Dear Parents-
Yesterday, we celebrated the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church. Pope Francis inserted this Memorial into the Church calendar in 2018, and it is celebrated annually on the Monday after Pentecost. Pope Francis’ goal with this Memorial is to “encourage the growth of the maternal sense of the Church in the pastors, religious and faithful, as well as a growth of genuine Marian piety.”
Students will participate in Fun in the Sun Day, Friday, May 28, which is a throwback to a special event on the SJS calendar some years ago. This year, Fun in the Sun Day replaces field day, and allows students to enjoy some downtime in the sunshine, outside, and feast on a special ice cream treat provided through the generosity of the Good Samaritan Council 6175 of the Knights of Columbus. Students and teachers are planning fun activities to kick-off the Memorial Day weekend!
Our Raise Craze fundraiser ends May 31. This week is dedicated to supporting the AOK activities of our students. All funds raised support the PTO teacher start-up funds as well as the purchase of grade-level STEM carts. Students will dress out this week and are encouraged to participate in acts of kindness to support our school.
On May 14, Gov. Northam signed EO 79, which terminates EO 72, effective May 28. Under the EO 79, all COVID mitigation strategies are no longer in effect. The clear exception is with respect to schools. Specifically, “All students, teachers, staff, and visitors must wear a mask over their nose and mouth while on school property.” SJS will continue to follow this mandate.
VDH reports a 7-day average of 30 new cases of COVID-19 per day in Fairfax County, with a current 7-day test positivity rate of 1.6%. In nearby Loudoun County the current 7-day positivity rate is 2.5%, and in Prince William County, the test positivity rate dropped to 2.7%. All averages represent PCR testing, which is considered the most reliable. All parents are encouraged to get vaccinated...42.2% of Fairfax County is fully vaccinated….#getvaccinated
COVID-19 vaccinations are currently authorized for students aged 12 and older. While there is no guidance from VDH/VDOE on whether schools can require proof of COVID-19 vaccination, if you decide to vaccinate your child, please contact our school nurse, Mrs. Ezenwa to update your child’s vaccination records. This is not a requirement at this time, but the data is helpful to us in terms of evaluating risk in our building, and implementing necessary precautions.
I am excited to make the following personnel announcement:
Mrs. Roslyn Tomy joins our middle school faculty as our new jr. high math teacher. Mrs. Tomy has 6 years experience as a middle school math teacher. She earned a bachelor's degree in engineering from The City College, City University of New York (NY), and a master's degree in education with a concentration in secondary education-mathematics from George Mason University (VA). Mrs. Tomy holds a VCEA teaching license and VA Collegiate Professional License in Mathematics anticipated July 2021.
Please keep Mrs. Tomy in your prayers as she starts her career at SJS.
12 days to go…...
If you have any questions, or if I can be of assistance, please let me know.
Go to Joseph
(Gen 41:55)
Denise Rutledge
Principal
Building Wisdom and Faith Through Service to God
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Early Dismissal and No School |
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11:30am dismissal on Friday, May 28 for all students. *NO AFTERNOON EXTENDED DAY
NO SCHOOL - Monday, May 31
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Once students exit the school building and until the first car exits the lot, please keep car engines off. It only takes about 15 minutes to complete this process, so please work with us to ensure student safety.
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Medication Pick-Up
Click HERE for a message from Mrs. Ezenwa regarding medication pick up.
Please schedule a time to pick up your child's medication (emergency and or over-the counter medication or items). To schedule a time, please click HERE.
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Per VDH, holiday travel can be risky because more people are traveling and getting together to celebrate. Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others if you are not fully vaccinated. As a reminder, for individuals who are not fully vaccinated, this includes our children, please follow our travel quarantine requirement upon return:
Without a covid 19 test after returning from your travel: Please quarantine for 10 days and return to school on day 11, assuming everyone remains symptom/fever free.
With a covid 19 test done on day 5 after returning from your trip: we ask you quarantine for 7 days to return on day 8, assuming everyone remains symptom/fever free
***You are required to stay home while waiting for your test result even if you do not have any symptoms
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SJS Saints are spreading incredible acts of kindness!
You can too!
- 6 days to go!
- $27,834 raised
- 308 Acts of Kindness
- 182 Participants
- Leading AOK Class: *TIE* 6 White and 1 Red
- Leading Class with Most Amount Raised: 3 Red
We set two goals -
- STEM carts for each class ($3000 each)- so far we have raised enough for grade levels K-5 to get a STEM Cart.
- Replenishing the PTO Teacher fund ($8000) - THANK YOU! The fund has been replenished for the 2021-2022 Academic Year
Let's keep up the great work of raising funds for our GREAT school and paying it forward with acts of kindness. We have 6 DAYS left - will we be able to supply EACH grade level with a STEM cart?
AOK Leaderboard:
- 6 White - Mrs. Bolka with 30 Acts of Kindness
- 1 Red - Ms. Hornilla with 30 Acts of Kindness
- K Orange - Mrs. Barry with 24 Acts of Kindness
Amount Raised for SJS
- 3 Red - Mrs. Karcz - $2,525
- K White - Mrs. Kulik - $2,305
Tips to remind families:
- Each child should have their own account to log their Acts of Kindness- Reminder we are hoping to have 100% participation
- Don't want to burden your family with sending them multiple children links? Don't worry divide the family/friend emails so each email only gets one ask.
- Please register under the class your child is in NOW not homeroom- the prizes are:
- Top Acts of Kindness Classroom - 1st Place
- Chick-Fil-A Lunch with the Friars and Chef Laura + a Dress out Day!
- Top Acts of Kindness Classroom - 2nd Place
- Chick-Fil-A Lunch with the Friars and Chef Laura
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*NEW* Top Class with Highest Amount Raised
- Chick-Fil-A Lunch with the Friars and Chef Laura
Only 1 lunch prize awarded to 1 class
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We want to see and hear about the kindness you are spreading! Send photos to
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New Family Sponsors Needed! |
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Kindly remember that if you need to pick up your child before dismissal for doctor's appointments, trips, etc. please do so by 2:15pm. Thank you for your support!
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Please note our new Weekend Mass times starting May 22-23, 2021.
Peace and good!
I pray this message finds you well and enjoying good health.
After meeting with the friars and appropriate parish staff, we have made the decision to begin our full Mass schedule on the weekend of May 22 - 23, 2021. The Mass schedule was approved by Bishop Burbidge prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. We were hoping to begin this in either June or July, however, we now have several Masses at full capacity as more parishioners are returning to the weekend Masses. The Mass schedule will be:
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Sunday
7:00 am
9:00 am
11:00 am
1:00 pm
3:00 pm - Spanish
5:00 pm
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We will continue to follow all COVID-19 protocols as directed by the Bishop.
We will have music (instrumental and cantor) at six of the seven weekend Masses. We will not have music at the 7:00 am with the exception of Christmas and Easter. We thank our musicians and cantors for their ministry.
We would need the continued ministry and assistance of the Knights and ushers at the six English Masses. We thank the Knights and ushers for their ministry.
We would need the continued ministry and assistance of the Spanish ushers at the 3:00 pm Mass and possibly a few other Masses. We thank the Spanish ushers for their ministry.
We will continue to reevaluate the manner in which we return "back to normal" regarding confessions on Saturday afternoon, 6:30 am weekday Mass (M-F), First Friday Mass and Nocturnal Adoration, Spanish Prayer Group, etc... I would ask for your continued patience and understanding as we attempt to navigate through the challenges of the pandemic.
Know that I appreciate your patience and understanding as we celebrate the sacramental life of the parish in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Easter blessings!
Father Tom
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Mrs. Rutledge and Mrs. Carson invite you to join along
for conversation and camaraderie as we begin
our second book
Discipleship Parenting -Planting the Seeds of Faith by Kim Cameron Smith
The next meeting is planned for Wednesday, May 26, at 7:00PM.
Book Club Zoom Link:
Topic: Chapter 7 -- A Strong Marriage
The author shares these takeaways for our consideration:
A Strong Marriage
● Our family will only be as stable and healthy as our marriage, so it deserves our attention. God intends for spouses to be a safe harbor for one another, not the source of storms!
● Your marriage models for your children how to treat others in close, intimate relationships. Speak about and to your spouse with deep regard and love; perform little acts of kindness to make his or her life easier. Be willing to serve even in small ways.
● You and your spouse are called to help one another on your paths to heaven. See your spouse the way Christ does, as a precious and priceless soul on a journey to a Divine Destination.
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.
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Way to go, Ana Gallelli! (SJS class of 2020)!
Ana was part of the 1st Place (State Champions) PVI Girls' Relay Team this weekend!!
We love seeing the talents and gifts of our students continue to shine after graduation!
1st Place Champions - All-State 1st Team
Erin Irlan, Caroline Graham, Ana Gallelli, and Alauna Rutland - 4x100m relay
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All St Joseph Pack 913 Cub Scouts and Family Invited — Saturday, June 5th 11am – 4pm
Come One, Come All! Please join St Joseph Pack 913 Cub Scouts for a Scout Carnival and our annual Blue and Gold Birthday celebration. BBQ, snow cones, cotton candy, birthday cake, balloons, dunk tank, inflatable obstacle course, carnival games, and entertainment. We also will be having our annual Scout cross over ceremony, and provide new handbooks, awards as well at Lake Fairfax Park in Reston, Large Pavilion area. For more information, contact Steve Bailey at chairperson@pack913.com.
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**Families are encouraged to follow all COVID-19 CDC guidelines. |
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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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750 Peachtree Street, Herndon, VA 20170
Tel: 703-880-4350 Fax: 703-880-4320
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