November 2022 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

Greetings from St. Joseph’s Catholic School!

Thank you for spreading the good news about the school to friends, family, and co-workers. Over 50% of the 72 families who attended the Open House in October told us they were there because of a St. Joseph’s family. Admissions applications for next year are coming in at a rapid pace, and most prospective parents name a St. Joe's parent who got them interested in the school. Over 25 current SJCS parents will receive a tuition credit for $500 (or more!) on their billing statement this month for their multiple referrals recruiting families to the school through our tuition credit program. When you spread the word, you help fill our classrooms with students from families who value the school’s mission.

Thank you to all the parents who worked the Open House and provided refreshments for our guests. The heath bar cookies and pumpkin gobs (I think that’s what they're called) were much appreciated by yours truly, although I tried not to eat too many! It’s been great seeing all the new faces showing up to volunteer in the school this year. I know those parents who are here volunteering almost daily in the school appreciate the new parents stepping in to help out. We truly could not keep the school functioning well without the engagement and support of our parents. Thank you for all the tangible things you do for us day in and day out and all the hidden behind the scenes ways you support and advocate for the school. Your positive energy and kind comments are contagious and energizing.

On a similar note, one of the best ways you can support the teachers who are making a positive impact on your sons and daughters is to simply send them a brief email letting them know the difference they are making. One SJCS alumni parent (who was touring with her 8th grader) stopped me at Open House to tell me her daughter, who is now a Chemical Engineering major at Clemson, sat her parents down recently to thank them for sending her to St. Joseph’s for high school. She said many of the other students in her major are struggling. This was confusing to her at first because they took the same AP classes in high school and have similar standardized tests scores. Why were they having trouble when she was not? After hearing about how easy their AP classes were and comparing them to what she was made to do and learn at St. Joe’s, she attributes her success in a very difficult major at

Clemson entirely to our teachers and the demands they placed upon her. I asked the mom if her daughter mentioned any specific teachers, which she did. I encouraged her to send them a note, but I also made a point of telling those teachers on the following Monday about this conversation. You can imagine how it made the teachers feel to know their efforts are appreciated by their students.

Please keep spreading the word about our amazing teachers and our admissions events. Prospective Parent Night on Thursday, December 1 provides parents with the opportunity to interact with school leaders on a variety of subjects in small intimate discussion groups. Pre registration is required for this event and a form will be on our website in mid-November.

And last, but not least, a shout out to our students. We're hearing from prospective families who visited with us on Open House on what a great job our students did touring them around. One prospective parent emailed, "My husband and I were so impressed with St. Joseph's and just could not believe how confident, friendly, and well spoken the kids we encountered were. We think it will be a great place for our kids to learn and grow."

Lastly, I want you to know how nice it is to see your children smile. It’s a little thing, but in some respects it’s everything. For the better part of two years, we couldn’t see each other smile. As much as I tried to “smile with my eyes,” I could rarely get the same response from students in the hallway. All that’s changing. Just the other day, I was in the hallway and must have been particularly happy about something (I don’t remember what), but I must have had a big smile on my face as I was greeting students, for I was getting big smiles back. And honestly, it felt great and made my day. Positivity is infectious and is proven to be good for one’s mental, physical, and spiritual health. The student House Leaders have started to issue weekly kindness challenges to the student body. A few weeks ago, the Molla House issued a challenge to share a complement with someone each day. Their accompanying Bible verse was Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” May this be the case for you today.

In closing, please keep the Pazdan family in your prayers with the passing of Joe “Papa Joe” Pazdan Sr., the patriarch (in all the good sense of that term) of the family and pillar of the Greenville Catholic community. Please also remember to pray for his son, Joe Jr., whose architectural firm has worked with the school for years’. He’s also the parent of an SJCS alum. Joe himself is battling a very serious illness. I would also appreciate your prayers for SJCS grandfather and former board chair, Ted Kelly, who was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer this summer. Also, please keep in your prayers Burke Moorman on the passing of his grandmother; for Bob Castello on the passing of his mother in law, and for Lisa Lawrence on the passing of her mother in-law.

With Love and Prayers, Keith F. Kiser

Head of School

Things You Need To Know

Thespian Society Annual Food Drive Ends October 28

The International Thespian Society is hosting their annual food drive as a Household competition. All non perishable food donations will go to benefit the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry at OLR. Be sure to bring your food donations to your Household for collection on the morning of Team Day, October 28.

Fall Team Day, October 28

Fall Team Day is a day set aside on or around November 1 each year to honor the Catholic Church's Feast Day of All Saints. It's a day set aside for fun and friendly competition among the Households, and a welcome break from classes. Dismissal will be at Noon.

Winter Sports Tryouts Begin October 28

Winter Sports Tryout Dates can be found HERE.

Admissions Ambassador Application Deadline, November 1

St. Joseph’s Admissions Ambassadors host prospective students. In addition to being outgoing, talkative, and friendly, Ambassadors must have a clean discipline record and be able to present the school in the best possible light. Interested freshmen as well as students in grades 6-7-8 who meet the criteria are welcome and encouraged to apply. This is a campus leadership role, and serving the school in this capacity could prove helpful when it’s listed on a student’s application for House Leadership, National Honor Society, summer jobs, and college. All MS students and all freshmen received an email on October 14 with the link found HERE The deadline to apply is November 1.

Household Dean & Parent/Teacher Conferences, November 2

The first quarter report cards were emailed on Friday, October 14. On Wednesday, November 2 from 2:00-6:00 PM, Household Dean and Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held on campus. All conference appointments must be made online HERE. Conferences may be made until November 1 at 12:00 PM.

HS Youth InGovernment, November 2-5

The SJCS HS YIG delegation will leave immediately after school on Wednesday, November 2 for the 34th YIG Conference in Columbia. They will return on Saturday, November 5 by 1:00 PM.

NO SCHOOL, November 7

There is no school on Monday, November 7. The school and school office will be closed. Classes resume on Tuesday, November 8.

Grandparents Day, November 21/Deadline to Receive an Invitation, November 8 Join us on Monday, November 21 for our annual Grandparents and Friends Celebration. All Grandparents and Special Friends of students are invited to join their grandchildren on campus for a short presentation, a school tour and lunch reception. If you have not filled out or updated your grandparent information in Parents Web and you would like them to receive an invitation, please email their names and addresses to Katie Orbon by November 8.

Orders for Senior Graduation Supplies & Junior Class Rings, November 10

Information packets for graduation supplies and class rings will be distributed to seniors and juniors on or before November 1. Students and parents will receive a follow up email from the Registrar with additional ordering information and helpful links. Representatives from Herff Jones will be available to take orders during the Thursday morning Flex Period on November 10. They will be located in the Boardroom by the Front Office. Please bring order forms and any required deposit or payment information. Extra information packets are available in the College Counseling Office.

Mid Quarter Progress Update, November 11

An email will be sent to parents at mid quarter, November 10, as a reminder to check student progress in the FACTS Family Portal and contact teachers with any questions or concerns. The Family Portal may be accessed

by selecting the red button located at the bottom of the SJCS Announcements page of the school’s website HERE

Attention Eighth Grade Parents

All eighth grade parents received a letter from Headmaster Keith Kiser in September about transitioning your child from eighth to ninth grade. Please email Jenny Starks if you need an electronic copy of this letter, as it covered several important “need to know” topics:

• Eighth Grade Shadow Day is Friday, November 11: All SJCS eighth graders will have the opportunity to attend a few classes in our high school taught by several ninth grade teachers on Friday, November 11. As our eighth graders look towards high school, it’s important for them to be able to sit in some of our high school classrooms and hear from a few of the outstanding faculty who will be teaching them next year.

PLEASE NOTE: Friday, November 11 is a revised date from what was previously communicated.

• Eighth Grade “Lunch with the Leaders” is ongoing, and the November date is Monday, November 28. All current SJCS eighth grade students in the Romero House will receive an invitation to this luncheon and these eighth graders should plan to sign up, attend, and order lunch. As a reminder, these luncheons, led by the senior House Leaders with Mrs. J and Mr. Kiser present, are designed to serve as a halfway checkpoint in your child’s St. Joseph’s career; eighth graders will be invited to share how their middle school experience has been and are encouraged to ask questions as they begin to plan for high school Please look for an email from Jenny Starks in the coming week. This email will include a link to a survey for eighth graders to complete prior to the luncheon.

• High School Preview Night is Thursday, January 12: All eighth grade parents are invited to campus on Thursday, January 12, 2023 (prior to the Eighth Grade Play) from 6:00 7:00 PM in the Meeting Room. The program, which will include a discussion on high school course selections, promises to be most enlightening and informative.

• Eighth Grade Day is Wednesday, January 25: Your eighth grade son or daughter will take our high school scholarship/placement test on Eighth Grade Day on January 25. 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 St. 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 in February 2023, will secure their spot in the ninth grade class.

Christmas Gift Idea: SJCS Ornaments Sale Deadline, November 15

• We are very excited to share our new 2022 Knight Ornament designed by SJCS ninth grader Natalie Wills. This beautiful stained glass design is a one of-a-kind collectible and will be available this year only. The deadline to order this ornament is November 15.

• Also, don’t forget to order your commemorative SJCS Red Door Ornament for the holiday season. This beautiful keepsake will make an ideal Christmas gift for students, alumni, parents, grandparents, or teachers. Orders received by December 1 will be filled prior to Christmas Break. Click HERE to order both ornaments. Questions? Contact Christine Balts

Spring Musical Auditions, November 15 16

Auditions for the Spring Musical will be held November 15 16, with callbacks on November 17. More information will be available on the Fine Arts website in early November. Questions? Contact Fine Arts Director, Teresa McGrath

MS St. Albert the Great Science Fair, November 16

The St. Albert the Great Science Fair will be held virtually again this year. Our SJCS middle school students continue to learn, explore, and test their understanding of the scientific method. Be sure to check the school website for individual videos of each student’s science fair project and experiment. We know you’ll enjoy them and be impressed!

Thanksgiving Break, November 23-25

Thanksgiving Break is Wednesday, November 23 - Friday, November 25. The school and school office will be closed.

Spring Break Travel Sign-up Deadline at Current Cost, November 26

The deadline to sign up for the Spring Break Trip to Italy at its current cost is November 26. Email Meby Carr or Marla Palmer for details, or click HERE to see the itinerary and sign up. There is still room on both the Italy Spring Break Trip and the Japan Summer Trip June 22 July 2. Discover the itinerary and sign up information HERE.

Christmas Wreath Sale Ends November 30

Help support the SJCS Fine Arts Programs through the annual Jubilate Guild Online Christmas Wreath Fundraiser. These beautiful fresh wreaths, centerpieces, and live tabletop trees come from Minnesota and are delivered to you and your loved ones (or business associates) in mid November. Click HERE to purchase your wreath and enter the fundraising code, STJOSESC001 Contact Erin Brasington for assistance with your bulk order. An Amazon gift card will be given to the student who sells the most wreaths.

Calling All Applicants!

Fall 2023 applications are now open! Below is some important information:

• Prospective Parent Night is Thursday, December 1: Please tell a neighbor, colleague, or relative about our Prospective Parent Night here on Thursday, December 1 from 6:00 7:30 PM. This 90 minute session is a wonderful way for parents to find out what sets St. Joseph’s apart from other schools. The St Joe’s Leadership Team will be on hand to present information/answer questions in a small group setting on a wide range of topics including Curriculum, Athletics, Student Life, Scholarships, and more. Participants will need to pre register, and an online registration form will be made available the week of November 7.

• Tuition Assistance: SJCS offers Flexible Tuition and our need based FACTS Grant & Aid Application will be posted on our website in early January 2023 with a February 15, 2023 priority deadline. SJCS also offers merit-based scholarships as well as scholarships with both merit and need based components. For this school year alone, SJCS awarded over 1.7 million dollars in tuition assistance to approximately one third of our families through our Flexible Tuition Program. For a complete list of all scholarship opportunities, as well as deadlines and qualifications, click HERE.

• Best Dates to Test: Priority testing dates are Saturday, January 7, 2023 or Saturday, February 4, 2023 and 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 January are not given priority over those who test in February. 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 March 15).

Attention All Parents!

St. Joe’s Student Recruitment/Tuition Credit Program is ongoing. With fall 2023 applications now open, we hope that more current SJCS parents will choose to take advantage of this program. Approximately 36% of all new applicants for the 2022 23 school year were referred by current SJCS families, and we sincerely appreciate your help. For those parents who referred students to us for this current school year, the $500 tuition credit will be issued on your November billing statement. Please note that the new family must list the referring family on the student application in order for the referring family to receive the $500 credit. Click HERE to read more.

Thank You!

Many thanks to all of the parents who encouraged a prospective family to attend our October Open House, as well as those parents who sent in snacks and bottled water, and to all of the parents and students who helped on campus that day. Open House Sunday was a great day – thanks to everyone!

Christmas Concert Dates, December 6-8

Be sure to mark your calendars for the upcoming Christmas concerts on December 6, 7, and 8. Specific details of each concert will be published in December.

Fall Art Exhibit on Display thru December 9

Please join the SJCS Visual Arts Students in celebrating the second annual Fall Art Exhibit. Artwork of HS and MS Students will be on display from Friday, October 21 through Friday, December 9. Artwork can be viewed in the school library, the MS commons, the HS commons, and the first floor hallways. Enjoy!

Semester Exams & Christmas Travel Reminder, December 12 December 15

As we near the Christmas Holidays, please remember to book family travel plans for after your student’s scheduled exams. Eighth grade and high school exams are Monday, December 12 through Thursday, December 15. Make-up exams only will take place on Friday, December 16.

Advent Retreat, December 15 16

St. Joe’s Campus Ministry offers several optional events throughout the year for students to choose to go deeper in their religious life and live faith in community. The HS Advent Retreat is one of these moments. Open to any high school student, the retreat will begin the afternoon of Thursday, December 15 (the last exam day) and end after lunch on Friday, December 16. The retreat will take place at Heartridge Retreat Center in Sunset, SC. More information will be sent out to families in November. Questions? Contact Campus Minister Gabe Lewis

Junior Class Kairos Retreat, January 27 29 & March 10 12

Historically, the junior class is offered the opportunity to attend the Kairos retreat, a 3 day, 2 night retreat dedicated to encountering Christ in the reality of our daily lives, through the community and through the sacraments. This year, we are hosting two Kairos retreats and opening it up to seniors who were unable to attend as juniors last year. The dates for the retreats are January 27 29 and March 10 12. Any junior or senior who has not previously been on a Kairos retreat may attend. More information will be sent to families later this month. Questions? Contact Campus Minister Gabe Lewis.

Travel to Greece in 2024

Travel to Green from June 20 28, 2024. You’ll spend nine days visiting various ancient sites in Athens and taking a cruise around the Greek Islands (including Mykonos, Santorini, and the island of Patmos/the Cave of the Apocalypse) as well as experiencing modern Greek culture. Early registration ends December 1. Registering by December 1 locks in the lowest price. There will be a drawing for a $300 scholarship on December 2. All students who have registered by December 1 are eligible to win! More info about the trip can be found HERE. Questions? Contact Elaine Trakas

From the Middle School Director

I enjoy meeting new people, so it’s not unusual for me to strike up a conversation at the gym or at the grocery store … the two places I most frequent aside from school. Inevitably, I’m asked why I moved to South Carolina, and what I do for work. When I reply that I am the director of a middle school, I’m met with a variety of responses that evoke the same sentiment: “God bless you,” or “There must be a special place in heaven for people like you,” or just simply, “Oh my!!!” I’m quick to share that I love what I do and the students I serve - and if God chooses to bless me more because of it, I won’t turn those blessings away!

Truth be told, I readily share my experience at St. Joseph’s because I like to diffuse the negativity that often surrounds the middle school experience. Here at St. Joseph’s, we believe that middle school can be a life giving, life changing experience. It does not need to be something that is simply endured or lived through. The middle school years are dramatically transformative, and the environment we choose for our children will make a significant impact on their lives. And, at St. Joseph’s, we work really hard to create and sustain an environment that supports the very best in each of our young men and women.

Our admissions season is now in full swing, and applications are already being accepted for the 2023-2024 academic year. If you know of someone who desires a middle school experience for their child that is life giving and life changing, please encourage them to explore St. Joseph’s. It is true that what we require of our students is more than many other schools. Students will be challenged to:

1. engage in serious academic study that promotes ownership of their learning

2. choose actions that positively build our classrooms and community

3. grow in awareness of their talents and passions through arts, athletics, and co curricular activities

4. deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ

Thank you for the commitment you have made to St. Joseph’s. We are aware of the sacrifice you all make day in and day out to have your children here, and it inspires our team to bring our very best every day. Please continue to keep our faculty, staff, students and families in your daily prayers, as this work can only be accomplished with a mission that is firmly rooted in Christ and a responsiveness to His will and desire for this school family.

“It is Jesus in fact that 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.”

From the High School Director

A year ago, in this space I wrote about the various “Best Colleges” lists that proliferate around this time of year. There are so many of them now that just about every school is on someone’s “Best” list.

The anxiety over getting in to the “right” college has ramped up such that families that hire a private counselor, which a few years ago was considered an extraordinary step, now feel it is a necessary minimum. But before you rush out to engage the services of an independent professional, I’ve asked Mrs. Driscoll, the head of our College Counseling Office, to provide some insight into what you’re already getting as a St. Joseph’s family.

St. Pope John Paul II

From the Address on the 15th World Youth Day - August 29, 2000

• Each high school student is assigned to one of our two full time college counselors. This process starts in earnest during the junior year, but they’re available for conferences before then, especially around issues such as course scheduling, college visits, building a good high school resume, etc.

• They will help build your college list, including “safe schools” and “reach schools,” but more importantly they can point you to schools that may not be on your radar.

• They also provide hands on help with writing essays and other parts of the application that colleges use to get a more well rounded introduction to applicants.

• They’ll write a letter of recommendation for you, and proof the teacher letters such that each college is getting a well rounded application.

• They will greatly assist you with sending transcripts, letters, essays, and all the other things that go into a complete college application. They watch the process for you from beginning to end, and will help make sure you’re not missing anything.

• Not to be overlooked, our counselors will advocate for you with the colleges and universities on your list. These are services that many independent private counselors CANNOT do. Many admissions counselors won’t take calls from private counselors they don’t know. Our counselors visit with dozens of schools a year to help open those doors.

The bottom line is that while hiring a private counselor may seem advantageous, St. Joseph’s families are often already receiving the benefits that come with such an arrangement. They are here for you and your children, and are always ready to assist in controlling the craziness of the college admission season.

Special thanks to Mrs. Driscoll and Mrs. Albright for all the work they do on behalf of our students, and for helping my own kids too!

From the Academic Support Services & College Counseling Office

Senior Parents

It’s that time of the year when deadlines are fast approaching for seniors’ admissions and scholarship applications. Remember that the faculty members who write letters of recommendation need as much advance notice as possible to craft your student’s recommendation, and for the College Counseling staff to compile secondary reports, transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc. It is incumbent upon the seniors to make sure they give us adequate notice (ideally, at least four weeks in advance of the deadline) on requests. Please follow up with your student today to make sure they get on top of their deadlines and college admissions “to do” lists, and have them get their requests in to us as soon as possible.

Junior Parents

As you are well aware, your students will be applying for college next fall! A very important piece of the college application process is recommendation letters. Students will be primarily asking their junior year teachers in their core academic classes (English, Math, Science, History, and World Language) for recommendation letters at the end of this school year. Encourage your students to begin building relationships with their teachers now by participating in class, turning in work on time, seeking their help when needed, etc. The better a teacher knows the student, the more personal and detailed letter they can write on the student’s behalf. Remember, it doesn’t have to be the student’s favorite class or highest grade; sometimes the best letters come from the teachers whose class the student struggled in the most as they can discuss their work ethic, determination, and skills the student utilized to meet the challenge.

From the Athletic Department

Winter

Winter Sports Requirements

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 student central at Bigteams.com 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 are 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.

From the Athletic Booster Club Spirit Wear Sale Ends November 4: Help support the Booster Club during this year’s spirit wear sales found HERE. All proceeds from items purchased under the Booster category will go towards the Booster Club. All orders must be placed by November 4 and will arrive in time for Christmas. Check out the clothing options HERE and accessories HERE

Booster Club Social Media Campaign: 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 to support our SJCS coaches and student athletes.

Join the Booster Club Today: Do you have a student athlete who will be playing a winter or spring sport? It’s not too late to sign up for the Booster Club and help support SJCS athletics. Your membership fees are critical to providing the financial support ALL our athletic teams need to enhance program excellence. Click HERE to join or get more information on the various membership levels and benefits. You will receive one, two, four or six key tags, depending on membership level, for free admission to all non playoff home games AND you can present your key tag at any Sully's Steamers for a free promotional item! A huge "thank you" to those who have already joined. Please note that once a membership form is received, it can take a week or so to process. You will receive an email when your key tags are available for pick up. Thank you for your patience.

Booster Club Banner Program: 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. Click HERE for more information on athletic sponsorships.

From the Business Office

Tuition Accounts

As a reminder, St. Joseph’s Business Office will be closed beginning Monday, December 19 and will reopen on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. In order to avoid late fees, please make sure all your December 529 plan payments are received by the Business Office no later than Monday, December 12. Questions? Contact Ann Gushue

Tuition Credit Program

Thank you to many of our school families for employing our Student Recruitment Tuition Credit Program this past school year. We greatly appreciate you referring families to SJCS! This program is ongoing and we hope that more SJCS parents will choose to take advantage of this for 2023 2024 recruitment. As a reminder, click HERE to read about the program. Parents who successfully referred a family to SJCS for this current school year will find a $500 tuition credit on their November statement.

From 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. We will track participation numbers by grade level throughout the year. Our faculty and staff are leading the way this year with 89% participation and over $27,000!

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. Please contact Kevin Meyer with any questions, download your Annual Fund Donation Form today, or make an online donation!

From the Fine Arts Department

JAG Membership Drive Ends November 30

Been holding out for the perfect opportunity to join the Jubilate Arts Guild (JAG), our Fine Arts Booster Club? Well now is the time! If you join sometime between now and the end of November, you will receive a special SJCS gift and your name will go into a raffle for a basket of SJCS merchandise, including two front row tickets to our Spring Musical. The higher the level you join, the more times your name goes in the raffle. In addition to supporting the Fine Arts with your membership purchase, there are many benefits to joining JAG, such as discount tickets and priority seating at many Fine Arts events, including the upcoming Christmas Concerts. The 2022 2023 membership form can be found HERE You have to join by November 30 to be eligible for our raffle, which will take place on December 7.

Opportunities to Support the Fine Arts Sponsorships: Attention business owners! Want to reach a larger audience? JAG would like to introduce our sponsorship program. We are offering our corporate sponsors a chance for promotion with advertising in the programs of our six main Fine Arts events. The size of the ad depends on the level of sponsorship. In addition to an ad in our programs, our sponsors will get further promotion through social media, the Fine Arts’ website, and special signage in the lobby of our events. Click HERE for more information on sponsorship levels and benefits. Become a Fine Arts Sponsor as soon as possible to maximize your sponsorship dollars. The Fall Play and Christmas Concerts are just around the corner! Questions? Contact Brandon Cabaniss.

Volunteer: Looking to get more involved? All MS students and most HS students are involved in the Arts in some way at SJCS. JAG is in need of parent volunteers to serve on the JAG committee for the 2022 2023 school year. We have various officer positions available and several committee vacancies. Come to a meeting to discover how much fun it can be supporting the Arts. Want more information? Contact the Jubilate Arts Guild president, Cindy Davis

Jubilate Knight for the Arts Talent Show

Mark your calendars for our Fine Arts Department annual talent competition and fundraiser, Jubilate Knight for the Arts, on Saturday, February 11, 2023. All members of the school community are invited to participate in this event, and the sale of voting tokens aids in funding the needs of our dance, choral, instrumental, theatre, and visual arts programs. Preparations for this family friendly fun evening begin in the fall, so dust off the dancing shoes, exercise the vocal chords, or come up with an act to showcase your own unique talent. Our audition dates will be immediately after Christmas Break and are fast approaching. Look for more information in the December/January New & Notes. You can see videos of last year’s winners HERE. In addition, if you are interested in joining the planning committee, we are always in need of volunteers to help put together this exciting event for our SJCS family. Contact Cindy Davis for more information.

From the Parents Guild

The School Store

Knights and Nobles, the St. Joseph’s School Store, is open every school day before and after school and during the lunch periods. Staffed by parent volunteers, the store is located at the entrance to the school cafeteria. The store stocks grocery items for before school snacks (granola bars and juice) and after school snacks, with a limited selection of sweet treats available at lunchtime. The store also stocks some school supplies (highlighters, pens, notecards, etc.), locker accessories (locker ladders and magnets), and St. Joseph’s spirit wear (some items from spring sale and a restock after the fall sale).

New this year: School Store purchases may be charged to the student’s MySchoolBucks account or may be paid for with cash. There will no longer be a separate charge account through the parent portal. Spirit Wear items must be paid for with cash or check made payable to the school. While the store is designated as a fundraising source, the School Store will have pricing comparable to the FLIK prices and will try to keep reasonable rates.

Parents in Prayer

At St. Joseph’s, we know that “unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain” (Psalm 127:1). Without the quiet, unassuming, humble prayers of those who believe deeply in the mission and providence of SJCS, all the great projects and plans would be futile. To this end, every Thursday at 1:30 PM a group of SJCS parents gather 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

Student Illness

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

COVID

For students with symptoms of COVID, 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.

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.