FI_Lion Line_3/28/25

I hope you had a wonderful break.

I have a few announcements to share. First, the reception area is open. Renovations of the former athletic building are complete. We have transformed the space into a truly welcoming area for parents and guests.

The check-in process is similar, with the addition of a doorbell to gain entry through the front door. You'll still check in with Amber Norton at the front desk and receive a visitor sticker before entering campus.

Next, I'd like you to be on the lookout for a school wide survey. On April 3, you'll see an email from School Perceptions, an independent education research firm, that will help us understand how we're doing, what we can improve, and what we need to plan for in the future.

Your email will contain a one-time-use survey link. The survey must be completed by April 16.

I strongly encourage everyone to take a few minutes to complete this survey as it's one of the most effective ways for us to collect feedback from parents and guardians.

And finally, keep your eyes on your inbox for another video update, which you'll receive Wednesday or Thursday of next week.

As always, thank you for supporting SJCA.

-Carole McCullough, Head of School

The Chancellors from Athens, Corinth, Delphi, and Sparta would like to cordially invite you and your 6th grade scholar(s) to our annual House Induction Ceremony at the Fleming Island campus on April 4 from 6:00pm-8:00pm. Please join us for fun, snacks, and camaraderie.

If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Cosme at anamaria.cosme@stjca.org.

Please take note of the testing schedule for April and May.

Please make every effort to ensure your scholar is in school on testing days, and that he or she arrives on time and has a hearty breakfast.

In addition, review the testing policies below.

Electronic Devices Policy—Scholars are not permitted to have any electronic devices, including, but not limited to, cell phones, smart glasses, tablets, smartwatches, and cameras at any time during testing or during breaks (e.g., restroom), even if they are turned off or Scholars do not use them.

If a Scholar is found with an electronic device or is found using Bluetooth/wireless headphones/earbuds during testing, his or her test will be invalidated.

For information regarding limited exceptions for scholars with eligible accommodations, see the 2024–2025 Statewide Assessments Accommodations Guide.

Testing Rules Acknowledgment—All tests include a Testing Rules Acknowledgment that reads: “I understand the testing rules that were just read to me. If I do not follow these rules, my test score may be invalidated.”

Prior to testing, test administrators read the rules to scholars, and scholars acknowledge that they understand the testing rules by clicking a checkbox beside the statement in the secure browser or signing below the statement in their test documents.

Calculator Policy—For the computer-based B.E.S.T. Algebra 1 and Geometry EOC tests and Grades 7–8 FAST Mathematics, a handheld scientific calculator may be used. For the computer-based Biology 1 EOC, Grade 6 FAST Mathematics, and Grade 8 Statewide Science, a handheld four-function calculator may be used.

For paper-based administrations of Biology 1 EOC, Grade 6 FAST Mathematics, and Grade 8 Statewide Science, a handheld four-function calculator must be used. For paper-based administrations of B.E.S.T. Algebra 1 and Geometry EOCs and Grades 7–8 FAST Mathematics, a handheld scientific calculator must be used.

Schools must ensure that handheld calculators meet the specifications published by FDOE.

Leaving Campus—If scholars leave campus before completing a test session (e.g., for lunch, an appointment), they will not be allowed to return to that session. Scholars and parents/guardians should be aware of this policy. If a scholar does not feel well on the day of testing, it may be best for the scholar to wait and be tested on a make-up day.

Discussing Test Content after Testing—The last portion of the testing rules read to scholars before they affirm the Testing Rules Acknowledgment states that because the content of all statewide assessments is secure, scholars may not discuss or reveal details about the test content (including test items, responses, passages, and prompts) after the test.

Please make sure that scholars understand this policy prior to testing and remind them that “discussing” test content includes any kind of electronic communication, such as texting, emailing, posting to social media, or sharing online.

While scholars may not share information about secure test content after testing, this policy is not intended to prevent scholars from discussing their testing experiences with their parents/families.

Working Independently—Scholars are responsible for doing their own work during the test and for protecting their answers from being seen by others. If scholars are caught cheating during testing, their tests will be invalidated.

Reminder: April has two spirit days.

April 15 is Purple Up Day, scholars are encouraged to wear purple tops to show support and appreciation for military families. T-shirts that represent a specific branch of the military are permitted as well. Please wear approved spirt wear bottoms and shoes.

April 25, the last Friday in the month, is also a spirit day.

We need your help as you come through car line in the morning. If you use the carpool lane, either as a carpooler or for safety patrol drop off, please make sure your placard is in the window so staff can see it.

Tickets are now on sale for the Junior/Senior Prom on MySchoolBucks. The dance will take place on May 3. The last day to purchase tickets is April 25.

Attire is formal.

Questions? Mrs. Cosme, anamaria.cosme@stjca.org

Join us for Mother Daughter Tea on Saturday, May 17. Registration via MySchoolBucks is now open. Be sure to secure your tickets as space is limited, and this event is open to both campuses.

Tables seat eight. If you'd like to make seating arrangements, please contact Mrs. Cosme. Your request will be honored on a first come, first served basis.

Attire: Sunday best/princess dresses welcome

Deadline to register: May 9

Questions? Mrs. Cosme, Anamaria.cosme@stjca.org

SJCA's newest athletic team took the field. Our boys middle school soccer players played River City Science Academy Intracoastal earlier this week.

On Saturday April 12, all junior high and high school scholars are welcome to attend a free sports physical day at Orange Park High School (cafeteria) from 8:00am-11:00am. Scholars are asked to arrive at a certain time based on their zoned high school. For more specifics, please review this information.

Cheer Clinic

If your scholar is interested in joining next year's cheer team, please attend the cheer clinic on April 15 from 5:00-7:00pm. The event is open to rising 6 through 12 grade. No registration is necessary. Participants will be stunting.

Cheer Try Outs

Cheer Try Outs will take place on April 28 and 29 from 5:00-7:00pm; both days are mandatory. The team is open to rising 6 through 12 grade. Note, try outs are for the 2025-26 team.

You MUST sign up via Google Form ahead of time and have a completed EL2 form uploaded into the athletic clearance portal.

Both the clinic and try outs are closed events. Parents should plan to drop their scholar off and pick them up at the end of each session.

You can wish your scholar a happy birthday on SJCA's outdoor sign. If you're interested, go to MySchoolBucks and register at least TWO WEEKS BEFORE your scholar's birthday. The cost is $20. The birthday announcement will run from 6:00am to 6:00pm on your scholar's birthday.

All funds raised benefit SJCA Athletics and PE.

This year, we're turning our Spring Cabaret into 'Dinner and a Show.' We're excited to try this innovative idea for the first time. Scholars from Musical Theatre I & III will take the stage on May 2.

Take a journey down Broadway with songs in the style of 42nd Street, The Wiz, Wicked, Newsies, Epic, Cinderella, Beetlejuice, and so much more!

Tickets are now on sale on the Lions Council website. Get your tickets before the deadline: April 23.

The SJCA Fine Arts Department has a full line up of events coming your way. Please mark your calendars and come out to support our wonderful scholars.

Scholars can stay after school on Tuesday, April 8 to make a clay keepsake with Mr. Ross. A light snack will be provided.

Registration is open on the Lions Council website. (Please note, this is not paid for via MySchoolBucks).

The Lions Council is collaborating with Mrs. Hancock and Mrs. Kujawa to organize a Book Fair this April. We'll invite families to the event to purchase curriculum-approved books for their home libraries. Stay tuned for more details on specific dates and times, but all proceeds from the Book Fair will be used to purchase books for classroom libraries.

We Need Your Donations

As part of the Book Fair event, we're collecting donated books. The books you donate do not need to be classical - we'll take any book that's in good condition.

Your donations will be sorted; some will be added to class libraries, while others will be sold back to a second-hand store to help fund additional books for the Book Fair.

On Tuesday, SJCA welcomed a new group of third graders to the safety patrol team and promoted several fourth graders to the position of sergeant. During the Pinning Ceremony, our safety patrollers took an oath to help keep the school safe and had their badges "pinned."

Congrats to the safety patrollers, who not only assist during car line, but also serve as role models to others.

A huge thank you to everyone who participated in our Grasshopper Dissection Lab & Fundraiser! Our scholars had an incredible time exploring the various parts of the grasshopper and getting an up-close look at its internal structures. Several scholars even had an exciting surprise—discovering eggs inside their specimens!

Your participation not only provided a valuable hands-on learning experience but also helped support our Safety Patrol program. We truly appreciate your support and enthusiasm!

It's time to start collecting those pop tabs if you haven't already started!

The SJCA Interact Club needs your soda/pop tabs from aluminum cans. Please collect them and bring them to your scholar's teacher in grammar school or chancellor in upper school. This fundraiser will run through May 9.

We will give the lower school homeroom class with the most tabs collected (by weight) a Frozen Treats Party. The upper school house with the most tabs (by weight) will win a House Spirit Day.

**Minimum amount for a class/house to win is 10 lbs. of pop tabs.**

Tabs will be delivered to the Ronald McDonald House in Jacksonville, and they will be recycled for cash to help provide housing and meals for families visiting Jacksonville while their children receive medical care at our local hospitals.

Thank you for helping us 'Do the Good!'

Questions: Sally.mcginn@stjca.org

🆕 Because it slows the service line, scholars will be served the complete menu of the day UNLESS they speak up quickly and loudly when it is their turn at the service line.

✅ If you need or want to set limits on spending, please contact Lunch@stjca.org.

✅ To view your lunch account(s) and add funds, please visit: http://www.myschoolbucks.com/.

✅ If you would like to check your eligibility for Free/Reduced Lunch, please click HERE.

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