SSJ School News

February 15, 2024 - Issue #23

NEW THIS WEEK & REMINDERS

Important Safety Issue

There are many children who are dismissed each day via the main school door carline. We recognize that some parents prefer to park in the church parking lot and walk down to meet their children. It is very important that parents walk down to the school door so that the teachers supervising the carline dismissal see who is taking the child. Lately, some children as soon as they see their parent begin to run to meet them. Some children run ahead of their parent to the church parking lot. There is potential danger here as buses and cars are coming from the back parking lot. It is our goal to keep everyone safe. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. 

Student Council Candy Gram Sale

Thank you to all who participated in the Candy Gram fundraiser. Over 1,000 Candy Grams were sold! The proceeds will be used to purchase a cold treat for all students on Spirit Day and Beach Day. Plus, the lollipops were enjoyed by all! 

Cub Scout Pinewood Derby

Join our SSJ Cub Scout Pack 168 for their Annual Pinewood Derby on February 25th, 2-4 PM! There will also be a race for anyone in the community if you'd like to build a car. See details below.

Title 1 Family Survey - Deadline Extended

Each year we request our school families to complete a Title I Family Survey to ensure our eligibility for participation in federal programs that may provide our students with a variety of materials and services. On February 5th, you received an email with two attachments. The first was a letter from Sister Regina explaining our request for information. The second was the Title 1 Survey. We ask that you complete the survey document and return it to Sister Regina no later than Friday, February 23rd. All information will remain confidential. We appreciate your cooperation and participation.

Terra Nova Testing Reminder

Children in grades two through seven will take the annual Terra Nova testing on March 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. Again this year we, along with many Archdiocesan schools, will take the test online. It is our hope that all students are present to take the testing online with his/her class. If it is necessary to schedule appointments, please schedule afternoon rather than morning appointments.

FROM SSJ'S HOME & SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

HSA Raffle

Congratulations to the winner of our last raffle, the Carr family, Ainsley (gr. 7).

Bag Bingo - Last Chance to Purchase Tickets!

SSJ Designer Bag Bingo will be held on Thursday, February 22nd in The Meehan Center. Seating is limited and tickets will sell out quickly! You can purchase your bingo ticket, grand prize ticket (LOUIS VUITTON!!), and raffle tickets all through the link. Raffle tickets and 50/50 will also be sold at the event for more chances to win. Click here to buy your tickets now.

Once you have purchased your ticket, click here for a SignUpGenius to sign up for a table. Don’t have a group? Buy a ticket and we will pair you up with new friends!

The event is BYOB and favorite food to share with your table. Tables are 10 people max. If you have more than 10 please consider splitting into 2 tables. Please contact Anne Marie Gerhart at annemarie.gerhart@gmail.com for any questions and if you are interested in donating a bag or a door prize. 

Save the Date - General HSA Meeting

Our General Home and School Association meeting will be on Wednesday, February 28th at 7 PM in The Meehan Center. There will be Used Uniform and Logo Wear Sales.

The Eras Sweetheart Dance (SSJ Version)

On Saturday, March 23 from 6-8:30pm, all SSJ girls in Pre-K - 8th grade are invited to The Eras Sweetheart Dance (SSJ Version)! Grab your dad or favorite guy, feel free to dress in a Taylor Swift-era inspired outfit and get ready to have a blast! As Taylor Swift says, 'Tonight I'm going to dance for all that we've been through.' Get ready for a night of dancing and memories - we don’t know how it could get better than this! Click here to RSVP & Buy Tickets by March 15. If you have questions, contact Carolyn Phillip (carolyn.m.judge@gmail.com) and Dana Durkin (Danadurkin4@gmail.com).

SSJ Mother & Son Night

Join us for SSJ’s Mother and Son Night at the Philadelphia Flyers!

Save the date for Sunday, March 24th, 2024, at 6:00pm at the Wells Fargo Center. Sign up by February 14th! Click here to reserve your spots via SignUpGenius. Click here to make your payment via PayPal or QR code below!

Dine and Donate Event

February 22 - LoPiccolo Dine and Donate. Details below.

FROM SSJ'S CYO

Register for CYO Spring Sports

Registration for SSJ CYO Spring Sports is now open for students in kindergarten to grade 8! Click here for more information and a link to register.

Save The Dates for 3 Special Events!

• SSJ CYO Final Four Social - Saturday, April 6th, at Duffer's - An evite with more details will be sent out in the coming weeks. This is for adults & kids.

• SSJ CYO End of Year Banquet - Wednesday, May 29th, in the Meehan Center - This event is for our 8th grade athletes and their families. We'll also be inviting their 7th grade teammates.

• SSJ CYO Golf Outing - Monday, June 3rd, at Whitford Country Club - More info to come regarding registration and sponsorship opportunities. This is CYO's biggest fundraising event of the year!

We Fill Buckets at SSJ



Our faculty and staff who will receive their buckets tomorrow are Ms. Mary Pat Mauer (PreK 4 Teacher); Mrs. Jennifer Bowers (PreK 4 Aide); and Mr. Andy Salzmann (Maintenance).

During the week of February 19th, students will acknowledge: Mrs. Kathy DiFlorio (1st Grade Teacher); Mrs. Diane Glatts (Kindergarten Teacher); and Ms. Mary Kinka (PreK 3 Teacher).

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.

Kindness Spreads at SSJ

Kindness is being recognized at SSJ this February and March. When an adult sees a kind action, they will write up a slip of peanut butter or jelly paper and they will give it to the student to put it on a bulletin board of bread. The students with the most rewards will win a Dairy Queen gift card sponsored by the Peace Committee.

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 the grandfather of Jaxon Sentyz (room 14), who suffered an injury. May Christ’s healing hand comfort him and grant him a complete recovery.

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

100th Day of School Fun for K & 1st Grades

Student Council Service

Our Student Council supported the SSJ Sports Equipment Drive by donating items! This service project was headed by Sam Hillanbrand, SSJ Class of 2020 and two of his classmates at West Chester East. All donations were given to a non-profit organization called Leveling the Playing Field to distribute the sports equipment.

REPEATED INFORMATION

Chairs for Sale

I am happy to announce that our new folding chairs for the gym have arrived. We will be selling the old (in good condition) red chairs for $5.00 a chair.  If you would like to purchase a chair or chairs please email Mrs. Heraghty, kheraghty@simonandjude.org or Mrs. Rezer, fprando@simonandjude.org and let them know the number of chairs you would like and when you would like to pick them up. Cash or checks made out to Saints Simon and Jude School are accepted.

Save the Date

Save the date and hire your babysitter now for a fun and festive night out! More details coming soon. If interested in volunteering to help with the event, please email Vanessa Kehoe – vbo@georgetown.edu.