SJCS Family Newsletter
October 2022
As we {finally} head into cooler weather, I wanted to share something that has brought such warmth to my heart. Over the course of the last month, in addition to attending Mass, every student in our school has participated in a variety of activities that has allowed them unique opportunities to encounter Jesus.
Our elementary students began attending prayer services each Friday morning. Together as a campus in September, we learned about the virtue of faith and St. Martha, sang praise and worship together, wrote letters to our Big Kid Prayer Pals, and prayed a Holy Rosary together. We did all of these as AN ENTIRE CAMPUS! It has been truly beautiful to witness Jesus working in the hearts of our students during these times together.
Our secondary students continued their prayer services and listened to a talk on chastity from Sarah Swafford, participated in a candle-lighting ceremony, prayed together at See You at the Pole, and attended adoration. The prayer services at our secondary campus are created and led by our Ministry Leadership Team (MLT) comprised of students in grades 10-12. Our secondary students are also writing back to their Little Kid Prayer Pals to write prayers to them each month.
The Holy Spirit is alive and well in our school. It is an absolute treasure to see the love of Jesus pouring out from our students and staff each day. Please enjoy a few pictures of the prayer services from this last month.
God bless & Go Eagles!
Mrs. Mishler
Praying the Holy Rosary in October
Also, Friday, October 7th is the feast day of Our Lady of the Rosary.
"To recite the rosary means to learn to gaze on Jesus with his Mother’s eyes, and to love Jesus with his Mother’s heart.” - St. Pope John Paul II
Brazos Valley Gives
We are excited to join forces with Brazos Valley Gives again this year to help raise funds for our school to get a new set of wheels for our students. We are hoping to raise $50,000 to buy a 12-passenger van, affectionately called the Victory Van, that will take students on field trips, athletic events, faith retreats and back home at the end of the school day.
It is through our amazing Eagle community and Brazos Valley Gives that we are able to achieve this goal and actively pursue excellence at St. Joseph Catholic School. Early giving is now open, and the big Day of Giving is Tuesday, Oct. 18!
Visit brazosvalleygives.org/sjcsbcs for more information. Thank you in advance for supporting SJCS!
75th Anniversary of the Diocese of Austin
Bishop Vásquez would like to send an invitation to you, your teachers, staff and administrators to the 75th Anniversary Opening Mass and Program taking place on November 19, 2022. This historic event will be held at the Bell County Expo Hall in Belton starting at 8:45 a.m. to approximately 2 p.m. Additionally, we would like to invite 10 families per school; seeing our children in school uniform at the event would be a sign of pride and unity.
Safety Protocols at SJCS
In October, our students at both campuses will practice a lockdown drill which simulates an intruder situation. The drill is very calm and conducted in a way that it creates a learning opportunity instead of fear. Students will watch a video before we conduct the drill so they are aware the drill is occurring and how to respond appropriately.
If you have any questions about the drills or SRP, please email your Assistant Principal. For further information, please take a look at the Parent's Guide to School Safety Toolkit - Standard Response Protocol.
Feeling sick? Please stay home!
As we are moving into cold and flu season, we ask that you please DO NOT send your student to school if they do not feel well before they leave the house in the morning. We understand the desire to not miss instruction, however, we want to err on the side of caution because the health and safety of our students, staff, and families is more important!
School Board Principal's Report
Please click the link to read the October 2022 Principal's Report.
School Board Position Available
As an overview, commitment to this advisory board generally entails:
- Attendance at required monthly meetings
- Leadership & participation on committees and commitment to fulfilling action items related to committees
- Participation in Diocesan professional development opportunities
- Compliance with "Ethics in Ministry" training
- Belief in the mission of SJCS and visible communication of support of the school
If you are interested, please fill out THIS FORM so our Governance and Nominations Committee can be in touch.
We would also like to thank Mr. Phillip Ray, the St. Thomas Aquinas Representative, for his dedication to Catholic education and his service to St. Joseph Catholic School. May the Lord bless you and keep you.
SEL Theme of the Month: College & Career Readiness
PTO Corner
The purpose of St. Joseph's PTO is to
- Give parents and teachers the chance to work together to make this the best school it can possibly be for our students and for the next generation.
- Help welcome new families and make new friends.
- Enrich and support the family of faith we all enjoy.
- Share the load of volunteer duties and easily discover ways to fulfill FISH hours.
Thank you for helping us provide the teachers with a little treat during their days at school. The lounges are stocked up with coffee, breakfast bars, and treats for them to enjoy. Thank you Eagle families for your generosity!
For the month of October:
The Coffee Lab coffee truck will be at both campuses the morning of Tuesday, October 4th to provide the teachers with delicious coffee and muffins to start their morning.
Upcoming Teacher Treats Calendar
Nov. - Pies for the Teachers - Sign Up Coming Soon!
Dec. - Gift Cards for "Christmas Tree Punch Game" - Sign Up Coming Soon!
New EIM Training Available
ALL VOLUNTEERS for the school must be EIM compliant - including parents volunteering for FISH hours, attending field trips, classroom moms/dads, etc.
To register as a first-time EIM applicant (or if your EIM status is expired), please click HERE.
If you have already completed the initial workshop and just need to take the refresher course (required every three years), please click HERE for the online course information.
Prayer Request Portal
Upcoming Events
Oct 3-7 - Homecoming Week (See Dress Up Info)
Oct 7 - Homecoming Game @ Complex, 7 PM/Alumni Weekend
Oct 8 - Alumni Brunch @ Secondary Library, 11A-2P
Oct 10 - No School/Staff Development
Oct 11 - No School/Staff Development
Oct 12 - PSAT Testing/Senior Day
Oct 14 - Pink Out Divine Savior: Pink Dress Up
Oct 14 - End of First Quarter
Oct 18 - College Gear Dress Up Day
Oct 18 - Brazos Valley Gives
Oct 21 - Swaddle Second Baptist: Dress Like a Baby/Infant
Oct 21 - Senior Night @ Football Game
Oct 25 - Career Dress Up Day
Nov 1 - All Saints Day Mass
Nov 4 - Light Up the Lions: Neon Dress Up
Nov 4 - Early Release @ Noon for Staff Development
Virtues In Practice Folders
In September, we studied the virtue of faith and St. Martha. In October, we will study the virtue of reverence and St. Hyacinth.
The folder is for you to keep and use to reinforce the Catholic faith at home.
Coats, Jackets & Hoodies...Oh My!
Morning Drop Off
STOPit Bullying App & Resources
- find an adult immediately
- be an "upstander" (standing up for others) and not a bystander
- use the STOPit bullying app/website to submit an anonymous report
STOPit is the nation’s leading Anonymous Reporting System that teaches and empowers individuals to recognize and anonymously report safety, misconduct, and compliance concerns BEFORE they escalate into a crisis or other legal matter. Once an individual observes a safety, misconduct, or compliance concern in-person, on- line or through other means and submits their incident using the STOPit app, website, administrators are notified and can begin the next steps in monitoring, managing, and resolving.
The link to this app is always available in the Secondary Students Google Classroom on the Student Go Page along with posters throughout the school with how to submit a report.
If you have any questions about bullying or the STOPit app, please reach out to Mrs. Kleiber.
Homecoming Dance Information
Tickets are on sale in the secondary front office - they are $15 for individuals and $20 per couple. If SJCS students are bringing a guest from another school, there is a guest dance form that is in the front office and on Google Classroom that must be filled out in order for the guest to attend our dance.