Dear Parents-

On Thursday, September 8, we celebrate the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. There is no direct record in the Bible of the circumstances of Mary’s birth or of her early childhood. However, "Let us celebrate with joy the birth of the Virgin Mary, of whom was born the Sun of Justice.... Her birth constitutes the hope and the light of salvation for the whole world.... Her image is light for the whole Christian people" (From EWTN.com).

We look forward to the start of the band program, and welcome Dr. Joseph Howell to our school. And while we hoped to have the program off the ground today with our band demo, circumstances have occurred that require a one-week delay to the band start-up. Band demo day for students in grades 4-8 is rescheduled for Sept. 13. Parent night, originally scheduled for Tuesday evening, Sept.13 is now planned for September 20, and the first band classes will now begin Tuesday, Sept. 27. Thank you for your patience.

Standardized testing for students in grades 3-7 begins Sept. 12. Parents and students are invited to access the practice materials and additional information about the test at this link.  Additionally, please read the letter from Dr. Vorbach addressing the change from SCANTRON to NWEA and also the Family Guide to Map Growth. Testing will run through Thursday, September 29 and students will test in math, reading and language arts.

We will run a test of the SJS Emergency Broadcast System on Thursday, September 15. Please make sure that your contact information is updated and complete on PowerSchool so that our test is efficient, and in the event of an emergency we are able to keep everyone informed.

Response to the “Milk Interest Survey” finds us with insufficient interest to cover the mandatory minimum order. As a result, at this time, SJS will not offer milk for sale during lunch. 

Please join us on Saturday, September 10 for the Church BBQ. The amazing SJS teachers and staff, along with the awesome PTO will man the face-painting table. Even if you don’t want your face painted, please stop by to say hello– We look forward to seeing you there!

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Refreshed, revived and renewed by "faith, love and hope." (1Thess. 1:2-3)

Denise Rutledge

Principal

 Building Wisdom and Faith Through Service to God

We will run a TEST of the SJS Emergency Broadcast System on Thursday, September 15. Please make sure that your contact information is updated and complete on PowerSchool so that our test is efficient, and in the event of an emergency we are able to keep everyone informed.  

Please listen to and read the message completely! If you are not contacted from the school on September 15 with this TEST, please contact Lisa Pearce at L.Pearce@sjschoolva.org 

We are thrilled to see that so many of our students are loving the food from Yay! Lunch, our school lunch provider! The food smells, looks, and tastes great! We encourage our students to eat all of their food but understand some lunches are so plentiful and students may want to bring leftovers home.  

Please note that Yay! lunches recommend consuming or refrigerating any uneaten food by 2:30pm the day the lunch is served.  

To become a member of the SJS Parent group in Schoology, please email Mrs. Caryn Hatley once you have created your parent account.  

Community service is an integral part of education at St. Joseph Catholic School. Our service to the community teaches students the importance of making service a lifelong practice, to become better citizens and to live out their faith. St. Joseph Catholic School has partnered with Catholic Charities St. Lucy Food Project to conduct service projects throughout the year and assist families experiencing hygiene items and food insecurity.

The September toothpaste collection will start on

September 6 and end on September 27.

Thank you for your support!

All Grades = Regular Size (Not travel) Toothpaste

SJS will be placing an order for parents to have the opportunity to purchase their child (for Grades 5-8) a Chromebook cover for $30. If any parent is interested in purchasing please fill out theChromebook Cover Form. If you have multiple children please fill out a separate form for each child. All payments will be processed through your FACTS account. Please reach out toitsupport@sjschoolva.orgif you have any additional questions.

Parents are reminded that students may not walk down Franciscan Way to meet parents in the Community Center parking lot.

All students who walk home must exit the campus via Peachtree Street. Students who ride home in cars can not use Franciscan Way to walk to the Community Center to meet a car.

Franciscan Way is not a pedestrian walkway and there is no sidewalk for pedestrian use. It is not approved for student use. 

Please cooperate. Thank you for your support.

More information on the CDC Guidance Updates - Click HERE

JOIN THE

ST JOSEPH

BAND!!!

INTERESTED?

Bring Your Parents to the Registration and Info Night 

New Date = TUESDAY, SEPT 20^TH, 7pm

Make sure to stop by the Chick-fil-A in Reston on Sept. 13 from 4-8pm! 

Thank you for supporting the Class of 2023!

Got Spirit? 

Join the SJS Cheerleading Squad! Grades 4-8. 

Tryouts September 13-15

3:15-5:00pm in the SJS Gym. 

Please email Mrs. Meghan Finn at meghandenneny@gmail.com for more information.

SAINT JOSEPH PARISH PICNIC GAGA BALL TOURNAMENT and GAMES!

All parish youth are invited to attend our St. Joseph Parish Picnic on Saturday, Sept. 10^th for a Gaga Ball tournament and carnival games 1:30-5:30 at the Parish field.  Gaga Ball is known as the “softer dodge ball” and will be played in our new parish gaga ball pit.

At each hour of 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, & 4:30, our corporate patron will conduct a Gaga Ball game for K-4^th grade followed by a game for 5-8^th grade youth. The winner of each game will receive a Gaga Ball Gold medal!

Additionally, our St Joseph Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Cub Scouts will each be running a carnival game. There will be prizes for all participants! Thank you to our St. Joseph Scouts for providing this wonderful community service. All parish Scouts can sign up to volunteer to run a game - CLICK HERE TO VOLUNTEER