February 2023 News & Notes

St. 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.

From the Head of School

Catholic Schools Week Greetings from St. Joseph’s Catholic School!

I hope this letter finds you and your family doing well I am pleased to tell you about a new program we are calling the SJCS TEAM (Total Engagement Around the Mission) Initiative, the objective of which is to improve collaboration and deepen the partnership between the school and its parents, with the aim of helping St. Joseph’s fulfill its mission of forming the minds, hearts, and souls of our students in the likeness of Christ according to The St. Joseph’s Way.

It’s fairly common and entirely understandable that parents make connections to the school through their students' activities, be they sports, fine arts, or clubs. And while this, of course, is a great thing, it is more challenging to figure out ways to bring parents together to foster and support the Catholic Christian mission of the school. Yet, parents often tell us that they want help from the school when it comes to passing on the faith to their children. In fact, this is the primary reason that parents send their children to St. Joseph’s in the first place. Moreover, it’s not an exaggeration to say that the faith formation of students is the reason the school was founded 30 years ago and why we exist today.

Thinking and praying about the need to keep the Catholic mission at the heart of all that we do as a school as we embarked on our 30th academic year this fall, I decided to invite every parent who serves on a school leadership committee (over 90 parents) to attend a meeting to brainstorm ideas for how to best engage parents around the mission of the school. Over 50 parents participated in that first meeting. Some great ideas were shared, but it became clear that a second meeting was needed to flesh out those ideas. Thirty parents attended the followup meeting which took place a few weeks ago. From these discussions, we are in the process of forming a TEAM Leadership Committee. This committee, when fully formed, will be comprised of parents and administrators who will gather monthly to pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance with the goal of developing programs and initiatives to support parents in their Christian vocation.

In addition to informing you of this new initiative, I wanted to invite all SJCS parents to prayerfully consider if you might be interested and

called to join the TEAM Leadership Committee. If you discern this is something for you, please let Katie Orbon know, and she will follow up with you soon.

Please see below for upcoming TEAM events. Details will be communicated in News & Notes or from the Program Director directly.

• Wednesday, February 1 at 6:00 PM: Parents Invited to Campus Ministry

• Thursday, February 2 at 8:00 AM: SJCS Parent Panel: “Living Your Faith in Your Daily Life”

• Thursday, February 9 at 5:30 PM: Mid-Year Parents-Administrators Mixer

• Thursday, March 9 at 8:00 AM: Talk on Internet Safety

• Friday, March 10: Fish Fry & Family Lenten Devotional

• Wednesday, May 24: “Growing in Faith in College” Alumni Panel at Campus Ministry

In closing, I’d like to ask for your continued prayers for Coach Nash and the entire Nash family as well as the repose of the soul of Eric’s mother, Ellen Nash, who died suddenly just after the start of the new year.

With Love and Prayers,

Keith F. Kiser Head of School

Things You Need To Know

Junior Class Kairos Retreats, January 27-29 & March 10-12

The Kairos Retreat is dedicated to encountering Christ in the reality of our daily lives, through the community and through the sacraments. Please pray for those students who will be leading and attending our two Kairos retreats this year, one in January and one in March. The dates for the retreats are January 27-29 and March 10-12. Questions? Contact SJCS Assistant Campus Minister Catherine Showghi

Mid-Quarter Progress Update, February 3

Mid-quarter grades will be updated on Friday, February 3 by 4:00 PM. An email will be sent to parents as a reminder to check your student’s progress through the FACTS Family Portal. Please contact teachers directly if you have any questions or concerns.

Final Priority Admissions Testing, February 4

The final priority admissions testing date for fall 2023 enrollment is Saturday, February 4 for all grades. Applicants who test on or before February 4 will be the first ones to receive admissions notifications. February 4 is also the final merit scholarship testing date for new students entering ninth grade. SJCS offers one more scheduled admissions testing date in March, and this year’s date is Saturday, March 11. Please don’t miss these dates if you or someone you know has an applicant interested in SJCS for next year. Applicants sign up for testing when they complete the online application. Questions? Contact Admissions Director, Barbara McGrath.

Junior College Planning Night, February 6

Brand R. Stille, Vice President for Enrollment at Wofford College, will be here to present on February 6 at 7:00 PM in the JP II Center. He will present on some of the following topics: College Admission Calendar, Key Terms (Early Decision, Early Action, Rolling Admission, Wait List, Common Application, etc.), Student/Parent/School Responsibilities, How to Research College Information, College Entrance Exams, and Financial Aid. At least one parent must attend with their student. We will let you know who your college counselor will be and will begin scheduling individual student/family meetings following this meeting.

Used Uniform Sale, February 9

There will be a used uniform sale in the cafeteria from 3:00–6:00 PM. You may bring in used uniforms in good condition to exchange for something else. Spirit wear/athletic t-shirts can only be exchanged for other spirit wear/athletic t-shirts. Please send in items that you would like to donate to the sale to the Front Office prior to February 9.

Mid-Year Parent Mixer with School Administrators, February 9

All current St. Joseph’s parents are invited to the school on Thursday night, February 9 from 5:30-7:00 PM in the Meeting Room. Enjoy refreshments while Mr. Kiser and other school administrators share information about school events. This is a great opportunity to hear from and socialize with school administrators and other parents in a small, informal setting. This will take place prior to the Freshman/Sophomore College Counseling program. Please note that this is a parent-only event; however, supervision for freshmen or sophomores attending the College Night program will be provided.

Freshman & Sophomore College Counseling Night, February 9

The annual meeting for freshmen and sophomores and their parents to discuss general academic and college planning items is at 7:00 PM on February 9 in the JP II Center. All Freshman and Sophomore families must attend this meeting at least once (either during the student's freshman or sophomore year). Students are asked to sit with their parents.

Jubilate Knight for the Arts Talent Competition, February 11

• The Event: The Fine Arts Department’s annual Jubilate Knight for the Arts Talent Competition and Fundraiser is a family-friendly event, highlighting our artistically-gifted school community. Doors will open at 6:00 PM and the Talent Competition will begin at 7:00 PM. Patrons will enjoy an evening of fabulous entertainment and can vote ($1 per vote) on their favorite acts to benefit our theatre, choral, dance, strings, band, and visual arts programs.

• Tickets: All seats are General Admission, with priority seating for Jubilate Arts Guild members. You can join the Jubilate Arts Guild HERE).

Advanced ticket sales are available at a reduced price: students and alumni $7, adults $10, and family $65. Tickets purchased at the door will all be at an increased cost: students and alumni $10, adults $15. A Stream Only option is also available for those not able to attend in person. Advanced tickets and StreamPasses can be purchased HERE for $25.

• Voting: All voting will take place using GiveSmart. Save time the night of the event and pre-register with GiveSmart HERE You can also share the link to encourage friends and families to vote for your favorite acts and artwork.

• To Volunteer: Lend your talents and time to the Jubilate Knight committee. It takes a lot of manpower to facilitate such an event, and we can always use your help! If you are interested in helping out the night of the event or the Friday afternoon before (February 10), contact Cindy Davis

France & Spain Trip May/June 2024 Interest Meeting, February 15

Madame McCoy and Señora Russell will be leading students on a trip to France and Spain from May 28 to June 7, 2024. Travel to Paris and Madrid, seeing the most famous sights in each city. From touring the Arc de Triomphe, to visiting the awe-inspiring Sainte Chapelle, to climbing to the top of the Eiffel Tower, we will visit the most famous landmarks in Paris. Students will see the opulent lifestyle of King Louis XIV with a visit to the grand palace of Versailles and a bike tour of its expansive grounds and gardens. From Paris we will head southwest to Biarritz, the seaside resort famed for its Basque heritage and magnificent ocean promenade. The highlight of our stay in this region will be a visit to Lourdes, famous for its miraculous spring and sacred grotto. We will continue along the Atlantic Coast to explore San Sebastián, the Spanish resort town of luxurious villas, gardens, and tiny streets. Our voyage continues to Bilbao where we will visit the renowned Guggenheim Museum and to Burgos, once home of legendary El Cid. Once in Madrid, we will see the Plaza de España with its statue of Don Quixote, the majestic Alcalá Gate, the famous bullring Las Ventas, and the impressive Prado Museum. Students will experience culture first hand as we learn flamenco from a professional dancer. An informational meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 15 at 6:00 PM in Room 103. If you are interested but unable to attend, please contact Jeanne McCoy.

New York Encounter, February 17-20

Please pray for the 12 seniors attending the New York Encounter in Manhattan. The New York Encounter is an annual three-day public cultural event in the heart of New York City. The 2023 edition takes place at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City. The Encounter strives to witness to the new life and knowledge generated by the faith, following Pope Benedict XVI's claim that "the intelligence of faith has to become the intelligence of reality." To learn more about it, click HERE.

NO SCHOOL: Presidents’ Day, February 20

There is no school on Monday, February 20, in observance of Presidents’ Day. The school and school offices will be closed.

Red Cross Blood Drive, February 23

SJCS will have a Red Cross Blood Drive on Thursday, February 23 from 12:30-4:30 PM. Mark your calendars and come out to support patients who need blood. Your selfless donation will save lives! Volunteers are also needed to help that day with signing in and post-donation snacks. Email Elaine Trakas for details on donating or Katie Orbon to volunteer.

Senior Mission Trip, February 26-March 1

The Senior Mission Trip will be from Sunday, February 26 through Wednesday, March 1 in Charleston, SC. We will be staying at Camp St. Christopher. The cost of the trip is $350. The sign-up and payment form (found HERE)will be open until February 3 Questions? Contact Keitt Brace

MS Minimester Week, February 27-March 1

• Monday, February 27: MS students will be dismissed at 3:00 PM

• Tuesday, February 28: MS students will benefit from a presentation on internet safety from the South Carolina Attorney General's Office at 8:00 AM. Topics will include the proper use of social media, our digital footprint, cyberbullying, and how to protect our online privacy. Dismissal will be a 3:00 PM.

• Wednesday, March 1: MS students will participate in their own Minimester. The Sixth Grade Academy students will take a field trip to the Greenville Zoo. Seventh and eighth grade students will select classes from a wide variety of offerings. All MS students will be released at Noon that day.

NO SCHOOL, March 2 & 3

There will be no school on Thursday, March 2, and Friday, March 3, due to faculty and staff professional development.

Diocesan Youth Conference, March 3-4

The Diocese of South Carolina’s Youth Evangelization Team will be hosting a conference for high school students across the state, and St. Joe’s will be organizing a group to attend. The conference will be held at the Columbia Convention Center March 3-4. Registration information was sent in January. Questions? Contact SJCS Assistant Campus Minister Catherine Showghi.

Internet Safety Presentation for Parents, March 9

The Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Division of the SC Attorney General’s Office will be offering a presentation on internet safety for SJCS parents on Thursday, March 9 from 8:00-9:00AM in the JPII Center. Topics that will be covered include: cyberbullying, sexting/sextortion, predators, inappropriate content, reporting, and setting guidelines. For more information click HERE

White Christmas Spring Musical Production, March 30-April 2

Be sure to mark your calendars for the spring musical production of Irving Berlin's White Christmas! Performances will be March 30-April 2 and tickets will be available to purchase at the end of February.

Greece Trip June 21-29, 2024

Take advantage of the lowest price by signing up now. International travel broadens the mind, brings school lessons to life, and makes the world a little smaller. Students also gain self-confidence, learn independence, and make new friends. Some of the many sights and adventures of this 8-day trip include visiting the Parthenon, Delphi, the Cave of the Apocalypse, the ancient city of Ephesus, and taking a cruise to islands including Santorini, Mykonos, and Rhodes. More info and registration can be found HERE. Questions? Contact Elaine Trakas

Spaces Still Available to Travel to Japan, June 23-July 2

Great news! The school's summer trip to Japan still has spaces available! The Italy trip is full, but you can still travel in 2023. Travel with 20 students and parents to Japan from June 23 to July 2. Visit the base of Mt. Fuji, explore Tokyo's anime district, sleep at a Buddhist retreat, and reflect at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial. To see the itinerary, sign up, and set up a payment plan, click HERE. Questions? Contact Meby Carr with any questions.

Middle School Supplies Replenishment

At this point in the school year, your child's school supplies may need a little boost. The teachers have mentioned that many students are in need of pencils, pens, highlighters, paper, etc. and maybe even a new pencil case. Please check with your child and send them with any needed supplies in order to be prepared for class. A few teachers are low on tissues and wipes, and they may email their classes individually asking for those items.

Has Your Information Changed?

If you have had a change of address, phone number, or email, please email your updates to Jenny Starks.

New Visitor Software Has Been Implemented

A new visitor software system has been implemented. This system is for safety and to ensure an accurate count of students, staff, and visitors in the building at any particular time, in the unlikely event of an emergency. All parents, visitors, and volunteers will be required to have an ID (ex. driver’s license) to scan upon arrival. Please be patient with us as we implement this new system. This system is very similar to ones used throughout the country as well as Greenville County.

National Catholic Schools Week

Monday, January 30: Celebrating Your Community

• House Service Project competition: All Households are asked to collect food for the St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church.

Tuesday, January 31: Celebrating Your Students

• All students should wear his/her House T-shirt

• Donuts will be provided for all students from Parents Guild

• Middle School Rosary Walk during lunch with Mrs. J

Wednesday, February 1: Celebrating Vocations

• Father Rhett Williams (Diocesan Vocations Director) will concelebrate the All-School Mass and share his vocation story during the homily

• Parents are invited to attend the students' Campus Ministry night and potluck dinner

Thursday, February 2: Celebrating Your Nation

• Panel discussion (8:00-9:00 AM) including: WYFF’s Carol Clark, SJCS Alum & Fountain Inn Mayor GP McLeer, and Steve and Kristen Armaly. They will talk about their vocation call and how their faith guides them. All parents and students are welcome.

• Parents in Prayer meet at 2:00 PM

Friday, February 3: Celebrating Faculty, Staff and Volunteers

• Faculty/Staff Appreciation Lunch

From the Middle School Director

“Do not be afraid. Do not be satisfied with mediocrity. Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” - Saint Pope John Paul II

I’ve been in a lot of classrooms these past few weeks, and I am humbled by the incredible teaching that takes place in this community. Our teachers are intentional about connecting students’ learning to real life applications and situations, and it is exhilarating to witness the students make these connections. It certainly inspires me to reach farther and dig deeper so that our students engage with their learning in a way that is real and authentic. Accompanying our children as they discover their passions and interests, and supporting them as they continue to explore and develop the things that are important to them, is a true joy and gift. At some point in their lives, they discover the intersection of their passions and the opportunity to affect positive change in the world as part of God’s design. What a privilege it is that we are a community that supports this holistic understanding of education.

To that end, SJCS seventh and eighth graders (sixth graders are going to the Greenville Zoo!) will have an opportunity to “put out into the deep” and stretch their comfort zones a bit during our Middle School Minimester Day on Wednesday, March 1. Students will select two mini-courses that are outside of our traditional liberal arts curriculum with the hope that something will spark their curiosity and interest. A course catalog will come out in the next few weeks; please encourage your children to select something they are curious about, even if their friends aren’t taking it, or if it is something they haven’t tried before. Our teachers have worked hard to present offerings that they think our students will enjoy; parents and other non-teaching staff members are providing classes as well. It is going to be an incredible day!

Please continue to pray for the students, faculty, staff, and families of SJCS, so that we stay committed and focused on our mission of forming hearts, minds and souls in the likeness of Christ.

From the High School Director

I can almost predict it for each of my kids. One of them gets more and more animated at the homework table and starts erasing more and more aggressively. Another gets quieter until he’s finally just staring at a page. I know at that point I’m about to be asked if I can “help with ____________.” Often, it’s math, sometimes it’s writing an essay.

It’s no secret that students struggle with homework, or that math is probably the most frequent request for help. It can be tempting for any parent to essentially do the work, and then hope the student benefits from watching (assuming, of course, we remember how to do the problem not always a given when they reach higher level courses).

Research suggests, though, that showing someone how to do a math problem is less effective than questioning what they’ve done so far. In some cases, it’s actually better to pose questions even if you don’t arrive at the answer. Math teacher Crystal Frommert goes so far as to tell parents to help without picking up a pencil. Then you’re not tempted to correct too much, essentially short-circuiting the student’s thought process. She suggests three helpful questions that can be adapted to different kinds of assignments:

1. What have you done so far? Get the student to show you what hasn’t worked, and ask if they know why that was the wrong approach.

2. Where did you get that number? This is one of the best questions for multi-step problems. This not only checks the process, but it corrects a lot of careless mistakes.

3. Does that number seem reasonable? You’d be surprised how often that will reveal a simple mistake. One of my students recently worked out the interest on a small loan and arrived at tens of thousands in interest on a 1 year $500 loan. As soon as I asked if that made sense, he looked at the answer and immediately corrected it.

Research on the efficacy of homework as a teaching tool is all over the map, but everyone agrees that keeping it from being a tense, conflict-driven process at home is a good idea. One of the goals should be to identify areas where a student is going wrong so that the questions in class the next day can be more targeted, more efficient, and ultimately more helpful.

From the Academic Support Services & College Counseling Office

High School Course Requests for 2023-2024

The High School course request process for the 2023-24 academic year will begin in February. During the week of February 6, students in grades 8-11 and their parents will receive an email from the registrar with detailed information pertaining to the course request process, graduation requirements, course appeals for Honors and AP courses, etc. Students will select their initial course requests online in FACTS Family Portal during the designated registration period scheduled for February 10-24. Counselors will set up individual meetings with students in February & March to review academic goals, course requests, course appeals, and facilitate any changes to requested courses.

Seniors

Make sure that you are visiting the College Financial Aid and Scholarships link on the College Counseling page regularly as we add new scholarship opportunities as we receive them.

Senior College Acceptances/Scholarships

Please continue to share your good news and update the C ollege Counseling Office of college acceptances and scholarship awards.

High School Students

Please make sure to visit the Upcoming Special Programs and Events link on the College Counseling page on a regular basis since we add new programs as we receive them.

College Visits

• Sophomores, juniors and seniors who would like to visit colleges should register for visits through the colleges’ websites or with the admissions offices and then email The Front Office to let us know what date(s) you will be attending the college visit. Please remember to bring back the proper documentation (College Visit Record Form with required signatures and official documentation see form for details) and turn it in at the Front Office.

• Juniors should also consider signing up for the college visit Minimester. This is a great opportunity to visit a few local colleges or one to two further away colleges without having to use your college visit days or personal days.

College Counseling is on Instagram

This is just a reminder that the College Counseling Office has an Instagram account! Please be sure to search and follow sjcs_collegecounseling for scholarship updates, application process tips and tricks, college visit announcements, and much, much more. This is a great way to stay connected with our office so we encourage everyone to follow along

From the Athletic Department

Spring Sports Tryouts begin on January 30

Please keep in mind that any student participating in a sport for the 2022-2023 school year at SJCS must have a physical dated after April 1, 2022, and complete the required forms ONLINE at Big Teams (found HERE) prior to the first tryout or practice (this includes Off Season Practices and Weights) No paper forms will be accepted, NO EXCEPTIONS! Returning athletes, please use your existing login. The required forms that must be filled out online prior to the first practice (including summer practices) are: Pre-Participation History and PreParticipation Sports Physical Exam (please print and take with you to your doctor, and then upload), Parent Consent Form, Concussion Form, a copy of your athlete’s birth certificate, and Steadman Hawkins form. All required athletic forms must be submitted through Student Central at Big Teams.com found HERE. Information for new athletes on how to create the parent and student login at Big Teams will be available on the SJCS website HERE. Please note that you must login to the SJCS website first. Be sure to type St. Joseph’s Catholic School in the search line when looking for our school. This website is available in any language. To change the language, click on the person icon in the top right corner. Also, there is a new Big Teams feature where you can toggle between the athlete account and parent accounts once linked. To do this, click My Profile and Linked accounts.

From the Booster Club Booster Club at Work

• Nominations are open for the 2023 SJCS Athletic Hall of Fame, and must be received by February 22 Please click HERE to access the nomination form and Hall of Fame bylaws for a full description of the nomination criteria. Details on the Hall of Fame Banquet to follow!

• In an effort to provide more practice time to our multiple winter sports teams, the Booster Club is funding the rental of additional off-campus gym space.

• The Booster Club is also assisting with the financing of the softball field upgrades that are currently underway. These include regrading, site clean-up, installation of a new hitting cage, and storage facility.

• Be on the lookout for the Booster Club’s new “Yes! Booster did that!” social media campaign. See all the ways we have been helping support our SJCS coaches and student athletes. Recent highlights include locker room upgrades and improvements to our gym, including a multiple-sport scoreboard table, shooting machine for our nine basketball teams, and repairs to our bleachers. Booster Club also funds the Hudl live stream technology that allows out-of-town fans to watch our home games in both the gym and the stadium. More great things to follow…stay tuned!

Support Your Knights

• All of the above is only possible with your support, and it’s never too late to join the Booster Club! Your membership fees are critical to providing the financial support ALL our athletic teams need to enhance

program excellence. Please click HERE to join or get more information on the various membership levels and benefits.

• Interested in advertising for your business or just showing your family’s support for St. Joseph’s Athletics? We have updated our banner program to create enhanced visibility at our sports venues and more flexible options for where you'd like your logo displayed. Please click HERE for more information on Athletic Sponsorships.

Special Thanks

• The Booster Club would like to recognize Logan Wolfram and Linse Wood. Logan coordinated the fabulous Food Trucks our fans enjoyed during the Varsity Football home games. Linse spearheaded the very successful Fall spirit wear sale along with the Parents Guild.

• We sincerely appreciate all of the hard work our Concessions Co-Chairs Dina Nelson and Mike Martin put into keeping our concession stands well stocked through multiple seasons and multiple sports. A special thank you as well to Coach Dorian Lane for his ongoing assistance with inventory management!

• Thanks to all our Team Parents and volunteers. Your dedication to SJCS Athletics ensures all of our events run smoothly and successfully. A special “Congratulations” to our Knights Athletics Volunteer All Stars –Donna Frank, Krystal Kennedy, Monica Dodge, Kathy Kelly, and Jason Okuley. If you haven’t done so already, check out their profiles on our Athletic social medial pages.

• Finally, if there is a volunteer who you feel goes above and beyond and should be recognized as an “All Star”, please email Kelly Gillespie with their name and info on their outstanding contributions. Thank you, and GO KNIGHTS!

From the Business Office

Re-Enrollment for the 2023-2024 School Year

Re-Enrollment for 2023-2024 school year will be completed online through Blackbaud Enrollment Management. In late January, when the 2023-2024 tuition rates are announced, parents will receive instructions on how to complete the Re-Enrollment process. The deadline to complete the re-enrollment process is Wednesday, March 15.

Flexible Tuition

Flexible Tuition offers individualized tuition rates for families based on a family’s documented financial ability to pay. Any family that is unable to pay the full price (which is set based upon the real cost to educate a student at St Joseph’s) is invited to apply for an individual rate. That rate will be determined based upon a strictly confidential analysis of the family’s financial position with the assistance of FACTS, an independent, third-party organization. Flexible Tuition is awarded on an annual basis and must be applied for each year. To get to the FACTS application website, click HERE. The priority deadline for applying for Flexible Tuition is Tuesday, February 15.

Tuition Recruitment Credit

In an effort to recruit more families like yours to St. Joseph’s Catholic School, and reward our best customers to help us with this endeavor, the school offers a $500 Tuition Credit Program. Based on parent feedback, we have learned that “Word-of-Mouth” is our most effective advertising medium for attracting families. The Tuition Credit Program is designed to reward current St. Joseph’s families for actively recruiting new families to St. Joseph’s. When a new family applies for admission, they have the opportunity to name the St. Joseph’s family on their application who recommended SJCS. After the new student(s) attends school for one quarter, the recruiting family receives a $500 credit on their next tuition bill, usually in November. Click HERE to read more about the program qualifications.

Senior Tuition Accounts

In order to participate in Baccalaureate Mass and Graduation, all senior tuition and fees, excluding the June draft, must be paid in full by May 19. If you have questions regarding your senior’s account, or if you need to set up a payment plan for past due accounts, contact Ann Gushue.

Annual Auction Gala

From the Development Office

Mark your calendars for the 2023 Annual Auction Gala on Friday, April 21. Our Gala Committee members are working diligently to prepare for our school’s largest fundraiser that supports our students.

Some Gala needs to keep in mind:

• Bottles of wine for the wine pull

• Baskets that can be used for the silent auction

• Silent and Live auction items

• Vacation homes or timeshares to be auctioned off

If you are able to help, contact Aimee Lonergan (Gala Chair), Katie Saad (Gala Co-Chair), or Katie Orbon in the Development Office.

Annual Fund

Our goal this fiscal year (July 2022 – June 2023) is to engage the financial support of 100% of our school families, faculty, and staff in giving to the Annual Fund. As of January, an impressive 40% of our school families have contributed. Congratulations to the 6th grade which is leading with a grade level participation of 52%! We will continue to track these participation numbers through the Gala in the Spring.

Helping families afford a St. Joseph’s education is a foundational principle to our identity as a Catholic school. The Annual Fund fulfills this responsibility by providing approximately 6% of the school’s overall budget. It accounts for 75% of the funding that is not covered by tuition. These dollars are raised every year through the generosity of our community. Our Annual Fund goal for this year, which includes proceeds from the Gala, is $550,000. The Annual Fund total through December was $285,000! Please contact Kevin Meyer with any questions. Download your Annual Fund Donation Form today or make an online donation!

2022 Tax Statements

Giving statements for 2022 will be distributed by January 31. These statements are meant to assist with tax preparation. For any questions regarding these statements, please contact Kevin Meyer .

From the Fine Arts Department

Volunteers Needed

Please contact Teresa McGrath for more information on how to volunteer for either of the opportunities below:

• Any parents or students willing to donate their time and talents to the Fine Arts Department through their sewing skills

• Any parents willing to assist with supervision during after-school and Saturday crew sessions

Looking for the perfect gift to honor your upcoming Graduate?

Our beautiful stained glass Red Door ornament is a wonderful token to commemorate your student’s years at SJCS, and they make great gifts! Order yours today, HERE!

The Christmas Wreath sale was a success!

Many thanks to our SJCS community for making our wreath sales a huge success! We apologize to those who tried to order near the end of our sale as we SOLD OUT! We’ll be back again next year, so be sure to get your order in early.

Advertise your business in our Fine Arts programs

It’s not too late to advertise your business at our Fine Arts events. Coming events are the Jubilate Knight for the Arts Talent Competition and Fundraiser, the spring musical, and the spring concerts. If you would like to see your business ad in our program for these events, see about our Sponsorships HERE, or contact Brandon Cabaniss.

Jubilate Arts Guild Officers Needed for 2023-2024

We are looking to fill several positions for the next school year. The Jubilate Arts Guild is our Fine Arts booster organization and provides support for all the Fine Arts programming. If your child is involved in chorus, dance, visual arts, theatre, band, or strings, then you already know how enriching these programs are. Help us support these programs. Become more involved, and have a rewarding experience by becoming an officer. Questions/interested? Contact Cindy Davis

From the Parents Guild

School Store Hours

The School Store is no longer open before school. FLIK will be open in the mornings. The School Store will continue to be open each day during lunch and after school.

Spirit Wear available in School Store

Spirit Wear is available for purchase in the school store. Cash and checks made payable to SJCS are accepted.

St. Joseph’s Family-Owned restaurants

The Parents Guild is considering hosting several Spirit Nights at local restaurants to raise funds to support our school. Please contact Jenna Howard if you own a restaurant and might be interested in hosting a Spirit Night and donating a portion of sales to St. Joseph’s.

Parents in Prayer

Every Thursday at 2:00 PM a group of SJCS parents gathers to reflect and offer prayers for the intentions of the school community. This group is open to any SJCS parent. For more information, contact SJCS parent Kristen Armaly.

From the School Nurse

COVID

Students with symptoms of COVID should be tested. Home COVID test results are acceptable this year. COVID positive student tests should be reported to the school by using the COVID reporting form located on the school website. FREE HOME TESTS AVAILABLE FOR PICK-UP (while supplies last). Contact the School Nurse if interested.

Student Illness

Students with signs or symptoms of illness should not attend school or extracurricular activities. Absences should be reported to the Front Office.

Medication Policy

It is against St. Joseph’s policy for a student to carry ANY medication on their person without physician permission, parent permission, and permission from the school nurse to self-administer and self-monitor. Students with asthma who need to carry rescue inhalers should have updated action plans in Magnus. Failure to comply with the medication policy may result in disciplinary action.

Allergies

If your child has a life-threatening allergy, please make sure you have an updated care plan in Magnus Health and emergency medication available in the health room. Contact the nurse if you have questions about your student’s allergy or clarifying allergy information or care plans in Magnus.