SJS Weekly Newsletter: August 26, 2026 | | |
Mercy Begins with Me
God is good! We are off to such a wonderful start this school year! Over these first few days, our students have been busy settling into new routines, diving into their first lessons, connecting with their teachers, and enjoying time with friends old and new.
Our opening Mass last Wednesday was a beautiful, joyous way to begin. It served as a wonderful reminder of the core mission God sets before us each year: to love Him, to love our neighbors, and to put that love into practice through worship and charity.
I look forward to seeing you all tomorrow evening at Parent Orientation. We are already off to a fantastic start, and I cannot wait to see what God has in store for our school community over the next nine months!
Mrs. Beiersdorfer
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K-8
August 27 Grades 6–8 Parent Orientation @ 5:30 p.m.
Grades K–5 Parent Orientation @ 6:30 p.m.
PRESCHOOL
September 3 Preschool Opening Meetings
September 4 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Supply Drop-Off & Meet the Teacher
September 8–9 First Days of Preschool
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Staff Complete CPR/AED Training
Before welcoming students back, SJS faculty and staff completed CPR and AED training provided by the Matthew Mangine Jr. One Shot Foundation. The hands-on training helped prepare our team to recognize and respond quickly in a cardiac emergency—an important part of keeping our students, staff, and visitors safe.
AED Locations
AEDs are located throughout the church and school. For quick reference, AEDs can be found:
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School: Gym, kindergarten hallway (first floor), third-grade hallway (second floor), and school cafeteria in Noll Hall
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Church: Sacristy hallway
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Parish Office Building: Kitchen
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Join the SJS Middle School Academic Team
The Academic Team is open to all SJS students in grades 6–8, with no tryouts required. Practices are held Mondays from 2:15–4:15 p.m. in the library, and new members are still welcome!
The team, coached by Andy Strange and Chris Atzinger, will compete in the Northern Kentucky Academic League, the KAAC Governor’s Cup, and other academic tournaments.
Interested? Contact Andy Strange at kysoze@fuse.net or 859-512-0918.
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Spirit Wear Days
Our first Spirit Wear Day of the school year is this Friday, August 28!
Students may wear any preprinted St. Joseph shirt, including SJS spirit wear, St. Joseph athletic shirts, St. Joseph Parish T-shirts, and eighth-grade class T-shirts. Sleeveless shirts are not permitted.
Pants or shorts may be out of uniform, but shorts must meet the uniform-short requirements in the Parent/Student Handbook. Leggings, yoga pants, and other tight-fitting bottoms are not permitted.
2026–27 Spirit Wear Days
- Friday, August 28
- Tuesday, September 29
- Friday, October 23
- Tuesday, November 17
- Friday, December 11
- Tuesday, January 26
- Friday, February 26
- Tuesday, March 23
- Friday, April 23
- Thursday, May 27
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Robotics Explorers Registration Reopened!
Registration for Robotics Explorers has been reopened for one additional week! Students in second and third grades are invited to join. Don’t miss this final opportunity to register! Contact Megan Crosby with any questions mekcrosby@gmail.com
Register here
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Fall Picture Day
Smile! Fall Picture Day at St. Joseph School is Friday, September 18.
Picture Day ID: EVT9TZ8SV
Additional information about ordering school pictures will be shared as Picture Day approaches.
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Meet the Education Commission
Molly Humpert has been appointed Chair of the St. Joseph School Education Commission. The Commission advises the Pastor and Principal and helps ensure that school policies, programs, and priorities remain aligned with the mission of St. Joseph Parish and School.
Parent representatives for the 2026–27 school year are:
- Steve Schutzman — Grades K–2
- Kristen Thompson — Grades 3–5
- Sam Beiting — Grades 6–8
Families may submit topics related to school-wide policies, programs, or priorities to Molly at mollyhumpert@gmail.com at least one week before a scheduled meeting. Classroom-specific questions should continue to be directed to your child’s teacher.
Read the Full Education Commission Introduction and Meeting Schedule
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Mass of Belonging
As a proud FIRE Spark School, St. Joseph School is committed to fostering a culture in which every student and family feels welcome and valued. We invite our families to attend the Diocese of Covington’s Mass of Belonging on Tuesday, September 15, at 6:00 p.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption.
Bishop Iffert will celebrate this special Mass for individuals with learning differences and disabilities, as well as their families. A family ice cream social will follow. For accommodations, email info@FIREfoundationNKY.org.
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School Counseling Services Available at SJS
St. Joseph School partners with Catholic Charities to provide free, school-based mental health counseling for students. Referrals may be made by a parent, teacher, school staff member, or student.
Our school counselor, Holly Barrett-Sears, CSW, is available at SJS on Wednesdays and Fridays. Parent or guardian permission is required before a student can receive ongoing counseling services.
Read the School Counseling Program Here
Complete the Counseling Permission Form
Questions? Contact Holly at hbarrett-sears@covingtoncharities.org.
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Sacred Architecture Tour at St. Joseph
Saturday, September 12, at 9:45 a.m.
Discover the history, symbolism, and beauty of our sacred space as St. Joseph hosts The Angelico Project’s September Sacred Architecture Tour.
Tickets are required and may be purchased here.
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Out-of-Uniform Passes Available Through August 28
Out-of-uniform passes are available for $5 each or $25 for a book of five. Proceeds help support Cavalier Call and its raffle baskets.
This is one of only two opportunities during the school year to purchase passes! Purchased passes will be sent home with your child.
Purchase Out-of-Uniform Passes Here
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Cavs on the Run T-Shirt Order Forms
Every student and faculty/staff member will receive a complimentary T-shirt for our Cavs on the Run event on Friday, October 2!
Order forms were sent home with students last Friday. One form must be completed for each student and returned to their homeroom teacher by Wednesday, September 2.
Did the form get lost in the first-week-of-school shuffle?
ORDER FORM
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Stay Connected with SJS PTO
Follow the SJS PTO Facebook page for the latest news, events, volunteer opportunities, and ways to get involved.
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PTO Meetings
Monthly PTO meetings are open to all school families. If you’re interested in attending, please contact PTO President Bre Garr at breann.nicole.taylor@gmail.com.
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Save the Date: Mother/Son Event
Friday, September 25 | 6:00–8:00 p.m.
@ The Fieldhouse
More information coming soon!
Save the Date: Moms’ Night Out
Thursday, October 22 | 5:30–8:00 p.m.
@ Arden + Gold
More information coming soon!
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🏀Basketball Registration Opens Friday, August 21
Registration for the 2026–27 SJS basketball season opens Friday, August 21, and closes Tuesday, September 15. Basketball is open to all SJS students in grades K–8, boys and girls. All teams are recreational, except for boys’ competitive teams in grades 6–8, which are formed through tryouts.
Parent volunteers are essential to making the season possible! When registering your player, please consider registering as a volunteer as well. Opportunities include head and assistant coaching, practice supervision, scorekeeping, operating the clock, serving as a gym monitor, and helping with league operations and the Christmas tournament. No coaching experience is required, and volunteering is an easy way to earn service hours.
Register for Basketball HERE
Questions? Contact:
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Alternate Bus Transportation
Kenton County Transportation has introduced a new standardized bus pass for students who need alternate transportation. Beginning after the first two weeks of school, students must give the completed pass to the driver each time they ride a different bus or ride the bus instead of their usual car transportation.
Parents must contact the school office in advance so staff can confirm space is available with the Transportation Office. No bus passes will be issued during the first two weeks of school.
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📚 2026–2027 Activity Fee
Activity fees for the 2026–2027 school year have been added to families’ FACTS accounts. Please log in to FACTS to review and pay your student’s fee.
Activity fees cover field trips, service-learning projects, device insurance, enrichment supplies, assignment books, holiday parties, in-school PTO activities and the $100 School Resource Officer fee.
All activity fees must be paid through FACTS.
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New Mass Seating for Parents
Parents and family members attending school Masses are asked to sit with their children in their class pews. If you have children in multiple grades, please sit with your youngest child’s class.
- All-School Masses: First Friday of each month and special occasions
- Grades K–3 Mass: Thursdays
- Grades 4–8 Mass: Wednesdays
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🍎 Cafeteria Volunteers Needed
Our Cafeteria Volunteer sign-up is now open for August through December!
Volunteers play an important role in helping lunchtime run smoothly for our students and staff. Whether you can serve once or several times throughout the semester, we'd love to have your help. Volunteer Shifts 🕥 10:30–11:35 a.m. 🕦 11:35 a.m.–12:40 p.m.
Cafeteria Sign Up Here
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🏫 Room Parents Needed
Interested in serving as a Room Parent this school year? Complete the Room Parent Interest Form by Friday, August 28.
Room parents will be selected at random, and all volunteers must be VIRTUS-trained.
Complete the Room Parent Interest Form Here
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Cavaliers Care: Serve Together This Year
Cavaliers Care gives St. Joseph students and families opportunities to serve together and share Christ’s love with our neighbors. This year, families can help serve meals, support local food pantries, participate in holiday outreach, and more.
Each SignUpGenius slot is for one family, regardless of how many family members participate.
VIEW VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
WATCH THE VIDEO
Questions? Contact Christie Pavia at 859-640-9084 or christie.pavia@gmail.com.
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Walking with Purpose Women’s Bible Study
Women of our parish and school community are invited to join Walking with Purpose! The fall study, Ordering Your Priorities: Building a Life Well Lived, begins October 1 and meets Thursdays at 8:30 a.m. or 7:00 p.m. This practical eight-week study will help you place the most important things first while growing in faith and friendship.
Books are $25, and scholarships are available.
Register here
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