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Dear Parents-
We welcome the season of Advent–a special time for us to reflect and prepare for the Nativity of Our Lord. Over the course of the next four weeks, we light a candle and our reflections are guided by the weekly themes of Advent; the first candle symbolizes hope, the second candle represents faith. The third candle is pink and it is used on Gaudete Sunday to remind us of the joy that the world experienced at the birth of Jesus. On the fourth Sunday of Advent, we light the last purple candle to mark the final week of prayer and penance as we wait for the birth of our Savior.
This past Sunday was also the 40th anniversary of Father Tom’s ordination to the priesthood. I know everyone joins me in thanking Father Tom for his service and dedication to the SJC/SJS community. We look forward to many more years under his spiritual leadership!
And welcome back from what I pray was a wonderful Thanksgiving! It is so great to have the kids back in the building, and Trimester 2 is underway as we count down the 13 school days left until Christmas break. Remember, with the Bishop’s holiday, we close for break on Friday, December 16. Extended Day will be open until 6:00PM.
As a reminder to all 8th grade students and parents, 8th grade students will take the High School Placement Test (HSPT) on Thursday, December 2. The test is required for admission to a Diocesan high school, however, all students will take the test, regardless of plans for next year. There is no cost to take the test at SJS. If your child is ill on test day, or misses the test for any reason, AND your child intends to apply to a Diocesan high school, you will need to arrange to take the test at one of the Diocesan high schools on the HSPT make-up day, and you will be required by the high school to pay a testing fee. If you find yourself in this circumstance, please contact the high school.
Parents are strongly encouraged to monitor their students’ use of the Internet, including ostensibly private group chats with friends. There is no scenario on the internet that protects your child.
At this very hectic time of year, the school calendar is packed during the upcoming weeks. Important dates include the wacky Christmas dress-out fundraiser (Nov. 30) to support food insecure members of our community; and the Christmas Concert and Winter Warmth Drive (Dec. 9), among other important events.
If you have any questions, or if I can be of any assistance, please let me know.
Refreshed, revived and renewed by "faith, love and hope." (1Thess. 1:2-3)
Denise Rutledge
Principal
Building Wisdom and Faith Through Service to God
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$3 Christmas Dress Out Day
TOMORROW!
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VISION AND HEARING SCREENING FOR
GRADES K, 3 & 7:
Tuesday, December 13, 2022
from 9:00am - 2:00pm
Please look out for an email that will be sent to grades K, 3 & 7 about the upcoming vision and hearing screening at St. Joseph Catholic School conducting by The Lions Club.
If your child has already been screened this school year at their physician and we have a copy of the screening report on file, your child does not need to be re-screened. If your child is not in grades K, 3 & 7 but you want them to be screened, please contact Ms. Settlemaier at k.settelmaier@sjschoolva.org to request a consent form.
The consent forms will be included in the email that will be sent out to K, 3 & 7. The consent forms are due back to your child's teacher on Thursday December 8 or emailed to k.settelmaier@sjschoolva.org by Thursday December 8 in order for your child to be screened.
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The Diocese of Arlington is proud to offer the ease of viewing your child’s report card for Trimester 1 within the PowerSchool parent portal. We will not be sending a printed copy of the report card home with students, nor will we send report cards via email.
Click HERE for information on how to access.
Our portal will open to parents after 4:00 PM on Friday, December 2, 2022. To create a PowerSchool account, to add a student to an existing account, for a password reset, or for questions about PowerSchool access, please contact Lisa M. Pearce at l.pearce@sjschoolva.org
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Please pick up your SJS Spirit Wear orders on Tuesday, December 6 from 2:30pm - 6:00pm
in Room 212
(Room 212 is located above the
school office - enter through the lobby doors).
**If you are unable to pick up your spirit wear,
please ask a friend!**
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Re-Enrollment for 2023-2024 | |
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With our 93% retention rate, our streamlined re-enrollment process has proven to be successful. The process is structured so that current students will be automatically re-enrolled for the 2023-2024 school year. Enrollment fees of $300 per student will be charged on February 1, 2023 from the FACTS account on file. Families in need of an extension payment plan must also contact the Business Office by January 13, 2023. Re-enrollment fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. If, for some reason, your student will not be returning to St. Joseph Catholic School, notification in writing is needed by January 13, 2023. If you have any questions, please contact Tisha Hilliard (thilliard@sjcherndon.org or 703-880-4355)
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The SJS Christmas Concert will be held on December 9 at 7:00pm in the SJS Gym.
We look forward to seeing you there!
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The PTO will collect NEW and GENTLY-used, clean coats, hats, scarves and gloves for donation to The Closet in Herndon. All sizes from baby to adult will be appreciated by those in need.
Bring donations to the school Christmas Concert on Friday, December 9 - look for collection boxes at concert entrance. Thank you!
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Are you interested in applying to
St. Joseph Catholic School for your younger child or perhaps looking for a change for other siblings not enrolled at SJS? Now is the time! We just held our Open House for prospective families and applications are rolling in! Make sure to get any sibling applications submitted before space runs out!
Click HERE for application and forms. Submit completed applications to Mrs. Tuttle at m.tuttle@sjschoolva.org
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Keep Christ in Christmas
Deadline December 1
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Keep Christ in Christmas Poster Contest
**DEADLINE IS THURSDAY, DEC. 1**
Students can come by the Art room for 12x18 paper and/or the form that needs to be filled out, signed and taped to the back.
St. Joseph Catholic School has participated in the Keep Christ in Christmas poster contest, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, for several years. We often have students advance and place at the state level competition. All classes have been introduced to the poster contest during Art Class. This year, the poster will be done independently, at home, rather than during Art Class. It is optional and enthusiastically encouraged! This wonderful contest causes students to reflect on the meaning of Christmas.
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Click HERE for more details!
Questions? Contact Mrs. Sears at m.sears@sjschoolva.org
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Advent Morning of Prayer for Men | |
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New, Lower Prices From Yay Lunch!
The team at Yay Lunch is taking your feedback about pricing to heart and have been working with their food partners to offer new, lower prices on our menu. Take a look at a few of the new, lower prices now available on your Lunch Calendar
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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 (PE/recess). Additionally, a doctor’s note is required if your child is unable to participate in Physical Education classes. We also require a doctor's note clearing your child to resume normal activities without any restrictions once their doctor has determined that wearing an ortho device or restricted activity is no longer required.
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Volunteers needed for lunch and recess.
Want to volunteer for lunch?
Want to volunteer for recess?
**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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LADIES SOCIETY RAFFLE !
BETHLEHEM CARVING STATUE
OLIVE WOOD
VALUE: $1,500
DRAWING: DECEMBER 8TH AFTER 7 PM MASS
TICKETS: $10 OR 3 FOR $20
Contact: Parish Office for more tickets! 703-880-4302
Statue on display at School Receptionist desk! Tickets can be purchased from office.
NEED NOT PRESENT TO WIN!
Proceeds benefit the Backpack Lunch Program - Feeds 100 children monthly.
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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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