• Please check the March calendar for all important dates.  

          *****Re-Registration for 2017-2018 School Year*****

            *Please Note: In order to be officially registered for the 2017-2018 school year, the registration                  fee of $100 per student must be handed in along with the re-registration form. If you have any              questions please contact our Advancement Director, Ms. Smarr.

• Lenten Mission Project- It is important that the children understand the idea of sacrifice as a means of drawing closer to Jesus, especially during the season of Lent. With this in mind, the students are asked once again to participate in “ Loose Change Friday’s” beginning Friday, March 3rd. The purpose of this project is to help our children sacrifice some of what they have in order to help others who are experiencing difficulties.  Giving up a snack or some type of treat and putting the money saved in the classroom mission bank will help a family in need in our school community.
  
  
• The Grandparent's Day Program that was originally scheduled during Catholic Schools Week will now be on Tuesday, April 25th at 10:00am.  Details to follow.
  
  
• The Brain Show will be at SJRS for two separate presentations on March 7th!  Grades K-4 will see the show in the morning and grades 5-8 will see the afternoon show. 
  
  
• Supervision of students in the morning begins at 8:15 AM. For safety reasons, we ask that no student be dropped off before this time.
  
  
• Spring Pictures                           
  Professional School Photography will take spring pictures on Tuesday, March 14th. Parents are under no obligation to purchase pictures. All students will have their individual pictures taken on this day. There is no money needed on picture day. Photos will be given to students in several days. If you want to purchase the photos, please send the money to school. If you do not want the photos, simply return the packet to school. All students can dress-up for picture day. A monetary incentive is given to SJRS for each picture that is taken.
  

• Standardized Tests            

  The students in Grades 3, 5, 7 will take the Cognitive Abilities Test March 15th, 16th and 17th. Students in Grades 2- 7 will take the IOWA Test of Basic Skills the week of March 27th-31st. Please make sure the students get the proper rest and a good breakfast during these weeks of testing. The Diocesan Testing Program’s purpose is to:

  • Evaluate and diagnose the academic progress of each student.
  • Evaluate and identify students in need of remedial assistance.
  • Evaluate and identify the strengths and weaknesses in the curriculum so that goals can be established for the school.
  • Evaluate and identify the strengths and weaknesses in the curriculum guidelines of the Diocese of Allentown, so that they can be updated.
  • Determine the educational ability of each student.
  • Determine whether each student is performing according to his/her capability.
  • Evaluate our diocesan students as compared to the national averages.
  • To place students in the appropriate math groups.
  • To place students in the appropriate high school courses.
  
  
  
• Race for Education – May 5th (Rain date May 19th) at Marian High School
  • Labels are due March 15th. This is a major fundraiser for SJRS and we need every family to participate and send in names for at least 10 labels for the event to be successful. Last year we raised $10,000 and this helps to keep the cost of tuition down.  Send a note to the office if you need more labels. Students receive a dress down day card for every l0 labels that they bring in.
    

February's Christian of the month for Kindergarten Gold is Jovie Breiner. Jovie is a very enthusiastic, determined student who loves to learn and explore new things. She is also very helpful and has a fun-loving personality. She always finds a way to make everyone smile. Jovie belongs to St. John’s Orthodox Church in Nesquehoning. She enjoys playing Anthracite Tee Ball, Gymnastics, Tumble with Denise, and has a yellow belt in USA Martial Arts. She also enjoys art, boating and water tubing and taking her dog Oscar for a walk.

Maiya Vavro has been chosen as Christian of the month for Kindergarten Blue. Maiya is very respectful to her teachers and friends at school. She consistently follows directions and participates in all class activities. Maiya excels in Reading and now writes independently in her journal. At home Maiya is very caring and aware of the feelings of others. She participates in dance and gymnastics at the Dance Factory. Congratulations, Maiya! 

Kylie Kisenwether, Grade 1, has earned the Christian of the Month Award.  Kylie does her very best in school.  She is always ready to lend a helping hand to her teacher and her classmates.  Kylie swims for the Tamaqua Blue Waves and attends their swim meets.  In the summer, Kylie likes to ride her bike and take her dog for walks with her sister.  Kylie loves the beach.  Kylie helps around her house.  She cleans up her room and her toys.  She plays very well with her big sister, Kaitlyn.

February's Christian of the Month in second grade is Camryn Shistel. Camryn is a cooperative and responsible student.  She is respectful to her teachers and to other students. She is a conscientious student and always tries to do her best. Camryn is very kind to her classmates and is always willing to help others when she can. When Camryn is not in school, she enjoys playing  softball and soccer. She received a first place trophy at the CYO Bowling Tournament.  Camryn is a great big sister.  She helps dress her sister Lilly and goes bowling with her.  She gives Lilly hugs and kisses and calms her down when she is upset.

Isabella Horvat has been chosen as Christian of the Month in Grade 3 for her great display of responsibility, being respectful, and for her caring nature towards others.  Isabella has been a member of the Tamaqua Blue Waves swim team since she was in Kindergarten.  She also represents them at Middle Atlantic USA swim meets.  Her favorite stroke is the butterfly.  Isabella is also in Jujitsu under the direction of Sensei Murlo.  She is currently a yellow belt.  At home, she is always doing science experiments.  Her favorite is making slime.  She also enjoys riding her bike, arts & crafts and playing with her dog Belle.  Isabella is a hard-working, kind-hearted and fun-loving little girl.

The 4th grade Christian of the Month for February is Zachery Holt. Zachery is a very hard worker. He takes his studying seriously and always tries his best. He is also very respectful of those around him. Outside of school, Zachery worked his way up the baseball ranks playing Tee Ball, Minor League, and Little League. He is able to play first base, third base, and shortstop.  

Fifth grade's Christian of the Month for February is Alex Porambo. Alex has been attending SJRS since he was in Kindergarten. Alex is very respectful to his teachers and friends and is always willing to help when needed. He has been in Boy Scouts for the past 5 years and enjoys his Hawk Mountain Adventures. He is an altar server for Saint John XXIII Parish. Alex enjoys building, creating activities, swimming and biking. Alex also won First Place in the CYO Bowling Tournament last year. Congratulations Alex!

Richard Maggio has been chosen as Christian of the Month for sixth grade.  Known as R.J., Richard is friendly, honest, thoughtful, sensitive, and loving. He works hard in school and is attentive and respectful to all. R.J. enjoys quad riding and drawing. He has attained the purple belt in karate. R.J. plays for St. John’s Lions basketball team.  

Anthony Soberick has been selected as 7th Grade Christian of the Month. Anthony is always polite and courteous. He is willing to help when asked, and he also volunteers to help at other times. Anthony is an altar server at his home parish, Immaculate Conception. Outside of school, Anthony is a driver on the Tanda Racing Team (karting). He has been playing guitar for one year. In his community, Anthony volunteers at the Coaldale Fire Company. Great job, Anthony!  

Christina Walko has been selected as the eighth grade Christian of the Month.  Christina sets an example of excellence in behavior and cooperation and displays a happy and positive attitude.  She is an enthusiastic learner who is committed to doing her best and consistently achieves honors.  Her school activities include:  Standard Speaker newspaper correspondent, mission representative, student ambassador, MathCounts team and Academic Bowl team.  Christina took second place in the Diocesan Stand Up For Life Essay Contest, and she is our school champion for a second year in the National Geographic Geography Bee.  Christina holds many varied interests, one of which is horseback riding.  She is a five year member of a horseback riding team in both English and Western styles, and she enjoys piano, taking lessons now for six years.  Involved in community service, Christina works as a volunteer with rescue horses and as a camp counselor at the summer youth riding program.  She also is a volunteer for Tri-County Little League.  Christina will be attending Marian Catholic High School next year, and she hopes to play the xylophone in the school band.  Congratulations, Christina!

EITC and OSTC Family Income Information for 2017-2018 School Year

Update:

The income limits for both EITC and OSTC are set to increase effective July 1, 2017.  Both EITC & OSTC eligibility requirements are based upon the number of dependents within a household and NOT household size.   

Household Income = $77,648

Additional Income Allowance = $15,530 

·         Family of 2 (1 working parent + 1 child) is eligible with a household income of $93,178

·         Family of 3 (2 working parents + 1 child) is eligible with a household income of $93,178

·         Family of 4 (2 working parents + 2 children) is eligible with a household income of $108,708 

Financial Aid Applications must be submitted through FACTS by March 31st. 

2017-2018 Payment Plans

Thank you to everyone who has already re-registered for next year! Updated tuition information packets were sent home in the previous communication envelopes and has also been uploaded to our website here. Please be sure to read over the packet as there were some changes from last year. For 2017-2018 we will be offering the following payment plans for K-8th grade: 

Full Payment (4% Discount)

Bi-yearly Payment (2% Discount)

12 Month Payment Plan

10 Month Payment Plan

***PLEASE NOTE***:  Your current plan will be reselected for next year unless otherwise specified. If you wish to change your payment plan for the 2017-2018 school please contact Ms. Smarr via email ([email protected]) by April 28th. Thank you! 

April 25th – St Columbkill 

Boyertown PA 5:30PM-8:30 PM

Register by April 20th

April 4th - Safe Environment Office 

Bethlehem PA 1:30PM-4:30 PM

(adjacent to Bethlehem Catholic HS)

Register by March 31st

May 2nd- Safe Environment Office

Bethlehem PA 5:30PM-8:30 PM

(adjacent to Bethlehem Catholic HS)

Register by April 27th

There are also (2) new Protecting God's Children Workshops that are not posted on the website:

St Catherine of Siena, Reading-March 19th at 10:30am

St Michael the Archangel, Colesville-April 20th at 9:00am