November 2024

STUDENT COUNCIL FUN DAY 
Thursday, October 31. The theme for this Halloween Fun Day is Ghouls Just Wanna Have Fun. Students 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.

Halloween costumes should adhere to the following guidelines:
1. Costumes must be tasteful and appropriate: not gory and not political. They should be culturally sensitive (the difference between cultural appreciation and appropriation). 
2. Costumes should provide enough coverage that any type of bra would not be exposed.
3. No bathing suits or bare midriffs; no crop tops.
4. Full face masks must be removed in class but can be worn during unstructured time.
5. No full-face paint, no glitter, no toy weapons.
6. A skirt or dress on the shorter side should be worn with leggings or stockings.
7. Costumes to avoid include middle school uniforms, dressing up like boys and dressing up like prisoners.  

FEAST OF ALL SAINTS MASS
On Friday, November 1, St. Joseph’s Academy will observe All Saints Day with a schoolwide mass in the Academy Student Center. Dress uniforms are required. We will follow Schedule 4. Family and friends are invited to join us beginning at 9:46 a.m. 

During mass, we will remember our deceased loved ones in prayer. As in the past, we will print a list of the names of the deceased relatives and friends for whom you would like us to pray. The list will be placed on the altar during mass. Please send the names of your loved ones to Wendy Coniglio at conigliow@sjabr.org by Wednesday, October 30.

Guests 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 are unable to join us but would like to watch a live stream of the mass, click here.

PICTURES WITH SANTA
On Saturday, November 2, the Respect Life Club will host Pictures with Santa to benefit the March for Life Pilgrimage to Washington, D.C., and other club projects. Time slots are available between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. in the Mother Alice Hall Community Room (3080 Kleinert Avenue). Once you register and pay for your session on SchoolCash Online, you will receive a sign-up link within 24 hours. Sessions are $50 (plus SchoolCash Online fee), and you will receive all the digital images taken during your session. 

SJA STICKER SCRAMBLE 
On Wednesday, November 6, the SJA Dads’ Club will hold the 2024 Sticker Scramble, presented by Stine Lumber, at TopGolf of Baton Rouge. The Sticker Scramble is now in its 12th year and has raised more than $100,000 for campuswide enhancements. The tournament includes men’s, women’s and mixed teams all vying for the top prize. 

To register to play or to help sponsor this great event, please click here or contact Dads’ Club Moderator Meg Gerald at geraldm@sjabr.org or (225) 388-2254. For event information, visit www.stickerscramble.org.

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

ADORATION
Thursday, November 7, during all lunch periods in the Chapel at SJA.

MID-QUARTER GRADES
Second-quarter mid-quarter grades will be current on MySJA at 2 p.m. on Friday, November 8. Please direct questions regarding your MySJA account to Registrar Cristina Latiolais at latiolaisc@sjabr.org or (225) 388-2226. Teachers may leave a mid-quarter report comment for students. If a comment is posted, parent(s) and students will receive an email that includes the comment. It will also show up on MySJA under Official Notes located at the top right corner of the screen. Questions about grades should be directed to your daughter’s teacher(s) or the Counseling Center at (225) 388-2282.
•    Third-quarter mid-quarter grades will be available on February 5.
•    Fourth-quarter mid-quarter grades will be available on April 4 for seniors and April 11 for grades 9-11.

FRESHMAN RETREAT 
Monday, November 11, 8 a.m.-2:50 p.m., Academy Student Center. This is a time when freshmen come together to deepen their relationships with God and one another. 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 freshman daughter until after the retreat. Attendance at all grade-level retreats is mandatory for graduation. Students should be dropped off and picked up in the Academy Student Center carpool line. Further instructions regarding what to wear and what to bring will be emailed to the freshmen as the retreat date approaches. Please direct questions to Campus Minister Chelsea Colomb at colombc@sjabr.org or (225) 388-2221.
 
The Main Office will be closed on November 11. Additionally, the Technology and Learning Center and Fife Student Commons will not be open following the retreat. Freshmen will need to be picked up at 2:50 p.m. They may begin arriving on campus at 7:30 a.m.

NO SCHOOL FOR GRADES 10, 11 AND 12
Monday, November 11.

CAREER DAY BUSINESS EXPO 
On Tuesday, November 12, the SJA Alumnae Association will host the 2024 Career Day Business Expo. Juniors and seniors will enjoy the opportunity to visit with business professionals in a variety of fields during all lunch periods (10:15 a.m.-1 p.m.) in the Academy Student Center. Students will be able to speak one-on-one with those who represent a field in which they may be interested. The purpose of the event is to help narrow the girls’ choices of whom they would like to job shadow in the spring semester. The event is required for juniors and seniors; freshmen and sophomores are encouraged to attend.

FALL DRAMA PRODUCTION
The SJA/CHS Black Box Company presents The Miracle Worker by William Gibson. Beautifully written and staged, this family drama is based on the true story of a young deaf and blind girl, Helen Keller, and her dedicated teacher, Annie Sullivan, who struggles to reach into Helen’s isolation and bring her into contact with the outside world. This story leaves the audience inspired by the power of motivation and our will to connect with other people.  
 
There is a student/faculty/staff preview on Tuesday, November 12, at 6:30 p.m. The show runs November 13 and 15 (no performance on Thursday, November 14, because of Open House at CHS) and November 16 and 17. Weeknight performances are at 6:30 p.m. The Saturday matinee is at 12:30 p.m., Saturday evening’s performance is at 6:30 p.m. and there is a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. Tickets will be sold on SchoolCash Online. They are $15 per adult and $10 per student. There are no seating restrictions. The Black Box Company hopes to see you there!
 
Please note that this production contains some simulated violence. 

SENIOR MOMS: MOTHER/DAUGHTER STYLE SHOW CALL FOR MODELS
On Sunday, April 6, 2025, the SJA Mothers’ Club will host the annual Mother/Daughter Brunch & Style Show. The theme this year is Love Sticker Fancy. This is a very popular event each spring, and we appreciate that so many of our seniors and their mothers want to model in the show. However, because of the number of boutiques able to participate and the size of our senior class, we are limited to the first 150 seniors who complete and return this form, which can also be found by logging into your SchoolCash Online account. Spots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis with priority given first to Mothers’ Club members. 

The form is due by 3 p.m. on Wednesday, November 13. Please note that submitting your form by the deadline does not guarantee a spot.

Models will pay the non-refundable models fee ($40 per mother/daughter pair) and non-refundable ticket fee ($40 per person) to be collected with the online form. Be sure to check your calendar prior to committing. Please direct questions to sjamcstyleshow@sjabr.org.

EARLY DISMISSAL
Thursday, November 14, for Professional Development. We will follow Schedule 8 with students dismissed at 1:30 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.

NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
Friday, November 15. Faculty and staff will have an all-day retreat.

CLASS RING, GRADUATION ANNOUNCEMENT: SECOND ORDERING SESSION 
For juniors and seniors who missed the ordering session on Monday, October 28, there will be a second session on Tuesday, November 19, in the Fife Student Commons during all lunch hours. Juniors are invited to order their school rings, and seniors are invited to order graduation announcements. 

If you would prefer to order online, visit Jostens.com. For complete details, including a QR code to take you directly to the SJA order site, junior parents should click here. Senior parents should click here. 

THANKSGIVING PRAYER SERVICE
Wednesday, November 20. We will follow Schedule 2. Dress uniforms are required. Friends and family are invited to join us at 9:53 a.m. in the Academy Student Center.

Guests 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 in person but would like to follow along, you can watch our livestream here.

ADORATION
Thursday, November 21, during all lunch periods in the Chapel at SJA.

APPLICATION DEADLINE/PLACEMENT TEST INFORMATION FOR INCOMING FRESHMEN 
The application deadline for students entering the 9th grade for the 2025-2026 academic year is Friday, November 22. This is also the deadline for applying for merit-based awards. The application process is completed online. Visit www.applytosja.org.

The placement test will be administered on Saturday, December 7, 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 Tuesday, December 3.

STUDENT COUNCIL FUN DAY 
Friday, November 22. The theme is Nostalgic November. Students are invited to dress as their favorite childhood TV show or throwback movie. They will receive 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.

THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS
Monday-Friday, November 25-29. There is no school for students or teachers, and the Main Office is closed. School resumes Monday, December 2. 

The Help Desk will be open Monday and Tuesday, November 25 and 26, 8 a.m.-2 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, Facilities, Admissions, Human Resources and Communications offices (Mother Alice Hall) and the Finance Department (Thollot House) will be open Monday, November 25, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., and Tuesday, November 26, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. and closed the rest of the week.

SCHOOL HANDBOOK CHANGE
Per school policy, the School Handbook can be amended at any time during the school year. Students are notified of changes via email; parents are notified via the Parent Newsletter. We have made the following changes, indicted by boldface type, to the accessories section of the school uniform policy:

The only piercings allowed will be traditional earrings in the lower part of the ear or earlobes. No more than three earrings may be worn in an earlobe on school days. Other ear or facial piercings, industrial bars, gauges or extreme body jewelry are not allowed. The student will be asked to remove any unapproved jewelry, and disciplinary action may be taken. Modest jewelry is appropriate for school days. Jewelry should not distract the academic environment (for example, earrings with dangling pieces that make noise).
 
Hats of any kind cannot be worn to school unless part of a special dress/costume day. Only beanies/wool/knit caps purchased from the SJA Sticker Stop are allowed during the winter months. Hats should be removed when inside any classroom building and should not be worn to school assemblies.

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.

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 inaugural trip will occur over 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.

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

CALENDAR CHANGE
Tuesday, March 11, 2025, was previously Senior Wellness Day. As seniors will now have Wellness Day during spring test prep sessions, there will be no school for seniors on March 11.

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

November 25-29: Thanksgiving
December 23-January 6: 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.

ABSENCE DURING EXAMS
All students are expected to take their exams during their regularly scheduled time. Exams will take place December 17-20. 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, January 6, 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 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 fees. Extended time is offered. The Diagnostic Test Session can be purchased on SchoolCash Online.
 
Remaining 2024-2025 Diagnostic 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 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.

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. You can save $5 by purchasing your copy before 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. 

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.

SAVE THE DATE: ’50S DECADE LUNCHEON 
The SJA Alumnae Association will host the 1950s Decade Luncheon on Tuesday, December 17, beginning at 12 p.m. in the Fife Student Commons. Graduates from 1950-1959 are invited to join us for lunch and to visit with their classmates and fellow ’50s graduates as we celebrate this wonderful time of year. RSVP to events@sjabr.org or call Alumnae Director Alli Bourgeois at (225) 388-2244 by Tuesday, December 10. 

SAVE THE DATE: ’60S DECADE LUNCHEON 
The SJA Alumnae Association will host the 1960s Decade Luncheon on Wednesday, December 18, beginning at 12 p.m. in the Fife Student Commons. Graduates from 1960-1969 are invited to join us for lunch and to visit with their classmates and fellow ’60s graduates as we celebrate this wonderful time of year. RSVP to events@sjabr.org or call Alumnae Director Alli Bourgeois at (225) 388-2244 by Wednesday, December 11. 

SAVE THE DATE: 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.

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 Retreat Dates

• November 11, 2024: Freshman Retreat, SJA

• 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.

When SJA parents support the SJA Annual Fund, they are indicating a depth and breadth of confidence in the school by those who are closest to it. Like each thread in a beautiful tapestry, every donor and every gift to the Annual Fund is vital to maintaining the quality of education at SJA.
Your support of the SJA Annual Fund provides resources for innovation and growth while also allowing for quick responses to unexpected challenges and opportunities. Gifts of all sizes from parents, alumnae and friends transform lives by inspiring students, faculty and staff and enhancing the campus, making possible what tuition and the endowment alone cannot.

You are essential to achieving one of the school’s strategic goals: to increase the percentage of families who support the Annual Fund each year and ultimately reach 100 percent. We cannot do this without you. Whether your resources allow you to give $25 or $2,500, your gift is important and will truly make a difference, certainly to our participation rate, but more importantly, to our students.

Click here to give now.

Please direct questions to Mission Advancement Director Meg Gerald at geraldm@sjabr.org or (225) 388-2254.

PAVE THE WAY BRICKS 
Make your mark on SJA’s campus by purchasing a brick for your daughter. Engraved brick pavers are placed around the Fife Student Commons. For more information, contact Mission Advancement Assistant Wendy Coniglio 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
Thanks to Corey Toups and Mimi Henderson and their committee for helping host Senior Grandparents Week September 16-20. Lunch was provided for grandparents visiting campus each day and was kindly served by members of the committee. Thank you to Corey and Mimi for helping host Freshman Grandparents Day on October 14. Their team of volunteers served cookies and lemonade. 

Thank you to Catherine Alford, Beth Couvillion and Lana Malone and their committee for their work with the Party Blooms committee. They sold and delivered 175 white rose boutonnieres for Homecoming, a record number this year! Thank you, ladies!

Thank you to Julie Perrault, who spearheaded the Mothers’ Club Fall Social at the Colonel’s Club on October 22. Moms were invited to a night out where they enjoyed light bites and cocktails while socializing and touring the beautiful new restaurant and lounge.

A very big round of applause for the many Mothers’ Club members and their committees who worked so very hard to make the 2024 SJA Open House on October 17 such a big success: decorations chairs Amanda Alexander and Nicole Tarleton; greeters committee chairs Stacie Lacour and Jessica Walker; and reception committee chairs Becky Stuckey and Ann Michael Lagarde. More than 1,000 prospective students and parents were welcomed to a festive atmosphere of balloons, flowers and plants, given a tour of our beautiful campus and treated to a reception where St. Joe Dough cookies were the featured treat.  

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. Are you ready to join for the 2024-2025 school year? Sign up now on SchoolCash Online to join the best group of guys on campus.

With the welcome change of weather we have been having lately, the much-loved Queen of Sparkles SJA sweaters are selling like hotcakes! We carry them in short sleeve (red and ivory) and long sleeve (navy). Don’t miss your chance to grab one for yourself before they’re gone!
 
Our new arrivals include a super soft navy Champion sweatshirt for ladies (available in crewneck or hooded). We also have a new red short-sleeved dri fit shirt and white long-sleeved dri fit shirt, perfect for showing your SJA spirit or as a thoughtful gift for an SJA supporter. 
 
With chilly weather on the way, keep an eye out for our cozy SJA beanie hats popping up around campus. We’ve got you covered with scarves, blankets, PJs and more to keep you warm and snug.
 
And can you believe it’s almost Christmas? Our online shop at sjastickershop.com has a delightful selection of items that would make fantastic Christmas gifts or stocking stuffers. 
 
Looking for the official school uniform? We’ve got the sweatshirts, sweatpants and PE shirts in stock and ready for you. Our new Land’s End sweatpants are selling out as quickly as we can restock them, so have your daughter stop in the shop to try them on.  
 
To make your shopping experience easier, here are a few ways you can shop with us: 
• Your daughter can swing by the Sticker Shop during her lunch period. 
• Shop online, and you can either pick up your order or have your daughter pick up your order during her lunch break. 
• Pay us a visit! Park in the circle drive in front of Mother Alice Hall (3080 Kleinert Avenue), and Mrs. Clarinda will be there to welcome you in. 

Our store hours are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Remember, we’re closed on campus-closed days. 
 
Looking forward to seeing you at the shop!