|
Dear Parents-
The memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows is Thursday, Sept. 15, and it commemorates Mary’s seven sorrows in relation to Christ: the prophecy of Simeon where Mary learned her Son will be opposed; the flight into Egypt; losing the Holy Child for three days; meeting Jesus on his way to Calvary; standing at the foot of the Cross; seeing Jesus being taken from the Cross; the burial of Christ. As His mother, Mary experienced intense suffering at Christ’s crucifixion, and she teaches us to face our own sufferings with courage and perseverance, trusting in God’s mercy.
Saturday was a beautiful day, and we enjoyed a truly wonderful, community building parish barbecue! I want to thank our wonderful and generous school community for your contribution to the success of the barbecue- It was so good to see so many families, and all the Friars, enjoying the beautiful afternoon together after the pandemic-caused pause in this annual event. And, I have to say the face-painting was epic, and I offer a huge thank you to our amazing PTO for supporting the teachers’ artistic efforts with needed supplies. Special thanks to Jeanne Nappier, Danny Rucker, Laura Ricketts, and the entire facilities team, for their hard work…and to all those who helped make this a great day!
Last Friday we inducted our 8th grade students who were selected to the National Junior Honor Society. These students were selected based on their commitment to scholarship, service, leadership and character. Please join me in congratulating our 25 new members!
Parents are reminded that students in grades 3-7 will take NWEA-MAP growth tests this year. The NWEA-MAP tests replace SCANTRON testing. The first testing window opened Monday, and runs through Thursday, September 29. Parents and students are invited to access the practice materials and 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. Like SCANTRON, NWEA-MAP is a web-based, adaptive tool, given three times per school year, and measures student growth in math, reading and language arts. This week, students will work on Math. Please have your children in school and on time. If you have scheduling concerns, please contact your child’s teacher.
Parents of our current 8th grade students, please note that the high school placement test, (HSPT), is scheduled for Thursday, December 1. This test is required for all students who plan to attend a Diocesan high school, (PVI, DJO, BI or JPG). Also, parents of 8th grade students taking geometry or algebra, and 7th grade students taking algebra are asked to mark calendars for Saturday, June 3. Students in these classes are required to take the mandatory exemption exams, scheduled at each of our four diocesan high schools. Please mark your calendars and COMMIT NOW to keep these important dates.
I share for the third time that 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. The test is scheduled to run at 7:00PM. If you do not get a call, text and email, please contact Mrs. Pearce at l.pearce@sjschoolva.org.
Don’t forget to support the Class of 2023 by dining tonight at Chick-fil-a Reston from 4:00-8:00PM. Also don’t forget that parent band night is rescheduled for Tuesday, September 20 at 7:00PM in room 209.
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
| 
