The Lion Line

Dear Parents,

Happy New Year! I hope you enjoyed a good time with family over the Christmas break. I am excited to announce that our Keynote Speaker for the 4th Annual Winter Dinner will be U.S. Congressman Aaron Bean. This is one of our major fundraising events each year and I encourage you to attend. You will not only participate in raising funds, but you will also enjoy a beautiful evening showcasing St. Johns Classical Academy. Let's have a big showing for the Congressman!

I have a communications update for you! Each day, when you drive onto school property, tune in to 88.9FM for school updates. Also be on the lookout for an invitation to join a weekly Zoom meeting with me and special guests. This will be a live Zoom call!

Now, I just want to say that I am grateful for our teachers and the hard work they put into the month of December. I am especially thankful for our Fine Arts department and the wonderful concerts, showcasing the beautiful talents of our scholars. We are committed to continue to grow our fine arts department.

Winter sports are now in full swing with basketball and wrestling. I am thankful for our coaches who give up so much of their free time to pour into our scholars and develop them in character and athletics. We have had many discussions with parents, staff, and even other Hillsdale schools who are older than us, about improving our athletics. It is my desire that every scholar not only succeeds in the classroom, but also participates in fine arts and athletics.

St. Johns Classical Academy is unashamedly a liberal arts school. We believe in the classical education model which includes the scholar's mind, body, and spirit. Our school is different from the schools around us in that we are not just preparing these scholars for a career, we are preparing them to live a beautiful life. College and career will certainly follow after graduation, but let's not be so concerned about them that we miss the true meaning of a K-12 education - to develop graduates in mind and character.

As we go into this new year of 2024, it is my prayer that the SJCA family will refocus on the mission of the school. Together, we will learn the true, do the good, and love the beautiful.

Sincerely,

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.

The introduction to classical education is the perfect introduction to classical education and why St. Johns Classical Academy believes that this is the best education we can provide our scholars. We have several books on campus to check out for you to read if interested. Please contact the Academic Advisor to reserve your book today!

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!

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

01/05 Teacher Planning Day (No School)

01/08 Scholars Return to Campus

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

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

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.

• Please review the Unpaid Meal Policy on page 41 of the Family and Scholar Handbook.

• Please use the MSB app/web version to load funds so that the campus can be cashless.
  

Having healthy choices at school helps keep our scholars healthy and ready to learn. The school wellness policy helps our school create an action plan for nutrition and physical activity at school. Parents are invited to share share their opinions and help ensure the policy is meeting the needs of SJCA scholars. St. Johns Classical Academy's wellness policy is available here.

Parents unable to attend the meeting are welcome to email comments about the wellness policy, nutrition, and physical activity at SJCA to our Food Services Coordinator.

Date: Tuesday, January 16, 2024

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Location: SJCA-FI Campus, Room 204

As a family, you decided to send your child(ren) to St. Johns Classical Academy. You may have decided that you do not want your child(ren) to attend your locally zoned public school at any level; you may desire a different school for the junior high age. Regardless of the reason, you chose St. Johns Classical Academy. What is a classical education? What does it mean to be classically educated? These are important questions to know the answers in choosing SJCA to educate your child(ren).

Classical education is a return to the tried-and-true methods of education seeking truth, goodness, and beauty in the study of the liberal arts and the Great Books. The purpose of classical education is to teach students how to learn and how to think. We strive to meet the mission of our school with a classical curriculum at the forefront. “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 virtuous American citizens” (St. Johns Classical Academy).

St. Johns Classical Academy is affiliated with Hillsdale College and the Barney Charter School Initiative. Through this partnership, Hillsdale College provides us with a beautiful classical curriculum, support for our teachers, staff, and administration, and professional development opportunities. This classical content-rich curriculum is rooted in the liberal arts and sciences. The liberal arts are defined as the studies of the trivium, which includes grammar, logic, and rhetoric, as well as the study of the quadrivium, which includes arithmetic, astronomy, music, and geometry (Merriam-Webster, 2023). “A liberal arts education is a vital foundation for both individual flourishing and the well-being of our society” (Princeton University, 2023).

St. Johns Classical Academy also focuses on the principles of virtuous living and civic responsibility. Weaved into our curriculum is the instruction in principles of moral character and civic virtue. The founding board of St. Johns Classical Academy chose nine core virtues that are reflected on, discussed, and praised daily. These virtues are citizenship, courage, honesty, humility, integrity, perseverance, respect, responsibility, and wisdom. We believe that by teaching these virtues, we are not only preparing scholars academically but fostering productive members of our republic that will fulfill their civic responsibilities.

While our mission is not to prepare scholars for college or their future careers, it is a natural biproduct of what we do. St. Johns Classical Academy believes that “a liberal education is not a frivolous distraction from a useful education, but the very thing that will give purpose and direction to a useful education” (Monta, 2021). We know that the mission of our school will not only prepare your child(ren) for their futures but will also prepare them to be beautiful, virtuous American citizens.

References

Classical Academic Press. (2023). What is classical education?. Classical academic press. https://classicalacademicpress.com/pages/what-is-classical-education

Merriam-Webster Dictionary. (2023). Liberal arts. Merriam-webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/liberal%20arts

Montas, R. (2021). Rescuing socrates. Princeton university press.

Princeton University. (2023). What does liberal arts mean? Princeton university. https://admission.princeton.edu/academics/what-does-liberal-arts-mean

St. Johns Classical Academy. (2023). About SJCA. St. Johns Classical Academy. https://www.stjca.org/about-sjca

Learn the love of the game!

For: SJCA Scholars Grades KG-12

Date: Wednesday, January 10, 2024

Time: 2:00 p.m.

Location: SJCA-FI Athletic Field

Art Club will be returning in mid January. This serves as an art enrichment for scholars in grades 2-6, as well as a fundraiser for the lower school art department. Sessions will be every other Tuesday from 3:30-4:45 throughout the 3rd quarter. The cost is $40/student for the entire quarter, payable through My School Bucks on the school’s website. Each session will be capped at 20 students, first come, first serve. Please remember to change your scholar's Silent Dismissal on Art Club days. If you have any questions, please email the club faculty sponsor, Mrs. Rice.

For: Scholars in Grades 2-6

Date: January 16, January 30, and February 13

Time: 3:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.

Location: SJCA-FI Campus, Mrs. Rice's Room

Cost: $40.00

The SJCA Athletics Department invites you to support our team!

Girls Basketball

• January 11 vs. Seacoast
• January 12 vs. GOCA

Boy Basketball

Will be competing in the first ever Classical School Classic basketball tournament in January in Palm Bay, Florida on January 13.

• January 16 vs. CCA
• January 19 vs. Covenant School
• January 22 vs SJCD

IF ANY SCHOLAR IS IN NEED OF SERVICE HOURS and would like to work the basketball games please let Coach Sage know ASAP, we need help!

Congratulations to SJCA's boy's basketball team on their first win of the season!

The Action Shooting Team competed in their first match on December 16, 2023. The SASP Snowbird Regional was in New Smyrna where they dealt with cool temps and drizzly weather. That did not stop them from putting SJCA on the map with two 2nd places and one 1st place finishes.

• 2nd Place, Open Division- Optics: Owen Moudy, Daniel Rogish, Mason Daw, & Aiden Gilhousen
• 2nd Place, Intermediate Division- Iron Sights: Emily Long, Avaia Weatherford, Amelia Long, & McKenzie Zampese
• 1st Place, Intermediate Division- Iron Sights: Sam Pratt, Eric Glanville, Aiden Gilhousen, & Mason Daw

Turkey Feather Winners Announced

Thank you for your donations to the annual Turkey Feather Challenge. This year, we raised over $1,900.

• The winning teacher who wore the feathers best was Mrs. Hines.

• Lower School class that collected the most coins: Mrs. McClymont's class who won a Pizza Party.

• Athens House collected the most and won a spirit day!

Thank you all for supporting the Fine Arts Booster Club, these funds help support our fine arts classes with supplies.

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

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.

Applications are NOW OPEN for Ave Maria University's third annual Summer Leadership Program June 22-28, 2024! Rising juniors and seniors if you want to live like an AMU student for a whole week, apply today! During your week, you will attend classes and extracurricular activities, experience dorm life, have the opportunity to receive the sacraments daily, and so much more! Apply today!

Additional Opportunities Include:

• 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!

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

We are excited to announce the formation of a new initiative, Lion's Litter Crew! We are motivated to make a positive impact on our school environment. Our goal is to create a cleaner and more environmentally friendly school campus. Litter not only affects the aesthetics of our surroundings, but also has a negative impact in the environment. By joining the Lion's Litter Crew, you can be part of the solution and help make our school a cleaner and more sustainable place.

For: Fourth and Fifth-Grade Scholars

Date: Fridays

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

Location: SJCA-FI Campus

Cost: $3 per scholar (to help cover the cost of the trash grabbers)

Google Classroom Code: pco7drs

The Lions 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.

We’re excited to announce our Winter Dinner speaker is Congressman Aaron Bean.

Congressman Bean was elected to the House of Representatives in 2022 and proudly represents the people of the 4th District in Northeast Florida. He began his legislative service as City Commissioner and Mayor of his hometown of Fernandina Beach, Florida in 1996. In 2000, Bean was first elected to the Florida House of Representatives and served eight years.

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!

The Fine Arts Department is excited to give scholars a chance to paint on pottery.

Date: Friday, February 9, 2024

Time: Following Lower School Dismissal

Location: SJCA-FI Cafetorium

Register Now!

The Needle Arts Club will start its second year on Tuesday, February 20, 2024. Mrs. McCue needs scholars, teachers, parents and grandparents to volunteer to be a part of her teaching team. . Participants will be introduced to knitting, crocheting and cross-stitching. If you know how to knit, crochet, or cross-stitch, and would like to volunteer to help teach these arts, please contact Mrs. McCue. A background check is needed for all adult volunteers. Supplies will be discussed at the first meeting. Donations of yarn, knitting needles, crochet hooks, and cross-stitch hoops and needles are welcome.

Date: Tuesdays, beginning February 20, 2024

Time: 2:30 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. (Upper school scholars will begin earlier than Lower school scholars)

Location: Room 221 (Mrs. McCue's Classroom)

Space is limited for lower school scholars, save your scholar's space now!

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

Location: Tango Down Shooting Complex

18811 Maxville MacClenny Hwy, Jacksonville, FL

Enter Raffles!

Shoot historical guns!

Can you shoot better than a sixth-grader?

REGISTER NOW!

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