Principal's Peek at the Week

SJJ is starting a new tradition for grades 1-7, following the last Mass of the year on May 30. In our new Ceremony of Advancement, students will take their new seats in church as members of the next grade level. We'll begin with our 7th graders, as we reflect upon their year and ask them to move to their new pews as 8th graders. This "rite of passage" continues until we reach our 1st graders, who ultimately take their seats in the pews as 2nd graders. The move symbolizes not only a change in physical location, but signifies growth in our students' faith and educational journeys at SJJ as they look ahead the 2024-2025 school year.

Please note that Strongsville City Schools will not be in session on May 28-30, 2024.

Morning- Strongsville Schools will provide transportation on this day. Please be at stop approximately 5-10 minutes earlier than usual scheduled time.

Your afternoon bus will be your morning bus on this. day.

Afternoon- Transportation will remain the same.

If you have any questions feel free to contact Strongsville Transportation Department at 440-572-7060.

On Friday, May 17, two students, eighth grader Vivian E. and seventh grader Jonathan G., will head to the Power of the Pen state tournament held at Ashland University. Because of their tremendous success in both the district and regional tournaments, which occurred this year, Vivian and Jonathan earned themselves a spot in the state competition. At the competition, the two will compete against other top writers in the state from their respective grades. We wish them well and are proud of their tremendous success and disciplined work thus far! Go Vikings!

The Saints Joseph and John School office will be open from 9 a.m. to Noon from June 3-7. We will be closed to our families for the summer after that time, as our safety grant projects will begin!

The school office will reopen beginning Monday, August 5 from 9 a.m. to Noon.

The SJJ second graders made cards and signs for residents and staff at Royal Oak Nursing Home in their art class.

The students joyfully made them as a service project in honor of making their First Communion.

Today, some of next year's Kindergarten students came to lunch! The preschool staff, along with the kitchen staff, gave the latest Preschool graduates a sneak peek.

At the cafeteria and SJJ, the students' favorite lunch isPIZZA! It was a great preview of what's to be expected at lunchtime when they return in the fall for all-day Kindergarten!

As a reminder, student tuition and fee accounts must be paid up to date for students to attend upcoming field trips.

Education fees for the 2024-2025 school year will be debited to your account on June 1.

Please contact the Business Office with questions.

Earlier this year, SJJ was awarded funding through the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund (GEER) that is assisting us in purchasing the new and updated curriculum in both Math and ELA for the 2024-2025 school year!

We established two curriculum teams here at SJJ to conduct an audit of our current curriculum materials in both ELA and Math. Over the past few months, the dedicated teams consisting of Mrs. Byrne, Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Cullins, Mrs. Kirkland, Mrs. Cary, Mrs. Driscoll and Mrs. Ketterick for ELA and Mrs. Kazimir, Mrs. Hamski, Mrs. Bosko, Mrs. Tinnirello and Mrs. Kickel for math examined the most recent and updated curriculum available in these subject areas.

Both committees made their final recommendations for the materials that will best meet the needs of our students in the next school year and beyond.

Here is what our committees had to say:

In ELA:

Grade PK- Zaner Bloser Happily Ever After

Chosen for the PRE K curriculum to help ensure a smooth transition to SJJ’s Kindergarten reading program. Lesson structure and familiarity with pace and program will aid with beginning reading skills.

Grades K-2- Zaner Bloser Super Kids

Chosen for grades K-2 to ensure consistency in the primary grades. This program contains a stronger phonics component than the current curriculum. Super Kids is in line with current state recommendations. It will also be supplemented by the Heggerty Phonemic Awareness Curriculum, which will increase the multisensory component.

Grades 3-5- McGraw Hill Wonders

Chosen for grades 3-5 to ensure consistency in the intermediate grade level. It provides a writing component so students will learn to think more deeply about each story they read. It provides students with different types of genres in the stories they will read. In addition, it provides powerful poetry, interesting informational text, and award-winning stories.

Grades 6-8-CommonLit 360

Chosen for grades 6-8 to ensure consistency at the junior high level. Full standards based ELA curriculum that incorporates reading, writing, vocabulary, and grammar. Students will be exposed to high interest texts, projects, and essays where they will be able to make real-world connections. Students will learn effective habits of reading, writing, speaking, listening, and critical thinking.Throughout the curriculum, students engage in significant collaboration and reflection, developing the skills necessary to analyze complex ideas and communicate their understanding effectively.

In Math:

Grades K-8- McGraw Hill Reveal Math

Chosen for K-8 to builds a growth mindset in math; Students will have problem solving challenges and higher order thinking skills enhanced. There is a focus on student learning and students taking ownership of their learning; The curriculum is built on rigorous standards. There is coherence of learning from year to year and is Included on IXL textbook skills plan. The primary grades have a wide variety of hands-on manipulative materials. STEM activities are built-in.

We are excited to begin using these researched-based curriculums in the fall, as we strive to help all of our students learn and grow!

2nd/8th Grade Celebration Mass Reception

When: Monday, May 20

After Mass, the PTU will provide light refreshments for students and parents at the reception located in McGraw Hall.

8th Grade Scholarship Awards

When: Wednesday, May 29

The SJJ PTU Tuition and Fee Scholarship will award (6) students a $500 scholarship towards their selected Catholic School high school. Winners will be announced during the 8th grade graduation ceremony.

Field Day

When: Friday, May 24

Get ready for a day of FUN! The PTU will provide students with lunch this day. Don’t forget to have your student wear their favorite CAVS gear!

Mr. Vadini is planning a fun-filled Field Day for our SJJ Students. The Field Day festivities begin after Mass at approximately 9:30am for students in Grades K-7. Our Field Day stations will be run by our 8th grade students!

Students will be provided lunch this day from the PTU!

Cheese pizza from Antonio's

Baked Lays

Sliced Apples

Bottled Water

Below is the link for the sign-up genius for the Student Appreciation Lunch.

The PTU is looking for volunteers that are VIRTUS trained to help out during this time.

Please click the Link below to sign up! Thank you for your help!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A44A9AD2BA7F49-49602100-ptustudent

Following lunch, we will have an exciting and interactive PEP RALLY hosted by the Cleveland Cavaliers' CAVS ACADEMY in the gym! Cavs Academy is the official youth basketball program of the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Academy coaches will be leading students through skills and drills that teach the "FUNdamentals" of basketball with lots of cheering and fun. Please scan the QR code below to fill out the safety waiver.

For this day, students are welcome to wear CAVS shirts or Cavs colors and school appropriate dress down bottoms and tennis shoes. Students are also welcome to wear their school gym uniform or SJJ spirit wear tops on this day if they choose not to dress in Cavs colors.

Hello SJJ Families! Certainly hope everyone is enjoying the nicer weather and looking forward to summer! As much as we all love our summer, it's time to start looking ahead to fall sports!

First I want to again thank and congratulate our 8th grade CYO Student Athletes. As they prepare to head off to high school, we wish them all the best and prayers along the way! It has been an extreme honor and privilege to see each one of you grow and mature into outstanding student athletes! You will be missed but remember, once a Viking, always a Viking!

Registration for fall sports is now open! Please go to www.sjjathletics.com for all registration information and to register for a fall sport. A couple of quick things to note for this coming fall season:

• 4th Grade flag football will be offered as Padded Flag this year and players will wear helmets and shoulder pads but NO TACKLING.
• Rookie Tackle for grades 5&6 and Tackle Football for grades 7&8 have an accelerated registration period. Due to the need to weigh in players, registrations will close earlier for these sports. So please sign up early! We will not be able to accept late registrations.

Registrations will close for all sports on July 7, 2024, so please register as soon as possible and before summer vacations as late registrations cannot be guaranteed.

In addition to fall sports registration, we will also be hosting a summer Volleyball Camp at SJJ!! The camp will be led by CYO Hall of Fame coach Karol Coundourides and her team of outstanding instructors. The camp will be held June 10th through June 12th.

• 9:00am - 11:00am for grades 2 through 4
• 11:30am - 1:30pm for grades 5 and 6
• 2:00pm - 4:00pm for grades 7 and 8

Please see the attached flyers for registration forms and medical release forms. Please print and complete the registration form and mail directly to Coach Karol. We can assist with any basic questions about the camp but all specific questions will be sent to coach Karol for reply.

Wishing you all a fantastic end to the school year and a blessed and safe summer!

~Craig Behm

Athletic Director

Students running for President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Spirit Commissioner and Sports Commissioner will begin campaigning on Monday.

Candidates will display their poster in the school that week and may campaign at the car and bus doors of the school before school using their poster.

Elections for the executive board will take place on May 28. The candidates will give a short speech to the student body. After, grades 3 - 7 will elect the Executive Board. In the fall we will have elections for class representatives for grades 4 - 8.

Our supportive advisors, Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Puliafico and Mr. Beck , will be there to guide and mentor the students throughout their Student Council journey. They will provide valuable insights, encouragement, and ensure that every student has the opportunity to shine.

Best of luck to all of our candidates! We are grateful for your willingness to be part of the student leadership next year at our school!

For more information on Student Council, please contact our Student Council Advisors

St. John Neumann Vacation Bible School 2024 | July 22-26 | 9am to noon!

VBS is for children entering Preschool through 6th grade.

Our summer program, held in the mornings for one week, invites students entering Preschool through 6th grade (Fall 2024) to a fun, faith-filled, and lively experience. Join us for engaging faith lessons, high energy games, Bible stories, fun crafts, lively music, yummy snacks, and so much more!

For more details and to register, see https://sjnohio.com/vacation-bible-school/

**REGISTRATION DEADLINE: FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2024,BUT ACT NOW – WE MAXED OUT MANY GRADES LAST YEAR!**

7th and 8th graders (and up) : You can volunteer for VBS!

We need dedicated young people to help the younger grades with crafts, outdoor activities, and more.

Students may use service hours for any club/school/sacrament prep requirements: Minimum of 20 hours!

See below for the link to sign up to help us bring our young people closer to Christ.

All volunteers aged 18 and older must be Virtus-trained.

https://sjnohio.com/vbsvolunteer/

Questions? Please email Kelly Sheredy at kelly@sjnohio.com.

See below for details about the special programming offered during VBS for Preschoolers and for 5th & 6th graders to meet them where they are!

For Preschoolers: CGS @ VBS

We’re so happy to offer VBS to a younger set of children! They will participate in the same Games, Crafts, Music, and Snacks as the older grades, but will be welcomed into our Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) Atrium for faith formation instead of the regular VBS classes. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a hands-on faith formation experience like none other, and we know your children will love entering the Atrium room for some very special prayer work. Preschool ages are 3-5, not yet entering Kindergarten (Kindergarteners join regular VBS!). Must be potty-trained, or parents must be on site.

For 5th & 6th Graders: VBS with a Twist

We always want to offer content that engages our youth at their level, so our older children in this transitional stage between elementary and middle grades will experience an amped up version of VBS made just for them! They will have more in-depth Bible study during their faith lessons, a service project or two (including helping some of our younger VBSers one-on-one with their crafts!), opportunity for deeper prayer, plus fun team building and leadership activities – all fitting neatly within the VBS framework.

Get ready to explore God’s Kingdom with your friends at St. Joseph Church and Mrs. Debbie Kazimir during our VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL on June 25-June 27.

Children entering grades K-6 are invited to register for VBS at www.sjohio.org/rock.

Register early to avoid the waiting list!

With God as our anchor, our three-day adventure begins at 9:00am with

prayer, Bible activities, games, crafts, gym time and snack. Parents are asked to join us at noon

for closing activities.

Students entering grades 7-12 may assist as group leaders.

Email lzvoncheck@sjohio.org for more information.

According to the school handbook, the optional school uniform consists of the following:

Girls K-4

Navy (flat, pleated, plain shorts) Walking Shorts with the SB label must be purchased through SchoolBelles and worn with a black, brown, or navy leather belt. Students may wear tennis shoes with walking shorts. *Kindergarten students are exempt from wearing belts.

Boys K-4

Navy (flat, pleated, plain shorts) Walking Shorts with the SB label must be purchased through SchoolBelles and worn with a black, brown, or navy leather belt. Students may wear tennis shoes with walking shorts. *Kindergarten students are exempt from wearing belts.

Girls 5-8

Shorts Khaki (flat, pleated, plain shorts) Walking Shorts with the SB label must be purchased through SchoolBelles and worn with a black, brown, or navy leather belt. Students may wear tennis shoes with walking shorts.

Boys 5-8

Shorts Khaki (flat, pleated, plain shorts) Walking Shorts with the SB label must be purchased through SchoolBelles and worn with a black, brown, or navy leather belt. Students may wear tennis shoes with walking shorts

**Girl's shorts must be an appropriate length and they are not to be tight fitting. Boy’s shorts must not be longer than the knees.

**Girl's skirts must land at the knee. Skirts not at the knee must be paired with black leggings or tights.

***The administration reserves the right to deem what is inappropriate

As always, thank you for your cooperation!

Shelly Schenek, Principal

sschenek@sjjschool.org

Jennifer Francis, Assistant Principal

jfrancis@sjjschool.org

Angela Bosko, Little Vikings Preschool Director

abosko@sjjschool.org

Patricia Briggs, Business Manager

pbriggs@sjjschool.org

Joe Clark, Admissions and Marketing Coordinator

jclark@sjjschool.org

Fr. Barry Gearing, President

FrBarry@sjnohio.com

Fr. Andy Gonzalez, Treasurer

agonzalez@sjohio.org

Saints Joseph and John School lives the values and teachings of our Catholic faith, serves as Jesus served and encourages lifelong learning.