Dear Parents-
Tomorrow we celebrate the feast of Sts. Simon and Jude, Apostles. We do not know much about either of these saints as they are mentioned by name in the Gospels, but not by deed. We do know that they were Apostles, and helped to build the Church. We celebrate St. Jude as the patron saint of lost causes, and St. Simon as the patron saint of tanners. Apostles and martyrs, relics of these two saints are in Saint Peter’s Basilica under the main altar of Saint Joseph.
The feast of All Saints is not a holy day of obligation this year since it falls on a Sunday. And as we comply with all the mitigation strategies imposed by the pandemic, we will not have the traditional 4th grade procession of saints. However, school Mass will be celebrated tomorrow for the feast of Sts. Simon and Jude and 4th graders will prepare the readings. Please join us via live-stream on the SJC website, https://www.sjcherndon.org. Click Join Us for Mass.
Congratulations to all who ran in the Run with the Saints event last weekend. I thank all participants and generous donors! Notable winners include:
1st place overall Mens - Riley B
2nd Place Overall Womens - Aubrianna C
6-8 Girls - Miko B
9-11 Boys - Nolan C
9-11 Girls - Rosemary S
12-15 Boys - Caden W
12-15 Girls - Aubrianna C
This week’s coronavirus update finds numbers across Virginia indicating a continued rise in cases and hospitalizations. The positivity rate in Virginia is up to 6.6%, with the infection rate down, at 1.04, however the number of new cases indicates that the potential for an outbreak continues to grow, according to COVIDactnow.com. Fairfax County test positivity rate is up noticeably over last week, now at 4.05%; neighboring Loudoun County has a positivity rate of 5.1%, down from last week, however, Prince William County saw a spike and now has a 6.5% positivity rate, up a whole percentage point from last week. Websites that track the virus indicate COVID in Fairfax County is at risk of an outbreak. As always, I remind our families to wear masks, wash hands, keep distance and avoid crowds. Please be careful and I thank you for your commitment to keeping the school community safe by minimizing unnecessary social contact.
As we start to wind down the first trimester, please remember that conferences are coming, and scheduling information will be available in the Friday update. Conferences are held before the end of the trimester and it is an opportunity to make some last minute adjustments, if possible, before grades are finalized.
Each year we are required by the Bishop to present a lesson, provided by the Diocese, devoted to the topic of "Formation in Christian Chastity.” This program is mandated by the Office of Child Protection and provides teachers and parents with resources to help inform our students about safety from the perspective of human dignity.
Please note that this program does not contain any objectionable content and represents our Catholic faith in tradition and practice. Teachers in grades 1 through 8 will present the lesson no later than January 24. Parents are encouraged to access the lesson material through the following web site http://www.arlingtondiocese.org/childprotection/form_christianchastity.aspx
There you will find the exact lesson plans and script for the lessons. The site can also answer any questions you may have regarding the justification for and reasoning behind the selection and mandating of this program.
As primary educators of your children, parents have the right to “opt-out” their children from these lessons. If, after reviewing the materials, you believe it is best to opt-out, please download and complete the form found at this link. Please return the form to your child’s teacher no later than November 2. After this date, it will be assumed that you want to have your child take advantage of this opportunity to hear the diocesan approved lesson on the topic of chastity, safety, truth and human dignity. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.
I pray that you continue to stay well. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Go to Joseph
(Gen 41:55)
Denise Rutledge
Principal
Building Wisdom and Faith Through Service to God
