TIGER NEWS
March 24, 2023
Thank you all for the warm welcome! I have learned a great deal shadowing Ms. Alvarez, visiting established Classical Catholic Schools, and speaking with everyone within St. Joseph Academy. While I have greatly enjoyed my time in my fellowship role, I am looking forward to moving forward in the role of Headmaster. Our staff/faculty team is moving forward in a positive direction, and we are in a good spot as we finish the year out. We are setting conditions to come back even stronger next year!
Although I am slated to begin as Headmaster on April 3rd, the Army will retain me for a few months while I undergo some medical procedures and finalize my time with them. This was not anticipated; however, immediately following convalescing and clearing from Fort Hood, I will officially begin in this role. In this brief interim period, Ms. Alvarez has graciously agreed to remain as headmaster, and my time as headmaster will begin in the summer months. An update will be provided once a date has been established.
Please pray for me, and bear with me as I finish out my military service. I am excited for this ministry!
Ite ad Ioseph!
Parent Choice
St. Joseph Catholic Community,
The stage is set! It is time to make your voice heard! Contact your local state officials!
On Monday, March 6th, we took the time to invite Jennifer Allmon from the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops (TCCB) to speak on Parental Choice in education. Many members of the community showed their support for the event and were able to ask important questions regarding the legislation. At the end of the event our community was notified to be on the lookout for bill numbers and to ensure that the bills are what would be most beneficial for our community. Now that we know which bills are up for vote we must contact our local representatives.
Below are the specific bills that the TCCB supports and the subjects of the bills (excerpt from TCCB website):
Sen. Brandon Creighton SB 8 | Rep. James Frank HB 5261
This bill improves parental rights in public schools and creates an education savings account program which will allow $8,000 for current public school students to use toward private school tuition, tutoring, and educational expenses.
The TCCB supports this bill and urges improvement by prioritizing those with the greatest academic and financial needs.
Sen. Paul Bettencourt SB 2354 | Rep. James Frank HB 4339
This bill establishes an education savings account program to enable students with disabilities and low to moderate income families to pay for tuition and fees, uniforms, instructional materials, and other approved expenses outside the public school system.
The TCCB supports this bill to increase access to educational options for the poor and vulnerable.
Rep. James Frank HB 4340
This bill establishes an education savings account program to enable parents to pay for tuition and fees, uniforms, instructional materials, and other approved expenses outside the public school system. The bill prioritizes students with disabilities families of low and moderate income.
The TCCB supports this bill to increase access to educational options, especially for the poor and vulnerable.
Rep. James Frank HB 5267
This bill establishes an education savings account to provide funding for parents to choose private or homeschool for their children. If funding is limited it prioritizes children with disabilities and those with low to moderate incomes.
The TCCB supports this bill to increase access to educational options, especially for the poor and vulnerable.
Sen. Angela Paxton SB 2483
This bill establishes an education savings account to provide funding for parents to choose private or home school for their children. If funding is limited it prioritizes children on free and reduced lunch.
The TCCB supports this bill to assist parents with choosing the best educational options for their children and urges improvements, including additional levels of prioritization.
Sen. Mayes Middleton SB 176 | Rep. Brian Harrison HB 4807
This bill allows any student in the state to access parental choice subject to available funding and prioritizes students with disabilities if there is limited funding.
The TCCB supports this bill and encourages improvements to accountability and to prioritize students with the greatest academic and financial need.
Rep. Matt Shaheen HB 619
This bill creates a school choice corporate tax credit that would enable insurance companies to contribute to a non-profit scholarship for low income students to attend accredited private schools or for public school students to participate in after school care programs.
The TCCB supports this bill to increase parental choice in education.
Rep. Jacey Jetton HB 2817
This bill establishes an education savings account program to provide funding for approved education-related expenses for certain disadvantaged students, including students with a disability, covered by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, or who failed to perform satisfactorily on an assessment instrument.
The TCCB supports this bill to increase access to educational options for educationally disadvantaged students.
The most effective way for parents to stay up to date on the bills and TCCB positions on them is to sign up for both the Texas Catholic Voice and email list of Texans for Parental Choice in Education.
More information can be found at:
https://txcatholic.org/88th-legislature-parental-choice-bills/
Please consider sending the following note to Representative Shine at https://www.shinefortexas.com/.
Please consider sending the following note to Representative Buckley at https://www.buckleyfortexas.com/contact.
SAMPLE NOTE – Please send to your representative.
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Texas Representative,
I am a parent of school age children in Killeen, Texas. I know that the 88th Legislature has several Parental Choice Bills written for vote. I would like to be given the benefit to choose the best education for my children. Please help us to make this a possibility. Please vote affirmative for the following Parent Choice legislation: SB 8 (HB 5261), SB 2354 (HB 4339), SB 176 (HB 4807), HB 4340, HB 5267, HB 619, HB 2817, & SB 2483. In voting yes for Parent Choice for school, you are voting yes for the community you represent but also for future Texas parents. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Local Parent of Children
Reenrollment
Scholarships
ACE SCHOLARSHIP
Archery
OPEN BASKETBALL SCHEDULE
KICKBALL ACADEMY
Soccer Academy, organized by Coach Huckaby, is an incredible success each fall! Parents and students all asked for an additional sport geared toward the Lower School, and your wish was granted!
Please take a moment to review the flyer for all information pertaining to Kickball Academy. There will not be a registration fee; however, children will be asked to wear a specific color shirt for each event.
Should you have any additional questions or wish to coach, please contact Coach Shook at will.shook@sjc-academy.org.
SOCCER
OPEN VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE
To order a Spirit Snack(s), please scan the QR code or click here!
We would absolutely love for you to join us on Wednesday, April 5th from 8:30AM-11:00AM to help make and deliver the snacks. Please do not feel the need to arrange childcare-we welcome your little ones.
To sign-up as a volunteer, please click here!
Stations of the Cross & Eucharistic Adoration
May School Sunday Mass Schedule: Please Join Us!
Integrating the Classical Model into the Classroom
Read Across America
High School Mentorship Program
High school students recently launched their mentorship program under the supervision of Dr. Priscilla Mumphrey, Interim Assistant Headmaster and Dean of Students. The goal of this program will be for high school students to be placed in leadership positions to provide guidance and academic support to Pre K3-5th grade students.
On March 10th, a Mentorship breakfast offering the opportunity for students to get to know one another was hosted for the mentors and mentees. Younger students talked about their successes and struggles, interests and dislikes, and they provided the older students with ideas on how they would like to be helped, all while snacking on donuts!
Peer mentorship provides wonderful opportunities to every student. Students who have a mentor to turn to during academic or social struggles have the ability to overcome situations and better prepare themselves for leadership roles. Simultaneously, understanding the world through the eyes of a student that is facing different challenges than what the mentor may have experienced, helps the peer mentor to develop a deeper sense of compassion and a broader understanding of people, while at the same time the student is developing a greater sense of competence. It will be wonderful to see how our High School mentors will assist students in the Lower School with classroom assignments, studying, organizing their daily schedules/desks/lockers, and simply having a conversation about a difficult day.
Submitted by Dr. Priscilla Mumphrey.
Science Fair Success!
It was an extremely long day for the students who participated in the Science Fair, but they had a great time showcasing their experiments to their peers. The 9th grade students worked really hard to make sure all students felt accomplished. In addition, it was a pleasure watching the students talk to others about how much research went into their projects, and the amount of pride each student showed in their work was priceless. Thank you for your continued support.
We would like to congratulate our Science Fair Winners!
Kindergarten:
- Mary Pederson
- Elianna Issa
- Ellie Morrison
1st Grade:
- Hannah S.
- Jace Johns
- Anastasia Kalb
2nd Grade:
- Levi Tyra
- Strickland P.
- Caroline L.
3rd Grade:
- Jayce Johns
- Isabella Alvarez
- Emmalyn Barnes
4th Grade:
- Liam McGee
- Joshua Long
5th Grade:
- Ian Roldan
6th Grade:
- Elijah Gillespie
- Shelby Rodriguez
- Eliza Johnson
7th Grade:
- Hailey Dodge
- Sophia McKenna
- Aleana Daniels
Overall Winners:
- Ian Roldan
- Liam McGee
- Elijah Gillespie
Pictures submitted by Dr. Mumphrey, Mary Garcia, and Stephanie Long.
St. Thomas Aquinas Mass
Spring Pictures Are Ready!
Spring pictures are ready for you to order! Please click here or scan the QR code on the flyer below.
Please remember that there will be no picture retakes for Spring Photos. Team Sports are scheduled for Friday, March 31.
The Tiger Drama Club Presents Antigone
Congratulations Deacon Jesse on your One-Year Anniversary of Ordination!
Calendar Highlights
- 3/21: 4th Quarter Begins
- 3/22-3/23: Archery NASP Tournament
- 3/24: 9th/10th Grade Field Trip Texas State Technical College
- 3/24: Auditions for the Drama Club's Antigone
- 3/30: High School Information Night
- 3/31: Team Sport Photos
- 4/4: Applications due for NHS/NJHS
- 4/4: 7th Grade Field Trip to the Chocolate Factory (Bryan, TX)
- 4/5: Start of Easter Break (Early Out)
- 4/6-4/10: Easter Break
- 4/12: Art Show
- 4/14: STREAM Night
- 4/17-4/28: NWEA Testing
- 4/21: 9th/10th Grade: Sea World-Biology Day Event (San Antonio, TX)
- 4/21: Literacy Night
- 5/2: NJHS and NHS Induction Ceremony 6:30 PM
- 5/8-5/12: Teacher Appreciation Week
- 5/8-5/12: Book Fair Week
- 5/16: Renaissance Fair
- 5/17: 9th/10th Grade College Tour: SMU (Dallas, TX)
- May 16th 2023
- 5/20: MS & HS Play Antigone (5th Grade & Above)
- 5/23: Music Concert
- 5/24: Field Day
- 5/25: All Grades Mass & Last Day of School (Early Out)
About Us:
Ms. L. Monica Alvarez
Interim Headmaster
Mr. Anthony Henely
Incoming Headmaster
anthony.henely@sjc-academy.org
Dr. Priscilla Mumphrey
Interim Assistant Headmaster
Student/Teacher Relations
priscilla.mumphrey@sjc-academy.org
Dr. Lora Van Arsdell
School Counselor
lora.vanarsdell@sjc-academy.org
Mrs. Mary Garcia
Director of Relations
Newsletter Submissions may be sent to volunteering@sjc-academy.org.
All articles will be reviewed by the Headmaster prior to publication.
Website: https://www.sjc-academy.org/
Location: 2901 East Rancier Avenue, Killeen, TX, USA
Phone: 254-634-7272
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sjcskilleen
Compiled by Stephanie Long