FI_Lion Line_11/8/24

I walked the gym this morning, and boy, is it coming along nicely.

The gym area itself is beautiful, the classrooms are the best, the locker rooms are top notch, and well, you get the idea. The science lab area is also state of the art. It's just going to be such a phenomenal space. To give you a glimpse inside, please watch the video below.

While we’re looking forward to the gym and the much-needed classrooms, our original completion date of the end of December has been pushed back due to construction delays. We'll keep you posted on a new opening date.

Happy Veterans Day this coming Monday. Thank you to all of our Veterans. Thank you for your selfless service and honor to our country. I am so thankful for each of you. America is better because of each of you. God bless each of you and each of your families.

In our Wednesday Upper School assembly this week, the history department recognized Victims of Communism Day and invited a special guest to speak about his experience under a communist regime, especially with regard to violence and suppression of free speech.

Every year since 2017, the President has proclaimed November 7 as Victims of Communism Memorial Day. Why November 7? It was on this day in 1917 that an insurrection occurred in Russia, launching the Russian Civil War and eventually igniting communist movements globally.

In 2022, Governor DeSantis signed legislation to officially recognize November 7 as Victims of Communism Day in Florida. This statute requires the Legislature to annually observe a moment of silence, requires high school students to observe the day, and requires scholars in U.S. Government courses to receive specific instruction on Communism.

According to the statute, topics should include “Mao Zedong and the Cultural Revolution, Joseph Stalin and the Soviet System, Fidel Castro and the Cuban Revolution, Vladimir Lenin and the Russian Revolution, Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge, and Nicolás Maduro and the Chavismo movement, and how victims suffered under these regimes through poverty, starvation, migration, systemic lethal violence, and suppression of speech.”

Our assembly highlighted Venezuela's dictatorship and the current struggles of its citizens who are denied the basic freedom of speech, due process, and fair elections. We were especially honored to have Mr. A. share his personal experiences. Many scholars were deeply impacted by and appreciative of his informational and inspirational address. At SJCA, it is always our goal that our graduates be responsible citizens who continue to secure the blessings of liberty.

-Written by Upper School Principal Angie Casteel and History Department Chair Carmen Burgess

(Pictured below: Front row: Delilah, Audrey, Gracelyn, Isabella. Back row: Mycah, Mr. A, Josh, Adam)

The Department of Academic Services would like to pass along a summer leadership opportunity at Ave Maria University.

AMU is hosting its fourth annual Summer Leadership Program June 22-27, 2025. They’re inviting rising high school juniors and seniors who are academically driven and committed to growing in their faith to spend a week on campus.

Learn more about the opportunity.

Acceptance letters are starting to role in. As seniors receive them, we'll share them here in the Lion Line. Congrats to the following scholars:

Our 9th and 10th graders will take the CLT10 on November 14.

Please avoid scheduling morning appointments for your scholars on their test dates to help preserve class time.

Kindergarten

ELA: January 8, 2025 9:50-10:30 AM

Math: January 15, 2025 9:30-10:30 AM

1st Grade

ELA: January 8, 2025 8-9 AM

Math: January 15, 2025 8-9 AM

2nd Grade

ELA: January 8, 2025 11:30-12:30

Math: January 15, 2025 11:30-12:30

3rd Grade - 5th Grade

ELA: January 7, 2025

Math: January 14, 2025

6th Grade - 8th Grade

ELA: January 9, 2025

Math: January 16, 2025

9th - 10th Grade & 11th - 12th Grade Retakes

ELA: December 16, 2024

Mark your calendars! Homecoming week is December 9-14. The schedule of events is below, as is the list of dress-down days.

Calling all 6-8 graders. You're officially invited to a dance. Dress code: Semi-formal, no jeans or athletic clothing allowed. Please see the permission form, which was sent home with scholars, for complete dress code guidelines.

Questions: Ellen.Glod@stjca.org.

This week marks the beginning of the busiest time of the year for SJCA’s Fine Arts Department! So many beautiful events, performances, and opportunities for scholars are scheduled so be sure to stay tuned to announcements in the weekly Lion Line.

Scholars work together to create ornaments

This week, Mrs. Rice and the grammar scholars have been visiting Mr. Ross’ art room to create a special clay Christmas ornament with the assistance of upper school art scholars. This heart-warming tradition began last year and is back by popular demand.

This year, you will have the opportunity to purchase an ornament made especially by your child and DO THE GOOD by supporting our ever-expanding Fine Arts programs. Please use the link below to reserve your Christmas keepsake.

Veterans Concert

Thursday evening, scholars in the upper school Concert Choir and grammar school Lion Cub Chorale presented a touching musical tribute to the United States Armed Forces in observance of Veterans Day. Adding to the special evening, both ensembles performed together in honor of those who serve and sacrifice, highlighting one of the most unique features of our K-12 school family.

Talent Show

Next Friday night, scholars of all ages will come together to perform in the annual SJCA Shines! Talent Showcase Finals. So many impressive acts auditioned, making it very difficult for the judging panel to decide which would advance. Be sure to join us in the cafetorium Friday evening, November 15 at 6 pm. Admission is $2/person and concessions will be available. There will even be surprise SJCA celebrity judges revealed. You don’t want to miss this!

All-County Honors Bands and Choirs

We are excited to announce that several of our music scholars will be participating in Clay All-County Honors bands and choirs this year!

Four of our middle school scholars (pictured below) participated in an audition to represent SJCA in the Clay County All County Junior High Honors Band last weekend. This ensemble is made up of the best middle school scholars in Clay County. These scholars had to put in a lot of hard work learning and memorizing music.

At the audition, each of the scholars had to go into a room alone with a judge to perform the music as they were being critiqued. They persevered through something difficult, but each of them came out with a smile as they overcame the difficulty.

The results are in! Patrick M and Sam B will represent SJCA!

If you haven’t already, check out and follow the official SJCA Fine Arts Facebook page. This page regularly features Fine Arts scholars, in and out of the classroom, and introduces the Fine Arts faculty.

The holiday concerts and after-school events begin soon! Mark your calendar now for all the not-to-be-missed Fine Arts fun. Love the Beautiful!

Girls basketball tryouts were held last week. We'd like to thank everyone for trying out and congratulate the following scholars for making the team:

Taylah D

Tylah D

Presley M

Holly J

Addy H

Sopia S

Sydney W

Lorelei W

Jane D

Makenna R

The first home game is set for December 9. Please watch the athletics website for game dates and times. We encourage everyone to come out and support our Lions.

Head over to Jeremiah's for a tasty treat and support SJCA's cheer team at the same time.

Calling all SJCA athletes who participated in fall sports, please join us for a banquet.

This holiday season, the 1776 Promise Campaign asks you to consider donating on Giving Tuesday to support our teachers.

Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving celebrated each year. This year, on December 3rd, we humbly ask for your support of our campaign to give back to our teachers for their hard work and dedication to our scholars.

If you are led to give, please use the link below to make a one-time donation. Any amount given makes an impact and together we can show our teachers how much we appreciate them. Thank you so much for your continued support this year. Your generosity is greatly appreciated and makes a difference!

Scholars can stay after school to make a fun craft and enjoy a festive snack. All proceeds go to the Lions Council Fine Arts Booster Club. Please reserve your spot soon. Spots fill up fast.

Scholars who purchased photos and did not like them should bring the original package with them to the camera. The original package must be turned in to trigger their new photo package to be printed.

To manage the high demand for retakes, scholars who would like their photos redone must provide a note from a parent/guardian to Ms. Perez (sarah.perez@stjca.org) prior to November 13.

Parents can view the proof at www.leonards.com/order under 'find my school' option in a few weeks after the photo day, and a paper 'Second Chance' proof will be sent to the school to go home with scholars.

A big shoutout to our Safety Patrollers of the Month! Your hard work and dedication play a vital role in keeping our school safe and welcoming. Thank you for your commitment to ensuring a secure environment for everyone. We appreciate all you do!

First Picture: Parker K. and Parker W. For the month of September

Second Picture: Ellyette G. and Joshua T. for the month of October

SJCA's Safety Patrol is selling prayer bracelets for $15. You can pay in cash, check, or on MySchoolBucks. (Please note, if you pay via MySchoolBucks, you'll pay $16 to cover the online fee). You can choose from 28 different inspirational messages, which are all listed on the form below.

The SJCA Interact Club is a service based organization that is affiliated with the Rotary Club.

Each year, we partner with Wreaths Across America to lay wreaths at veterans' graves before Christmas. We are fundraising to buy as many wreaths as we can.

Last year, Interact sold over 100 wreaths to lay at Jacksonville Memory Gardens and we are hoping to lay more this year. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of graves that go unrecognized each year at Jacksonville Memory Gardens because of a lack of wreaths. Let's not let that happen again!

We need to have all wreaths purchased by Giving Tuesday, which is 12/03, so they can be shipped in time for the wreath laying ceremony on 12/14.

To order, please click the link below.

Thank you for your support.

**For every two wreaths sponsored, an additional free third wreath will be placed on a veteran's grave by an Interact scholar.**

Let's 'Do the Good' and help those in need. Interact Club's annual school-wide food drive to benefit Good Samaritan Anglican Church's monthly food giveaway has begun. There will be a prize for the grammar school homeroom class and upper school 1st period class with the most donations.

Questions: sally.mcginn@stjca.org

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