NEW THIS WEEK

A Big Thank You

Our SSJ faculty and staff were overwhelmed by the generosity of those who contributed to the Christmas collection. Click here to view our expressions of thanks.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Miss Dakota Graham (room 18) who married Mr. Timothy Davis on Sunday, December 31st. We wish the new Mrs. Davis and her husband much joy, happiness, and love as they begin this new chapter in their lives.

Congratulations to Amelie Staron who has received the St. Cecilia Scholarship for Excellence in Music from Bishop Shanahan High School. Amelie has also been awarded scholarships to Villa Maria Academy for voice and piano. We rejoice with Amelie and her family on this wonderful achievement. We are SSJ proud! 

Congratulations to Patrick Cleary who has been awarded the Salt and Light Scholarship for Servant Leadership from Bishop Shanahan High School. We rejoice with Patrick and his family on this wonderful accomplishment. We are SSJ proud! 

Congratulations to Ollie Barrett who has been awarded a scholarship to Bishop Shanahan High School based on his high achievement on the Reading section of the High School Placement Test. We are SSJ proud!

SSJ Book Fair Volunteers Needed

The Annual SSJ Book Fair is almost here and we need your help! Please sign up as we need cashiers and shopping helpers. Parents are welcome to shop with their child(ren), even if all slots are filled during a specific time. Please click here to review the available time slots in the Sign-Up Genius. Thank you!

West Chester Bus Riders App

The Bus Status 4 mobile app is available for WCASD Bus riders. This app is free to download from the App Store and Google Play. Parents and students select their buses in the app, choose to allow notifications, and you will receive push notifications any time one of their buses is delayed or there is a substitute bus. App notifications let parents know the duration of the delay.

FROM SSJ'S HOME & SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

Save the Dates

January 17th - Freddy's Dine and Donate. Details below.

February 22nd - Handbag Bingo. Details to follow soon!

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 - Open Until 1/7/24

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 7th for students in grades 4 to 8.

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 Katie Weinberger, aunt of Owen (room 5) and Lilly Cline (room 8), who is ill and will be undergoing surgery. May Christ's healing hand grant her a successful surgery and a complete and speedy recovery. 

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. 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

SSJ Enrollment Period 12/14/23-1/14/24 (Fee Withdrawal 2/1/24)

On December 14th all parents and guardians received an email regarding our enrollment period. The email included details on sibling enrollment, enrollment fees, financial aid, and the opt-out process. Please note, all current school students have signed Continuous Enrollment agreements, so no action is required for their enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year. If you completed a sibling application, watch your email with instructions on completing an enrollment packet. If you have any questions, please contact Jenn Appaneal in our school’s Advancement Office at advancement@simonandjude.org.

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.

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.

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.

Knights of Columbus Contest Winners

Congratulations to our 5th grade students who were winners in the annual Knights of Columbus “Keep Christ in Christmas” art contest. First Place: Summer Keating. Second place: Caden Zimmerman. Third Place: Vivian DelVescovo. In addition to a certificate the winners received a Visa gift card. We rejoice with Summer, Caden, Vivian and their families on this wonderful accomplishment.

Congratulations to our 8th grade students who were winners in the annual Catholic Citizenship Essay Contest sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. This year’s theme is: "How can the Church evangelize in the digital age?" First place: Caroline Hagerty. Second place: Charlie Megosh. Third place: Cecilia Greto. The students each received a certificate and a monetary prize. We celebrate with Caroline, Charlie, Cecilia and their families on this awesome achievement.

8th Grade Christmas Pageant

Our Class of 2024 students performed in their Christmas Pageant, another very special 8th grade tradition. Special thanks to the Barclay family and their son Benjamin who portrayed Baby Jesus.