: 703-880-4320
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