September 2, 2021

Hello JCA Parents,

Welcome to the start of a new school year! My husband Sean and I serve as President of this year’s JCA Parent Association. I have a longstanding connection to JCA, as I was part of the first graduating class in 1991, when St. Francis Academy merged with Joliet Catholic. Our oldest daughter just graduated this past spring, and this year we have daughters in their Senior and Freshman year, as well as a 7th grader who is excited to become an Angel here soon. Perhaps like some of you, even my parents’ pictures can be found in the halls of alumni composites.

Whether this year marks your first with your oldest or your last with your youngest, the start of this next chapter – high school – is filled with excitement and promise…both for students and parents.

Your sons and daughters will repeatedly hear about the “family atmosphere” that resonates throughout all area of the JCA experience. They are now part of a very special family with life-long friendships and bonds – a family that expands from their peers to their teachers and even our proud alumni. But the JCA experience and feeling of family is not exclusive to the students. Parents, too, are an integral part of the JCA fabric. In addition to supporting your child’s academic efforts, being present at their award ceremonies, attending performing art shows, and sporting events are just a few ways to be active in the JCA community. 

Another way to get involved is through volunteering. We found this was a great way to form a connection to the school. The Parent Association is tasked with planning and implementing events and activities throughout the school year. We work with the Administration to ensure the students – and their families – have a positive high school experience at JCA. We learned last year that even if it couldn’t be done as it traditionally had been, due to state guidance was to limit gathering size – we could still find ways to acknowledge students for honor society inductions with gifted t-shirts, organize virtual Pops N Lollies and Lads & Ladies acknowledgements and keep morale boosted with small treats for both students and staff throughout the year. 

As we look toward what hopes to be a more traditional year this year, some of the following events are planned by the Parent Association, and where you may get involved: Homecoming Week Activities, Hospitality at Open Houses, our Springtime Mass and Family Breakfast, Catholic Schools Week and Teacher Appreciation Recognition.

Not only do we want your participation in these activities, but we also often need extra hands to help make these events successful. By getting involved, you can get to know other JCA families. We invite you to share your time and talents with us by volunteering for one of our events. Whether your talent includes decorating, managing concessions, flipping pancakes, tallying results from our Spirit Raffle, or selling a 50/50 ticket at football games…there is a spot for you. The Online Parent Volunteer Form is included below. Please share your time and talents! 

And I promise you, your years here at JCA will be truly enhanced the more you become involved, meet other parents, and become active in the JCA family! Here’s to making it a great year!

Blessings,

Jeanne Leeders
JCA Parent Board President
Parent Volunteer Form
Our school's success is due to many factors. One of the greatest gifts JCA receives is the gift of time that our families donate to us as volunteers. Please complete the following form and think about how you could "give of yourself." We are promising that you will be contacted throughout the school year to fulfill your request. If you need more specific  information about the volunteer opportunities, please contact Chris Voss, Director of Special Events (815-773-0784).
2021-2022 Student Profile

This form must be submitted by September 13, 2021, either electronically, dropped off at school, or through the mail. Students who have not submitted the student profile will not be allowed to attend school beginning Monday, September 13. Families who have already completed a hard copy (blue form) do not need to fill out this form electronically.

In order to complete the electronic signature at the bottom of the Student Profile, the Parent-Student Handbook must be read.

Click Here to view the 2021-2022 JCA Parent-Student Handbook.

AND THEY’RE OFF . . . . . . . . . ,

At Bolingbrook Golf Club in Bolingbrook, Illinois, the 37th running of the Jubilate Derby will fly out of the gate on April 2, 2022. The first leg of the Triple Crown races begins at 6:00 p.m. followed by dinner, dancing, bidding and betting.
 
Our 2022 Jubilate Chair-couples are:
Nicole & Mike Murray
Katie & Ed Michel
 
These winning jockeys will be “Chomping at the Bit” to show you a winning race and raise tons of money for our JCA students.

Treat yourself and be a part of this winning team by joining the Jubilate Committee. “Hands Down” you will have the time of your life making your JCA track appearance!!!!!

Joliet Catholic Academy’s annual Jubilaté is a celebration of the JCA community and the largest annual fundraising event put on by the school, parents, alumni, and friends.
Please contact Trainer Chris Voss with questions (815-773-0784)
Fall Spirit Raffle

$15,000 GRAND PRIZE
$5,000 2nd PRIZE
$2,500 3rd PRIZE
JCA Hilltopper Football - Week 2
September 4, 2021 at Cardinal Ritter, MO
2 p.m. Kickoff

CARDINAL RITTER COLLEGE PREP
701 N. Spring Ave St Louis, MO 63108



There will also be a livestream available and WJOL 1340 AM will be live on the radio.

*Subscribe to the Cardinal Ritter YouTube page and you will receive a notification when the game is set to stream
Fall Sports Senior Parent Night
 
We would like to take an opportunity to recognize our senior football, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls golf, girls tennis, cheerleaders, dance, and band members along with their parents. 
 
A special ceremony will take place on Friday, September 10th at our home football game vs. DeLaSalle High School at Joliet Memorial Stadium. We ask parents to arrive by 6:45 p.m. Announcements will be made over the public address system with directions for lining up. 
 
Please contact Debbie Dispenza in the athletic department 741-0500, ext. 270 or via email [email protected], by Tuesday, September 7th if you would like your name announced any way differently than how it is entered in our computer system (i.e. Bill instead of William). After this date, we will be unable to make changes.
 
We look forward to seeing you and hope this will be a special night for you and your “senior”!
Winter Sports Registration

Registration is open for Winter Sports. To register please see the detailed information below. Any athlete trying out for a winter sport must be completely registered, including payment of the $150.00 athletic fee (if the athlete is cut from the team the $150.00 is refundable) and have an updated sports physical on file by October 31, 2021 or they WILL NOT be allowed to attend tryouts.
2021-2022 School Calendar

The online events calendar on JCA's website has been updated. Events in the calendar are able to be sorted by Month, List, and Day. You are also able to Export Events using the + Export Events button below the calendar. Events will export to your smartphone or Outlook. We have also provided a one page PDF events calendar.

Please note, the official school calendar is subject to change at the discretion of the school.
Back-to-School Night for Parents
 
Thursday, August 26, 2021
Virtual
 
Due to Covid-19, we changed the format of our Parent Back to School Night. This year we will provide a virtual back to school night. Each teacher has created a short video clip introducing themselves, the curriculum their courses will cover, the required textbooks, the best way to get in contact with them, and any other pertinent information for their class. We have included the link to all videos below. Please use your son and/or daughter’s schedule to find the teacher’s last name and course on the list if you would like to watch the video. The videos will be available for one additional week.


Sincerely,
   
Ms. Laura Pahl
Vice Principal of Curriculum and Technology
Joliet Catholic Academy
Phone: (815) 741-0500
200 N. Larkin Ave.
Joliet, IL 60435
jca-online.org
2021-2022 Back to School

JCA is excited to announce The Warning Family Innovation Research Center is in full use to start the 2021-2022 school year, a "soft opening" as small odds and ends are completed before our Grand Opening/Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.

JCA students now have access to state-of-the-art tools only seen in the finest universities. The IRC encompasses the entire second floor northeast section on campus. It includes Virtual Reality labs, interactive walls, movable furniture for introduction and instruction, a robotics lab, and the "powerhouse lab".

The Warning Family Innovation Research Center allows students access to cutting edge programming in AP Computer Science, Engineering, and Graphic Design. Students also have access to charging stations, 3D printers, robotics, drones, and more. This is JCA, "where tradition meets tomorrow."
Dear Joliet Catholic Academy Community:

Quest Food Management Services is excited to announce that the cafeteria will be re-opening this fall and offering all your favorite meal items! We will be opening all the food station for lunch. The Quest Team is back and busy preparing menus that support our fresh, made from scratch, high quality dining program.

Be assured the staff will be following all the CDC guidelines required by the state of Illinois as we fully reopen. At the time of this letter the Illinois State Board of Education has not issued any guidelines related to foodservice this Fall. Continued communication will be forthcoming as it relates to any changes.

Please see all attached documents related to Quest’s Joliet Catholic Academy dining program attached. The highlights with regard to changes this year include:

Mealtime – Online Payment System

Make deposits directly into student meal accounts
Deposits can be made through ACH payment or credit card (can also setup auto replenish)

This cashless system keeps the lunch lines moving

For Easy Access to Menus download the FDMealPlanner App

Please take time to download the app on your smartphone
FDMealPlanner provides the menu – by month, by day and by food station

Go to: https://www.fdmealplanner.com/ to register or for more information watch this video overview: FDMealPlanner Video Overview

You can also find all these links and more information on JCA website under cafeteria tab by visiting: jca-online.org

If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Quest’s District Manager, Jesus Ortega, at [email protected] or Shannon Lauridsen, Food Service Director at [email protected].

Sincerely,

Nick Saccaro
President              
JCA Alumni and Friends Golf Outing

Thursday, September 16, 2021
Cog Hill Golf & Country Club
12294 Archer Ave.
Lemont, IL

Scramble Format
7:30 a.m. Registration
9:00 a.m. Shotgun start on Course #3 and Dubs Dread (depending on participation)
1:30 p.m. Post golf Reception in the Main Clubhouse/Patio
2:00 p.m. BBQ style Buffet Lunch
JCA’s Hall of Champions pays tribute to the boys and girls athletes, coaches and contributors from the three schools that make up JCA: DeLaSalle, JCHS, and SFA. Joliet Catholic Academy has announced its seventh Hall of Champions class, which continues to speak to the depth of tradition and talent on and off the playing fields that the Angels and Hilltoppers have produced over the years.

Congratulations to This year’s honorees: Matt Cimo ’79, Mike Goolsby ’00, Coach Christine Scheibe, and the late Tony Janc. They will be honored at a Mass, Luncheon, and Induction Ceremony on September 17, and at halftime of the varsity football game vs. Providence. 

To view past honorees in the JCA Hall of Champions - Athletics visit >> https://www.jca-online.org/hall-of-champions/
JCA SPIRIT SHOP

Very excited to say the Spirit Shop is now OPEN !! No appointments needed. 
You may stop in the Spirit Shop anytime the students are in session (masks required).

A normal school day schedule would be mostly as follows:

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday - 7:15 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Thursdays -  7:15 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (shortened school day)

We carry your Uniform Polos, Hoodies, Uniform Approved sweatshirts, T-shirts, hat, tumblers and more!!!
Stop in and take a look at all of our new merchandise.

If you have any questions please contact the Spirit Shop anytime. 

Paula Gorski
 
Paula Gorski, Spirit Shop Coordinator
Joliet Catholic Academy
815-741-0500 x231