October 9, 2019
A Message From The President
Mr. Freund

Dear SJCA Families,

The end of the quarter is fast approaching. For our middle school students, this means quarterly grades and report cards. For our high school students, this marks the halfway point for the first semester. Please help your students stay on track academically by reviewing their grades in PowerSchool and discussing their progress with them.

Every family has access to PowerSchool, our student information system. If you have not yet set up your family PowerSchool account, now is a great time do so. If you cannot access PowerSchool or need help setting up an account, please contact Director of Technology Bill Bernhardt at [email protected] for assistance.

If your student’s school performance is not as strong as you had hoped, there is still plenty of time to mitigate a slow start to the school year. Here are some strategies to implement to increase student success:
  • Make sure that all assigned homework is completed on time. One of the biggest reason for poor grades is students’ failure to complete and turn in their homework. PowerSchool can help you monitor your student’s work. 
  • Encourage your student to talk to his or her teachers. Our dedicated teachers are usually available before and after school to meet with students. While parents are always welcome to reach out to the faculty and staff, teaching students to advocate for themselves is an important skill for them to learn.
  • Set aside scheduled time for studying, even if your student does not have homework. For some students, reviewing notes or rereading material will reinforce what is being taught in the classroom.
  • Utilize the academic support that is available at school, particularly the Math Lab which is available after school and during study halls.

Our faculty, staff and counselors are here to help your students learn, grow and become their best selves. Please do not hesitate to contact them if you need assistance.

Best regards,
Bob Freund
Middle School News
Mr. Rizzo
Dear Middle School families:
 
Last week, our 6th grade students enjoyed their morning at Feed My Starving Children in Libertyville, IL.  During our morning time of service, our students were able to hand pack MannaPack meals which will be sent to countries all over the world to assist in reversing and preventing malnutrition. Our 6th and 11th grade SJCA students helped pack 211 boxes that totaled 45,576 meals, which will feed 124 children for one full year!  This is outstanding work by our students!  

ACT Aspire - Interims
Our middle school students demonstrated great focus on Monday and Tuesday of this week while taking their ACT Aspire Interim assessments. Our students were tested in Science, English Language Arts, Reading and Math over the course of two days. 
   
The valuable data we gain from these assessments allows SJCA teachers to make evidence-based decisions when addressing your student’s strengths, areas for improvement, and growth potential. By administering these assessments, this not only allows for SJCA to gain a better understanding of your student’s likely readiness for the future, but it also can give you an early indication of your student’s likely readiness for the future, providing time to address areas where improvement is needed. Measuring academic growth is necessary to keep your student on track for college and career readiness. Our next ACT Aspire Interim assessment schedule will be in early February. 

Prayer for Students
Christ our Teacher,
You dwell deep within each of our students:
In those who struggle academically, and in those who excel;
In those who seek attention by acting out, and in those who remain silent and try to hide from notice;
In those surrounded by friends, and in those feeling lonely;
Give us the grace to know your presence in each of them and to respond to their needs as you would to ours.
- Amen

God Bless,
Mr. Rizzo
Every Kid, Every Day!

Lower Campus News
Mrs. Santarelli
Dear SJCA Parents,

St. Joseph Catholic Academy is a unique and special place, an authentically Catholic community that loves, values and respects all. This year marks my 10th anniversary as the elementary principal at St. Joseph Catholic Academy. In my 21 years in education, my experience includes being a middle school mathematics teacher, district math resource teacher, assistant high school principal, and elementary principal. A Catholic elementary principal wears many hats. Technically, I am responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Lower Campus, including everything from instructional leadership to student behavior plans, from personnel oversight to faith formation. However, in reality, on any given day, I may be conducting a professional development session for our faculty, monitoring morning drop off, analyzing the data of our most recent standardized tests, or mopping up an overflowing sink in the first-floor bathroom. As we continue on into the school year, thank you for trusting that each and every decision is student-centered and has the whole child at the forefront of what we do and also for recognizing that SJCA truly is a unique and very special place.

We are approaching the end of the first quarter and our Parent-Teacher Conferences are scheduled in the next few weeks. Thank you in advance for being our partners on this educational journey.  Working together, I know that we can build the kind of inclusive environment that welcomes others, embraces everyone, spreads kindness and radiates goodness.

This past Monday morning, we gathered for our first Lancer Pride Assembly. It is one of many opportunities we have to celebrate the students from each grade level. Students were recognized by their teachers for Lancer Values that they have demonstrated the past month. It was a wonderful morning full of positive energy. We look forward to our next Lancer Pride Assembly on November 4th at 7:45 a.m.

BE AWESOME!

Mrs. Santarelli
Veterans Day Recognition and Mass
VETERANS DAY ALL SCHOOL MASS
Wednesday, November 13, 2019
SJCA Upper Campus Gymnasium

SJCA invites all families and friends to a special Veterans Day Mass on Wednesday, November 13th at the Upper Campus gymnasium. We will be honoring our Veterans faithful service to our country, which reflects Christ’s own service and sacrifice for our Church. All Veterans are welcome!

SJCA families may submit details on any veterans that they know to be included in a slideshow shown before Mass. Pictures are encouraged! Click on the box below to upload photos and veteran information. If you are unable to upload a picture, bring it into either campus to be scanned for the slideshow. Please send all submissions in by Friday, November 8th to ensure time to compile the slideshow.

We hope you will join us in honoring all who have served and invite any veteran you may know. There will be a light reception after Mass for our guests and Veterans.

If you have any questions, please contact Jen Santelli at 262-654-8651 ext. 117 or [email protected] .

Thank you!
Tickets on sale NOW for the SJCA Fall Musical "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown!"

SJCA Theater presents
You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown
SJCA Upper Campus Auditorium

Tickets are priced at $5 for students and $10 for adults. The Peanuts gang are brought to life in You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown with Charlie Brown as the lovable underdog who never gives up along with Sally Brown, Linus, Lucy, Schroeder, and Snoopy who display their wit and charm in this revue of vignettes and songs.


Performances:
Friday, October 18 at 6 p.m
Saturday, October 19 at 6 p.m
Sunday, October 20 matinee at 2 p.m.
Friday, October 25 at 6 p.m
Saturday, October 26 at 6 p.m.

Tickets:
Tickets are $5 per student (under 17) and $10 per adult and can be purchased online or at the door. 
 
Purchasing tickets online is easy! 
1.   First, choose how many specific seats you need.
2.   Next, choose your seats.
3.   Then pay!
 
All sales utilizing a credit card will incur a minimal processing fee, whether at the door or at the Box Office. Any ticket purchased at the Box Office the day of the show with CASH will not incur a fee.
 
If purchasing tickets online, please bring your cell phone with your ticket confirmation or a printed copy of your receipt. If you forget, no worries. Just stop at the Box Office and we'll print out a card to let you know your assigned seats.
 
Please note there are NO ticket exchanges. Refunds will be made until the day prior to the show. There will be NO REFUNDS the day of the show.
 
Please share the link with your family and friends:  sjcatheater.ludus.com .
Lower Campus Grandparents Day
On Friday, October 18th, the Lower Campus will open their doors for SJCA Grandparents/Special Person day. Guests are invited to spend the day with their student from 8 - 11 a.m.

For those who would like to order a Grandparent T-Shirt, please click here . Orders will be taken until October 7th. Shirts will be be delivered to school by October 16th.

Volunteers are also needed for this event. To volunteer, please click here .
Lower Campus Parent/Teacher Conferences

Lower Campus Parent/Teacher conferences are a great way to learn about your student's academic progress and growth. This year, conferences will be held on the following days:
  • Wednesday, 10/23 from 2:30 - 6 p.m.
  • Thursday, 10/24 from 12:30 - 3:00 p.m.

Parents must schedule their appointments online and must register separately for each of their child's classrooms. Please  click here  to register with this online form.

Thursday, 10/24, the Lower Campus ONLY will have a noon release.

If you have any questions regarding the registration process, please contact the main office at (262) 656-7360.

We look forward to seeing you at conferences!
Upper Campus Parent/Teacher Conferences

Please mark your calendars for Upper Campus Parent/Teacher conferences on Wednesday, October 23rd from 3 - 5 p.m. and Thursday, October 24th from 4 - 7 p.m. Additional information will be forthcoming.
Annual Auction
Please mark your calendars for the annual All That Glitters is Blue and Gold auction on Saturday, November 9th at 5 p.m. at the Upper Campus.

PURCHASE TICKETS
Click the link below to reserve dinner tickets to the event. Early Bird tickets are $85 per person until 10/17. After this date, tickets will be $100 per person. Tickets include cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, open bar and coffee bar.

MOBILE BIDDING
NEW THIS YEAR IS MOBILE BIDDING! We are excited to bring our guests this fun and easy way to bid. If you don't have a mobile device, no worries! We will have devices for your use at school. We will also have plenty of workers available to answer any questions you may have. Come see for yourself. It's a lot of fun!

CASH RAFFLE TICKETS
Please sell your cash raffle auction tickets! Cash prizes are $10,000, $3,000, and two $1,000 prizes. Tickets can be picked up from and returned to the Main Office at either campus. Tickets are also available at The Flair Styling Studio, Mobile One, and McTernan Wireless. We ask that every family sells 3 books of raffle tickets.

DONATIONS
Please drop off any donations at the Main Office at either campus, or at the Upper Campus Development Office at Door #10. Please remember to fill out a donation form. Click here.

GET A BID NUMBER
No more waiting in line in the office to register your credit card the night of the auction. Simply click the link below to register your credit card. No waiting in a long line the night of the auction at "the bank" to register your card. You'll walk in the door ready to bid and enjoy the evening's activities. All bidders must register a credit card; however, at the end of the night, guests can choose to pay with check or cash.

For questions regarding the auction, please call Pauline McTernan, SJCA Development Director, at (262) 654-8651 ext. 115 or email [email protected].
Register today for the Blood Drive!