The Lion Line

Dear Lion Parents,

It's hard to believe that we are already beginning the second semester of the school year. Wow, it is going by so quickly, but we have so much more in store. In case you haven't heard, Dr. Larry Arnn, President of Hillsdale College, will be our guest speaker at our 3rd Annual Winter Dinner, Friday, January 27th. I want to fill our cafeteria with our parents and teachers more than anyone else. If you haven't purchased your dinner tickets yet, be sure to do so soon. We will have limited space, and it will fill up fast.

There are so many other exciting events this semester. For one, we will hold our inaugural SJCA Sporting Clays Event on April 15th. Watch for an announcement with registration information coming soon. This event will be a fun way to raise funds for our school. Also, this semester, we are working hard on developing our competitive rifle team. This team will afford the opportunity to teach our scholars firearm safety and marksmanship. Stay tuned for more information.

On Friday, February 24th, I will embark on yet another journey to Cumberland Island where I will lead our 6th-grade scholars on a rigorous 10-mile hike. I call this hike "Transitio", Latin for "Transition." The main lesson they will learn is that we can do hard things, especially when we do them together. I hope this trip will propel this 6th-grade class to complete this educational journey together and all walk across the stage someday, receiving a hard-earned diploma that says, "St. Johns Classical Academy."

Happy New Year!

Mr. Johnson

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.

• January 2nd- Winter Break (No School)
• January 3rd- Winter Break (No School)
• January 4th- Teacher Planning Day/Scholar Holiday (No School)
• January 5th- Scholars Return to School
• January 5th- Community Informational Night @ 5:30 p.m.
• January 9th- Lions Council Meeting @ 6 p.m.
• January 10th- Report Cards Available in Synergy
• January 16th- Martin Luther King Day/Scholar Holiday (No School)
• January 27th- Spirit Day for $2
• January 27th- Early Dismissal (Upper School 10:45 a.m. / Lower School 11:15 a.m.)
• January 27th- The 3rd Annual Winter Dinner @ 6 p.m.
• January 30th- February 10th- Valentine Candy Gram Fundraiser

• February 2nd- Community Informational Night @ 5:30 p.m.

• February 3rd- Celebrate the Arts @ 6 p.m.
• February 6th- Lions Council Meeting @ 6 p.m.
• February 16th- Educator Recruitment Event @ 5:30 p.m.
• February 18th- Trivia Night @ 5:30 p.m.
• February 20th- President's Day/Scholar Holiday (No School)
• February 24th- Spirit Day for $2
• February 24th- Transitio-6 Field Trip
• February 24th- Family Food Truck Night @ 5:30 p.m.

Did you know SJCA has a clothes closet? It's that time of year when pants and skirts are getting a little short and it's time to start cycling through uniforms. The SJCA Clothes Closet is now accepting donations of approved Land's End uniform pieces.

Need some pieces to get you through? Make an appointment to double-check the closet inventory!

We are pleased to announce that we are in the process of applying to the National School Lunch Program. We anticipate that the program will go into effect in February 2023. Applications for Free or Reduced Price Lunch will be made available as the date draws nearer. More information will be forthcoming, including the release date for Free or Reduced Price Lunch applications.

Peyton Holloway is SJCA’s Spelling Bee winner. She will represent SJCA in the District Spelling Bee.

Larry P. Arnn is the 12th president of Hillsdale College, where he is also a professor of politics and history. He received his B.A. from Arkansas State University and his M.A. and Ph.D. in Government from the Claremont Graduate School. He also studied at Worcester College, Oxford University, where he served as director of research for Sir Martin Gilbert, the official biographer of Winston Churchill. From 1985 to 2000, he served as president of the Claremont Institute for the Study of Statesmanship and Political Philosophy. In 1996, he was the founding chairman of the California Civil Rights Initiative, which prohibited racial preferences in state hiring, contracting, and admissions.

Dr. Arnn is on the board of directors of The Heritage Foundation, the Henry Salvatori Center of Claremont McKenna College, the Philadelphia Society, the Intercollegiate Studies Institute, and the Claremont Institute. He served on the U.S. Army War College Board of Visitors for two years, for which he earned the Department of the Army’s “Outstanding Civilian Service Medal.” In 2015, he received the Bradley Prize from the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation.

Dr. Arnn is the author of three books: Liberty and Learning: The Evolution of American Education; The Founders’ Key: The Divine and Natural Connection Between the Declaration and the Constitution and What We Risk by Losing It; and Churchill’s Trial: Winston Churchill and the Salvation of Free Government.

Ninth-grade Biology scholars studied the scientific method unit, centering on experimental design. They were introduced to a bread mold experiment, in which they would select the independent variable (by the addition of ONE substance - ethanol, cornstarch, salt, sugar, ascorbic acid, sanitizer, or baking soda), then they would choose what dependent variable they would collect data on, and then formulate the necessary steps to conduct their experiment in an attempt to validate or refute their hypothesis.

The mission of St. Johns Classical Academy is to develop graduates in mind and character through a classical, content-rich curriculum that emphasizes the principles of virtuous living, traditional learning, and civic responsibility. We are building intelligent, virtuous American citizens.

St. Johns Classical Academy is seeking mission-aligned educators who desire to fulfill this mission. In the 2023-2024 school year, St. Johns Classical Academy is replicating its current campus. Therefore, we will be in need of an array of educators to teach grades K-12.

Please join us for a night of insight into classical education and its unique emphasis on human virtue, moral character, responsible citizenship, content-rich curriculum, and teacher-led classrooms.

Refreshments and light hors d'oeuvres will be served.

Thursday, February 16, 2023
5:30 p.m.

Location: St. Johns Classical Academy Cafeteria, 114 Canova Road, Fleming Island

Please Note: If your scholar has an extended time designation, the times listed below may differ.

Wednesday, January 11, 2023, 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

Wednesday, January 11, 2023, 10:37 a.m. - 12:38 p.m.

Thursday, January 5, 2023, 7:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Friday, January 6, 2023, 7:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Monday, January 9, 2023, 7:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Tuesday, January 10, 2023, 7:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Thursday, January 12, 2023, 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

Thursday, January 12, 2023, 11:08 a.m. - 12:38 p.m.

Friday, January 13, 2023, 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

Friday, January 13, 2023, 11:08 a.m. - 12:38 p.m.

On Friday, February 24, 2023, Mr. Johnson will lead our sixth-grade scholars on their Transitio trip to Cumberland Island, GA. This adventure will include a ten-mile hike full of memorable events and lessons learned along the way. They will complete something hard together, bonding them together throughout their upper school years. “Transitio” is Latin for transition, symbolic of their transition from middle school to high school.

The cost for the trip is $90.00 per scholar. This will cover the expense of buses and the ferry ride from St. Mary’s, GA, to the island and back.

Payment is due by February 1, 2023

• Alana Ayers - Savannah College of Art & Design

• Brandon Cramer - University of Central Florida

• Lilyanne Ellgreen - University of North Florida & University of Central Florida

• Grace Holton: Auburn University, Embry Riddle University, & University of Central Florida

• Caden Lyon - University of Central Florida

• Devlin Weaver - Stetson University

• For 11th and 12th-grade scholars that have not passed the ELA FSA exam or scholars who want SAT or ACT prep.
• Mondays & Thursdays, January 9 - February 23
• 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Room 201

Contact Mrs. Flannagan or Mrs. Cosme with questions.

Tune in weekly 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 on Tuesdays. Listen to all of them by simply clicking here.

Jazzamatazz!, Presented by Lion Cub Choral

Much Ado About Nothing, Presented by Upper School Drama

Winter Cabaret, Presented by Upper School Musical Theatre I

2nd Annual Traditions of Christmas, Presented by Grades K-3

Christmas Band Concert, Presented by Upper School Band

Winter Choral Concert, Presented by Upper School Chorus

In the fall, several SJCA scholars were selected to represent our school and music program as participants in their respective Clay All-County honors ensembles. The music faculty wishes to recognize the following scholars for their perseverance in developing their craft and dedication to loving the beautiful:

All-County Band | January 7th | 6 p.m. | Thrasher-Horne Center

John Moody, French Horn

Sarah Moody, Flute

All-County Elementary Chorus | January 27th | 7:30 p.m. | Thrasher-Horne Center

MariaRenee Brannon

Kayson Carmody

Juliana Gentry

Madison Ingram

Ethan Klingbeil

Eliana Osborne

Elleni Petros

Maya Pires

Kate Stuart

Anna Tessaro

Secondary All-County Chorus | January 30th | 7 p.m. | First Baptist Church-OP

Kyla Daughtry, Soprano II

Lillyanne Ellgren, Soprano I

Wedangelis Feliciano-Berrocales, Alto

Isabella Rusin, Alto

Nydia Santiago, Soprano II

Please join us in congratulating these young musicians. We know they will be excellent representatives of SJCA, our code of virtue, and our commitment to loving the beautiful as they create wonderful music with peers from across Clay County.

Musically,

Mrs. Crosby, Mrs. Little, Ms. Smith, & Mrs. Urban

SJCA Music Faculty

• Middle School Girls Volleyball Coach (Fall Season)

• Girls Flag Football Coach (Spring Season)

• Boys & Girls Tennis Coach (Spring Season)

• Boys Lacrosse Coach (Spring Season)

If you are interested in volunteering for the event, please contact kayla.flannagan@stjca.org

Upcoming Schedule

January 6, 2023 SJCA vs Trinity Christian 5:30 p.m.

January 10, 2023 SJCA vs Orange Park High School 5:30 p.m.

January 12, 2023 SJCA @ Clay High School 5:30 p.m.

January 13, 2023 SJCA @ Middleburg High School 5:30 p.m.

January 17, 2023 SJCA vs Global Outreach Charter 5:30 p.m.

January 20, 2023 SJCA @ Fleming Island High School 5:30 p.m.

Upcoming Schedule

January 5, 2023 SJCA @ St. Johns Country Day 6:00 p.m.

January 6, 2023 SJCA vs Trinity Christian 7:20 p.m.

January 10, 2023 SJCA vs Orange Park High School 7:20 p.m.

January 12, 2023 SJCA @ Clay High School 7:20 p.m.

January 13, 2023 SJCA @ Middleburg High School 7:20 p.m.

January 17, 2023 SJCA vs Global Outreach Charter 7:20 p.m.

January 19, 2023 SJCA @ St. Josephs Academy 7:20 p.m.

Upcoming Schedule

January 3, 2023 SJCA @ University Christian 5:30 p.m.

January 9, 2023 SJCA @ Middleburg High School 5:30 p.m.

January 11, 2023 SJCA @ Global Outreach Charter 7:30 p.m.

January 13, 2023 SJCA vs Eagles View Academy 5:30 p.m.

January 19, 2023 SJCA @ Hilliard Middle-Senior High 5:30 p.m.

January 20, 2023 SJCA @ Covenant School of Jax 6:00 p.m.

January 24, 2023 SJCA @ St. Josephs Academy 6:00 p.m.

Upcoming Schedule

January 6, 2023 SJCA @ First Coast Christian 7:30 p.m.

January 9, 2023 SJCA @ Middleburg High School 7:00 p.m.

January 11, 2023 SJCA @ Global Outreach Charter 6:00 p.m.

January 19, 2023 SJCA @ Hilliard High School 7:00 p.m.

Upcoming Schedule

January 7, 2023 Joe Bees Memorial Battle of the Border @ Yulee High School 9:30 a.m.

February 3, 2023 Florida JV Regional Open @ Yulee High School 9:30 a.m.

THANK YOU to all scholars, faculty, and staff participating in 2022's Holiday FUN-draisers event this year!

This year SJCA raised $2,668. Spirit Days are a school-wide fundraiser. These funds are deposited into the SJCA general account and will be used to purchase items the Academy needs.

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