Principal's Peek at the Week

Saints Joseph and John School - November 30, 2023

Dear Saints Joseph and John School Families,

“Hold fast to the hope that lies before us.” – Hebrews 6:18

Advent is the beginning of the Catholic church's new liturgical year. We begin the Advent season on Sunday, by lighting the first candle for HOPE. During Advent we anticipate the coming of Jesus. It’s a time full of reflection, excitement, and hope. Heavenly Father, Give me the strength to have the same trust in You that Mary had, as she awaited the birth of Jesus. Amen!

Christmas is in the air at SJJ, and our school community is celebrating throughout the

month of December! We kicked off the season with our Christmas in the Courtyard event and our class Christmas trees really add to the winter wonderland at school. We look forward to continuing this new tradition and adding to the event each year. Next Friday, our junior high will attend at their festive Christmas dance at the school, while our 1st graders will perform their Nativity play. Our K, 1, and 2 students are rehearsing for their musical on December 14 and we are planning for our Polar Express Day coming up on December 20! Much teaching and learning continues to take place in the midst of all the holiday excitement!

Thank you to our fabulous PTU for hosting our Santa Shop this week. The students had a blast picking out special gifts for their families and friends.

Cold weather is here. Please ensure that your children are dressed for the weather. We will be outside whenever we can for outdoor recess. Students should be prepared with hats, gloves, boots and coats. Tights, leggings or sweatpants under jumpers is also suggested.

Spirit Wear Day is TOMORROW, Friday December 1! Students may wear SJJ spirit wear with uniform bottoms and school shoes.

Blessings,

Mrs. Schenek

SJJ December Calendar

Please click on the button above to take you to the SJJ Calendar. Please be sure to check back frequently, as the calendar may update as events are added.

Our Book Vending Machine is Here!

We have an awesome new addition in our school lobby! Thanks to the SJJ PTU, the vending machine is stocked with books to interest all of our students.

Students can receive a book of their choice when they receive a golden “Helping Hands” token. One token is enough to purchase any book in the vending machine. All teachers will receive Helping Hands tokens to give out to students as an incentive or award. Students will also receive a token for being named Student of the Month.

What's New in STEAM

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In our SJJ K-3 Young Engineers STEAM class, students have been using their problem-solving skills in engineering design challenges. It has been amazing to see their creativity and critical thinking in action. They have been working collaboratively to come up with innovative solutions to various problems.

Students have been learning about problem-solving. They have been exploring different strategies and techniques to solve problems in their everyday lives. Our 3rd graders had the opportunity to program Ozobots. They learned how to code these small robots to complete different tasks.

Chess Club Begins Soon!

For many years educators have recognized the benefits of chess to life-long learning. Benjamin Franklin was an avid chess player who wrote an essay entitled “The Virtues of Chess.” He wrote that young people learn about patience and fortitude and develop both a sense of responsibility as well as a sense of possibility through the study of chess. Some of America’s leading private and public schools have a long tradition in promoting the learning of chess as an educational tool. Studies show that students who play chess perform well academically.

Chess Club will be offered for grades 2-6 this year. We will meet on Wednesdays from 2pm-3pm in Rm 2 and then break out into instructional groups. Chess Club is open to all levels of players including those with little or no experience playing chess. The first day will be on January 10 ,2024 and will go through February 28. The tournament will be on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. Parent pick up is required at door D, or students may go to Viking Cove afterwards.

Please fill out the form below if your child is interested in becoming a member of the SJJ Chess Club.

Download the Chess Club Flyer Below

Grades K-2 Christmas Program!

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Please join us for a short Christmas program in McGraw Hall on Thursday, December 14th at 9:00 a.m.

The doors to McGraw Hall will open at 8:30 a.m.

The children will need to wear nice pants, dress/school shoes and a Christmas shirt or sweater. The shirt may be decorated with Christmas things or they can wear a solid red, green or blue shirt. Girls may also choose to wear a Christmas dress.

Questions? Please contact Ms. Webb twebb@sjjschool.org

Happy Retirement Mr. Dennis!

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Please join us in wishing Mr. Dennis Crose a happy retirement. His last day was today, November 30 after working more than 18 years at the parish/school.

The faculty and staff hosted a lunch in Mr. Dennis' honor, and the students gave him a warm send off, as they clapped and cheered for him as he took his final walk through the halls of SJJ as the Director of Facilities.

The final We Give Catholic 2023 Recap is Here!

First and foremost, THANK YOU from all of us at SJJ to those who donated and supported our school!

We are proud to announce that we have raised $39,880, which is past our goal, and so… there will be NO SCHOOL on Monday, April 8, 2024, which is the Solar Eclipse Day and also the Guardians home opener!

Further, our 7th grade fundraised the most as a grade level, raising $7,455 and earning themselves a field trip to Get Air at a future date to be determined by their teachers.

Because we earned 100 shares on social media, a spirit dress down day will take place on Tuesday, December 19; please wear jeans, tennis shoes, and a spirit wear shirt to school that day!

Our 8th grade reached their specific goal of $2,024, earning them the ability to wear a hoodie of their choice every day for a school week from Monday, December 11 through Friday, December 15!

Lastly, our Polar Express Day will be held on Wednesday, December 20, as we raised over $5,000 from our grandparents/special people and had over 250 unique donors. This day will be celebratory of Christmas, as we will have hot chocolate, dress in pajamas/comfy clothes, and share Christmas cookies! More information to come!

We cannot say it enough: thank YOU for your generosity. May God bless you always!

Little Vikings Update

Our Little Vikings returned to school this week and the excitement of the season was already in the air!

The cold weather, snow, and decorating the preschool courtyard tree have some little minds starting their Christmas lists and giving daily reports of mischievous Christmas elves.

This week in class we focused on “Jesus begins with Jj.” We started listening to Nativity stories and discussed our class Nativity scenes and what Advent means. We will continue

to spend December preparing our hearts for Baby Jesus’ Birthday!

From the SJJ PTU

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Coffee Cake Sale

Back by popular demand, PTU is selling My Grandma’s Coffee Cakes for the holidays. These cakes are delicious and make exceptional Christmas gifts too! Sale is extended until all available coffee cakes are sold. The cakes will be available for pick up at school on December 19th. We have a limited supply so get yours now! https://sjj-ptu-my-grandma-s-coffee-cake-sale-copy.cheddarup.com

Breakfast with St. Nicholas

Tickets are on sale for SJJ PTU's Breakfast with St. Nicholas event! Sunday, December 3rd anytime from 9am-12pm at St. John Neumann. Enjoy a delicious pancake breakfast with your family cooked by the Knights of Columbus. Also enjoy crafts, games, and a photo opportunity with St. Nicholas. Fun for the whole family! Buy tickets at the following link. https://pancake-breakfast-with-st-nicholas-2023.cheddarup.com

We STILL NEED volunteers to assist us at the event, both adults and students. Students will earn service hours by serving breakfast and helping with crafts and games. Here is a link to the sign-up genius. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0F4CAEA62DAAFD0-45683603-breakfast

PTU EXECUTIVE BOARD:

Co-Presidents- Natalie Pratt, Roxanne Yurcik
Treasurer- Tina Dzik
Secretary- Laura LaNasa
VP of Operations- Krista Klefos
VP of Marketing- Julie Lytle
VP of Fundraising- Kristina Arch

To reach our PTU team please email stsjjptu@gmail.com

PLEASE NOTE DROP OFF TIMES IN MORNING CAR LINE TO AVOID TARDIES

MORNING

7:15 am- Building opens and students may enter the building to report directly to McGraw Hall.

Car drop-offs may not occur prior to 7:15am.

7:45 am- Tardy Bell Rings.
Students not in their seats and ready to learn at 7:45 am are marked tardy.

Dress Code Reminder

Dress down days include themed tops or special colors for holidays or other special events, SJJ spirit wear and uniform bottoms and shoes. Occasionally, other school appropriate bottoms (jeans with no rips or tears, athletic pants or leggings) may be permitted, but that will be specifically stated for the specific dress down day.

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Sts. Joseph and John School Handbook 2023-2024.pdf

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