FI_Lion Line_8/16/24

Dear Lion Parents,

We have had such a good start to the school year! Yes, the car line is slow, but that is expected with so many new scholars and parents, especially Kindergarten scholars. Car line will continually get faster while remaining safe for all.

Last week, we received new desks and chairs due to the growth of our school. Those desks had to be assembled quickly, so we put a call out to parents and had several dads and sons come out with their power tools and we were able to assemble all of them. Thanks to all of those who were able to answer the call. You will see photos of these wonderful people below, including our very own "Buddy the Elf."

Speaking of assembling things, you have probably noticed the gymnasium building being constructed on campus. This is a much-needed addition to our school and will not only provide an air-conditioned space for physical education, but also a place for practice and games.

The gym building will include additional classrooms, where we will move the fifth grade, upper science classes, and the band room. Additionally, the building will include a weight room and wrestling room, and is expected to be completed in December.

A BIG SHOUT OUT goes to Lions Council for putting on the best Back to School Bash ever! I am so thankful for the Lions Council leadership; Nicole Chapman, Lisa McEwen, Melissa Taylor, and Heather Stevenson (along with me) form the Executive Committee of Lions Council. These ladies work hard to ensure our parents receive information about events and teachers receive support. They also help with fundraising for the school. Please help the school by joining Lions Council today.

GO LIONS!

Matt Johnson

The Upper School schedule for Wednesday has changed. We have removed the lunch period and have added a 30-minute assembly between 3rd and 4th periods. Scholars will have the opportunity to eat a snack on the way down to the assembly, which is held in the cafeteria.

We are asking that they finish their snacks before entering the assembly and that they throw any trash in the trash cans outside the cafeteria. This gives them a 5-minute snack time.

We are very excited about this opportunity to build a strong, united Upper School community. Through a variety of speakers, our purpose is to continue improving the development of character, citizenship, and leadership in our Upper School.

In our first assembly, we talked about the significance of the SJCA Honor Code, which scholars should have brought home to discuss with you.

The Honor Code states the following: “Scholars at St. Johns Classical Academy strive to be virtuous in conduct, seek to grow in scholarship and learning, and pursue a commitment toward civic responsibility. SJCA scholars will not lie, cheat, or steal, and will discourage others from such actions.”

Please take time to read pages 28-29 and 31-32 of the Family and Scholar Handbook, which further explains the Honor Code and the consequences for plagiarism and cheating.

Both you and your scholar will sign the Honor Code compact, and your scholar will turn in the signature page to either me (Office 235) or to Mr. Bowers (Room 241) by Friday, August 23.

Mr. Bowers is our new Dean of Student Life in the Upper School. We look forward to his serving in this capacity, helping shape our culture and point your scholars towards virtue. I’ll talk more about his role in the next Lion Line.

Mark your calendar to join Mr. Johnson at 9:00am each Tuesday for Coffee Time with the Headmaster, a weekly Zoom call with insightful interviews that give parents insight into SJCA's missing, events, and activites.

To join the call on Tuesday morning, click the link.

The College Information Night provides parents and scholars the opportunity to learn about high school graduation requirements, how the Department of Academic Services assists scholars, timelines to stay on track to apply to college, gather information on scholarships, and Bright Futures, as well as learn about the historical data of the 70 seniors that have graduated from SJCA.

Flag Football Try-Outs:

• Aug 19 at 4:00pm
• SJCA Orange Park Field
• Open to girls and boys
• Grades 6-8

Basketball Open Gym

• Come throw some hoops and meet the coaches
• Aug 19 at 6pm
• SJCA Orange Park Gym
• Grades 6 and up

Home Opener for Volleyball - all are invited to come out and cheer on the team.

• Aug 22 at 4:30pm
• SJCA Orange Park Gym
• You can buy tickets to the game on our new athletic website

Questions? Matthew.Sage@stjca.org.

• Monday, August 19th from 2:30 pm until all auditions are complete

• Open to scholars in grades 6-12

• Bring a prepared monologue and a short song

• Songs may be performed a cappella or with a karaoke or instrumental track provided by the scholar (no lead vocals)

• Rehearsals Monday & Thursday from 2:30-4:30 pm

• Production dates: February 21, 22, & 23

We look forward to seeing many scholars at the auditions!

Questions? Reach out to jennifer.kiep@stjca.org.

New Rule Regarding 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 Leandra.Cramer@stjca.org.

Lions Wrestling Club (LWC), Grades: K-12

Contact: Kody Kersten, Lionswc365@gmail.com

The Lion’s Wrestling Club (LWC) is dedicated to the enhancement of wrestling in Northeast Florida and fostering its athletes to achieve their educational and wrestling goals. The LWC is split practices for K-3, 4 & 5 graders during wrestling season (the 6-12 are competing for the school). During the off-season, our club is open to K-12. Starting in November, location and time TBD. On Facebook, search SJCA Wrestling to join the group.

Run/Walk Club, Grades: K-8

Due to gymnasium construction Run/Walk will not be held until January 2025.

Contact: Beth Moody, sjcarunwalk@gmail.com

The Run/Walk Club is open to students K-8th grade with volunteer opportunities for high school students. We meet on Thursdays weekly from October through April to exercise and socialize in a fun, safe and encouraging environment. Regular challenges help students to meet their goals and earn various awards starting at 10 miles.

Lion Cub Chorale & Musical Theatre Troupe, Grades: 3-5

Contact: Cassie Crosby, Cassie.crosby@stjca.org

Art Club, Grades: 2-6

Contact: Shanon Rice, shanon.rice@stjca.org

Litter Crew, Grades: 4-5

Contact: Liberty Hancock, Liberty.Hancock@stjca.org

Scholars meet once a week to provide assistance in keeping the grounds of our school free of liter. Information will go home in next Tuesday's folder. Club will start on Friday, October 4th.

Basketball Club, Grades: 4-6

Contact: Michael Carlson, michaelcarlson8@gmail.com

The SJCA Basketball Club offers a wide assortment of basketball developmental skills for all athletes, regardless of skill level. Students will expand their game knowledge, improve their ball handling and shooting skills, increase agility and endurance, and learn to work as a team.

Safety Patrol, Grades 4-6

Contact: Liberty Hancock, Liberty.Hancock@stjca.org

Ensuring scholar's safety within school premises is paramount. One initiative that has long been integral to this endeavor is the School Safety Patrol. This system not only enhances safety but also fosters leadership skills among scholars.

Applications must be turned in no later than August 30th for the 2024-2025 school year.

Chess Club, Grades: 6-12

Contact: Ruth Deperalta, ruthudp@gmail.com

The Chess Club provides a place for students to meet and play with fellow chess players, learn how to play chess, and improve their strategy skills. Future goals include assembling a school varsity team for chess tournaments.

Drama Club, Grades: 6-12

Contact: Jennifer.Kiep@stjca.org

This club, for 6th-12th grade, is a fun after-school club to practice your acting skills and hone your craft with one professional production per year. Whether it's on stage or backstage, we have something for all thespians!

Interact Club, Grades: 8-12

Contact: Sally McGinn, Sally.Mcginn@stjca.org

We are a service–based club for 8th -12th graders. We are sponsored by the Rotary Club Orange Park–Sunrise chapter. Our club's mission is to make a difference in our school, community, and the world through volunteerism. We meet in room 203 on the first and third Tuesdays of the month. The club dues are $10 per year or $30 if the club member would like a club T-shirt to wear during our service projects and on Spirit Days.

Show Choir, Grades: 6-12

Contact: Cassie Crosby, Cassie.crosby@stjca.org

Show Choir is a teacher and student led performance-based club where students receive the opportunity to work on classic choral arrangements of jazz, pop, showtunes, and contemporary music of today. Performers will work together to find their voices and dancing feet all while having fun and building strong relationships.

National Junior Honor Society (NJHS), invitation only, Grades: 7-9

Contact: Carmen Burgess, Carmen.burgess@stjca.org

National Honor Society (NHA), invitation only, Grades: 10-12

Contact: Ana Maria Cosme, Anamaria.cosme@stjca.org

*CLUBS RUN BY OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS THAT MEET ON CAMPUS*

Baton (All Star Twirling Academy), Grades: K-12

Contact: Coach June Stoeber, (352) 514-1362, jjbug@hotmail.com, www.twirlbaton.com

Meets Wednesday afterschool.

Starts August 28.

Registration open now.

Little Dancing Stars, Grades: K-3

Contact: Haylee Bessent, hblittledancingstars@gmail.com, littledancingstars.com

Meets Tuesday afterschool. Two sessions: 3pm and 3:45pm.

Starts September 3.

Registration open now.

Code Ninjas Lego Robotics Club, Grades: K-12

Contact: Ryan Clark, www.codeninjas.com/fleming-island-fl

Meets Wednesday afterschool.

Starts August 21.

Registration open now.

The Lions Council is the school's PTA.

It's a 501c3 organization formed to partner with school administration, teachers, and parents to provide support for our scholars inside and outside of the classroom by providing the resources they need.

The Lions Council hosts several fundraisers throughout the year, with funds going back to support the school. During the last school year, the Lions Council raised about $80,000, before expenses, and made a difference on campus by:

• Showering our teachers with breakfast, lunch, and treats during Teacher Appreciation Week.
• Buying teachers and staff gift cards on appreciation days.
• Celebrating teachers with special occasion gift cards for weddings and babies.
• Supporting families during times of bereavement.
• Providing scholarships for field trips.
• Purchasing clothing closet supplies to maintain a uniform closet on campus.
• Purchasing new microphones and art display cases for Fine Arts.

Here are the four parents who volunteer their time to serve on the Lions Council Executive Committee, alongside Mr. Johnson who is a perennial member of the committee.

Want to learn more?

You can attend a monthly meeting, which are held on campus on the first Monday of the month, and plan to join us for the Volunteer Orientation on August 29th at 6pm.

You can also visit the website to learn more about specific committees.

The Lions Council organizes the uniform closet for the Fleming Island campus.

Families have donated uniforms to pass along to families in need. If your uniforms have not arrived from Lands' End, please reach out to Nicole Chapman, Lions Council, at chairman.lioncouncil@stjca.org.

Share your scholar's grade, items needed, and estimated sizes. The Lions Council volunteers can look through to see what might be available. You will get a response from Lions Council, our volunteer PTA, within 48-hours on what items we have available for your scholar to borrow.

If you have any uniform questions please reach out to uniforms@stjca.org.

The Lions Council hosted a Boo Hoo to Yahoo Gathering for our kindergarten families on the first day of school.

Mr. Johnson, our headmaster, and Mrs. Burris, our grammar school principal, welcomed our youngest Lions to school. Parents were able to snap a few pictures and give hugs before our teachers - and seniors - walked scholars to their classroom to start their academic career at SJCA. It's a budding tradition at our school that brings our youngest and oldest scholars together.

If your scholar is late to school (late is not inside the gate by 7:55am when the gate closes) parents need to sign their children in with receptionist.

If parents are late to carline, they must sign their kids out at the reception desk. Carline ends at 3:20pm (Wednesday 1:20pm) when gates close. If gates are closed (will not close before 3:20pm) parents will be invoiced through My School Bucks for late pick up.

Lunch

If scholars forget their lunch, parents have until (10:10 A.M.) to drop it off. They will be placed on the lunch cart. The lunch cart will be taken to cafeteria no later than 10:15 AM. If lunches are not dropped off in time, the scholar will be offered the option to purchase a lunch. If a parent wants a scholar to bring a hot lunch for their scholar, please make plans to eat with them outside. Parents are not allowed in the cafeteria.

School supplies

SJCA is working to limit classroom interruptions and protect instructional time.

If upper school scholars forget anything, the receptionist will not call for them to come get it. They are welcome to come to check in between or at lunch classes, but it will be left at the little house.

If grammar school forgets something, the receptionist will try to get it to them but not guarantee. The receptionist will try and find someone to drop it outside the teacher’s door, but it's not guaranteed.

If you need to take your child to an appointment or check them out early, you must do so before 2pm (12pm on Wednesdays). NO exceptions, unless your scholar is in the clinic waiting to be picked up due to illness.

Biker/Walkers need new forms notarized (Mrs. Dasher can notarize) for your scholar to be able to ride/walk home. Scholars under 12 years old must have an older sibling or an adult with them to leave campus.