Bernie's Bark
09.21.2021
Dear Parents-
 
Today we celebrate the feast of St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist. In his early life, Matthew was not well-liked and he served as a tax collector in Roman-ruled Palestine. Matthew wrote of how Jesus called him to follow Him. (Matthew 9:9-13). Matthew gave up collecting taxes, and became a follower of Christ. He wrote his gospels to make it known that Jesus was the Savior God had promised to send. St. Matthew became the patron saint of bankers and reminds us that our riches come from being a follower of Jesus.
 
A great big SAINTS thank you to all families who were able to support our Breakfast Mash Bash for Catholic Charities. Four industrial-sized kitchen racks are filled with a wonderful array of breakfast food, ready for pick-up Wednesday morning! Your generosity helps the 1 in 4 children in the Arlington Diocese who are food insecure.
 
Please review the SJS COVID-19 mitigation plan with your child and please insist that they fully comply with the plan. Masks and social distance are our best defenses, and it is important that everyone comply.
 
In this week’s COVID update VDH reports that over the last 7 days, Fairfax County has a total case rate of 107.6 cases per 100,000, and NAAT (PCR) test positivity remaining steady at 4.6%. The rate of transmission is considered at the highest level. Nearby Loudoun County has a current case rate of 131.3 per 100,000 and the COVID-19 positivity rate in Loudoun is up slightly to 5.3%. The Fairfax County adult vaccination rate for fully vaccinated individuals has reached 73.1%. Mask up, Vax up and Please stay vigilant!
 
We are in SCANTRON week 2, and students grades 3-7 will complete assessments in Reading. Please have your children in school and on time. If you have a specific scheduling issue, please contact your child’s teacher. The September testing window is very important for us to establish baseline levels in order to accurately assess student growth throughout the year.
 
Last Friday, we inducted 31 8th grade students into the SJS National Junior Honor Society. The NJHS chapters in over 5,000 middle schools across the nation recognize students who are committed to scholarship, service, leadership and character. We are very proud of all our students and congratulate them on this high achievement.
 
In this age of social media, please consider “social media free” days or other ways to eliminate social media from the lives of your children. According to the Wall Street Journal investigative report, Facebook’s own research teams determined that, “The longer a teen girl spends on social media, the greater the likelihood of depression and self-harm.” Protect your children from the additional anxiety created by social media.
 
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, or if I can be of any assistance, please let me know.

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

 Building Wisdom and Faith Through Service to God
Spirit Wear Dress Out
To go along with our "Saints for Service" service project, students may dress in SJS spirit wear on September 22!

No SJS spirit wear, yet? No problem! Dress in school colors -- green, white, and black! Please refer to the Parent/Student Handbook (page 59-60) for dress out guidelines.
Early Dismissal


Friday, September 24
is an
11:30am Dismissal
Nurse's Corner
Quarantine: Right now this is the FCHD guidance which we comply with. This may change in the future. We will keep you informed as soon we are updated.

From Fairfax County Health Department: “If the school is in Fairfax County, they must follow the 14 day quarantine”. 

SJS is in Fairfax county, as a result, we have been informed that the Fairfax county health department quarantine requirement supersedes the quarantine requirement of the county where you reside, and supersedes the VDH quarantine guidelines of 7days (if tested on day 5) and 10 days without testing if asymptomatic.

COVID 19 testing: We are permitted to accept both rapid antigen tests and the PCR covid test. Because of the accuracy of the PCR covid test, it is our preferred covid test. Please keep your child home while you await their test results. We do need an official or signed or stamped copy of their covid test result and/or a copy of the doctor's clearance note prior to returning to school.

*Click HERE for a copy of the clearance note*
Attendance
Please Include Reason for Absence!
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 with date and REASON for the absence.  

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. 
Girl Scouts
Information Night for Parents!
Be Amazing – Join Girl Scouts! 

St. Joseph Catholic School Girl Scouts will be hosting an information night on Tuesday, September 21st at 7pm in Meeting Room 212 for parents of girls in Kindergarten through 8th Grade.
 
With Girl Scouts your daughter will discover the G.I.R.L (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-Taker, Leader) in her. It’s always a countdown to the next adventure. Whether they’re advocating for our communities, discovering the outdoors, exploring science and technology, or powering new adventures as part of the Girl Scout Cookie Program, Girl Scouts discover they can achieve anything! Girl-led, expert-approved, and volunteer-supported, Girl Scouts helps girls discover their strengths and change the world! 

For more information please contact: 
JoEllen Mountcastle at joellen@mountcastle.org
Maura Culligan at mauraculligan@yahoo.com 

**This is a parent only event, thank you.**
Cub Scouts Pack 913
Join Cub Scouts Water Bottle Rocket Launch Day! – Sunday OCT 3rd @ 4:00PM
 
All St. Joseph Kindergarten welcome! We welcome K-5th grade boys to check out St. Joseph Pack 913 and join us in building and launching WATER BOTTLE ROCKETs on Sunday Oct 3rd@ 4PM at the Grand Hamptons County Park located at 1081 Safa Street Herndon, VA 20170.
 
Information for newly interested families will also be provided at this event. Families wishing more information may also contact Steve Bailey at chairperson@pack913.com.
Stay Connected!
SJS Mobile App, Twitter and Facebook


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)
Weekly Saints Quote
750 Peachtree Street, Herndon, VA 20170
Tel: 703-880-4350 Fax: 703-880-4320