Please note the following dates to your daughter’s upcoming school schedule. 



• Monday, January 16 - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr./No School/Office Closed



• Tuesday, January 17 - Faculty Professional Day/No School/Office Open

Recently, Principal Mr. Jeff Sutliff and President Mrs. Kathryn Purcell were interviewed by the Assistant Superintendent of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland Ms. Sue Biggs '85 during her podcast, "Shepherding our Schools."  

Mr. Sutliff and Mrs. Purcell shared with Ms. Biggs and her audience the intentional ways the Academy help students learn about the history and mission of the Congregation of St. Joseph and develop within the framework of the charism. They also discussed the importance of student agency - ownership of learning and how the Academy strives to provide authentic opportunities for choice, relationship, learning and engagement. Course and activity selections, opportunities to go deeper within the distinguished academic programs and finding purpose as they serve the dear neighbor are all ways that students build agency. As students find and hone their interests, participate in the learning community and voice their questions and opinions, their engagement and level of learning grow. 

Listen to the entire interview here. Feel free to share this link with others.

We are grateful to everyone who contributed to Saint Joseph Academy’s Paws for a Cause holiday drive! The community collected hundreds of rolls of toilet paper and paper towels, dozens of bottles of dish soap, nine gallons of bleach and many pounds of coffee!

Ms. Renee Brickman '91 of the Metanoia Project said that these supplies will be vital to their operations as they serve and provide shelter to the homeless in Cleveland this winter.

Saint Joseph Academy’s spring musical is Godspell 2012 - Revised Version. Singing auditions (Round 1) will take place on Tuesday, January 10, 3:45-6 p.m. Singing callbacks will take place on Wednesday, January 11, 3:45-6 p.m. Improv/Reading auditions will take place on Thursday, January 12, 3:45-6 p.m.

READ MORE

Article written by Theater Director Mrs. Anne Ising; edited by Mrs. Kathy Flinn

Interested in learning about carpentry and structural engineering? Beginning Tuesday, January 24, students may join the Carpenter’s Academy, an after-school program that teaches students to read building plans and how to use power tools. Students will use that knowledge to create functional desks that will be used at Saint Joseph Academy. 

Carpenter’s Academy will meet every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30-5:30 p.m., beginning Tuesday January 24 and lasting for six weeks. Students that attend all meeting dates will receive school credit for the program. To register for Carpenter’s Academy, please email Visual Arts Department Chair Mrs. Tammy Sparks by Friday, January 13.

A College Credit Plus (CCP) parent/guardian informational meeting will take place on Thursday, January 19 at 7 p.m. in the Dining Hall. All parents/guardians are welcome to attend, especially parents/guardians of the Class of 2024.

The meeting will discuss on- and off-campus CCP options for all students for the 2023-2024 school year. Cuyahoga Community College will be joining the meeting to help answer questions about CCP in general (i.e. application, funding, etc.).

For more information, please contact College Counselor and CCP Coordinator Mrs. Susan Hren. 

The Class of 2023's end-of-the-year ceremonial activities are only a few months away! Learn about Seniors' events, as well as expectations from the start of the second semester through Commencement. 

One parent/guardian of each Senior is requested to attend a mandatory informational meeting on Wednesday, February 1 at 7 p.m. in the Auditorium of the Academy building. 



Please contact Science Department Chair Mrs. Valerie Sanfilippo P'13 with any questions regarding graduation. We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday, February 1.

Our annual gala, “Celebrate the Academy,” is Saturday, February 25 at 6 p.m. at Saint Joseph Academy. This fun and memorable event benefits student scholarships and academic initiatives at Saint Joseph Academy.

We are currently collecting fabulous items for the gala's silent auction and would appreciate your help! Below is our wish list.

• Stays at vacation homes, timeshares or adventures
• Airline miles/tickets and hotel stays
• Event tickets or passes
• Fun and unique experiences
• Gift certificates
• Bottles of red, white or sparkling wine (90+ point wine score)
• Contribute to your parish basket (contact committee member, Jennifer Fitzpatrick P’25)

To donate, fill out the auction procurement form and mail it to the address provided at the bottom of the form or email it to Development Director Mrs. Melissa Murphy.

For more information about “Celebrate the Academy,” visit www.sja1890.org/CTA

Accomplishments: Lola was named GiGi’s Playhouse Cleveland’s “Volunteer of the Month” for December. GiGi’s Playhouse mission is “to change the way the world views Down syndrome and to send a global message of acceptance for all.”

At GiGi’s Playhouse, Lola is a member of the volunteer team for Destination Discovery, which “supports the development of fine motor skills, gross motor skills, social skills and language through purposeful play and peer to peer interaction in a casual and fun setting.”



“I help set up the stations, sometimes make the example craft, usually get the snack ingredients all set up for the attendees and work with everyone who shows up,” Lola shared. 

Lola first began volunteering at GiGi’s Playhouse in March 2022 to fulfill her service requirement at Saint Joseph Academy. Lola found so much enjoyment from volunteering that she continued volunteering with the organization. 

“I volunteer there to learn more about Down syndrome, how it really affects people, talk to the parents and get to know everyone who shows up. It brings me so much joy everytime I step into the building,” Lola shared. 

Congratulations, Lola!

Activities and Interests: At Saint Joseph Academy, Lola is a member of the Free to Smile Club and the Voice for Change Club.

On Friday, December 30, the Gymnastics team competed at home in a quad meet with Berea-Midpark, Highland, North Ridgeville as well as individuals from Fairview, Firelands and North Olmsted. The Jaguars placed 3rd but made a significant improvement of over four points in their team score! 

READ MORE

Article written by Varsity Gymnastics Head Coach Mrs. Darcy Ranallo

The Freshman Jaguars traveled to Bay High School on Friday, December 30 to take on Bay’s JV team. After a hard-fought game, the Jaguars claimed the victory by a final score of 29-20. 

SJA began the game with tenacious defensive pressure, causing a variety of Bay turnovers from the jump. This defense allowed for only two successful field goals by the Rockets in the first 14 minutes of play. The Jaguars took a 15-7 lead at the half. 

READ MORE

Article written by Assistant Athletic Director Mrs. Erin Cunningham