Bernie's Bark
10.22.2019
Dear Parents-
 
October is a glorious month in terms of celebrating some of our most amazing saints! Today we celebrate the feast of Pope St. John Paul II, who served as Pope from 1978-2005, making him the third longest reigning Pope (26.5 years) after St. Peter (37 years) and Pope Blessed Pius IX (31.5 years). If you have not visited the Saint John Paul II National Shrine in Washington, I encourage you to make a visit. The chapel is glorious, and Mass is celebrated every day. Go- make the pilgrimage, and you will come away from your visit reconnected to the call to holiness.
 
Don’t forget….!!!! There is a MANDATORY parent meeting (one parent must attend) tonight, Tuesday, October 22nd at 7:00p.m. for parents of children who will be Confirmed at St. Joseph Catholic Church on March 25, 2020, in the Parish Hall. Fr. Tom will pray with us and important information about, and requirements for, the Sacrament of Confirmation will be shared. The meeting ends at 8:30 and children are not to attend.
 
Brother Zack is about ready to start the 2019-2020 Odyssey of the Mind program! There are two spots open- one 4th/5th grade spot and one 6-8th grade spot. If your child would enjoy the unique creative problem-solving dynamic of Odyssey of the Mind, please contact Brother Zack at [email protected] . Odyssey of the Mind first meeting is Wednesday, Oct. 23, 3:15-5:00.
 
Now that the weather has cooled significantly, please check your child’s uniform , and make sure all pieces are labelled, and should your child misplace items, it is a good idea to check the lost and found, early and often.
 
Along with the cooler weather comes shorter days and before you know it, it will be dark by 5:00. Our school/parish community is large and vibrant, with many activities going on simultaneously. Please exercise extreme caution and patience when navigating the parking lot in the dark. There are children participating in Religious Ed., CYO activities, a variety of clubs, not to mention the students in extended day. PLEASE drive slowly. Children are unpredictable, and often run without looking...and nothing is more important than the safety of our children. Thank you for your care and cooperation.
 
Please consider making a volunteer commitment to help out at lunch or recess - even one day a week - is an enormous contribution! Recess starts at 11:15 and ends at 12:55. Lunch starts at 11:40 and ends at 1:15. Please consider covering a shift. For more information, please contact Laura Stump at [email protected] .
 
Trunk or Treat is this week, and we look forward to seeing the amazing decorations on the cars. As in past years, please avoid all representations of the occult. If your child attends extended day, and you plan to pick your child up after 5:00 , you will need to use the door by the 2nd grade classrooms. The lot on the side by the nurses entrance will be closed off for the Trunk or Treat event, and you will not be able to drive in that part of the lot. If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Lisk at [email protected] .
 
Additionally, with respect to extended day, if you plan to have your child drop in on a particular day, please contact Mrs. Lisk by noon of that day. For licensing purposes, we are required to maintain specific ratios of students to adults, and it is difficult for Mrs. Lisk to adequately staff if she is unsure of student count. No students should drop in unless they are already registered as a drop in student. Again, if you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Lisk at [email protected] .
 
There is a lot going on this week, please add to your reminder app on your phone:
 
Tuesday, Oct. 22 - Mandatory Confirmation Meeting...8th grade parents, only
Thursday, Oct. 24 - 11:30 dismissal...DFE half-day
Thursday, Oct. 24 - Trunk or Treat
Friday, Oct. 25 - No School for Students, Professional Development for Teachers

 
As always, if you have any questions, or if I can be of any assistance, please let me know.


Welcome one another....as Christ welcomed you!
                                                                                  (Rom 15:7)
 
Denise Rutledge
Principal
  Building Wisdom and Faith Through Service to God
Trunk or Treat - Thursday!
A huge Thank You to all who have registered for the
7 th annual Trunk Or Treat Event. 
We will have a record 352 trick or treaters. 

Please remember the parking lot does not open until 5pm. You will not be allowed to enter the Trunk or Treat area until then. 
We need to ensure the safety of the aftercare children. 

We are still looking for a few adult volunteers to help with parking, keep in mind you will be done by the time trick or treating starts. 
Please email [email protected] if you are able to help. 
The 8 th grade class will be selling Spirit Gear and the pizzas you pre-ordered.

The weather looks great and we are excited to share this fun event with our SJS Families. Thanks once again for your generous donations to Catholic Charities.
5K Race and 1 Mile Walk
Saturday, November 9th @ Northwest Federal Credit Union
Annual 5K Race
We are well over the half way point to our goal of 250 participants! 
Don't wait until it's too late!

Want to help make Bernie’s 5K Dash a huge success?? We are currently seeking event sponsors, donations and volunteers, please email  [email protected] !
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! A great opportunity to be a part of this fun event! Check out ways you can help by visiting   https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805054BA8AC2BAAF85-runwith
SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE! Do you (or someone you know) own a local business or work for an organization who is looking to gain exposure in the community and support our great school? Check out all of the sponsorship and in-kind donation opportunities . Let's partner up to make this tradition a success for our Saints!  
Early Dismissal and No School Reminder!

11:30am Early Dismissal on Thursday, October 24

NO SCHOOL on Friday, October 25

Enjoy the long weekend!
Extended Day New
Important - Oct. 24 Pick Up
Please note that the extended day email has changed
from LAST YEAR. 
The new email is:  extended_day@ sjschoolva .org
It is very important parents notify Nancy Lisk when your child/children are going to be dropped in for extended day. Please use the email extended_day@ sjschoolva .org
**Also, Thursday Oct. 24th, is Trunk or Treat. The parking lot will be closed off at 5:00 for the event.  Any students not picked up prior to 5:00, parents will need to pick up their child/children from the kindergarten/first grade door. **  
Questions? Email [email protected]
Library News
Win this book!
Hey, all You graphic novel fans and fans of 
Smile, Sisters , and Ghosts !
Here is your chance to win a copy of the newest Raina Telgemeier book, GUTS!
Contest open to grades 3 and up!
Fill out the entry form and turn it in to the library. All you have to do is tell why you like graphic novels in 100 words or less!  Entries must be received by Thursday, October 24 !
Contest forms are in the library or download here !
Join Us for Lunch in October!
October is the month of "lunches"!
We invite YOU to enjoy lunch with your child in the lunchroom during his/her lunch period!

Treasure these times with your child before they grow up and head on to high school! 

Up to 4 parents per class will have the opportunity to sit with their child
and their classmates. 
We ask that parents are Child Compliant. 
Also, because of food allergies, we ask that no food is brought in for other students.  

Thank you for your support and we look forward to you taking
advantage of this wonderful time with your child!
PTO News
Used Uniform Sale - Sunday, October 27th  
@ Donut Sunday
8:00-10:00 Drop Off 
10:45-12:00 Shop for Used Uniforms

For each item that you donate, you will receive a voucher. Use the voucher to purchase any other item during the sale. If you do not have items to donate, items may be purchased at the sale for $5 per item!

Contact Tori Steinman @ [email protected] if you have any questions! 
Walking with the Saints - This Kick-Off event encourages ALL students to get involved! We hope you and your student will join us after school on Thursday, November 7th. After pick-up, drive around and meet us at the track. Students will walk the track and we will mark off laps. We encourage each student to collect donations using the donation button on the Running with the Saints registration page:  https://potomac.enmotive.com/events/register/2019-st-joseph-school-run-with-the-saints 

Volunteers Needed!
Check out these opportunities to get involved!
Recess volunteers are needed!

Paid position if can commit to M-F
When: Monday - Friday
Time: 11:15am until 12:55pm
Paid positions available for those that can work Monday through Friday.
However, we welcome any parent that can volunteer their time even though they can't commit to all week.
Interested? Contact Mrs. Rutledge at [email protected]
Another opportunity to get involved and volunteer at
St. Joseph Catholic School!
Mrs. Moschetto needs volunteers for the library.
Click below to sign up!
Please remember all volunteers must be compliant
with the Child Protection Program.
Thank you for your time!


Want to get involved? We need YOU!
We are looking for volunteers during student lunch time!
Please consider donating the gift of your time!
It is required that all volunteers complete the Child Protection Certification program.
Prayer Leaders
pray_lettering.jpg
October 21: Gray, C.
October 22: Grove, I.
October 23: Guild, H., R.
October 24: Guill, A.
October 25: NO SCHOOL

October 28: Gumler, N.
October 29: Guthrie, M.
October 30: Gvozdov, A.
October 31: Hagerty, T.
November 1: Hale, O. and E.

Prayer leaders are to report to the library no later than 7:50 AM in order to appear on the morning news show. Parents are welcome to watch the live show.
CYO Basketball
St. Joseph Catholic School CYO Basketball Tryouts
Open to 3rd through 8th graders attending St. Joseph Catholic School or registered in our CCD program. 
Tryouts begin the week of Oct 14 th and run through Nov 1 st
The UPDATED Tryout Schedule: Please note this is rolling over 3 weeks due to the Holidays noted. No Tryouts on 10/24 for Trunk or Treat, No School or Tryouts on 10/25, Halloween is on 10/31 - this is up to the coaches, but likely to be cancelled - stay tuned.
You do not have to attend ALL Tryouts - get there when you can and let the
Coaches know your intentions and work hard to show them your skills!!
SJC Craft Fair
Middle School Ministry
High School Open House
St. Paul VI Catholic High School is having an Open House on Sunday, October 27 from 1-4pm.

10675 Fairfax Blvd, Fairfax, VA. 22030

Become a "Panther for a Day" - Shadow a current student and experience a day at Paul VI!

To arrange a visit or for more information about PVI, contact Mr. Glenn Farello at 703-352-0925 x340 or [email protected]

Learn more at www.paulvi.net
Upcoming Events
October
October 24: Mass
October 24: 11:30am Dismissal
October 25: NO SCHOOL

November
November 1: Coffee with the Principal
November 1: Mass - Feast of All Saints Day
November 1: 4th Grade All Saints program
November 8: Mass
November 8: Veteran's Day breakfast
November 9: Annual 5k race
November 11: NO SCHOOL
November 12: 11:30am Dismissal
November 14: Fall Make-Up Picture Day
November 15: Mass
November 17: Discover Catholic Schools Week
November 19: Open House
November 21: High School Placement Test
November 22: Mass
November 22: 1st Grade Thanksgiving Program
November 26: Mass
November 26: 11:30am Dismissal (NO AFTERNOON EXTENDED DAY)
November 26: End of 1st Trimester
November 27 - November 29: NO SCHOOL (Thanksgiving holiday)
Stay Connected - Twitter and Facebook
Don't forget to follow SJS
on Twitter and Facebook!
A lot is happening at SJS and you don't want to miss out!

Twitter: @sjschoolva
Facebook: sjschoolva
Weekly Saints Quote
750 Peachtree Street, Herndon, VA 20170
Tel: 703-880-4350 Fax: 703-880-4320