Dear Parents-
Happy Easter!
Divine Mercy Sunday is a remarkable feast on the Catholic calendar declared in 2000 during the canonization Mass for St. Faustina. The feast is dedicated to the infinite mercy of Jesus. In her diary, St. Faustina wrote that Jesus said, “Souls perish in spite of My bitter Passion. I am giving them ... the Feast of My mercy.” To impress on us the importance of this day, Pope John Paul II granted plenary and partial indulgences to anyone who participated appropriately in celebrating the day. What an incredible gift!
I am excited to share the following personnel announcement. Mrs. Joan Bolka will resign her position as 6th grade teacher and will join our resource team as our certified academic language therapist providing language intervention for students with dyslexia, effective 2022-2023 school year. Mrs. Bolka has completed 200 hours of instruction and 500 hours of supervised practice in Sounds in Syllables from Atlantic Seaboard Dyslexia Education Center (ASDEC) in order to earn this certification, anticipated June 2022. Mrs. Bolka will work in conjunction with Mrs. Tauscher, certified reading specialist, and Mrs. Figueiredo, Title 1 reading, to provide the third tier of interventions.
The level of intervention that Mrs. Bolka will provide usually requires parents to find an outside therapist. We are very excited to add this level of support for students.
Consider joining us for Forks, Corks and Kegs on May 13. This will be our final PTO social event of the year, capping off our social event last August and Night of Hope in December. Forks, Corks and Kegs will be a great opportunity to support the outgoing PTO board and welcome in the new. Also, Friends of Bernie parking spaces will be for sale. Please join us for hors d'oeuvres, beverages, music and fellowship! See details below.
I want to extend a warm thank you to Ed Fitzpatrick, who saw the PTO through all the chaos of COVID, serving as our president through such a difficult time. Also thanks to Mike McFarlane for his many years of service overseeing the PTO financials. Your gift of time and talent is greatly appreciated.
Friday marks the half-way point in Trimester 3, and all grades on PowerSchool will be updated by Friday, April 29. We will be down to the last six weeks of the school year, and it is important to check grades and take advantage of the time left and set goals to end the year strong. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher.
Please remember that the focus is on students complying with the uniform dress code, and parents are asked to support our effort. Please make sure your child is wearing the uniform properly, and pay particular attention to the top violations: non-uniform sweater/sweatshirt; make-up and nail polish; non-uniform socks; hair length, trendy cut or color; non-uniform approved footwear; excessive jewelry.
The uniform is an integral component of a Catholic education, and the cooperation of all is expected. Students who do not comply with the dress code will receive a uniform referral and parents will be notified.
Observational learning is a critical tool as children learn and grow. Children will copy the behaviors modeled by adults. And so we have to be mindful of what we say and the respect we show to ourselves and to others around us. Behavior specialists remind us that developing self-respect in our children is essential for their character and moral development. Jill Rigby, in her book Raising Respectful Children in a Disrespectful World notes, “If you are parenting to build self-respect in your children, you’ll focus on who your kids are becoming rather than on how much you give them. You’ll teach them how to serve others rather than expecting to be served.”
As always, your support is appreciated as we work to build character and raise behavioral expectations!
Pray for peace in the Ukraine.
Pray to St. Joseph for all your needs! (St. Teresa of Avila)
Denise Rutledge
Principal
Building Wisdom and Faith Through Service to God
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This year's show is hybrid. It is currently "Live" online. This Thursday, April 28 will be the one day, In Person Show Hall A, from 2:00-7:00 pm. You are welcome to walk through with your family. There are over 500 pieces, displayed by class. Students love seeing their work matted and framed. If you choose to purchase the framed Art, all sales will be online through the Artome website. You will be able to take home the framed artwork that you purchase online, directly from the show. If you choose not to purchase, student Art will be returned to their art class portfolios in a few weeks. Only parents will be able to buy originals, but family members can order copies with frames! The price for originals and reproductions and siblings are all $30.00.
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ALL payments must be done online! No payments will be accepted at the in-person Art Show!
- No in person cash, check, credit card for frames.
- How do I get my artwork? Take your printed receipt or show your receipt from your phone, along with the Artwork, to a check out table. We'll place your framed work in an orange bag. The bag serves as verification that you purchased the art.
- If you purchase Artwork during the online show, you can just show your phone receipt. We can assist you if you need help with the process.
Would you like to help with the show on Thursday? Contact Mrs. Sears m.sears@sjschoolva.org. Help is needed at check out tables, exits, setting up and breaking down. Any amount of time is appreciated.
**Raffle** Tickets will be sold (in person only) for a basket full of awesome art supplies!
- Cash or Check ONLY (“St. Joseph Catholic School”) for Raffle tickets.
- Raffle tickets are $1 ea.
- No credit or debit or online for raffle tickets.
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Raffle item: Portfolio, 8 poster markers, 48 oil pastels, 36 chalk pastels, 2.5 lb. air dry clay, 36 pan watercolors, 16 prang watercolors, 12 watercolor pencils, drawing kit, 8.5x11 sketchpad, 7x10 field watercolor book, 24 sheet watercolor pad.
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Forks, Corks, and Kegs on Friday, May 13
7:00-9:30pm
at St. Joseph Catholic School!
Kindly let us know if you will be attending the Forks, Corks, and Kegs adult only event. Hors d'oeuvres, wine, and beer will be in full swing along with music! Tickets are $45 and will be charged to your FACTS account once you RSVP. Tickets will not be sold at the door!
PTO will hold elections and a limited number of "Friends of Bernie" reserved parking spaces will be available to purchase. Payment by check only for the parking spaces. So, don't forget your checkbook if you are lucky to get one of the reserved parking spots!
We look forward to seeing all of our wonderful parents at this fun and casual event!
RSVP by May 6, 2022
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Coffee with the Principal - May 6 |
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The SJS 8th Grade Class of 2022
Presents
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Music & Lyrics by
Elton John & Tim Rice
Additional Music & Lyrics by
Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, and Hans Zimmer
Book by
Roger Allers & Irene Mecchi
Based on the Broadway production directed by
Julie Taymor
Director / Music Director Assistant Director / Choreographer
Ms. Gabriella Bambino Mrs. JoEllen Mountcastle
Performed live in the SJS gym on Afternoon and Evening performances
Wednesday, May 25th, 2022 @2pm and @7pm
Admission fee: FREE
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Music Adapted & Arranged and
Additional Music & Lyrics and
“Luau Hawaiian Treat” written by Will Van Dyke
“It’s a Small World” written by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman
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Disney’s The Lion King JR. is presented through special arrangement with
and all authorized materials are supplied by
Music Theatre International.
421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019
Script, music, and all other material © 2015 Disney
Broadway Junior and MTI’s Broadway Junior Collection are trademarks
of Music Theatre International. All rights reserved.
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Welcome Saints Volunteers Needed! |
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Starting at a new school can be overwhelming, not just for the students but for the entire family. To ease the transition, we have created the Welcome Saints program. This resource pairs each new family with a veteran SJS family - YOU.
We need YOU! Please consider volunteering as a Family Ambassador as part of the Welcome Saints program. You will act as a resource and a point of contact for a new family. New families often have many questions - about the uniform, carpool, the dining hall, the extended day program, recess, textbooks, supplies, etc. These are everyday questions! You will act as a resource in helping them find the answers to their questions. More importantly, you provide a huge warm welcome! Introduce your children to the new student so that they know someone prior to the first day of school!
Don't think you know enough to become a Family Ambassador? No worries! We will have a 'training' session to get everyone up to speed on what to cover and how to be the best ambassador for your family!
If interested, please contact JoEllen Mountcastle at welcomesaints@sjschoolva.org
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We are so excited to welcome our volunteers back for lunch and recess!
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April is Child Abuse
Prevention Month
National Child Abuse Prevention Month recognizes the importance of families and communities working together to strengthen families to prevent child abuse and neglect. Through this collaboration, prevention services and supports help protect children and produce thriving families. To learn more click on links below (childwelfare.gov)
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SJS Sick Policy
As expected at this time of the year, we are experiencing an increased number of illnesses such as seasonal allergies and its complications (ear, conjunctivitis and sinus infections), streptococcus infection, stomach virus, influenza (flu), common cold, unknown viral infection with fever lasts on the average 3-5 days and covid infection.
As a reminder, in order to minimize spread to others, if your child is sick or complaining of not feeling well, please keep them home monitor for illness and make sure they are feeling well before sending them back to school. Your child must be 24 hours fever/vomit/diarrhea free without taking any over the counter medication before they can return to school. And, if their symptoms warrant a doctor's visit, please have them evaluated by a healthcare provider with a note if applicable prior to returning to school. 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.
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Middle School BASH 2022
April 30th All middle school youth (6th-8th grade) are invited to the diocesan BASH 2022! BASH is the largest gathering of Catholic middle school students (6th-8th graders) in the Arlington diocese every year! This event is a celebration of our Catholic faith and love of the Lord. Join hundreds of middle school students for an evening of faith, fellowship, and fun! For more information and to register, click HERE.
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WHEN: Saturday, April 30, 2022. 3:30pm-8:30pm
WHERE: Bishop O'Connell High School, Arlington, VA
COST: $15.00 per participant (youth and adults)
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SJC Ladies Society 50/50 Raffle
Winning Ticket to be drawn SUNDAY MAY 15TH 2022
after the 5 PM Mass
You do not need to be present to win.
Buy 50/50 Raffle Tickets for a chance to win 50% of all ticket sales and the other 50% will support the Ladies’ Society Backpack Lunch program. *During the school year the Ladies Society of St Joseph Church provides over 5400 weekend breakfast, lunch and dinner meals to local students at a cost of $4500. Thank you for your support!
1 Ticket for $10 3 Tickets for $20
Mail in sales open March 6 and close May 13th. Tickets will also be sold in person after all Masses April 30th and May 1st.
1. Online: Click HERE for the SJC Faith Direct Website to purchase tickets. You will receive an email confirmation with your ticket numbers.
2. In Person: Tickets will be sold after all Masses the weekend of April 30 and May 1.
3. By Mail: Complete THIS FORM. Make check payable to St Joseph Church and mail with form to: St Joseph Church 750 Peachtree St Herndon VA 20170 or forget the stamp and drop in the green mailbox by the church office. You will receive an email confirmation with your ticket numbers.
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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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