December 2024

ADORATION
Beginning on Monday, December 2, there will be adoration of the Blessed Sacrament each morning* in the Chapel at SJA from 7 to 7:25 a.m. and during all lunch hours on Thursday, December 12.
*Please note there won’t be adoration on Wednesday mornings due to the rosary recited at 7 a.m. 

FALL SPORTS ASSEMBLY
Tuesday, December 3, 7:30-7:48 a.m., Academy Student Center. We will follow Schedule 9. The fall sports teams – cross country, swimming and volleyball – will be celebrated for their successes this year. 

Parents planning to join us can check-in online in advance, and their name badge will be pre-printed and waiting for them in the lobby of the Academy Student Center. Please show a form of ID upon arrival. 

CHRISTMAS BAND CONCERT
Tuesday, December 3, 6 p.m., Catholic High Gymnasium. Featuring the Symphonic, Concert and Jazz Bands. Tickets are not required. Please direct questions to CHS Band Director Duane LeBlanc at DLeblanc@catholichigh.org. 

EARLY DISMISSAL
Thursday, December 5, for Professional Development. We will follow Schedule 3 with students dismissed at 1:46 p.m. Please note that the library will remain open until 5:30 p.m. and that resource teachers (math, science, English and writing) will be available.

INFORMATIONAL MEETING 
All current juniors and seniors and their parents are invited to an informational meeting on December 5 to learn more about the inaugural Civil Rights Mission Pilgrimage to Alabama. The trip will occur during the SJA Easter break in 2025 and will also be open to Catholic High students. The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. in the Fife Student Commons.
 
Please direct questions to Mission Integration Director Jade Spears at spearsj@sjabr.org.

MATH DUAL ENROLLMENT EXAM 
Friday, December 6, Activity Center, 7:30-9:30 a.m. (extended time 7:30-10:30 a.m.). Students in Calculus Honors, Calculus Honors Dual Enrollment, Pre-Calculus and Pre-Calculus Dual Enrollment will report to the Activity Center and will miss their 1st through 3rd hour classes. For additional information, please contact Mathematics Department Chair Lauren Sommer at sommerl@sjabr.org. 

SJA AND CHS UNDERCLASS CHOIR CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Sunday, December 8, Our Lady of Mercy Church, 2 p.m. Featuring the beginning treble, tenor-bass and mixed choirs. No tickets needed.

SOLEMNITY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION 
Monday, December 9. 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. 

Parents planning to join us can check-in online in advance, and their name badge will be pre-printed and waiting for them in the lobby of the Academy Student Center. Please show a form of ID upon arrival. 

If you can’t join us but would like to watch the livestream, click here.

FALL DANCE PERFORMANCES 
The SJA Dance Department presents two performances of Money Makes the World Go Round on Wednesday, December 11. Join us at the LSU Union Theatre for a fun and entertaining evening. Tickets are $15. Click here for tickets to the 6 p.m. performance; click here for tickets to the 8 p.m. performance. 

A CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Thursday, December 12, LSU Union Theater, 6 p.m. Featuring the Wind Ensemble, Schola and Chamber Singers. Tickets are required but are free of charge. Tickets will be available in the Main Office in St. Joseph Hall. Please direct questions to CHS Band Director Duane LeBlanc at DLeblanc@catholichigh.org.

STUDENT COUNCIL FUN DAY 
Friday, December 13. The theme for this Fun Day is Deck the Halls. Students can wear Christmas attire. They have received dress guidelines via email. General Fun Day guidelines were included in the Back-to-School Parent Newsletter. If your daughter has questions about her costume, please encourage her to contact Dean of Women Christina Myles Richardson at mylesc@sjabr.org. Please note that students who do not follow dress guidelines are subject to disciplinary action.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT FOR SCHOOL
Monday, December 16. We will follow Schedule 2. Parents are invited to join us at 9:53 a.m. in the Academy Student Center. 

Parents planning to join us can check-in online in advance, and their name badge will be pre-printed and waiting for them in the lobby of the Academy Student Center. Please show a form of ID upon arrival. 

CLASS OF 2024 SIX-MONTH REUNION 
Monday, December 16, 12-1:30 p.m., Mother Alice Hall Community Room and Porch. Sponsored by the SJA Alumnae Association. Our 2024 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 for those who did not opt to have them shipped. RSVP to events@sjabr.org or call Alumnae Director Alli Bourgeois ’14 at (225) 388-2244 by Monday, December 9.

MIDTERM EXAM SCHEDULE
Tuesday-Friday, December 17-20
1st Bell: 7:55 a.m., Prayer/Pledge
Exams: 8-9:30 a.m.; 10-11:30 a.m.
Students only need to attend school during the times they have an exam. If they do not have an exam during a scheduled time slot, they do not have to attend.

Tuesday, December 17
8-9:30 a.m.: Physical Science, Physical Science Honors, Biology, Biology Honors
10-11:30 a.m.: Chemistry, Chemistry Honors, Physics, Physics Honors, Physics AP, Environmental Science
Extended time for all science exams is 9-11:15 a.m.

Wednesday, December 18
8-9:30 a.m.: Theology II, III and IV
10-11:30: AP Psychology, AP Government and Politics, AP Comparative Government
Extended time for theology exams is 7:30-9:45 a.m.
Extended time for AP social studies electives is 10 a.m.-12:15 p.m.                     

Thursday, December 19
8-9:30 a.m.: Algebra I, Algebra I Honors, Geometry, Geometry Honors, Algebra II, Algebra II Honors
10-11:30 a.m.: Pre-Calculus Honors, Calculus, Calculus AP, Algebra III
Extended time for all math exams is 9-11:15 a.m.

Friday, December 20
8-9:30 a.m.: Civics, Civics Honors, U.S. History, AP United States History, World History, World History Honors, World History AP
10-11:30 a.m.: Spanish I, II, III, IV; French I, II, III, IV; Latin I, II, III, IV
Extended time for all social studies exams is 7:30-9:45 a.m.
Extended time for all foreign language exams is 10 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

Students in dual enrollment courses will take their exams earlier in December through their class. Information about dual enrollment exams will be communicated by the teacher. If your daughter has a class at CHS, she will communicate with her teacher regarding exam times.  

The Dining Hall will serve breakfast Tuesday-Thursday, December 17-19, from 6:30 until 8 a.m. After breakfast, the kitchen will be open for grab-and-go items until 12 p.m.

The Technology & Learning Center will close at 1 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, December 17-20.

St. Joseph Hall office hours during exams are 7 a.m.-2 p.m. on December 17 and 18; 7-11:30 a.m. on December 19; and 7 a.m.-12 p.m. on December 20. 

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 Richardson at mylesc@sjabr.org or (225) 388-2278. All exams will be made up on Monday and Tuesday, January 6 and 7, 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.

LEARNING CENTER TUTORING SESSIONS
The Learning Center offers tutoring sessions during exam week. Evening sessions are offered through Teams, and daytime sessions take place in the Learning Center. 

Monday, December 16
6 p.m. (Teams): Physical Science, Biology, Chemistry
7:30 p.m. (Teams): Physics

Tuesday, December 17
7-10 a.m.: Science
11 a.m.-12 p.m.: Math

Wednesday, December 18
8 a.m.-12 p.m.: Math
6 p.m. (Teams): Algebra I, Algebra II
7:30 p.m. (Teams): Geometry, Calculus

Thursday, December 19
7-10 a.m.: Math

SJA’S CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS 
Monday, December 23, through Tuesday, January 7. Classes resume on Wednesday, January 8. Please note that this return date is a change from the original calendar that listed January 7 as the return-to-school date. 

The Main Office (in St. Joseph Hall) will be closed. It will reopen on Wednesday, January 8.

The Mission Advancement, Alumnae, Admissions, Human Resources, Facilities, Operations and Communications departments (in Mother Alice Hall) and the Finance Office (in Mother Thollot House) will be open Monday, December 23, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., then closed for the remainder of the week. They will be open on Monday and Tuesday, December 30 and 31, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., then closed for the remainder of the week. These offices will reopen on Tuesday, January 7. 

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.

SECOND-QUARTER REPORT CARD, MIDTERM, FIRST-SEMESTER GRADES 
Second-quarter report card grades, midterm grades and first-semester grades will be available on MySJA beginning December 27 at 3 p.m. 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.

Once you log in and select your daughter from the dropdown on the left, you will see a Report Cards option under Performance on the Progress tab. Click Report Cards and select Quarter 2 Report Card.

Numerical grades are given for quarter and exam grades. Letter grades are calculated for semester grades at the end of each semester: Quarter (40%) + Quarter (40%) + Exam (20%) = Semester Grade. Cumulative GPAs are reported at the end of each semester and can be found at any time in MySJA on your student’s profile in the Progress tab under Performance and Transcripts. Only semester grades appear on your daughter’s transcript, and only semester grades are used in computing the St. Joseph’s Academy official cumulative GPA for a student transcript. Colleges use the most current cumulative GPA from your daughter’s transcript for admission and scholarship decisions. Report cards are not sent to colleges.

Please email your daughter’s teacher(s) if you have questions about grades. Please direct questions about report cards and MySJA to Registrar Cristina Latiolais at latiolaisc@sjabr.org or Assistant to the Registrar Stacy Rennhoff at rennhoffs@sjabr.org.

DAILY COMMUNITY PRAYER
Each day, St. Joseph’s Academy pauses at the end of 7th hour to lift our minds and hearts to God in prayer. We invite you to join us in our daily community prayer by visiting here.

2024-2025 SCHOOL CALENDAR
Click here for important dates for the 2024-2025 school year. Please note that all dates are subject to change.

HOLIDAY OFFICE CLOSINGS
The Main Office is closed on these remaining holidays. Please plan accordingly.

• November 25-29: Thanksgiving

• December 23-January 7: Christmas

• January 20: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday

• March 3-7: Mardi Gras 

• April 18-25: Easter

OFFICE HOURS
The Main Office in St. Joseph Hall is open from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

NEW GRADING SCALE
Beginning in August of 2025, SJA will move to a 10-point grading scale. The new grading scale will only apply to grades earned after the start of the 2025-2026 school year. Grades earned prior to this date will not be changed. Please direct questions to Principal Stacia Andricain at andricains@sjabr.org. 

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 or other arrangements have not been made. Delinquent payments made after Friday, December 6, 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. Tuition and fee balances are available online in your Tuition Management account. Please direct questions to Accounts Receivable Tuition Specialist Amy Jackson at jacksona@sjabr.org or (225) 388-2234. For SAGE Dining Services balances, please check your online MyKidsSpending account or call SAGE directly at 1-855-302-0070.

ACT TEST PREP PROGRAM FOR 2024-2025
ACT Diagnostic Testing: SJA will offer ACT Diagnostic Testing in the fall and spring of the 2024-2025 school year. Students will practice taking a full-length ACT test in a test setting and receive specific feedback on the areas where they need to work to improve their scores. Each student will receive a detailed report 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 plus SchoolCash Online fees. Extended time is offered. The Diagnostic Test Session can be purchased on SchoolCash Online.
 
Remaining Diagnostic Testing Date

• January 11, 2025 (8-11:30 a.m.)

 
Once students receive their scores from their Pre-ACT, ACT or ACT diagnostic test, they will have a better understanding of which areas they may want to improve or “gear up” for the next test.
 
Gear Up for the ACT: SJA offered a four-hour session for each subject-specific test of the ACT during the fall (before the October 2024 ACT date) and will do so again in the spring (before the March 2025 ACT date for juniors). These sessions focus on strategies and practice techniques for that content-specific ACT test. The cost is $55 plus fees for ACT math, science, reading and English. Your payment includes an ACT practice book for that subject. Space is limited to 50 students per session. Sessions can be purchased on SchoolCash Online.
 
Spring Gear-Up Dates

• Math: January 25, 2025 (8 a.m.-12 p.m.); recommended for students in Algebra II and above.

• Science: February 1, 2025 (8 a.m.-12 p.m.)

• Reading: February 15, 2025 (8 a.m.-12 p.m.)

• English: February 22, 2025 (8 a.m.-12 p.m.)

Please check athletic and other schedules prior to purchasing a testing session. SJA pre-purchases the supplies needed for each ACT test-prep session based on registrations and cannot guarantee a refund if your daughter cannot attend the session. The science portion of the ACT test will eventually become optional. Please check with specific institutions of interest to see if the science section will be required for admission.
 
If you have questions about any of these programs, please contact Dean of Curriculum and Instruction Melissa Brocato at brocatom@sjabr.org.

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 10 of the 12 classes offered during the selected session. Classes will be two-and-a-half hours in length with no classes on Fridays. Students will continue to complete home health assignments each week of class.

• Session 1: June 2-June 19, 7-9:30 a.m.
  Monday-Thursday

• Session 2: June 2-June 19, 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
  Monday-Thursday 

• Session 3: June 2-June 19, 2:30-5 p.m.
  Monday-Thursday 

• Session 4: June 2-June 19, 5-7:30 p.m.
  Monday-Thursday 

• Session 5: June 23-July 14, 7-9:30 a.m.
  Monday-Thursday, no classes on July 3 

• Session 6: June 23-July 14, 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
  Monday-Thursday, no classes on July 3

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 $235 and will be paid 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 PE Department Chair Sivi Miller at millers@sjabr.org.

WEDNESDAY MORNING ROSARY 
Every Wednesday at 7 a.m., the rosary is recited in the Chapel at SJA. 

YEARBOOK ORDERS 
The SJA yearbook captures once-in-a-lifetime memories in a single place. Click here to purchase your copy today. A receipt will be emailed to you once your purchase is complete. If you have more than one daughter attending SJA, please purchase a copy under each student’s name. 

If you are purchasing a yearbook for your senior daughter, you may choose to have the book shipped directly to you after it’s published in the fall of 2025. Otherwise, your daughter will receive her yearbook at the Six-Month Reunion for the class of 2025 in December of 2025.
 

ARRIVAL/DISMISSAL POLICIES
We ask for your partnership in reminding students who drive to school to be safe drivers, abiding by all the rules of the road and school zones, especially the speed limit. As a reminder, all students should be picked up in one of the two designated carpool lines until carpool ends at approximately at 3:30 p.m. A map of the different routes for freshman and upperclass carpool lines can be found in the online handbook in the Drop-off/Pick-up by Car tab. After 3:30 p.m., students staying after school may be picked up in front of the Fife Student Commons or Medaille Hall. 

Students are not to be picked up on neighboring streets or park their cars in the neighborhood without permission from the homeowner. Students who are identified as not following proper carpool procedures will meet with Dean of Women Christina Myles and will be issued a disciplinary consequence.  

SAFE DRIVING HABITS
Please remind your daughters to observe speed limits, especially around campus and in our campus parking lots. We have recently observed students engaged in unsafe driving practices, including texting while driving and speeding. We thank you for your partnership and continued modeling.

ATTENDANCE POLICY
If a student is absent due to illness, parents should complete the Attendance Reporting Form located under Resources in MySJA. For an absence for any other reason, advance notice of one school day must be sent by a parent via the Attendance Reporting Form located under Resources in MySJA for it to be considered. Parent notification of a student’s reason for an absence must be submitted by the end of the school day, or the absence will be considered unexcused and will not be changed. 

A student may not miss more than 15 full days (105 classes) or 15 times in a single course within a semester, regardless of whether absences are excused or unexcused.

Any student who arrives to her first-hour class after the tardy bell must report to the attendance coordinator’s office for a tardy slip. Beginning with the third unexcused tardy, an infraction is given.

Any student wanting to check out due to illness must report to the nurse’s office. If necessary, the nurse will call the student’s parent to obtain permission before the student leaves. Failure to check out in the nurse’s office because of an illness will result in an unexcused absence for missed class time.

Most routine visits to the doctor should be scheduled outside of school hours. For appointments scheduled during school hours, a parent must fill out the Attendance Reporting Form in MySJA. When the student returns to school, she must present a note to the attendance coordinator signed by the physician to receive an excused absence. Notes may be submitted in the main office or by emailing attendance@sjabr.org.

COLLEGE VISITS
Students are encouraged to visit colleges of interest during the summer and school holidays. Please reference the school calendar for the days students are not in school during the 2024-2025 school year.  

Seniors are allowed three excused absences for college visits during the academic year. Juniors and sophomores are allowed two excused absences for college visits during the academic year. Emailed notification of a student’s college visit must be submitted through the Absence Reporting Form on MySJA at least one school day before the scheduled absence. If notification is not received, this will be marked as an unexcused absence. Any student who misses more than her allowed number of excused absences for college visits will receive an infraction. No college visits will be approved during mid-term exams, final exams or AP testing. 

Seniors invited to attend university spring testing events, including LSU Spring Invitational, are allowed an additional excused absence(s) if they have followed proper check-out procedures and given advance notice.
 
AFTER-SCHOOL RULES AND REGULATIONS 
After dismissal, students may remain on campus in one of the following designated areas: Fife Student Commons (FSC), quad, courtyard or the Technology and Learning Center (TLC) between 2:50 and 3:30 p.m. Please note that the 3:30 p.m. sign-in time is a change from the traditional 4 p.m. sign-in time from previous years. Students may not leave campus after dismissal to roam the neighborhood. At 3:30 p.m., an announcement will direct students who are not in after-school activities to sign in at either the FSC or TLC while they wait for their ride. The FSC and TLC are open until 5:30 p.m. Our security officer is on campus until 5:30 p.m. each school day. Students must sign out before leaving for the 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 rules can be found in the school handbook under the Students and Parents portals. Please direct questions to Dawn Lorio at loriod@sjabr.org or (225) 388-2420.  
 
PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION
As a non-public school, St. Joseph’s Academy is not affected by the state law which requires parents to make an election at the beginning of each year to grant or deny consent for the school to collect your daughter’s Personally Identifiable Information and disclose it to the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) for TOPS and other financial aid or to the state’s colleges and universities for admissions. We will share this information unless you request through your daughter’s grade-level counselor that it be withheld.

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 at andricaina@sjabr.org. 

ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS 
Please be reminded that we must have one valid, regularly checked email address in MySJA. If your email, phone number or physical address has changed since last time you updated our records, please let us know. If you have questions, please contact Assistant to the Registrar Stacy Rennhoff at rennhoffs@sjabr.org. 

SCHOOL CLOSURES
When school is closed due to weather or other circumstances, please be reminded that SJA generally follows the same procedures as the East Baton Rouge school system and Diocese of Baton Rouge. Closures will also be announced via our School Messenger alert system (phone and text). 

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/text, please contact Assistant to the Registrar Stacy Rennhoff at rennhoffs@sjabr.org.

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 college and scholarship 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. Academic counseling is also offered. No appointments are necessary for any tutoring.

MATH RESOURCE
Math Resource is available Monday-Friday during all three lunch hours and Monday-Thursday after school in the Learning Center classroom in the Technology and Learning Center. Email mcewenl@sjabr.org or pfiferc@sjabr.org.

SCIENCE RESOURCE
Science Resource is available Monday-Thursday after school in the Learning Center classroom in the Technology and Learning Center. Email  brownh@sjabr.org, laplacev@sjabr.org, brownd@sjabr.org or krzystowczykn@sjabr.org. 

ENGLISH RESOURCE (including writing) AND ACADEMIC COUNSELING
English Resource is available Monday-Thursday during all three lunch hours and Tuesday-Thursday after school in the Learning Center classroom in the Technology and Learning Center. Email abadiej@sjabr.org or saiaa@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.

RETREAT INFORMATION
2024-2025 Remaining Retreat Dates

• February 24, 2025: Sophomore Retreat, SJA

• March 17, 2025: Junior Retreat, Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church

Participation in retreats is required for promotion to the next grade level and to graduate from St. Joseph’s Academy. Appointments, co-curricular activities and travel should not be planned on a student’s retreat day(s). These absences will not be excused unless they are part of a school-sponsored event and approval is given by the campus minister.

All absences, excused or unexcused, must be made up with a full Catholic retreat of equal or greater duration by the last regular day of school (not including exam days). A student who is absent from her grade-level retreat should research a retreat she can attend to fulfill the make-up requirement. She should submit the retreat request to the campus minister for approval. Retreats attended as mandatory elements of preparation of a sacrament (i.e., confirmation retreats) are not eligible to be used to make up a missed grade-level retreat.

Retreat questions should be directed to Campus Minister Chelsea Colomb at colombc@sjabr.org or (225) 388-2221.

REQUIRED SERVICE PROGRAM 

The SJA service policy states that freshmen and sophomores are required to complete 15 hours of service during the 2024-2025 academic year, and juniors and seniors must complete 20 service hours. The 2024-2025 Freshman and Sophomore Service Directory and the 2024-2025 Junior and Senior Service Directory can be found on MySJA, the Service Hour Project Moodle page and the Service Hour Opportunity Teams Channel. Please review the policies and service directories before completing service hours.
 
The 2024-2025 service year for current students began April 9, 2024. The service year for freshman and students new to SJA began June 1, 2024. Service hours for all students are due on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. Failure to complete service hours by the deadline will be examined on a case-by-case basis. However, completion of SJA’s service-hour requirements is necessary to advance to the next grade level and is a requirement for graduation.
 
Students may participate in opportunities other than those included in the service directories only after receiving written permission via email from the Assistant Campus Minister. All service hours must be done outside of normal school hours. 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. Donations of any kind, including Sticker Sacks or meals prepared and delivered to soup kitchens or homeless shelters, 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.

In conjunction with their senior retreat, members of the senior class participate in a day of service in the Baton Rouge community. This experience serves as an opportunity for the class to give back to the community as a group. Students are assigned to a service site for this day. Senior Service Day is considered part of the senior retreat and is a requirement for graduation. 
 
Please direct questions about service hours to Assistant Campus Minister/Service Coordinator Noelle Shipley at shipleyn@sjabr.org or (225) 388-2295.

ANNUAL FUND

Christmas bells, carols, evergreens, holiday cheer and time spent with family. No wonder we call this the most wonderful time of the year! With the holidays approaching and the season of gift giving upon us, I hope you will consider a gift to St. Joseph’s Academy Annual Fund.

Through the generous gifts of our SJA moms and dads, we are able to enhance the girls’ educational experience with improvements all around our beautiful campus. Our STEM lab, new Entrepreneurship curriculum, enhanced security and updated classrooms are tremendous changes made possible by parents like you. Your gift will impact all of our students.

You can make your pledge online by clicking here. You may also mail a check to St. Joseph’s Academy at 3015 Broussard Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70808. Don’t forget, you can double or even triple your gift if the company you work for matches their employees’ charitable giving. Check with your personnel office for more information, or call our Mission Advancement office at (225) 388-2254.

If your gift is received by December 31, you may be eligible for a tax deduction. Thank you for your generosity.

Don’t let this season of joy and giving pass without remembering the SJA Annual Fund. Your gift will change lives.

Merry Christmas from St. Joseph’s Academy and the Office of Mission Advancement.

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 at conigliow@sjabr.org or (225) 388-2336. Click here to purchase your brick today.

SJA MOTHERS' CLUB

Do you want to know about SJA Mothers’ Club events, meet other moms and support your Sticker daughter? Then 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. If you haven’t joined for the 2024-2025 school year, we invite you to join now! 

PARENTS WHO PRAY
Did you know the Mothers’ Club has a Parents Who Pray (PWP) Committee? This is one of our committees you can join once you become a member of the Mothers’ Club.   

PWP Committee members will also pray for individual intentions. Please submit your prayer requests to parentswhopray@sjabr.org.

All prayer requests are welcome, and please know that we are sensitive to sharing details. Information will be kept confidential unless otherwise requested. 

At least once a month you will receive an email with requests to pray for a special intention for our SJA community and our broader community. We will also inform you of additional opportunities to gather in person to pray together.

SPECIAL THANKS
Thank you to Catherine Jumonville and Chantelle Larussa for a wonderful faculty/staff luncheon on Wednesday, October 30. With the help of their volunteers, they served lunch and desserts to our wonderful teachers and staff and surprised them with fun door prizes. Shout out to Zippy’s for providing the delicious chili!

Thank you to Kristina Funes, Stephanie Mayeux, Mollie Carby and the Student Appreciation Committee who served bundtinis to the students on October 31. 

MOTHER-DAUGHTER BRUNCH & STYLE SHOW

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 including Father-Daughter Day, the Sticker Scramble and the Parents’ Back-to-School Dance, benefit our daughters. Haven’t already joined for the 2024-2025 school year? Sign up now on SchoolCash Online to join the best group of guys on campus. 

Christmas cheer is in full swing in the Sticker Shop, and we’re thrilled to bring you the latest updates to add a touch of joy to your December celebrations.

BEANIE BLISS
Beanie season is here! Rejoice, beanie enthusiasts! Our popular striped beanies have returned to the shelves. Grab yours today and keep cozy throughout the season in style.

ESSENTIALS, FULLY STOCKED
Discover comfort and style with our fully stocked essentials. The Sticker Shop has everything your daughters need, including various options for sizes of sweatpants, ensuring they make a statement in comfort every day.

UNIQUE HOLIDAY GIFTS
Explore the charm of unique holiday gifts at the Sticker Shop!
Exclusive Fig and Dove Wreath Sash: Elevate your holiday decorations with our exclusive Fig and Dove Wreath Sash, featuring a monogrammed shield. 
Custom Acrylic and Gold Ornaments: Crafted by local artist Becky Maher, our custom ornaments and glass vases continue to be cherished choices for meaningful and personalized gifts.

SPECIAL HOLIDAY HOURS
Don’t miss out on our special holiday hours. Join us on Saturday, December 7, from 8 to 11 a.m. We’ll be open during placement testing, so you can check off your holiday shopping list.

CONVENIENT SHOPPING OPTIONS
Your daughter can swing by the Sticker Shop during her lunch period for quick and easy shopping. Or you can stop in to shop! Park in the circle drive in front of Mother Alice Hall (3080 Kleinert Avenue), and Ms. Clarinda will be happy to assist you.

STICKER SHOP STORE HOURS
We’re here for you on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please note that the shop is closed on days when the campus is closed.

Your continued support of the Sticker Shop and St. Joseph’s Academy is truly appreciated. Let’s make this holiday season a memorable one filled with Sticker Pride!