Parent Newsletter

October 2019

From the Principal

Dear Parents,

October marks the end of the first nine weeks. Remember that you can keep up with your daughter’s grades throughout the school year by logging into your NetSJA account. If you are having trouble, please email our registrar, Kristen Belanger, at belangerk@sjabr.org. Teachers often include comments about students here, as well. Encourage your daughter to turn in any missing assignments and to speak with her teacher if there are issues before grades are turned in. 

I am sorry more parents were unable to join us for our guest speaker in early September. Mr. Richard Guerry gave us wonderful information about staying safe on the web and social media platforms. His “public and permanent” talk is meant to reach students to help them make safe and healthy decisions when using electronic devices. If you would like more information, please visit the website. There, you will find great recommendations for parents, including monitoring software.

 

October is dedicated to praying the rosary. In addition to our Wednesday rosary gathering, the Student Ministers club will be leading the school each morning in a section of the rosary. Please join us. 

Week One
• October 1: Sign of the Cross, Apostle’s Creed, Our Father, 3 Hail Marys
• October 2: Glory Be, Announce Mystery, Our Father
• October 3: 5 Hail Marys
• October 4: 5 Hail Marys

Week Two
• October 7: Glory Be, Fatima Prayer
• October 8: Announce Mystery, Our Father
• October 9: 5 Hail Marys
• October 10: 5 Hail Marys
• October 11: Glory Be, Fatima Prayer

Week Three 
• October 14: Announce Mystery, Our Father
• October 15: 5 Hail Marys
• October 16: 5 Hail Marys
• October 17: Glory Be, Fatima Prayer

Week Four
•    October 21: Announce Mystery, Our Father
•    October 22: 5 Hail Marys
•    October 23: 5 Hail Marys
•    October 24: Glory Be, Fatima Prayer
•    October 25: Announce Mystery, Our Father

Week Five
• October 28: 5 Hail Marys
• October 29: 5 Hail Marys
• October 30: Glory Be, Fatima Prayer
• October 31: Hail Holy Queen, Dialogue Prayer, the Sign of the Cross

I love what I do, I love who I do it with and I love that we do it together in the name of our patron, St. Joseph.
 

Sincerely,


Stacia B. Andricain
Principal

Events

Late September Events

EARLY DISMISSAL

Wednesday, September 25, for Professional Learning Community. Students are dismissed at 2:07 p.m. Please note that the library will remain open until 5:30 p.m. and that resource teachers (math, science and English) as well as the Writing Center will be available.  

KENDRA SCOTT GIVES BACK PARTY

Join us on Wednesday, September 25, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Kendra Scott at Perkins Rowe. Enjoy sips, sweets and jewels as Kendra Scott gives back 20 percent of all sales to St. Joseph’s Academy. Come get an early start on your Christmas shopping! Phone orders, please call (225) 384-5157. 

DADS' Club FALL MEETING

Wednesday, September 25. The SJA Dads’ Club will host its fall meeting in the SJA Dining Hall beginning at 6 p.m. Our guest speakers are District Attorney Hillar Moore and Section Chief of the Crimes Strategies Unit Steve Danielson. We will have a delicious meal, fellowship and great conversation. The evening is open to all SJA dads and their adult guests. We ask that you RSVP to Meg Gerald at 388-2254 or dadsclub@sjabr.org. 

If you have not yet had the opportunity to join the Dads’ Club, click here.

Father-Daughter Day Registration Deadline: September 25

Please be reminded that the deadline to register for Father-Daughter Day 2019 is Wednesday, September 25. Make plans to join us on Sunday, October 6. The day will begin at 11 a.m. in the Academy Student Center with a prayer service and guest speakers, Stevie Toups and his daughter Shelby, followed by lunch and games on campus. Compete with and against your daughter for prizes and bragging rights.

The winning theme for the day is “The Best Kinds of Fathers Raise Academy Daughters.” Congratulations to freshman Maria Hargrave for creating the winning t-shirt design.  

Don’t forget to register now on Shop SJA. If you have questions, please contact Meg Gerald, Dads’ Club moderator, at dadsclub@sjabr.org.

STUDENT COUNCIL SEPTEMBER FUN DAY

Friday, September 27. The theme is Sail Away. Dress guidelines will be communicated to students via email.

SCHOOL MASS

Monday, September 30, 9:45 a.m., Academy Student Center. We will follow Schedule 4. Dress uniforms are required. Parents are welcome to join us. Parking is on Broussard Street, Kleinert Avenue, the Mother Alice Hall circle drive or in legal parking spots on the streets surrounding campus. Please do not park in the lawyers’ client lot or on the grass near the lawyers’ lot.

October Events

FLU VACCINES

We will once again offer flu shots to students, their families and friends and faculty/staff on Wednesday, October 2, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the concession area of the Activity Center. Healthvacs will administer the quadrivalent form of the injection. Cost is $25 (check or cash). 

Click here for the screening questionnaire. Please complete and return this form to the school nurse, or you bring it with you when you get your flu shot. Click here for additional information about the vaccine. 

Please direct questions to School Nurse Marie Vukovics (vukovicsm@sjabr.org; 388-2208).

NACAC COLLEGE FAIR

Wednesday, October 2, 6-8 p.m., Raising Cane’s River Center. In addition to representatives from many colleges and universities, there will be breakout sessions on relevant topics and a counseling center manned by area counselors (including SJA counselors) to answer specific questions. Though the targeted audience is high school juniors, all students are welcome. 

FALL PEP RALLY

Friday, October 4, Academy Student Center, 1:49 p.m. SJA will hold its first pep rally of the 2019-2020 academic year. Costume guidelines have been emailed to students. Parents are invited to join us. Parking is on Broussard Street, Kleinert Avenue, the Mother Alice Hall circle drive or in legal parking spots on the streets surrounding campus. Please do not park in the lawyers’ client lot or on the grass near the lawyers’ lot. We will follow Schedule 3.

EARLY DISMISSAL

Tuesday, October 8, for Professional Learning Community. Students are dismissed at 2:07 p.m. Please note that the library will remain open until 5:30 p.m. and that resource teachers (math, science and English) as well as the Writing Center will be available. 

YEARBOOK DISTRIBUTION AND SALES

The 2018-2019 yearbooks will be distributed on Wednesday, October 9, during all lunch periods. If a student is absent on this day, she should email Mrs. Sara Rounds (roundss@sjabr.org) to schedule a time to pick up her yearbook. The 2019 graduates will be invited to a 6-month reunion in December and will receive their books at that time. Graduates will be emailed event details.  

The 2019-2020 yearbooks are currently on sale. The discounted pricing ends on October 31. Click here to purchase your copy today.

SENIOR RETREAT

Sunday and Monday, October 13 and 14, Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center in Forest Hill, Louisiana. Faculty, staff and friends of SJA will help staff the retreat. Please keep the class of 2020 in your thoughts and prayers as they experience this sacred time. You can pledge to pray for the seniors during a 30-minute time slot here. 

Seniors will load the buses at St. Joseph’s Academy on Sunday at 7:30 a.m. and return to SJA at approximately 3:30 p.m. on Monday. Because Monday is a regular school day for grades 9-11, seniors may not leave their cars on campus during the retreat. Seniors must be dropped off and picked up at SJA. If a senior has an extenuating circumstance in this regard, she must contact Dean of Women Erika Angarita (angaritae@sjabr.org; 388-2278).
  
Please note that all SJA retreats are mandatory. For more information, contact Campus Minister Alise Alexander (alexandera@sjabr.org; 388-2255). 

Grandparents DAY FOR FRESHMEN

By now, grandparents of freshmen should have received their invitation to join their granddaughter during her assigned lunch period on Monday, October 14, in the Academy Student Center. Each lunch period is 50 minutes long. Because of limited parking, we ask grandparents to arrive no earlier than 20 minutes before their granddaughter’s lunch period. Parking will be available in the Academy Student Center parking lot on Parker Street as well as in legal spots on Broussard and Parker streets.

Grandparents are asked to RSVP by Monday, October 7, to Assistant Director of Advancement Jennifer Knight (knightj@sjabr.org; 388-2270).

Donations of sweets for dessert are needed. For more information or to donate, please contact Chelly Greco at chelly.greco@keanmiller.com.

SERVE WITH THE SISTERS

October 15 is the day the Sisters celebrate the founding of their religious order, The Sisters of St. Joseph. In honor of this special day and our continuing relationship with the Sisters who founded St. Joseph’s Academy in 1868 and continue to serve here, we invite you to be in solidarity with them in service to the dear neighbor. We invite donations of cotton swabs, bandages, bars of soap and/or denture adhesive. As this is a voluntary opportunity to show the Sisters our unity with them, no service credit will be given. Students should bring items to their theology class or to Sister Chris Pologa in Mother Alice Hall room 212 the week of October 13-19.

SPECIAL SCHEDULES

We will follow special schedules on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 15 and 16. Details follow.

Tuesday, October 15
Pre-ACT testing for 9th and 10th graders; Holocaust activity for 11th graders.
All students arrive at school at regular time. Breakfast (optional) will be served in the Dining Hall from 6:50 to 7:50 a.m.

9th grade: 8-11 a.m., Pre-ACT test; dismissal at 11 a.m. Lunch will not be provided.
10th grade: 8-11 a.m., Pre-ACT test; dismissal at 11 a.m. Lunch will not be provided.
11th grade:  8 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Holocaust activity (viewing of Schindler’s List); dismissal at 12:30 p.m. Bring snacks; lunch will not be provided.
12th grade: No school for seniors. 

Wednesday, October 16
PSAT testing for 10th and 11th graders; special activity for 9th graders.
All students arrive at school at regular time. Breakfast (optional) will be served in the Dining Hall from 6:50 to 7:50 a.m.
All 9th, 10th and 11th graders must be picked up at noon. 

9th grade: 8 a.m.-12 p.m., special activity in Activity Center; dismissal at 12 p.m. Lunch will not be provided.
10th grade: 8-11 a.m., PSAT test; dismissal at 12 p.m. Lunch will not be provided.
11th grade: 8-11 a.m., PSAT test; dismissal at 12 p.m. Lunch will not be provided.
12th grade: Senior Service Day (details follow). 

SENIOR SERVICE DAY

Wednesday, October 16. The desire of Father Jean-Pierre Médaille was that the Sisters of St. Joseph divide the city block by block and work to discover the needs of the times. Following the example of the early Sisters, seniors will go out into the Baton Rouge community with great-hearted love to serve the dear neighbor. Seniors will sign up electronically for their service activity and report directly to their service site on October 16. Parent permission slips can be found on the senior Moodle page and are due to Sister Chris Pologa by Tuesday, October 1, in Mother Alice Hall room 212. Attire for the day is an SJA shirt, jeans and sneakers unless the senior is going to a professional office, in which case attire is the SJA dress uniform. Please direct questions to Pastoral Care Minister and Service Coordinator Sister Chris Pologa (pologac@sjabr.org; 388-2202).

OPEN HOUSE

Thursday, October 17, 4-6:30 p.m. For sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade girls and their parents. Current parents are invited to help with this important event. If you’d like to volunteer for the Open House Decorations Committee, please contact Shannon Lewy (shannon@lewypt.com). To volunteer for the Greeters Committee, please contact Megan Foco (meganfoco@cox.net). To volunteer for the Reception Committee, we ask you to contact Stephanie Hasenkampf (thehazes@cox.net).

We will follow Schedule 3 with students dismissed at 1:43 p.m. Those students working Open House and remaining on campus will be provided refreshments after school.  

There will be no supervised after-school care in the library on Thursday, October 17. Students who are working the Open House event and those waiting for rides can remain on campus since faculty and staff will be here; however, they will be without structured supervision. All students on campus during Open House are required to wear dress uniforms unless their assigned duty requires a costume or other uniform.

FALL HOLIDAY

Friday, October 18. School is closed.

CATHOLIC HIGH HOMECOMING DANCE

Saturday, October 19, 8-11 p.m. Pictures will be taken beginning at 7 p.m. Only SJA students who are the date of a current CHS student may attend. We ask you to follow these guidelines when deciding on a dress and keep in mind that young ladies should be dressed appropriately for a Catholic school function. The dress code for young women is a semi-formal dress that is either long or short. Hemlines and slits must be no higher than four inches above the knee, and the dress must be longer than her fingertips with her hands at her side. Dresses must have modest necklines based on each girl’s body type. Visible midriffs, cut-outs or backs lower than the traditional bra line are not allowed. Dresses may not be skin-tight, spandex or knit. Shoes must be worn at all times. Girls should bring a pair of sandals or flip-flops to wear if they plan on taking off their dress shoes. If you need additional guidance, please contact Dean of Women Erika Angarita (angaritae@sjabr.org; 388-2278).  

Included here is information from Catholic High regarding carpool drop off, carpool pick up and parking instructions. 

EARLY DISMISSAL

Tuesday, October 22, for Professional Learning Community. Students are dismissed at 2:07 p.m. Please note that the library will remain open until 5:30 p.m. and that resource teachers (math, science and English) as well as the Writing Center will be available.

BALFOUR REPRESENTATIVE ON CAMPUS

Wednesday, October 23, Dining Hall, all lunch hours and again at 5-7 p.m. Juniors are invited to order their school rings, and seniors are invited to order graduation announcements. Parents are encouraged to attend with their daughters. 

EARLY DISMISSAL

Wednesday, October 23, for Faculty Professional Development. Students are dismissed at 1:27 p.m. We will follow Schedule 8.

THE SOIRéE

Thursday, October 24, Academy Student Center. The celebration begins at 7 p.m. Join us for great food provided by Baton Rouge’s best caterers and restaurants, an open bar and fun activities including the Dream Vacation Raffle, Pull-A-Card and silent and live auctions. There will be live music by Ned Fasullo and His Fabulous Big Band Orchestra. Tickets are available at sjasoiree.org. Please direct questions to Assistant Director of Advancement Jennifer Knight (knightj@sjabr.org; 388-2270).

HALLOWEEN FUN DAY

Thursday, October 31. Halloween costumes are permitted but should be appropriate and tasteful (no bathing suits or bare midriffs). Masks must be removed in class; full face paint and glitter are not permitted. There will be student and faculty/staff costume contests, music and games at lunch. Full details and costumes guidelines will be emailed to students.  

BLOOD DRIVE

Thursday, October 31, concession area of the Activity Center, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Parents, friends and seniors who are 17 years of age or older are invited to donate to Our Lady of the Lake Blood Donor Center. Permission slips will be emailed to seniors and should be turned in, signed by a parent regardless of the student’s age, when they arrive in the Activity Center to give blood.

Upcoming Events

ALL SAINTS DAY MASS

On Friday, November 1, St. Joseph’s Academy will observe All Saints Day with a schoolwide mass. During mass, we will remember our deceased loved ones in prayer. As we have done in the past, we will print a list of the names of the deceased relatives and friends for whom you would like us to pray and place them on the altar during mass. To have names included in the list, please send them to Wendy Coniglio at conigliow@sjabr.org by Monday, October 28.

STICKER STAMPEDE

Registration is now open for the 2019 Sticker Stampede presented by Varsity Sports. This year’s race is set for Sunday, November 3, and is expected to be bigger and better than ever. We will start the day with mass in the Chapel at 7 a.m. Afterward, runners and walkers of all ages and abilities are encouraged to participate in our half-mile, one-mile, 5K or 10K runs. After the race, runners and spectators alike are invited to stick around for our Finisher Festival, sponsored by Drs. Jimmy Lalonde and Elise Scallan, featuring free food and beverages, live music and kids’ games. New to this year’s Finisher Festival will be multiple drawings featuring items for all ages. Stop by and purchase your tickets (cash, check or card) to win the item of your choice. One ticket is $5; five tickets are $20. 

Sponsorship opportunities for the event are still available starting at $250. For more information, to register or to volunteer, contact Alumnae Director Katie Jeter Valenciano ’04 (valencianok@sjabr.org; 388-2244) or visit stickerstampede.org.

MOTHER-DAUGHTER BRUNCH & STYLE SHOW

Join us at the Raising Cane’s River Center on Sunday, November 17, as the Mothers’ Club hosts the 2019 Mother-Daughter Brunch and Style Show. This year’s theme is My Fair Lady. Tickets are $42 each and available for purchase on Shop SJA. Deadline to purchase tickets is Friday, November 1. Doors will open at 9:30 a.m., with the style show beginning at 11 a.m. 

New this year: We are offering the first-ever Mother-Daughter Brunch T-shirt available only on Shop SJA until October 24. Find it under Parents’ Clubs tab for $23 each. 

Please direct questions to Brunch & Style Show Chair Eva Ventress (mcstyleshow@sjabr.org) or Mothers’ Club Moderator Katie Jeter Valenciano (valencianok@sjabr.org; 388-2244).

HOUR OF CODE

Wednesday, December 4, hosted by the Girls Who Code club. This global computer science initiative is designed to create a fun environment for students to learn about computer science and programming. As more careers and fields are requiring at least a little bit of programming experience, this opportunity to work with basic programming will help students prepare for future endeavors. This low-pressure and inviting chance to learn about computer science may open the door to a new career path. We will follow the special schedule below.

Fall Champions Assembly 7:30 7:41 11 minutes
1st Period 7:46 8:26 40 minutes
2nd Period 8:31 9:11 40 minutes
Announcements 9:16 9:18 2 minutes
3rd Period 9:18 9:58 40 minutes
4th Period 10:03 10:43 40 minutes
5th Period 10:48 11:28 40 minutes
6th Period 11:33 12:13 40 minutes
7th Period 12:18 12:58 40 minutes
8th Period 1:03 1:43 40 minutes
Hour of Code 1:48 2:47 59 minutes

 

Campus Life

TECHNOLOGY/SOCIAL MEDIA REMINDERS

On September 12, students, faculty, staff and parents enjoyed guest speaker Richard Guerry, who discussed responsible use of technology and social media. He discussed several apps geared towards communication and said that each newer and better app and device make it easier and faster to communicate, but as a result, privacy goes down. Please take some time to discuss with your daughters the use of Tik Tok, Snapchat, VSCO and other apps.

When it comes to social media, students should have no expectation of privacy, regardless of the settings. Therefore, inappropriate posts may end up in the administrators’ office. If any post, video or picture portrays any member of the SJA community doing something that is deemed a violation of the school handbook and/or the law, that person will face disciplinary consequences. This includes but it is not limited to harassment, hazing, bullying or any activity that involves alcohol, drugs or the use of tobacco products. 

CALLING ALL ENTREPRENEURS

St. Joseph’s Academy will host the 1st annual entrepreneurial pitch competition in March. Students with innovative business ideas will partner with a faculty member and entrepreneur in our local community to develop a business plan, prototype and engaging pitch that will be presented to a panel of local entrepreneurs. Students from every grade level are encouraged to enter the competition individually, with a partner or in teams of three or four. Winners of this competition will receive an academic scholarship and a chance to further unlock their potential at the Young Entrepreneurs Academy of Baton Rouge. Look for more details about this competition soon. 

ONLINE HEALTH INFORMATION FORM

Please be reminded that St. Joseph’s Academy is required to have a completed Health Information Form on file for every student at the beginning of each academic year. Forms are completed and submitted electronically. You will need your NetSJA user name and password and the last four digits of your daughter’s social security number to complete the forms. 

Forms were to be completed and submitted by August 30. If you have not yet done so, we ask that you take care of this important matter.

Please note that in Louisiana, schools must have on file a paper copy of an official, current and up-to-date immunization record for each student. We will accept hard copy (paper) immunization records or faxed directly from a doctor’s office to (225) 344-5714. A copy of the immunization record from My Chart does not fulfill the state requirement.  

Parents of Juniors and Seniors: We have been notified by the State Department of Health and Hospitals that immunization requirements for 11th grade students have changed. Students 16 years of age and in the 11th grade are required by state law to show proof of having received a second dose of the MCV4 (Meningococcal) vaccine. Therefore, we need an updated record for all juniors and seniors. If you have not yet submitted this documentation, please do so by September 6.

Parents who choose to opt out of immunizations for their child are required to submit a new exemption form at the beginning of each school year. 

Please direct questions to School Nurse Marie Vukovics (vukovicsm@sjabr.org; 388-2208).

IMPORTANT DATES 2019-2020

Click here for a list of important dates for 2019-2020.

Holiday Office Closings

The main office is closed on these holidays. Please plan accordingly.

October 18

Fall Holiday

November 25-29

Thanksgiving

December 23-January 6

Christmas

January 20

Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday

February 24-28

Mardi Gras

April 10-17

Easter

 

Office Hours

Hours for the Main Office in St. Joseph Hall are 6:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Monday through Friday. Hours for the Help Desk are 6:45 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. each weekday. The library is open each day until 5:30 p.m.

After-School Library Hours

After-school library hours are 2:50-5:30 p.m. If a student is not picked up by 5:30 p.m., this will be reported to Dean of Women Erika Angarita, and a plan will be made. Students waiting to be picked up must report to the library by 4 p.m. After-school library rules can be found in the School Handbook under the Students and Parents portals. Please direct questions to Librarian Rebecca Stagg (staggr@sjabr.org; 388-2235).

Online Student Directory

The student directory is available on our website under the Parents portal, Useful Links. To access the directory, you will need your NetSJA login information. For assistance, please contact Registrar Kristen Belanger (belangerk@sjabr.org; 388-2336). 

Custody Information 

St. Joseph’s Academy abides by the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) with respect to the rights of parents and, in the event of divorce, the rights of custodial and noncustodial parents. In the latter case, absent a court order to the contrary, the school will provide the noncustodial parent access to academic records and other school-related information regarding the student. If there is a court order specifying that no information is to be given, it is the responsibility of the custodial parent to provide the school with a copy of the court order. We do not need the complete court order, only the part dealing with custody. Please direct questions to Principal Stacia Andricain (andricaina@sjabr.org; 388-2240). 

Electronic Communications 

In our ongoing efforts to be responsible stewards of the earth’s resources, we feel strongly that electronic communications should replace paper communications whenever possible. Please note that if you choose to unsubscribe to any electronic message you receive from us, you are unsubscribing to all electronic communications. 

Please note that we must have one valid, regularly checked email address on file. If your email, phone number or physical address has changed since last time you updated our records, we ask that you let us know. Please address questions to Assistant to the Registrar Stacy Rennhoff (rennhoffs@sjabr.org; 388-2318). 

Emergency Procedures 

SJA generally follows the same procedures as the East Baton Rouge School Board and Diocese of Baton Rouge. School closures due to weather and other circumstances are announced via our phone/text messaging system. If your phone number has changed since you last updated our records, or if you would like to add additional phone numbers to those we call, please contact Stacy Rennhoff (rennhoffs@sjabr.org; 388-2318) in the Registrar’s office.

To improve the efficiency of our phone alerts, we ask that parents add St. Joseph’s Academy – (225) 383-7207 – to their contacts and to listen to voice messages before hitting their phone’s call-back button. When we receive a large number of calls from parents before they listen to the voice message, it results in busy phone lines. Thank you for your cooperation as we strive to keep you informed.

Illness, Doctor Visits, Tardies 

If your daughter is sick and will not attend school, please contact Students’ Receptionist Erin McLean (mcleane@sjabr.org; 388-2256) by 8 a.m. If a student becomes ill during the day and must leave campus, she must report to the Students’ Receptionist’s office, and her parent will be called. Any student who checks out during the day must bring a note from her parent when she returns to school.  

Most routine visits to the doctor should be scheduled outside of school hours. If a student knows in advance she must leave early for a doctor’s appointment, written parental permission must be presented to the Students’ Receptionist. When the student returns to school, she must present a note signed by the physician to the Students’ Receptionist in order to receive an excused absence. If you set a doctor’s appointment for your daughter during the school day and will be arriving to check her out, please call Mrs. McLean before arriving so your daughter can be notified of your arrival time. 

Students are expected to be on time for every class. A student who arrives on campus after the tardy bell must report to the Students’ Receptionist’s office for a tardy slip before entering class. If she comes in during the day, she must bring a note from her parent to the Students’ Receptionist and sign the check-in register. A checklist will be issued upon the fourth unexcused tardy and for each additional unexcused tardy to school or class. 

SJA Telephone System

The school’s main number is 225-383-7207, but you are encouraged to call faculty and staff directly. Faculty members do not have physical phones; rather, their phone numbers connect directly to a voice mail box. Click here for the faculty/staff directory. 

School IDs/Lanyards 

Students will be expected to wear their school ID on the school-issued lanyard at all times. The ID must be worn on the outside of the uniform so it is visible. Students not wearing their ID will be required to purchase a new one for $2 and/or receive a checklist. Replacement IDs can be purchased in the Deans’ Office before or after school or during the student’s lunch period. 

Carpool Reminder 

We want to make the carpool lines as painless as possible for our parents. We ask that you refrain from using your cell phone if possible while in line, especially when the line is moving. Many students and faculty members are using crosswalks that pass through the carpool lines, and we need everyone paying attention to the teachers and security officer working the carpool line. Please pull up as far as possible to allow for a maximum numbers of students to load at one time. 

Also remember that students cannot be dropped off on Broussard, Parker, Kleinert or South Eugene. Students cannot be picked up at the Medaille Hall circle until 4 p.m. or later. Our security officer will ask you to move to the carpool line if you arrive before 4 p.m.

We also ask that you remember that our surrounding streets are school zones. Please observe the school-zone speed limits. 

Rosary 

Each Wednesday at 7 a.m., Chapel at SJA. Parents, family members and Catholic High School students are welcome to join us. Please park on Broussard Street.

Community Coffee UPC Bar Codes 

We collect the UPC bar codes from Community Coffee products. Please send them with your daughter to Librarian Rebecca Stagg.

Mission Advancement

SJA Annual Fund

Our Parents Annual Fund is off to a great start. Thank you to all the parents who have already sent in their pledge or donation. If you have not made your pledge, we ask that you please do so. The deadline for making your Parents Annual Fund pledge or donation is Monday, October 7. Gifts to the Annual Fund support the people and programs that make SJA special, including faith formation; vital and inspiring academic, athletic and arts programming; a talented faculty; and personal attention.

We hope that you will take this opportunity to partner with us in the mission of the school and give a meaningful gift that expresses the value that you place on the educational experience at SJA. Each gift makes a difference in the school life and learning of our students. Contributions to the Annual Fund are tax-deductible and may even be matched by your employer.  

The SJA faculty and staff reached 100 percent giving for the eighth year in a row. We as parents are striving to reach 100 percent participation for the first time this year. Currently, 11 percent of our parents have given. Please consider a gift to SJA – no matter the size. Click here to give today. Or use your Paypal account by texting SJA1868 to 41444.

The only gift that is too small is the one that is not made at all.  

For additional information, please contact Mission Advancement Director Meg Gerald (geraldm@sjabr.org; 388-2254).

Pave the Way Bricks

Make your mark on SJA’s campus by purchasing a brick for your daughter. Engraved brick pavers are placed outside the Sister Agatha Dining Hall. For more information, contact Mission Advancement Assistant Wendy Coniglio (conigliow@sjabr.org; 388-2336). Click here to purchase your brick today.
 

Parent Clubs

Have you joined the SJA Mothers’ Club? There are lots of wonderful events and moms to work alongside throughout the year. Come meet other moms and serve the SJA community. Additionally, your membership dues are needed. Mothers’ Club dues pay for all the events we plan throughout the year for our students and the SJA community. It’s easy to join. Please direct questions to Mothers’ Club President Lissa Weston at sjamcpresident@sjabr.org.

It’s not too late to join the SJA Dads’ Club. The Dads’ Club works in partnership with the school on a variety of events throughout the year. Some of the highlights of our involvement are class retreats, seniors’ last day, Open House and exam snacks, to name a few. Your membership dues, in combination with the profits from Dads’ Club-sponsored events such as Father-Daughter Day and The Sticker Scramble, benefit our daughters through the various events. Click here to join the Dads’ Club today.

Dads Needed for SJA Cross Country Invitational 
The 37th annual SJA Cross Country Invitational is set for Saturday, October 5, at Highland Road Park. We expect 80-plus schools and upwards of 1,600 runners in attendance. We need 10-12 volunteers to assist in managing race-day parking. Please sign up now to volunteer.
 

Sticker Shop

Happy October! Fall is in the air, and Christmas is right around the corner. SJA nutcrackers are on sale while supplies last on Shop SJA.

Uniform sweatshirts, sweatpants and rain jackets are also available in the Sticker Shop.

Visit our pop-up shop on Sunday, November 3, at the Sticker Stampede. We will have a great sample of all our merchandise, including children’s sizes in our Redsticker T-shirts (great for middle school students). 

Some items available in the Sticker Shop include SJA bleacher seats ($45), SJA T-shirts ($20), men’s and women’s polos ($40), handmade travel rosaries ($20), water bottles ($20), youth T-shirts ($12), blankets ($30), pajama shorts ($30), hats ($20-$25), coffee mugs ($12), car decals ($5), jewelry and more.


We accept cash, Apple Pay, all major credit cards and checks written to SJA Mothers’ Club. We are located in Mother Alice Hall on Kleinert and open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. 

Please direct any questions to stickershop@sjabr.org.

Athletics

Sticker Scramble Save the Date

The 8th Annual Sticker Scramble will be held on Monday, April 6, 2020, at TopGolf. 

SJA Invitational Volleyball Tournament (Red-Hot Sticker Classic)

Friday-Saturday, September 27-28, Academy Student Center and Activity Center. The tournament begins at 4 p.m. Friday and 9:30 a.m. Saturday.

SJA Invitational Cross Country Meet

Saturday, October 5, Highland Road Park, 8:30 a.m. This is the second largest meet in the state each year.

JV VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT

The SJA junior varsity tournament is set for Saturday, October 5, in the Academy Student Center. 

GEAUX PINK VOLLEYBALL GAME

Wednesday, October 16. SJA will host Zachary. The freshman team plays at 4 p.m., the JV at 5 p.m. and the varsity match will follow. Proceeds benefit breast cancer research and education.

VOLLEYBALL SENIOR NIGHT

Tuesday, October 29, versus Denham Springs, Academy Student Center. The recognition ceremony will precede the varsity match at 6 p.m. Join us as we celebrate our seniors and their contributions to the volleyball program.

SWIM TEAM CITY MEET

Saturday and Sunday, November 2 and 3, Crawfish Aquatics. Times TBA.

BASKETBALL SEASON PASS

This pass entitles you to admission to all home basketball games and tournaments, excluding playoffs. Passes are $52 and available for purchase at https://tickets.sjabr.org/

Support the ’Stickers

See the athletic pages of the SJA website (under Student Life, Athletics) for fall sports schedules. Come out and support the ’Stickers!

Please direct questions to Athletic Director Dorinda Beaumont (beaumontd@sjabr.org; 388-2290).

Campus Ministry

Spiritual Formation

SJA students can grow in their faith through monthly Eucharist, group prayer, reconciliation services, retreats, weekly rosary, weekly Bible study, mission trips and service opportunities. Various ministry clubs are available, including Student Ministry (juniors and seniors), Liturgy Committee, Liturgy Choir and Respect Life Club.

Student Retreats

Participation in retreats is required for graduation. Please plan accordingly. For additional information, contact Campus Minster Alise Alexander (alexandera@sjabr.org; 388-2255).
 
Senior Retreat: Sunday-Monday, October 13-14, Tall Timbers Retreat Center, Woodworth
Junior Retreat: Monday, March 23, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Brusly
Sophomore Retreat: Monday, November 11, SJA
Freshman Retreat: Tuesday, March 10, SJA

Required Service Program 

Service is an integral part of the SJA curriculum. Important information about this year-long program can be found on the SJA website under the Faith tab. The SJA Moodle service page has information about service requirements, limits, approved agencies and a list of service opportunities.

The deadline for completing service requirements is April 1, 2020. There will be checkpoints throughout the year to ensure timely completion of the service requirement. 

The X2vol program for tracking service hours has a smart phone app. Go to your app store, search x2vol and follow the prompts. Students login to their X2vol account using their SJA ID and password. They can add service hours and fill out the activity log, remembering to check the box under the star before submitting. Students should enter their summer service hours into X2vol by September 9. 

Students needing assistance should contact Service Program Coordinator Sister Chris Pologa (pologac@sjabr.org), stop by her office in Mother Alice Hall (room 212) or see her in the Dining Hall on Tuesdays. 

Resources

Learning Center 

St. Joseph’s Academy is pleased to introduce a new program for the start of the 2019-2020 academic year. The Learning Center will provide free-of-charge assistance to any student needing extra help with math, science, English or writing. 

Math Resource

Math Resource is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays during all three lunch hours and
on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Learning Center classroom in the library.

Science Resource

Science Resource is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays during all three lunch hours and on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Learning Center classroom in the library.

English Resource

English Resource is available Monday, Wednesday and Thursday during all three lunch hours and on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Learning Center classroom in the library.

Writing Center

The Writing Center provides instruction, resources and support. Trained peer consultants help students gain competence and confidence as writers through one-on-one sessions. After-school workshops are offered on a variety of topics. The Writing Center is modeled on university writing centers and is a place for all writers at any stage of the writing process.
 

Counseling Center

The Counseling Center provides students the resources and support they need to be successful. Grade-level counselors support students during all four years at SJA. Two full-time college-advisors assist students with scholarship and college applications and provide each girl with as many choices for her future as possible.

Counselors hold quarterly grade-level meetings to discuss students who may need additional assistance and to identify those students who deserve special recognition for accomplishments. All teachers in each grade level collaborate on determining the practices which will best reach all students. In addition, counselors meet with every student at least twice a year to discuss college and career readiness.

Allison Hipwell Bruton ’95
Counseling Center Director
College Advisor (A-K)
brutona@sjabr.org
(225) 388-2299		 Ellen Smith Frazier
College Advisor (L-Z)
fraziere@sjabr.org
(225) 388-2251
Mary Beth Elfert
Class of 2020 Counselor
elfertm@sjabr.org
(225) 388-2281		 Niki Banta
Class of 2021 Counselor
bantan@sjabr.org
(225) 388-2283
Amy Scheurich House ’97
Class of 2022 Counselor 
housea@sjabr.org
(225) 388-2295		 Lindsay Carlino ’02
Class of 2023 Counselor
carlinol@sjabr.org
(225) 388-2225

 

ACT Prep Courses

As your daughter prepares to take the ACT take this fall, we would like to provide you with information about test preparation classes. SJA does not promote any particular course; rather, we are sharing opportunities should your daughter want or need additional test-taking help.

SJA faculty member Kevin Landry offers ACT prep courses on campus. Faculty members Cindy Downs and Brianna Sommers are also on the teaching staff. Students may take individual content courses or the full program. For details and to register, visit The Extra Point at https://extrapointtestprep.com/

The Digital and Continuing Education Department at LSU offers an ACT prep class for four Sundays in September and October to help prepare students for the October 26 ACT. Classes will be held September 29, October 6, October 13 and October 20 on LSU’s campus from 1 to 4 p.m. Students who register before September 9 receive a $50 discount.

Additional ACT prep opportunities are as follows: