Dear Parents-
Set apart for a holy purpose….Father Daivd used those words during his homily at our school Mass to remind students that they were consecrated at their baptisms and made holy, and by that, set apart for something different. In a powerful message, Father David used his chalice as a concrete example for students that once consecrated, the chalice is set apart for a holy purpose, and what makes it special is not what’s on the outside of the chalice, but what goes inside. The same applies to each of us, and Father reminded students that just like the chalice, what they “take in” is what sets them apart, and he asked them to reflect on what messages they listen to, what messages they watch, and what messages they speak. As true gifts from God, each of our kids is set apart to be holy and do great things... to reach this goal, though, takes the support and guidance of all the adults who care about the kids.
Advent Blessings! And welcome back from what I pray was a wonderful Thanksgiving! It is so great to have the kids back in the building, and Trimester 2 is underway as we count down the 13 school days until Christmas break!!
In this week’s COVID update VDH reports that over the last 7 days, Fairfax County has seen a significant increase in total case rate, now 72 cases per 100,000, (142 cases per day), and NAAT (PCR) test positivity ticking up more than a percentage point to 3.8%. The transmission rate has moved back to substantial transmission. Nearby Loudoun County has a current case rate, up noticeably to 120.9 per 100,000 and the COVID-19 positivity rate in Loudoun is up to 4.3%. The Fairfax County adult vaccination rate for fully vaccinated individuals has reached 77.8%. Mask up, Vax up and Please stay vigilant!
For perspective, in the Aug. 31 Bark, the Fairfax County COVID case rate was 109.5 cases per 100,000, and NAAT (PCR) test positivity at 6.1%; and this time last year, Fairfax County reported a positivity rate of 8.8%, and an average of 449 new COVID cases per day.
At the end of October, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determined that the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine has met the safety and efficacy standards for use in children ages 5 through 11 years old. Vaccinating your child against COVID-19 is strictly a parent decision. SJS offers no opinion or recommendation on this issue. However, if you decide to vaccinate your child, I invite you to share that information with Mrs. Ezenwa, by sending her a copy of the vaccination card after your child is fully vaccinated. All information will be kept confidential, and it will help us determine next steps in the event of COVID exposure in our school.
As a reminder to all 8th grade students and parents, 8th grade students will take the High School Placement Test (HSPT) on Thursday, December 2. The test is required for admission to a Diocesan high school, however, all students will take the test, regardless of plans for next year. There is no cost to take the test at SJS. If your child is ill on test day, or misses the test for any reason, AND your child intends to apply to a Diocesan high school, you will need to arrange to take the test at one of the Diocesan high schools on the HSPT make-up day, and you will be required by the high school to pay a testing fee.
We end this week with the Night of Hope sponsored by our amazing PTO (and especially Mrs. Fitzpatrick, and our marketing director, Mrs. Tuttle!). We are blessed with great ticket sales, and I am looking forward to seeing so many of you at the event! We are fortunate that such a high percentage of our adult community is vaccinated, and that we can gather safely!...See you there!
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
