Dear Parents-
Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, a title given to Our Blessed Mother that draws attention to her intense suffering and grief during the passion and death of her Son, and also encompasses the Seven Sorrows of Mary: the flight of the Holy Family into Egypt; the loss and finding of the child Jesus in the Temple; Mary's meeting of Jesus on His way to Calvary; Mary's standing at the foot of the cross when our Lord was crucified; her holding of Jesus when He was taken down from the cross; and then our Lord's burial. As we face the unending challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, we can unite our anxiety and fear with that of the Blessed Mother and face them with courage, love, patience and charity for others.
In this week’s COVID update we notice the continuing uptick in cases and positivity rate in Virginia as a whole. This week the infection rate in Virginia is 1.02 with a test positivity rate of 7.5%. Infection rate in Fairfax County was down, reported at 0.96. Websites that track the virus indicate COVID in Virginia is spreading at a concerning rate; Fairfax County continues to spread in a slow and controlled fashion. As always, I remind our families to wear masks, wash hands, keep distance and avoid crowds.
The CDC defines flu season as the months October-May. As we move closer to the start of the flu season please talk with your pediatrician/physician about flu shots for your children and yourselves. The flu and the coronavirus are caused by different viruses, and the CDC alerts indicate that having the flu and COVID at the same time is possible, and having them both at different times is also possible. Both illnesses can be debilitating for adults and children. Extra caution is necessary during the flu season to keep everyone safe.
Distance families are reminded that there are teachers dedicated to meeting the academic needs of your children while distance learning. Mrs. Tiufekchiev (Kindergarten), Mrs. Zimney and Mrs. Tierney (Grades 1-4) and Mrs. Morrison and Mrs. Tierney (Grades 5-8) are in place to provide support for distance learners. No one is alone and there is support for all students. These teachers are dedicated educators, please rely on them for support. Each can be reached by email, please see SJS website for individual addresses.
On Saturday, we confirmed the students of the Class of 2020, who were prepared to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit last March. Father Tom and Father David concelebrated the Mass. As with the First Holy Communion in August, this celebration was also made beautiful by its simplicity. There was something so very meaningful about these two sacramental celebrations, the sacrament in its purest form. Please keep our Confirmands in your prayers.
Typically our second grade students and our Jr. HIgh students prepare to receive the Sacraments of Holy Communion and Confirmation, respectively. Sometimes, students have special sacramental circumstances. Please see this letter regarding Sacrament preparation for SJS students and students with special circumstances.
Parents of our current 8th grade students, please note that the high school placement test, (HSPT), is scheduled for Thursday, December 3. This test is required for all students who plan to attend a Diocesan high school, (PVI, DJO, BI or JPG), and is only given IN-PERSON. As a result, DL 8th grade students must make arrangements to either come to SJS on Dec 3, or register to take the test on Saturday, Dec. 5th at one of the four high schools.
Don’t forget...All families are invited to video the entire family leading morning prayer! So, gather all the kids, mom and dad, the whole family, and video your family reciting the Our Father, the Hail Mary, and the Glory Be. These videos will be shared in the school for morning prayer, and will be a powerful connection for the community! Send your video to Mrs. Hatley at wsjsnews@sjschoolva.org.
We are in SCANTRON testing week 3, for in-person learners.
As always, please let me know if you have any questions, or if I can be of assistance.
Go to Joseph
(Gen 41:55)
Denise Rutledge
Principal
Building Wisdom and Faith Through Service to God
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As mentioned, COVID-19 is still with us and at no point should we let our guard down! Out of respect for your family and others, please consider following all CDC guidelines pertaining to social gatherings. The more we help stop the spread of the virus, the longer we will be able to have students on campus. Each of us has a responsibility in doing our part! Many gatherings such as weddings, funerals, birthday parties, etc. are required to be limited to a certain number of guests - kept at a distance and with masks worn. Remember, indoor spaces are more risky than outdoor spaces! Please be mindful of avoiding crowded spaces and coming in close contact with groups of people. Together, we can do our part to keep everyone healthy. Check out the CDC website on Practicing Everyday Preventative Measures for children. We can do this! |
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Emergency Messenger System |
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Today, around 10:00am, a TEST of the Emergency Messenger system went out to all parents. If you did not receive an email or phone call from the school with a test message of the Emergency Messenger system, please contact Lisa Pearce at L.pearce@sjschoolva.org.
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Kami Instruction
Edit PDF Docs online!
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What is Kami? Kami is an application tool to allow students to edit documents (.pdf) within Schoology without the need for printing, scanning, and uploading! If you would like help setting up Kami, a PDF app, please sign up for a Zoom Slot or follow the instruction document below:
Sign up for a Zoom Slot:
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We will continue with prayers leaders alphabetically! Each family is asked to make a video of the student(s) and the family reciting the prayers (Our Father, Hail Mary, and St Joseph...Pray for US) and then send the video to Caryn Hatley at wsjsnews@sjschoolva.org
We look forward to continuing this wonderful tradition!
September 21: Abate, L. and L.
September 22: Abella, E. and Z.
September 23: Abrahams, S. and S.
September 24: Adams, G.
September 25: Alexander, A. and H.
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Coffee with the Principal |
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Join the Girl Scouts virtual webinar on September 17 at 7:00pm!
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Cub Scouts
Back by Popular Demand!
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JOIN SCOUT ACTIVITY! – Thursday Sept 24th, 4-5 PM
Miss our first Join Scout night? We are inviting all newly interested boys in grades K-5 to build a water bottle rocket and learn about the adventure of St. Joseph Pack 913 Cub Scouts! Join our new class Kindergarten “Lions” after school on Thursday, September 24th, 4-5pm @ Grand Hamptons County Park located at 1081 Safa Street Herndon, VA 20170. Safe Scouting and Social Distancing Guidelines will be observed (please bring masks).
Place: Grand Hamptons County Park located at 1081 Safa Street Herndon, VA 20170
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Have you been considering joining
a Bible Study?
St. Joseph is hosting a Bible Study via Zoom!
WALKING WITH PURPOSE BIBLE STUDY
IS BACK!
Life today is unsettled and unsettling. We see and feel a deep need for someone more powerful than we are to be our heart-friend and personal guide through these turbulent times. That Someone is Jesus! We need him in every part of our lives, every day. But we wonder how to find and understand Him and to have the joy-filled life that He promises. The Bible is the book that tells us. It is Jesus’ love letter to us, filled with messages of love, hope, joy, guidance, and prayers.
If you’d like to learn how to open His love letter, understand it more deeply than ever, and use it to develop a personal, life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ, and meet new friends, come join us in the Walking With Purpose Bible study for women. We would love to share this journey with you.
Opening Your Heart will be offered this year via Zoom beginning in the Fall. (Time, date TBD by individual group). If you are interested, please download registration form from our website or contact sgeurin63@gmail.com /703-338-7077 for more information and schedule a date, time, session that works for you!
Please visit our website at http://www.tinyurl.com/wwpstjoes where you can download the registration form and find link to order your book from WalkingWithPurpose.com. Please order your book soon! Scholarships available.
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TMIY IS BACK!!
MONDAY NIGHTS & FRIDAY MORNINGS
STARTING SEPTEMBER 14 & 18
That Man is You! gives you the opportunity to go deeper in your faith.
Come join the Men of our Parish in enriching relationships with
both Christ and family.
All men are invited to attend TMIY (Parish Hall A)
Monday evenings at 7pm
Friday mornings at 6:30am OR
Zoom Videoconference.
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Scripture Based Sharing Group
Girls Grades 6-8
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September
September 14-18: SCANTRON Week 3 (In-person Learners only)
September 25: 11:30am Dismissal (In-person and Distance Learners) (DFE)
October
October 2: 11:30am Dismissal (In-person and Distance Learners) (Professional Development)
October 9: 11:30am Dismissal (In-person and Distance Learners) (DFE)
October 12: NO SCHOOL (Columbus Day)
October 13: 11:30am Dismissal (In-person and Distance Learners) (DFE)
October 16: 11:30am Dismissal (In-Person and Distance Learners) (DFE)
October 30: NO SCHOOL
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Stay Connected!
SJS Mobile App, Twitter and Facebook
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Don't forget to follow the official St. Joseph Catholic School Facebook page (sjschoolva), Twitter account (@sjschoolva), and download the mobile app from the App Store (St. Joseph Catholic School, VA)
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750 Peachtree Street, Herndon, VA 20170
Tel: 703-880-4350 Fax: 703-880-4320
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