• January 16 - 26: STAR Testing
• January 28: Open House (10:30 am - 1 pm)
• January 28 - February 3rd: Catholic Schools Week
• January 30th: All School Mass at 10:45 am
• February 2nd: Lunch on the Lawn at 11 am
• February 2nd: 12:30 pm dismissal

Dear families,

I hope this newsletter finds you well and filled with the grace of the Lord. As we continue to strengthen our sense of community and spiritual growth at Saints Simon & Jude Catholic School, I am reaching out to you with an invitation to become actively involved in our family Mass on January 28th (9:30 am). This is the Sunday of our Open House and we are hoping to fill the church with our students and families. 

Opportunities for Volunteering:

• Altar Servers: Students who are interested in serving during Mass are encouraged to join as altar servers.

• Readers: Parents, teachers, or students who would like to proclaim the Word of God during Mass are invited to become readers.

• Gifts: We need a family to bring up the gifts. 

• Ushers and Greeters: Welcome fellow parishioners and guests as they enter the church, and assist with seating and collections.

If you feel called to contribute your time and talents, please fill out the volunteer form below. We welcome volunteers of all ages and backgrounds.

I want to express my gratitude in advance to all those who choose to volunteer. Your commitment to our school's spiritual growth is truly commendable, and your contributions make a significant difference in the lives of our students and the entire Saints Simon & Jude Catholic School community. Additionally, all students who attend Mass in their Mass uniforms, will be given a relaxed dress day on Monday, January 29th. 

Open House is a time for students to showcase their hard work! It is also a time for us to brag about our welcoming and supportive community. If you have friends, family, or neighbors who are interested in learning more about our school, invite them to join you! On the many tours that we give, the number one reason a family has shown up at our school is due to word of mouth. So, thank you for continuing to trust us with your children and sing our praises in the community. Your dedication has not gone unnoticed!

May the Lord bless you abundantly for your willingness to serve.

In Faith and Fellowship,



Mrs. Grant

Are you interested in volunteering for the Open House Mass on Sunday, January 28th at 9:30 am? Please click the button to sign up!

Book fair is coming! Students have been sent home, this week, with information regarding creating digital wallets. Books can also be purchased with cash and card.

Our Book Fair hours:

• Sunday, January 28th - 10:30 am to 1 pm
• Monday - Wednesday - 7:30 am to 7:45 am, recess and lunch, and 3:00 pm to 3:30 pm

Have questions? Please contact our librarian, Miss Bergstrom!

LiveSchool is the behavioral tracking app for 3rd through 8th Grade. Students will be able to "purchase" things in the store on specific dates. Please contact Coach Matt (mbutterbrodt@ssjschool.org) for more information.

LiveSchool Store - students who have enough points can redeem them for snacks, candy, and miscellaneous toys/prizes. If you would like to donate to the Liveschool store please reach out mbutterbrodt@ssjschool.org.

Auction Item Highlights  

Showcasing two special items available only at the event:

• Live Auction Item: Reserved Parking Spot! Imagine the pure bliss of arriving at a parking space dedicated to YOU -- Monday through Friday from 7:30am until 3:30pm! Additionally, this spot will be saved for you during designated special school events (Christmas Program, Open House, Back to School Night, etc). Until the next SSJ Auction, this spot belongs to you and your family! Look for this item and others during Live Auction bidding. 

• Silent Auction Item: Principal for the Day! Wearing Principal attire, one lucky student will give Mrs. Grant the day off, and become the Top Dolphin on this special day! Beginning with a morning faculty meeting and snack, this day will unfold with tons of fun Principal duties! Other opportunities will exist as well, such as Vice Principal, Teacher, P.E. Coach, or Librarian for the Day. Look for these items and others during Silent Auction bidding.

Blessings,

Amparo Burke and Alissa Cano – 2024 Auction Chairs

Your 2024 Auction Team | auction@SSJ.org

Lights, Camera… Auction! -

March 16, 2024 Harborside Grand Ballroom, Newport Beach

SSJ is excited to be a part of the Annual Kids Run the OC Training Program, hosted by The OC Marathon Foundation.  The training program involves over 150 elementary schools throughout Orange County.  For SSJ students who would like to participate, training practices will be on Tuesdays from 3:15-4:15 beginning on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024 through Tuesday,  April 30th (excluding Easter break).

The Kids Run the OC Training Program was designed to help pre-adolescent kids become more physically fit, promote an active and healthy lifestyle and combat the onset of childhood obesity, all while having fun!  This is accomplished through various games, which help improve speed, agility, hand/eye coordination, flexibility and a child’s overall fitness.  Students from each participating school will be led through our popular and fun 10-week training program at their school by Coach Karen and Mrs. Castelblanco, who have been trained by the OC Marathon Foundation.  By the end of the 10-week program each student will have accumulated the equivalent of 25.2 miles through various games and activities and hopefully have increased knowledge regarding healthy food choices and good eating habits.  They will finish their “marathon” by participating in the Kids Run the OC Marathon 1-mile Run on May 4, 2024 at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, CA.  This culminating event is a non-competitive run for kids ages 5-14.

The 10-week training program at SSJ is free to all participants, however, to participate in the 1-mile Run on May 4, 2024, you must register with the OC Marathon and the registration fee is $29.00 (plus $2.45 online sign-up fee) per participant.  Each registered participant will receive the following:

1 entry into the Kids Run the OC 1-mile Run on Saturday, May 4, 2024.

Official Kids Run the OC T-shirt.

Official Kids Run the OC Timed Race Result.

Kids Run the OC Finisher’s Medal.

Official Kids Run the OC printed certificate upon completion of their personal marathon.

Flyers and more information will go home with students in grades K-5th this week. A parent info night will be held Thursday, Feb. 8th at 6:30p.m. in room 3B. If you have any further questions or cannot make the info night and would like to sign-up your student(s), please contact Mrs. Castelblanco at kcastelblanco@ssjschool.org or Coach Karen at kfoster@ssjschool.org.

LET’S INSPIRE KIDS TO FITNESS

Make sure to follow our School Google Calendar!

See what's happening on our social sites: