Dear Parents-
The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated at the end of this week on Saturday August 22, and Mary’s Coronation is represented in the Fifth Glorious Mystery of the Rosary. “And a great portent appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars" (Rev 12:1 ). The Blessed Mother holds a special place in our hearts, and our devotion to her mirrors the devotion all children have for their mothers. We know she will comfort us as we continue to confront the current health crisis.
Current data on the Coronavirus in Virginia shows that we continue to remain steady on all data points. The current rate of infection in Fairfax County is 1.08, indicating the virus is still spreading but at a slow rate. Over the last week, Fairfax County has averaged 88 new confirmed cases per day (7.7 for every 100,000 residents). Nearby Loudoun County has a current infection rate of 1.06. The COVID-19 positivity rate for Virginia is 6.2% (Aug. 15, see https://bit.ly/2PZ1xXm)
Parents of in-person learners are asked to read the letter from Dr. Joseph Vorbach, Superintendent of Catholic Schools, and to complete the required Waiver Agreement, found here. For convenience, please fill in one form for each of your children who will attend school in person. Bring the form with you on your child’s first day of school. No students will be allowed to enter the school without first providing this form. By completing the waiver, you agree to assume the risks associated with sending your child to school during the pandemic. Additionally you agree to complete the daily health screening contained in the waiver.
Carpool arrival and dismissal for in-person students will look similar to previous years, with some notable exceptions. Please follow this link for detailed carpool information. Please pay specific attention to the arrival procedure change that students will enter the school through either the door by the flagpole, the main student entrance or the gym entrance. Please check the pictures included at the link for a clear understanding of where students can exit cars. NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE. The plan will help prevent bottlenecks at each door. Please expect the carpool to take significant extra time, especially at the beginning, and bring your patience as we work out all the kinks.
Reminder that in-person learners will eat lunch in their classroom. The SJS Allergy Action plan requires all lunches to be nut-free. For the safety of all our students, please adhere to this requirement. Students are also asked to limit the amount of trash they will generate during lunch, and this can be done by packing sandwiches and snacks in reusable containers. Many reusable containers are made of environmentally friendly materials and support our obligation to take care of the planet. Students should have their own water bottles, and it is comforting to know that water bottle filling stations in the school are touchless. And to reiterate, there is no milk or other food service available until further notice.
I would like to make the following personnel announcements. Mrs. Nancy Lisk assumes the role of instructional assistant working with Mrs. Bilbo to support Mrs. Bilbo’s teaching schedule. Mrs. Lisk is well known to our community through her role in Extended Day, but particularly for her dedication to the students. Mrs. Lisk earned a bachelor’s degree in Hotel/Restaurant Management from Marywood University (PA). Mrs. Ingrid Williams joins the faculty as instructional assistant for 7th grade. Mrs. Williams is also well-known to the SJS community having spent many years as a substitute teacher and lunch monitor. Mrs. Williams earned a bachelor’s degree from George Mason University (VA) in International Studies and Spanish.
Mrs. Hayleigh Roldan resigned her position as receptionist so that she can stay home with her children. We should see Mrs. Roldan from time to time in a substitute/as needed role. I am happy to introduce Ms. Karen Settelmaier who takes over as church and school secretary. Ms. Settelmaier will also support teachers in the school at the start of the school day. Please join me in wishing all well as they assume new responsibilities.
We are working on the final touches needed to ensure a successful school year for all our learners. As we start to open up the school year, I pray for the health and safety of all our students and families and our teachers and staff. I ask that we all exercise patience, remember that we share a common goal and rely on the Holy Spirit to give us the fortitude to do what we need to do, no matter how inconvenient, to keep everyone safe.
As always, if you have any questions, or if I can be of any assistance, please let me know.
Go to Joseph
Denise Rutledge-Principal
Building Wisdom and Faith Through Service to God
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*August 26 - First Day of School Grades 2, 5, and 8
*August 27 - First Day of School Grades 1, 4, and 7
*August 28 - First Day of School K, 3, and 6
August 26, 27, and 28 are 11:30am dismissal days for In-person students. Distance learners will start their day at 12:30 until 3:00pm for August 26, 27, and 28.
*The plexiglass shields needed for kindergarten have not yet been delivered, and without those the kindergarten start date may be delayed.
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SJS Parent/Student Handbook |
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Action Items!!
Please read the 2020-2021 SJS Parent/Student Handbook. We ask that you read it in its entirety as there have been changes in several areas. One important change is the early release requirements for students and doctor appointments.
- Log into PowerSchool to acknowledge that you have read and understood the 2020-2021 SJS Parent/Student Handbook.
- Confirm that all of your information in PowerSchool is correct! The information in PowerSchool is how we will contact you so it is imperative that the information is correct! Check phone numbers, email addresses, home addresses, etc.
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Distance Learners
Textbook Pickup
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Please plan to drive by St. Joseph Catholic School to claim the textbooks your child will need to successfully participate in classes from a distance.
Students that are Distance Learners can pick up their
textbooks on
Thursday, August 20 from 2:00pm-6:00pm
Where? GYM entrance
When? Thursday, August 20, 2020 from 2:00-6:00 PM
Please bring a card with your family name printed on it
and be prepared to open your trunk for contactless delivery. Thank you!
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School Suppy Pick Up & Used Uniforms |
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For those that ordered the school supply kids through Frist Day School Supplies, your kits will be available for pick up on August 20 from 2:00pm-6:00pm.
Where? GYM entrance
When? Thursday, August 20, 2020 from 2:00-6:00 PM
Please bring a card with your family name printed on it and be prepared to
open your trunk for contactless delivery. Thank you!
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Kindergarten Back to School Night |
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Monday, Aug. 24 Kindergarten Back to School Night (parents of in-person learners)
Tuesday, Aug. 25 Kindergarten Orientation -details provided at Back to School Night
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Catholic Sports/NVJCYO
Fall 2020 – As we find ourselves facing the challenges of a pandemic and the
reintegration/reopening of the Church and school, we will not have parish sports this fall. As you may know, the Diocese of Arlington has decided not to have certain sports in the fall as of this date. We thank you for your respect and understanding of this decision.
Peace and good!
Father Tom and Mrs. Rutledge
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Pack 913 Kick-Off Meeting |
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St. Joseph Parish Pack 913 Kick-Off Pack Meeting – Water Rockets and more!
Welcome to the first Pack meeting of our 2020-21 Cub Scout year! Our St Joseph Parish Cub Scouts will be meeting on Friday, August 28th, 5-7pm @ Grand Hamptons County Park located at 1081 Safa Street Herndon, VA 20170. Scouts will be building and launching WATER BOTTLE ROCKETS with their Dens. Other activities will include no contact laser maze, soccer-golf, water balloon range, and Corporate Works of Mercy religious patch activity. Scout should wear their Class “B” scouting activity shirt or any other scouting, school spirit, or patriotic t-shirt. Pack Social Distancing Guidelines will be observed.
New potential Cub Scouts in Kindergarten through 5th grade are welcome to join. Students in any of these grades may join the pack any time throughout the school year. New families wishing to attend this event should contact Steve Bailey at chairperson@pack913.com to review social distancing guidelines prior to the event. |
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Have you been considering joining a Bible Study?
St. Joseph is hosting a Bible Study via Zoom! WALKING WITH PURPOSE BIBLE STUDY IS BACK!
Life today is unsettled and unsettling. We see and feel a deep need for someone more powerful than we are to be our heart-friend and personal guide through these turbulent times. That Someone is Jesus! We need him in every part of our lives, every day. But we wonder how to find and understand Him and to have the joy-filled life that He promises. The Bible is the book that tells us. It is Jesus’ love letter to us, filled with messages of love, hope, joy, guidance, and prayers.
If you’d like to learn how to open His love letter, understand it more deeply than ever, and use it to develop a personal, life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ, and meet new friends, come join us in the Walking With Purpose Bible study for women. We would love to share this journey with you.
Opening Your Heart will be offered this year via Zoom beginning in the Fall. (Time, date TBD by individual group). If you are interested, please download registration form from our website or contact sgeurin63@gmail.com /703-338-7077 for more information and schedule a date, time, session that works for you!
Please visit our website at http://www.tinyurl.com/wwpstjoes where you can download the registration form and find link to order your book from WalkingWithPurpose.com. Please order your book soon! Scholarships available.
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August
August 20: Pre-Ordered School Supply Kit pickup 2pm-6pm (Gym entrance)
August 20: Distance Learners Textbook Pickup 2pm-6pm (Gym entrance)
August 24: Kindergarten Back to School Night 7:00pm Link to be provided.
August 24: New Student Orientation (details provided directly to families)
August 25: Kindergarten Orientation (details provided directly to families)
*August 26: First Day of School Grades 2, 5, and 8 (11:30am dismissal for In-person students. Distance Learners will start their day at 12:30 until 3:00pm.)
*August 27: First Day of School Grades 1, 4, and 7 (11:30am dismissal for In-person students. Distance Learners will start their day at 12:30 until 3:00pm.)
*August 28: First Day of School K, 3, and 6 (11:30am dismissal for In-person students. Distance Learners will start their day at 12:30 until 3:00pm.)
August 29: First Holy Communion (rescheduled from May due to COVID-19; In-person and Distance Learners)
August 31: Virtual Back to School Night Grades 2-6 Parents of In-person Learners 7:00pm. Presentation repeated at 7:30pm. Encore Teachers, Resource Teachers and Counselor available 8:00-8:30pm. Link to be provided.
August 31-Setember 4: SCANTRON Week 1
September
September 1: Virtual Back to School Night Grades 2-6 Parents of Distance Learners 7:00pm Presentation repeated at 7:30pm. Encore Teachers, Resource Teachers, Counselor and Distance Support available 8:00-8:30pm Link to be provided
September 2: Virtual Back to School Night Grade 7 All Parents - Distance and In-person. 7:00pm. Encore Teachers, Resource Teachers, Counselor and Distance Support available 8:00-8:30pm Link to be provided
September 3: Virtual Back to School Night Grade 8 All Parents - Distance and In-person. 7:00pm. Encore Teachers, Resource Teachers, Counselor and Distance Support available 8:00-8:30pm Link to be provided
September 4: 11:30am Dismissal for In-person and Distance Learners
September 7: NO SCHOOL (Labor Day Holiday)
*The plexiglass shields needed for kindergarten have not yet been delivered, and without those the kindergarten start date may be delayed.
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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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