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Dear Parents,

Thank you for choosing St. Johns Classical Academy. We are excited to provide an excellent classical education to your child. I know that many of you are new to classical education, so we will continually make an effort to inform you about our content-rich curriculum and traditional learning approach.

Classical education has been around for thousands of years, reaching back to Athens, Rome, and even Jerusalem. It is deeply imbedded in Western Civilization and Western thought. I even like to say that American Classical Education also reaches back to Philadelphia where our founders, who were classically educated, wrote the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States from their rich knowledge and understanding of classical education. This is what we want to provide to your children.

You are going to be amazed at how much your child will learn about our nation's founding and its rich history; good, bad, and ugly. They will also learn much about world history as well. I hope you have wonderful dinner table conversations about what your child is learning each day.

I feel very privileged to be a part of this wonderful community of learners and I look forward to engaging more with each of you.

By the way, I want you to know that safety and security is first and foremost here at SJCA. I spoke with all of our scholars this past week about "if you see something, say something." If you have an upper scholar, I encourage you to download the FortifyFL (Fortify Florida) app on their mobile device if they have one. You will find more information about the app in each edition of the Lion Line.

Now, let's have a safe and wonderful school year!

Matt Johnson

FortifyFL is a suspicious activity reporting tool that allows you to instantly relay information to appropriate law enforcement agencies and school officials.

Classical education begins with an observation about human nature. Human nature is the fundamental disposition and characteristic of how we think, feel, and act. What we do in school should fit our human nature and encourage us to develop in the right way, pursuing human excellence. True education must address both body and soul, not excluding one from the other. It should develop our intellectual and moral character. Classical education tends to the mind and the heart, teaching one to love what is most excellent, true, beautiful, and good. As a result, these things become a way of life.

Classical education is thoughtful in how it teaches skills, knowledge, and virtue. The skills necessary for learning are taught explicitly. Students receive knowledge in the form of a rich understanding of the humanities and the sciences. We present students with real content through direct instruction from the teacher. We cultivate virtue through nurturing habits of character that shape our scholars and help them become who they are designed to be. Virtue is a lifelong endeavor that we choose, not merely a behavior management system. Within a classical classroom, the teacher not only teaches content but serves as a role model in the pursuit of virtue.

Classical education is a well-rounded education that fosters a love of learning. It is practical, useful, and good for everyone. Classical education does not tailor the classes taken by a student to their interests and abilities, but rather provides a foundation in the liberal arts, sciences, human things and natural world – things all should know. We use tried and true methods that have been tested with time. Scholars encounter timeless texts that promote intellectual wonder and lifelong learning. Classical education emphasizes human virtue and moral character, content rich curricula, and teacher-lead classrooms. We are educating children so they have the tools to learn for life.

Classical education speaks of building intelligent virtuous citizens and prepares scholars for citizenship. We were made to live in community with each other in order to live well. In America, pursuing the virtue of justice and the responsibility to protect what is good and change what is bad lies with the people.

Classical education recognizes that parents are the primary educators of their child. The teacher has a moral imperative and thus is a role model in the classroom. However, the teacher comes alongside the parents to prepare students for academic success and meaningful participation in society. We are excited to partner with you on this classical education endeavor to grow your scholar intellectually and virtuously.

In mid-September, we invite parents and scholars to the school for an Open House. It's a time for scholars to bring their parents and guardians to campus, see their classrooms, and meet their teachers.

Due to limited parking, we spread the event out over several nights. Please see the schedule below.

Each night, we ask families to arrive at 6pm and gather in the cafeteria before heading to classrooms.

On Wednesday, SJCA will welcome Leonard's to campus for picture day. Forms will go home so you can order prints or digital copies.

If your scholar is missing pieces to their formal dress uniform or is absent that day, don't worry. They can participate in Picture Retake Day in November.

On the last Friday of each month, scholars are encouraged to wear SJCA-approved spirit wear. This monthly event is a school fundraiser. Scholars pay $2 per spirit day. You can pay for the entire years' worth of spirit days via MySchoolBucks or you can bring in cash on spirit days to cover each individual day.

If you need to order spirit wear, SJCA works with several approved spirit-wear vendors, which are listed below:

• Stryker Custom Designs
• Nikki’s Cove Creations
• Dossco Designs

Dress Code for Spirit Days

Tops

You can wear tops purchased from an approved vendor, but you can also wear:

• PE shirts
• Upper school House shirts
• SJCA-sponsored club shirts
• SJCA polo shirt

Bottoms

On spirit days, you can wear jeans or jean shorts that reach the knee. Jeans may not have any rips, tears, holes. No jeggings permitted. You can also wear uniform shorts or any khaki or navy-blue shorts to the knees. No athletic shorts unless you are in K-5th and have PE that day.

Shoes

Scholars may wear their choice of shoes except for flip flops, crocs, or sandals. No open-toed or backless shoes permitted.

Jackets

SJCA jackets, spirit hoodies, or house hoodies are allowed.

The Lion Cub Chorale is now open for registration!

We invite all scholars from grades 3-5, who love to sing, whether you are a seasoned performer or just starting out, to join us for a musical journey filled with fun, learning, and harmonious teamwork. No prior experience is necessary—just bring your enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.

Start Date: Thursday, September 5th (rehearsals on Thursdays)

Time: 3-4pm

Cost: $30 per student, paid via MySchoolBucks.

Register: In addition to paying the fee, please contact Ms. Sarah Young at sarah.young@stjca.org to let her know your scholar will join the group.

Don't miss this chance to be part of a fantastic musical community and display your talents at upcoming events and performances including Constitution Day, Veterans Day, and ending with a special musical theatre performance in the spring.

We cannot wait to see (and hear) you there!

In the Classical tradition, studying the Fine Arts is an important part of every scholar's content-rich education. The Arts are a living window to the past and the thread that connects us as humans, culturally-- past, present, and future.

The Fine Arts Department at SJCA is blossoming! Check out this video to see how we are growing and peek into the classrooms where our scholars develop their knowledge and talent every day. Love the BEAUTIFUL!

SJCA Athletics has chosen to partner with Charleston Wrap® as a fundraising opportunity to support physical education and athletics.

When deciding on a program, we knew it was important to select a simple fundraiser with items that our parents would love and also support. Charleston Wrap® is known for their signature, Ultra-Heavy™ gift wrap. You just can’t beat the value of these great products, and keep in mind, your purchase supports our school.

In addition to the gift wrap and accessories, you’ll also find some fantastic gourmet kitchen cookware, home decor items, gifts for all the special people in your life, and some delicious treats, too.

You’ll have the option to personalize or monogram hundreds of gift items — This fundraiser will be the perfect way for you to support our school and check-off your holiday gift list, too! We are confident these are all products you will actually want to buy and feel proud to give them as gifts to family and friends.

Grammar school scholars received information about this fundraiser in their Tuesday folders as well.

With these funds we will purchase new PE equipment, including equipment for the weight room in our new gym. We will also use these funds for new jerseys and fees for our sports programs.

Here's how to participate:

1. Register as a participant at www.registercw.com to access invitation tools in the Participant Portal.

2. You can share and invite 10+ friends and family to support our cause! Share a link to our sale using the invitation tools.

3. Shop online and help us reach our GOAL today! With over 2,500 gift ideas there is something for everyone.

Our Organization ID: 28039

Special thanks to those who came to Jeremiahs to support the SJCA Volleyball team. As always, we appreciate your support and can't wait to see you in the stands.

SJCA Athletics are off to a great start. Take a look at these upcoming events.

Keep an eye on the SJCA Athletic website for up-to-date games times.

The Lion Litter Crew is motivated to make a positive impact on our school environment. Our goal is to create a cleaner and more environmentally friendly school campus. Litter not only affects the aesthetics of our surroundings but also has a negative impact on the environment. By joining the Lions Litter Crew, you can be part of the solution and help make our school a cleaner and more sustainable place.

Open to: 4th and 5th grade

Meet: Every Friday 3:30-4:00pm

Start date: October 4

Registration is open now! To register, email liberty.hancock@stjca.org.

Registration is now open for grades 6-12.

Here's what you should know before you join:

1. Meetings start after dismissal. As it is a Wednesday, scholars will be allowed to bring ordered sack lunch or easy-to-eat lunch from home. The first 15 minutes of the meeting will be a learning lunch (they'll eat while listening to the lesson for the day).

We need to keep Mrs. Rhodes's room clean so please bring food items that won't spill, drip, or crumble (except water, of course). We have to clean up the desks and floors as is necessary before the chess boards can be brought out.

2. Chess Club shirts are available for purchase. This can be worn on Spirit Days and at chess tournaments. Proceeds benefit the Chess Club.

3. To join, please go to MySchoolBucks and pay the $22 fee, which covers the entire year.

4. The first meeting will be on August 28th at 12.30-1.30pm.

Meetings will be held every Wednesday thereafter except when there are holidays, House Olympics, and other Wednesday special events. The last meeting will be on May 21, 2025.

5. Please plan to pick up your scholars at 1.30pm.

Registration is open now!

Open to: K-5

Start date: 9/3

Dates and times of classes are: 9/3, 9/17, 10/1, 10/15, each class is 3:00-4:30pm

Cost: $120 per scholar for four classes

Welcome to culinary class! A fun class where new cooks will be introduced to culinary skills such as how to use a knife safely, knife terminology, kitchen safety and proper food handling to understand the significance of sanitation and avoiding cross-contamination.

As the weeks unfold, culinary skills will evolve. Beyond the kitchen, we seamlessly integrate other valuable life skills, such as fractions, emphasizing the practical application of math in everyday life. The students won't be passive observers; they'll actively engage in the preparation, measuring, and cooking.

Classes are taught by Corina Danielson, a Certified Healthy Hands Cooking Instructor.

To register, please pay the registration fee in MySchoolBucks. Please note, you may not see the class listed in MySchoolBucks until Monday, 8/26.

Over the summer, construction crews made updates to the cafeteria. Scholars now walk through a dedicated lunch room door and form a line in front of the kitchen. Along with the new traffic flow, scholars are now able to say "no thank you" to certain elements, grab their own a la carte items like ice cream and chips, and are responsible for bussing their own trays.

Here's a short video clip that highlights the new set up.

Lunch IDs Coming Soon

Students will start to receive their barcode ID badges, which are needed for the lunch line.

Negative Balances

SJCA Food Services will allow paid scholars to enter into a negative balance up to $21.25 (the cost of 5 meals) and reduced scholars to enter into a negative balance up to $2 (the cost of 5 meals).

The negative balance will be repaid when monies are received, and the remaining balance will be credited to the scholar’s lunch account.

NEW THIS YEAR: All scholars in all grade levels can dip into a negative balance to purchase lunch, however, they cannot go into the negative to purchase "a la carte items" or extras like chips, ice cream, or an additional slice of pizza. If the balance is negative, your scholar must have cash if purchasing extras.

Important Lunch Announcement for Upper Schoolers

On Wednesdays, Upper School scholars will be able to purchase snacks from the cafeteria before school from 7-7:20 am. A pre-ordered grab and go lunch OR a pre-ordered menu of the day will be available for upper school scholars on Wednesdays.

The lunches will be picked up from the cafeteria at the end of the school day (12:24 – 12:45). A link to order the lunch will be provided via a Blackboard text and email the week prior.

The deadline to order will be Friday prior. If you would like to set up a "standing order," please contact Lunch@stjca.org.

Flu Clinic Coming Soon

SJCA is planning a Flu Clinic by Health Hero on 9/11. Consent forms will go home soon and will need to be returned ASAP.

Supply Needs

If you're able to help, the clinic is in need of itty-bitty bandaids and medium-sized bandaids. No characters, colors, or designs - just plain, skin-colored bandaids.

Are you interested in learning about volunteering opportunities on campus? Joining one of the Lions Council committees? We encourage you to come and learn about the opportunities that are available. You can view all the Lions Council committees at www.lionscouncil.org

The Lions Council Executive Board will review the volunteer process and you will hear from various committee chairs who are looking for support.

Whether you're new to the school or are a seasoned SJCA parent who's looking to get involved, the orientation is the place to start.

Scholars are welcome to attend with you, please bring something to keep them occupied during meeting.

Remember, the Lions Council has a special fundraiser coming up.

Shop the Kendra Scott store (in St Johns Town Center) on August 24 from 4-6pm, or online between August 24-25, and the Lions Council will receive 20% of the sales. If you shop online, please use the code: GIVEBACK-HCPZF.