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Principal's Peek at the Week
Saints Joseph and John School - October 19, 2023
“Hold fast to the hope that lies before us.” – Hebrews 6:18
Dear Saints Joseph and John School Families,
"If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."-- African Proverb
As the end of the first quarter is upon us, we look back and reflect upon areas of strength, where we can improve, and the joys of our school year thus far. In these past nine weeks, our students have grown in their faith and in their academics. Our faculty and staff have grown with new faces who have joined our SJJ school family and have offered fresh perspective. We have new initiatives and goals, a beautiful courtyard ready to be turned into an outdoor classroom space, and plans for a new playground. We are strengthening our STEAM program, planning enhancements for the safety of our school and are excited to announce an expansion to our Preschool programming for the next school year! While it often takes time for great things to unfold, I look forward to continuing to build upon our partnership in Quarter 2 and beyond as we all work together for the best for our school and students.
Autumn blessings,
Mrs. Schenek
Upcoming Highlights
- Friday, 10/20- Grade 4 Field Trip to Hale Farm
- Friday, 10/20- End of Quarter 1
Next Week
- Monday, 10/23 - Girls on the Run
- Tuesday, 10/24- Eager Engineers
- Wednesday, 10/25- Report Cards emailed Grades 1-8 and sent home with Kindergarten
- Wednesday, 10/25- Girls on the Run
- Thursday, 10/26- Gr. 2 Field Trip Magical Theatre Company
- Friday, 10/27- Fr. Joe's Last School Mass
WE ARE HOPEFUL FOR A NEW PLAYGROUND!
The total cost includes everything from beginning to end (site preparation, rubber mulch w/ installation, playground structure w/ installation as well as a fence to border the perimeter). The design includes the structure, 4 benches, teeter totter, 3 spinners, and a gaga pit. The total is $147,572.
Contributions of any size help make this project possible and are greatly appreciated. Please note: All contributions are tax deductible.
Contributions should be made to Sts. Joseph and John School or SJJ by Friday, November 10, 2023. Click on the link below to donate.
https://forms.gle/2FpJTHdT9nfRaPt19
We thank you for your support and we look forward to the bountiful rewards of this exciting project!
Dress Code Reminder
Please remember that students must have a jacket/coat/hat to play outside during recess as the temperatures cool down.
The SJJ Student Handbook offers detailed information regarding the dress code.
WHAT's Happening in Middle School STEAM
STEAM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math education. It is an interdisciplinary approach that helps students succeed in college and in their future careers. The focus of a STEAM education is hands-on, problem-based learning. Check out what our middle school students are doing in STEAM!
Call to Action
If you or someone you know is an engineer or architect and would be interested in speaking to our 7th or 8th graders, please contact STEAM teacher, Ms. Jane Kopy, at jkopy@sjjschool.org.
6th Grade: Food Truck STEAM Project
Our sixth grade students have been applying geometry principles to create a 3D model of a food truck, learning about design and spatial concepts. Additionally, students are developing a business model that emphasizes inclusivity and sustainability, promoting understanding of real-world entrepreneurship and social responsibility.
7th Grade: Popsicle Stick/Toothpick Bridge STEAM Project
The seventh graders have been exploring geometry and engineering principles to design and build the strongest but lightest bridge out of popsicle sticks and toothpicks. By experimenting with various bridge designs, students are gaining hands-on experience in problem-solving, critical thinking, and structural engineering.
8th Grade: Scale Model STEAM Project
Our eighth grade students have been learning how architects apply principles of scale and similarity to construct accurate 3D models of famous landmarks. By creating their own model, students are deepening their understanding of geometry and architectural design in addition to gaining an appreciation for iconic architectural achievements.
#WEGIVECATHOLIC 2023
#WeGIVECATHOLIC is 24 hours of fun and fundraising, dedicated to giving thanks and giving back. Let’s come together on Giving Tuesday, November 28, to raise awareness and inspire our Catholic community to generosity in support of SJJ. This year's focus for #WeGiveCatholic 2023 is school safety enhancements. We will share more details about our focus in the weeks to come.
As SJJ prepares for We Give Catholic 2023, we are in search of businesses to donate prizes or gift cards that we can award to those who so generously give to us. If you or someone you know owns a business and is interested in helping us, please contact Mr. Clark at jclark@sjjschool.org
Thank you for your support!
Little Vikings Preschool News
There is exciting news to share! As our Little Viking Program continues to grow, so are our programming opportunities. We are happy to announce that along with our 3-year-old program and 4-year-old program, we will be offering a Prekindergarten Program for the 2024-2025 school year!
Adding a Prekindergarten Program will be a wonderful opportunity for some of our younger Vikings to prepare for Kindergarten and their academic future at SJJ!
Stay tuned for more details as our registration and enrollment planning for next year gets underway!
CYO Sports Recap
As the CYO City Championship Tournaments continue, it was another fantastic weekend for SJJ CYO sports!! A lot of exciting news to share!
Congratulations to our Varsity Cross Country team for finishing in 2nd place out of the entire Diocese!! Our student athletes ran through the rain and cold to bring home another amazing finish to the season! So proud of our runners and all they endured on the course. It certainly was not a weather friendly day to be out running, and our kids certainly gave it their all. Truly a remarkable season for SJJ Cross Country across all grades for both the boys and girls!! Congratulations to all on an amazing season!
Speaking of a miserable weather day, our 7/8th grade tackle football team battled through the wind, driving rain and cold temperatures for an amazing come from behind victory!! Facing a very tough opponent, the boys played through the adversity to rally for a stunning 20-14 victory! The boys will now move on to the semi-final match up this Sunday at 1pm at Hoban High School. Best of luck boys, keep working hard!!
Moving indoors, our Lady Viking volleyball teams also had a great weekend! Our 6th grade volleyball team battled out a tough match for the win and advanced to the championship match this coming Saturday at Seton Catholic School! In similar fashion, our 8th grade Lady Vikings also gritted out a tough match and will be moving on to the CYO City Championship Finals this Sunday at 3:40pm at Ursuline College! Best of luck to all our Lady Vikings this coming weekend on your championship matches! Many of our younger grades will be wrapping up their various tournaments this coming weekend as well. Look for those updates next week as I expect some pretty good news from all our volleyball teams!!
If you are interested in coming out to support our teams in their CYO City Championship games, please note tickets must be purchased in advance. You can go to: https://www.ccdocle.org/cyotickets to purchase tickets beginning on Thursday October 19th. Please come out and support our student athletes if you can! Let's pack the bleachers with as many SJJ Viking spectators as we can!!
Best of luck and prayers for all our student athletes this coming weekend! GO VIKINGS!!!
SJJ ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
- Craig Behm
To reach our athletic director please email sjjcyo@gmail.com
Undefeated Season!
From the SJJ PTU
Breakfast with St. Nicholas
Save the date! The PTU’s second annual Breakfast with St. Nicholas will be Sunday morning, December 3 at St. John Neumann. We are excited to partner with the Knights of Columbus again to cook the delicious breakfast! Families can also enjoy a visit with St. Nicholas, crafts, and games. Tickets will go on sale after Halloween!
Mother-Son Bowling
Save the Date for our Mother-Son Bowling event – Thursday, November 9. Click here for more details à https://sjj-ptu-mother-son-night-copy.cheddarup.com
Craft Fair
The SJJ PTU Craft fair is just a month away on Saturday, November 4. We need lots of help including donations of raffle baskets and food for concessions as well has help setting up the night before and working at the craft fair on Saturday. If you have any questions, reach out to Kelly Hess or email sjjptucraftfair@gmail.com
Signup here to help https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E45ADAA2DA7F58-44560679-sjjptu?fbclid=IwAR0U0L6R5IAsxLJqN18kF95hN6qlSle5rs7VcTqD46lG-6V6mDyy8UsvLck#/
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
FROM THE LUNCHROOM
Here at Sts. Joseph and John School, we are a part of the National Food Lunch Program (NFLP).
This requires us to follow planned menus meeting minimum daily quantities of fluid milk, meat or meat alternate, vegetables, fruits and grains. We must also ensure the children are offered daily 1% or fat free milk (flavored or unflavored). On a weekly basis, students are required to have a variety of vegetable subgroups along with half of the grains being whole grain.
With this, snacks brought into the school for parties and birthdays also need to meet the smart snack standard as stated in our wellness policy. Snack bar tickets are available to purchase for birthdays at a cost of $.50 for one ticket per student and $1.00 for 2 tickets per student. We will accept cash, check or NEW we can bill your FACTS account!!
Any questions please feel free to contact Sharon Gyurko in the kitchen at sgyurko@sjjschool.org.
October Lunch Menu
School Policy on Consumable Treats
Consumable treats (cookies, doughnuts, candy, brownies etc.) are not permitted to be brought to school to share with others for birthdays or other class rewards during the school day. If you would like to purchase a snack bar ticket for each student in the class to enjoy an item from the snack bar as a birthday treat, arrangements must be made with Mrs. Gyurko, the Food Service Manager in advance. Call 440-238-4877 ext. 109.
All lunch and snack bar items served in the school have been approved by the State of Ohio and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Guidelines.
We thank you for your cooperation and understanding!
ED CHOICE INFORMATION
As you receive the email from the State that they have completed your income verification, please log into your OH/ID account and screenshot your family’s household income percentage. This will allow us to begin updating your FACTS account.
Once you receive your Acceptance Form from the State, please sign and submit it to School Business Manager Patty Briggs as soon as possible. She will then email you your family’s updated Tuition & Fee Agreement. Once both of these forms are signed and returned to the School, we can officially accept your child’s EdChoice Scholarship and begin receiving the money from the State.
If your family has overpaid and is due a refund, it will be processed once the School has officially accepted your child’s EdChoice Scholarship. Parents will need to come into the Office to pick up the reimbursement check. You will receive an email once the check has been issued and is ready for pick up.
Your FACTS account will show the amount of your EdChoice Scholarship award as due June 30, 2024. Please do not panic that you are responsible for this amount, as this is what will be received incrementally from the State through the School year; paid in full by June 30, 2024.
Please call Patty Briggs with any questions at 440-238-4877.
Save the Dates for these fun events at SJJ!
CONTACT US
Shelly Schenek, Principal
Jennifer Francis, Assistant Principal
Angela Bosko, Little Vikings Preschool Director
Patricia Briggs, Business Manager
Joe Clark, Admissions and Marketing Coordinator
Fr. Barry Gearing, Treasurer
Fr. Joe Mamich, President
Saints Joseph and John School Mission
Saints Joseph and John School lives the values and teachings of our Catholic faith, serves as Jesus served and encourages lifelong learning.