SJCS Family Newsletter
January 2022
On this Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God and the first day of 2022, I share with you an excerpt from the Catholic Family Crate blog that I read this morning.
"From the moment of her conception, God was preparing Mary for her important role in salvation history - to be Theotokos, or "God-bearer." Jesus Christ was born of Mary both fully God and fully man, making Mary the Mother of God. With her fiat -- or "yes" -- Mary agreed to carry God in her womb and be the vessel through which the Son of God entered the world.
Today we pray for the courage to imitate Mary's radical faith, trust, and obedience to God. Just as Mary bore Jesus into this world for our salvation, may we bear Jesus into the lives of others with our love and actions."
It is through our love and faith, trust, and obedience that we will continue to grow in courage and creativity the rest of this school year.
Go Eagles & God bless!
Mrs. Mishler
Feeling Sick? Please Stay Home.
With the nature of COVID and the precautions we take at school with illness, 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!
When a student gets to school and is then sent home with COVID-like symptoms, we have to displace each class to a new location so we can disinfect each room they previously visited that day. This creates quite a distraction to the learning environment.
New School Business Manager - Lucy Douglas
She will be the primary point of contact for all finance, payment and tuition related questions. Having Mrs. Douglas serve in this capacity will streamline our internal systems and help to provide even better care to our families. She will office at the secondary campus and can be reached at 979-822-6641 or by email at ldouglas@stjosephbcs.org.
Welcome, Mrs. Douglas!
New Spanish/Yearbook Teacher - Maria Sotolongo
Mrs. Sotolongo comes to us with an extensive background in Spanish communications as a meteorologist, video editor, producer, and director. She most recently served as the Spanish Language Editor and Meteorologist at Space City Weather. Additionally, she has worked with a variety of digital media applications while creating all the graphics, content, and scripts for TV segments and two feature-length documentaries.
Please join me in welcoming Mrs. Sotolongo!
Update on Strategic Planning
Our next steps are to outline our three-year plan and create the annual goals for the 2022-23 school year. This information will be released in phases throughout the spring semester.
January Social Emotional Learning (SEL)
National Catholic Schools Week - Jan 30-Feb 5
Spirit of St. Joe's Celebration & Fundraiser
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.
Upcoming Events
Jan 3 - Staff Development Day/Student Holiday
Jan 4 - 3rd Quarter Begins
Jan 10 - Safe Drivers Program - Secondary
Jan 12 - Sophomore Retreat
Jan 17 - No School
Jan 19 - Semester Awards - Secondary
Jan 21 - Semester Awards - Elementary
Jan 30 - Catholic Schools Week Begins
Feb 4 - 3rd Quarter Progress Reports
Fall Semester Awards - Jan 21
Playground Updates
Safe Drivers Program - Jan 10
Rollover Convincer | Distracted Driving | Speeding
Please partner with us to encourage your child to make safe and responsible decisions any time they are in a motor vehicle.
Fall Semester Awards - Jan 19
Weekly Uniform Expectations
With the return of a normal schedule, students should be in Mass uniform on Wednesdays and Fridays and their non-dress uniform on all other days. Spirit days will be announced through the student Google Classroom. Additionally, uniform changes are announced in the daily video announcements shown by their 7th period teacher and on the Student GO Page in the Secondary Students Google Classroom Course.
Chastity Project Presents "Purified"
St. Joseph Parish has, along with other parishes in the Diocese of Austin, has scheduled a family-renewal event called Purified for February 15, 2022.
What is Purified?
It is a family-based event that invites parents as well as teens to learn about God’s plan for love. It combines Jason Evert’s presentation on chastity for the family, with a time of prayer, adoration, and the sacrament of reconciliation for everyone. We will also be distributing free resources to every attendee so that every member of the family can take items home to help them live out this lifestyle.
Register today by clicking this LINK.
We are incredibly excited to announce that Jason Evert will be joining our 7th-12th graders on February 16 for a special presentation to learn even more about the message of chastity and how to live out the virtue within their daily lives!
Register for Confirmation Classes
Technology Updates - 1:1 Devices Coming Soon
Parents will receive an email with the Chromebook Handbook and will be expected to sign an agreement form before the device is checked out to students.
We are looking forward to this opportunity to continue expanding digital learning throughout our school!