Dear Parents-
We celebrate Mardi Gras, marking the last day of ordinary time prior to the Lenten season, and by tracing the holiday back to the first century, we learn from historians that the day was always set aside as a day of over-indulgence, but within reason. And although not a holy day of obligation, we enter the holy season of Lent with school Mass and reception of Ashes. At the school Mass last Friday, Father Tom invited all students to participate in his 40-Day Lenten Challenge, where for the days during Lent, students act in a very thoughtful manner, avoiding gossip, and unkind actions towards one another. Embracing the dignity of every person, and respecting each other helps prepare us for a life with Christ.
During Lent, students in grades 3-8 will attend Stations of the Cross each week on Wednesday afternoons. If parents MUST pick up a child early on a Wednesday in Lent, please plan to arrive no later than 2:00 PM (Grades 3-8 only). After that time, students will be attending Stations of the Cross in the church and will not be available for an early dismissal.
Pope Francis tweeted on Saturday an invitation for everyone to participate in a Day of Prayer and Fasting, on Ash Wednesday, for peace in #Ukraine, “in order to be near to the suffering Ukrainian people, to be aware that we are all brothers and sisters, and to implore God for an end to the war.”
The CDC released new metrics that will be used to inform the guidance for schools, and the CDC now looks at the combination of three metrics — new COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100,000 population in the past 7 days, the percent of staffed inpatient beds occupied by COVID-19 patients, and total new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population in the past 7 days. Based on these criteria, counties are rated high, medium, low. Currently, Fairfax County is rated low risk of COVID transmission, and while in low transmission, SJS will look to add events to our calendar. The CDC cautions that should hospitalizations and severe disease increase, the potential exists for the return to wearing masks and additional mitigation strategies.
Coming Soon -- at our next PTO Meeting, Mrs. Henry will talk with parents about social-emotional learning and how we support student development in emotional growth leading to life-long success. A date and time will be forthcoming.
As always, if I can be of assistance, or you have any questions, please let me know.
Pray to St. Joseph for all your needs! (St. Teresa of Avila)
Denise Rutledge
Principal
Building Wisdom and Faith Through Service to God
|
|
Report Card/PowerSchool Reminders |
|
Report Card/PowerSchool reminders
- Thursday, March 10, 2022, at 4:30 PM–Parent Portal closes for grades 3-8.
- Friday, March 11, 2022–Trimester 2 ends.
- Friday, March 18, 2022–Report Cards issued via PowerSchool.
**Parent Portal will be open after 4:00 PM for Grades K-8.**
- Monday, March 28, 2022–Parent Portal closes for Grades K-2. Parent Portal remains open for Grades 3-8.
|
|
Day of Prayer for Ukraine |
|
|
|
Ash Wednesday - March 2, 2022
Pope Francis invited all to a day of prayer and fasting on Wednesday, March 2 (Ash Wednesday) for peace in the Ukraine. We encourage you to participate in the best manner that you see fit.
|
|
When Attending Mass Virtually Just Doesn’t Cut It
Are your reasons for missing Mass on Sunday really reasons, or are they excuses?
|
|
40 Hours Devotion
St. Joseph Catholic Church
March 3, 4, 5, 2022
Pope Francis shared: “The rediscovery of prayer in various forms, and particularly Eucharistic Adoration, is a source of hope for the Church to grow and take root.”
|
|
SJS Yearbook - Order Now! |
|
Yearbook Orders - On Sale Now!
Sales will run from Feb 14 - April 1
Here is the direct link:
Yearbooks will be available for purchase online only.
No extra copies will be purchased
|
|
Reminder of SJS sick policy
Illness and siblings: If your child is sick or just not feeling well, please keep them home and monitor them. If your child continues not to feel well or is not fever free after 24 hours without taking any over the counter medication, please have them evaluated by their healthcare provider and provide a medical clearance note prior to returning to school. You can find this clearance note on the nurses’ page.
If your child has a sibling in the school, we ask that you keep everyone home until the sick child has a diagnosis for their symptoms OR has been medically cleared. Household contact is considered continuous transmission; this is an extra layer in place to help prevent the spread of illness to other students while waiting for a diagnosis for your sick child.
COVID 19 testing: We are permitted to accept both rapid antigen tests and the PCR covid test. Please keep your child home while you await their test results. We do need an official or signed or stamped copy of their covid test result and/or a copy of the doctor's clearance note prior to returning to school. For a home covid rapid antigen test, please send/email a picture of the test labelled with your child's name, DOB and date of test.
|
|
American Heart Month 2022 is celebrated in February. Heart health is important for people of all ages. Per CDC, Uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension) is too common and dangerous. It puts people at risk for heart disease, stroke, heart failure, kidney failure, vision loss, peripheral artery disease, pregnancy complications, and cognitive decline. Please click on this link to find out more about resources that can help you manage your heart health and get the conversation started with your healthcare provider.
|
|
Asthma Medication & Treatment
|
|
|
|
Financial Aid Applications are due for Elementary Schools by March 16, 2022. Please remember that 2021 W-2s and tax returns are required for verification!
|
|
Herndon H.S. Soccer Team - Volunteers Needed |
|
The Herndon High School Girls Varsity soccer team is looking for volunteer "ball helpers" to help fetch the balls during home games. Four SJS grads are on currently on the team. This is a great opportunity for middle schoolers to earn service hours and get some exercise! If anyone is interested, please sign up using the link below:
|
|
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)
|
|
750 Peachtree Street, Herndon, VA 20170
Tel: 703-880-4350 Fax: 703-880-4320
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
