Dear SJS Families,

I love the beginning of a new school year , where the building begins to fill with noise, laughter, and learning. Your students are off to a great start to our 2021 school year. Thank you for taking the time to read your What's Happening at SJS each Friday. We also appreciate the help we have received from our parent volunteers during our lunch /recess time. It has been great fun to see the students learning both indoors and outside during PE. Our Saints are really shining. Here is looking forward to a stupendous September!

Greetings Saint Joseph Families,

I hope all of you are as excited as I am to have children back at SJS, in class, in person, and for full days. Admittedly, this doesn’t come without mixed feelings (especially from the kiddos), and of course this year brings with it additional uncertainties and unfamiliar protocols. However, walking into the school after the Blessing of the Backpacks a few weeks back - full of parents, teachers, and students for the first time in over a year - it was easy to recognize the value that our school provides. The smiling eyes, caring atmosphere, and talented people that make up the SJS family are what make our school such a special place.

As the children, teachers, and staff returned to school, the SJS Education Commission also began its year by conducting the first meeting of this school season. The SJS Education Commission is made up of 10 members, consisting of SJS Parents, Alum, and Parishioners. This dedicated group of individuals serves as a sounding board for the school, and is tasked with helping to shape the strategy and executables that assist SJS in meeting the needs of our Students, Parents, Parish, and Diocese.

I’d be more than happy to receive your questions, input, or feedback regarding the Education Commission and school, and I’ve also included the rest of our current Commissioners below. If given the opportunity, I hope you’ll take the time to introduce yourself to share your input, and perhaps even a word of thanks for their dedication and service.

Thank You,

Daniel Brian

President, SJS Education Commission

daniel@thebrians.com

2021-2022 SJS Education Commissioners:

Daniel Brian

Jay Wendelin

Gabe Hart

Amy Mefford

John Shallenberger

Al Johnson

Lori Behrends

Christa Larkner

Mary Hudson

Kari Schaer

Please come out and join the fun at our 1st ever Family Fun Day! Would like to purchase your tickets in advance? Please be on the look out for a preorder form for tickets in the Blue Folder. Tickets are $1 each and every activity is 1 ticket! If preordered tickets can be picked up at the ticket station on the day of the event. Cash and Check only will be available for this event. We are so excited to get to celebrate a day with you and your family.

Please visit our school website under the Covid Update tab to view our 2021 reopening plan and our current data on Covid cases in our school.

Currently Tazewell County does not have any travel restrictions in place. Please visit

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/map-and-travel-notices.html for up to date information regarding travel.

SJS is seeking available substitutes if you know anyone who currently subs or are interested in becoming a substitute. Please visit https://www.isbe.net/licensure-requirements for more details.

Please come and support our school , by walking in the Pekin Marigold Parade on September 11th. All students and families are welcome to walk in the parade to represent St. Joseph School. The school office is now accepting donations of candy to be passed out during the parade.