SJCS Family Newsletter
December 2021
I'd like you to imagine that we are about to embark on the trip of a lifetime - we will be going on a trip around the world that will last more than a calendar year. There will be an entire group of us traveling and all with an excitement and energy to see all the sites and explore all the adventures of the wonders of the world. Think about all the places you'd like to visit: the mountains, the oceans, pyramids, glaciers, rainforests, and anywhere else you've ever wanted to go.
Before we go, however, we have to make sure we have all our logistics lined out.
We need to make sure all our passports are updated.
We need to get all our transportation coordinated.
We have to book all our sleeping arrangements.
We have to plan our food budget.
We have to pack our clothing and accessories and make sure none of it gets lost along the way.
For over 1,000 people.
For a consecutive 365 days.
Exhausted yet?
Well, push that feeling aside for a moment, and I'd like to invite you to close your eyes. Now, imagine yourself standing in the streets of Paris, walking through the Amazon, riding on a fishing boat out in the Atlantic, or standing next to a giant pyramid. Can you feel the excitement of those opportunities? I sure do!
As we continue to move forward with our strategic planning process, the metaphor above is exactly what we are working toward. We have many tasks ahead of us to plan our great adventure and the next steps for SJCS. And, while there are many moving parts, I am excited to announce that we will have a wonderful travel agent helping to guide us through the process. Dr. Joan Wagner, recently retired President of Holy Family and St. Dominic Savio school system, will consult with us over the course of the next several months to make sure our work is coordinated to fulfill the needs and dreams of our school.
She will host several meetings and opportunities to connect over the course of the next couple of weeks that will be very helpful for you to attend (if possible) and participate. Here are the dates and information:
- Monday, December 6th - Orientation to the Planning Process via Zoom, 7:00 PM (link forthcoming)
- Wednesday, December 8th - Feedback Session/Working Lunch at PAC, 12:00 PM (we will provide lunch for anyone attending)
- Thursday, December 9th - Stakeholder (Parent, Teacher, Student) Surveys sent out
Once we receive all this feedback and survey information, our SJCS Strategic Planning Team will get to work with Dr. Wagner to finalize the logistics of our travel plan when we come back in the spring.
I have great anticipation for the journey we have ahead of us and I can't wait to see what our future holds!
Go Eagles & God bless!
Mrs. Mishler
Donuts with Santa
Spelling Bee
End of 2nd Quarter
Holy Day of Obligation Dec. 8
Spirit of St. Joe's Celebration & Fundraiser
We would love for our school families and community to be part of this special night. To purchase a table, click HERE.
Raffle tickets are on sale now for the Spirit of St. Joseph Fundraiser & Celebration. We encourage each student to sell at least one booklet as all proceeds go directly back to our school. That would bring in over $32,000 alone! Ticket sales will end on Wednesday, February 9, 2022. For any questions about the raffle or event, please contact Gentry Woodard at gwoodard@stjosephbcs.org.
Littles Lunches Ordering
Happy Advent & the St. Andrew Christmas Novena
Some history of novena is explained in the article, The Meaning and Misconceptions of the Saint Andrew Christmas Novena. The repetition of the prayer and knowledge behind it really connects with the spirit of the Advent season. Enjoy!
Upcoming Events
Dec 3 - JH Christmas Dance/Party, 7 PM
Dec 4 - Donuts with Santa @ Elementary
Dec 4 - Family BINGO Night @ Pac, 6:30 PM
Dec 6 - St. Nicholas' Feast Day
Dec 6 - Strategic Planning Meeting for Parents @ Zoom, 7 PM
Dec 8 - Feast of the Immaculate Conception - Holy Day of Obligation
Dec 8 - Strategic Planning Working Lunch Session @ PAC, 12 PM
Dec 10 - Santa Store @ Elementary
Dec 11 - Elementary Choir Concert
Dec 12 - Christmas Choir Concert (Secondary)
Dec 13 - Secondary Midterms
Dec 14 - Secondary Midterms
Dec 15 - Secondary Midterms
Dec 15 - Christmas Band Concert @ CGSC, 7 PM
Dec 16 - Christmas Break Begins
Jan 3 - Staff Development Day/Student Holiday
Jan 4 - 3rd Quarter Begins
Lost & Found
Please come check our lost and found before school is out for Christmas break. All remaining items after December 15 will be donated.
5th Grade Camp Kappe
Teacher Appreciation Mini-Week
Elementary Santa Store
Do you love wrapping presents & helping sweet kids shop for their loved ones? We need volunteers a few days before and on the day-of to make this event a success for our students! Please sign-up using THIS LINK.
Elementary Choir Events
They will also get to share their beautiful voices at the Christmas Eve Mass on Thursday, December 24th at 4:00 PM. Arrival for this event is 3:30 PM.
Pre-K & Kinder Christmas Program
JH Christmas Party
Family BINGO Night at the PAC
The HS Student Council will host a BINGO Night at the PAC on Saturday, December 4, 2021, from 6:30-8:30 PM. BINGO cards are $3 for one or two for $5. There will be prizes for winners. People of all ages welcome. There will also be drinks and snacks for purchase.
All proceeds will go to St. Vincent de Paul for the Angel Tree. For questions, please contact Claude White at cwhite@stjosephbcs.org.
Teacher Appreciation Mini-Week
Eagle Band Christmas Concert
Eagle Choir Christmas Concert
Midterm Schedule
Midterms count as 10% of the student's final grade. JH students will be taking semester exams but they will only count as a major grade.
Please ensure your child is properly prepared by following the test tips below.
- Take good notes or complete the test review.
- If possible, partner study with a friend or parent. This allows you to be quizzed and notice what topics you are struggling with.
- Visit with your teacher before or after school if you are confused or not 100% about a topic being tested.
- Create a visual such as a mindmap, flash cards, graphic organizer, a picture map, sticky notes, etc.
- Find a good, distraction free study spot.
- Spread out your study time. Spending 20-30 minutes per day over several days leads to better results compared to cramming.
- The best way to learn is by teaching other. Practice teaching your family the materials you will be tested over.
- Take care of yourself by making sure you take breaks, eat healthy, move around, and partake in an activity you enjoy. A happy rested mind retains more information.
- Get organized by making sure you have all the materials and information you need for a successful study session.
- Make a calendar to space out studying so it does not become too overwhelming.
For questions about a specific midterm or test, please contact your child's teacher. For questions about the midterm schedule, please contact Mrs. Kleiber at akleiber@stjosephbcs.org.