
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
Greetings from Saint Joseph’s Catholic School!
Last night, February 20, was a Triple-Header Day. Senior Max Orbon directed the One Act Play, It’s Not You, It’s Me in The Saint John Paul II Center at 6:00 PM. The play, which the excellent cast and crew took on the road the next day to the state Theatre festival in Conway, was an absolute delight. I’ll be surprised if they don’t bring home a superior rating. Next door, parents and students were milling around a crowded cafeteria visiting with 20+ local engineers (mostly Saint Joseph’s graduates and parents) at the school’s first-ever Engineering Fair. The fair was the brain-child of Sean Myer, a science and engineering teacher new to SJCS this year, supported by Ryan Koon, Science Department Chair and VP of the High School. The experience was excellent all the way around and had a few of us discussing the possibility of offering a similar fair next year for those interested in medical professions Topping off the day, the boys basketball team hosted Chapman at 7:30 PM in the school’s first second-round home playoff game in more than a decade, which they won in an exciting game. The girls basketball team met with similar success in a resounding win at their home second-round play-off game the night before. Who says we can’t compete in 3A? It was a lot of fun sitting with colleagues and parents two nights in a row in the upbeat atmosphere in the gym.
Wait, or was it a Home Run Day or even a Five for Five, now that I think about it a little more? Because the day started at 8:00 AM with an excellent presentation at the monthly parent TEAM meeting by Rize Prevention, a drug education and prevention organization started by a former SJCS parent and staffed by the school’s previous Athletic Director. I wish every SJCS parent could have heard it. This was followed immediately by our weekly Thursday Morning Prayer Service to which we invited the Choir from St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, who led us in soulfilled worship.
I returned home after a, yes, Five for Five Day, exhausted and yet filled to the brim. This was Saint Joseph’s Catholic School at its best.
What’s the value of a Saint Joseph’s Catholic School education? We ask ourselves this question a lot, because we know how much you sacrifice to send your children to this school. I think this Five for Five Day is emblematic of what that value is. Arts, academics, sports, parent engagement all undergirded with prayer and the desire for God to be present in the lives of our students and school community.
What’s the value of a Saint Joseph’s Catholic School education? It’s a community of parents, teachers, and coaches dedicated to working together to give our students the best experience possible so that they can grow into the best versions of themselves. This growth happens over time, not always in the way we thought it would, and hardly ever in a straight line.
There are so many stories I could tell you about our graduates and the various routes they are following in pursuit of a full and meaningful life and how the Saint Joseph’s community of parents, teachers, and coaches has helped with that, but let’s save that for another letter and another time. Until then, we’ve begun putting some of those stories on film this year through a series of interviews we are calling “Portrait of a Graduate.” I encourage you to visit the school’s website (HERE ) to be inspired.
In closing, please join us in praying for the following members of the SJCS family: for Greycen Baker on the passing of her grandfather; for Lydia Jane, Davidson, and Stafford Chou on the passing of their grandmother.
With Love and Prayers,
Keith F. Kiser Head of School
Things You Need To Know
SJCS "Art Knight" Takes Flight, March 4
Join us on Tuesday, March 4 from 6:00-8:30 PM to enjoy the student artwork on display at the first SJCS annual art exhibit. Enter through the HS student entrance and travel throughout the school to see the work of our talented students on display. This is a free event for all to enjoy!
Access to Blackbaud Gradebooks Closes March 6
The third quarter marking period ends on Thursday, March 6. Parent and student access to Gradebooks in Blackbaud will close Thursday 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.
NO SCHOOL: Professional Development, March 7
There will be no school on Friday, March 7, due to faculty and staff professional development.
Next Well-Fed Dad Meeting, March 12
The next Well-Fed Dad Men's Prayer Breakfast is Wednesday, March 12 at 6:45 AM. Someone will be there to open the door at 6:35 AM. Coach Frank Kucinic will be speaking about Envy & Vainglory. As always, there will be time for fellowship and discussion, and we'll share prayer concerns and have Morning Prayer together before heading off to work at 7:45 AM. Breakfast sandwiches and coffee will be served. Please RSVP HERE so we know how many sandwiches to have on hand. Please park in the visitors spots in front of the main building or in the sophomore lot.
Third Quarter Report Cards Available, March 13
Third Quarter (Q3) report cards will be accessible in Blackbaud after 4:00 PM on Thursday, March 13. An email will be sent from the Registrar’s Office to parents and students when report cards are finalized.
SC Educational Scholarship Trust Fund Applications Close on March 15
The SC Educational Scholarship Trust Fund (ESTF) program began this year. Under the current program, any student who transferred from a public school system into a private school and met the income requirements was eligible for a $6,000 scholarship to be used on a variety of educational services that included private school tuition. In September of 2024, the SC Supreme Court deemed the program unconstitutional and private schools were no longer allowed to be recipients of ESTF funds. Currently, the SC Legislature is in the process of rewriting the bill to restructure the program as the K-12 Education Lottery Scholarships The hope is that the decision made in September will be overturned and private schools will be allowed to receive ESTF funds and the new program will be opened to all families who meet the income requirement regardless of what type of school they attended the prior year. Applications for the 2025 - 2026 school year opened on January 15 and will remain open until March 15, 2025. Please click HERE for more information on ESTF funding and to see if your family qualifies.
Spring Break,
March 17
- March 21
Spring Break will be Monday, March 17 through Friday, March 21. Classes will resume on Monday, March 24. The school and school office will be closed.
Next Well-Read Mom Meeting, March 25
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 PM - 8:00 PM at Saint Joseph’s. Our next meeting is Tuesday, March 25 and we will be discussing Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton. 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.
Next Parent TEAM Meeting, March 27
Raving Fans: Sports the Saint Joseph’s Way. Over 80% of SJCS students participate in at least one sport. Join us to learn about the school’s philosophy of sports and how participation in a team sport at Saint Joseph’s helps the
school fulfill its Catholic mission. There will only be one session for this topic: Thursday, March 27 at 8:00 AM in the Meeting Room.
Cyrano de BurgerShack, Spring Musical Production, April 10-13
Get ready for a modern twist on a classic tale! Our Spring Musical, Cyrano de BurgerShack, is a contemporary retelling of Cyrano de Bergerac. This jukebox musical features bangers from artists like Katy Perry, P!nk, and Bruno Mars, promising an entertaining night out with your besties. The show runs April 10-13 and tickets will be available for purchase HERE in early March.
Annual Saint Joseph’s Golf Tournament, August 8
The Annual Saint Joseph’s Golf Tournament is scheduled for August 8. Please mark your calendars to attend this amazing event that goes a long way in providing vital funds for our Athletic programs.
Join our SJCS Parents in Prayer Group on Thursdays!
If you are looking for additional prayer time, a way to deepen your Lent this year, or just fellowship with other SJCS parents and supporters, please join us on Thursdays at 2:00 PM. You will check in at the front desk and Mrs. Adams will direct you to whatever room we are assigned for that week. During these gatherings, we first offer prayers for SJCS (students, faculty, administration, and alumni and LOTS of great stuff), and then we pray the Rosary. It typically lasts from 2:00-3:00 PM. There is also an email group that receives prayer requests on a regular basis that prays for us too. We would love to increase our fellowship in this group, so please join us!
Travel to London, 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 2/28 using the code 26EarlyBird for a $200 scholarship discount!
Travel to France & Spain in May 2026
Bonjour! ¡Hola! Señora Russell will be leading students on a trip to France and Spain May 25-June 3, 2026 (departing the Monday following Commencement). This trip is open to current 8-11th graders. The exciting itinerary leads us from Madrid to Paris, with the Mediterranean Coast in between. Starting 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. From Madrid, we will travel by train to Barcelona, known for its artistic treasures and fine architecture. Students are sure to delight in all the sites as we discover Barcelona by bike. The highlight of our stay in the south of France will be a Gladiator games workshop and a tour of the Pont du Gard, a 161-foot Roman aqueduct in nearly perfect condition. Finally, we will be whisked away via fast train to Paris. We will visit the most famous landmarks in Paris. If you are interested in providing this opportunity for your child, please email Señora Russell or visit the trip website HERE.
Required Community Service Hours
All students are required to complete and submit their community service hours through MobileServe The service hour requirements are as follows: Freshmen must complete 10 hours, Sophomores must complete 15 hours, Juniors must complete 20 hours, and Seniors must complete 20 hours. Service opportunities are regularly shared through the SJCS Service Classroom, so be sure to check for updates. Questions? Contact Mrs. Charlton.
From the Assistant Head of School
“God made us for joy. God is joy, and the joy of living reflects the original joy that God felt in creating us.” ~ Saint Pope John Paul II
Last year we added Morning Prayer to our weekly school routine. It’s an opportunity to begin our day in thanksgiving, hear and reflect on different themes and readings, and involve students in the planning and execution of a purposeful prayer experience. On all accounts, it seems to be a welcomed addition to our weekly routine.
Sometime last year, I started dismissing the students from Morning Prayer by saying, “Live in joy!” That is our hope for them … our desire for them. Little did I know how those simple words would resonate within the community. One Thursday morning this year, I ended the service by saying, “Live in hope!” The students were not happy! “Live in joy, Mrs. J! What happened to ‘Live in joy?!?’ ” Earlier in the semester, a senior student told me that ever since the weekly proclamation of that phrase, he committed to starting every day with a grateful heart, focusing on the joy in living versus the disappointments. Truthfully, I wasn’t sure any of the students ever heard the challenge or paid attention to it, but they did. And I haven’t changed the dismissal since. “Live in joy” is what remains.
“Today Christ is asking each of you the same question: do you love Me? He is not asking you whether you know how to speak to crowds, whether you can direct an organization or manage an estate. He is asking you to love Him. All the rest will ensue.” ~ Saint Pope John Paul II
I share this with you because I want you to know that the Saint Joseph’s community is committed to helping your children discover what it means to live in joy. We are fully aware that it is not an easy thing to do. We are surrounded by cultural messages that uphold self-importance, immediate satisfaction, pursuit of stuff, and an enormous emphasis on personal appearance and achievement as worthy ideals. The focus of those messages inherently create worry and anxiety because the pursuit of those things can never truly satisfy what our heart longs for. It longs for Christ. He is asking us to pursue Him, to love Him. At school, every day, we send multiple messages to our students that suggest an alternative path and contrasting vision: You were made for more … You have dignity and worth … You were created with a purpose and a plan … Love each other as yourself … Christ loves you. Always. As proclaimed in Psalm 16:11, “Make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy.”
More than anything, we want our students to know Christ, to grow in relationship with Him, to wake every day and pursue Him with their whole being. That is our deepest desire for them. And we believe that they will begin to wonder and question and seek when they are inspired by the truth, goodness and beauty they encounter within our school walls. So it begins anew each day. We are ready for this sacred work.
Our work is making an impact. As I encountered the softball team earlier this week, they were excited to tell me their theme for the season … “Play with joy!” Amen to that!
With Prayer and Thanksgiving, Wanda Jaraczewski
Assistant Head of School