Dear Parents-
Last Sunday, we celebrated Divine Mercy Sunday, and while this feast encourages us to reflect on God's mercy, it is also a time to reflect on how alive and dynamic the Church on Earth is! St. Faustina lived during the 20th century, and it was during the 1930s, while St. Faustina was a nun that she received messages from Jesus about His Divine Mercy. St. Faustina was canonized in 2000 under the direction of Pope John Paul II, who then proclaimed that the Second Sunday of Easter would be known as Divine Mercy Sunday. One of the practices associated with Divine Mercy Sunday is the Divine Mercy Chaplet, which is such an extraordinarily beautiful prayer, and we ask for God’s mercy on us and on the whole world.
During the month of April, the NJHS is collecting toiletries for LINK. LINK has a specific need for diapers (all sizes), toothpaste, shampoo, and conditioner. Grade levels are asked to sponsor an item: Grades K-2- diapers; Grades 3-5- toothpaste and Grades 6-8- shampoo and conditioner. Please consider participating in this important drive to support vulnerable children and adults in our community. In-person learners should bring their donations starting April 19; Distance learners are invited to drop items at the school office during normal school hours. Please do not leave items in the vestibule between the front doors, but instead call ahead for contactless drop-off, if needed.
Our COVID update this week, case data shows substantial transmission of COVID in Fairfax County with 93.24 cases per 100,000. Additionally, the percent positivity rate in Fairfax County is up to 5.99% over the last 7 days. Neighboring Loudoun County has an increased positivity rate of 7.2%, and in Prince William County the 8.8% positivity rate represents a significant increase over last week. Additionally, there are now 349 known cases of the UK B.1.1.7 COVID variant in the Commonwealth, 37 cases of the South Africa B.1.351 variant, and California variants B.1.427 (14 cases) and B.1.429(9 cases) have been identified in Virginia as of April 8. Variants are considered more contagious strains of COVID-19, although not necessarily causing more severe illness. The UK B.1.1.7 COVID variant is close to becoming the predominant strain in our area, according to the latest weekly update from the University of Virginia's Biocomplexity Institute.
The CDC has identified participation in youth sports as a significant source of COVID transmission. The CDC recommends children limit youth sport participation and follow specific guidelines when engaging in those types of activities. Please access guidance here, if you choose to allow your child to participate in youth sports. The Fairfax County Health Department has created the document, COVID-19 Response in Student Athletic Programs to help answer questions.
With the COVID-19 still very much an issue, planning for the 2021-2022 school year remains challenging. Currently, the first day of school for the 2021-2022 school year is scheduled for Monday, August 23, and parents are reminded that there will be no SJS distance learning option. Families seeking a distance option for next school year are invited to consider St. Isadore Virtual School. Information and open house dates can be found HERE.
If you have any questions, or if I can be of assistance, please let me know.
Go to Joseph
(Gen 41:55)
Denise Rutledge
Principal
Building Wisdom and Faith Through Service to God
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Online Book Fair is open!
April 12-May 14 2021
All proceeds will go to the school library!
Check out the Teacher Wish List, too!
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During the month of April, the NJHS is collecting toiletries for LINK. LINK has a specific need for diapers (all sizes), toothpaste, shampoo, and conditioner. Grade levels are asked to sponsor an item: Grades K-2- diapers; Grades 3-5- toothpaste and Grades 6-8- shampoo and conditioner. Please consider participating in this important drive to support vulnerable children and adults in our community. In-person learners should bring their donations starting April 19; Distance learners are invited to drop items at the school office during normal school hours. Please do not leave items in the vestibule between the front doors, but instead call ahead for contactless drop-off, if needed. |
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WALKING WITH PURPOSE!
VIRTUAL STYLE
Walking with Purpose is a Bible study that brings women to a deeper personal relationship with Jesus Christ by offering personal study enhanced by small group sharing.
Groups are forming for the Spring/Summer Sessions
If you are interested, please download a registration form from our website or contact sgeurin63@gmail.com /703-338-7077 for a virtual time that will fit your schedule.
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Catholic Sports/NVJCYO
The Fairfax County Health Department along with CDC recognize that while the benefits of student athletics include exercise, peer competition, and socialization, athletics continue to pose a significant risk for COVID-19 transmission even when mitigation efforts are followed. COVID-19 is transmitted through close contact and through the breathing in of infected respiratory droplets, which are present in greater quantity and spread farther during physical activity or exertion.
Given the recent significant increase, per FCHD, in the number of COVID-19 cases associated with student athletics, along with evidence of transmission occurring among teams, SJC/SJS will not sponsor parish sports this spring. We thank you for your respect and understanding of this decision.
Peace and good!
Father Tom and Mrs. Rutledge
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Parents are asked to meet their children who are walking home, in the municipal lot at the corner of Vine and Center Street.
Please do not block traffic on Vine Street or attempt to pick up your children as they walk along Vine Street.
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Mrs. Rutledge and Mrs. Carson invite you to join along
for conversation and camaraderie as we begin
our second book
Discipleship Parenting -Planting the Seeds of Faith by Kim Cameron Smith
First meeting planned for Wednesday, April 14, at 7:00PM.
Book Club Zoom Link:
Topic: Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 Finding Love and Balance
“In Discipleship Parenting, I provide tools and insights to help parents foster seven ideal growing conditions in the home: Love, Balance, Play, Merciful Discipline, Empathy, Radiant Faith, A Strong Marriage.” - Kim Cameron-Smith
The goal of the book club is building community and helping each other through a pandemic. It is not intended to be therapy or family counseling. Please seek the assistance of licensed practitioners if needed.
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Per CDC, if you are not fully vaccinated (K-8 included), please follow the travel quarantine requirement below upon return. In addition, the quarantine requirement below is also applicable to attendees of medium- large sized social gatherings where social distancing cannot be maintained between people who live in different households and outside your usual cohort:
For Domestic and International travel:
Without a covid 19 test after returning from your travel: Please quarantine for 10 days and return to school on day 11, assuming everyone remains symptom/fever free.
With a covid 19 test done on day 5 after returning from your trip: we ask you quarantine for 7 days to return on day 8, assuming everyone remains symptom/fever free
***You are required to stay home while waiting for your test result even if you do not have any symptoms.
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April Wellness Letter - 95210 Health Initiative: Get at least 1 hour of physical activity each day. Click HERE to read more!
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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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