Third Sunday of Advent - Gaudete Sunday

I lift my heart up to you, Lord, to thank you for the blessings you shower on me each day.

You are the 'joy of my soul.' I know that in your great love, I am held and protected by you.

I pray and listen to the good news you send; I ask and feel the healing. I am freed by you from the things in this world that let me hide from you.

I rejoice, I rejoice, down to my soul. Help me to prepare my heart to be open and able to receive your immense love.

NEW THIS WEEK

2023-2024 Inclement Weather Procedures

School Closures/Emergency Dismissal Form ONE PER STUDENT - Please Return ASAP

Any time you hear or see “West Chester School District” is closed or opening late, this includes Saints Simon and Jude School. When the District is closed or late, this means the buses do not run, or run late. We follow their directives, since so many of our students ride their buses to and from school. Communication will be sent via the FACTS Parent Alert system.

In the event that a snow storm or other emergency situation occurs AFTER our school day has begun, and an EARLY DISMISSAL IS NECESSARY, we will send out phone/email/text messages through FACTS. This type of early dismissal certainly is not foreseeable, but it’s better to be prepared for such an emergency. Please click here to fill you out the ONE PER STUDENT 2023-2024 Emergency Dismissal Procedure form.

Happy Retirement

I know you join me in extending our gratitude and best wishes to Mrs. Dawn Walls, who has been very instrumental in keeping our school clean and sparkling for many years.  Mrs. Walls’ last day here at SSJ will be next Friday, December 22.  I am very grateful for all she has shared with our school family and wish her much happiness as she retires.

8th Grade Scholarship News

Congratulation to 8th grade student, Julianna Cianfrani! She has received an academic scholarship to Sacred Heart Academy. We are so proud of her accomplishments!

Innovate and Illustrate Club

Mrs. Clarke and Miss Stenson will offer a new session of Innovate and Illustrate in the new year for students in grades K to 4. See flyer below with a link to register.

Knights Free Throw Championship

The SSJ Knights of Columbus will host the 2024 Free Throw Championship for boys and girls ages 9 through 14 on Saturday, January 13th at 9:30 AM at the SS&J Gym. Contestants register at the door by filling out a brief entry form. A parent or guardian’s signature is required for entry. Each age/gender category winner receives a brand new regulation-size basketball and will advance to compete in the District round championship held in February. Click here for more information or to download and complete the entry form in advance.

Save the Dates - Book Fair

Our annual Book Fair will be January 29th-February 1st. We are in need of volunteers to work the Book Fair. Be on the lookout for a separate SignUpGenius email! You can also click here and visit our SSJ Book Fair Home Page for more information!

Chick-fil-A Lunch Days 2024

Great news... Chick-fil-A lunch days are continuing at SSJ in 2024! The Class of 2025 is organizing once-a-month Chick-fil-A lunch sandwiches as a fundraiser for their 8th grade activities! Click here for more details and to fill out the Google form to order.

We Fill Buckets at SSJ!



Our faculty and staff who will receive their buckets tomorrow are Mrs. Jennifer Dixon (Rm. 4); Mrs. Dawn Walls (Maintenance); and Mr. Ryan Berry (Maintenance).

When we return after the Christmas Holiday, during the week of January 7th, students will acknowledge: Mrs. Christy Farrell (Rm. 14); Mrs. Bridget Carr (Nurse); and Mrs. Peg Gendaszek (CARES).

This year we are promoting kindness at SSJ School for our faculty and staff. Every week, three faculty and staff members will have a bucket, and students are invited to fill their buckets. Items that might be good would be thank you notes, candy, class supplies, trinkets, or something you think that person would enjoy.

FROM SSJ'S HOME & SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

Christmas Collection for Faculty & Staff - Due Tomorrow

An email was sent regarding the HSA annual Christmas collection for SSJ faculty and staff. If you would like to donate electronically click here and use PayPal. Otherwise, please use the envelope that went home in your child/children’s backpack and return it by Friday, December 15th. 

Santa's Secret Shop

Santa has closed up shop on another fun-filled event for our students! Special thanks to:

• Allison Abrego and Carolyn Wise for transforming our space into a wonderland shop that lit up the kids' eyes.
• All the volunteers who helped set up and helped students buy and wrap their special treasures.
• 6th, 7th, and 8th grade Buddies who did a fantastic job helping their Littles navigate the shop, make decisions and manage their money.
• All our teachers who adjusted their schedules and shared in the students' excitement.

SSJ Skate Night - Registration Deadline is Tomorrow

A new HSA fundraiser, SSJ Skate Night, will be on Monday, December 18th, 5-7 PM. Click here for more details.

FROM SSJ'S THEATRE DEPARTMENT

Spring Musical Parent Volunteers

You're invited to help with SSJ's spring musical, The LIttle Mermaid, Jr.! Click here to be directed to our SignUpGenius.

Spring Musical Registration

Congratulations to our cast and ensemble members for our spring show, The Little Mermaid, Jr.! Please click here to complete a registration form for each child you have participating. Please note, there is a link to make your payment after you submit the form AND there is a "Cast & Parent Contracts" link to print, review, sign, and send into school.

Registration for all ensemble members is open until Sunday, January 7, 2024 for students in grades 4 to 8.

Set Design & Building

We are in need of student and parent volunteers to help us design and build our set for The Little Mermaid, Jr. No experience or particular skills are necessary. Join in the fun! It you're interested, please email us at ssjtheatre@simonandjude.org.

FROM SSJ'S CYO

Toy Drive

SSJ CYO's Fourth Annual Toy Drive will take place on Sunday, December 17th, from 5pm-8pm. Click here for more details.

Christmas Tree Sale

Once again, SSJ CYO has partnered with B&B Christmas Trees (owner is a graduate of SSJ & an alum of SSJ CYO). Simply mention you’re a part of the SSJ CYO Family and B&B will donate 10% of your purchase directly back to SSJ CYO. So come out and get a beautiful tree and support your Explorers!

PRAYER REQUESTS

We are happy to pray for the needs of our school family. If any family has a prayer request please send it to srelinich@simonandjude.org. 

For Mrs. Judy Ikena, mother of Miss Ikena (room 8), who is ill. May Christ’s healing hand grant her a complete and speedy recovery.

For Derrick Banks, Jr, son of Mr. Derrick Banks, who is ill. May Christ’s healing hand grant him a complete and speedy recovery. 

For Mr. Ronald Paiste, grandfather of James Dougherty (room 17), who has died. May he be resting in God’s loving embrace. May Our Mother of Sorrows console and comfort his family and all who mourn his passing.

For Mr. Robert Ewing, grandfather of Ben Brango (room 16), who is ill. May Christ’s healing hand grant him a complete and speedy recovery. 

For Mr. Leo Stenson, father of Miss Stenson (room 12), who is ill. May Christ’s healing hand grant him a complete and speedy recovery.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

Crazy Christmas Clothing Dress Down Day

On Wednesday, December 20th, modeling the charity of St Nicholas, student council is hosting a fund raiser for the Ronald McDonald House. Get in the Christmas spirit by making a donation and dressing down in crazy Christmas clothing. Certificates will be awarded for the craziest Christmas outfits. Do not buy anything new, simply wearing green and red will do. The important part is to help raise money for a worthy charity (https://rmhde.org/). 

CARES Inclement Weather Reminders

If the school has a two-hour delay, there is no morning CARES. If there is an early dismissal, there is no afternoon CARES.

Enrollment for Siblings is Open

We are now accepting applications for NEW student siblings for the fall. An email with instructions was sent on Wednesday, November 29th. Please note, there is a high demand for our preschool and kindergarten classes, so we suggest you apply as soon as possible. For all currently enrolled students, you do not need to do anything to reserve a spot as we have a Continuous Enrollment process. We will begin accepting applications from families new to SSJ in mid December.

Festive Christmas Basket Missions Fundraiser

Student Council is sponsoring a Christmas baskets raffle. One basket is full of fun cheer for the elementary students. Another basket has festive treats geared towards middle school students. The baskets are full of merry Christmas items, such as ornaments, Christmas candy, Santa hats, etc. The raffle tickets will be sold at snack time in each homeroom. The sale began on December 5th  and go through December 14th. The winning tickets for each basket will be chosen at morning assembly on Friday December 15th. Ticket cost 3/$1 or 50 cents each. Proceeds will benefit the Missionary Childhood Association (MCA), Children Helping Children (https://phillymissions.org/youth-in-mission/).

Sports Equipment Drive

Sam Hillanbrand, Class of 2020 and two of his classmates at West Chester East are conducting a sports equipment drive for athletes in need. All donations will be given to a non-profit organization called Leveling the Playing Field to distribute the sports equipment. Any child/family that wishes to donate a sports item for this drive may send the item in to school. All donations will be greatly received and appreciated.

Congratulations

The following students were recognized for their first trimester reading work using the Achieve3000 online Reading Program. Congratulations to all!

Highest Average Score

5th Grade - Caden Zimmerman 

6th Grade - Nate Hynes & Joe Wheeler 

7th Grade - Finn Norton & Connal Farrell

8th Grade - Charlie Megosh

Greatest Lexile Point Gain

5th Grade - Caden Zimmerman

6th Grade - Joe Wheeler

7th Grade - Crae McComas 

8th Grade - Patrick Cleary and Jack Farley

Santa's Secret Shop