Dear SJS Parents,

We are very close to the start of the school year. I wanted to reach out to you regarding a few important matters as we prepare to start the school year.

NEW MEMBERS OF OUR FACULTY:

Many of you are aware that Mrs. Amy Scott has returned to SJS this year to teach middle school math.
Ms. Julianne Raney was hired to serve as an aide for 1st and 2nd grades because we were not splitting the classes. Due to number increases as well as an attempt to reduce class size, Ms. Raney will now co-teach with Mrs. Kaiser in 2nd grade. Mrs. Janie Johnson will be joining us to teach first grade in addition to Mrs. Evans. Both of our veteran teachers are excited to welcome the new additions to our academic community and I know that the students will be excited as well, once they meet them. Mrs. Lauren Castro will be returning to SJS to work with Mrs. Angie Daniel in the K3 class with our youngest friends.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 5PM-7PM

Due to limiting the campus to visitors during phases 1 and 2 of re-opening, we are unable to host our annual ice cream social. We do, however, recognize the importance of students and parents being able to meet their teachers. Each homeroom teacher will host a virtual session where parents will be able to meet them briefly speak with them one-on-one. This scenario permits us to have a visual and personal interaction between the SJS faculty and the SJS families. This will take place on Thursday, 5pm-7pm. Teachers will set a waiting room so that parents and students will not have a large group all vying for the attention of the teacher.

BEGINNING AUGUST 10TH- IMPORTANT:

Students are required to arrive at school in the car line and must wait in the car until their temperature has been taken. Walk-ups will disrupt the flow but also run the risk of reading a higher temperature than normal since the August heat will cause a student’s temperature to rise. We do realize that the car line will take longer. During the first week, we will take time to get accustomed to the new routine. Anyone that is not on time for the car line will have to have their temperature taken by the office staff and the student must be checked in. Car line in the afternoon is essential as well. Utilizing the car line will prevent gathering in large groups on the campus and will allow for us to efficiently load students into vehicles at the end of the school day.

K-VILLAGE, 1ST, AND 2ND CAR LINE:

A simple fix (as a father of 4, I know it can be more complicated), that is much safer for students is to exit the vehicle on the driver’s side. Many times last year, we had near accidents and we do not wish for any of the children to get injured. Again, the teachers will use the touchless thermometers to take their temperature, the students will then exit on the driver’s side of the vehicle. For some families this means moving a younger child’s car seat to the opposite side of the car. This creates a solution for our students regarding vehicle safety.

In Christ,
Clayton Cobb
Principal St. Joseph Catholic School