Parent Newsletter

Dear Parents,

Many of us were in high school 25-30 years ago. While the physical classroom has not changed very much since that time, the educational methodology has. I am not sure about your experience, but mine was what is referred to as “the sage on the stage” or the “giver of information,” a teacher who stood in front of the class and lectured while students furiously tried to take notes and then memorized what was said. While this is certainly still part of education at SJA, our goal is guiding students to be critical thinkers and masters of their own learning and education. As we all know, getting a high school diploma is no longer the benchmark for what is needed to determine success in college or in a career. Students must be their own champions and take the reins of their own learning.  

As educators, we must consistently evaluate and navigate how to improve the educational process for all students. Part of that growth has been critical-thinking pedagogy where we encourage students to question, examine and use self-reflection to gain knowledge. This also means that a student must often use her innate intellect to understand, think and research to find success rather than have total dependence on the teacher. Recently, in conversations with parents and students, I was told, “The teacher doesn’t teach.” Applied knowledge and student-directed learning are practices we are using at SJA. These are proven techniques shown to increase a student’s love of learning and critical-thinking skills, thus leading to greater achievement later in life. 

The month of February will begin conversations regarding your daughter’s course selections for next year. Please take some time to review our course catalog with you daughter about the best course for her goals. The grade-level counselors will be going into the classrooms later in the month to discuss scheduling, but feel free to reach out to them individually with questions specific to your daughter.  

We invite you to campus on January 16 for our Respect Life Mass. We will also spend the month of January celebrating the gift that is Catholic education. Thank you for choosing St. Joseph’s Academy for your daughter, and may we continue to work in partnership for the best possible educational experience. We will see the girls back on campus on Tuesday, January 7, 2020.

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

Late December Events

SJA's Christmas holidays

We continue to celebrate the Christmas and New Year’s holidays through Monday, January 6. School resumes on Tuesday, January 7.

The Main Office will be closed for the two weeks. 

The Mission Advancement, Alumnae, Admissions, Human Resources and Communications departments (in Mother Alice Hall) and the Finance Office (in Mother Thollot House) will be closed the week of Christmas (December 23-27) and on December 30-January 1. They will be open Thursday and Friday, January 2 and 3. Hours on open days are 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

The Help Desk will follow the schedule above. 

January Events

SJA Science Fair

Wednesday, January 8, Activity Center. Participation in the Science Fair is required for students taking honors coursework in science. Students typically spend two school years doing extensive research and consulting with professional mentors. Projects can viewed by the public from 7:30 until 11:30 a.m. Because projects will be dismantled immediately following judging, this is the only time available for public viewing. Judging will begin at 12 p.m. followed by an awards ceremony at 5:30 p.m.

JUSTICE FOR ALL BALL

Saturday, January 11, 6:30-8 p.m., Mother Alice Hall Community Room. This event is for special-needs young people between the ages of 13 and 23 (and still in high school) to enjoy a high school dance experience. If you have a family member or friend who would enjoy this opportunity, please contact Sister Chris Pologa (pologac@sjabr.org; 388-2202). 

We are in need of donations of beverages, snacks and paper products. Please bring donations to Sr. Chris’ office (Mother Alice Hall room 212) January 7-10. If you would like to volunteer to help, please contact Sr. Chris.

Early Dismissal

Tuesday, January 14, 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.

Respect Life Mass

Thursday, January 16, 9:45 a.m., Academy Student Center. We will follow Schedule 4. Parents and friends 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.

ADORATION

Friday, January 17, SJA Chapel, all three lunch periods.

Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday

Monday, January 20. School is closed.

Student Council Fun Day

The first Fun Day of the new year is on Friday, January 24. The theme is New Year, New Mascot. Dress regulations will be sent to students when we return to school.

Winter Formal 2020

Saturday, January 25. This year’s theme is Candyland. The dance is from 8 to 11 p.m. in the Academy Student Center. Students will have the option of taking pictures with Kleinpeter Photography upstairs in the mezzanine from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. All students must arrive at the dance by 8:30 p.m., and no one will be allowed to leave until 10:45 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased in advance through a link that will be sent to students in early January. Cost is $20 per couple online or at the door.  

The Winter Formal is for SJA girls only in grades 11-12. Students can choose to bring a date from another school or may come to the dance with other SJA students. SJA students are responsible for their date as well as his behavior before and at the dance.  

Click here for dress guidelines. Dress should be formal or semi-formal. Dress length should follow the rules portrayed in the attachment. Students must wear shoes at all times, so bring flats to change into.

For males, a coat is recommended but not required. Males must wear a dress shirt, dress pants and tie. Facial hair should be trimmed and tidy. No facial piercings or visible tattoos are allowed.  

If an administrator deems that a student or her guest is not dressed appropriately, parents will be called, and the student/guest will be given the option of leaving the dance to change into appropriate attire.

All guests must follow school rules at all times. Appropriate face-to-face dancing is expected at all times.

Alcohol should not be a part of the Winter Formal (before, during or after the event). All students and guests are subject to being tested for alcohol consumption using the school’s breathalyzer. If alcohol is detected, parents will be called, and the student and her date will be sent home. Additional consequences will be discussed with the school’s administration.

Limos and party buses are not allowed. Those driving can park in the Academy Student Center, Kleinert or Mother Thollot House lots and in any lot along Kleinert Street. There is no parking in the lawyers’ or synagogue lots. Those being dropped off should use the Academy Student Center carpool line. 

Catholic Schools Week

Sunday-Saturday, January 26-February 1. This year’s theme is Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed. Among the week’s events is the Distinguished Graduates Awards program, hosted by the Catholic Schools Office of the Diocese. The dinner/awards banquet will be held on Monday, January 27, at The Renaissance Hotel. SJA’s honoree this year is Stephanie Spielman Cargile ’88.

Several SJA faculty and staff members will be honored for milestone years of service to Catholic education during the Catholic Schools Week Mass on Wednesday, January 29. Honored for 10 years are Katie Comeaux, Wendy Coniglio, Claire Luikart, Shelly O’Dowd and Katie Valenciano. Celebrating 15 years are Joanne Campbell and Amy House. Recognized for 20 years are Niki Banta, Karen Douet, Mary Beth Elfert, Stacy Rennhoff and John Richardson. Honored for 35 years is Lori Harper. Celebrating 40 years is Sister Chris Pologa.

Throughout the week, the Charism Committee of Student Ministry will lead the celebration of daily themes: Monday, Celebrating Your Community; Tuesday, Celebrating Your Students; Wednesday, Celebrating the Nation; Thursday, Celebrating Vocations; and Friday, Celebrating Faculty, Staff and Volunteers.

Early Dismissal

Tuesday, January 28, 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.

Club Picture Day

Wednesday, January 29. We will follow Schedule 4. Dress uniforms are required on this day as we gather in the Academy Student Center to take club pictures that will be published in the 2019-2020 yearbook. Students will go to their fourth period class when the assembly ends at 11:05 a.m.

College Planning Seminar

Juniors and their parents are invited to the College Planning Seminar on Wednesday, January 29, from 6 until 7 p.m. in the Activity Center.

Habitat for Humanity Youth Build

Work on the Youth Build project begins on Saturday, February 1, with the Blessing on the Build at 8 a.m. and concludes with the dedication at 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 7. Construction work will be held February 1, 2, 8, 15, 29 and March 7. Students must be 16 or older to participate; sign-up will start after we return from the Christmas break. More information will be available at that time.

Midterm Grades/Report Cards/Transcript

First-semester report cards and transcripts will be posted on NetSJA in January. Once report cards/transcripts are published, you will receive an email. Grades will be posted on NetSJA as teachers finish grading exams. Parents and students should check NetSJA for updates. Please email your daughter’s teacher(s) if you have questions about grades. Please direct questions regarding NetSJA to Registrar Kristen Belanger (belangerk@sjabr.org; 388-2236).

Course Selection Information for 2020-2021

Grade-level counselors will visit students in their classes February 10-12 to discuss courses for the upcoming academic year.

The course selection process is done online between Monday, February 10, and Thursday, February 20, at midnight. Course selections should be made carefully and with parental involvement. Parental approval of courses selected by students will be done in mid-March. Instructions for the approval process will be emailed to you at that time.

If you have questions about or problems using the online course selection process, please contact Registrar Kristen Belanger (belangerk@sjabr.org; 388-2236). Please direct questions about academics to Assistant to the Deans Bonnie Rader (raderb@sjab.org; 388-2280).

AP and Dual Enrollment Seminar

The administration and Academic Counseling Department will host two scheduling seminars for the parents of current freshmen, sophomores and juniors to present information about college prep, honors, dual enrollment and advanced placement courses. If your daughter plans to enroll in an AP or dual enrollment course for the first time for the 2020-2021 school year, at least one parent must attend one of the seminars. If a parent attended last year, you are not required to attend again. If your daughter has already taken an AP or dual enrollment course and you did not attend last year, we strongly encourage you to do so this year. The seminars will be held on Wednesday, February 12, 12-1 p.m. and 6-7 p.m. Please direct questions to Assistant to the Deans Bonnie Rader (raderb@sjabr.org; 388-2280).

Maternity Leave

Dean of Academics Aubrey DeJohn is on maternity leave through mid-February. If you have academic questions, please contact Assistant to the Deans Bonnie Rader (raderb@sjabr.org; 388-2280), who will put you in contact with the administrator who can address your issue. 

AP Testing Requests

If your daughter is interested in taking an AP test in a course that she is not enrolled in this year, she must receive approval from Dean of Curriculum & Instruction Aimee Wiles (wilesa@sjabr.org; 388-2215). All requests must be made by March 9, and late fees will apply. Approvals are granted based on the student’s academic record and discussions with her teachers. AP exams are typically $100 per exam, and families are responsible for this cost. 

Tax ID Information

If tax ID information is needed for your 2019 taxes, please contact Jane Pardi in the SJA Finance Department at pardij@sjabr.org or 388-2234.

Summer PE

There are six sessions of Summer PE offered to students considering this option. Students must choose one session and may not attend other sessions to fulfill the requirements. Students must attend 12 of the 16 classes offered during the selected session and must complete home health assignments by the end of the last week of class. 9th period PE will not be offered this year. 

Session 1: May 26-June 18, 7-9 a.m. 
Week 1: Tuesday-Friday
Weeks 2-4: Monday-Thursday

Session 2: May 26-June 18, 9-11 a.m. 
Week 1: Tuesday-Friday
Weeks 2-4: Monday-Thursday

Session 3: May 26-June 18, 5-7 p.m. 
Week 1: Tuesday-Friday
Weeks 2-4: Monday-Thursday

Session 4: June 22-July 16, 7-9
Monday-Thursday

Session 5: June 22-July 16, 3-5 p.m.
Monday-Thursday 

Session 6: June 22-July 16, 5-7 p.m.
Monday-Thursday

Additionally, please note that students who take Summer PE will not be permitted to schedule an unstructured period the next academic year. Also, students are not eligible to take summer PE for half-credit electives. Students who sign up must be physically capable of completing the session. If a student must enroll in summer school, she cannot take summer PE and would need to change her schedule.

The course fee is $200 and will be posted on ShopSJA in early April. Instructions for enrolling, paying and choosing sessions will be emailed to parents and students after course selections are made. 

Please direct questions to Assistant to the Deans Bonnie Rader (raderb@sjabr.org; 388-2280).

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.

December 23-January 6	Christmas
January 20	Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday
February 24-28	Mardi Gras
April 10-17	Easter

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 Assistant to the Registrar Stacy Rennhoff (rennhoffs@sjabr.org; 388-2318).

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.

Yearbook Orders

If you have not yet purchased a 2019-2020 yearbook, click here to order. If you are unsure if you have already purchased a yearbook, select the Find Existing Order green bar, then enter your email address. The system only recognizes email addresses, not students’ names. Once your order is placed, you will receive a confirmation email from Herff Jones Yearbooks. Please direct questions to moderator Sara Rounds at roundss@sjabr.org.
 
The yearbook staff wants your pictures. If you have photographs from SJA sporting events, concerts, drama productions, afterschool events or other activities, we invite you to submit them for consideration and use in the 2019-2020 yearbook. Pictures should be uploaded to www.hjeshare.com. The school code is SJA.

Yearbook Senior Advertisements

The Shield yearbook staff is now selling 2019-2020 Senior Ads. Log on to yearbookordercenter.com to learn more about purchasing an ad for your senior. Enter the school code 1590 to begin the process. Deadline for ad purchase is April 1, 2020. Please direct questions to Moderator Sara Rounds (roundss@sjabr.org).

Sweatpants Reminder

Sweatpants can only be worn on dates determined by the administration. Students are allowed to wear either red or navy uniform sweatpants available for purchase in the Sticker Shop.

School Ids/Lanyards

Students are 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.

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.

SJA ANnual Fund

Your gift makes a difference.

No matter the type of gift, the amount of your gift or when you make your gift, every gift to the SJA Annual Fund matters. Every year, your gift makes a difference.

The calendar year is coming to an end. Don’t wait until the last minute. Online or text-to-give gifts with your debit or credit card, as well as gifts sent through the mail, must be made by or postmarked by December 31, 2019, to be processed and deemed tax deductible for 2019 tax returns. 

Giving is easy! Make a gift online now. Or simply text the message SJA1868 to the number 41444. This easy, secure system will send you a prompt to complete the simple donation process using a credit card or your Paypal account.

If you prefer to make a gift of stock, please contact Mission Advancement Director Meg Gerald at geraldm@sjabr.org or (225) 388-2254.

Annual Report

The 2018-2019 Annual Report is now posted online. Click here to read. Please know we are deeply grateful to each of you for your support of St. Joseph’s Academy.

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.

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.

Sticker Scramble

On Monday, April 6, the SJA Dads’ Club, in partnership with the SJA Athletic Department, will host the 2020 Sticker Scramble at TopGolf of Baton Rouge. The Sticker Scramble is now in its 8th year and has raised nearly $60,000 for enhancements to SJA and to benefit the Athletic Department.

If you are interested in playing or supporting this great event through a sponsorship, please contact Dads’ Club Moderator Meg Gerald at geraldm@sjabr.org or (225) 388-2254. You can also visit www.stickerscramble.org for more information.

Our goal this year is to raise $10,000. All sponsorships, gifts and services are tax deductible. Rain or shine, we look forward to seeing you on April 6 at TopGolf.

We’re ringing in the new year with lots of new items in the Sticker Shop! New pompom hats are in. Get them while supplies last. We have lots of hooded sweatshirts, some new retro tees, Under Armour polos for the men and Charles River full zip-up jackets for the ladies. Comfort Color sweatshirts are back in stock. We also have UA unisex, long-sleeve, quarter-zip, dri-fit shirts for anyone in the family. 

The new-style PE shorts are in stock for spring semester or just to wear on the weekends. We also have uniform sweatpants, sweatshirts and rain jackets in stock. Come by and get what you need to stay warm.

We have a new batch of necklaces and bracelets, so stop by to check them out.

Sticker Shop accepts cash, all major credit cards and checks made payable to SJA Mothers’ Club. We are open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. We have convenient parking on Kleinert, and we are located in Mother Alice Hall room 116. Please direct questions to stickershop@sjabr.org.

Sticker Scramble Save the Date

The 8th Annual Sticker Scramble will be held on Monday, April 6, 2020, at TopGolf. See the Dads' Club tab for additional information.

SJA Holiday Basketball Tournament

Friday-Saturday, December 27-28, in the Academy Student Center. Friday games begin at 10 a.m. The Redstickers will play our sister school, St. Joseph Academy Cleveland, at 7 p.m. Saturday games begin at 9 a.m. The Redstickers take on Cabrini at 10:30 a.m.

Soccer SEnior Night

Friday, January 24, versus Acadiana, Burbank Soccer Complex. Senior ceremony at 5:45 p.m., varsity at 6 p.m., JV at 7:30 p.m. 

Support the 'Stickers

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

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

Spiritual Formation

SJA students can grow in their faith through monthly mass, monthly Eucharistic adoration, annual retreats, weekly rosary, weekly Bible study, opportunities for reconciliation during Advent and Lent, mission trips and service opportunities. Various ministry clubs are available, including Student Ministry (juniors and seniors), Liturgy Committee, Praise & Worship Band, 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).

Remaining Class Retreats:
Junior Retreat: Monday, March 23, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Brusly
Freshman Retreat: Monday, March 9, 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. Hours must be entered, verified and approved in your daughter’s X2vol account to count toward her required hours per grade level and for the 50 service hours school award. 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 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.

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. Also offered is peer tutoring in foreign languages and social studies by members of the National Honor Society and Beta Club. These student-led sessions are offered during lunch hours on Monday through Thursday in the library.

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.

ACT Prep Courses

As your daughter prepares to take the ACT, 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 math faculty member Kevin Landry offers ACT prep courses on campus. Faculty members Cindy Downs, Brianna Sommers and Rhonda Baird are also on the teaching staff. Students may take individual content courses or the full program. Visit The Extra Point at https://extrapointtestprep.com/

Additional ACT prep opportunities are as follows: 

• Princeton Review: princetonreview.com
• Mastery Prep: masteryprep.com
• Best in Class BR: bestinbr.com
• Magnolia Prep: magnoliaprep.com
• Khan Academy: www.khanacademy.org/join/T5BB5SDJ
• Sylvan Learning Center: https://locations.sylvanlearning.com/us/baton-rouge-blue-bonnet-la/act-prep
• Materials found on the ACT website: www.act.org