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
Fall
Greetings from St. Joseph’s Catholic School!
Writing this letter during Spirit Week, I was greeted this morning by students dressed like Dr. Bolchoz, Mr. Perham, Mrs. Malphrus, Ms. Houmis, and a surprisingly high number of St. Lucita look-a-likes! A hearty thank you to Leanne Koffskey for all the time and effort that goes into planning a fun week for the students and a profitable one for this year’s beneficiary, Best Buddies. Please take a moment to click the link HERE or HERE to learn about how you can join in the great work they do in our community and around the world to end social, physical, and economic isolation for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
On my way to and from school every day I directly pass by two other schools. I regularly see students visiting one another in the parking lot of one school. The students in the other school wear uniforms (once required by Catholic schools only). I’m always struck by how much these students remind me of our own. I grew up in a home of dedicated public school educators My dad spent his entire career as a Guidance Counselor and coach of three varsity sports; my mom was the middle school secretary; and my sister is enjoying her first year of retirement after teaching kindergarten, 1st, & 2nd-grade students how to read for the better part of 30 years I can easily imagine how much these students are loved and cared for by their teachers.
All this is to say that passing these schools is a daily provocation to me. It invites me to ask what is unique and distinctive about our school. It is entirely unsatisfying and untrue to settle for answers that seek to throw shade on what takes place at public schools. Thankfully, parents in Greenville have a lot of good educational options from which to choose when selecting a school for their children. This is a great thing for our community and is the source of hope for the future of our region.
What role and niche does St. Joseph’s Catholic School have in the community of schools in Greenville? Why would a parent want to
choose this school (and pay for it!)? These are the questions we asked ourselves when we wrote The Saint Joseph’s Way. If you’ve not done so in a while (or ever), I strongly encourage you to read that relatively brief document, which you’ll find on our website and linked HERE. It truly is the philosophical “playbook” behind everything we strive to do for and with your sons and daughters.
Our approach to education is built upon the foundation that God exists and that all reality comes from Him. We believe that each human being is made in His image and likeness, and therefore, has infinite worth and a heart that longs to be united with Christ.
These convictions have implications for how we do everything, from the smallest daily interactions in the hallway to the way teachers prepare for their classes and the expectations they have for their students. They also influence how we deal with situations when they (or we) fall short of our ideals.
What difference does this unique approach to education make in the lives of students? (And is it worth the effort and money invested?) The best way I can answer that question is to look at our graduates. The impact on students is hard to describe precisely because every person is unique. Yes, there’s a quality (dare say, maturity) that I and many others see in our graduates. While not an exhaustive list that applies to everyone equally, words and phrases that come to mind when talking with other administrators about Saint Joseph’s Alumni include: Not satisfied with an immature faith; the certainty that they have the skills and resources to persevere through challenges; tenacity and a vigorous approach to life; exceptional academic competence; wisdom and courage to think for themselves; openness to people who are different from them; a life-long bond with high school friends; a sense of responsibility to use well the gifts with which they have been blessed; creativity and a passion to do good for others.
We talk a lot at Saint Joseph’s about “taking the long view.” Frankly, it’s one of my favorite things to tell parents, because I’ve had to learn to do this (sometimes the hard way) as a parent myself. We don’t always see the qualities listed above in our 7th, 8th, or 10th graders. In fact there are times when we can hardly imagine they’ll even emerge at all from the mess of the teenager in front of us. I’ve been there. I know what that feels like. And yet, weeks rarely go by when I don’t run into a graduate who is pursuing something meaningful in their lives and making a positive impact on others around them.
This long view helps to explain what we mean when we say we are a “college preparatory school.” We’re aiming much higher than simply getting our students into college. As Mrs. Wanda Jaraczewski’s article describes in detail, we are preparing them to be successful when they get there and beyond, later in life.
So, thank you for entrusting their education to our teachers, staff, and coaches. It is truly a privilege to educate them. I wholeheartedly agree with a substitute teacher who said to me the other day: “You have great kids at Saint Joseph’s. Thank you for allowing me to work with them.”
In closing, please continue to pray for several members of the SJCS faculty and staff and/or their spouses who are dealing with various health issues.
With Love and Prayers,
Keith F. Kiser Head of School
Things You Need To Know
Sign Up for Emergency Texts – Text “YES” to 79041
If you have not opted in to receive emergency alerts and other important information from SJCS, please do so today! Text “YES” to 79041 to receive important texts, such as emergency alerts & school closings.
Students Leaving Campus & Walking to QuickTrip
It has come to our attention that students are leaving campus to walk to QuickTrip after school and during sporting events. There is not a safe walking route to do this. We would appreciate your cooperation in asking your child not to do this.
Thespian Society Annual Food Drive Begins October 1
The International Thespian Society will host their annual food drive as a Household competition. All non-perishable food donations will go to benefit a local food pantry. The food drive will be October 1 – November 1 and more details will be announced to the student body in October.
Travel to France & Spain in May 2026 Informational Meeting, October 1
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 attend the interest meeting on Tuesday, October 1 at 6:30 PM in Room B-105. If you are interested but unable to attend, please email Señora Russell or visit the trip website HERE.
Preview Day (formerly Open House), October 2
Please help us fill the campus by inviting a prospective parent (relative, friend, neighbor, or co-worker) to our annual Admissions Preview Day. The event begins at 9:00 AM and officially kicks off the admissions season for the upcoming school year. The program offers prospective families an opportunity to learn more about our school, tour the facility with current students, and meet teachers and coaches. This event is open to all parents and students. Space is limited and registration is required. Click HERE to register.
How Can You Help?
Current SJCS families can earn a $500 tuition credit for actively recruiting new families to Saint Joseph’s. When a new family applies for admission, they have the opportunity to name the Saint Joseph’s family on their application who recommended SJCS. After the new student attends school for one quarter, the recruiting family receives a $500 credit on their November tuition bill. For more information, click HERE
Attention Eighth Grade Parents
All eighth grade parents will receive a letter from Head of School, Keith Kiser, in October about transitioning your child from eighth to ninth grade. The letter will refer to the topics below:
1) Eighth Grade Interviews will begin in October. All parents of eighth graders will receive an invitation to attend a private meeting with their student and Head of School, Keith Kiser. This meeting is designed to serve as a halfway checkpoint in your child’s Saint Joseph’s career; students will be invited to share how their middle school experience has been and encouraged to ask questions as they begin to plan for high school. These meetings will be held between mid-October 2024 and February 2025. Look for an email from Emily Burress in the coming weeks that will include an online link to schedule as well as a link to a survey for your eighth grader to complete prior to this meeting.
2) Eighth Grade High School Shadow Day is Friday, November 22. 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 22. 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.
3) Eighth Grade Day is Wednesday, January 22. Your eighth grade son or daughter will take our high school scholarship/placement test on Eighth Grade Day on January 22. 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 January 2025, will secure their spot in the ninth grade class.
Paying for College: Virtual Event for Senior Families, October 7
On Monday, October 7 at 6:00 PM, Gina Rigby, Assistant Director of Financial Aid at Roger Williams University, will be conducting a general Financial Aid meeting to discuss the various types of aid, scholarships, the CSS Profile, federal money (grants, loans, work study), and a general overview of the FAFSA for this year’s graduating seniors. The meeting will be held virtually; a link to the meeting will be sent to all senior families via email
Access to Blackbaud Gradebook Closes October 8
The first quarter marking period ends on Tuesday, October 8. Parent and student access to gradebooks will close at 4:00 PM to allow faculty to update report card grades for the marking period. Access to gradebooks will resume once report cards are issued.
Next Well-Fed Dad Meeting, October 9
Last year, Pope Francis dedicated nearly half of his Wednesday general audiences to teaching about the virtues and vices. In keeping with the theme for this year that "we are Christ's House if we hold firmly to our confidence and the boast of our hope," a different Saint Joseph's father will speak at each breakfast about a particular virtue that's important to their family and/or a vice that they've striven to overcome through Christ's grace. Our next prayer breakfast is scheduled for Wednesday, October 9 at 6:45 AM in the Meeting Room. The next speaker is Kenneth Covington, and he will be speaking about acedia (spiritual sloth). Someone will be at the front office door to let you into the building beginning at 6:35 AM. Please kindly RSVP so we know how many breakfast sandwiches to purchase.
Christmas Tree Project Help Needed, October 9 & 24
Help is needed from student volunteers to make decorations for the SJCS Christmas tree that will be a part of the Bon Secours Foundation's annual Festival of Trees in downtown Greenville. Our tree's theme this year is "A Little Birdie Told Me. . .What Students Are Saying About St. Joe's." Students are invited on Wednesday, October 9 and Thursday, October 24 after school to help. Service hours will be given. Contact SJCS parent Melanie Wills for more information.
PSAT Testing, October 11 (All 9th, 10th and 11th Graders)
The PSAT 8/9 will be administered to all freshmen and the PSAT/NMSQT to all sophomores and juniors at school on Friday, October 11. Students should report directly to their testing room by 8:00 AM and will be dismissed at approximately 11:00 AM. Testing room lists will be posted at school. It is very important that students bring their fully-charged Chromebook for this digital test. A graphing calculator is built into the testing app, however students may bring an approved calculator if they prefer. Students should also bring a pencil and their student ID card and wear their casual uniform. For juniors, this test is also called the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) and it is the only way to be considered for National Merit scholarships. Information was previously sent via email by Melissa Broering. Questions? Contact Melissa Broering
SAT Testing, October 11 (For seniors who registered)
The SAT test will be administered on Friday, October 11 to seniors who registered ahead of time. These seniors should report to their testing room by 8:00 AM and will be dismissed at approximately 11:00 AM. Testing room lists will be posted at school. It is very important that students bring their fully charged Chromebook for this digital test. A graphing calculator is built into the testing app. However, students may bring an approved calculator if they prefer. Students should also bring a pencil and their student ID card and wear their casual uniform. Seniors not taking the SAT will not have school that day. Questions? Contact Melissa Broering.
11:00 AM Dismissal, October 11
Dismissal will be at 11:00 AM on Friday, October 11, for all students.
NO SCHOOL, October 14
There will be no school on Monday, October 14. The school and school offices will be closed.
Next Well-Read Mom Meeting, October 15
Well-Read Mom is a program that accompanies women in the reading of great books and spiritual classics to encourage personal growth, friendship, and meaningful conversations in order to explore the human condition and reorient ourselves to what is good, beautiful, and true. We meet the third Tuesday of each month from 6:30 - 8:00 PM at Saint Joseph’s. Our next meeting is Tuesday, October 15. For more information, contact Sara Dellinger. There is also 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.
Donate to the MS Walk-a-thon by October 15
Anyone can donate to the Middle School Walk-a-thon! Donations can be made HERE. All donations will go to support the SJCS Fine Arts Department and programs to support all of the SJCS school community. Donations must be made by Tuesday, October 15.
Schedule Change, October 17
Flex period will be moved to the end of the day on Thursday, October 17 as part of a Middle School Walk-a-thon fundraiser sponsored by the Fine Arts Department. The school day will begin with the Thursday morning prayer service at 8:00 AM Flex time will begin at 2:00 PM Please update your calendars accordingly.
MS Walk-a-thon, October 17
• ALL Middle School students are invited to join us at the first SJCS Middle School Walk-a-thon on Thursday, October 17.
• In order to register to participate, two items must be completed by Tuesday, October 15: 1) Parents will need to complete the permission form found HERE for their child. 2) Students must raise a minimum of $50 in donations through the donation link found HERE
• All donations will go to support the SJCS Fine Arts Department and programs to support all of the SJCS school community.
• Prizes will be given for the MS students who collect the most donations and walk the most laps!
First Quarter Report Cards Available October 17
First quarter (Q1) report cards will be accessible in Blackbaud on Thursday, October 17, after 4:00 PM. An email will be sent from the registrar’s office to parents and students when report cards are finalized.
NO SCHOOL, October 21
There will be no school on Monday, October 21. The school and school offices will be closed.
Next Parent TEAM Meeting, October 23 & 24
The spirit of collaboration between the school and its parents has always been a hallmark of a Saint Joseph’s Catholic School education. To help facilitate this partnership, parents are invited to join Head of School, Keith Kiser, and a different member of his staff each month for a presentation and discussion on an important topic regarding the education and formation of teenagers in today’s world. To accommodate parent schedules, each topic will be presented twice, once on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 PM and then the following morning (Thursdays) at 8:00 AM. Each session will last one hour. Please join us on October 23/24 for Calming the Anxious Generation: Research-based tips for effective management of cell phones & social media, including how to discern if your teen is in crisis and what to do about it.
Make a Difference – Be an Election Poll Worker, Training October 26
Not old enough to vote? Want to be involved anyway and earn some money? Apply to be a poll worker for the 2024 elections. Students can apply and take the poll worker class at SJCS on Saturday, October 26 at 9:00
AM. Service hours are available, plus Greenville County will pay a stipend. Want to learn more? See Mrs. Carr if you are 16-18 years old and interested. Adults are welcome as well. Questions? Contact Mrs. Carr
Graduation Supplies and Class Rings Meeting October 30
A representative from Herff Jones will meet with Seniors and Juniors to present information regarding graduation supplies (e.g. caps and gowns, announcements, etc.) and class rings. Information packets and order forms will be distributed at the meeting which starts at Noon in the JPII on Wednesday, October 30. This meeting is mandatory for all seniors who wish to participate in commencement exercises, and it is strongly encouraged for all juniors. Parents are welcome to attend this meeting.
NOON Dismissal, October 30
All students will be dismissed at Noon on Wednesday, October 30 to accommodate Household Dean & Parent/Teacher Conferences. We will not be celebrating All-School Mass.
Household Dean & Parent/Teacher Conferences, October 30
Wednesday, October 30 from 1:00-5:00 PM has been set aside for Household Dean and Parent/Teacher Conferences. An email will be sent to parents around October 16 with instructions for signing up for conferences, as all conference appointments will be made online.
Fall Team Day, November 1
Fall Team Day will be held on Friday, November 1 including All School Mass celebrating All Saints Day.
NO SCHOOL, November 4 & 5
There will be no school on Monday, November 4 and Tuesday, November 5. The school and school offices will be closed.
Middle School Shadow Day/Bring A Friend Day, November 12
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? While high school applicants are required to shadow, we open up our middle school one day each academic year for prospective middle school students to shadow for a half-day of classes and lunch. Current SJCS middle school students are also encouraged to invite a friend (currently in grades 5-7) to visit for a half-day. All visitors must register in advance, and the online registration form will be posted on the school website on October 1. It’s first come, first served, as classroom space is limited and 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 on our website beginning October 1.
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.
Graduation Supplies & Class Ring Orders, November 12
On Tuesday, November 12, representatives from Herff Jones will be on campus from 11:00 AM-Noon to take orders for class rings, graduation caps and gowns, announcements, and other graduation supplies. A deposit is required for all orders.
Ladies Knight Out, November 13
Save the Date! The Annual Ladies Knight Out will take place on November 13 at Park View at Hollingsworth.
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane (Fall Play), November 21-24
Be sure to mark your calendar for the upcoming production of The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane! Based on Kate DiCamillo's book, the story introduces Edward Tulane, a porcelain rabbit who has it all. However, he is rather vain and self-absorbed. One day, fate thrusts him onto a miraculous journey, traveling throughout the country, and ultimately learning the meaning of love. Details for ordering tickets will be made available later in October. Members of the Jubilate Arts Guild will receive early access to discounted online ticket purchasing
opportunities before they go on sale to the public. Click HERE for the Jubilate Arts Guild membership form; you must join by October 25 in order for the membership benefits to apply to the fall production.
Important Information About Grandparents Day, November 25
Grandparents Day is Monday, November 25 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. This is for grandparents of both middle school and high school students. Invitations will be mailed to all current grandparents we have in our system. Please log into your Blackbaud account and make sure your child’s grandparents are listed in the contact card tab. It is extremely important that grandparents RSVP in advance. A hot lunch will be served, and we want to make sure we have enough food and seating for everyone. Last year we had over 600 people attend! Please contact Katie Orbon if you have any questions. We look forward to welcoming everyone!
Semester Exams & Christmas Travel Reminder, December 16-19
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 Monday, December 16 through Thursday, December 19. Make-up exams only will take place on Friday, December 20.
WWI & WWII Trip Summer 2025
In June of 2025, come walk where heroes have trod, experience a real English high tea, and travel the canals of Amsterdam. Join Mrs. Carr, Mr. Carr, and Coach Nash on a trip that immerses you into WWI and WWII events. Walk in trenches in Belgium, Churchill's War Rooms in London, and the beaches of Normandy. Click HERE to see the full itinerary, price, payment plans, and registration. The trip is open to 8th graders through seniors. Questions? Contact Mrs. Carr
Cafeteria Service
FLIK Dining Services provides cafeteria service during the school day. The cost for a full lunch is $7.95. Breakfast items are served from 7:30-9:00 AM, lunch is served during MS and HS lunch periods, and snacks are sold at the end of each school day.
Late Stay
Late Stay is available each day after school until 6:00 PM. Any student who remains on campus after dismissal and who it not involved in a supervised after-school activity must report to Late Stay by 3:30 PM. The Registration fee for Late Stay is $30 per family and will be assessed the first day a student uses the Late Stay Program. The hourly rate for Late Stay is $4.50. This amount will not be prorated. Late Stay charges are billed weekly through the Blackbaud Tuition Management system.
Required Community Service Hours
Please encourage students to join the "SJCS Service" Google Classroom. An invitation to join has been sent to all high school students. Opportunities for obtaining volunteer hours will be disseminated periodically. All completed community service hours must be logged in MobileServe using the student's school email address. The requirements by grade level are as follows: Freshmen-10 hours, Sophomores-15 hours, Juniors-20 hours, and Seniors-20 hours. Questions? Contact Greshan Charlton.
Has Your Information Changed?
If you have had a change of address, phone number, or email, please email your updates to Mary Cummings.