Dear Parents-
We have reached the Ascension of Our Lord, celebrated on Thursday, May 13, (if you’re from Philadelphia) or on Sunday, May 16, (if you live in Virginia), marking the last week of the Easter Season. The Ascension recognizes Jesus’ humanity entering heaven, where He sits at the right hand of His Father, and where he has gone to prepare a place for each of us. Our job on earth is to continue His work! As we reflect on the meaning of the Ascension, it is a good time to reflect on our personal commitment to “doing His work.”
I congratulate all our students who celebrated their first Holy Communion on Saturday, May 8. Please keep all these amazing boys and girls in your prayers, and pray for their families. As the primary teachers of their children, there is a large responsibility on parents for proper faith formation of their children.
It is with very mixed emotions that I announce that Mrs. Kathy Karcz will leave us at the end of the school year. Mrs. Karcz served the SJS community for almost 30 years as one of our third grade teachers. Mrs. Karcz has made the difficult, yet exciting decision to retire from teaching, and while Mrs. Karcz will miss “her kids” and the strong relationships she has built within the community, she is very excited to spend time with her wonderful husband, Peter. I will miss her terribly. Please keep Mrs. Karcz and her family in your prayers as she starts this new adventure.
Last Friday, Gov. Northam announced the plan to lift COVID capacity restrictions and social distancing requirements on June 15, assuming that infection rates continue to trend downward and the vaccination rate continues to trend upward. Governor Northam did not set a date to lift the mask mandate.
VDH reports a 7-day average of 74 new cases of COVID-19 per day in Fairfax County, with a current 7-day test positivity rate of 3%. In nearby Loudoun County the current 7-day positivity rate is 4.3%, and in Prince William County, the test positivity rate remains unchanged at 5.6%. All averages represent PCR testing, which is considered the most reliable. All parents are encouraged to get vaccinated...34% of Fairfax County is fully vaccinated….#getvaccinated
As we start to anticipate the end of the pandemic, please remember that St. Joseph Catholic School does not have autonomy to throw aside the COVID mitigation strategies currently in place. Please expect these restrictions to remain in place through the remainder of the school year. In addition, there will be no extending the school year so that end-of-year celebrations can coincide with the lifting of social distance requirements and capacity limits on June 15. Graduation for 8th grade is Tuesday, June 8 and the last day of school for all students, K-7, is Friday, June 11. Thank you for your support in keeping students, faculty, and staff healthy!
We are in SCANTRON testing week two for grades 3-7, and all 8th grade students will take the World Language Exam on Tuesday, May 11. Please make sure your children are in school and on time during these last important weeks of school.
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
