Bernie's Bark
9.29.2020
Dear Parents-
 
Today we celebrate the feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels. Angels are often mentioned throughout the Bible, however, not much is known about them. We do know that angels are pure spirits and their purpose is to serve God. The three archangels act as messengers and protectors of mankind... Michael protects, Gabriel announces and Raphael guides. This day was celebrated in many countries as Michaelmas Day, complete with special holiday recipes and traditions!

I want to strongly remind parents of in-person students that you are required to complete a morning COVID screening check of all your children, including taking temperatures. This requirement was spelled out as part of the waiver you signed at the beginning of the school year. This is a daily obligation on your part. To keep our school families safe and to keep our school open, everyone must do their part! Please review the requirements found here.

In this week’s COVID update we notice a significant downturn in cases and positivity rate in Virginia as a whole. This week the infection rate in Virginia is .94 with a test positivity rate of 4%. Infection rate in Fairfax County was up, reported at 0.98. Neighboring Loudoun County has an infection rate of .90, while Prince William County continues to remain on high alert. Websites that track the virus indicate COVID in Fairfax County is spreading at a slow and controlled rate. As always, I remind our families to wear masks, wash hands, keep distance and avoid crowds.

Mark your calendars for upcoming events to celebrate the feast of St. Francis. All are invited to the Transitus of St. Francis of Assisi on October 3; the Blessing of the Animals, also on October 3; and on Sunday, October 4, Bishop Burbidge has given permission to celebrate the Solemnity of St. Francis of Assisi at SJC Masses. Please continue to observe the mitigation strategies published in the Church Reintegration Plan.

Also mark your calendar for the upcoming general PTO meeting planned for tomorrow, Wednesday, September 30, at 7:00PM. This will be a virtual event and a link will be provided.

The test of our School Messenger Emergency Text Messaging System did not go as well as hoped; therefore we will conduct another test of the emergency messaging system, including text, email, and phone. To receive text messages, you must opt into this service. Please see opt-in instructions at this link. The second test is planned for Friday, October 2.

The morning carpool is running reasonably smoothly, however, I want to encourage parents to allow students to exit the car independently. We have plenty of staff members on the sidewalk to help with heavy car doors if necessary. Parents should not get out of the car to assist students. Hugs and kisses before you leave home, and then a few quick words of encouragement as students exit the car at school set the day up for success!

Also, a quick reminder that during the pandemic, students are eating in their classrooms and SJS is a nut-free school. NO NUTS are allowed. Many students have serious, even life-threatening allergies and no one may have nuts, or tree-nuts, while at school. Thank you for your attention to this issue.

We are almost at the end of the DFE process, and I thank you for your patience as we have 11:30 dismissal on October 2, October 9, October 13 and October 16.

I pray that you continue to stay well. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Go to Joseph
                              (Gen 41:55)

Denise Rutledge
Principal
 
 Building Wisdom and Faith Through Service to God
Early Dismissal


Friday, October 2 = 11:30am dismissal (Professional Development)

General PTO Meeting
Wednesday, September 30, at 7:00PM

Topic: PTO General Meeting
Time: Sep 30, 2020 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 972 5545 3951
Passcode: GoSaints


The goal of the meeting is to:
Approve new positions, talk about donation forms, give updates on 5k, budget, and future planning. Anything else that we should include.
Nurse's Corner
5th Annual Run with the Saints - Virtual
St. Joseph Catholic School (SJS) is proud to host their 5th Annual Run with the Saints 5K Race and 1 Mile fun Run/Walk. This year we will hosting this event as a VIRTUAL event - so runners will run or walk their 5K/1 Mile anytime during the weekend of October 23-25! Each year we have increased the number of participants in the run/walk and we hope to keep our momentum going!

Your participation in our St. Joseph Catholic School and St. Joseph Catholic Church/community is vital to the work we do in our Catholic schools. The funds raised provide tuition assistance, education programs and funding for school operations. Click below to register for the race!
Couch to 5k Planning Plan

Not sure you can run a 5K, want a new goal, or just a fun way to train? Try out this 4-week training plan! (Click below)


You can do this!
 App to Map a 5K or 1 mile walk

Not sure how far a 5K is or which route to run? Try out Runtastic!

Adidas Running App Runtastic to map out a route from anywhere:


Friendzy Program
Distance Learner - Workbook Pick Up!
St. Joseph Catholic School is excited to announce the launch of a new school-wide program of social-emotional learning, called Friendzy. This program will be implemented by our school counselors with the support of faculty, staff and parents!

As part of this program, each SJS student will receive a student workbook that will be used in class. Students who are learning in-person will receive workbooks during their regularly scheduled classes with Mrs. Farrell or Mrs. Henry.

Our Distance-Learning families are asked to pick up their children’s workbooks next week at the Gym doors on Friday, October 2 from 1:00pm to 2:00pm. If you are not able to make this day and time, kindly contact Mrs. Farrell or Mrs. Henry to make other arrangements.

We look forward to sharing more information about Friendzy as the program progresses. Please look for updates on the Counselor's Corner Page of our SJS website. 
Schoology for Distance Learners
Schoology for Distance Learners

Mrs. Hatley will be covering various Schoology topics on September 28 and 29 for Distance Learners. Topics include submitting assignments, the Schoology app on your mobile device, and Kami. Meeting link will be emailed.

September 28: Grades K - 2
September 29: Grades 3-8
School Messenger Emergency System
Opt- In!!
Be sure to OPT-IN for important messages such as school closings from St. Joseph Catholic School! A test will be made on Friday, October 2.

Our school utilizes the SchoolMessenger system to deliver text messages, straight to your mobile phone with important information about school closings. You can participate in this free service (standard message and data rates may apply) just by sending a text message of “Y” or “Yes” to our school’s short code number, 67587.

Coffee with the Principal
Transitus of St. Francis of Assisi &
Blessing of the Animals
PTO Board Position Open
Open PTO Position: PTO is seeking a volunteer willing to become the VP of Fundraising for the 2020-2021 school. This person's main role within the board is to coordinate and execute our annual Spring Fling. If you are interested in this position or would like more information please email pto@sjschoolva.org
Prayer Leaders
pray_lettering.jpg
We will continue with prayers leaders alphabetically! Each family is asked to make a video of the student(s) and the family reciting the prayers (Our Father, Hail Mary, and St Joseph...Pray for US) and then send the video to Caryn Hatley at wsjsnews@sjschoolva.org
We look forward to continuing this wonderful tradition!

September 28: Alford, S. and C.
September 29: Alipio, A.
September 30: Alleva, C. and A.
October 1: Alligood, L.
October 2: Althoff, C.

October 5: Amans, S.
October 6: Anderson, S., R., J., C.
October 7: Angel, E.
October 8: Archibald, S.
October 9: Arias, M.

**Please dress in school uniform or presentable attire
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