September 2024 Parent Pride Newsletter

Hello JCA Parents,

Welcome to the start of a new school year! I, along with Kelly Richardson, will serve as your 2024-2025 Presidents for the JCA Parent Association. My years at JCA started in the Fall of 2016 and Kelly’s started in the Fall of 2021. Our daughter graduated in May of 2020 and our son is currently a senior Hilltopper. Kelly’s son, Miller, is a current senior Hilltopper as well. We hope you will find the same warmth and fellowship that we have found in the community of Angel and Hilltopper parents and students.

Whether you are just beginning or are on your way out, high school is a time to make memories and from bonds that will last a lifetime.

The JCA experience and feeling of family is not exclusive to the students. Parents, too, are an integral part of the JCA fabric. Supporting your child’s academic efforts, being present at their award ceremonies, attending performing art shows, and sporting events are just a few ways to be active in the JCA community.

One of the most productive ways to get involved as a parent at JCA is through volunteering. The Parent Association is tasked with planning and implementing events and activities throughout the school year. We work with the Administration to ensure the students, and their families, have a positive high school experience at JCA.

The following events are planned by the Parent Association and are a place where you may want to get involved: Homecoming Week Activities, Hospitality at Open Houses, our Mass and Family Breakfast, Catholic Schools Week, and Teacher Appreciation Recognition.

Every year our events get better because of parents like you. You are an integral part of the success of these events. Not only do we want your participation in these activities, but we also often need extra hands to make these events prosperous. By getting involved, you can get to know other JCA families. We invite you to share your time and talents with us by volunteering for one of our events. Whether your talent includes decorating, managing concessions, flipping pancakes, or selling a 50/50 ticket at football games…there is a spot for you.

Our promise as your Parent Board Presidents, will be to involve each of you in an event that is sure to enhance your experience as a JCA parent. Our students will always remember the efforts you gave as a parent during their time at JCA and you will be enhancing your own experience along the way. Here is to an amazing year!

Much Love,

Mandy Kubinski and Kelly Richardson

JCA Parent Board Presidents

Dean's Office

How do I get ahold of the Dean’s Office?

· Dean’s Office Attendance Line: 815.741.0585

· Dean’s Office: Mrs. Borio is the Dean’s Office Secretary her extension is 223

How do I call my student in sick?

· If your student won’t be at school, call the attendance line and leave a message including the student’s name, grade level and reason for the absence. If your child visits a health care professional bring the note upon his/her return to school.

What do I do if I need to pick my student up early from school?

· Please call as soon as possible to let the dean’s office know you must pick up your student. Your student will receive a pass indicating the time they will be leaving. If it is an emergency, please be patient, it will take a while to contact your student’s classroom and for him/her to gather their belongings. The student will sign out in the dean’s office. Parents do not need to come into the school to sign the student out.

What do I do if my student will be late to school?

· If your child will be late, call the attendance line- 815.741.0585. Leave a message with the student’s name, grade level, estimated time of arrival and reason for tardiness.

My student forgot something and needed it today, what do I do?

· You can drop something off for your student. It is the student’s responsibility to pick the item up in the Dean’s Office. Please do not drop off food from fast food restaurants. All lunches should be in a lunchbox or plain bag.

My student has a detention, what should he/she do?

· If your student gets a detention, they will receive a hard copy detention slip. You will receive an email indicating the reason for the detention and the serve by date. This information is also available on Plus Portals. Students may serve detentions before the serve by date. Detentions may be served in the Dean’s Office any morning at 7:15 a.m. or immediately after school Monday – Friday.

Excel Driving School

Did you know Excel Driving School offers driver’s education to JCA students at the school?

Click here for more information and class schedules.

Christian Service Hours

All students are to complete Christian Service hours every year. The Christian Service Hours Director will periodically publish a list of approved and recommended agencies and work sites whereby a student may earn service hours. This list will be made available to the students on their Christian Service Teams page.

The expectations are as follows:

Freshmen will complete 5 hours total by May 9, 2025.

Sophomores will complete 10 hours total by May 9, 2025.

Juniors will complete 15 hours total by May 9, 2025.

Seniors will complete 30 hours total by May 1, 2025.

Click Here to download the form.

Counseling Department

Greetings from the Counseling Department! As the school year gets into full swing, we want to remind our families of the resources available to them through our Counseling Department and share some important dates and events. We look forward to working with your family! We will focus on the wholistic development of our students.

Mission Driven! Faith in Action – Every Day.

+Spiritual

+Social/Emotional

+Academic

+College/Career Readiness

Counselor Roles

Mr. Mickey Palmasani – 9^th and 10^th Grade (A – K)

Mrs. Kris Horn – 9^th and 10^th Grade (L – Z)

Mrs. Kerri Voltz – 11^th and 12^th Grade (A - K)

Mrs. Jackie Pullara – 11^th and 12^th Grade (L - Z)

Mrs. Aimee Batchelor – Student Services Counselor

Advisory Schedule for this School Year:

Mrs. Kris Horn – 9^th Grade Advisory

Mr. Mickey Palmasani – 10^th Grade Advisory

Mrs. Kerri Voltz – 11^th Grade Advisory

Mrs. Jackie Pullara – 12^th Grade Advisory

September is Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month. Together we can educate and prevent!

The National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is 988 -24/7 Crisis Support.

988lifeline.org

Don’t Miss Out!

The College Financial Aid Process Parent Presentation - Sept 25th at 6:00 p.m.

Freshman Parent Coffee - Sept 6th at 7:45 a.m.

Sophomore Parent Coffee - Sept 27th at 7:45 a.m.

Junior Parent Coffee - Oct 4th at 7:45 a.m.

Looking ahead:

FAFSA is scheduled to open Oct 1.

October 16 is testing day for 10^th and 11^th graders!

Sophomores – PreACT and PSAT (for Honors Program Sophomores)

Juniors – PSAT

JJC College Fair – Coming soon… October 23, 2024

100+ Colleges will be in attendance

Follow the Counseling Department on Social Media:

Twitter: @jcacounseling

Instagram: jca.counseling (JCA Counseling Department)

Facebook: Joliet Catholic Academy Counseling Department

Campus Ministry

In honor of Spanish Heritage Month, the JCA community will be hosting our 2^nd Annual Spanish Mass. Please join us on Sunday, September 29^th in the Mary, Our Sister Chapel at JCA beginning at 11 a.m. Fr. Enrique Valera O. Carm will be our celebrant. All JCA families and friends are welcome.

En honor al Mes de la Herencia Hispana, la comunidad de JCA celebrará su segunda misa anual en español. Únase a nosotros el domingo 29 de septiembre en la Capilla María Nuestra Hermana en JCA a partir de las 11 a.m. El padre Enrique Valera O. Carm será nuestro celebrante. Todas las familias y amigos de JCA son bienvenidos.

Athletics

The Official JCA Athletics Android/iPhone App! This is great for everyone; Alumni, Families, Students, and JCA Fans! Download today and sign up for notifications!

Special Events & Alumni Relations

Brown & Blue BBQ

Meet us at the Heritage Quad under the brilliance of our Victory Light on Saturday, September 14, 2024. The night will be full of live music, food and fellowship. Purchase your tickets today, prices increase on 9/5!

Purchase Brown & Blue BBQ Tickets

Purchase Raffle Tickets Here

Golf Outing Tickets and Information

Annually, JCA’s Hall of Champions induction ceremony pays tribute to the school’s athletes, coaches and contributors from the three schools that make up JCA: De La Salle (1920-1933), Joliet Catholic High School (1933-1989) and St. Francis Academy (1869-1989). This year’s ninth Hall of Champions Athletics class will be recognized on Saturday, September 28.