Principal's Peek at the Week
Saints Joseph and John School - August 17, 2023
Dear Saints Joseph and John School Families,
“Hold fast to the hope that lies before us.” – Hebrews 6:18
We are so excited!
Next week is back to school! Our school is clean, looking great, and ready for our fantastic students! Our faculty and staff are looking forward to a great start to the school year, which begins on Wednesday, August 23 for grades 1-8 and the following two days for
Kindergarten. Please note that Kindergarten orientation is Monday, August 21 at
9:00am in McGraw Hall.
A Renewed Focus- For the 2023-2024 school year, the theme is HOPE, which is an acronym symbolizing Helping hands, Opportunity, Promise, and Excellence. This theme also brought us a new focus, and we have decided to end the former "House" system this year. Instead, all students, faculty and staff will work together throughout the year to embody the four characteristics of a hopeful disciple of Christ.
Hallways of Hope- At the beginning of the week, our faculty and staff came together to turn our halls into "Hallways of Hope," with each area representing a different characteristic of our theme. The Preschool hallway decorated for "Helping Hands," the middle school hallway decorated with symbols of "Opportunity," the K-2 hallway is now filled with symbols of "Promise" and the 3-5 hallway shines with symbols of "Excellence." We can't wait for you to see for yourselves and "hope" many of our SJJ families can join us for the Supply Drop-off and movie night on Friday evening beginning at 7 pm!
**Please note that students unable to attend the supply drop off may bring supplies on the first day of school.
Welcome Back to School Picnic- Our fabulous SJJ PTU is sponsoring a back-to-school picnic for our students in grades 1-8 on Friday, August 25. Our students will be served a pizza lunch from Marco's Pizza, complete with chips, fruit, water and a special dessert. DJ Zach will be on campus to play our students' favorite songs while they picnic outside and kick off the school year. If you're interested in volunteering for the event, please see below in the PTU section of the newsletter for more information.
I invite and ask all of you to join us in praying for our students and community as we
begin the 2023 -2024 school year!
Blessings,
Mrs. Schenek
K-8 SCHOOL SUPPLY DROP OFF AND BACK TO SCHOOL OUTDOOR MOVIE NIGHT
Friday, Aug 18, 2023, 07:00 PM
Sts. Joseph & John School, Pearl Road, Strongsville, OH, USA
SJJ WELCOMES OUR NEW FACULTY AND STAFF!
We are thrilled to welcome our new faculty and staff members for the start of the 2023-2024 school year! Please help us welcome: Mrs. Patty Briggs as business manager, Mrs. Kristen Kickel as middle school math teacher, Mr. Joe Vadini in physical education, Mrs. Victoria Cimino as office manager, Mrs. Erin Hamad as preschool aide, and Mrs. Carla Cary as enrichment reading teacher.
Our new teachers spent time with Mrs. Francis recently as they completed their new hire orientation. Pictured below with Mrs. Francis are Mrs. Cary, Mr. Vadini and Mrs. Kickel.
Courtyard Update!
We are so grateful for our donors from the past two years of We Give Catholic, as our courtyard project nears completion!
We can't wait to utilize this wonderful outdoor classroom space to engage our learners in many new and exciting opportunities!
2023-2024 SCHOOL SCHEDULE
PLEASE NOTE THE SCHOOL SCHEDULE FOR THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR:
MORNING
7:15 am- Building opens and students may enter the building to report directly to McGraw Hall.
Car drop-offs may not occur prior to 7:15am.
7:30am- Teachers pick up students from McGraw Hall and escort students to homeroom. Students arriving after 7:30am report directly to their classrooms.
7:45 am- Tardy Bell Rings.
Students not in their seats and ready to learn at 7:45 am will be marked tardy.
AFTERNOON
2:00pm- End of day bell, dismissal after closing prayers.
ADDITIONAL BACK TO SCHOOL FORMS FOR K-8 STUDENTS- REQUIRED
Please ensure these forms are completed by the time your student returns back to school.
Acceptable Use Policy Agreement Form
https://forms.gle/tLzkuuKpviF8vaz9A
Photo Release Consent Form
https://forms.gle/R1wikmnWBjWrKYEu7
Handbook Acknowledgement Form
https://forms.gle/mBoTUG76MRPZLHbX7
Chromebook Contract
https://forms.gle/ojxFWEdmS9aLwmF49
Viking Cove Registration
https://sites.google.com/sjjschool.org/viking-cove/home
**Every family needs to fill out the digital registration form in order to have their child attend Viking Cove.
NEWS FROM THE BOOKSTORE
The school bookstore will be open with gym uniforms, students planners, and other items for sale at the school supply drop off/movie night. Please note that payment for items must be made by check or can be billed to your FACTS account. NO CASH will be accepted for items purchased from the bookstore.
The bookstore will also be open during the Kindergarten orientation on August 21.
PTU INFORMATION
PTU UPCOMING EVENTS:
Welcome Back to School Picnic- The SJJ PTU is hosting a Welcome Back to School Picnic for grades 1-8. If you would like to help volunteer for the event, please sign up via the link here: Welcome Back to School Picnic
All volunteers must be VIRTUS trained.
Gently Used Uniform Drop Off & Exchange!
Parents! Did your kids grow this summer? Have you gone through your closet and realize you don’t need those polos, shorts, jumpers, etc. anymore?
The PTU is hosting an onsite uniform exchange!
All items received will be laid out on tables in front of the school on Friday, August 18th after the supply drop off. Families are welcome to come up during this time and look through all the items.
*Please note* No cash will be accepted, this is a one stop shop to help parents get ready for the school year and look through uniforms that other parents are willing to give free to a fellow SJJ student. Uniforms dropped off will be kept by the PTU and given to families, the nurse's station for their stock, and remaining items after the event will be posted on the SJJ Uniform Exchange Facebook page.
Any questions? Please email us at stsjjptu@gmail.com
Annual Craft Fair
The annual PTU craft fair will be held on Saturday, November 4, 2023. The craft fair is from 9 am - 4 pm. The show consists of more than 100 crafters at tables in McGraw Hall, the gym and the connecting hallways.
Please click on the link below for more information:
PTU EXECUTIVE BOARD:
- Co-Presidents- Natalie Pratt, Roxanne Yurcik
- Treasurer- Tina Dzik
- Secretary- Laura LaNasa
- VP of Operations- Krista Klefos
- VP of Marketing- Julie Lytle
- VP of Fundraising- Kristina Arch
To reach our PTU team please email stsjjptu@gmail.com
VIKING COVE AFTER CARE
Saints Joseph and John School offers a safe, teacher-operated after-school care program. The faculty and staff of Saints Joseph and John School offer an after school care program for students enrolled in our school.
Viking Cove (aftercare) is available for students in grades K-8 from 2:00pm to 6:00pm. Students will enjoy an after school snack, participate in a supervised homework time and then explore a variety of activities directed by Sts. Joseph and John teachers and aides.
Please use the following link to register for the program: sites.google.com/sjjschool.org/viking-cove/home.
There is no charge to register for this program. If you are not interested at this time, but find a need for the program during the school year, you may register at a later date.
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Viking Cove is always looking for new or slightly used games, toys, flashcards, and puzzles. Send any donations to the Viking Visionary Center. We thank you for your consideration in advance.
ED CHOICE SCHOLARSHIP
We have compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions (Downloadable below) and will continue to update you with additional EdChoice information as more information comes available.
All applications that we have received are now uploaded onto the state portal. Please understand that it can take some time for the state to make income determinations and notify families of their approved tuition award.
Once a family's scholarship is approved, SJJ will update and modify tuition payment agreements and/or issue tuition refunds as needed and as soon as possible.
If you have not applied for the EdChoice Scholarship and would still like to do so, we are still able to accept applications.
Please email school business manager Mrs. Patty Briggs at pbriggs@sjjschool.org if you have questions about the EdChoice Scholarship Program.
SAVE THE DATE- GRADES 1-8 MEET THE TEACHER/BACK TO SCHOOL INFORMATION NIGHT FOR PARENTS ONLY
6 - 6:20pm St. Joseph Church
Grade Meetings - (The same meeting will be done in each session)
1st - 3rd grade
6:30 - 7pm (in classroom)
7 - 7:30pm (in classroom)
6:30 - 7pm (Holy Family Center)
7 - 7:30pm (Holy Family Center)
6:30 - 7pm (McGraw Hall)
7 - 7:30pm (McGraw Hall)
6:30 - 7pm (Gym)
7 - 7:30pm (Gym)
Wednesday, Sep 6, 2023, 06:00 PM
Sts. Joseph & John School, Pearl Road, Strongsville, OH, USA
CONTACT US
Shelly Schenek, Principal
Jennifer Francis, Assistant Principal
Angela Bosko, Little Vikings Preschool Director
Patricia Briggs, Business Manager
Joe Clark, Admissions and Marketing Coordinator
Fr. Barry Gearing, Treasurer
Fr. Joe Mamich, President
Saints Joseph and John School Mission
Saints Joseph and John School lives the values and teachings of our Catholic faith, serves as Jesus served and encourages lifelong learning.