The Lion Line

Dear Lion Parents,

Did you know that St. Johns Classical Academy has graduated two classes with a 95% college acceptance rate each? Did you know that last year's graduates received college acceptance letters from the University of Florida, Savannah College of Art and Design, Mercer University, Florida State University, University of South Florida, University of Central Florida, University of North Florida, Stetson University, Jacksonville University, Belmont Abby University, Auburn University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida Institute of Technology, and Furman University?

Did you know that the Classical Learning Test (CLT) is being accepted as a standardized college-entry exam by more colleges and universities across the nation each year, to include ALL Florida colleges and universities? SJCA scholars begin taking the CLT in 3rd grade, so they are practicing proficiency of this test each year. Did you know that the CLT score is now accepted for the Bright Futures Scholarship as well?

I just want you to be aware of how SJCA is preparing your scholar for college and for college scholarships. While college preparation is not our mission, it is certainly a good byproduct of what we do. In truth, we want each scholar to graduate with purpose, choosing to either enter college, the military, or a trade school. But what is so important about graduating from SJCA, a classical school?

Well, more important than just earning college credit in high school or preparation to enter the workforce, we want your scholar to know what excellence looks like and to love it - this is the foundation of classical education. I like what classical education leader, Professor Albert Cheng, stated, "unlike the practical or utilitarian kind of education that most schools offer today, classical education is founded upon cultivating the affections and forming character. It is concerned with not only skill but of character. Skills are something you do. Character is something you are. And the kind of person you are matters in the classical framework."

This philosophy is the crux of St. Johns Classical Academy. Our mission is to develop graduates in mind and character, and we emphasize the principals of virtuous living and civic responsibility. We are building intelligent, virtuous American citizens. We want you to feel confident in SJCA, that your scholar will be shaped and formed through our excellent curriculum, and will be competitive for college acceptance and scholarships at the same time.

In closing, I direct you to an article previously published by our school's Academic Advisor, Mrs. Flannagan. You may read this important message titled, "The Truth about College Admission" here.

Thank you for being an important part of the St Johns Classical Academy community. I pray you have a wonderful Christmas season.

Merry Christmas!

Mr. Johnson

Thank you for your generosity and participation in this year's annual Trunk-or-Treat! Student Government would like to extend a huge Thank You to all for Trunk or Treat! Thank you to all the families that donated items for the Silent Auction baskets and bags of candy, those who set up a booth to hand out candy, teens that volunteered to run games, those who bid on silent auction baskets and those who donated to Chloe Morton. And thank you to all who brought your families and had a great time! We raised $1,162 from the auction that will go towards the senior class trip to Grad Bash and $350.74 was donated to Chloe!

Thank you to all who voted on Mrs. McCue's seventh-grade Mechanical Hound exhibit at the trunk-or-treat.

Faculty, staff, and scholars came together to give thanks for the blessing that is SJCA.

It was wonderful seeing everybody feast and enjoy the music together.

THANK YOU to SJCA- FI's premier facilities team for making it all happen!

What an amazing performance the scholars gave at our Veteran's Day Concert! We hope you enjoyed the performance as much as we did. We are so blessed to be in a school that believes in the importance of honoring Veterans. It was also very special to share that moment with our fellow musicians from the OP campus. What a fantastic ending to Lion Cub Chorale's 2023 season! Thank you for investing in your child's musical endeavors and for your continued support of Fine Arts education at SJCA!

Recently, many of the scholars had the opportunity to participate in a special activity that is part of a Fine Arts Boosters & Fine Arts Dept. initiative to "do the good" and "love the beautiful" in conjunction with the 3rd Annual Traditions of Christmas Concert. The focus was not on each individual scholar, but on the unique collaborative spirit afforded to us by our K-12 school. Together, we spent one day creating ceramic Christmas ornaments, while rehearsing songs for the upcoming Christmas concert. Upper school art scholars did the preparatory work for the clay ornaments and, after instruction from Mr. Ross, came into the grammar school Art room to work side by side with K-4 scholars who designed the ornaments. Still more scholars will assist in the glazing and finishing process. Many hands lovingly worked on every single ornament--scholars of all ages, many teachers, and Fine Arts Booster volunteers. It was a beautiful, heartwarming experience! The ornaments represent the wonderful spirit of SJCA, not one particular scholar. The product of the joint effort to do the good will be available for purchase at the Third Annual Traditions of Christmas Concert on Tuesday, December 5th at 6 pm at First Baptist Church on Kingsley. Proceeds from the ornament sales will directly benefit all SJCA scholars through Fine Arts classes, programs, and activities.

Congratulations to SJCA's Academic Quiz Bowl Team! Varsity placed third overall and JV placed second for the season, competing against seven other Clay County Schools. Eight scholars worked together to achieve these fantastic results!

We are looking for some amazing stories from you to publish in future editions of The Lion Line. Simply answer this question, "Why did you choose St. Johns Classical Academy and what has it meant for your family?"

<<< Click Here to Submit Your Story!

Imprimis is the free monthly speech digest of Hillsdale College dedicated to educating citizens and promoting civil and religious liberty by covering cultural, economic, political, and educational issues. The content of Imprimis is drawn from speeches delivered at Hillsdale College events. First published in 1972, Imprimis is one of the most widely circulated opinion publications in the nation with over 5.6 million subscribers. Past issues are available at: https://imprimis.hillsdale.edu

Click here to activate your free monthly subscription to Imprimis.

Tune in to hear directly from Headmaster Johnson on SJCA's podcast. He discusses a variety of timely topics with different stakeholders. Be sure to turn on notifications to listen each week on Spotify, Amazon, or Google Podcasts. This way, you will be alerted each time a new podcast is posted. Listen to all of them by simply clicking here.

11/30 Board of Directors Meeting 6-7 p.m. @ FI Campus

11/30- 12/14 Winter Wonderland Store

12/01-20 Holiday Candy Grams on sale

12/01 Evening with Santa 6-8 p.m. @ FI Cafetorium

12/02 NHS Drop & Shop 1-5 p.m. @ FI Cafetorium

12/04 Lion Council Meeting 6-7 p.m. @ FI Cafetorium

12/05 2nd Annual Winter Cabaret 6 p.m. @ FI Cafetorium

12/06 Winter House Olympics Grades 7-12

12/07 Senior Thesis Proposal Dinner 6-8 p.m. @ FI Cafetorium

12/08 Jingle Jam 3:30-5 p.m. @ FI Cafetorium

12/08 Parent's Night Out Fundraiser by Safety Patrol 5:30-8:30 p.m. @ FI Campus

12/12 Annual Winter Cabaret 6-8 p.m. @ FI Cafetorium

12/14 Christmas Band Concert 6-7:30 p.m. @ FI Cafetorium

12/15 Spirit Day ($2)

12/15 Upper School Chorus Concert 6-7 p.m. @ FI Cafetorium

12/16 NHS Drop & Shop 1-5 p.m. @ FI Cafetorium

12/18 Half Day Upper School Dismissal: 10:45 a.m. / Lower School Dismissal: 11:15 a.m.

12/18 Ugly Sweater Day ($2)

12/18 Fourth Grade Medieval Feast

12/19 Half Day Upper School Dismissal: 10:45 a.m. / Lower School Dismissal: 11:15 a.m.

12/19 Country Christmas ($2)

12/20 Half Day Upper School Dismissal: 10:45 a.m. / Lower School Dismissal: 11:15 a.m.

12/20 Pajama Day ($2)

12/21 - 01/04 Winter Break (No School)

01/05 Teacher Planning Day (No School)

01/08 Lion Council Meeting 6-7 p.m. @ FI Cafetorium

01/08 Scholars Return to Campus

01/15 Martin Luther King Jr. Day (No School)

01/24 Second-Grade Field Trip

01/25 Board of Directors Meeting 6-7 p.m. @ FI Campus

02/02 Half Day Upper School Dismissal: 10:45 a.m. / Lower School Dismissal: 11:15 a.m.

02/02 Annual Winter Dinner 6-8:30 p.m. @ FI Cafetorium

If accessing the SJCA-FI Calendar on a mobile device:

1. turn the device horizontal
2. click on the date you wish to view
3. swipe to the right to see the day's activities

12/04 Fourth-Grade & Fifth-Grade ELA PM2 Testing 8-10 a.m.

12/05 Fourth-Grade & Fifth-Grade Math PM2 Testing 8-10 a.m.

12/07 KG ELA PM2 Testing 8-9 a.m.

12/08 KG Math PM2 Testing 8-9 a.m.

12/11 First-Grade ELA PM2 Testing 8-9 a.m.

12/12 First-Grade Math PM2 Testing 8-9 a.m.

01/08 Sixth-Tenth Grades ELA PM2 Testing 8-10:30 a.m.

01/09 Sixth- Eighth Grades Math PM2 Testing 8-10:30 a.m.- does not include any middle school scholars taking Algebra1 or higher

01/10 Second-Grade ELA PM2 Testing 8-9 a.m.

01/11 Second-Grade Math PM2 Testing 8-9 a.m.

01/16 Third-Grade ELA PM2 Testing 8-10 a.m.

01/18 Third-Grade Math PM2 Testing 8-10 a.m.

12/15 Seventh Period Exam

12/18 Sixth and Fifth Period Exams

12/19 Fourth and Third Period Exams

12/20 Second and First Period Exams

Each scholar needs his/her student ID with a barcode in order to make purchases. If your scholar(s) does not have an ID with a barcode, please email lunch@stjca.org or have your upper school scholar(s) see Mrs. Cramer in the lunchroom during lunch or after school. Scholars with the barcode ID will be moved to the front to expedite the line.

For: Ninth-Grade - Twelfth-Grade Scholars

Dates: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Wednesdays 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Location: SJCA-FI Campus Kitchen

Earn volunteer hours while you wait for your lower school siblings! Earn volunteer hours while working with your friends after school! Tray washers are needed each day. All those interested should email the Food Services Coordinator.

Dates: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays 2:25 p.m. - 3:25 p.m.

Wednesdays 12:25 p.m. - 1:20 p.m.

Fridays by appointment only

Upper School scholars may receive assistance with missing or incomplete assignments or for a place to complete homework.

Additionally, each Upper School teacher has tutoring for 15-20 minutes before their carline duties. Your scholar should have the days and times written in their planners.

For more information, please contact Student Services.

• American Legion Auxiliary

• Florida Legion
  

• Hillsdale Summer Study & Travel
  

Does your senior have acceptances coming in? Be sure to share the information with our Academic Advisor so we can celebrate your senior scholar!

Tenth & Eleventh-Grade PSAT scores are now available in your scholar's College Board account. If they do not already have an account, they can create an account to access their scores. Please contact the Academic Advisor for assistance.

CLT8 scores may not yet be available in your scholar's CLT account. All seventh and eighth-grade scholars created an account in order to take their CLT exam.

Congratulations to Victoria and Lily for earning the title, "Safety Patroller of the Month". Their commitment to promoting safety is a valuable contribution to our school!

The Lion Council was happy to help refill the outdoor toy box used by third-grade through fifth-grade for recess.

The SJCA Interact Club is collecting gift cards to bless some of our SJCA families in need. If you would like to make some of our scholars’ holiday season a little brighter and help provide meals for them, please donate gift cards to the Interact Club. The gift cards can be any amount. Gift cards to Target, Wal-Mart, Publix, Winn-Dixie, etc. are greatly appreciated. We will be collecting the gift cards from now until December 14th.

Please turn in all gift cards to the front office or to Mrs. Livesay or Mrs. McGinn. Thank you for your help! If your family needs support, please let us know.

For more information, please contact our Interact Club Sponsors.

The Lion Council will set up it's annual holiday shop where scholars can buy gifts for their families at affordable prices. Scholars can bring cash in an envelope to school on their PE day and volunteers will help them find gifts to meet their budget. Gift prices start as low as $0.25 and can go up to $20.00, though most hover around the $1-5 range.

If you’d like your scholar to shop the store but are experiencing a hardship, please reach out to Chairman.lioncouncil@stjca.org and learn more about our Secret Elf Fund.

Dates: November 30 - December 14

Location: SJCA-FI Campus

Send a Christmas Candy Gram and help support your Safety Patrol raise funds for their trip to Washington DC. Have someone you want to say Merry Christmas to? Or maybe you’d like to tell a staff member or a faculty member you appreciate their hard work? If so, what better way than to send them a personalized candy gram before Christmas Day! Or keep it a secret and send it to someone from “Secret Santa” Each candy gram will be delivered with a special treat!

On sale Dec 1st – Dec 13th Delivered on December 15th

Only $1 per candy gram

Please attach cash or check to this form and turn it in to Mrs. Hancock

The Lion Council has created a SJCA holiday ornament. This special keepsake will be on sale during the Evening with Santa event, and will also be available for purchase online after the event (if inventory allows). Purchase details will be provided on the St. Johns Classical Academy Parents - Fleming Island campus (ALL GRADES) Facebook group.

Cost: $10

Join us for the inaugural An Evening with Santa event. Take pictures with Santa, create a holiday craft, enjoy hot cocoa, play Santa Bingo, go on a scavenger hunt, let your scholars shop at our Winter Wonderland Store, and more! You can pre-register or pay at the door.

Date: Friday, December 1

Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Location: SJCA-FI Cafetorium

Cost: $35 per family - Bring the whole family!

REGISTER NOW!

SJCA invites you to join us for an evening filled with beautiful music for the season. The annual Traditions of Christmas concert features SJCA Kindergarten through Third-grade scholars.

Date: Tuesday, December 5

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Location: First Baptist Church of Orange Park, located at 1140 Kingsley Avenue, Orange Park

Join in for holiday cheer at the Annual Jingle Jam! Scholars will be making a festive treat to enjoy, painting, crafting and singing carols. This is one of our most popular events, your scholar won’t want to miss out!

Date: Friday, December 8

Time: 3:30-5:00 p.m.

Location: SJCA-FI Cafetorium

REGISTER NOW!

For: KG - Fifth-Grades

Date: Friday, December 8

Time: 5:30- 7:30 p.m.

Location: SJCA-FI Campus

Cost: $30 first scholar and $25 for each additional sibling

Parents Night Out offers a valuable solution during this busy time by providing parents with an opportunity to enjoy some quality time together or tackle their never-ending shopping lists. It allows them to recharge their batteries and reconnect with one another while leaving their children in trusted hands. This service not only benefits parents but also provides an exciting experience for scholars as they participate in engaging activities under the supervision of their beloved teachers. The night will include a pizza dinner, crafts, games, and a movie.

PLEASE NOTE: Any scholar attending Jingle Jam earlier in the afternoon can be collected by teachers and stay for the Night Out starting at 5.

REGISTER NOW!

For: Fourth - Sixth-Grades

Date: Tuesday, December 12

Time: 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.

Location: SJCA-FI Campus Athletic Field

Cost: $20 for each scholar that makes the team

Scholars must have a completed and signed permission form to try out. Permission forms can be picked up from Coach Patterson and Mrs. Kiep. The county track meet is scheduled on February 24, 2024; time and location to be determined.

You are invited to join us for the Annual Christmas Concert put on by the bands of SJCA. Come enjoy an evening of some of the classic Christmas songs heard around the holidays. We look forward to seeing you for an evening of musical celebration!

Date: Thursday, December 14

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Location: SJCA-FI Campus Cafetorium

You are cordially invited to an evening of choral music. This concert will feature three choral ensembles including, Middle School Chorus, High School Chorus, and The Lyrical Lions. Stop in for classical, contemporary, and jazz tunes plus holiday music to get you into the spirit!

Date: Friday, December 15

Call time for performers: 4:30 p.m.

Showtime: 6:00 p.m.

Location: SJCA-FI Cafetorium

The Lion Council invites you to an elegant and memorable evening at our Annual Winter Dinner. Join us for a three-course meal, inspiring speakers, and time to socialize with fellow community members, SJCA parents, faculty and staff. Your presence will contribute to the success of this event, which aims to support and enhance the educational experiences of SJCA scholars.

Date: Friday, February 2, 2024

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Location: SJCA-FI Cafetorium

Tickets: $100 per person or $175 per couple

Register for this event today!

Save the Date: Saturday, February 24, 2024

Time: 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Location: Tango Down Shooting Complex

18811 Maxville MacClenny Hwy, Jacksonville, FL

Enter Raffle to win a gun!

Shoot historical guns!

Can you shoot better than a Sixth-grader?

Watch For Registration Details Coming Soon!

Learn the true. Do the good. Love the beautiful.

Email: info@stjca.org
Website: www.stjca.org
Location: 114 Canova Road, Fleming Island, FL 32003
Phone: (904)-458-8240
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stjca