*Spirit Week Class Competition

On Thursday, February 2, the Spirit Week theme varies by grade level. Class competition themes for the day are:

Seniors - Glitter Glue (sparkles, polka dots, sequins, neon)
Juniors - Super Glue (superheroes)
Sophomores - Wood Glue (flannel, outdoorsy)
Freshmen - Tacky Glue (tacky dress)
January Community Award Winners
Congratulations to our January Community Award winners, students Gabe Nanni and Lauren Eggleston, and faculty Deacon Andy Oross and Deacon Harry Verhiley.
Mathletes Have Been Busy!
The team held several internal competitions written by the students themselves, as well as their moderator.

In Graphical Art, authored by Mr. Goodrich, students were given 24 bounded equations to make the graph pictured at left. Thomas Belcher,'24 and Hetvi Patel, '24 drew the best picture unaided by a calculator, but it was Lauren Borger, '23 to claim the win by correctly identifying it as the planet Jupiter. (Didn't see that coming).

In the Desmos Challenge, written by Bryan Onofre Vivar, '26 students competed to deliver the best equation to match a given graph or other criteria, such as drawing your best pumpkin. Kudos to Caden Clifford,'26 and Sebastian Vogel,'25 (pictured at right) for drawing impressive pumpkins using mathematic principles!

Announcements:
Re-Enrollment for 2023-24 Begins
Watch for a letter next week from Mr. Kennedy, followed by enrollment directions from Ms. Ushela. The enrollment checklist, including the $150 registration fee, is due March 15. Returning families who do not complete re-enrollment by March 15 will incur a $100 late fee.

2023-24 Calendar
To help you plan for the 2023-24 academic year, a list of important dates is here. As a reminder: students are required to be present for final exams. Please plan family vacations around those dates.

Arrival & Dismissal
Please follow drop-off and pick-up procedures. We care about the safety of every member of our school community. Please refer to this document for detailed instructions on pick-up/drop-off and student parking. Note:
 
  • All regular parent pick-up and drop-off occurs on Notre Dame Avenue. Please pull forward as far as possible down Notre Dame Ave. Students should not exit the cars on Cedar Street or in the intersection. Students should only cross the street at the crosswalk. 

  • Please drop off on the south-bound side of the street (on same side as the school). Please do not drop off on the north-bound side of the street across from the school. You can drop students in the parking lot near the brown house across ND Ave. Students should only cross the street at the crosswalk.
 
Building Hours
Our building opens for students at 7:15 a.m. and closes at 4:30 p.m. Students in the building outside these times must be part of an extracurricular activity. Please pick-up your child by 4:30 p.m.  

Second Semester Student Parking Passes
Semester passes are $35 and can be purchased on our website under the student portal

SAT Pre-Administration Session for Juniors
The SAT School Day pre-administration session will be held for all juniors on Monday, February 6 during flex period. Please make sure that students bring their fully charged laptop to school that day.  During the session, students can choose which colleges, universities, and/or scholarship programs to send their four free score reports to. More information on this can be found here.

The pre-administration session allows us to verify that all student devices are ready before SAT School Day (March 1st). While answering the questions in the pre-administration is voluntary, all juniors will proceed through the session in order to verify that they are ready for test day. Information about SAT School Day is available here. More information about SAT School Day at Saint Joe will be coming soon. Please contact Ginny Weaver at [email protected] with any questions.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
Are you or your high schooler interested in becoming an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion? If so, consider registering for the training day offered by the Diocese on Saturday, February 4 from 10:00 a.m. to noon at St. Anthony de Padua parish. The event is free, but registration is required.

The letter announcing the process and committee to evaluate our nickname is here. There will be an in-person town hall on February 15 at 6:00 p.m. in the Black Box Theater, and a virtual town hall on February 16 at 6:00 p.m. A survey will be distributed in February. Look for more information directly from the committee.
Catholic Schools Week January 30 - February 3
Each day during CSW we will celebrate a component our school community. Please consider highlighting these groups in your family prayers and discussions each day.

Monday 1/30: Celebrate our Community
Tuesday 1/31: Celebrate our Students
Wednesday 2/1: Celebrate our Nation
Thursday 2/2: Celebrate our Vocations
Friday 2/3: Celebrate our Faculty and Staff

Additionally, H.O.P.E. Club will hold a clothing drive throughout the week. Students may drop off new or gently used gloves, hats, socks, sweatshirts, sweatpants, towels, blankets, sheets, and toiletries that will be donated to the Center for the Homeless.
Ignite 2023: From Roots to Wings
Saint Joe's biggest fundraising event of the year is just around the corner!

This year’s theme, From Roots to Wings, celebrates our strong heritage and offers a wonderful opportunity connect with one another while doing good for our school.

Please consider becoming an event sponsor or donating an auction item or package. Visit the event webpage for more information or contact Patrick Lindenmeyer, Director of Annual Giving and Constituent Relations with questions.
Join us for Ignite 2023!
Saturday, March 18; 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. at The Armory

Tickets include heavy hors d'oeuvres, wine and spirits, live entertainment and a late night snack...and opportunities to bid on live and silent auction packages. Scan the QR code at right or visit saintjoehigh.com/giving/gala.
On sale soon!
Scholastic Art & Writing Award Winners Announced
This week we offer a sneak peek at student works that have earned regional accolades as part of the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. A complete list of Scholastic Art and Writing award winners and their submissions will appear in the next issue of Soundings. Stay tuned!

Art Awards Summary:
  • Our amazing artists achieved 14 Gold Keys, 21 Silver Keys, and 25 Honorable Mentions. 
  • The Regional Scholastic Exhibition will be on display at the South Bend Museum of Art from February 3 to April 29. 
  • A reception and award ceremony will be on February 4th from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Writing Awards Summary:
  • Saint Joe writers earned 4 Gold Keys, 7 Silver Keys, and 10 Honorable Mentions.
  • The virtual awards ceremony and in-person open house will take place on Sunday, February 19 at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art (FWMoA).
  • The exhibition of writing awards will be on display at the FWMoA from February 11 to April 8.

Moonchild,
Alexis Ponsler,
Gold Key
Life Saving Treatment,
Lucinda Flanagan, Gold Key
This Donut's Like the Size of My Face!, Caroline Kocovski, Silver Key
Saint Joe Athletics Highlights
Boys Basketball
In a touching moment, Tyler Brown made his first varsity points after a challenging year. Chase Konieczny was named WHME TV-46 Student Athlete of the Week (pictured at left). The team plays at Penn on Monday, January 24 at 7 p.m. The boys compete in the NIC Meet

Wrestling
The wrestling team earned a nice victory over Washington, 48-18. They honored seniors Jack Aranowski and Lukas Hair on senior night. Jack Aranowski won his 220 pound match to become the NIC Champion.

Hockey
The hockey team currently has a 24-4-3 record. They have won their last 7 games, including three big wins against top-ranked teams, St. Edward and Culver.
Swimming and Diving
The boys and girls teams recognized Jackie Dobrydney, Cece Farrell, and Ella Frick at senior night. Claire Dobrydney (pictured) became NIC Champion for the 500 freestyle. Boys compete in the NIC Meet on Saturday, January 28 at 9:00 a.m.

There were many notable first place finishes recently! Congratulations to Cece Farrell, Claire Dobrydney, Jackie Dobrydney, Addyson Farmer, Anna Pruitt, Maddi Crowley, Emma Morris on the girls team, and to boys Charlie Helm, Jack Helm, Ege Babaoglu, Charlie Weber, Derick Morocho, and Caden Clifford for exceptional performances!
Girls Basketball
Congratulations to Kenadie Schrock for making the Interra Holiday Classic All-Tournament Team for her excellent performance on the court.

To read more about SJ Athletics, visit saintjoeathletics.com or @SaintJoeSports on Twitter.