April 2025 Parent Pride Newsletter

Dear JCA Parents / Guardians,

Happy Spring! I hope you’re able to take some time to enjoy the beauty of the season and the warmer days ahead.

Here at JCA, our students continue to work hard in their classes each day. I encourage them to stay focused, take advantage of extra help opportunities, and finish the school year strong!

Our spring sports teams are off to a fantastic start! Be sure to come out and support our talented Angels and Hilltoppers—you won’t want to miss the action!

Looking ahead, I invite you to explore our 2025 Summer Camps. There’s something for everyone, and it’s a great opportunity for our current and future Angel’s and Hilltoppers to engage, learn, and have fun. Encourage your family and friends to check out the wide variety of offerings—our teachers and coaches love working with both current and future Angels and Hilltoppers!

A huge thank you to everyone involved in this year’s Jubilate: “JCAsino Royale!" From our dedicated committee members and generous donors to our parents, alumni, faculty, staff, and student workers—this event was a success because of you. We are truly grateful for the incredible support of our JCA community.

Thank you for your continued support and involvement at JCA. We appreciate all you do to make our community thrive!

Sincerely,

Dean's Office

Senior Privileges begin Tuesday, April 22

5th period lunch with no homeroom: Seniors may bring lunch, buy lunch in from the cafeteria 5A, or order lunch to be delivered to the gym entrance by the junior parking lot. Student privileges may be revoked if warranted.

· Seniors will be outside for the entire 5th period (no homeroom).

· Bring a blanket, games, balls etc.

· In the event of bad weather, lunch will take place in the practice gym.

· NO Lunches should be delivered to the main lobby/front office

· Deliveries (Uber Eats, Door Dash etc.) should arrive at junior lot gym door 13

· Students may NOT leave 4th period class to pick up a lunch order

Relaxed Dress Code:

· Dress Down – seniors must follow JCA Spirit Wear Guidelines,

but do not need to wear JCA attire.

· Outfits still need to be school appropriate.

· Seniors may wear a college/ career/ military lanyard.

· Hillmen still need to shave.

· Prom - Thursday, May 1st

· All seniors and students going to prom are dismissed at 10:30 after 6th period.

No parent call needed.

· Friday, May 2nd -No school for all seniors and all prom attendees -

No phone call needed.

Week of Senior Exams:

· Monday and Tuesday – regular schedule

· Wednesday 5/7 – 6,7, & 8 period exams

· Thursday 5/8 – 3,4 exams, seniors are dismissed after their last exam

· Friday 5/9– 1,2 exams. Seniors may leave school after their exams

and return for Mother's Day Mass by 11:30 am.

Graduation Practice - Cap Decoration:

· Approval of Graduation caps by Dean - see guideline from Ms. Mihelich -

Due: May 9

Business Office

Accounts for ALL students must be current by the end of the third quarter.

Any student whose account is not current at the end of the third quarter will be denied any year-end privileges granted to his/her class (i.e. Prom, end-of-year lunch, etc.). In addition, any JCA student with a past due balance may not participate on any school-sponsored trip until all current tuition and fees are paid in full.

The Registration Fee for 2025/2026 term was billed in March. This will hold your place as a registered student, but your student will NOT be registered or placed in the classes chosen for the 2025/2026 term until ALL balances are paid in full.

Senior Student will not receive any transcripts, diplomas, etc. until ALL balances are paid in full.

* Payments not received by April 30, 2025 must be satisfied by cash, credit card, cashier’s check, money order, or certified check. Personal

checks will not be accepted.

Counseling Department

Advisory

Freshmen: This month Mrs. Horn will continue to work on identifying strengths and protentional careers and career pathways

Sophomores: This month Mr. Palmasani will continue to work on resume building and begin the steps for career and college exploration.

Juniors: This month our counselors, Mrs. Pullara and Mrs. Voltz will provide a college essay writing lesson in Junior English classes.

On May 28^th our Counseling Department will be offering a Common App Workshop.

See the flyer below and encourage your student to register today!

Seniors: Please make sure your Senior sends in their Scholarship award to the Counseling Department.

Campus Ministry

Mother's Day Mass is a long-held tradition at JCA. All Juniors and Seniors are welcomed to invite their mothers and the mother figures in their lives to join them for mass on Friday, May 9th, 2025, in the Student Activity Center at 12pm. Juniors are allowed to dress up for school that day but must remember to stay within the handbook guidelines. They will go to class through period 4 and then will proceed to the gym to meet their guests. Seniors take their 1^st and 2^nd period exams and then may go home to change and return for mass.

We ask that all Juniors and their guests sit in the bleachers; chairs are reserved for Seniors and their guests. Of course, any Junior with a guest who specifically needs a chair is welcome to use them. All Juniors and Seniors are dismissed after mass to enjoy the afternoon with their moms.

Please reach out to Campus Ministry if you have any questions.

JCA Work Service Program

Students in need of financial assistance to attend JCA may apply to work the JCA Summer Work Service Program. Students with the greatest financial need along with this completed application will take priority. Students should have applied for FACTS to qualify for the JCA Work Program. Please return the completed application by Friday, May 16, 2025. Contact Dr. Bailey with any questions.

Scholarship and Tuition Assistance | Joliet Catholic Academy

Institutional Advancement

The Annual Appeal is the foundation of fundraising to maintain academic achievement within our school. The school community of parents, alumni, faculty/staff, and friends contribute financially to help bridge the gap between the cost to educate a student and the cost of tuition. JCA’s tuition covers only 86% of the actual cost of educating a student. As a faith-based school our mission is to limit tuition increases for all families.

Your contribution helps us make up the difference – but, more importantly, your contribution makes a difference! Join us in keeping Joliet Catholic Academy strong by making your gift to the Annual Appeal today.

YOU are the DIFFERENCE!

Give to the Annual Appeal

Athletics

Each summer, Joliet Catholic Academy welcomes over 1,000 grade school students to the home of the Angels and Hilltoppers! JCA offers different camps to accommodate campers’ individual interests via Athletic, Activity, and Fine Art Camps. Our accomplished teachers and coaches enjoy working with campers so they can have fun, learn something new, and improve their skills. Camps are available to those of all ages, ranging from three-years-old all the way up to incoming freshmen.

Summer Camps | Joliet Catholic Academy (jca-online.org)

The BOUND JCA App

The Official JCA Athletics Android/iPhone App! This is great for everyone; Alumni, Families, Students, and JCA Fans! Download today and sign up for notifications!

Class of 2025 Information

Reminders

Senior Parent Committee Meeting

Date: Thursday, April 22nd

Time: 6:30 pm

Location: Large Chapel

Prom

Date: Thursday, May 1^st

Time: 4:30pm – 2am

Location: JCA/Bolingbrook Golf Club/Dave & Buster’s (Orland Park)

Senior Night

Date: Wednesday, May 14^th

Time: 6pm-9pm

Location: JCA Student Activity Center

Graduation Practice

Date: Thursday, May 15^th

Time: TBD

Location: JCA Student Activity Center

Baccalaureate Mass & Senior Awards

Date: Thursday, May 15^th

Time: 6pm

Location: Cathedral of St. Raymond

Graduation

Date: Sunday, May 18^th

Time: 1pm

Location: JCA Student Activity Center

News & Special Events

Spring Concert

The JCA Spring Music Concert will be held on

Tuesday, April 8th at 9am in the Student Activity Center. It will feature JCA music groups – JCA Band and Handbells. Parents are encouraged to attend this morning concert. If any questions, please contact Ms. Joyce Kelstrom. Please come out and support our music students. Thank you!

Latest Edition of The Victory View

The Victory View is JCA’s Newspaper Club. They meet weekly and try to cover topics that the students are passionate about: whether it be about the school community, local community, nationally, or globally! Their goal is to produce two physical papers a semester. Click below to read the most recent edition!

February 2025 Victory View

Lads & Ladies Tickets

Thank you to everyone who was involved in our 40th Annual Jubilaté: JCAsino Royale! We hit the jackpot and had a memorable, amazing night! A HUGE thank you goes out to the Jubilaté Committee, donors, parents, alumni, faculty and staff, student workers, and everyone who contributed to this fantastic event! Our elegant evening of chance was a success because of each of you. The JCA community is blessed to have your continued support!

Please follow the link below to access our school calendars.

Real time updates are found in our online events calendar.

2024-2025 School Calendars

1200 N. Larkin Avenue

Joliet, IL 60435

P - (815) 741-0500

F - (815) 741-8825