St Joseph High School - A Catholic College Preparatory Community
Dear Friends,

Good morning and Happy Monday, St. Joes. The SJ community is prominently in my thoughts and prayers as I think of you evaluating and responding to the impact of Tropical Storm Henri. I hope that you are safe and doing well, and please let us know if there is anything that we can do to support your family. On Saturday afternoon, we initiated a preemptive Campus closure for today in order to ensure successful advanced communication to SJ students and families and to provide sufficient time for our Facilities and Maintenance Team to assess the impact of the storm. Thank you for your understanding and support of that decision.

This week, we are extremely excited to welcome approximately 100 members of the Class of 2025 to campus for our Freshman Seminar Course. This unique onboarding initiative provides incoming Grade 9 students with an opportunity to meet their classmates and begin developing new friendships; interact and connect with exceptional faculty members, and casually familiarize themselves with their new “home away from home” for the next four years. Regardless of continued pandemic restrictions and current weather related challenges, we rely on our deep faith and refuse to be distracted from our mission. We are St. Joes and Cadets Carry On!

May you have a peaceful week ahead. As always, I will include your family in my daily prayers and intentions.

In Faith and Fellowship,

David J. Klein
President  
READ ST. JOE'S SCHOOL REOPENING PLAN
On Friday, all families were emailed our School Reopening Plan. This plan was created with insight from the Centers for Disease Control, State of Connecticut Office of the Governor, as well as the Trumbull Department of Health. We encourage all students, parents, faculty, and staff to read through the plan and become acquainted with our policies and procedures.

We urge every student who is eligible to get a vaccine if you have not done so already. High vaccination rates within our community will allow us to offer a full range of campus activities, student events and dynamic in person instruction without interruption. We will continue to share vaccination clinic opportunities with families throughout the year.
 
If you are vaccinated and would like to confidentially submit your vaccination card to our nurse, Dorothy Miller please email her at dmiller@sjcadets.org. All contacts of a medically-confirmed COVID-19 case will be notified of close contact regardless of vaccination status. However, should an individual identified during contact tracing be fully-vaccinated, and not showing symptoms, they may waive quarantine requirements with proof of vaccination.
WELCOME WEEK BEGINS AUGUST 30!
We cannot wait to see our new and returning students fill the hallways once more! Please see below for a quick schedule of the week:
 
Mon, August 31, 9:00am-12:00pm
New International Student Orientation.
  • Dress code required.

Weds, September 1, 7:55am-12:00pm
Orientation for Freshman, International, and Transfer students.
  • Dress code required. Personal computer devices are not needed this day, unless you need assistance troubleshooting your SJ accounts. Lunch will not be served. SJ Bus & Trumbull Bus transportation will be provided.

Thurs, September 2, 7:55am-12:00pm
Orientation for Freshmen and Sophomore students only.
  • (Juniors and Seniors have a free day). Students should report to the gym to check in and receive their schedule. Orientation will include a class meeting, student ID pictures, and a quick rotation of classes. Dress code and personal computer devices are required. Lunch will not be served. SJ Bus & Trumbull Bus transportation will be provided.

Fri, September 4, 7:55am-12:00pm
Orientation will be for Juniors and Seniors students only.
  • (Freshman and Sophomores have a free day). Students should report to the gym to check in and receive their schedule. Orientation will include a class meeting, student ID pictures, and a quick rotation of classes. Dress code and personal computer devices are required. Lunch will not be served. SJ Bus & Trumbull Bus transportation will be provided.
COUNSELING WORKSHOP FOR SENIORS: AUGUST 26
Many thanks to all those who joined us for our College Application Workshop on August 19. Did you miss the workshop? We're offering another on August 26 from 9am-10:30am specifically for our seniors and their parents!

We hope you'll consider joining us for an interactive presentation about the fall application process. This session will be a refresher for some and new information for others.
FRESHMEN & TRANSFER STUDENT BIBLE MASS: SEPT 12
On Sunday, September 12 at 9:30am, Freshmen, Transfer, and International students will join together at St Joes with their parents to celebrate and officially join our community at the annual New Student Bible Mass!

Each new student will be called by name and have a bible presented to them. Through this beautiful tradition, students are officially welcomed as part of the St Joes family.

It is strongly encouraged that all families attend this event. We can't wait to see you then!
A NOTE FROM OUR DIRECTOR OF CAMPUS MINISTRY,
MR. JORDAN SMITH!
Service to the community is a hallmark of a St. Joseph High School education. Last year alone, our students completed over 30,000 hours of service work in countless towns, states, and countries.

St. Joes is fortunate to use a comprehensive online tracking and reporting system for all service hours called x2VOL. Your student will be able to enter their service hours online at any time, as well as check for any volunteer opportunities and sign-up for them, receive reminders, and print a service hour log.

Please review the letters below for additional details on service opportunities, x2VOL, and the service requirements for each grade level. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach me at
jsmith@sjcadets.org or at extension 313.
SAVE THE DATE: VINES & STEINS ON SEPT 18
On September 18 at 6:30pm, all current parents are welcome to join us for Vines & Steins -- St Joseph High School's annual social!
 
Vines & Steins is a wonderful tradition that kicks off the new year and gives all of our parents, alumni, and friends a chance to make new friends, or reconnect with old ones.

The first 100 people to register will receive an SJ imprinted stemless wine glass. Registration information will be sent later this week.
REGISTER TO ATTEND THE HALL OF FAME ON OCT 15
St Joseph High School's Hall of Fame is a celebration and recognition of all those who performed with athletic distinction while at St Joseph High School, or who have been instrumental in the overall development and success of athletics at the school.

The Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on Friday, October 16 at 6pm!
ATHLETIC TRYOUTS & FOOTBALL JAMBOREE!
The official start date for all sports and all levels is Thursday, August 26th. Fall 2021 tryout information can be found on our website by clicking here!

In addition, St Joes will host a Football Jamboree on Saturday, August 28 at 3PM and spectators will be allowed. The scrimmage games will be against Notre Dame, Simsbury, Joel Barlow, East Haven, and Naugatuck (freshmen/JV/Varsity games). Feel free to join us!
NOTE TO NEW PARENTS: INTERNET & DRUG SAFETY PROGRAM WILL BE VIRTUAL (SEPTEMBER 15)
One of St Joe's important events required of all new students is our Internet and Drug Safety Presentation. This year, rather than ask you to attend in-person, our presenters will create a video that will allow all families to receive the same valuable information.

The video will be sent on or around September 15 and all news students as well as one parent/guardian must sign an online form acknowledging that you have viewed the presentation. Additional information will be sent to you as the date nears.
PARENT VOLUNTEERS: ATTEND A VIRTUS TRAINING
Every parent at St Joseph High School is a part of the Parent Association. From baking to volunteering to attending social events, we encourage you to get involved at school! The Parent Association is an energetic group, who in conjunction with the faculty, staff, and administration, work hard for the benefit of the students and school community.

Please Note: The Catholic Church and the Diocese of Bridgeport are committed to the safety of our children. Because of this commitment, anyone who is interested in volunteering in any capacity at St Joes are required to be VIRTUS trained. Please visit virtusonline.org to register for the “Protecting God’s Children for Adults” course.”
UPCOMING EVENTS (VIEW MORE ON OUR SCHOOL CALENDAR)
August 23-27
Freshmen Seminar (for registered students only)
August 26
College Application Workshop
August 26
All Fall Sports Begin
August 29
SJ Leadership Institute Retreat (for Peer Ministers)
August 30
International Student Orientation
BE SURE TO FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA! @SJCADETS