November 2020

Dear Parents,    

I have spent the last several weeks observing in classrooms, and while I am still getting used to seeing only the eyes of students due to the required face coverings, I am witnessing the wonderful class discussions, activities and projects to which we are accustomed. Since school began and in order to keep static lunch groups, the freshman class has been eating in the orchard. This week, we moved their two lunch tents to the yard in front of the dining hall so they could begin to have more interaction with the upperclass students. All of this to say, we are starting to look a little more like the SJA we know and love, and I look forward to Halloween dress-up day on Friday (with a mask)! We will continue to look for ways to include fun activities for the students. We understand the toll this pandemic is taking on our girls and want to make sure they can have interactions outside of the classroom.  

Please join us virtually on Monday, November 2, for our All Souls Day Liturgy of the Word. Our sophomores will have their grade-level retreat on Monday, November 9, and I am happy to say that they will experience a full Mass during this time with Father Paul Gros as our celebrant.  Our Campus Ministry department continues to provide wonderful experiences for our students with weekly rosary, adoration, bible study and more. Also, Sister Chris Pologa, our pastoral care minister, is available to meet with any student who is struggling during this unprecedented time. On Friday, November 20, we will have our school-wide Thanksgiving Prayer Service. More details can be found in this newsletter. 

We want to give our best wishes to our fall sports teams, volleyball, cross country and swimming, as they head to their respective state championship events in November. All three teams have done a wonderful job following additional COVID guidelines and remaining healthy.  The volleyball team is looking to return to the Pontchartrain Center this year to play for the title. The cross country team is going for five state championships in a row, and the swim team is looking for its 10th consecutive state title! Geaux Stickers!

I believe most of you can relate to me when I say that 2020 and the month of October have not been what we prayed for. My commitment and dedication to St. Joseph’s Academy will continue to be my top priority. For 25 years, I have ministered to and educated the young women in my care, and each one of them is precious to me and worth the hours of hard work to help them become the young women who will lead us in the future. I thank you for partnering with us in our efforts.

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

OPEN HOUSE

Thursday, October 29, for 8th grade girls and their parents. We will follow a special schedule on this day for early dismissal at 12:23 p.m. for drivers and 12:28 p.m. for carpoolers. All students not assisting with Open House must be picked up by 2 p.m. The library will not be open for after-school hours. Students remaining on campus and working Open House will be provided refreshments. They must wear their dress uniform.

LATE START

Due to Open House the night before, SJA will have a late start on Friday, October 30. School will begin at 9:01 a.m. and end at the normal time. Students may not arrive on campus prior to 7:30 a.m. There will be no breakfast served on this day. The Help Desk will be open at 8 a.m.

STUDENT COUNCIL FUN DAY

Friday, October 30. The theme is “Trick or Treat on Broussard Street.” Full details and costume guidelines will be emailed to students.

ALL SOULS DAY

On Monday, November 2, St. Joseph’s Academy will observe All Souls Day with a prayer service streamed from the Chapel beginning at 10:05 a.m. During the service, we will remember our deceased loved ones in prayer. As in the past, we will print a list of all the names of the deceased relatives and friends for whom you would like us to pray and place them on the altar. Please send the names of your loved ones to Wendy Coniglio at conigliow@sjabr.org by Thursday, October 29.

TESTING PREP In-SCHOOL SESSION

Part of SJA’s Testing Prep Program is an in-school segment that will give students the skills and strategies they need as well as individualized practice for ACT and SAT testing. We will have nine 50-minute sessions (five in the fall, four in the spring) of ACT/SAT prep that occur during the school day. These sessions are part of a grade-specific curriculum that focuses on the main test that occurs during that grade year as well as on general testing tips and anxiety tools. We will follow Schedule 10 on these days. 

The remaining fall semester date is Friday, November 6.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

Friday, November 6, SJA Chapel, during all three lunch periods (10:20 a.m.-1 p.m.). Parents are welcome to join students spiritually in prayer during this time. We invite you to say a prayer from wherever you are for our SJA students during this time.

ACT GEAR-UP READING SESSION

Our ACT Gear-Up Sessions continue on Saturday, November 7. This session will be taught by SJA ACT-certified teachers and will encompass overall test strategies, specific question types, analysis of passages and practice. It will be held in St. Joseph Hall from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m. Students may purchase the class on Shop SJA (under Extended Programs) until Tuesday, November 3. Please direct questions to Dean of Curriculum & Instruction Aimee Urdiales at urdialesa@sjabr.org.

SOPHOMORE RETREAT

Monday, November 9, from 8 a.m. until 2:45 p.m. in the Academy Student Center. This is a time when the sophomore class will come together to deepen their relationships with God and one another. Parents, family and friends are invited to pray for the sophomores during their retreat by signing up for a 30-minute slot here. The retreat will be led by senior Student Ministers and various faculty and staff members. Please do not make out-of-town plans or schedule appointments for your sophomore daughter until after the retreat. Retreats are mandatory for graduation. Further instructions with what to wear, what to bring and where to be dropped off and picked up will be emailed to sophomores as the retreat date approaches. Please direct questions to Campus Minister Kathleen Evans (evansk@sjabr.org).

The Main Office will not be open on November 9. Additionally, the library will not be open following the retreat. Sophomores will need to be picked up at 2:45 p.m.

NO SCHOOL FOR GRADES 9,11 and 12

Monday, November 9.

BALFOUR REPRESENTATIVE ON CAMPUS

Wednesday, November 11, outside the Dining Hall during all lunch hours. Juniors are invited to order their school rings, and seniors are invited to order graduation announcements.

EARLY DISMISSAL

Thursday, November 12, for Professional Learning Community. Students are dismissed at 1:50 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.

NOVEMBER FUN DAY

Friday, November 13. The theme is Neon November. Students will receive guidelines via email.

ACT GEAR-UP MATH SESSION

Our ACT Gear-Up Sessions continue on Saturday, November 14. This session will be taught by SJA ACT-certified teachers and will encompass overall test strategies, specific question types, analysis of passages and practice. It will be held in St. Joseph Hall from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m. Students may purchase the class on Shop SJA (under Extended Programs) until Tuesday, November 10. Please direct questions to Dean of Curriculum & Instruction Aimee Urdiales at urdialesa@sjabr.org.

ACT GEAR-UP SCIENCE SESSION

Our ACT Gear-Up Sessions continue on Saturday, November 14. This session will be taught by SJA ACT-certified teachers and will encompass overall test strategies, specific question types, analysis of passages and practice. It will be held in St. Joseph Hall from 1 until 5 p.m. Students may purchase the class on Shop SJA (under Extended Programs) until Tuesday, November 10. Please direct questions to Dean of Curriculum & Instruction Aimee Urdiales at urdialesa@sjabr.org.

EARLY DISMISSAL

Wednesday, November 18, for Faculty Professional Development. Students are dismissed at 1:34 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.

THANKSGIVING PRAYER SERVICE

Friday, November 20. The Thanksgiving Prayer Service, developed by the Liturgy Committee, will be held during Theology classes throughout the day. We will follow the regular school-day schedule this year. Information about joining us via livestream will be emailed to parents as the date gets closer.

APPLICATION DEADLINE/PLACEMENT TEST INFORMATION FOR INCOMING FRESHMEN

The application deadline for students entering the 9th grade for the 2021-2022 academic year is Friday, November 20. The application process is completed online. Visit www.applytosja.org.

The placement test will be administered on Saturday, December 5, at 8 a.m. Students must report to St. Joseph Hall by 7:45 a.m. The test will be completed by 11 a.m. This test is similar to the standardized tests students take in elementary school. Test results will help us determine placement for classes. Calculators are permitted. Pencils will be provided. If your daughter has a documented, diagnosed learning disability that qualifies her for extended time on standardized tests, please upload a copy of the diagnosis to your daughter’s profile page using your St. Joseph’s Account by Wednesday, November 25.

THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS

Monday-Friday, November 23-27. No school for students or teachers. School resumes Monday, November 30. 

The Main Office will be open on Monday and Tuesday, November 23 and 24, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

The Help Desk will be open Monday and Tuesday, November 23 and 24, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. If your daughter has a problem with her computer, please encourage her to leave it at the Help Desk before the holiday begins, and she will be issued a loaner. Please direct questions to helpdesk@sjabr.org.

The Mission Advancement, Alumnae, Communications and Human Resources offices (Mother Alice Hall) and the Finance Department (Thollot House) will be open Monday and Tuesday, November 23 and 24, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., and closed the rest of the week.

ACT DIAGNOSTIC TESTING

SJA will hold a full-length ACT Diagnostic Test on Saturday, November 28. Doors open at 7:45 a.m. at the west entrance of St. Joseph Hall. Testing begins at 8 a.m. and ends at approximately 11:30 a.m. Students will take a full-length ACT test in the same testing environment as a standard ACT. They will receive a detailed diagnostic report as well as have the option for an individual conference of specific skills they can practice. The cost is $15.50 and can be purchased on Shop SJA (under Extended Programs) until Thursday, November 19, at 12 p.m. Please direct questions to Dean of Curriculum & Instruction Aimee Urdiales at urdialesa@sjabr.org.

DATE CHANGES FOR PSAT AND PRE-ACT

Under normal circumstances, SJA administers the Pre-ACT and PSAT in October. The Pre-ACT is given to freshmen and sophomores as a pre-test for the ACT. The PSAT is given to sophomores, juniors and select freshmen as a pre-test for the SAT; it is also the qualifying standardized test for National Merit Scholarships. Due to COVID-19, these testing companies have given us the opportunity to move these test dates to the spring semester. The Pre-ACT will be given on Monday, January 25, 2021, and the PSAT will be given on Tuesday, January 26, 2021. More information will be provided closer to the testing date.

MARCH 9 ACT PAYMENT AVAILABLE ON SHOP SJA

All juniors are required to take the ACT on March 9 at SJA. Parents of juniors should have received an email with more details. Payment for this test is $61.50. It can be purchased on Shop SJA. Payment is due by November 20, 2020. Please direct questions to Dean of Curriculum & Instruction Aimee Urdiales at urdialesa@sjabr.org.

ACT TEST SITE UPDATE

Due to current COVID-19 school guidelines, we have been a private ACT testing site for SJA students only. This will continue through the end of 2020 with the final testing date of Saturday, December 12. School-day procedures for social distancing and cleaning will be followed during the test. The test center code is 161060. Deadline to register is Friday, November 20. (No late fees charged.) If you have already registered for the ACT, no action is necessary. If you would like to register, please visit http://www.act.org/. During the registration process, the system defaults to search by zip code. You will need to choose the Change Location option and enter the test center code listed above. Please direct questions to Assistant to the Deans Cristina Benigno at benignoc@sjabr.org.

HONOR GRADUATE REQUIREMENTS

As a reminder, the requirements for an honors diploma can be found in our online handbook, housed under the Parents and Students portals on our website. The requirements can be found in the Academic Excellence section.

FIRST-QUARTER REPORT CARDS

Report cards were posted on MySJA on Friday, October 16. If you are having trouble accessing your daughter’s report card, please contact Registrar Dana Schlotterer (schlotterer@sjabr.org; 388-2236) or Assistant to the Registrar Stacy Rennhoff (rennhoffs@sjabr.org; 388-2318).

ABSENCE DURING EXAMS

All students are expected to take their exams during their regularly scheduled time. If there is a serious conflict, special permission must be obtained from Dean of Women Erika Angarita (angaritae@sjabr.org; 388-2278). All exams will be made up on Monday, December 21, and Monday, January 4, 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.

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 Wednesday, December 9, 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 (babinl@sjabr.org; 388-2234). For SAGE balances, please check your account online or call SAGE directly at 1-855-302-0070.

SWEATPANTS REMINDER

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

ONLINE STUDENT DIRECTORY

The student directory is available under the Directories menu in MySJA. For assistance, please contact Registrar Dana Schlotterer (schlotterer@sjabr.org; 388-2236) or Assistant to the Registrar Stacy Rennhoff (rennhoffs@sjabr.org; 388-2318).

IMPORTANT DATES 2020-2021

Click here for a listing of important dates for the upcoming school year. Please be reminded that with the uncertainty of evolving COVID-19 restrictions, this calendar is subject to change.

Holiday Office Closings 

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

• November 23-27: Thanksgiving
• December 21-January 4: Christmas
• January 18: Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday
• February 15-19: Mardi Gras 
• April 2-9: Easter

Office Hours/Visitors to Campus

Following recommendations of healthcare officials, we are not allowing visitors to campus at this time. We ask anyone who needs to conduct business with the school to please call the person with whom they need to talk or the main line at (225) 383-7207. Office staff are available to assist you from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Illness, Doctor Visits, Tardies

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

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

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

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

Custody Information

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

Free Heart Screenings

The Louisiana Pediatric Cardiology Foundation provides free heart screenings to high school student-athletes. The SJA Athletic Department recommends that each athlete undergo this free screening. Please visit the LPCF website for more information and to schedule your appointment.

Electronic Communications

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

Emergency Procedures

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

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

SJA Telephone System

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

School IDs/Lanyards

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

Carpool Reminder

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

Also remember that students cannot be dropped off on Broussard, Parker, Kleinert or South Eugene. Students cannot be picked up at the Medaille Hall circle until 4 p.m. or later. Our security officer will ask you to move to the carpool line if you arrive before 4 p.m. We also ask that you remember that our surrounding streets are school zones. Please observe the school-zone speed limits.

Yearbook SALES

The 2020-2021 yearbooks are currently on sale. Please note discounted pricing ends October 31. 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. SJA’s yearbook code is 1590.

Rosary 

Each Wednesday at 7 a.m., outside of the Chapel at SJA. In case of inclement weather, we will move inside the chapel. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, participation is limited to SJA students and faculty/staff members only. Please remember that face coverings and social distancing are required. 

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).

SIX-MONTH REUNION (CLASS OF 2020)

Each December, we invite our recent graduates back to campus for a six-month reunion, during which they pick up their yearbooks and visit with classmates and former teachers. Due to the uncertainty regarding which state-issued COVID-19 guidelines will be in place in December, the six-month reunion for the class of 2020 has been postponed. To receive their yearbooks, we invite our recent graduates to a drive-by pickup on Thursday, December 17, between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. in front of Mother Alice Hall. Our 2020 graduates will receive information this spring about a one-year reunion crawfish boil reunion in May.

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.

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 and social studies 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 Monday through 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 Monday through Wednesday from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Learning Center classroom in the library. Email mayk@sjabr.org.

SCIENCE RESOURCE

Science Resource is available Monday through Thursday during all three lunch hours and Monday through 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 Monday through 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.

ACT Prep Courses

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

Former SJA math faculty member Kevin Landry offers ACT prep courses on campus. Faculty members 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/

Princeton Review: www.princetonreview.com

Mastery Prep: https://masteryprep.com/

Best in Class BR: https://bestinbr.com/act-prep/

Magnolia Prep: www.magnoliaprep.com

Khan Academy: https://www.khanacademy.org/join/T5BB5SDJ

Sylvan Learning Center: https://locations.sylvanlearning.com/us/baton-rouge-blue-bonnet-la/act-prep

Peer+Plus Diagnostic & Tutorial Service: https://www.facebook.com/peerplustutoring/

Studyville: https://studyville.com/

Zach Roubein Tutoring: https://www.zachroubeintutoring.com/

Materials found on the ACT website: www.act.org

Spiritual Formation 

Faith development is a key component in the lives of our students, and we will do our very best to safely facilitate ways for our girls to encounter Christ. Campus Minister Kathleen Peek Evans will continue to offer weekly rosary, adoration, Bible study and retreats following COVID-19 safety guidelines.

Student Retreats 

Currently, class retreats are scheduled on the following dates but are subject to change.

• Senior Retreat: March 8-9, 2021
• Junior Retreat: February 1, 2021
• Sophomore Retreat: Monday, November 9, 2020
• Freshman Retreat: Monday, March 8, 2021

Required Service Program

Service is an integral part of the SJA curriculum. Important information about this year-long program can be found on the SJA website under the Faith tab. The Service Directory can be found on Moodle. Please read this information so you are aware of requirements. The deadline for completing service requirements is April 1, 2021. There will be checkpoints throughout the year to ensure timely completion of the service requirement. 

The x2vol program for tracking service hours has a smart phone app. Go to your app store, search x2vol and follow the prompts. There is also a tutorial video on the x2vol app which discusses how to enter hours.

Sister Chris Pologa is available on Tuesdays during all lunch periods to answer questions about service and to help students with service entries. Students may email her at pologac@sjabr.org or stop by her office in Mother Alice Hall, room 212.

Please note that failure to turn in service hours by the deadline will result in a checklist. Seniors must complete their service requirements in order to graduate from SJA, and all other students must complete their service hours in order to return to SJA the following year.

Annual Fund

Our Parents Annual Fund Campaign is off to a great start. Thank you to all the parents who have already sent in their pledge or donation. In these unprecedented times, it is difficult to ask for monetary support. However, each and every gift, no matter the size, creates opportunities for the young women of SJA. The deadline for making your Parents Annual Fund pledge or donation is November 20. Please remember that you have until June 30 to complete your pledge. Gifts to the Parents Annual Fund support the people and programs that make SJA a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, including a vital and inspiring academic curriculum, athletic and arts programming, a talented faculty and personal attention.

The only gift that is too small is the one that is not made at all. We appreciate your support!

If you have not yet made your gift, please click here.

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

Pave the Way Bricks 

Buy a brick this holiday season and leave a lasting legacy. 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. If you are purchasing a brick as a Christmas gift, your order must be received by December 15.

SJA Mothers' Club

The SJA Mothers’ Club needs you! Dues from our members support the services and events provided by the Mothers’ Club for our administration, faculty/staff and students. The membership drive for the 2020-2021 school year is currently under way. If you are not yet a member of the Mothers’ Club, please click here to register today.
 
Through a system of active committees, the SJA Mothers’ Club provides various services for our school community. While this year looks different than previous ones, the Mothers’ Club is working hard to help in any way that we can, from Teacher and Student Appreciation to our new online Sticker Shop. During these unprecedented times, one thing we can all do is support our school community with prayers, so remember to send in your prayer requests to parentswhopray@sjabr.org.

As a reminder, save the date of Friday, April 30, 2021, for the 2020-2021 Mother-Daughter Style Show. An Evening Under the Sea will be held at Raising Cane’s River Center. Please join the Mothers’ Club and support this wonderful event. We are looking forward to fun-filled evening this spring. Please note that all senior mother models in the style show must be members of the Mothers’ Club.

SJA Dads' Club

The Dads’ Club reminds you that it’s not too late to join. The Dads’ Club works in partnership with the school on a variety of events throughout the school 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. 

Click here to sign up for The Dads’ Club. 

Save the date for Father-Daughter Day 2021, set for Sunday, April 18, 2021. 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. The theme for the day is “Aloha! From SJA Father-Daughter Day.” You can register now (and order your t-shirts) on Shop SJA. Deadline to register is Thursday, April 1, 2021.

SWIMMING

The City League Championship meet is Friday and Saturday, October 30 and 31, at Crawfish Aquatics. Times TBA. The state meet is Saturday, November 21, at YMCA of Northwest Louisiana in Shreveport. Times TBA. No spectators will be allowed at either event.

VOLLEYBALL

Playoffs start the week of November 2. Bi-district competition will be completed by November 5, and regional action will be played by November 7. Locations and times TBA. The state tournament is November 12-14 at the Pontchartrain Center in Kenner. Check the SJA website for dates, times and locations.

CROSS COUNTRY

The Region II, 5A Meet is Saturday, November 7, at Highland Road Park starting at 8 a.m. The state meet is Tuesday, November 17, at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches starting at 12:30 p.m.

BASKETBALL

The SJA Basketball Jamboree is set for Wednesday, November 11, beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Academy Student Center. Participating teams are SJA, Central Private, Episcopal and St. Michael. Games are two 10-minute halves. The season starts on Thursday, November 19, at Live Oak (varsity only) at 6 p.m.

SOCCER

The season starts on Tuesday, November 17, at Dutchtown. Game time is 6 p.m. 

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

The Sticker Shop is ready for the cooler weather! Official uniform sweatshirts and sweatpants are in stock and available for purchase. We will also have new winter hats and scarves for that first cold spell by mid-November. 

It will be Christmas before you know it! The new online shop has a whole Christmas section with great gift ideas for the entire family. We have brand new sweatshirts, t-shirts and a great new white windbreaker that the girls love. We are unable to have holiday shopping hours this year, so all purchases must be made online. But we are happy to help with curbside pickup if you are buying gifts. 

The custom SJA nutcrackers were so popular this year that we only have 20 left in stock. If you want an SJA nutcracker this year, please hurry before they sell out.

If you are gearing up for winter sports, we have long-sleeve dri-fit Under Armour shirts for dads and blankets for the cold soccer games. Also, we are selling stadium seats for the basketball season. 

The Sticker Shop is located in Mother Alice Hall and open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Students can shop through the window of the Sticker Shop located across from the chapel, and parents can do curbside pickup in the Mother Alice Hall circle drive during the hours listed above. Simply call (225) 388-2237 upon your arrival. We also invite you to call us if you have special holiday shopping needs.

 

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