Parent Newsletter

Dear Parents,

As I sit here at the end of April, I am reminded of the many things I miss about being at SJA.  The spring typically brings wonderful end-of-the-year events for our students. We will bring as many of these events as possible in a virtual format to our students and school community.

I want to thank you for your support of our continuous learning. As we all know, the end of classes is near: Thursday, April 30, for seniors and Friday, May 15, for underclass students. As we have stated in previous communications, we will not have cumulative semester final exams; rather, we will have end-of-quarter assessments. You should have received detailed information on Monday, April 27, regarding these assessments. We will provide additional information as needed in upcoming emails.  

Leading up to these assessments, I ask that all parents use NetSJA to verify their daughter is caught up on all her classwork. We are finding that motivation to work from home is harder to come by, and therefore, many students are a little behind on their work and currently have incomplete grades.  

Graduation for the class of 2020 has been a constant on my mind for many weeks now. I am happy to say that we devised a plan, using social-distancing guidelines, that will allow each of our seniors to come to campus to receive her diploma. We are so proud of their hard work, determination and, now more than ever, their resiliency. We will broadcast a virtual Honors Convocation ceremony on Friday, May 15, and we will also broadcast the recorded graduation ceremony later in May.   

We will be sending information to all students regarding their “drop-off” day. This will be a scheduled time for students to return items to SJA (final SAGE account payments, textbooks, athletic uniforms, library books and, for seniors, laptops). Assigned senior days are Friday, May 8, and Friday, May 22. The date and detailed information for freshmen, sophomores and juniors will be communicated soon.

We will continue to be in communication with our students and parents throughout the summer as how we will begin the 2020-2021 school year becomes more clear. Until then, we will continue to be here for our students and families via video platforms and email.  

I pray that each of you remains well as we continue to navigate these uncertain times. Again, we thank you for entrusting St. Joseph’s Academy with your daughter’s education.

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

May Events

END-OF-THE-YEAR EVENTS

We continue to work on several end-of-the-year events, which we will bring to you virtually in early May. These include Academic Awards, May Crowning and the Senior Farewell poem and skit. We will share the full details in the days ahead. 

The Ring Ceremony for the class of 2021 will be moved to a date in the fall.

VIRTUAL HONORS CONVOCATION

Friday, May 15. The administration will film the ceremony, announcing the names of all seniors receiving awards. This video will be available for viewing on Friday, May 15, which is the original planned date of the event. The ceremony will be shown as a Premiere at 6:30 p.m. on SJA’s Facebook and uploaded to SJA’s YouTube channel.

GRADUATION

Sunday, May 17. Details have been sent to seniors and their parents. Graduates, along with their parents and stepparents, will follow a specific staggered schedule and careful distancing guidelines to come to campus to receive their diplomas. They will be videoed. The event will be available for viewing by our entire SJA community by the end of May. We will send the details via email.

SUMMER READING LIST

The goals of the SJA English department’s summer reading program are to promote continued reading throughout the year; provide students with common texts with which to address core skills at the beginning of each school year; and encourage communication about reading among families and peer groups. Click here for the summer reading list for the 2020-2021 academic year.

SMART TUITION

Parents of students in grades 9-11 should have received an email on April 27 from customerservice@smarttuition.com regarding setting up your account. If you need assistance with or have any questions about Smart Tuition, please contact Registrar Kristen Belanger at belangerk@sjabr.org.

TABLET INSURANCE

The insurance you purchased through SJA on your daughter’s tablet computer will expire on June 30. We strongly recommend that you renew your policy for next year. As you know, broken parts are costly to repair/replace. The policy covers the unit from fire/flood damage, vandalism, natural disasters, power surges due to lightening, accidental breakage (including drops/cracked screens/liquid spills), liquid submersion and theft. 

The cost of the insurance for the coming year (July 1, 2020-June 30, 2021) is $76.

The insurance process will once again be managed in house, and SJA will act as your contact when you need to file a claim. To enroll, please complete the Technology Policy/Insurance form by Friday, May 29, 2020. If you choose not to purchase insurance, please select that option on the form and return it by May 29. Please note that we need a signed form on file regardless of your decision to purchase insurance.

Click here to purchase the insurance policy through Worth Ave. Group. This payment portal will be open between May 1 and July 31. Please note that your insurance will not go into effect until we receive both the electronically signed form and payment.

Please direct questions to Sharon Cashio (cashios@sjabr.org; 388-2246).

YEARBOOK ORDERS AND SENIOR ADS DEADLINE: MAY 1

There are just three days left to purchase your 2019-2020 yearbook and/or senior ads for graduating seniors. The deadline is Friday, May 1, at midnight. All orders must be placed through Herff Jones Yearbooks. If you are unsure if you purchased a yearbook, you can search for your order by selecting the green tab under Thank You Already Placed an Order? You can also contact the Herff Jones Yearbook Order Center at 1-866-287-3096 Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Please direct questions to moderator Sara Rounds at roundss@sjabr.org.

TUITION PAYMENTS

It is the policy of SJA that all tuition and fees be current prior to exams/assessments. If your account is not current, we ask that parents of current 9-11 students make a payment by Monday, May 11. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Jane Pardi in the SJA Finance Office at pardij@sjabr.org.

DINING HALL ACCOUNT REFUNDS

If your daughter is graduating or otherwise leaving SJA, please submit your request for a Dining Hall account refund to support@odin-inc.com by Friday, May 8. You will be issued a reimbursement via ACH within seven business days. Please be sure to leave enough money in your daughter’s account to cover her Dining Hall expenses through the end of the school year. Refund requests submitted after the May 8 deadline may be delayed up to eight weeks.  
 
Accounts for returning students will be frozen over the summer to prevent auto-funding. Accounts will be reactivated for the first day of school. If you would like to receive the balance of funds in your daughter’s account, please log into your My Kids Spending account, or contact support@mykidsspending for assistance. Again, please be sure to leave enough money in your daughter’s account to cover her Dining Hall expenses through the end of the school year.
 
Any parent requesting a refund is asked to be sure your ACH information is correct in your My Kids Spending account to avoid delays in receiving your refund.
 
The parents of departing students may choose to transfer account balances to a younger sibling, cousin or family friend. If you wish to transfer an account balance, please email Carlie Boone with the first and last names of both students. 
 
If you have questions, please contact Food Service Director Carlie Boone (c.boone@sagedining.com; 388-2247).

IN THE KITCHEN WITH SAGE

With many families preparing meals at home and trying to keep their children engaged, SAGE Dining Services is prepared to help. SAGE developed a video series with easy, delicious recipes to prepare at home, instructions for various cooking techniques, nutritional guidance and even home food sanitation and hygiene tips. Click here for five new recipe videos plus a bonus video on cutting board safety.

PHISHING ATTEMPTS

SAGE Dining Services reminds you that these difficult times have triggered an increase in email phishing attempts. Some of you may have received fake emails appearing to come from SAGE and requesting banking information. Please note that SAGE will never ask for banking information through email. Please address questions or concerns to SAGE Vice President of Finance Scott Mowery at smowery@sagedining.com or (410) 339-3950, ext. 181.

SUMMER HOURS

Summer hours for the Main Office are 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 8 a.m.-12 p.m. on Fridays. Regular hours resume on Monday, August 3. The Main Office will be closed June 29-July 3 in celebration of the Fourth of July. 

Please note that the Main Office will be open during the two weeks of Computer Orientation (July 20-23 and July 27-30) from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 

During the summer, the Help Desk will be open 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and Friday hours will be 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Regular hours resume on Wednesday, August 12. 

Summer hours for the Mission Advancement, Admissions, Communications, Alumnae, Facilities and Human Resources offices, located in Mother Alice Hall, and the Finance Office, located in the Mother Thollot House, are 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Friday hours will be 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Regular hours resume on Monday, August 3.

SUMMER PE REGISTRATION

If your daughter has chosen Summer PE on her course selection form, you will receive more information from Dean of Academics Aubrey DeJohn in May. Recent circumstances have caused us to push back the registration date.

SIZZLING SUMMER 2020

Due to the ongoing challenges and uncertain future of COVID-19, camp registration for Sizzling Summer 2020 has been suspended. Please check back or follow us on Facebook or Instagram for future announcements regarding this year’s Sizzling Summer programs.

SJA ATHLETICS STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING PROGRAM, SUMMER 2020

Due to the ongoing challenges and uncertain future of COVID-19, we are unsure of the schedule for this summer’s program. We are discussing various possibilities and will communicate our plan once the details are finalized.

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.

KENDRA SCOTT "SHOP FOR GOOD ONLINE"

Wednesday and Thursday, April 29 and 30. Just in time to pick up something for Mother’s Day or for your favorite SJA or LSU graduate, Kendra Scott will host an online event to benefit St. Joseph’s Academy. Visit KENDRASCOTT.COM to shop. Click on the bag in the top right corner of your screen. You’ll see a bar that says “Enter Coupon Code” both in your cart and at checkout. Enter giveback code GIVEBACK7493 at one of the two places, then hit Apply. Twenty percent of your purchase will benefit SJA. Not combinable with other offers.

PASS IT ON USED UNIFORM SALE

We are collecting any uniforms no longer needed to be offered for sale at the Pass It On Used Uniform Sale on Saturday, August 8, 8-9:30 a.m., in the Mother Alice Hall Community Room. The Pass It On committee is collecting uniforms for this year’s sale. If you have uniform items that your daughter has outgrown, please consider donating them. Please bring uniforms to the Main Office in St. Joseph Hall. You may begin dropping off used uniforms Monday, July 20, through Friday, August 7.

SOIRéE RESCHEDULED: SAVE THE DATE

Mark your calendars for Thursday, March 4, for The Soirée. Join us for live music, silent and live auctions and great food and drinks in the Academy Student Center. If you would like information about serving as a committee member, volunteering or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Assistant Director of Advancement Cydney Morris (morrisc@sjabr.org; 388-2270).

SJA ANnual Fund

During this time of great uncertainty worldwide, we are both humbled by and proud of the outpouring of support from our SJA community: alumnae, parents and friends. Hundreds of you have made charitable gifts to help our students succeed, and we appreciate you all.

Today, we would like to pass on some information from recently passed legislation regarding charitable giving.

On March 27, the U.S. House and Senate passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. There are three big changes that you should be aware of:

• Cash Gifts: Individuals may deduct $300 above the line. This charitable deduction enables a taxpayer who is one of the 90 percent who take the standard deduction to also benefit from his or her charitable gifts. The $300 above-the-line deduction must be gifts of cash by a non-itemizer and may not be to a donor-advised fund or supporting organization.

• 100% Charitable Deduction Limit: The usual deduction limit for cash gifts to public charities is 60 percent of adjusted gross income (AGI). For 2020, gifts of cash to charity (excluding donor-advised funds and supporting organizations) are deductible to 100 percent of AGI. The gift may be for any charitable purpose and is not limited to gifts for coronavirus relief.

• Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) Waiver: The RMD is waived for IRA and other qualified retirement plan owners for the year 2020. This provision will permit IRA and other qualified retirement plan owners to retain funds in their IRAs. Because the markets declined substantially after the current RMD was calculated based on the plan value on December 31, 2019, Congress determined that it was beneficial to waive the RMD for 2020. Loyal donors may still wish to use IRA funds to make a qualified charitable distribution (QCD). The QCD is available up to $100,000 for individuals who are over age 70½.

As always, please consult your tax advisor/attorney for advice on your specific situation. Thank you for your continued support and for keeping the St. Joseph’s Academy community in your thoughts and prayers.

GIVE NOW

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.

Our Mothers’ Club membership drive is under way for the 2020-2021 school year. As an incentive, the first 100 moms to join will be entered into a raffle for free tickets to our annual Mother-Daughter Brunch & Style Show. Please save the date of November 15, 2020, for this wonderful SJA tradition. We ask that you note that senior moms must be a Mothers’ Club member to participate as a model in the style show, so be sure to join by clicking here.

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. Are you ready to join for the 2020-2021 school year?

The first 100 dads to join will be entered into a drawing to receive two tickets and t-shirts for Father-Daughter Day. Please save the date of Sunday, October 4, for a day of fun and fellowship with your daughter and other SJA dads and daughters. Join now by clicking here.

Thank you to the countless volunteers who worked in the Sticker Shop during the 2019-2020 school year. We could not have run the shop without you. We appreciate all the parents and students who shopped with us this past year, and we look forward to opening again for your SJA spirit merchandise needs. 

During the summer, we plan to be open on Tuesday and Thursday of each week of the Computer Orientation sessions from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (July 21, 23, 28 and 30). We also plan to be open after each of the incoming freshman parent meetings. Details will be shared later this summer.

Students, make sure to represent your class mascot and design your class t-shirt for next school year. Check your email for the details on the Annual Class T-Shirt Contest. 

During the 2020-2021 school year, the Sticker Shop’s hours will be Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. We are located on the first floor of Mother Alice Hall on Kleinert Avenue. 

With the statewide closure of schools, previously scheduled tryouts have been postponed until further notice. Once we have directives from the governor and SJA administration on the lifting of stay-at-home and social-distancing requirements, as well as the reopening of venues, tryout dates will rescheduled. We will communicate this information as it becomes available. 

At this point, we have tentatively set swim team tryouts for Sunday, August 9, 2-4 p.m. at Crawfish Aquatics. 

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.

REQUIRED SERVICE PROGRAM

To comply with social-distancing recommendations and to ensure the health and safety of our students and those they serve, service opportunities have been cancelled for the remainder of the year. Seniors who have yet to complete 50 or more hours in service this year but have done so each of the three previous years will receive the Service Award at Honors Convocation.

For additional information, contact Pastoral Care Minister Sister Chris Pologa (pologac@sjabr.org; 388-2202). She is available via email Monday-Friday, 8-10 a.m.

Learning Center 

During this time of distance learning, the Learning Center continues to provide free-of-charge assistance to any student needing extra help with math, science, English or writing. Tutors check email every day and can arrange for Skype or Zoom meetings as needed.

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. Email mcmanusb@sjabr.org.

Science Resource

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

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. 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.

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.

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