October 2023 Parent Pride Newsletter |
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Dear Parents and Guardians,
I can’t believe how fast our year is going. Cooler weather has arrived, and we are already at the end of the first quarter (Friday, October 13th). Our children are entrenched in their studies and much (over 80%) of our student population is involved in something extracurricular. Since all of our students are encouraged to get involved outside the classroom, this is good news to hear. Colleges and universities now stress the importance of what is done above and beyond the classroom. Even though ACT scores and classroom grades are important, so is volunteer work, leadership roles in clubs, and the time a student puts forth making a mark for their school and themselves in their four years.
October is a busy month. As we already have Homecoming in the rear-view mirror, we are still celebrating Heritage Month. It is because of the work of the Carmelites and Franciscans that our school is what it is today! We follow the charisms of both groups that speak to: PRAYER, COMMUNITY, MINISTRY, GOSPEL VALUES, HOSPITALITY, SERVICE, and CHARITY. As a school, we try to embrace and teach these values as we know our students learn them from our families also.
Our Spirit Raffle comes to a close on Wednesday, October 18th with our drawing on the 20th. With this I’d like to truly say THANK YOU for helping our school with this fundraiser. It seems that many fundraisers run throughout the year, but this school-wide fundraiser is most important for JCA’s success. Good luck to all!
In these early months of school, I hope that your children are happy and thriving in and out of the classroom. I hope that you are getting involved and are experiencing all the good things that JCA has to offer. Finally, I hope you have witnessed the essence of all that is Carmelite…all that is Franciscan… and all that is Jesus Christ at JCA.
Blessings,
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Associate Principal's Office |
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Parent-Teacher Conferences
Thursday, October 26th
2:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Teachers and counselors will be available for parents and guardians to meet and discuss their student’s academic progress. Conferences will be held in the teachers’ classrooms, counselors’ offices, and the IRC. Appointments are not required. Parents and guardians will be seen on a first come, first served basis. Parents and guardians should enter the school through the main office facing Larkin Avenue. Student schedules, a list of faculty and staff locations, and a map of the school will be emailed to parents and guardians prior to conferences. Parents and guardians with concerns about their student’s academic progress are highly encouraged to attend. If you are unable to attend, please feel free to contact your student’s teachers and/or counselor via e-mail or call 815.741.0500.
Excel Driving School
Did you know Excel Driving School offers driver’s education to JCA students at the school? For more information, visit https://exceldrivingschool.com/ or call 630-983-9235.
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I injured my leg, do I need to wear my uniform to school?
No, bring your doctor's note to the Dean's Office, you will get a pass to keep in your planner. The pass will allow you to be in Spirit Wear and leave class with a buddy a little early to avoid hallway congestion.
What is a Spirit Day and what do I wear?
Spirit Days are school days (usually Fridays) that students can dress in JCA spirit wear. Students may wear a JCA shirt, JCA sweatshirt with jeans, shorts, or sweatpants. They also can wear gym shoes.
What CAN'T I wear on a Spirit Day?
JCA apparel must be represented in the student’s top (shirt, jersey, warm-up top, and sweatshirt). Pajama-style shorts and pants are not allowed, whether they contain a JCA logo or not. You cannot wear flip flops, sandals, or backless shoes. Crocs MUST have the back strap.
Some of my classrooms are cold, can I wear a hoodie, sweater or my coat?
No, you may not wear a sweater or coat in class. Hoodies may be worn on Spirit Days not on a regular dress code day. The Spirit Shop has a lot of WARM school uniform approved sweatshirts and 3/4 zips.
I have gym class first period and forgot my uniform shirt what should I do?
Come to the Dean's Office, if you don't have part of your uniform or need to change. We have clean shirts, pants and spirit wear in all sizes you can borrow and bring back washed. If we don't have your size, you can call home and have someone drop off your uniform.
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October/November Advisory Topics
Seniors: Paying for College/Scholarship Search and Updating College Decisions/Career Focus Lessons
Juniors: Test Prep Plan and Strategies/What do you know about College?
Sophomores: Career Exploration/Student Paths and Review of Pre-ACT Data
Freshmen: Good Decision Making - Social Media/Social Emotional Topic
Counselor Roles
Mr. Mickey Palmasani – 9th and 10th Grade (A – K)
Mrs. Kris Horn – 9th and 10th Grade (L – Z)
Mrs. Kerri Voltz – 11th and 12th Grade (A - K)
Mrs. Jackie Pullara – 11th and 12th Grade (L - Z)
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Don’t Miss Out!
Naviance Parent Workshop 11/8
at 6:00pm (IRC)
Looking ahead:
FAFSA opens December 1.
JJC College Fair – Coming soon… October 18, 2023
100+ Colleges will be in attendance
Follow the Counseling Department on Social Media:
Twitter: @jcacounseling
Instagram: jca.counseling (JCA Counseling Department)
Facebook: Joliet Catholic Academy Counseling Department
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Joliet Catholic Academy was founded in 1990 through the combining of Joliet Catholic High School and St. Francis Academy. Because of that unique history, each year during the month of October, JCA celebrates Heritage Month by honoring the traditions of the two Catholic orders from those two schools: the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate and the Carmelites of the Midwest province of the most Pure Heart of Mary.
This year, the school is concentrating on Gathering, Serving and Praying, and how to live those values throughout the students’ lives. These charisms are woven into the education within the school, and JCA reserves October to take a closer look at each one. Gathering as a Catholic community and adding prayer and service to the lives of the students leads to increased happiness and peace. Through this Catholic education, we hope the students will begin to cherish these values in their own lives, growing into confident Christians who make the world a better place.
At Joliet Catholic Academy, faith is integrated into everything. Prayer is the connecting force for Catholics as we work to bring Christ’s love in our world. At JCA prayer begins the school day, opens every class period, deepens in knowledge in our theology classes, and precedes every sporting and extracurricular event. Our students understand Christ’s influence in their lives and grow through that knowledge.
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The Spirit Shop will be getting some new items in the shop soon. Keep an eye out on the JCA Spirit Shop Facebook page. Pictures will be posted as they arrive. Spirit Shop hours are as follows for the 2023/2024 school year.
Monday, Wednesday, Friday - 7:30am - 3:00pm
*when school/classes are in session*
***Spirit Shop will be closed the following days/times***
October 30th - 11:30am - 3:00pm
November 3rd - 7:30am - 11:30am
November 6th - 11:30am - 3:00pm
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Joliet Catholic Academy athletics winter online registration is open for all levels of winter sports. Registration (including having a current sports physical on file – a sports physical is current for 13 months per the IHSA) needs to be completed before the first day of winter tryouts, or the athlete will not be able to try out.
Reminder that registration is required online each sport season. If you registered your athlete online for a fall sport, and they are trying out for a winter sport, you must register online again for the winter sport.
For more information on tryouts or to register:
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“Let the Adventure Begin” – Jubilate will be celebrating its 39th Year on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at Bolingbrook Golf Club. Please mark your calendars, gather your friends, and get ready to “Fly Away With JCA.” Your “Passport to Fun” will open the door for you to enjoy live & silent auctions, raffles, dinner, dancing and visiting different countries. Jubilate’s Co-chair couples, Nicole & Mike Murray and Tracy & Brian Zabel will be your tour guides to fun-filled adventures. Jennifer & Bryan Buss and Michele & Kurt Christensen will open the door for you to explore different countries and cities as they transform the surroundings of Bolingbrook Golf Club with their creativity and style. So “Pack Your Bags” and “Book Your Flights” for March 23, 2024. Your “Adventure Awaits” at Jubilate. Please contact Christine Voss, JCA Booking Agent, with questions and reservations: cvoss@jca-online.org.
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**Per the State of Illinois and JCA policy, students whose medical records are not in compliance will be excluded from school and all school activities, including athletics, starting October 15 and will remain excluded until ALL health records are compliant. There are many students with outstanding required medical records that will be subject to exclusion on October 15. Multiple notifications (letters, emails and telephone calls), have been completed. Please submit your students’ required health records ASAP. The requirements are as follows for Freshman and Seniors!**
Ready or not, sick season is here! The Health Office has seen so many students going home sick and wants to remind everyone of the illness protocols for JCA. If a student has a fever, diarrhea or vomiting, he/she cannot return to school until he/she is symptom free for a full 24 hours without the use of any medications.
Influenza – stay home until you are symptom free for 24 hours without the use of medications. Now, having said this, sometimes you have a lingering cough or respiratory issues that hang around for a while, but you may come to school as long as your major/acute symptoms have subsided. Treatment for the mild flu is rest, fluids and Motrin/ Tylenol for body aches and fever. Your physician may prescribe an antiviral (Tamiflu) if caught early enough or a steroid if respiratory issues are severe. If symptoms are severe or worsen, please see your physician asap.
Rotavirus/Norovirus (also known as the stomach bug)- If you are vomiting or diarrhea, please stay home until you are a full 24 hours free from both symptoms. This one can be a fast spreader so please don’t come back until 24 hours symptom free. Treatment for this is usually rest and electrolyte fluids and the BRAT (bananas, rice applesauce, toast) diet until better.
Strep Throat – Strep is a bacterial infection and needs to be treated with an antibiotic. If you are positive for strep throat, you may return to school 24 hours after starting your antibiotic. Please do not let Strep go untreated. It can lead to more serious health issues.
Hand, Foot, and Mouth (HFM)- It is a virus that becomes a skin rash that is usually seen on the soles of the feet and the palms of the hands and inside the mouth. it resembles small red dots (almost chicken pox like). HFM is extremely contagious for the first week, so please get clearance from your physician before returning to work/school.
Covid- IDPH has not changed their guidelines, so a positive test means stay home for 5 days from either the start of your symptoms or your positive test (whichever comes first). Once the 5 days are up, if you are still positive, then you must wear a mask to school until you are either negative or 5 days (whichever comes first). Treatment for mild covid is Motrin/Tylenol for fever or body aches. If symptoms are severe or worsen, please see your physician asap.
If you are exposed to anyone with the above illnesses, just keep an eye on yourself and symptoms. You do not need to immediately stay home because someone you know has the flu or covid or stomach bug.
In cases of illness or necessary absence, the following procedure is to be followed:
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Phone call: Parents/Guardians must call the Dean’s Office at (815) 741-0585 between 7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. to report a necessary absence on each day of the period of absence.
- JCA Health Office will contact parent/ guardian when appropriate.
- The Dean’s Office will call a parent if no call is received. If no contact is made after one attempt by the Dean’s Office, the absence may be considered a truancy at the discretion of the Dean. A parental phone call only verifies an absence; it does not excuse it.
- If a student is absent for 3 consecutive days without parent contact, proper officials/ law enforcement will be contacted for a family wellness check.
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1200 N. Larkin Avenue
Joliet, IL 60435
P - (815) 741-0500
F - (815) 741-8825
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