SJRCS Wildcat News
May 23, 2024
Letter from the Principal
Dear SJRCS Families,
In March, all SJRCS stakeholders—parents, faculty, staff, and middle school students—had the opportunity to participate in a survey conducted by the Archdiocese of Baltimore Department of Catholic Schools. The survey results were carefully compiled, analyzed, and discussed with the AOB Leadership. This valuable feedback serves as a compass for continuous improvement. Your input is highly valued as it provides insight into our school culture, climate, and Catholic identity. This year, 38 families, 61% of students, along with 9 teachers, contributed their feedback. Next year, our goal is to achieve 100% participation in the survey. Attached, you’ll find the survey results. Your responses will play a crucial role in shaping strategic plans, policies, and important decisions, including program development, staffing, and priorities. We deeply appreciate your participation, which is essential in ensuring the best possible Catholic education for our students. As partners in the mission of Catholic education, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support.
In December, 43 out of 54 of our 8th-grade students participated in the High School Placement Test (HSPT) as required for admission to Catholic High School. Our school achieved a commendable 75% ranking, surpassing the AOB average of 65% and the national average of 54%. Congratulations to our 8th graders for their outstanding performance.
On Tuesday, May 21st, we celebrated our students and their musical and visual arts talent. The theme this year was salute to our military. Our third and fourth graders were wonderful. The chorus bell choir did an outstanding job, and our beginner and Advanced band showed off what they learned this year. While our cantors performance was memorable! We want to extend a big thank you to Mr. Smolinski and Mrs. Frazier for their hard work in bringing out the musical talents of our students.
Art teacher, Mrs. Sindall, had a variety of student artwork on display. I am glad that so many parents were able to join us and have a chance to see the many types of art projects our students have completed this year.
As Memorial Day approaches, we want to express our gratitude to SJRCS families whose loved ones have served or are serving in the Armed Forces for their sacrifice on our behalf.
We pray in gratitude today for all those who have worked selflessly to provide security and safety to others. Bless them, keep them safe and help them to make good decisions. May we emulate their courage and bravery. Amen.
Have a blessed Memorial Day weekend,
Mrs. Kim Hanner
Principal
Reminder! No School Tomorrow - Friday, May 24th!
Bishop Parker gave us a day off! There will be no school and no Wildcat Aftercare tomorrow, Friday, May 24th.
End of the Year Health Room/Medication Reminders
The last day of school is June 6th, 2024. It is SJRCS policy that students are not permitted to take their medications home at the end of the school year. A parent/guardian must pick up all medications in the health room by the end of the school day on June 6, 2024. To arrange for pick-up please contact health room staff directly or stop by during school hours. All non-emergency medications and expired medications of any kind remaining in the health room will be destroyed at the end of the school year, unless alternate arrangements have been made directly with the school nurse.
Vaccination Requirements for 2024-2025 School Year
As a reminder all incoming Kindergartners and all incoming 7th Graders require updated vaccine records to be sent to the Health Room. Two (2) doses of varicella (chicken pox) vaccine and two (2) doses of MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine are required for all students entering Kindergarten. A single dose of Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and aceullular pertussis) vaccine and a single dose of MCV4 (meningitis) vaccine are required for all students entering 7th grade.
Medications
All medication/treatment authorization form(s) must be renewed at the beginning of each school year. Ensure that the appropriate authorization form is completed by your healthcare provider. Forms are available online at www.sjrcs.org (Click on Parents tab, then Health Forms).
To ensure your child's medication/treatment needs are met at the start of the school year contact the health room on or after August 19, 2024, to arrange a drop off time for medications/supplies and completed forms. Health room staff will review medication/treatment authorization forms and medications with the parent/guardian to ensure compliance with state regulations. If the medication/treatment authorization forms and/or medications do not meet compliance, it is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to follow up with their health care provider.
It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to deliver medication/treatment authorization form(s) and medications directly to health room staff. Please do not send your child to school with medications.
Please contact Mrs. Froude, RN at kfroude@sjrcs.org if you have any questions.
FlynnO'Hara Free Shipping - Orders Over $100
Sacramental Preparation
Sacrament Preparation for 1st Reconciliation and 1st Eucharist happens within the parish setting. Please contact your home parish to inquire about registering for the preparation process that begins in the fall. Many parishes have already begun the registration process and will continue throughout the summer.
'24-'25 Wildcat Aftercare Registration
Rising 8th Graders' Catholic High School Admissions Guidelines
It's hard to believe that our 7th graders will be applying to high school before we know it! Students are allotted 3 days to shadow prospective high schools. Please notify the front office of your child's shadow appointment by filling out an absentee form naming the date and school where you child will be shadowing. Please refer to the guidelines below regarding Catholic High School Admissions:
HersheyPark Tickets Are Ready for Pick-Up!
HersheyPark tickets are in the front office and are ready for pickup! Please stop in to pick up your tickets at your convenience.
School Calendar
You may click on the picture to open calendar view
May:
24 (Fri) No School; No Wildcat Care
27 (Mon) No School; No Wildcat Care; Memorial Day
30 (Thu) Day of Reflection: Grade 8
31 (Fri) Day of Service: Grade 8
June:
3 (Mon) End of Year Parties Grades PK3&4, 1, 3, 5, 7
3 (Mon) 8th Grade Noon Dismissal - 8th Grade ONLY
4 (Tue) Noon Dismissal - No Wildcat Care - End of Year Parties Grades K, 2, 4, 6
4 (Tue) 8th Grade Graduation 2 p.m.
5 (Wed) Noon Dismissal - No Wildcat Care Field Day
6 (Thu) Noon Dismissal - No Wildcat Care - Last Day for Students Mass 10 AM
May Lunch Menu
H.S.A. News & Information
Spring Fair T-Shirt Week at SJRCS!
May 28-31, 2024
In honor of our 2024 Spring Fair happening next Friday, students are invited to wear their Spring Fair shirts from any year with their gym shorts on the days leading up to the event! Should your student not have a Spring Fair t-shirt, gym shirts are allowed.
If you ordered this year’s t-shirt, they were sent home today. Please reach out to the HSA at hsasjrcs@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Upcoming HSA Events:
We can’t wait to see you at Urban Air Frederick next Friday! Please remember to fill out waivers for those participating. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the HSA Board at hsasjrcs@gmail.com.
8th Grade Yard Signs
We are so proud of our graduates! As a small gesture to show our pride in our students, we purchased graduate yard signs for our Wildcats which are available for pick up in the office.
Garden Committee Update
Please sign up here to volunteer with the Garden Committee in May or for any future dates. Tuition credit hours are available for volunteers. Forgot to sign-up using the Sign-Up Genius? No Problem! You can still come out and join us . No green thumbs or tools required, but if you have any general gardening tools or gardening gloves, those are always good supplies to bring with you. Please contact Cindy Guilday at cmguilday@gmail.com with any questions about the clean-up dates or in the event of inclement weather.
St. John the Evangelist Art Camp
Financial Aid Deadlines
06/30/2024 - St John Regional Catholic School (SJRCS) - Grant & Aid Application and 2021 Taxes/All Supporting Documents Uploaded
IMPORTANT: You only need to apply once through FACTS Grant & Aid to be considered for tuition assistance through the AOB, FOCE, FCPTAF and St. John Regional Catholic School.
Please Note: There is a FACTS Grant & Aid application fee of $35.00
Notable Dates for the 2024/2025 School Year
Please review PDF below for next year's calendar
Updated Parent/Student Handbook
As we progress through the year, new trends and fads (e.g., Hey Dude Shoes, Stanley Water Bottles, technology usage) have affected our need to update the Parent/Student Handbook. The latest version of the handbook is attached for your review.
Contact Us
Saint John Regional Catholic School
8414 Opposumtown Pike
Frederick, MD 21702
301-662-6722
“The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10)
Our Mission: The mission of St. John Regional Catholic School is to provide a Christ-centered environment and an exemplary education to each and every student within the framework of the Gospel and the traditions of the Catholic Church. The goal of our faith community is to develop future leaders for the 21st century through academic excellence, service to others, and a firm foundation of Christian virtues.
Parent Resources
You can find all of these links under the 'Parent' tab on the SJRCS website
Maryland School Safety Tip Line
This tip line is offered to expand the means for students, staff, and the community to come forward if they are aware of threats, possible self-harm by a student or other behavior that could adversely impact a particular school community. The tip line is administered through a partnership of the Maryland Center for School Safety and the Maryland Department of Emergency Management.