Dear Parents-
Governor Northam announced on Tuesday, that while most of Virginia will enter Phase Two of the Virginia Forward Plan, Northern Virginia and Richmond will
remain in Phase One.
The Governor is quoted as saying, “We need more time to monitor their health metrics," and he gave no indication as to when Northern Virginia will move to Phase Two. Until then, we limit gatherings to no more than 10, we limit the number of people in places of worship, we wear masks, we keep physical distance, and we follow the Safer at Home guidelines.
We will celebrate the
graduation of our 8th grade students
on Monday, June 8. The graduates and their families gather first for their graduation parade at SJS and then, that evening, families will gather for a live-stream graduation ceremony. The teachers, administration and our friars join with our students wishing things could be different and that we could celebrate together. However, a global pandemic has not stopped the festivities! The class coordinators took pictures of each student proudly holding their “high school” sign and we celebrated the start of this next adventure on Facebook. Additionally, each student got a lawn sign celebrating the SJS Class of 2020, pictures shared to celebrate the event on Facebook. Also, the 8th grade film festival, the culmination of a year-long project, was shared and all students were in attendance to watch great “shorts.” Where did they get their “movie watching kit?” From Mrs. Bilbo! who gathered movie staples like candy and popcorn, for students to enjoy. Not only that, but students will get their yearbooks and a graduation basket of goodies!
Because of the uncertainty, SJS took the financial responsibility off parents, and ordered all the caps and gowns and tassels with the hope students could come together. While the cap and gown may not be something students will wear again, the tassel is a keepsake that each student will get. Each student also created a Memory Book that has been beautifully published as a tribute to our resilient students. These items will be available to graduates on Monday.
Do we love and care about our students? Absolutely yes!
To further celebrate the 8th grade students, Father Tom, Father David and Chef Laura created a Taco Tuesday video, in their next installment of Cooking with the Friars. In this video, Father Tom, Father David and Chef Laura give their “shout out” to our 8th graders and share their memories of their time in elementary school. See the interview here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5jYTpwPcWg&feature=youtu.be
Don’t forget to check out the graduation issue of the Arlington Catholic Herald where we celebrate not only our graduates, but also graduates from around the Diocese!
We also do not want to forget our precious kindergarten students, who will not get to celebrate their graduation in the Church this year. Nevertheless, June 10 is an important day in their lives. We think of you, miss you and pray for you!
Report cards for students in grades 3-8 will be available on PowerSchool on June 10. Report cards for students in grades K-2 will be mailed home on June 10.
We have not yet scheduled a date/time for school materials to be returned and students to pick up belongings left behind in March. However,
*Please Read:*
Before you head off for the summer,
please
bag up any materials, library books, and textbooks that you have at home that
need to be returned to SJS
. Each child should put his or her materials, library books, and textbooks into a bag, seal up the bag, write YOUR NAME, grade and teacher on the bag. Do this NOW, so you don’t lose anything. Each child needs his or her OWN BAG, so that materials can be accurately inventoried and returned to the proper classroom.
Dates and logistics for dropping off textbooks will be announced when available, but this will not happen until Phase Two.
Teachers will hold classes/office hours until June 10. Please encourage your children to finish strong and continue working until June 10. What we do now will help make the transition back to school in the fall a bit easier. Summer reading and math assignments are available on the school website. Students will complete math assignments on IXL.
We are all stressed by the global pandemic that has killed more than 107,000 Americans. We feel the pain of injustice that we watched on our city streets this week. Please take care of yourselves. You are in the prayers of the administration, faculty and staff of our great school.
As always, if you have any questions, or if I can be of any assistance, please let me know.
Welcome one another...as Christ welcomed you!
(Rom 15:7)
Denise Rutledge
Principal- St. Joseph Catholic School
