Dear Parents-

Yesterday, we celebrated Indigenous Peoples’ Day, although the day is still celebrated under the name Columbus Day in 16 states. In a proclamation issued by former Gov. Northam in 2020, Indigenous Peoples’ Day pays tribute to the “11 state-recognized tribes, which include the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Tribe, Chickahominy Tribe, Chickahominy Eastern Division, Mattaponi Tribe, Monacan Nation, Nansemond Tribe, Nottoway Tribe of Virginia, Pamunkey Tribe, Patawomeck Tribe of Virginia, Rappahannock Tribe, and the Upper Mattaponi Tribe.” The Governor further noted that “Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebrates the resilience of our tribal communities and promotes reconciliation, healing, and continued friendship with Virginia’s tribes.

Tomorrow we celebrate the feast of St. John XXlll, Pope, responsible for calling the Second Vatican Council, and well known for his commitment to equality among all people, famously stating, "We were all made in God's image, and thus, we are all Godly alike."

At some point as parents, we realize that our children are capable of making big mistakes, mistakes that could alter their entire future. Social media in all its forms presents the greatest threat to our children, not just in terms of victimization, but also in terms of our child being the cyber-bully or cyber-harasser. However, social media is not the only problem….have you listened to the lyrics in popular music? Please monitor the music your children listen to, as the use of racial slurs, and four-letter words, along with violence, are normalized in the next hit song! Please partner with us to prevent the use of hurtful and offensive language, at least at school.

We look forward once again to our “Let’s Do Lunch” program where parents are invited to sign up to have lunch with their student(s).The program will run for the four weeks starting October 16 and ending November 10. Please see the box below for details and link to register. Parents must be Child Protection compliant and must register prior to attending.

Please note that MAP test scores will go home on Friday.

Spirit wear is ready for distribution…please see below for details.

Denise Rutledge

Principal

“Let the love you have in your hearts be shown outwardly in your deeds.” (St. Clare of Assisi)

 Building Wisdom and Faith Through Service to God

SPIRIT WEAR is ready!

Please pickup your spirit wear at carpool on:

Wednesday, October 11^th from 2:30-3:15

Thursday, October 12^th from 2:30-3:15. 

Park in carpool line and just come to the tables near the fence.

Please email Montine Norman at [email protected] if your child is at extended day on those days.

Thank you for supporting the Class of 2024!

The Book Fair is Coming!



Help is needed to set up, cashier, and break down. Please take a moment to review the sign-up form! Thank you!

Fall tennis registration is open! 

The fall 2023 SJS tennis program will focus on development and will run from Oct 9 through Nov 17. Practices will take place at Worldgate from 4:00-5:00 pm (families are responsible for transportation). 3rd through 5th graders can choose to practice on Tuesdays, Thursdays, or Fridays. 6th through 8th graders can choose to practice on Mondays, Wednesdays, or Fridays. The cost for the season is $100 for one practice a week, with options to practice more often if desired. 

An email with further details has gone out to all those who expressed interest in the Fall 2023 SJS tennis program. Please check spam filters if you haven’t seen it, or contact [email protected].

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month!

"I can do all things through him who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13) 

**All volunteers must be compliant through the Child Protection Program. For more information, please contact Beth Covert at [email protected]

To begin a Healthy New Year, St. Joseph School will again be adopting the 9-5-2-1-0 wellness plan. It is a plan to promote healthy lifestyles for our children. Our goal is to support our parents as they work to encourage healthy behaviors for their children.

The mnemonic for 9-5-2-1-0 stands for:



9 Get at least 9 hours of sleep per day

5 Eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day

2 Limit screen time to no more than 2 hours per day

1 Get at least one hour of physical activity per day

0 Avoid beverages with added sugar

We will dedicate each month to a different component of the program. Starting in September, we will focus on getting 9 hours of sleep each night. Click HERE for more sleep tips and information!

Attention: Allergy Plan

Saint Joseph Catholic School is a peanut/nut restricted school and works hard to decrease any chance of cross contamination. The student and parent are the first line of safety in preventing an accidental ingestion of questionable or known allergen foods. The student with an allergy needs to be educated by his/her parents on food safety, label reading and to not consume any food that is not brought in by his/her parent. Please be aware that all the classrooms are nut free. Students and staff may not consume any kind of food containing nuts or any food made in a facility where nuts are processed in the classroom.

Foods containing nuts may only be consumed in the lunchroom.

Please click HERE to read the SJS Allergy Plan located on the nurses’ page.

The safest table in the lunchroom for your child with a severe allergy to sit is the designated allergy table. It is an optional seating preference and not mandated.

While the lunch monitors do their best, there are no guarantees that they can see and catch everything going on in the lunchroom. The allergy table is optional but a safer option for students with severe food allergy.



Please send us an email if you want your child to sit at the designated allergy table.

If we do not receive your email, we will sit your child at the safest location with other students who do not have a food allergy. When feasible, we will try to have them sitting next to other students whom we are aware do pack nut free lunches.

Please send your email to Ms. O’Hara (oversees the cafeteria), Ms. Ezenwa (school nurse) and your child’s teacher: [email protected]; [email protected]. 

The friars who serve our parish are known as TOR Franciscans. But where do they fit into the large and diverse Franciscan family? Franciscans come in may colors (literally!) Some wear black habits, some brown, some gray. Some friars are priests, some brothers (but the priests are brothers too!) Confused yet? We’re just getting started. There are dozens of congregations of Franciscan sisters. Some are active, some contemplative. There are secular Franciscans, some married, some single. There are even Protestant Franciscans.

Click HERE to read more!

Opportunity for Service Hours for

7-8^th Graders

We are looking for face painters during the Craft Fair. If interested, please contact Mrs. Kirby at [email protected].

St. Joseph Catholic School

750 Peachtree Street, Herndon, VA 20170

Tel: 703-880-4350 Fax: 703-880-4320