FI_Lion Line_ 8/2/24

We are so excited to kick off another great school year at St Johns Classical Academy Fleming Island. There is so much happening on campus and so many good changes that I hardly know where to begin.

First of all, we have some important leadership changes that occurred over the summer: While Mrs. Casteel is still the upper school principal, the new grammar school principal is Mrs. Stephanie Burris, former first grade teacher.

We are so proud of Mrs. Heaton who was selected by Hillsdale College to serve on the K12 Teacher Support Team, servicing a network of K12 schools.

Additionally, Mrs. Malissia Dasher, who was serving as executive assistant, is now the new director of operations. I want you to know that we have been working hard this summer to prepare for the arrival of our teachers and scholars!

So, what are we looking forward to the most this school year? Well, we are welcoming several new teachers, adding a section of scholars to the grades of third, fourth, and fifth grade.

Additionally, we are gaining many new sixth and seventh grade scholars as well as several scholars throughout the other upper school grades. We are growing by more than 200 scholars this school year!

Now, where are we going to put all of these scholars you may ask? Well, we are expecting the gymnasium building, which contains additional classrooms, to be completed by December, which will help tremendously with the growth in population. Until the gym is completed, however, the campus will be very crowded. Please be at ease knowing that plans are in place to monitor the crowdedness, especially the hallways and bathrooms. Believe me, we are already looking forward to Moving Day when all overcrowding issues will be resolved.

Another addition this school year is the ability of our school to teach Astronomy to seniors. By adding this class, we are now teaching the full Hillsdale College K12 curriculum.

Efforts continue to build a culture of community within our upper school. We want scholars to create lasting friendships with one another and build trust with their classmates.

This year, we have launched a new initiative that centers on team building and leadership development: Upper School Retreats. Other schools in the Hillsdale network have had great success in building community through these three-day retreats. We really want all scholars in grades 7-12 to attend the retreats. You can find more information in the document below.

Of course, I will still take our 6th grade scholars to Cumberland Island for Transitio in late February, followed by the House Induction ceremony when they return to campus that evening.

Finally, be sure to check out Lions Council and get involved. I love the Lions Council which is our parent-teacher organization. They are already busy planning the Back to School Bash as well as the many activities and fundraisers throughout the year. They are such a tremendous support to our school, teachers, and scholars. Be sure to visit the Lions Council website for more information and get involved today.

Lion Strong!

Matt Johnson

Hello Current and Future Lions,

I am excited to welcome everyone back to another successful school year! There are new things to be excited about in the new sports season ahead of us.

First off, we are joining a conference called the FCAA, which is a middle school conference with the charter schools in our area. They will have post seasons for all sports we are in and we will try to add to our new gym's trophy case.

We are kicking off that season with Flag Football and Volleyball in the fall and soccer later in the year.

We are also in the last year of the probation process for our high school sports and the FHSAA which means next year we will be able to make the post season in high school athletics.

We will be starting off that season with JV volleyball starting August 22 in the SJCA Orange Park Gym.

We also will be growing our cheerleading, basketball, cross country, swim, wrestling, and golf teams this year by making our try outs available to the Orange Park Campus as well.

I also would like to announce that we have brand new app and website for athletics!

Please take the time to look at the website and download the app to buy tickets and check the correct forms your athlete needs to compete.

I hope to see all of my younger Lions at all of our home games cheering us on and chanting with the cheerleaders.

GOOOOOO LIONS,

Matt Sage

Athletic Director

SJCA is hosting try outs for its girls volleyball team. Questions? Please contact Matthew.Sage@stjca.org.

Welcome back, Lion family!

The Fine Arts Department is busy planning an incredible year of loving the beautiful! The 2024-25 school year brings some exciting additions and changes to Fine Arts at SJCA.

First, we are thrilled to welcome Mrs. Sarah Young to the family as our new grammar school music teacher.

Additionally, we are delighted that Ms. Green is teaming up with the Fine Arts faculty to add a new Drama class. Between Drama, our existing Musical Theatre classes, the highly-anticipated upper school musical (it’s a showstopper!) directed by Mrs. Kiep, and our recently chartered International Thespian Society troupe, the SJCA theatre program is growing by leaps and bounds!

Thanks to our amazing Fine Arts Boosters-Lions Council, chaired by Mrs. Cutlip, we will be filling three beautiful new display cases with scholar artwork this year, with more plans to display art in the works!

When your children attend events sponsored by FAB, such as the Jingle Jam and Paint-on Pottery parties, you are supporting the development of our Art, Music, and Theatre programs. FAB has generously funded a tuba, upgraded sound system equipment, and so much more.

Scholars taking piano classes this year can look forward to upgraded piano studio equipment and more than twice as many keyboards, thanks to Mrs. Little’s hard work toward a recently awarded grant.

We offer a huge shoutout to Mrs. Urban and the band scholars for their piano assembly skills in addition to their dedication to musicianship!

Mr. Ross and Mrs. Rice have acquired a slab roller and other new clayworking items via a grant as they continue to expand our excellent ceramics program.

The grammar school co-curricular teachers are prepared to be flexible this year as gym construction continues. While some accommodations and mobility will be required, rest assured that a plan is in place to maintain high quality instruction in the Arts for all scholars.

The SJCA calendar is bursting with performances, artistic showcases, and activities for scholars (and parents!) to get involved in the Arts. We are excited to roll out new ensembles and clubs, Facebook & Instagram pages, a dedicated website, a monthly newsletter, and an informative video, as well. Stay tuned to the Lion Line and be sure to visit our booth at the Back to School Bash!

Musically,

Cassie Crosby

Director of Fine Arts

In an effort to connect with parents more consistently, SJCA will publish The Lion Line every Friday. We believe that communicating on a weekly basis, as opposed to a monthly one, will give parents timely information in a more succinct way.

Each volume of The Lion Line will be archived on the website for future reference.

This year, SJCA plans to use its Facebook account as another touchpoint to keep parents connected. If you haven't already, please follow us.

This year, we have removed the Wednesday lunch period for Upper School scholars. Instead, the time that was allotted for lunch will be used for assembly type activities.

On Wednesdays, Upper School scholars will be able to purchase snacks from the cafeteria before school. A pre-ordered grab and go lunch 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.

Join us for our annual Back to School Bash. During this event, we invite your scholar and his or her family to visit classrooms, meet teachers and classmates, and get ready for another great year.

We also ask you to bring in your school supplies. If you purchased the supply kit at the end of the school year from EPI, your items will already be in the classroom when you arrive.

Be sure to tour the cafeteria, where you can learn about clubs, sports, and volunteer opportunities on campus. You can get your carline placard laminated for $5, buy PE uniforms and spirit wear from vendors, and check out neighborhood business booths too.

Enjoy a bite to eat as well. The SJCA PTA, The Lions Council, will host Grub Brothers and Kona Ice as fundraisers. Grub Brothers will serve burgers for $6 and hot dogs for $4. You can add chips and a drink to make a burger combo $9 and a hot dog combo $7.

Due to limited parking on campus, parking spots on campus are reserved for faculty, staff, vendors, and handicap parking tags only.

All others may drop off a parent with children and supplies at the school and park at either Crosspointe Church or Kohl's parking lot. Both locations are less than a 10-minute walk. If you are making the walk, we encourage you to come prepared with a wagon or such to transport any materials; we will have an area at the school set aside for wagon parking! Also, we encourage sunscreen, hats, umbrella, and water. Ice cold water will be awaiting you in the air-conditioned school cafeteria when you arrive on campus from your desert trek. Carpooling is encouraged!

Please do not park along Canova Road due to safety concerns (we also want to keep good relations with our neighbors).

If you have a NEW upper schooler, SJCA is requesting that you attend one of the following "Upper School 101" orientation sessions:

• Aug 3 from 10AM-11AM
• Aug 6 from 6PM-7PM

We want to have a conversation about how SJCA is a different academic experience from other public schools—how an inquiry-based, virtue-based classroom has different expectations and results. This information is important in preparing your family for the coming year. We also want to answer your questions and discuss your concerns.

If you are unable to attend one of these orientations, please contact Mrs. Casteel, the Upper School Principal, at angie.casteel@stjca.org. She will arrange for you to spend an hour in orientation on a school day before your scholar attends classes.

If you have previously attended an Upper School 101 session this year, you do not need to attend again.

If you have a kindergartener, please join us for a Boo Hoo to Yahoo Gathering hosted by the SJCA PTA, The Lions Council.

On the first day of school, August 13, parents should plan to arrive at 8:15am, after carline, and bring their scholar to the cafeteria. Please don’t arrive beforehand, it will cause parking issues.

After a welcome from Mr. Johnson and a few moments for pictures, our SJCA senior class, along with our kindergarten teachers, will escort your scholar to their classroom.

Parents will say goodbye in the cafeteria and will not walk over to the classrooms.

After their first day, scholars are dropped off in carline. Our helpful Safety Patrol scholars can help them get to their class, if needed. Parents may not walk scholars to class.

Please take a look at the supply lists for the 2024-2025 school year:

Middle and Upper School Supply List

Health Supply List (optional)

Planners

Please note, K-8 scholars must purchase a planner on MySchoolBucks.

Co-curricular supply fee

Also, all K-5 scholars are required to pay a one-time co-curricular supply fee to support art, music, PE, and piano. This replaces the need for parents to purchase additional supplies. This fee is also paid through MySchoolBucks.

To find both the planners and co-curricular fees:

Login to MySchoolBucks >> School Store >> Browse All Items >> and you'll see both listed.

We're excited to welcome scholars back to school on Tuesday, August 13.

Wondering what the rest of the school year looks like? Please download the SJCA calendar that highlights school hours, vacations, grading periods, and early release days.