Dear Parents-
Tomorrow, we celebrate the feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels. Angels are often mentioned throughout the Bible, however, not much is known about them. We do know that angels are pure spirits and their purpose is to serve God. The three archangels, angels of a high rank, act as messengers and protectors of mankind... Michael protects, Gabriel announces and Raphael guides. This day was celebrated in many countries as Michaelmas Day, complete with special holiday recipes and traditions!
On Monday, October 4 (for even grade levels) and Tuesday, October 5 (for odd grade levels), the Knights of Columbus will sponsor an ice cream social for all students to celebrate the Feast of St. Francis. Parents of students with allergies should reach out to Ms. Laura Stump, lstump@sjcherndon.org, for more allergy information.
We look forward to the start of CYO sports, recognizing that with the ongoing COVID, there may be restrictions or limitations. Additionally, The Diocese of Arlington response to COVID for NVJCYO Winter Sports document, made available to principals on September 27, does not include a vaccine mandate. Please access the document here. As in all matters related to the pandemic, Father Tom and I follow and support all guidance shared with us. As such, vaccines will not be required for SJS students who wish to play winter CYO sports.
In this week’s COVID update VDH reports that over the last 7 days, Fairfax County has a total case rate of 116 cases per 100,000, and NAAT (PCR) test positivity down slightly to 4.3%. The rate of transmission is considered at the highest level. Nearby Loudoun County has a current case rate of 156 per 100,000 and the COVID-19 positivity rate in Loudoun is up slightly to 5.4%. The Fairfax County adult vaccination rate for fully vaccinated individuals has reached 73.4%. Mask up, Vax up and Please stay vigilant!
Parents are reminded that there are procedures in place to keep all students safe during dismissal and afternoon carpool. These procedures must be followed. While it looks daunting, the parking lot is empty about 15 minutes after the students are dismissed. It may be easier for parents to plan to arrive in time for second carpool, if you can not afford the time to wait in the parking lot. New families who feel uncertain as to what the procedures are, should read the handbook, or call the office for clarification.
We are in SCANTRON week 3, and students grades 3-7 will complete assessments in Language Arts. 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.
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 Jean M. Twenge, PhD, in her book iGen, children have grown up addicted to their phones, adding “There is no reason for an elementary school child to have his own cell phone. By middle school, many parents buy phones for convenience and safety, but it doesn’t have to be a smartphone complete with unlimited Internet access.” (p.290). Protect your children from the additional anxiety created by social media.
As always, if I can be of assistance, or you have any questions, 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
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What is Trunk or Treat?
Adults decorate cars and hand out treats from their trunks. Children dress in their Halloween costumes and go from car to car collecting candy. Register by Oct. 22!!
How do I decorate my trunk?
Please have your trunk and costumes reflect our shared Catholic values and avoid devils, witches & ghosts etc. You can go with fall/harvest, sports, Biblical, animals, legos, etc. Please keep in mind our Catholic ideals when selecting your decorations. This can be as elaborate or simple as you wish. Not creative? Pop open your trunk, bring a lawn chair and hand out a treat.
When & Where?
Thursday, October 28th
St. Joseph's Parking Lot
Parking Lot opens at 5:00pm for set up and decoration.
All participating cars must be in place by 6:00pm. Trick or Treating starts at 6:15pm.
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ACCEPTABLE MASKS MUST:
- Have two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric, or a 3 ply breathable disposable masks; 1 layer with a gauze or filter is not acceptable
- Completely cover your nose and mouth, fit snugly against the sides of your face and don’t have gaps
- Have a nose wire to prevent air from leaking out of the top of the mask
- Gaiter masks must have two layer
****Remember to have your child keep an extra pair of mask in their backpack. In addition, continue to encourage your child to hydrate frequently during the day.
Illness and siblings: If your child is sick or just not feeling well, please keep them home and monitor them. If your child continues not to feel well or is not fever free after 24 hours without taking any over the counter medication, please have them evaluated by their healthcare provider and provide a medical clearance note prior to returning to school. *Click HERE for a copy of the clearance note* You can also find this clearance note on the nurses’ page.
If your child has a sibling in the school, we ask that you keep everyone home until the sick child has a diagnosis for their symptoms OR has been medically cleared. Household contact is considered continuous transmission; this is an extra layer in place to help prevent the spread of illness to other students while waiting for a diagnosis for your sick child.
Orthopedic devices: If your child requires crutches, casts, splints, or any other orthopedic device, you must send in a doctor’s note that includes a summary of the treatment plan, required accommodations and your child’s limitations for physical activities. Additionally, a doctor’s note is required if your child is unable to participate in Physical Education classes.
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As we begin another school year, St. Joseph Catholic School will again be adopting the 9-5-2-1-0 plan. It is a plan to promote healthy lifestyles for our children. Our goal is to support our parents as they work to encourage healthy behaviors for their children.
The mnemonic for 9-5-2-1-0 stands for:
9 Get at least 9 hours of sleep per day
5 Eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day
2 Limit screen time to no more than 2 hours per day
1 Get at least one hour of physical activity per day
0 Avoid beverages with added sugar
We will dedicate each month to a different component of the program. Starting in September, we will focus on getting 9 hours of sleep each night. Information will be sent via the “Bark”.
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According to the National Sleep Foundation, adolescents should get 9 to 11 hours of sleep and teens should get at least 8 to 10 hours of sleep per day, and younger children should get even more. For more information and videos on why sleep is important to children's health, click HERE. |
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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. |
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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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