Bernie's Bark
2.09.2021
Dear Parents-
 
On Thursday, we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes! This day marks the appearance of our beautiful Holy Mother to Bernadette Soubirous, a poor and sickly child. Bernadette lacked material possessions, she was in poor health, and it is reported that Bernadette was not even a very committed Catholic! Interestingly, the meeting between the Blessed Mother and Bernadette has been described as a meeting between “humble individuals who treated each other with great dignity.” For me, on this feast day, I am reminded that what matters is our own humility, and the commitment to treat everyone with great dignity and respect.

I heard on the news that the number of COVID vaccines administered this week outpaced the number of COVID cases reported, nationally. The current COVID-19 positivity rate in Fairfax has dropped dramatically, and the 14-day average is 9.3%; neighboring Loudoun County has a 7-day positivity rate that is also down, over the last report, to 10.7%, and Prince William County is also down, with a 7-day 11.7% positivity rate.

These numbers are good news, but still more than TWICE the positivity rate as when school opened in August, and as much as we wish we didn’t, we must continue to observe all mitigation strategies. This also applies to Valentine’s Day, COVID-19 style. Please respect the parameters set by your child’s teacher, and for the safety of all, there are no parties or shared snacks.

Additionally, with regards to travel for any reason, or social gatherings outside your family cohort, the safest thing for families to do after domestic travel or gatherings is to stay home for 7 days, with a negative test done on day 5 after your trip/gathering and return to school on day 8 OR stay home for 10 days without a test and return to school on day 11.

The faculty and staff thank you for your partnership in stopping the spread of this deadly virus.

PLEASE NOTE:
Next Tuesday I will include in the Bark information regarding changing learning platforms for the third trimester. The window for changing platforms will be very brief, and can not be extended. The third trimester starts March 15, and Easter Break starts April 1. Depending on where we are with the pandemic numbers, returning to school for T3 may be delayed until Easter Break. Please check back next week for additional information.
 
And, for planning purposes, the 2021-2022 school year will begin Monday, August 23, 2021 at 8:00AM. Of course, planning for that school year is still uncertain and will be based on the nature of the pandemic at that time.
 
Please let me know if you have any questions, or if I can be of any assistance.

Go to Joseph
                              (Gen 41:55)

Denise Rutledge
Principal
 
 Building Wisdom and Faith Through Service to God
No School - Feb. 15



NO SCHOOL = Monday, February 15 in honor of President's Day!
Job Fair


The Diocesan Job Fair scheduled to take place on Saturday, March 13, 2021 (9:00 a.m. – 12 noon) will be a virtual event this year. Details to follow.
Yearbooks
Yearbooks will be available to purchase from Feb 10 - March 26 ONLINE only. There will be no extra copies to purchase after yearbook sale. 

Jostens has created an online portal for yearbook sales, click the link to purchase: http://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A08861400

Cost for the yearbook is $20
Yearbook Picture Submissions

Looking for Candid Photos for the yearbook.

 If you have pictures that you would like to submit for possible use in the 2021 yearbook, Please submit to this site: https://images.schoolannualonline.com/416174421

Submissions will be accepted until March 12, 2021
American Heart Month
FEBRUARY IS AMERICAN HEART MONTH

This is a time when we focus on cardiovascular health. Every person is at risk and it is important that we do what we can to reduce that risk. Below are the list of factors we can & those we cannot control.

Risk Factors That Can Be Managed:
You can control or treat these risk factors with lifestyle changes and your healthcare provider's help:
  • High blood pressure
  • Smoking
  • High blood cholesterol
  • Lack of regular activity
  • Obesity or overweight
  • Diabetes
Risk Factors You Can't Control:
 You can't change these risk factors:
  • Age
  • Gender
  • Heredity (family health history)
  • Race
  • Previous stroke or heart attack

Click on link for infographic on 8 steps to prevent heart disease and stroke:  
Weather Related School Closing and Delays


For weather related closing and delays, we continue to follow Fairfax County Public Schools - FCPS.
Book Club
Mrs. Rutledge and Mrs. Carson invite you to read along and discuss the key elements detailed in
The Power of Showing Up.

Next meeting planned for Tuesday, February 16, at 7:00PM.

Meeting link will be provided closer to the date.

Topic: Chapter 2 Why Do Some Parents Show Up, While Others Don’t?
Once you understand your own upbringing, and are aware of your own narrative, you can use it to create a better bond with your children. Some attachment styles make for better parents.
and

Topic: Chapter 3 Beyond Helmets and Knee Pads: Keeping Your Child Safe
To Help your children feel safe, protect them from harm and avoid being the source of their fear.

The goal of the book club is building community and helping each other through a pandemic. It is not intended to be therapy or family counseling. Please seek the assistance of licensed practitioners if needed.
Stay Connected!
SJS Mobile App, Twitter and Facebook


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)
Weekly Saints Quote
750 Peachtree Street, Herndon, VA 20170
Tel: 703-880-4350 Fax: 703-880-4320