Dear Parents-
Celebrating the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. gives us the opportunity to reflect on the similarities between Dr. King’s vision for social justice, and that of the Catholic Church. We are united in our belief that individual self-worth is not dependent on race, gender, occupation or family background. In Dr. King’s vision,“Anybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t need to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love.” This quote is so powerful and reminds us that we are here to serve each other and contribute to the common good.
The beautiful sacrament of First Penance is scheduled for our second grade students on Wednesday, February 23. We are very blessed to have all our students with us in school this year. Please keep these students in your prayers as they complete their preparation and grow deeper in their relationship with God.
We welcome back Mrs. Jenny Fallace to our instructional staff as she assumes the role of PE teacher for grades K and 1. Mrs. Fallace has eight years experience teaching in elementary schools in California and North Carolina. She earned a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies, visual art from Point Loma Nazarene University, (CA), and she holds a California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential as well as a Virginia Collegiate Professional License in elementary education. Her two daughters attend SJS as well! Mrs. Fallace has worked closely with Mr. O’Brien to ensure a smooth transition for students.
The COVID pandemic continues. Currently, VDH reports that over the last 7 days, Fairfax County has seen an increase in total case rate, up slightly to 1,324 cases per 100,000, (week ending 01/15/2022), and NAAT (PCR) test positivity in slight decline, now 31.3%. Nearby Loudoun County has a current case rate, down significantly to 1,146 per 100,000, (week ending 01/15/2022), and the COVID-19 positivity rate in Loudoun is well down, now 30.8%.
SJS COVID count this week has 19 student cases of COVID-19 and 1 staff member. All cases were contracted between 01/10/2022 and 01/16/2022. All close contacts were notified, and cases shared with FHCD. With the significantly relaxed quarantine and isolation protocols that SJS now follows as recommended by VDH, please be attentive to symptoms in your children and please keep them home when in doubt.
We continue to have carpool issues with respect to SUVs lining up in the sedan lanes. Please be respectful of the carpool procedures as published in the parent handbook and reiterated in the Bark MANY times this year. To help clarify, if your car model is listed on the full list of SUV models found on the authoritative website carmodelslist.com, then you own an SUV, and are kindly asked to please follow procedures and use the SUV lanes only.
We are in week 2 of Scantron testing. Students in grades 3-7 will test in the areas of Math, Reading and Language Arts. Please make sure your children are in school during this time to ensure adequate opportunity to complete the tests. If you have specific scheduling questions or conflicts, please contact your child’s teacher.
Again this year we will partner with Diocesan Director of Youth, Campus, and Young Adult Ministries, Mr. Kevin Bohli, and Ms. Carmen Briceño to present the family life curriculum, The Gift of Human Sexuality – a Christian Perspective. This program will be presented in the spring and is available to students in grades 6-8. Parents will be contacted separately.
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
