From the Head of School
Saint Joseph’s School Prayer
Glorious Saint Joseph, spouse of the Immaculate Virgin and Foster-Father of Jesus Christ; obtain for me and all the members of my family, a pure, humble, and charitable mind, and perfect resignation to the Divine Will. Be my guide and model throughout life that I may merit to die as you did in the arms of Jesus and Mary. Help us, Saint Joseph, in our earthly strife, to fulfill our responsibilities and ever to lead a pure and sinless life. Amen.
“Christ was faithful as a son over His house. We are Christ’s house if we hold firmly to our confidence and the boast of our hope.” Hebrews 3:6
Advent and Christmas Greetings from all of us at Saint Joseph’s Catholic School!
I hope this letter finds you and your family doing well as we approach the semester’s end and the Christmas holiday.
Transition, recalibration, refinement, and renewal are all words that describe our work as a school leadership team this year. The new administrative structure and creativity of the personnel in these jobs are opening avenues that were not considered possible in the past. Here, I especially want to highlight the great job that Jean Crosby and Ryan Koon, the vice principals of the middle and high schools, are doing under Wanda Jaraczewski’s leadership.
This academic leadership team has been processing and responding to all of the feedback we have received over the past couple of years regarding the student experience. You might recall the Independent School Management (ISM) and accreditation surveys that students, parents, and teachers were asked to complete as we prepared for a new strategic plan and our accreditation visit. Those surveys were followed by an opportunity for parents to attend a listening session so that I could hear the details and stories behind the numbers. Nearly 70 parents took advantage of this opportunity and met with me during 5 one-hour sessions last spring, providing invaluable feedback. The consistent messages from the survey data and in-person sessions helped us realize we needed a new way to structure the school day. To that end, we hired a scheduling expert (one of only four in the country) to work with our teachers and staff to construct a new bell schedule to achieve the following priorities:
•Reduce the
o
o
on students.
and extra help
•Provide a new schedule that embodies our support for student well-being and academic excellence.
o Provide time for Household to be what it is intended to be
o Improve the pace of the day and find a good rhythm
o Rotate classes throughout the day
o Reduce conflicts so students can take the classes they wish to take
o Use period length to support “active student learning” lessons to deepen concept development and increase engagement
o Support faculty professional development and meetings within the schedule
o Create room for extracurricular activities and clubs during the day
o Add joy/fun to the day
o Reduce time pressure elsewhere
•Ease the burden on teachers.
o Reduce the need for overloading teachers through the reduction of scheduling conflicts
o Provide more planning time
•Add time daily for community building.
o To increase belonging
o To create more opportunities for students to connect with one another
o To assure time for assemblies, clubs, and special events without disrupting the schedule
I am very pleased to report that we are putting the final touches on a new daily schedule for the 2025-2026 school year that checks all the above boxes. I believe this new schedule will transform the student experience, and I’m excited for you to see the details. Those details will be sent to you and the students once they are finalized, hopefully later this month or in early January.
As we wrap up the first semester, I want to wish all of you a Blessed Advent and a Merry Christmas. May you experience the closeness of Christ in all the particulars of your life. As Pope Francis recently reminded us in his new encyclical letter, Dilexis Nos (which translates to He Loved Us): “Jesus came to meet us, bridging all distances; he became as close to us as the simplest, everyday realities of our lives. Indeed, He has another name, ‘Emmanuel , ’ which means ‘God with us,’ God as part of our lives, God as living in our midst.” May you and yours experience that closeness during these days.
In closing, please join us in praying for the following members of the SJCS family: for the Nash family on the passing of Eric’s grandmother, Helen Nash; for the Coffey family on the occasion of the unexpected death of 18-monthold, Levi James, son of Ben (SJCS 2007) and Allison Coffey of Charleston.
With Love and Prayers, Keith F. Kiser Head of School
Things You Need To Know
NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break, November 27 - 29
Thanksgiving Break is Wednesday, November 27 - Friday, November 29. The school and school office will be closed.
High School Spring Musical Auditions, December 2 & 4
Auditions for the SJCS High School Spring Musical will be Monday, December 2 (5:00-8:00 PM ) and Wednesday, December 4 (1:30-4:30 PM) with Callbacks Thursday, December 5 (3:00-4:30 PM). High School students planning to audition only need to attend either Monday or Wednesday. Look for the audition information link in the daily announcements and Friday Flash!
Spring Musical Auditions, First Week of December
Auditions for the SJCS Spring Musical will be the first week of December. Students should watch the daily announcements and Friday Flash for more information!
Prospective Family Night, December 3
Due to Hurricane Helene and the subsequent cancellation of Preview Day, this year we are inviting students to accompany their parents to Prospective Family Night, formerly Prospective Parent Night. The school leadership team will be on hand to present a variety of topics that cover Academics, Athletics, Student Life, Campus Ministry, Fine Arts, scholarships, and more. Hear from a student panel, and make sure to bring your questions! The event runs from 6:00-7:30 PM. Click HERE to register.
Toys for Tots Toy Drive Ends, December 6
The Bakhita House is sponsoring the Toys for Tots Drive again this year. Please bring in new, unwrapped toys to help make Christmas special for Upstate children in need. Drop boxes are located in the Front Office, the high school entrance, and the cafeteria. The last day to bring in toys is December 6.
Priority Admissions Testing, December 7 & January 11
Parents with children interested in applying for fall 2025 priority admission should submit an online application (found HERE) soon. Priority testing dates are Saturday, December 7 or Saturday, January 11, 2025. Applicants sign up for one date when they complete the application. There is no preference given to either of these dates. Applicants who test in December are not given priority over those who test in January. These are the best dates to test because these applicants will get the first look and be the first to receive their admissions notifications (around February 15). Rising freshmen applicants who test in December or January may also compete for one of our Saint Joseph’s Scholar (half tuition) Scholarships.
Schedule Change, December 9 & 11
Monday, December 9 is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and a Holy Day of Obligation. We will have Mass at 8:00 AM on Monday morning with all classes meeting and a 3:00 PM dismissal. Dress uniforms should be worn on Monday, December 9. Due to this, Wednesday, December 11 will be a Wednesday schedule with a NOON dismissal to allow extra time to prepare for exams.
Christmas Concerts, December 10 - 12
This year the Fine Arts Department will sponsor the following concerts which will begin at 7:00 PM in the JP II Center:
• Tuesday, December 10 - Band Ensembles
• Wednesday, December 11 - Choral Ensembles
• Thursday, December 12 - Strings Ensembles
Admission is free to all concerts. Jubilate Arts Guild members will receive priority seating based on their membership level. Click HERE to join. Seating will not be assigned, but the doors will open to Jubilate members at 6:30 PM, followed by general admission at 6:45 PM. Be sure to pick up your Jubilate Arts Guild member tag at check-in.
Next Well-Fed Dad Meetings, December 11 & January 8
Men of Saint Joseph’s are invited to join for a monthly prayer breakfast to be fed both physically and spiritually. We will meet at Saint Joseph’s from 6:45-7:45 AM. The next two gatherings are Wednesday, December 11 and Wednesday, January 8. RSVP HERE . Questions? Contact Katie Orbon
Next Well-Read Mom Meeting, December 12
Well-Read Mom is a program that accompanies women in the reading of great books and spiritual classics to encourage personal growth, friendship, and meaningful conversations in order to explore the human condition and reorient ourselves to what is good, beautiful, and true. We meet the third Tuesday of each month from 6:30 - 8:00 PM at Saint Joseph’s. Our next meeting is Tuesday, December 12. For more information, contact Sara Dellinger. We also have a Well-Read Mom group that meets on the second Tuesday of each month in the morning. Please contact Eileen Coffey for more information about time and location.
Access
to Gradebooks C loses, December 13
The second quarter marking period ends on Friday, December 13. Parent and student access to Gradebooks in Blackbaud will close Friday at 4:00 PM in order for faculty to update Report Cards for the marking period. Access to Gradebooks will resume once Report Cards are issued.
High School Semester Exams, December 16–20
Please see the exam schedule and guidelines detailed in this edition of News and Notes. Please avoid taking students out for appointments on exam days and remember that exams may not be taken early.
NO Middle School Classes, December 19
The last day of the first semester for Middle School will be Wednesday, December 18. There will be NO SCHOOL for Middle School students on Thursday, December 19. Please see the MS exam week schedule in this issue for details.
Christmas Break, December 20-January 5
Friday, December 20 will be make-up exams ONLY. The school and school offices will be closed. Classes will resume on Monday, January 6.
Second Quarter/First Semester Report Cards Available, January 3, 2025
Quarter 2/Semester I Report Cards will be available in Blackbaud on Friday, January 3, 2025, after 4:00 PM. An email will be sent from the Registrar’s Office to parents and students when Report Cards are finalized.
HS Semester II Add/Drop Period January 6-17, 2025
The final day to add or drop a course for the second semester is Friday, January 17. Course Add/Drop Request Forms are available in the College Counseling Office. Full-year courses cannot be modified during the second semester. Single semester courses may be changed if space is available.
MS Encore Musical Presents Finding Nemo Jr, January 16
The MS Encore Musical Theatre program will perform Finding Nemo, Jr. on Thursday, January 16. Join us for this production showcasing the work of the students enrolled in the fall semester Encore class. The performance begins at 7:00 PM with free admission. Jubilate Arts Guild members will receive priority seating based on their membership level. Click HERE to join. Seating will not be assigned, but the doors will open to Jubilate members at 6:30 PM, followed by general admission at 6:45 PM. Be sure to pick up your Jubilate Arts Guild member tag at check-in.
NO SCHOOL Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 20
In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the school and school offices will be closed on Monday, January 20.
Eighth Grade Day, January 22
Your eighth grade son or daughter will take our high school scholarship/placement test on Eighth Grade Day on Wednesday, January 22. Eighth graders will not attend their regular classes on this day, and they will dismiss at the normal 1:15 PM dismissal time. There are several reasons for completing this test: 1) All SJCS 8th graders will be
eligible to compete for one of two academic scholarships awarded each year to two incoming ninth graders, and 2) This test provides us valuable comparison and placement data on our incoming ninth grade students. Please note that this is not a test to get into our high school, as your child is already a Saint Joseph’s student. As with every SJCS student who wishes to re-enroll each year, the re-enrollment contract and the re-enrollment fee, due January 31, 2025, will secure their spot in the ninth grade class.
SJCS Parent TEAM Meetings, January 22 & 23
Parents are invited to join Head of School, Keith Kiser, and a different member of his staff each month for a presentation and discussion on an important topic regarding the education and formation of teenagers in today’s world. To accommodate parent schedules, each topic will be presented twice, one on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 – 7:00 PM and then the following morning (Thursdays) from 8:00 – 9:00 AM. Each session will last one hour. Please join us on January 22 or 23 for Choosing the Right Course Load - College Prep, Honors, Advanced Placement: Learn the differences between these categories of classes and how to discern the right level for your child.
Sixth Grade Academy Helping Build Wells in India & Africa
As part of both our Sixth Grade Academy’s Terrific Tuesday activities and our Altruism in Action Program, students heard about the transformative work of Set Free Alliance. One of the trades being taught is tailoring; in learning to sew, young girls in the program use donated fabric to hand sew stuffed elephants (fondly named Wellas in honor of the wells being built). The girls then sell the Wellas and donate the money earned to rescue other children being held in slavery, thus breaking a cycle of misery and continuing their new cycle of hope. Another portion of the money raised is used to dig wells in their needy communities. If you would like to help us in this meaningful endeavor, you may purchase one (or more) elephants (large elephants are $15.00 and small elephants are $10.00) by contacting Mrs. Shapiro in the 6th Grade Academy. If you would like more information about Set Free Alliance, click HERE.
WWI
& WWII Trip, June 22 – July 2, 2025
It is not too late to sign up for the school trip to England, France, and Amsterdam this summer. While the focus of the trip is on WWI and WWII Battlefields, (we visit Omaha Beach and walk the trenches at Ypres) there is also a true English high tea included, a visit to the Anne Frank House, cruise on the canals in Amsterdam, walk on Omaha beach in Normandy, and see the Bayeux Tapestry in France. Click HERE to see the full itinerary, sign up, and choose a payment plan. Only $50 holds your spot at the current price. On December 19, the price may rise. Having taken students on a very similar trip six years ago, I am very excited to be going again. There is also plenty of time for shopping, eating, and riding the Eye in London. This is a great way to build memories with friends and family while not having to worry about any of the planning! The trip is open to 8th graders through seniors. Questions? Contact Mrs. Carr.
Travel
to
London (New Travel Dates), Spring Break 2026!
Interested in traveling to England? This trip will include guided walking and sight-seeing tours of London highlights, along with a visit to the Tower of London, Windsor Castle, and visits to Stonehenge, Bath, and Stratford-uponAvon. The trip also includes a backstage tour of the National Theater, a workshop and performance at the Globe, and a West-End production! Trip details (including the itinerary, cost, payment plans, etc.) can be found HERE The exact travel dates will be posted at the end of this school year. Dates currently listed on the itinerary are to begin the trip planning and provide an estimated cost. This trip is open to current 8th grade through 11th grade SJCS students. Parents are also welcome to join us. Interested students and parents can register HERE. Register by 12/20/24 using the code 26EarlyBird for a $200 scholarship discount!
Attention All Parents, Tuition Credit Available
Current SJCS families can earn a $500 tuition credit for actively recruiting new families to Saint Joseph’s. When a new family applies for admission, they have the opportunity to name the Saint Joseph’s family on their application who recommended SJCS. After the new student attends school for one quarter, the recruiting family receives a $500 credit on their November tuition bill. For more information, click HERE.
6th & 7th Grade Class Schedule and 8th Grade Exam Schedule
High School Exam Schedule
Exam Guidelines
• Students may NOT test early nor should exams be administered outside of their scheduled date.
• Students should report directly to their exam room and must be seated by 8:00 AM.
• Anyone not in attendance after 8:00 AM will be considered tardy. No students are to be admitted to the exam once the exam has been distributed. Likewise for the second exam, students should be seated and attendance taken by 10:15 AM and no student will be admitted after the exam has been distributed.
• Students should bring review materials for other exams and study quietly if they finish an exam before the end of the exam period. Silence should be maintained from the moment exams are distributed until all exams are collected at the end of the exam period.
• Students with questions should raise their hands quietly.
• Once an exam begins, students are not permitted to leave the room. Restroom trips should be for emergencies only and then only after the student has turned in their exam.
• Students with only one exam on a given day need be present only for that exam. If they do not have a 10:20 AM exam they may leave at the end of the 8:00 AM exam period. Similarly, if a student does not have an 8:00 AM exam, they do not need to report until the 10:20 AM exam period (by 10:15 AM). All students leaving or arriving between the exam times must go to the library.
• Students will NOT be dismissed until the end of their exam period.
• Any student not in uniform will not be allowed to take their exam.
• Quiet is to be maintained at all times. Students should remain in their seats until the last exam is turned in.
• There should be no cell phones or smart watches out for any reason during an exam.
From the Assistant Head of School
"It is Jesus you seek when you dream of happiness; He is waiting for you when nothing else you find satisfies you; He is the beauty to which you are so attracted; it is He who provokes you with that thirst for fullness that will not let you settle for compromise; it is He who urges you to shed the masks of a false life; it is He who reads in your hearts your most genuine choices, the choices that others try to stifle. It is Jesus who stirs in you the desire to do something great with your lives, the will to follow an ideal, the refusal to allow yourselves to be grounded down by mediocrity, the courage to commit yourselves humbly and patiently to improving yourselves and society, making the world more human and more fraternal.” ~ St. Pope John Paul II
This summer, I had the privilege of reading through 44 National Honor Society applications. I’d pour my coffee, settle in at my desk and ready myself to learn more about a group of students who call Saint Joseph’s home. Parents know that the external presenting presence of our young people often does not reflect how they truly feel - about themselves or the world around them. This is why I found it a privilege to get a glimpse into the inner disposition and sentiment of these students. As I read their stories of struggle, satisfaction, and service, I found myself genuinely amazed and awed. I’m not sure what I expected to learn, but I came away with a tender appreciation and admiration for these young people. Their experiences and reflection on those experiences influenced their life’s framework - in a positive way. In fact, those experiences inspired me to search for more ways to engage with life and invest in causes and communities that mean something to me. That was an unexpected blessing.
In the previous two issues of News & Notes, I wrote about the intellectual preparation our students receive, as well as our focus on their spiritual formation. These two areas of development are essential to a Saint Joseph’s Catholic School education. When we articulate how a Saint Joseph’s education is different, we must also think about the ways our students can participate in the fullness of our community so that they can realize their potential. For example, over 85% of our students participate in athletics. That is an astonishing number. And when we think about the why of this statistic, it would be fair to say that students want the opportunity to contribute, to be part of a team, to work toward a common goal and outcome that develops their passions and interests within a community that means something to them. Not only do they have the chance to grow in skill and pursue an interest, they do so in the fuller meaning of our mission. There is nothing more powerful to me than the SJ logo emblazoned on the uniform of every student-athlete that walks on to a course, a field, or a court. That SJ logo represents a greater purpose, a higher calling, and a deeper understanding of our charge in life.
In addition to athletics, we have several students who pursue the arts with tremendous dedication. These students are a witness to the deep-seated desire to pursue all that is good and beautiful in the world. Whether it be participation in a musical, or the Fall Play, or committing to regular rehearsals and practice of an instrument, our students help point us in the direction of our Creator. I am constantly amazed, for example, at the art work displayed throughout our building. Take a close look at it next time you are here. No matter the method of artistic engagement, it takes hours, days, and weeks of work to translate into moments and minutes of joy. Those moments are fast and fleeting, and our best attempts at recreating them will fall fruitless because our ultimate joy and fulfillment is beyond this earthly experience. However, our striving and yearning for those minutes shape and form our relationships with each other, our community, and God. Within our school, we can help guide and direct that understanding so that our lives have impact. Our students are capable and willing and eager to make that investment - not just for their own satisfaction but for the benefit of all of us. They offer us an opportunity to revel in something that goes beyond themselves - ourselves - because we are all made for more.
In his column, Mr. Kiser spoke about the study of our bell schedule and our desire to provide students with more space and time to explore. We are excited for the possibilities and opportunities that await us. We want nothing more than for our students to experience support, satisfaction, and genuine joy. Please continue to pray for all of the St. Joseph’s community, so that we can be attentive to the desires that our Heavenly Father has for our students and all who call Saint Joseph’s home.
With Prayer and Thanksgiving,
Wanda Jaraczewski Assistant Head of School