Dear Parents-

We welcome November with the celebration of the solemn holy day of All Saints, a day to rejoice with all those who have gone before us and have made it to heaven, including saints recognized by the Church and those who are not. Our 4th grade students led the Mass and participated in their parade of saints, dressing in costumes representing their favorite saints, and each student gave a brief description of the saint’s life and ministry. No matter how many times I hear about the life of a saint, I always learn something new!!

The SJS community enjoyed a fun-filled Trunk or Treat last Friday evening, and I have to congratulate the parents on the amazing exhibition of trunks…! SJS families rose to the occasion with creative and festive trunks full of treats for our kids who were decked out, and ready for a good time! Congratulations and huge thank you to our PTO and the Trunk or Treat Committee: Maureen Morgan, Jessie Ingham, Montine Norman, Tara Grotticelli and Karen Brady. 8th grade coordinators including Lauren Labbe and Carrie Manetto worked hard on pizza coordination, along with brave and patient parking volunteers. The

very successful Trunk or Treat event, resulting in about $2000 (donations still being counted) to support the amazing work of Catholic Charities.

Returning after pandemic exile, and with much excitement, our 8th grade brought the celebration of Halloween back to guests at Potomac Health and Rehab. Historically, our 8th grade students made cards and small Halloween gifts, dressed in their costumes and headed over to the nursing home to share the fun of Halloween with our elderly neighbors. Nursing homes had been closed to these events since 2020, and we have missed this cross-generational celebration. We also enjoyed the 8th grade “parade of costumes” yesterday for students.

As previously shared, students in grades 3-7 took NWEA-MAP tests during the early weeks of the school year to establish baselines for growth. Score reports will come home with students on Friday, November 4. Since this is the first NWEA-MAP test students have taken, parents should focus on the current achievement percentile, as no growth is reported. Please use this link to access my letter regarding the family reports.

Thank you to all who participated in the parent survey regarding the Bishop’s Holiday. With the polling now closed, the clearly preferred option is to take the Bishop’s Holiday, on December 19 and December 20, with Father Tom’s permission. With that, school will close on Friday, December 16, for Christmas break and reopen Tuesday, January 3, 2023. I hope everyone enjoys the time away and comes back refreshed!

As we enter the holiday season,  it is a perfect time to reflect on Catholic Social Teaching, and how we answer the call to holiness...doing small things with great love, including remembering those who are food insecure. The Scouting for Food Drive runs from November 7-9. See information below about both drives. If possible, please consider donating to support families in need in the Herndon community. See ad below.

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

Mrs. Fallace-PE Kindergarten & First Grade 

Mr. Pierson-PE Grade 2-8

Beth Moschetto-Library

Karina Lee-Music

Mary Sears-Art

Maura Culligan-Computer

Johanna Naranjo-Spanish

Middle School (Gr. 6-8) Sign Up

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

2nd chance to order

SJS Spirit Wear!

They make great Christmas and birthday gifts!  

The Book Fair runs from Nov. 8-13, but there is a need for volunteers to set up on Nov. 7 and to pack up on Nov. 14. There are options to volunteer for set up, clean up, cashier after school and two evenings, and cashier both Saturday and Sunday morning. I hope you will take a moment to find a spot that fits your schedule.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0D4FA5A72AA4FE3-2022

October is the month of "lunches"!

We invite YOU to enjoy lunch with your child in the lunchroom during his/her lunch period!

Treasure these times with your child before they grow up and head on to high school! 

Up to 4 parents per class will have the opportunity to sit with their child and their classmates. 

We ask that parents are Child Compliant. 

Also, because of food allergies, we ask that no food is brought in for other students. 

Thank you for your support and we look forward to you taking advantage

of this wonderful time with your child!

Lunch sign ups will be available until November 9.

ATTENTION 4th thru 8th Grade Boys and Girls

- CYO Basketball Registration CLOSES on 11/3 at 8:00pm!

We certainly do not want anyone missing out, but this is a hard deadline per the Diocese so make sure you are registered and in the system!

Reminders:

 - Boys and Girls teams in Grades 4-8 - SJS students & Faith Formation students are eligible.

- No cuts - everyone makes a team - if there are enough players for two teams in a given grade, then we will split accordingly.

 - Coaches (head and assistant) - please step up to help - We have needs in 4th Girls, 4th Boys, 6th Boys and 8th Girls.  Please contact Mac Cannon directly with coaching volunteer interest (Cannonclan@gmail.com)

- Registration Cost is $90 per player OR $170 per family. 

- Tryouts are per grade level and will be held at St. Joe's Gym. Here is the schedule for this week:

Tuesday, November 1, 2022

7th GIRLS Tuesday, November 1, 2022 5:00-6:00pm

4th BOYS Tuesday, November 1, 2022 6:00-7:00pm

5th BOYS Tuesday, November 1, 2022 7:00-8:00pm      

Wednesday, November 2, 2022 

5th GIRLS Wednesday, November 2, 2022 4:30-5:30pm

7th BOYS Wednesday, November 2, 2022 6:30-7:30pm

8th GIRLS Wednesday, November 2, 2022 7:30-8:30pm      

Thursday, November 3, 2022 

4th GIRLS Thursday, November 2, 2022 4:30-5:30pm

6th GIRLS Thursday, November 3, 2022 5:30-6:30pm

6th BOYS Thursday, November 3, 2022 6:30-7:30pm

8th BOYS Thursday, November 3, 2022 7:30-8:30pm    

- Practices will be set once teams are formed and assigned coaches - likely the week of November 7th, etc. Practices are twice per week for 60 minutes each.

 Again, the time slot and days remain to be determined. ALL practices will be held at St. Joseph's Gym. Ideally your player can make both practices, but we have busy families and it is completely allowable to miss practices without any excuses needed.

- Games will begin the first weekend in December. Those games are played within the following windows Saturdays 8:30am-6:00pm, Sundays 12:00-6:00pm. Those games are all played at Catholic schools within the Diocese. Locations will vary depending upon scheduling by each grade, etc. Those schedules are typically available 3 weeks out.

- Season Length - runs from November thru Mid/Late March.

Let's go, Saints!