FI_Lion Line_10/25/24

I hope each of you have had a chance to watch and listen to the video I created with each of you in mind. I trust it was helpful. If you didn't get a chance to watch it, you can do so here.

A reminder for each of you when requesting help with a particular incident with one of your scholars, please follow these steps:

1. Teacher conference first

2. Upper Principal/Dean of Students

3. Headmaster

4. Governing Board via Parent Liaison

These steps, with more explanation, can be found on the school website.

Please know I am grateful and willing to assist, but to say I am inundated with emails coming first and straight to me would be a huge understatement.

Thanks all!

Have a super wonderful, relaxing weekend.

In order to keep scholars safe and make afternoon pickup efficient, we have particular areas scholars are to wait for parent pickup. Scholars are aware of this because we communicate it often, but please check the list below and make sure your scholar is waiting in the proper area. We are mostly having a problem with scholars not waiting in the cafeteria when they have been asked to do so.

1. If being picked up by a parent in upper car line (2:25-2:45), they are to be standing in front of the cafeteria at upper dismissal. No other scholars should be outside in front of the cafeteria at this time.

2. If being picked up in grammar car line (2:50-3:20), they are to go immediately into the cafeteria to wait for grammar car line to begin.
3. If walking home, they are to immediately dismiss through the walker gate.
4. If waiting for parent pickup after all car lines, they are to go immediately into the cafeteria and stay there until grammar car line is over. Then they'll go to the walker gate area to wait for the parent.

5. If waiting for an employee parent to finish work at the school or a sibling to finish an activity, they are to go immediately into the cafeteria and stay there until grammar car line is over. Then they'll go to the parent's classroom/office or move to the courtyard to wait for a sibling.

It is my pleasure to introduce the newest members of Saint Johns Classical Academy's Chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS). Our chapter is proud to be inducting these new members, indicating the continuing emphasis on excellence that we represent for our school and community.

Alessandra A

Emma B

Gavin B

Sarah B

Gabriel C

Brandt C

Beatrix C

Jessica D

Kyla D

Abigail D

Kiah D

Evelen D

Lucas J

Aiden L

Mariah M

Joseph M

Logan O

Mallory R

Landon S

Emma S

Mabel S

Brooke T

Myla W

Throughout the coming years, members of our chapter will serve as role models for other scholars aspiring to attain academic excellence. In addition to their strong academic records, which established their eligibility for membership, our newly-selected chapter members are leaders in many student organizations that serve our school and community.

Membership in the National Honor Society has been earned by all of its members through their effective demonstration of the four qualities that serve as the pillars for the Society: Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Character.

It is an honor to serve my school and these scholars as their NHS Chapter Advisor, guiding them in their academic journeys, serving alongside them in our school and community service projects, and celebrating in their achievements.

-Ana Maria Cosme, NHS Chapter Advisor and Upper School English Department Chair

We also inducted NJHS scholars, which we'll highlight in the next Lion Line.

Many parents have asked why Latin takes precedent at SJCA? Hillsdale answers this very question in a recent podcast. In this 20-minute session, a Latin teacher discusses why scholars should learn this unique language while exploring its value in our curriculum.

Come and see SJCA Shines, our annual talent show. Rather than split the event into two separate nights (one for grammar and one for upper) as previously advertised, we've decided to combine it into a one-night showcase. Plan to join us on November 15!

Let's fill the cafetorium on November 7th as we honor our veterans through song.

Our holiday concerts are a great way to celebrate the season with family and friends. Here's our December line up.

SJCA's flag football team and our middle school volleyball team advanced to the final four earlier this week. While both teams played hard, we weren't able to clench a win. Regardless, we want to congratulate our scholar athletes on a job well done. Making it to the playoffs with such a young athletics program is no small feat.

Head over to Jeremiah's on November 19 for a spirit night. Our team will receive 20% of the sales.

On 10/28, at 5:30pm in the FI cafeteria, please join us for a wrestling interest meeting to talk about our season, expectations, and answer questions you might have.

We encourage the parents/athletes that are new to our program to come in so we can get everyone ready for the season. Wrestling is open to K-12.

If you have questions, please reach out to Coach Kody Kersten: lionswc365@gmail.com

If you'd like to try out for the girls or boys basketball team, try out dates are below.

What's cooking for November? Here's next month's menu.

Per the Board approved Unpaid Meal Policy, your scholar will not be given a lunch if the account is too negative.

Per the Unpaid Meal Policy on pg. 47 of the Parent & Scholar Handbook, the charge limit is -$21.25 for paid accounts and -$2.00 for reduced accounts (the cost of 5 meals).

They will instead be given a letter that looks similar to an email that is sent from MSB every other day. If you are not receiving the negative notices, please email lunch@stjca.org.

If you would like to check your eligibility for Free/Reduced Lunch, please click the button below.

Get ready for another 1776 Promise Spirit Day. Scholars may wear red, white, and blue spirit shirts or outfits. All proceeds collected will go directly to the 1776 Promise Campaign to benefit our teachers.

When: Friday, November 8

Cost: $2 to participate, per scholar (but you can donate more, if you'd like)

Payment: You can pay in cash and give it to your teacher, pay online with this link, or scan the QR code. Please note, you cannot pay via MySchoolBucks.

Tops: Should be primarily red, white, or blue in color. No political language or pictures. No face paint.

Bottoms: Standard spirit day bottoms.

On November 4, the Lions Council will hold its Bi-Annual General Members Meeting. If you're new to the school or are interested in being more involved on campus, this is the ideal meeting to attend. Join us at 6pm in the cafeteria. Meetings usually run about 45 minutes.

The Great Turkey Feather Challenge is an annual fundraiser hosted by the Lions Council Fine Arts Booster Committee, led by Megan Cutlip. This year, it will run from November 4 - November 22.

Here's how it works:

• Each class (K-6th) and each house has a jar to collect donations from scholars.
• Scholars can buy regular feathers for $1 or golden feathers for $5.
• Coins, cash, or checks made out to Lions Council, are accepted.
• Prizes: The K-5 class with the most feathers wins a pizza party! The 6th grade or upper school house wins a free spirit day!

Interact Club's annual school-wide food drive to benefit Good Samaritan Anglican Church's monthly food giveaway has begun.

If you would like to participate, please send non-perishable food donations to your scholar's homeroom teacher (grammar school) or 1st period teacher (upper school).

There will be a prize for the grammar school homeroom class and upper school 1st period class with the most donations. The winning classes must have a total minimum donation of 100 items to win.

We had over 2,000 items donated last year. We are hoping to beat that number this year.

Let’s DO THE GOOD and help less fortunate Clay County families!

If you have questions or would like to make a large donation, please contact Mrs. McGinn at sally.mcginn@stjca.org.

Mrs. Arnett's kindergarten class recently worked on 3D shapes. They worked collaboratively to create a cube!

In Upper School PE, students engaged in a lively team-building game that involved picking up hula hoops using jump ropes. Paired up, they strategized and communicated effectively, each partner holding one end of the rope while skillfully maneuvering to lift the hula hoop together. Scholars learned the importance of collaboration and trust, highlighting the value of teamwork in achieving a common goal. The exercise not only fostered physical coordination but also strengthened friendships and teamwork skills.

FortifyFL is a suspicious activity reporting tool that allows you to instantly relay information to appropriate law enforcement agencies and school officials. You can submit a tip at any time.