Dear Parents / Guardians,
I’d like to start by wishing all of our families in the JCA community a Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year. It is our hope that you will have time to relax and spend time with family and friends. It’s hard at times to put aside the commercialism of this holiday and reflect on the actual “reason for the season”. With the presence of Advent and the birth of Jesus, we are called to prepare and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.
Our first semester of school is just about over, and semester exams are almost upon us. All in all, the first semester went very well. As a reminder, the second quarter ends on December 15th with midterm exams to follow on the 18th, 19th, and 20th. Our Christmas Break lasts from December 22nd to January 7th. Please remember that on Monday, January 8th we will be on a 12:00 dismissal schedule.
We’ve had a very exciting first semester capped with a VERY promising incoming freshmen placement exam. The future at JCA looks very bright! It seems that the school is constantly a-buzz as we feel that all of our students have taken ownership of their school. I am so proud of our students’ school spirit, unity, service, and quest for excellence in and out of the classroom. We’ve just completed a successful fall athletic season with multiple State runs and have had many successes with our academic clubs, activities, and service groups as well. Our students continue to amaze whether it’s in the theatre, in the gym, on the field, at our community organizations, or within their own communities and parishes.
We look once again for continued success as we enter the new year. 2024 will see JCA embracing their new Strategic Plan, which includes a major upgrade to the outdoor facilities on campus. We hope that you will join us as we continue to create and foster the best opportunities for our students and our community.
We hope that the second semester brings just as much energy, optimism, excitement, and hard work as our first semester!
May the Lord bring you Peace this Christmas Season!
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Semester Exam Schedule
Monday, December 18
Period A (1) Classes: 7:50 a.m. – 8:50 a.m.
Period B (2) Classes: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Period C (3) Classes: 10:10 a.m. – 11:10 a.m.
Announcements: 11:10 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Dismissal: 11:15 a.m.
Tuesday, December 19
Period D/E (4/5) Classes: 7:50 a.m. – 8:50 a.m.
Period F (6) Classes: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Announcements: 10:00 a.m. – 10:05 a.m.
Dismissal: 10:05 a.m.
Makeup Exams: 10:10 a.m. – 11:10 a.m.
Wednesday, December 20
Period G (7) Classes: 7:50 a.m. – 8:50 a.m.
Announcements: 8:50 a.m.
Period H (8) Classes: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Dismissal: 10:00 a.m.
Makeup Exams: 10:05 a.m. – 11:05 a.m.
Thursday, December 21
Makeup Exams: 7:50 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
No exams will begin after 9:00 a.m.
Semester Exam Bus Schedule
Monday, December 18
Buses scheduled to depart JCA at 11:25 a.m.
Tuesday, December 19
Buses scheduled to depart JCA at 10:15 a.m.
Wednesday, December 20
Buses scheduled to depart JCA at 10:15 a.m.
Thursday, December 21
Bus service is not available. Transportation for makeup exams, if applicable, is the student’s responsibility.
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Tuition Reminder
As this school year is reaching the halfway point, it is time to take a look at your Tuition Account. At this time, your Tuition Account should be current, with half of your 23/24 tuition costs paid and school fees paid in full. If you are past due on your tuition, your students’ finals will not be graded, their grades will be incomplete, and your students may not return to school in January 2024 after Christmas Break. Please refer to the Joliet Catholic Academy Handbook re: Tuition policies. You can find the handbook on our school website.
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Exam Day Information
Exam Day Dress Code is Spirit Wear. Students may wear JCA spirit wear or their regular uniforms. Students out of uniform will be issued detentions.
Spirit Day Dress Code
Students may participate in the relaxed dress code, which is “Spirit Day” dress code, when it is announced as such in advance. If a student chooses to participate, they must follow acceptable attire as described. If a student cannot follow this code as it is described or chooses not to participate, they must remain in the regular dress code. Those students who come to school inappropriately dressed will be sent home until acceptable adjustments are made.
- JCA apparel must be represented in the student’s top (shirt, jersey, warm-up top, and sweatshirt).
- Bottoms may be slacks, jeans, sweatpants, shorts (6-inch inseam or greater).
- Boxer or pajama-style shorts and pants are not allowed, whether they contain a JCA logo or not.
The following clothing is not acceptable on regular dress code days, dress-up days, or Spirit Days:
- Cargo pants/shorts
- torn, cut-off jeans, shorts, or pants
- stretch or stirrup pants
- tank tops, bare midriffs
- low-cut or backless apparel
- shorts that are inappropriately short in length
- flip flops, backless shoes
- any clothing that is excessively/inappropriately tight fitting
Exam Day Attendance - call the attendance line 815.741.0585 to report your student absent. Regular attendance policies will apply.
Student must schedule make-up exams with their individual teachers. Make-up exam can be scheduled on Tuesday - Thursday or after Christmas Break.
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JCA will be offering an official SAT and ACT during the school day for our Juniors this spring. Our In-District SAT and ACT will yield official scores that can be used for college applications and college scholarship purposes. Registration for these exams will take place through JCA. In January, you will receive an email with more details and the registration process for both exams. Listed below are the dates JCA will offer the In-Distrct exams.
SAT – March 26, 2024
ACT- April 23, 2024
If you choose to register your student for an additional SAT or ACT, you can do so by using the links below and signing up for a national test date. Please note, that you will not see JCA listed as a test site because JCA will not be hosting a national test date, however, your student can pick another test site to take a national SAT or ACT.
As always, please do not hesitate to contact your student’s counselor should you have any questions.
Merry Christmas!
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Spirit Shop hours for this week and next:
Week of 12/11: Monday, Wednesday,
Friday - 7:30am - 3:00pm
Week of 12/18: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
7:30am - 11:00am
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Year-end charitable giving can positively impact your tax situation, your overall estate plan, and our community by supporting students at Joliet Catholic Academy.
If you are considering a gift to support current Angels and Hilltoppers, here are some tips from Ryan Quigley, Director of Institutional Advancement at JCA:
1. Support JCA’s Annual Appeal. The Annual Appeal is the foundation of fundraising to maintain academic achievement within our school. Financial contributions help bridge the 14% gap between the cost of educating a student and the cost of tuition. As a faith-based school, our mission is to limit tuition increases for all families. Donors can designate specific funds like tuition assistance, the school’s greatest need, or their specific interest. Checks should be dated and postmarked no later than Dec. 31, 2023. JCA also offers the Annual Appeal online at https://www.jca-online.org/annual-appeal.
2. Invest through Illinois’ Tax Credit Scholarship Program. At JCA, we believe all kids should have access to their best-fit school. Your support helps future generations of Angels and Hilltoppers to continue to make an impact.” This year, nearly $6 million has been raised for Diocese of Joliet students through the Invest in Kids Act. Donate before Dec. 11, so your contribution counts for this tax year. Even though the program was not renewed, donors can carry over the tax credit for five years.
3. Planned Giving. The vast majority of wealth for most people is in their asset base, including homes, retirement accounts, and life insurance, as opposed to their income stream. Giving from one’s non-cash asset base generally offers greater tax advantages than donating cash. The simplest way to donate from your asset base is through a bequest in your will or trust.
Contact the JCA Office of Institutional Advancement at rquigley@jca-online.org or (815) 741-0563 for more information about the benefits of supporting JCA.
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A flurry of fun and skill development for grade schoolers! This month, we invite dancers, cheerleaders, baseball and softball enthusiasts to join us for action-packed days of winter sports excitement.
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All JCA Juniors and Seniors are invited to attend the Christmas Dance |
Students may bring one guest from another school; however, they must submit a guest form to Mrs. Pullara by Thursday, Dec. 14th. Guest forms can be picked up in the Counseling Department from Mrs. Pullara. This form must be signed by the Dean of Students from the guest’s high school. Formal attire, buffet dinner will be served. Raffle tickets available for purchase. $1 per ticket or 6 tickets for $5. Cash only for raffle tickets. Students on disciplinary or attendance probation are not allowed to attend JCA dances. Ticket sales close on 12/14. |
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The next Parent Pride will be in February.
Have a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year!
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1200 N. Larkin Avenue
Joliet, IL 60435
P - (815) 741-0500
F - (815) 741-8825
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