FI_Lion Line_12/06/24

We have just a few days of school left before break and we have so many events planned. Our upper school scholars (in grades 9-12) will enjoy Homecoming next week, with themed dress-down days, a basketball game, and a dance. (More information on that below).

And, as the holidays are quickly approaching, we have many festive events planned too. We hope you'll come out and enjoy one of our many holiday concerts. The Fine Arts Department has worked hard to showcase our scholars this season. Plus, we have three holiday-themed spirit days planned as well.

Remember, Winter Break had a last minute change. Break starts on Monday, December 23 and scholars return on Monday, January 6.

I sincerely hope each and every family has a wonderful holiday season, and when you return from break, one of our biggest fundraisers, The Lions Winter Gala (formerly Winter Dinner), will be right around the corner. On February 7, Congressman Aaron Bean will return to campus as our keynote speaker for this showcase event.

We have so much to look forward to on our campus.

-Carole McCullough, Head of School

During their study of ancient Rome, Mrs. Rhodes's 6th grade history classes visited Mr. Ross's art classes for a few days to create clay replicas of ancient Roman coins.

Scholars chose a human head for one side of the coin and a personal idea or symbol for the other side, with at least one word in Latin. Mrs. Rhodes and Mr. Ross both engaged scholars with historical tidbits as they sculpted.

As I walked around the art room observing and asking questions, I could feel the scholars' joy and wonder at being thoughtfully engaged in creating their own bas-relief masterpieces. I appreciate the effort that goes into creating these beautiful moments.

-Angie Casteel, Upper School Principal

The holiday spirit days were included in the yearly spirit day fee. If you elected to pay as you go, please bring in $2 for each day. The spirit days are for scholars in all grade levels.

A new business in the area, KidStrong, has openings for upper school scholars (17+) to join their team.

What is KidStrong? KidStrong is Athletic Play – a new kind of activity for kids ages 1-11 that builds confidence, character and family connection through science-based fitness games led by expert coaches.

KidStrong is currently looking for standout applicants (17+) who love working with children and may be interested in fitness, performing, or being in front of an audience. KidStrong provides an environment where coaches can grow and improve every day. It's a fantastic opportunity to develop communication skills, teaching abilities, and public speaking, all while having fun!

For more information or to apply, please contact us at orangepark@kidstrong.com

Upper school scholars in 9-12 grade are invited to the annual Shakespeare Field Trip.

William Shakespeare’s Henry VI, Part II

Date: January 10, 2025

Payment due: Monday, January 6, 2025 via MySchoolBucks

Cost: $70.00/per scholar/chaperone (Price covers charter bus and admission)

After all scholars attending have secured their tickets, any remaining spots will be made available to chaperones.

Point of contact: Mrs. Ana Maria Cosme anamaria.cosme@sjca.org

SJCA is reissuing carpool placards. It has come to our attention that some cars don't meet our carpool criteria. Carpool placards are reserved for cars that pick up or drop off three or more scholars CONSISTENTLY.

If you meet this criteria, please follow the instructions below so we can issue you a new lime green placard. As of January 6, when we return from Christmas break, pink carpool placards will expire. You'll need a lime green pass to enter the carpool lane.

If you meet carpool criteria, please:

• Stop into the Little House and add your name to the signup sheet
• Be prepared to list the 3+ scholars you regularly pickup
• Tell us how many placards you need

We will send the new placards home with one of your scholars.

Please do not wait until the last minute to request a new placard. Please stop into the office ASAP to ensure a seamless transition in January.

Reminder: If you meet carpool criteria, but the number of scholars you pick up or drop off goes below three (due to illness or a scholar staying after school), you must use the regular carline.

Congratulations to Bea C., Kyla D., and Isabella R.! These talented singers from Concert Choir will be representing SJCA in the 2025 High School All-County Choir.

In order to be selected, they first took a music theory test, followed by a challenging audition for a panel of music teachers. They will perform at Thrasher-Horne in January.

Mrs. Crosby is extremely proud of all three young ladies!

Attention All Parents of Kinder-3rd Grade Scholars!

As we are sure your children have been telling you, all scholars in grades K-3 are hard at work learning their songs for the 4th Annual Traditions of Christmas Concert in their Music & Piano classes. This event has grown to be our most loved holiday tradition at SJCA! If you haven't already, mark your calendar now! Here is some helpful information for another beautiful Christmas performance:

Who: All scholars in K-3rd grade

What: 4th Annual Traditions of Christmas Concert

When: Tuesday, December 17 at 6:00pm (Doors open at 5:30pm)

Where: First Baptist Church of Orange Park on Kingsley Avenue

Cost: Admission is free. Seating is first come, first served.

Dress Code: All scholars should arrive in their full formal (Wednesday) uniform

Parking: This is our highest-attended event and parking will be at a premium. We encourage carpooling and families arriving in one vehicle, as much as possible. There will be parking volunteers present to assist.

We can't wait for our Littlest Lions to demonstrate loving the beautiful this Christmas season, bringing joy to us all!

Join us for a holiday concert.

The Lucky Lion Color Run is COMING!!! We are looking for sponsors for our color run on March 12. Please contact Athletic Director Matt Sage for pricing, Matthew.Sage@stjca.org. The registration to sign up will be out shortly.

Our Roaring Lions Cheerleaders will compete in their first competition of the 2024-2025 season in Daytona this Saturday! Good luck!

Calling all soccer players in middle school, soccer camp is January 20-23 from 4-6pm. Sign up now! This is a great way to show your face before try outs, which will be held February 27. Sign up on MySchoolBucks.

The boys and girls team will both be at home next week, with Homecoming on Friday, December 13 starting at 4:30pm with the girls game and 5:30pm for the boys game. Please come out and support our Lions as they take on Cornerstone Classical Academy. Tickets are $5 on gofan.

CALLING ALL ATHLETES! Coach Sage is planning a field trip to the Jax Icemen game for all athletes. If you're interested, please register ASAP so proper planning can take place for bussing.

If you're interested in playing a sport at SJCA, at the middle or upper school level, you must:

• Get a physical and have your doctor fill out the Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation.
• Complete the Consent and Release from Liability form.
• Complete three online courses: Concussion for Students, Heat Illness Prevention, and Sudden Cardiac Arrest, which can be found on the FHSAA website.
• Upload your certificates provided at the end of each online course to the FHSAA website. (Paper forms may NOT be given to coaches).

Please join us for the Board of Directors meeting on Thursday, December 12.

The Lions Council and 1776 Promise Committee would like to thank all those who gave to the 1776 Promise Campaign on Giving Tuesday.

A special thank you goes to the Jelsma Family for their support and matching donation.

We are grateful for every donation and each one makes an impact.

If you would like to learn more about the 1776 Promise, please visit our website.

Thank you for your continued support this year!

Our 2nd annual SJCA ornament has arrived and is on sale through December 18th. This year’s ornament is made of birchwood and will make an excellent addition to your tree.

Ornaments are $10 each and will benefit special projects funded by the Lions Council.

Ornaments will be delivered to your scholar’s classroom so they will be home ahead of the holiday break.

Please join us for an unforgettable Lions Winter Gala at St Johns Classical Academy, where we will showcase our classically-educated scholars and virtuous curriculum while raising funds to support our thriving campus. Join us on February 7 at 6pm for a night of fine dining, inspiring stories, and fellowship.

Our annual Turkey Feather Challenge was a success. Thanks to your generosity, the Lions Council Fine Arts Booster Club raised $1,983.

Most money raised

Ms. Morro's kindergarten class raised $385 and were the winners for grammar school. In upper school, sixth grade won with a collection of $35.

Best feather design

Teachers were tasked with making something out of the turkey feathers purchased by their scholars. This year's winners were Mrs. Weaver and Mrs. Gamboa, both third grade teachers. They're unique, classroom-led designs are below. Each teacher received a $100 Amazon gift card.

The food drive generated 2,444 donations this year - the most ever raised! We had a significant donation from our Interact Club sponsor, Rotary Club of Orange Park Sunrise. They donated 252 items. All of these donations will help local Clay County families that live with food insecurity. To all who participated, we cannot thank you enough!

We delivered the items to Good Samaritan Anglican Church in Middleburg for their November food giveaway (Saturday, 11/23). This month, over 144 Clay County families benefited from our donations. They still have donations left to help with their December food giveaway.

The winners of this year's SJCA Interact Club Food Drive are as follows:

Grammar School

1st Place: Mrs. Kujawa's class with 295 items donated! (1st place prize is a pizza party on one of the half days in December.)

2nd Place: Miss Gardiner's class with 237 items donated! (2nd place prize is a donut party on one of the half days in December.)

3rd Place: Mrs. Weaver's class with 185 items donated! (3rd place prize is Christmas treats on one of the half days in December.)

4th Place: Mrs. Stuart's class with 161 items donated! (4th place prize is Christmas treats on one of the half days in December.)

Upper School:

1st Place: Mrs. Minic's 1st period class with 133 items donated! (1st place prize is a pizza party on one of the half days in December.)

2nd Place: Mrs. Kiep's 1st period class with 110 items donated! (2nd place prize is a donut party on one of the half days in December.)

3rd Place: no winner ☹ (at least 100 items needed to be donated to be a winner)

The National Honor Society is hosting a special meal in January for mothers and sons. Join us for a Spaghetti Dinner Date Night. Details are below. Space is limited so please register on MySchoolBucks early.

Point of contact: Mrs. Ana Maria Cosme, anamaria.cosme@stjca.org

Safety Patrol is selling candy grams once again.

Christmas Candy Grams

For the holiday season, scholars can buy treats for friends. Cost is $1 per gram. Deadline to order is December 18. Treats will be delivered before Winter Break. Please use the order form below.

Chinese New Year Candy Grams

To celebrate the Chinese New Year, which is January 29, your scholars can send their friends a personalized fortune cookie (see picture). Grams are $2 and will be randomly selected. Deadline to order is January 24. Please use the order form below.

Mrs. Weaver's third grade class worked on a science experiment focusing on force. They made hopping "frogs" and recorded height of jumps.

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