Parent Newsletter

Dear Parents,

The overall health of our students is so important. Health is not only about physical wellness. It also includes psychological, social and emotional well-being. While the COVID pandemic contributed to an increase in anxiety and depression, it also helped to reduce the stigma around mental health. Statistics show that suicidal thoughts occur in 20 percent of high school students, and according to The Jed Foundation, the occurrence is higher in female teens at 25 percent having had thoughts of suicide.

We know that adverse life events can lead to suicidal thoughts even in the absence of a mental health diagnosis. We also know that talking about suicide does not increase its occurrence. Instead, talking about suicide provides the opportunity for important dialogue that gives room for students to share their thoughts and feelings. The administration and Counseling Center, including our wellness educator, are planning a student/parent event that will allow families to take steps to having this much-needed dialogue as we show the documentary film My Ascension. The movie shares the story of Emma Benoit, a Dutchtown high school student who attempted suicide during her senior year in 2018. Emma was a popular teen with supportive family and friends around her, but she was also filled with anxiety and depression. Her story is one of miraculous hope. The event will also include a discussion panel, and participants will be provided with tools to continue the conversation and for our students to recognize the importance of speaking up for those who they know may be suffering. Look for more details at the start of the second semester.  

As we approach the holiday season, we have many things to be thankful for at SJA. Students are thriving in the classroom, group and lab work is back to pre-COVID standards, every student has a warm spot to enjoy her lunch with friends and sweatpants are part of the uniform for the foreseeable future!

We also know that the holidays can be a hard time for many in our school and community. Our students started off the giving season by bringing cans for the Baton Rouge Food Bank during our Thanksgiving food drive. We hope your daughter will find more ways to contribute to those less fortunate in our community by participating in club-sponsored activities as we lead up to Christmas.  

With midterm exams soon here, speak with your daughter about spending time during the first two weeks of December reviewing for her tests. Waiting until a night or two before the exam has proven to be an ineffective method to prepare. Ask your daughter to “teach” the midterm material to you. It is a great way for her to check her understanding and apply the material instead of just memorizing it.  

Let us wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior!

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

EARLY DISMISSAL
Wednesday, November 30, for Faculty Professional Development. Students are dismissed at 1:30 p.m. (Schedule 8). 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.

ADORATION 
Weekdays, December 1-December 9, 7-7:25 a.m., the Chapel at SJA. 
Thursday, December 1, during all three lunch hours, the Chapel at SJA.

PRE-CALCULUS AND PRE-CALCULUS D.E. FINAL EXAM
Friday, December 2, Academy Student Center, 7:30-9:30 a.m. (extended time 7:30-10:30 a.m.). Students in pre-calculus and pre-calculus dual enrollment will report to the Academy Student Center and will miss their 1st through 3rd hour classes. For additional information, please contact Mathematics Department Chair Lauren Sommer at sommerl@sjabr.org. 

BLACK BOX COMPANY TALENT NIGHT
Friday and Saturday, December 2 and 3, Black Box Theater (Academy Arts Center). The theme is Reach for the Stars. Friday’s performance is at 6 p.m., and there will be two performances on Saturday, 1 and 6 p.m. Talent Night showcases musical, dance and scene performances chosen by the students. Tickets are $8.50 and on sale on SchoolCash Online. 

UNDERCLASS CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Sunday, December 4, Catholic High School Gymnasium, 6 p.m. Features the beginning treble, tenor-bass and mixed choirs. No tickets needed.

EARLY DISMISSAL
Monday, December 5, for Professional Learning Community. Students are dismissed at 1:46 p.m. (Schedule 3). 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.

BAND AND CHOIR CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS CONCERT 
Tuesday, December 6, LSU Union Theater, 6 p.m. Featuring the Chamber Singers and CHS Band. Tickets are required but are free of charge. Please direct questions to Choral Director Steve Galliano (sgalliano@catholichigh.org). 

DEDICATION OF STUDENT COMMONS
Wednesday, December 7, 10:01 a.m. We will follow Schedule 5. 

FALL DANCE PERFORMANCE 
“On Broadway” will be performed on Wednesday, December 7, at 6 and 8 p.m. at the LSU Union Theater. Tickets are $15, and a link to purchase tickets will be provided via email.

FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION 
Thursday, December 8. Dress uniforms are required. We will follow Schedule 4. Parents are invited to join us at 9:46 a.m. in the Academy Student Center. 

STUDENT COUNCIL FUN DAY
Friday, December 9. The theme is Wrapping Up 2022. Dress guidelines will be emailed to students. 

CHRISTMAS CHOIR CONCERT 
Monday, December 12. Our premiere band and choir perform their Candlelight Concert for SJA students, faculty, staff and parents. Dress uniforms are required. We will follow Schedule 4. Parents are invited to join us at 9:46 a.m. in the Academy Student Center. 

MIDTERM EXAM SCHEDULE 
Tuesday-Friday, December 13-16
1st Bell: 7:55 a.m., Prayer/Pledge
Exam: 8-9:30 a.m.
Exam: 10-11:30 a.m.

Tuesday, December 13
1st exam: Algebra I, Algebra I H, Geometry, Geometry H, Algebra II, Algebra II H, Pre-Calculus H, Calculus, AP Calc AB, Algebra III 
2nd exam: Theology I, II, III, Theology of the Body, World Religions

Wednesday, December 14
1st exam: Civics, Civics H, U.S. History, APUSH, W. History, W. History H, WHAP 
2nd exam: Spanish I, II, III, IV; French I, II, III, IV; Latin I, II, III, IV

Thursday, December 15
1st exam: English I, English I H, AP Psych, APGAP, Conflicts
2nd exam: English II, III, IV; English II, III, IV Honors; English III AP, English IV AP (no English DE exam)

Friday, December 16
1st exam: Physical Science, Physical Science H, Biology, Biology H, Biology AP
2nd exam: Chem, Chem H, Physics, Physics H, Physics AP, Environmental Science, Environmental Science AP, Conflicts

The Dining Hall will serve breakfast Tuesday-Friday, December 13-16, from 7 until 8 a.m. After breakfast, the kitchen will be open for grab-and-go items until 12 p.m.

Extended Technology & Learning Center hours: Tuesday-Thursday, December 13-15, until 2 p.m.; Friday, December 16, until 11:30 a.m.

Office hours during exams: Tuesday and Wednesday, December 13-14, 7 a.m.-2 p.m.; Thursday and Friday, December 15-16, 7 a.m.-12 p.m.

All students are expected to take their exams during their regularly scheduled time. If there is a serious conflict, special permission must be obtained at least a day in advance from Dean of Women Christina Myles at mylesc@sjabr.org or (225) 388-2278. All exams will be made up on Monday, December 19, and Tuesday, January 3, beginning at 8 a.m. Students who take more than one class in the same subject area must see Mrs. Bonnie Rader to schedule a conflict exam during exam days.

SIX-MONTH REUNION 
Friday, December 16, 12-1:30 p.m., in the Dining Hall. Sponsored by the SJA Alumnae Association. Our 2022 graduates are invited back to campus for a light lunch and an opportunity to catch up with faculty, staff and friends. Yearbooks will be available for pickup. Contact Alumnae Director Cori Martone Jones ’10 at martonec@sjabr.org or (225) 388-2244 for details or to RSVP. 

SJA’S CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS
Monday, December 19, through Tuesday, January 3. Classes resumes on Wednesday, January 4.

The Main Office (in St. Joseph Hall) will be open Monday-Thursday, December 19-22, and Monday-Tuesday, December 26-27, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.  

The Mission Advancement, Alumnae, Admissions, Human Resources, Facilities and Communications departments (in Mother Alice Hall); and the Finance Office (in Mother Thollot House) will be open Monday-Thursday, December 19-22, and will close for the remainder of December. These offices will reopen on Monday, January 2. Hours are 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

The Help Desk will follow the same schedule. If your daughter has problems with her tablet computer, please encourage her to leave it at the Help Desk during exam week before the Christmas holidays begin. A representative from the Help Desk will email your daughter when her computer is ready to be picked up. Please direct questions to helpdesk@sjabr.org.

MIDTERM GRADES 
Second-quarter report card grades, midterm grades and first-semester grades will be available on MySJA beginning December 22 at noon. Please note, grades will be updated continuously on the report card as they are posted by faculty. Please check daily for updates on any missing grades. Questions may be directed to Registrar Dana Schlotterer (schlottererd@sjabr.org; 388-2236) or Assistant to the Registrar Stacy Rennhoff (rennhoffs@sjabr.org; 388-2318).

CHANGE TO SCHOOL HANDBOOK
The italicized words below are new additions to the policy regarding drop off and pick up by car.

Anyone bringing a student to school or picking her up after school must use the driveway to the west of St. Joseph Hall entered on Kleinert Avenue or the carpool lane of the Academy Student Center. Any student who is discovered being dropped off or picked up on Broussard Street will receive an infraction. Students should not be picked up or dropped off in neighboring streets without explicit permission from the homeowner. 

UNIFORM UPDATE
Students are now permitted to wear sweatpants as part of their uniform.

BEYOND THE HABIT PODCAST
The Congregation of St. Joseph has launched a new podcast, Beyond the Habit. Hosted by Sister Erin McDonald and Sister Colleen Gibson from the Sisters of St. Joseph of Philadelphia, the podcast invites listeners to move beyond everyday assumptions of what it means to be Catholic, find common ground and create unity by talking with special gusts about real-life issues. The first episode features an interview with Sister Helen Prejean, SJA class of 1957, about her ministry and sisterhood. 

NEGATIVE BALANCE MIDTERM EXAMS POLICY
It is the policy of SJA that all tuition, fees and SAGE Dining Hall balances must be current prior to midterm exams. Parents will be notified if a student is to remain home on examination days if an account is not current. Delinquent payments made after Monday, December 5, must be paid by cash, cashier’s check or money order to be deemed received by SJA so the student will be allowed to take exams. For tuition balances, please direct questions to Accountant Louise Babin at babinl@sjabr.org or (225) 388-2234. For SAGE balances, please check your account online or call SAGE directly at 1-855-302-0070.

TESTING PREP PROGRAM REMINDERS 
SJA’s Test Prep Program will continue this spring. Following are opportunities that your daughter can take advantage of:

In-class preparation: Teachers will continue to give subject-specific strategies and practice in their classes.  

Test Prep Days: Four full school days are dedicated to Test Prep (two in the fall, two in the spring) when students will follow a block schedule (Schedule 10) and learn about different aspects of testing, focusing on the ACT. A grade-specific curriculum has been developed focused on the primary test that occurs during that grade year as well as on general testing tips and tools for dealing with anxiety. Seniors will focus on transitioning to college and will have guest speakers and activities during the spring Test Prep Days. Junior sessions will focus on the ACT, as they will take the ACT on March 28. Sophomore sessions will focus on the Pre-ACT and ACT, as they will take the Pre-ACT on March 28. Freshman sessions will focus on skills for test taking, coping skills for anxiety, how to study and other important topics to for a successful start at SJA.

Remaining dates for these sessions:
Spring: Friday, January 20, and Wednesday, March 22

ACT Diagnostic Testing: We will offer optional ACT Diagnostic Testing for juniors and seniors throughout the year. Students will practice taking a full-length ACT in a test setting and receive specific feedback on the areas that they need to work on to improve their scores. Each student will receive a detailed explanation of her test results, stating specific skills and content areas to focus on to achieve a higher score. The test will simulate a real ACT test with the setting, timing and using an ACT-released test. The cost is $15.50.  

Dates for ACT Diagnostic Testing: (All tests are on Saturday. Doors open at 7:45 a.m.; testing is from 8 to 11 a.m.)
January 21, 2023
March 4, 2023

Gear Up for the ACT: We will also offer optional four-hour sessions on weekends for each subject-specific test of the ACT. These sessions will focus on strategies and practice techniques for that content-specific ACT test. The cost is $55 per session, which includes the ACT practice book for that subject. The cost for the Writing Session is $25. Space is limited to 50 students per session. All sessions are held on weekends.

Dates are as follows:
Math: February 4, 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
Science: January 28, 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
English: January 7, 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
Reading: February 12, 1-5 p.m.
Writing: January 29, 1-3 p.m.

ACT Test Day for All Juniors: All students in the junior class will be required to take the ACT on March 28, 2023. We will give this test during the school day. Parents are required to pay the registration fee, which is $65.25 and available on SchoolCash Online. The fee is due by January 15, 2023. Students will not need to register for this test; the school will register all juniors. More information will be provided closer to the testing date.

Pre-ACT Test Day for All Freshmen and Sophomores: All freshmen and sophomores will be required to register and take the Pre-ACT on March 28, 2023. We will give this test during the school day. More information will be provided closer to the testing date.

AFTER-SCHOOL RULES AND REGULATIONS 
After dismissal, students remaining on campus must be in designated areas* only (Dining Hall, courtyard or library), where an afterschool monitor is present. Students may remain in or in front of the Dining Hall or in the courtyard from 2:50 p.m. until 4 p.m. At 4 p.m., an announcement will direct students to make their way to the library to sign in. Students may not leave campus after dismissal to roam the neighborhood. The library is open until 5:30 p.m. Our security officer is on campus until 5:30 p.m. each school day. 

If a student is not picked up by 5:30 p.m., this will be reported to Dean of Women Christina Myles, and a plan will be made. After-school library rules can be found in the School Handbook under the Students and Parents portals. Please direct questions to Linda Hall at halll@sjabr.org or (225) 388-2420.

*Finishing touches are being applied to the Fife Student Commons. Once the process is complete, this space will be added to our after-school program. We will share additional information as it becomes available. 

ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS
Please be reminded 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, please let us know. Questions should be addressed to Assistant to the Registrar Stacy Rennhoff at rennhoffs@sjabr.org or (225) 388-2318. 

ILLNESS, DOCTOR VISITS, TARDIES 
If your daughter is sick and will not attend school, please email Student Life Coordinator Cristina Benigno at attendance@sjabr.org by 7:30 a.m. If a student becomes ill during the day, she must report to Nurse Marie Vukovics’ office, and her parent will be called.

Most routine visits to the doctor should be scheduled outside of school hours. If a parent knows in advance that a student must arrive late or leave early for a doctor’s appointment, parental permission must be emailed to the Student Life Coordinator at attendance@sjabr.org. When the student returns to school, she must present a note signed by the physician to the Student Life Coordinator in order to receive an excused absence. 

Students are expected to be on time for every class. A student who arrives on campus after the 7:28 a.m. tardy bell must report to the Student Life Coordinator’s office for a tardy slip before entering class. An infraction will be issued upon the third unexcused tardy and for each additional unexcused tardy to school or class. 

2022-2023 SCHOOL CALENDAR
Click here for important dates for the 2022-2023 school year. Please note that all dates are tentative and subject to change.

HOLIDAY OFFICE CLOSINGS
The main office is closed on these remaining holidays. Please plan accordingly.
December 19-January 3: Christmas
January 16: Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday
February 20-24: Mardi Gras 
April 7-14: Easter

WEDNESDAY MORNING ROSARY 
Every Wednesday at 7 a.m., the rosary is recited in the Chapel at SJA. Parents are invited to join us. 

SAVE THE DATE: SOPHOMORE GRANDPARENTS WEEK
Last year, we were unable to host Grandparents Day for the class of 2026. We are excited to host Sophomore Grandparents Week this year, set for January 30-February 3. Grandparents will be invited to have lunch with their granddaughters on a day that week. An invitation will be sent this month to grandparents with an assigned date. 

To make sure we reach all our sophomore grandparents, you will receive an email asking you to confirm the contact information we have on file. You may respond to that email with updates, or you can complete this form. Please direct questions to events@sjabr.org.

“The Sister of St. Joseph moves always towards profound love of God and love of neighbor without distinction.” (Excerpt from the Consensus statement of the Sisters)

ROOTED IN THE CHARISM: REFLECTING ON SCRIPTURE WITH OUR FACULTY AND STAFF
During our Faculty/Staff Charism Day, we reflected on scripture together in an adapted form of Lectio Divina, which literally means Divine Reading. This ancient practice of reading, re-reading, meditating and praying over scripture invites us to dialogue with God and the mysteries of our faith and apply them to our everyday lives. Below are some insights that came from our group meditation on Matthew 25:31-46, the Judgement of Nations. 

• The primacy of love expressed in reaching out to serve the dear neighbor. Often, we think we are judged and condemned by the sins we have committed; that somehow the mistakes we make become the standard by which we are excluded and disqualified. Yet God calls us to love. Have we participated in love? Regardless of our brokenness and the mistakes we make, if we continue to strive to love, we will have stayed in the relationship that saves us. Sanctity is staying in the relationship, not judged on how much we know, or even how many sins and mistakes we have made, but how much we have loved. 
• Solidarity in the light of Christ also points to the fact that we are created in the Image of God. Every person images the love of God in a unique and unrepeatable way. If I want to be in communion with God, I need to be in communion with God’s image in each other. If we reject the image of God, we reject God. If we love the image of God, we love God. Therefore, Christ says that if you say you love God but hate your neighbor, you are a liar. 
• As a point of clarity, this doesn’t mean our sins are healthy or should be encouraged. Sin is ultimately a rejection of relationship. When we hate, steal, lie, manipulate, murder, etc., in those moments, we are not loving the person. Sins of commission are problematic because they are contrary to the love we should give, and they become obstacles to unity with God and neighbor. 
• Jesus identifies himself with our poverty, our need. This reveals a Catholic social principle called solidarity. Christ so identifies with our human condition and our need for love and mercy that whatever we do to someone else, Christ says to us, “You did it to me.” And of the good we refuse to do for another Christ says, “You did not do it to me.” This requires us to have the eyes to see beyond our needs to the needs of our dear neighbor. And who is our neighbor? Anyone who presents themselves to us in need. 
• We have a special responsibility to those who have the greater need. In Catholic Social teaching, this is called the preferential option for the poor. We must always seek those on the margin and those most vulnerable to make sure they are loved and served. 
• When speaking, as the passage does explicitly, about bodily needs, this passage identifies the corporal works of mercy (feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, shelter the homeless, visit the sick, visit the prisoner, bury the dead, give alms to the poor). When we think of our spiritual hunger, thirst, etc., we discuss the spiritual works of mercy (counseling the doubtful, instructing the ignorant, admonishing the sinner, comforting the sorrowful, forgiving injuries, bearing wrongs patiently, praying for the living and dead). Love invites us to participate in the works of mercy. 
• The inclusive love Christ calls us to always expand and to move outward. It’s important to minister to people one on one, but we must also look beyond our particular tribe to the global community. The Church is Catholic, which means universal. Who are we okay with leaving behind? 
• While sheep and goats can live together, there are some important differences. Sheep are more communal, and goats are more independent. Sheep can be more easily led. Of course, Christ is the good shepherd, and we need to be able to follow his lead. Christ leads us to love. 
• In the passage, there is never a qualification of only serving those who “deserve” our love. We tend to dehumanize others so we don’t feel responsible to love them. Maybe we think that person doesn’t have any food, drink or clothing because they are lazy. Or maybe they are sick and imprisoned because they are evil. Jesus cuts through the judgmental mentality and commands us to love. This is important for us, as well, because even when we make mistakes, it’s important to remember that we are made for love, and anything less will fail to satisfy and fulfill. Don’t put people in a position where they have the earn our attention and mercy. 
• Something important to remember is that we ourselves have our own bodily and spiritual poverty. We must also receive love and mercy from God and others. We cannot love unless we first receive love as a gift. We must remember that our value comes from being made in the image of God and that we are loved. This passage presumes that as we serve Christ in others, others are called to serve Christ in us. And we must remember that Christ first came to serve us. At the last supper, Peter first refused to allow Christ to wash his feet, and Christ strongly rebuked him saying that unless he washed their feet, they would have no inheritance with him. This is important because we do not earn our way into heaven, but we are loved into eternity. We must be careful to not reject the love God offers us through each other. Be careful to not refuse and reject the love of others, for when you reject the gift, you reject the giver.

REFLECTIONS ON THE MAXIMS: THERE’S A MAXIM FOR THAT!
Maxim 4
• Translated from French: “Live, as much as you can, in such a way that your life, in honor of the Holy Spirit, may be a continual act of the most pure and perfect charity that you are able to practice toward God.” 
• Simplified: “Let your life be a continuous act of love.”
• Updated: “Keep your relationships sacred! It’s all that really matters, right?”   

Our life is meant to be a love story. Love requires the ongoing commitment to do what is good for others. However, we must take care to not be discouraged by our weakness and shortcomings. Notice how practical this maxim is. How are we to strive in love? Of course, always, but also “as much as you can” as you try to do that which “you are able.” This means we need to nourish the desire to love within our hearts, even though we will often fail. But even in the messiness of life, we can find that small act of love we can do and do that. For this perseverance recognizes the sacredness of relationships, cooperates with God’s grace and transforms us towards the “most pure and perfect charity.” 

FORMATION OPPORTUNITIES 
• Lay Associate. For those interested in becoming a lay associate of the Sisters of St. Joseph, you can read a brochure here and contact the director here. 

FOR FURTHER REFLECTION
• USCCB website on Lectio Divina Praying over Scripture 
• What is Lectio Divina? Video by Fr. Josh Johnson 
• The Bible in a Year Podcast from Fr. Mike Schmitz

Counseling Center

The Counseling Center provides students with resources and support they need to be successful. Grade-level counselors support students during all four years at SJA. The Counseling Center collaborates with teachers and administrators to identify and discuss students who may need additional assistance and to determine best practices to reach all students both academically and socially. In addition, counselors meet with every student at least twice a year to discuss college and career readiness. Two full-time college advisors assist students with scholarship and college applications. A wellness educator designs programs in support of SJA’s social emotional wellness program.

Learning Center 

The Learning Center provides free-of-charge assistance to any student needing extra help with math, science, English or writing. Also offered is academic counseling. Peer tutoring in foreign languages is provided by members of the National Honor Society and Beta Club. These student-led sessions are offered between 3 and 4 p.m. on Wednesday in the library. No appointments are necessary for any tutoring.

MATH RESOURCE
Math Resource is available Monday through Thursday during all three lunch hours and from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Learning Center classroom in the library. Email blanchardn@sjabr.org or gubertj@sjabr.org.

SCIENCE RESOURCE
Science Resource is available Monday through Thursday during all three lunch hours and Tuesday and Wednesday from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Learning Center classroom in the library. Email brownh@sjabr.org, laplacev@sjabr.org or krzystowczykn@sjabr.org.

ENGLISH RESOURCE AND ACADEMIC COUNSELING
English Resource is available Monday through Thursday during all three lunch hours and Tuesday and Wednesday from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Learning Center classroom in the library. Email abadiej@sjabr.org.

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. Students schedule appointments through the Writing Center Moodle page. 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. Email knottsl@sjabr.org.

SPIRITUAL FORMATION
SJA students can grow in their faith through various opportunities to pray, receive the sacraments and serve the dear neighbor. All students attend a monthly schoolwide mass or prayer service and an annual class retreat. The sacrament of reconciliation is offered to students biannually. Additionally, students may choose to participate in a weekly rosary, weekly Bible study, bimonthly Eucharistic Adoration, mission trips and various ministry clubs, including Student Ministry (juniors and seniors), Liturgy Committee, Liturgy Choir, Praise & Worship Band and Respect Life Club.
  
STUDENT RETREATS
Participation in retreats is required for graduation. Please plan accordingly. For additional information, contact Campus Minister Jade Spears (spearsj@sjabr.org; 388-2296).

Dates and locations of these remaining retreats are subject to change.

Junior Retreat: Monday, March 27, Sacred Heart of Jesus Church (Baton Rouge)
Sophomore Retreat: Monday, February 6, SJA

REQUIRED SERVICE PROGRAM
As a reminder, our service policy states that freshmen and sophomores are required to complete 15 hours of service during the 2022-2023 academic year while juniors and seniors must complete 20 service hours. 
 
To support and encourage service as a regular part of the lives of our students, we recognize those girls who go above and beyond the required service hours. Students completing 50 hours of service in one school year will receive special recognition at the end of the year. Students who complete 50 hours of service all four years are recognized at the Honors Convocation for seniors in May. 
 
All service hours must be done through a non-profit agency or through a for-profit business, with prior written approval, that serves those most in need. Service performed through a for-profit business must be non-clerical in manner. Tasks such as filing, answering the phone, etc., will not be permitted as part of the service program. Visiting with patients in nursing homes or hospice facilities does not need prior approval. All service hours must be done outside of normal school hours. Donations of any kind, including Sticker Sacks, are not eligible for the service program. However, SJA may offer a schoolwide donation opportunity for service hours. SJA reserves the right to limit the number of hours earned on mission trips; hours earned on SJA mission trips will be determined and applied after the trip is complete. This will ensure students receive accurate credit for the number of hours served.
 
The revised Freshman and Sophomore Service Directory and the Junior and Senior Service Directory can be found on MySJA and the Service Hour Project Moodle page. These directories include approved agencies. Students may only participate in opportunities outside of those included in the service directories after receiving written permission via email from the Assistant Campus Minister.

Service hours are tracked electronically through MobileServe. If you have not set up your MobileServic account, please contact Assistant Campus Minister/Service Coordinator Chelsea Colomb at colombc@sjabr.org or (225) 388-2221 to schedule a meeting.

Ms. Colomb is available during all lunch periods to answer questions about service and to help students with service entries. Students may also email her at colombc@sjabr.org or stop by the Campus Ministry office in Mother Alice Hall, room 206.

Service hours are due Friday, March 31, 2023. Please direct questions about service to Ms. Colomb at colombc@sjabr.org or (225) 388-2221.

Service Directory Clarifications (effective immediately)
• St. Vincent de Paul and other shelters: Only time spent within the soup kitchen or shelter can be counted as service hours. Any time spent buying or preparing food outside of the agency’s facility cannot be counted as service hours. This would be a donation and is in direct violation of the service policy. 
• Baton Rouge General: The only hours that can be counted at Baton Rouge General are those working with the Healthy Kids Project. All other volunteer opportunities at the hospital must receive prior approval. 

Please note that these changes will not affect service hours already logged and submitted. They will be in effect moving forward.

Please consult the service policy and the appropriate directory for your grade level prior to completing and logging hours.

SJA ANNUAL FUND

Your gift makes a difference. No matter the type, the amount or when you make it, every gift to the SJA Annual fund matters! Your gift every year makes a difference every day.

Don’t wait until the last minute. Online or text-to-give gifts with your debit or credit card must be made, or gifts in the mail must be postmarked, by Saturday, December 31, 2022, in order to be processed and deemed tax-deductible for 2022 tax returns. 

Giving is easy! 

Make a gift online now.

Or simply text the message SJA 1868 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.

Pave the Way Bricks

Make your mark on SJA’s campus by purchasing a brick for your daughter. Engraved brick pavers are placed around the Fife Student Commons. For more information, contact Mission Advancement Assistant Wendy Coniglio (conigliow@sjabr.org; 388-2336). Click here to purchase your brick today. If you are purchasing a brick as a Christmas gift, your order must be received by December 16.

SJA Mothers' Club

Please join the Mothers’ Club! Your membership dues and volunteer service are crucial. Both enable us to support our girls and the SJA community throughout the year. It’s a great way to keep up with what’s going on around campus, participate in events, meet other moms and support your Sticker daughter. Join now on SchoolCash Online by clicking here.  

The Mothers’ Club supports our community with prayers through the Parents Who Pray initiative. Please submit your special intentions requests to parentswhopray@sjabr.org. Prayers can be requested to be confidential.

UPCOMING EVENTS
December 13: Student Appreciation Treat Day
January: Party Blooms order for Winter Formal
February 15: Mothers’ Club Spring Bingo Social
March 5: Mother/Daughter Brunch and Style Show

SJA Dads' Club

SAVE THE DATE: FATHER-DAUGHTER DAY
Sunday, April 30, 2023, is Father-Daughter Day at SJA. The day will begin at 11 a.m. in the Academy Student Center with a prayer service and a guest speaker, followed by lunch and games on campus. Compete with and against your daughter for prizes and bragging rights. Save the date now! More information will follow.  

Haven’t joined? You still can!
The Dads’ Club works in partnership with the school on a variety of events throughout the year. Some of the highlights of our spring involvement are sophomore and junior retreats, seniors’ last day 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. Haven’t joined for the 2022-2023 school year? You can do so now on SchoolCash Online to join the best group of guys on campus.

BASKETBALL
Please see our website for a complete game schedule. Please direct questions to coach Tim Waller at wallert@sjabr.org. 

SJA Round Robin Basketball Tournament
We will host our basketball tournament on Wednesday-Friday, December 28-30, in the Academy Student Center. Times TBA. Please direct questions to coach Tim Waller at wallert@sjabr.org. 

SOCCER
Please see our website for a complete match schedule. All home matches are played at SJA Stadium, Burbank Soccer Fields. Please direct questions to coach Kyle Carmouche at carmouchek@sjabr.org.

Please direct questions regarding the SJA athletic program to Athletic Director Erin Hart at harte@sjabr.org or (225) 388-2260.

It’s definitely beanie season! The pom pom and striped beanies are back on the shelves. Hurry in so you can enjoy them all winter long. The new quarter-zip sweatshirts are now in stock. The girls can wear both the red and navy versions as part of their uniforms. We are also fully stocked on all options and sizes of sweatpants.

The Sticker Shop is the perfect place to find stocking stuffers and Christmas gifts including jewelry, water bottles, pop sockets, hats, scarves, pajamas, bags and, exclusive to SJA, a Fig and Dove wreath sash with monogrammed crest and personalization, if desired.
 
The new, custom acrylic and gold ornaments, keepsake box, block with crest and glass vase designed by local artist Becky Maher continue to be very popular and would be great gifts for your special Redsticker.

Holiday Shopping Hours:
December 3: During placement testing
December 8: St. Jean Vianney Pop-Up Shop

We offer the following ways to shop for your convenience:

1. Have your daughter shop during her lunch period by visiting the Sticker Shop window.
    
2. Click here to shop online.
   Online orders may be picked up by a student during her lunch period or through our curbside pickup. Curbside pickup is available when the shop is open. Park in the circle drive in front of Mother Alice Hall (3080 Kleinert Avenue) and call the Sticker Shop at (225) 388-2237. A Mothers’ Club volunteer will bring your items to your vehicle.
    
3. Sticker Shop hours are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please note we are not open on days when campus is closed.

Thank you for continuing to support SJA and the Mothers’ Club by shopping at the Sticker Shop. We look forward to helping you show your Sticker pride!