June 7, 2024

Early Dismissals

Monday, June 10: 8th grade graduation 7:00PM,

11:30 dismissal (Extended Day open until 6:00pm)

Tuesday, June 11: 11:30 dismissal (Extended Day open until 6:00pm)

Wednesday, June 12: Last day of school,

11:30 dismissal (NO AFTERNOON EXTENDED DAY)

School Supplies

Parents, it's time to buy your 1st Day School Supplies. I know it seems early, but before you know it, summer will be here. It's important you order your supplies before it's too late or supplies run out. Start the school year with the exact supplies your teacher requested, and give your child the confidence they need to conquer next year! Get them today before it's too late!

Using the 1st Day School supply kit service is completely optional, convenient service!

Order kits by July 1, 2024!

Kits (including any donated kits purchased) will be mailed directly to your home!

Not interested in the kit? Use these lists to shop yourself. These are the teacher-approved Supply Lists for 2024-2025 school year. Click on your child's grade list and print.

Questions? Contact pto@sjschoolva.org

Purchase School Supply Kits HERE

Medication Pick Up

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Please schedule a time to pick up your child's medication (emergency and or over-the counter medication or items). Please indicate on the sign up genius if you are picking up a controlled medication that requires the nurse to be present at pick up.

If you are unable to pick up the medication as you have scheduled, please reschedule and/or notify the front office for an alternative pick up time. Per policy, we are not supposed to keep any medication in the school clinic over the summer break. When your child’s medication is not picked up the burden is on the nurse and front office to discard your child’s medication and if it is an emergency medication such as an Epipen, the nurse has to take time to find a location that will accept the emergency medication; which is usually a long drive from SJS; so, please be mindful and aware of this situation and plan to pick up your child’s medication on time.

If your child has prescribed pills in the clinic, the remainder amount will be counted prior to pick up and your signature will be required to confirm the count.

In addition to your child's medication, the necessary medication forms for the next school year are included in the zip lock bag with your child’s medication at pick up. Please take a look at these forms and plan to take them with you to your child's pediatrician so that they are completed and signed for the next school year. Please remember to complete and sign your section of the forms prior to giving them to your child's doctor to complete and sign their sections. Any forms not properly completed & signed is considered incomplete and will be returned to you for completion. A new set of the necessary medication forms are required every school year.

At the beginning of the school year, ALL medication should be dropped off at the front office WITH THE APPROPRIATE PAPERWORK. Please do not send your child to school with their medication in their back pack

***Please note that ALL health and medication authorization forms can be printed from the nurses’ page on the school website: Click HERE.

Sincerely,

Ms. Ezenwa

a.ezenwa@sjschoolva.org

703-880-4318

Schedule Time for Pick Up

Nurse's Corner

Video on tips to keep your child safe this summer

For more safety tips, click HERE.

A few reminders and end of school checklist from the nurse to parents/guardians:

Arrange for medication pick up, look out for the sign up genius and schedule a time that works for you. New medication forms will be included in the ziplock bag containing your child's medication when you pick their medicine up. Forms can be found on the nurses' page as well.

Schedule your child's pediatrician appointment over the summer break if applicable for the following: required 7th grade immunizations and/or completion of the VA commonwealth school health entrance forms as applicable to your child.

Any Kindergarten immunization/health forms that are missing for any new sibling starting next year. Please note that the physical examination must be completed by a qualified licensed physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant, and must be completed within 12 months prior to the date your child first enters public kindergarten or elementary school.

Reach out to your child's healthcare practitioner over the summer for the completion of emergency care forms and action plan forms for Epipens, Inhalers and emergency seizure medications (new emergency medication forms and medication authorization forms are required annually for all students with any medication that will be kept and administered in the school clinic). Please be aware that these forms have to be completed prior to the start of school as confirmation that your child's medication and any update to their medication have been reviewed by their healthcare practitioner for the next school year.

Reminder: If your child suffers from seasonal allergies, remember to start them on their seasonal allergy medication if you are yet to do so. Unfortunately, the pollen count this year has been higher than usual and the effects have been more aggressive than usual.

Remind your child to wash their hands and face after being outside to help reduce the effects of the pollen on their system and to take a bath and change their clothing before going to bed. This way the pollen is not on their beddings thereby worsening their symptoms through the night.

Please read the VDH chart for a comparison of symptoms of respiratory illness and seasonal allergies.

Click HERE to read more about allergies from the allergy network.

What are allergies?

Allergies occur when your immune system reacts to an “allergen” — a usually-harmless foreign substance such as dust, pollen, pet dander, or food. Your immune system responds to these allergens by trying to fight them off like a germ or virus, which causes physical symptoms such as sneezing, itching, hives, shortness of breath, and more. These physical symptoms can range from mild symptoms like sneezing or itching to anaphylaxis, a severe, life-threatening reaction.

Library Books

Diocesan Jubilee Fest

You won't want to miss this official celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington!

Come out to this diocesan party — Jubilee Fest — on Saturday, June 8 in Front Royal, Virginia to enjoy festival fare and fun with activities and free entertainment for all ages.

The festival will begin with giving thanks to God in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, celebrated by Bishop Michael Burbidge, preceded by a beautiful Marian Procession. Following Mass, enjoy live music by Jervis Campbell and Scythian, visit local vendor tables, a petting zoo, amusement rides for kids, and more! Stay for an awesome fireworks show to conclude the evening.

Registration is free but required to receive a complimentary meal!

Learn more and register today: arlingtondiocese.org/jubilee-fest

Welcome Saints Ambassadors Needed!

Consider extending a warm SJS welcome to the newest families joining our community in the 2024-25 school year. This important aspect of the on-boarding process relies on current SJS families to serve as Family Ambassadors, and show the new families "the ropes". By focusing on creating a welcoming atmosphere, we can make sure our school is one where new families feel comfortable and want to be involved.

Serving as a Welcome Saints Family Ambassador is simple: reach out with an introductory email or phone call, and be willing to anticipate and answer those questions we all had as new families. The time involved is minimal, but the impact is immense.

Who should participate?

Whether this is your first year at SJS or you are a veteran Saints family, consider being a Welcome Saints Family Ambassador. You do not need to know all the answers to their questions; just sharing your own positive experiences, tips, and tricks can make all the difference to a new family.

Please contact Karen Brady at welcomesaints@sjschoolva.org

Saints Spirit Camp

Saints Spirit Camp for rising 1st-8th graders!

When? June 24-28 from 9:00 am-12:00 pm

Where? SJS Gym

Cost? $250.00

The Saints Spirit Camp welcomes all rising 1st-8th Grade SJS students. This program is a great way to learn cheerleading basics, improve current skills such as stunting and tumbling, meet new and current team members, and have fun! No experience is necessary.

Click HERE to register!

Volunteer Corner

St. Joseph Catholic School will implement a 12-hour family service requirement, effective with the 2023-2024 school year. All families are encouraged to participate, and many opportunities exist to volunteer time, talent, or treasure, including class field trips, parties or other classroom help, cafeteria, recess and hands-on activities such as art or outdoor classroom activities. The PTO also has numerous opportunities such as the auction, Donut Sundays, etc. All volunteers must be compliant through the Child Protection Program if they will have substantial contact with students. Families that do not participate in the service program will be charged a $120.00 fee, or partial fee of $10 per hour for hours not volunteered.

Log Volunteer Hours Here