\ November 2023 Edition
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.
Contents From the Head of School ................... 1 Things You Need To Know .................. 3 Admissions Season Need to Know ... 6 From the Middle School Director ...... 8 From the High School Director .......... 8 From the Academic Support Services & College Counseling Office .......... 10 From the Athletic Department ........ 10 From the Business Office ................... 11 From the Development Office ........ 11 From the Fine Arts Department ....... 12 From the Parents Guild ..................... 12 From the School Nurse ...................... 13
From the Head of School Greetings from St. Joseph’s Catholic School! I have some exciting news to share with you. St. Joseph’s is planning to make some major improvements to our campus. Thanks to the generous commitments from 40 lead donors, St. Joseph’s is ready to announce the public phase of You Belong: The Campaign for The Saint Joseph’s Way Center. As the name of the campaign indicates, we are planning to build a mission and ministry building that we are calling The Founders St. Joseph’s Way Center, after the school’s nine founders who took the initial leap of faith to start the school with 13 students enrolled and $800 in the bank. The building will be located at the top of the circle of the sophomore parking lot in the grassy area in front of the middle school. Once completed, hopefully by the start of the 2025 school year, The SJ Way Center will be the new home of the House Program, Campus Ministry, the Theology Department, Student Support Services, and the Guidance Office. Two new outdoor plazas between the current building and the new construction will also be created as part of this project. These shaded areas will feature outdoor seating and picnic tables which will help alleviate overcrowding in the cafeteria. The building will also feature a 175-200-seat flexible meeting space that will be used for House meetings, Campus Ministry, and school social gatherings. This meeting space will be called McGrath Hall in honor of Barbara McGrath, one of the school’s founders, who retired from fulltime employment in June after three decades of service to the school. To ensure the school remains accessible to families from all socioeconomic backgrounds, which has been a priority from the beginning, we are also raising funds in the You Belong Campaign to increase the school’s endowment. This year alone St. Joseph’s has awarded $1.98 million dollars in tuition assistance to 33% of the school’s families through the school’s Flexible Tuition program. Increasing our endowment will help ensure that the school has the resources available to meet the future needs of all families going forward.
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Our goal is to raise $6 million dollars total, $5 million to build The SJ Way Center and another $1 million to increase the school’s endowment from $1 to $2 million dollars, to support financial aid. The campaign is going very well. To date, we have raised over 80% of the goal, but we need help from the entire community to push us over the top, hopefully this month. In addition to these changes, we are also planning to make several overdue improvements to the school’s athletic facilities, which will coincide with the construction of the new building. Specifically, the school is planning to more than double the size of its existing weight room, expand the locker room, add a hardscape plaza outside of the stadium, and build women’s and men’s restrooms for spectators adjacent to the new plaza. Moreover, while these athletic facility improvements are not technically part of the You Belong Campaign, the more money raised in the You Belong Campaign will help ensure the school has the funds to complete these athletic projects in a timely manner. In the very near future, you will be invited to support the You Belong Campaign. We will be asking school families to consider a multi-year pledge to the campaign, so please keep an eye out in the weeks ahead for the materials, which will explain how to make a pledge to the campaign. We hope that each family will be as generous as their circumstances allow. Staying on the theme of athletics as I close this letter, I want to celebrate and thank St. Joseph’s volleyball coach Jan Carino. This fall marks Coach Carino’s 25th year as St. Joseph’s volleyball coach extraordinaire. Jan has built this program into one of the premier volleyball programs in the state and country. We are incredibly proud of Jan and blessed that she has given so much of herself to her girls and the school for a quarter of a century. Some might not know that Coach Carino served as SJCS’ Athletic Director for 17 of those years and is responsible for starting and establishing most of the programs that your sons and daughters enjoy today. While there is not space to mention all of her accolades and accomplishments to date, hers has been and continues to be a Hall of Fame career with a deep and lasting legacy for all of us at St. Joseph’s. Please look for an opportunity to let her know how much you appreciate all that she has done for the school. In closing, please join us in praying for the following members of the SJCS family: for Addis Carpenter on the passing of his grandfather; for Charlie, Lillie, and Mollie Mendelson on the passing of their aunt; for Jackson Evette on the passing of his grandmother. With Love and Prayers, Keith F. Kiser Head of School
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Things You Need To Know Fall Team Day, November 1 Our Fall Team Day will take place Wednesday, November 1, the Feast of All Saints, from 8 AM-Noon. We will start the day with an all-school Mass at 8:00 AM (parents are welcome to join), have breakfast in Household, and then participate in games and competitions until dismissal at Noon. Thespian Society Annual Food Drive Ends November 1 The International Thespian Society is hosting its 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, November 1. HS Admissions Ambassador Application Deadline, November 1 St. Joseph’s HS 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 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 freshmen received an email on October 18 with the link found HERE. The deadline to apply is November 1. A Great Christmas Gift Idea: SJCS Ornaments Sale Ends November 1 We are very excited to share our new 2023 Madonna and the Child Ornament designed by SJCS alumni Mimi Tierney ('17). 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 1. 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. You can order both ornaments HERE. Ornaments will be available for pick up in the front office before Christmas break or you can choose to have your ornament shipped. Questions? Contact Christine Balts. Bell Schedule Change, November 2 Thursday, November 2, will be a Monday/Tuesday/Friday schedule with 1st period beginning at 8:00 AM. Orders for Senior Graduation Supplies & Junior Class Rings, November 6 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 Monday, November 6, from 10:30 AM-Noon. 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 will be available in the College Counseling Office. Middle School Shadow Day/Bring A Friend Day, November 7 Do you have (or do you know) a prospective middle school student who would like to see what a day is like at St. Joe’s? Would your current 6th, 7th, or 8th grade SJCS student be willing to host someone on this date? We open up our middle school one day each school year for prospective middle school students to shadow for a half-day of classes and lunch. Current SJCS middle school students are encouraged to invite a friend (currently in grades 5-7) to visit for a half-day. NOTE: Greenville County Schools have off on Tuesday, November 7 (Election Day), but SJCS is in session on this date. Online registration is now open, and registration will close promptly on October 31. In past years, we’ve reached capacity as classroom space is limited. We will restrict the number of visitors that day. How Can You Help? 1) If your SJCS middle school child has a friend who would like to see what St. Joe’s is like, please direct the parents of your child’s friend to register HERE no later than October 31. Registration will close on October 31, and we will limit the number of visitors that day. 2) If your SJCS middle school child is willing to host a student they do not know on this day, please submit your child’s name to Emily Burress in the Admissions Office as soon as possible.
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TEAM (Totally Engaged in Advancing the Mission), Next Meeting November 9 Parents and administrators will continue to 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. All SJCS parents are welcome to prayerfully consider if you might be interested and called to join the TEAM Leadership Committee. Our next gathering will be Thursday, November 9, from 8:00-9:00AM in the Meeting Room. Questions? Contact Katie Orbon. Mid-Quarter Progress Update, November 10 An email will be sent to parents at mid-quarter, November 10, as a reminder to check student progress in Blackbaud and contact teachers with any questions or concerns. Well-Fed Dad, Next Meeting, November 14 Men of St. Joseph’s are invited to join for a monthly prayer breakfast to be fed both physically and spiritually. We will meet at St. Joseph’s from 6:45-7:45AM. The next gathering is Tuesday, November 14. RSVP HERE. Questions? Contact Katie Orbon. Well-Read Mom, Next Meeting November 14 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 second Tuesday of each month from 6:30-8:00 PM at St. Joseph’s. We had our first meeting in September, but you are still welcome to join us! Our next meeting is Tuesday, November 14. For more information, contact Donna Frank. There is also a group that meets the second Tuesday of each month in the morning. If morning is better for you, contact Kristen Armaly who hosts the meeting at her home. Annual Ladies Knight Out, November 15 Please join us for our Annual Ladies Knight Out on Wednesday, November 15 from 5:30-8:30 PM at Park View at Hollingsworth (7 Legacy Park Rd. Greenville, SC). This is a great time to gather with other SJCS moms while enjoying drinks and hors d'oeuvres. The cost is $30/person and $15/faculty and staff. Please RSVP for Ladies Knight Out HERE. Questions? Contact Katie Orbon. Fall Art Exhibit Display Ends November 16 The Fine Arts Department is excited to announce the 2023 Annual Fall Art Exhibit; 'Infinite Worth in Color'. Artwork of every High School and Middle School Visual Art student is on display through November 16. Artwork can be viewed on the first floor in the high school hallway, the senior commons, the middle school hallway and the middle school commons. Enjoy! Fall Play: Much Ado About Nothing, November 16-19 Join the Fine Arts Department at the upcoming fall play, Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing! In Messina, Claudio and Hero prepare to wed while Benedick and Beatrice are engaged in a war of wits. Things are turned upside-down when deception from friends and foes alike surrounds the lives of both pairs. Will their relationships survive or be destroyed? This comedy will keep you on the edge of your seat until the difficult knot of gossip and false information is undone! Click HERE to purchase your tickets in advance. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the door. Members of the Jubilate Arts Guild will receive information for discounted online ticket purchasing opportunities if they join by November 3. Click HERE for the Jubilate Arts Guild membership form. Grandparents Day, November 20 Grandparents Day is Monday, November 20, from 9:30 AM-12:15 PM. This is a wonderful opportunity for grandparents or special friends to tour the school and have lunch with their grandchildren. Invitations will be mailed to grandparents who live in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. If you would like us to mail an invitation to a grandparent who does not live in one of those states, please email their name and address to Katie Orbon. This is for grandparents of both middle school and high school students. We look forward to welcoming everyone!
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Thanksgiving Break, November 22-24 Thanksgiving Break is Wednesday, November 22 - Friday, November 24. The school and school office will be closed. Spring Musical Auditions Starting November 27 Auditions for the Spring Musical will be held the week of November 27. More information will be available in the Friday Flash in early November. Questions? Contact Fine Arts Director Teresa McGrath. 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, swags, and live tabletop trees come from Minnesota and are delivered to you and your loved ones (or business associates) starting in mid-November. Click HERE to purchase your wreath and enter the fundraising code, STJOSESC001. Contact Kelly Quesnelle for assistance with your bulk order. Earn points for your House and enter the competition for the highest seller. Don’t delay! Last year we sold out before the end of the sale. Christmas Concert Dates, December 5-7 This year the Fine Arts Department will sponsor the following concerts which will begin at 7:00 PM in the JPII Center: • Tuesday, December 5 - Band Ensembles • Wednesday, December 6 - Choral Ensembles • Thursday, December 7 - 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. Additionally, the JAG Christmas ornaments will be available for purchase in the HS Commons. Inscape Submissions Open Through December 8 Inscape is now accepting submissions through December 8. All grades are encouraged to submit poetry and visual art. You can submit your items HERE. Semester Exams & Christmas Travel Reminder, December 14-19 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 Thursday, December 14 through Tuesday, December 19. Make-up exams only will take place on Wednesday, December 20. Middle School Schedule, December 19 The last day of the first semester for Middle School students will be Monday, December 18. There will be NO SCHOOL for Middle School students on Tuesday, December 19. Advent Retreat, December 19-20 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 High School Advent Retreat is one of these moments. Open to any high school student, the retreat will begin the afternoon of Tuesday, December 19 (the last exam day) and end after lunch on Wednesday, December 20. The retreat will take place at Heart Ridge Retreat Center in Sunset, SC. More information will be sent out to families in November. Questions? Contact Campus Minister, Gabe Lewis. Catholic Schools Week, January 2024 Be sure to highlight January 28-February 3, 2024 on your calendar to celebrate National Catholic Schools Week. Our House Leaders have already started making plans to incorporate the themes of honoring our parishes, community, vocations, teachers and staff as well as our families. If you would like to be part of the parents who help support their efforts, please contact Christine Balts (christine@balts.net or 703-498-7416) to help make NCSW special and memorable.
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Greece Trip Rescheduled to Spring Break 2025 Our trip dates have been moved to Spring Break 2025; the exact dates will be posted at the end of this school year. The details are still the same: visiting various ancient sites in Athens and a cruise around the Greek Islands (including Ephesus and the island of Patmos/the Cave of the Apocalypse), as well as experiencing modern Greek culture. All the details (including the itinerary, cost, payment plans, insurance options, and travel dates) can be found HERE. Questions? Email Elaine Trakas. Travel to Africa in Summer 2025 Travel to South Africa with Mrs. Berman and Mrs. Carr. In the summer of 2025, SJCS will take its second trip to South Africa, Mrs. Berman's home country. Interested students and parents click HERE to see the itinerary, price, and sign up. Interested students have an opportunity to earn college credit on the trip and through a follow-up online class through George Mason University at no additional cost. Current 7th grade through 11th grade students are eligible. Student Absence Information An absence is recorded for every class a student misses. With the exception of classes missed for school events or college visits, all absences are included in a student’s Total Absence Count (TAC). Students who miss for the following reasons are eligible to make up any work missed: • Personal illness (parent note and email) • Doctor’s appointments (must email and provide note from doctor) • Death in the family (parent note) • A family health emergency (parent note) • A baptism, ordination, wedding, or graduation involving a member of the immediate family (parent note) • Seniors who vote in a state or federal election are granted an excused tardy not past first period. • Other events cleared by the Division Director in advance. Photo Galleries on the SJCS Website Check out our new photo galleries on the SJCS website (found HERE). You will be able to download full-resolution photos from events as well as order prints and gifts. Digital downloads are free. Prints and gifts are available for purchase. Has Your Information Changed? If you have had a change of address, phone number, or email, please email your updates to Mary Cummings. Are You Receiving SJCS Emails? SJCS now uses Blackbaud for our student/parent software. Emails from Blackbaud come from the email address sjcatholicschool@myschoolemails.com (even if it is sent by a specific person). If you suspect you are not receiving all SJCS communications, make sure to add this email address to your contact list. Also, check your junk, SPAM, and quarantine folders in your email – they may have been routed there by your email provider.
Admissions Season Need to Know Calling All Applicants! Fall 2024 applications are now open! Prospective Parent Night is Monday, December 4: Please tell a neighbor, colleague, or relative about our Prospective Parent Night here on Monday, December 4, 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 6. Tuition Assistance: SJCS offers Tuition Assistance and our need-based Blackbaud Financial Aid Application will be posted on our website mid-November with a February 15, 2024 priority deadline for current families and an April 1, 2024 deadline for new families. 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 1.9 million dollars in tuition
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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 6, 2024 or Saturday, January 27, 2024 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 on January 6 are not given priority over those who test on January 27. 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 1). Attention Eighth Grade Parents All eighth grade parents received an email from Head of School, 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 17: 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 17. 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. Eighth Grade Day is Wednesday, January 17: Your eighth grade son or daughter will take our high school scholarship/placement test on Eighth Grade Day on January 17. There are several reasons for completing this test: 1) All SJCS 8 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 February 9, 2024, will secure their spot in the ninth grade class. High School Preview is Thursday, November 16: Please note this change in date and time. All eighth grade parents and students are invited to campus on Thursday, November 16 from 8:00 - 8:45 AM to learn more about our high school. This includes a presentation on “The Value of a St. Joe’s Diploma” which promises to be most enlightening and informative. Coffee and a light breakfast will be provided. Look for an email from Jenny Starks in the coming week with more details. th
Attention All Parents St. Joe’s Student Recruitment/Tuition Credit Program is ongoing. With fall 2024 applications now open, we hope that more current SJCS parents will choose to take advantage of this program. Approximately 22% of all new applicants for the 2023-24 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 helped on campus that day. Open House Sunday was a great day, thanks to everyone!
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From the Middle School Director “What the mind is steeped in from childhood it clings to very firmly, as something known naturally and self-evidently.” Saint Thomas Aquinas I have the pleasure of meeting many students and families through our admissions process. When I meet with a prospective student and family as their admissions interviewer, I try to set the stage for an engaging conversation, free of any stress or presuppositions on anyone’s part. Right from the beginning, I mention that there are no right or wrong answers. Our conversation is designed to be a time that I can get to know the student and family, and they, too, have a chance to learn more about our school community. One of the questions I usually ask is, “What is something that you’ve heard about Saint Joseph’s that you aren’t so sure about, or that might make you somewhat apprehensive about coming to our school?” Inevitably, the topic of homework comes up. I tell them that, yes, we have homework, and that there is a reason for homework, and that it is nothing to be afraid of. These prospective students also tell me that, often, they don’t have any homework, and that is one of the reasons their parents are exploring other options. They want their child to be prepared. What is the purpose of homework in middle school? Well, there are several reasons for homework, many of which you could guess with little effort. At Saint Joseph’s, homework is a reinforcement of the learning that takes place in the classroom; it’s practice and repetition in an effort to instill muscle memory into our brain processes; it’s an opportunity to struggle with a topic or idea and wrestle through to understanding; it’s about diving deeper and making connections across academic subjects; and, it’s also about instilling a habit - a habit of knowing the expectation, working toward the goal, and analyzing the outcome based on the effort we put forward. This last element is a critical component of homework in middle school. We talk often about helping our students learn self-advocacy skills and taking ownership of their learning. Intentional effort on homework can truly help a student achieve these goals, and without specific attention to their work, these goals will take longer to develop. Any goal worth achieving takes intentional focus, practice, repetition and, yes, even struggle. As a parent, I know I’ve said more than once, “Just please get your homework done!” as if it were an item that could be simply checked off so that we could move on to the next thing. It took me some time to understand that homework shouldn’t just be checked off, but should be approached with reasonable attention so that the desired outcome could be achieved. And, what is the desired outcome? That our children are able to intelligently, independently, succinctly, and clearly communicate their understanding of an idea or concept, whatever that idea or concept might be. We can help our children by encouraging a mindset of focus and concentration, knowing that their attention to their work will result in growth … just as their hard work in the batting cage, at soccer or dance practice, and even with their video games, results in marked improvement. There is value in the work we ask of our middle school students, and we walk alongside them, and you, as we explore and verify the benefits.
From the High School Director I’ve just finished reading a book by Dr. Lisa Damour, an Ohio based psychologist who has written extensively on the emotional lives of American teenagers. Her latest book, literally entitled The Emotional Lives of Teenagers, is almost a decoding manual for parents trying to figure out when to listen, when to intervene, and when to duck and cover in terms of their children’s moods. While I’m always a little skeptical about books like this, I do think there are some helpful insights in this relatively concise book. Dr. Damour is herself a little skeptical of some of the headlines we’ve all seen about adolescent anxiety, depression, etc. She doesn’t doubt that these are very real phenomena, but her basic perspective is that any attempt to escape all negative emotional experiences is both doomed and, ultimately, counterproductive. She defines emotional health not as the absence of negative feelings (which often seems to be the unstated goal of what she calls the wellness industry) but as having the right emotions at the right time and being able to manage those emotions effectively.
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That may sound like an academic point, but it’s actually an important distinction. The wellness industry, and certainly some of the efforts of individual teenagers, at least tacitly imply that negative emotions are to be avoided, or at least minimized, lest they overwhelm a fragile student. Dr. Damour rejects the assumption that most teenagers are that fragile while still taking seriously the fact that individual students respond to things in different ways. What may overwhelm one student may be effectively managed by another, and may barely impact a third. Those differences aside, she does have some great recommendations for parents trying to navigate the terrain. First, empathy is something we should embrace with our kids. Personally, I try to jump in and fix things too quickly. Sometimes they just need us to listen and validate how they’re feeling. Second, recognize that kids may want to process their feelings on their own time, not ours. The dinner table may not be where and when a teenager is ready to talk about what’s going on in their lives. Subconsciously, they may look for a time when there’s an escape route. Some teens, for instance, try to talk to their parents right before they go to bed. Kids ‘awfulize’ in their heads (go to the worst possible scenario) before they work on uncomfortable issues, so having a built in end to the conversation is a way of exercising some control over what’s about to happen. Another thing parents can do is to NOT underestimate the power of the playlist. Many teenagers have different playlists for their mood (I just have one and then skip songs I don’t want). In giving voice to what they’re feeling, it can be a kind of escape valve for emotional pressure. Missing here is any understanding of the role spirituality can play in a student’s life. Realities like providence, faith, and hope, are powerful forces in the lives of those who recognize God’s love and work in their lives. That’s why the second point of the Saint Joseph’s Way stresses the positivity of reality. God is always working in our lives, calling us unto Himself even through, maybe especially through, negative experiences. That’s a powerful question that I occasionally ask students who find themselves in my office: “What do you think God is trying to teach you through this experience?” Seeing how God is working in the lives of our students is one of the joys of my job, and of my parenting as well.
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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, write counselor letters, and process teacher 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 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 the most in as they can discuss the work ethic, determination, and skills the student utilized to meet the challenge. College Counseling Seminar Series The College Counseling Office announced its new Seminar Series earlier this year with the goal of making sure that every student & family feels connected and empowered in their college application/enrollment process. To date, the College Counseling Office has held three sessions including a Faculty Panel. Students are encouraged to attend as many of these events as possible! Please note that these sessions are in addition to our traditional College Counseling programming. • Thursday, November 16 at 8:00 AM during Flex Period: Topical Session for Seniors (Seniors) • Thursday, November 30 at 8:00 AM during Flex Period: Conversations with Counselors (All grade levels) • Thursday, December 7 at 8:00 AM during Flex Period: Stress Relieving Session (Seniors) Private Counselors Recently we’ve received many inquiries from parents regarding the need to hire independent college counselors (mainly because they are hearing from families attending other schools that they have hired one). The short and simple answer is “NO.” One of the many benefits of attending SJCS is getting your own college counselor to help walk you through the college search, application, and enrollment process. Our counseling office will help you with building your college list, will write you a letter of recommendation, will review all your teacher recommendation letters, will advise you on which letters to send to the colleges, will send your transcripts, recommendation letters and all other school forms to the colleges as well as advocate for you with the college admission offices. These are all services that independent private counselors CANNOT do. In addition, we hold application and essay workshops in the summer and will work with all students on constructing and finalizing their essays and applications…yes, we review all essays and applications before students submit them.
From the Athletic Department 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
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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 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 2024-2025 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. Tuition Accounts As a reminder, St. Joseph’s Business Office will be closed beginning Wednesday, December 20 and will reopen on Thursday, January 4, 2024. In order to avoid late fees, please make sure all your December 529 plan payments are received by the Business Office no later than Tuesday, December 12. If you have any questions regarding your tuition payments, please contact Ann Gushue. Replacement IDs Due to the high number of requests for new IDs, the school began charging $15.00 per ID on October 1, 2023. If a student turns in their broken ID to Mrs. Hawkins in the front office, there is no charge for replacement. Re-enrollment Families will receive information in January about re-enrollment for the 2024-25 school year. Please note that the window to re-enroll will be January 29, 2024 - February 2, 2024. Contracts will be available through the Blackbaud portal. Please note this change in dates from previous years. Flexible Tuition Flexible Tuition applications will be available starting November 15 through Blackbaud Financial Aid. To be considered for financial assistance, all current families must submit their application by February 15, 2024. All new families must submit their application by April 1, 2024. Failure to apply before the deadline may result in families not receiving funds. Please note this change in dates from previous years.
From the Development Office Extra Weekends at your Timeshare or Vacation Home? Theater or Concert Tickets? It's never too soon to be thinking about our 2024 Annual Auction Gala. We are looking for any family willing to donate ‘a stay’ at your vacation home or timeshare or theater or concert tickets to be auctioned off at our 2024 Gala. If you or someone you know would be willing to donate, please contact Kevin Meyer or Katie Orbon in the Development Office. Remember, this donation is tax-deductible! Annual Fund Our goal this fiscal year (July 2023 – June 2024) 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. 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 5% of the school’s overall budget. These
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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 $525,000. Please contact Kevin Meyer with any questions 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 and Fall Play. The 2023-2024 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 6. Save the Date: February 10 - Jubilate Knight for the Arts Talent Competition Mark your calendars for our Fine Arts Department annual talent competition and fundraiser, Jubilate Knight for the Arts, on Saturday, February 10, 2024. 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 have already begun, 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 (January 10 and January 16) and are fast approaching. Look for more information on how to sign up in later New & Notes. You can check out last year's event 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. Opportunities to Support the Fine Arts Sponsorships: Attention business owners! Want to reach a larger audience? Try the JAG 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. For more information, click HERE. If you join our sponsorship program before November 1, you will maximize your investment by being a part of our first big Fine Arts event, the Fall Play. Questions? Contact Christine Balts. 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 2023-2024 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.
From the Parents Guild Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities Be on the lookout for a SignUpGenius for volunteer opportunities to help with Grandparents Day and our Annual SJCS Staff Pumpkin Bread Thanksgiving Gift. Thank You To… • Christy Lynn for organizing our first Spirit Knight at Takeoff Mini Golf • Emily Busby for organizing the End Of First Quarter Breakfast Sale • All of the volunteers who helped with Open House
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From the School Nurse Student Illness If your child has signs and symptoms of illness, please refer to DHEC's School Exclusion List for help determining whether your child may attend classes. Please report absences to the Front Office as soon as possible. For a DHEC list of illnesses/reasons to keep your child home, please click HERE. 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. Inhalers Students with asthma should have an updated action plan and medication available for them if needed. Please discuss with your child's physician to see if medication needs to be stored in the Health Room for the 2023-2024 school year. 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. Failure to comply with the medication policy may result in disciplinary action.