FI_Lion Line_4/25/25

With just weeks left in the school year, we have our eye on finishing this year strong while planning for next year. After spending the school year building relationships with teachers, staff, and families, I saw a need to build out our leadership team. And, who better to fill these roles than the teachers who know our culture, curriculum, and goals?

Over the last few weeks, I have interviewed teachers and staff, and am proud to announce our leadership team for the 2025-2026 school year:

Head of School:

Carole McCullough

Dean of Academics K-5:

Amy Melquist

Dean of Academics 6-12:

Angie Casteel

Dean of School Culture/Girls:

Hannah Patterson

Dean of School Culture/Boys:

Matt Bowers

I am so excited to see all this team can accomplish on our campus.

-Head of School Carole McCullough

Our school year is coming to an end. For our seniors, the end of the year is bittersweet. They have just a handful of days left in their academic career here at SJCA. This year marks our fourth graduating class, with 27 scholars walking across the stage to accept their diploma.

We have just named this year's valedictorian and salutatorian for the Class of 2025.

Congratulations to Abigail Andrews, our valedictorian, and Rylan Phillips our salutatorian; both are exemplary scholars.

Our upper school scholars will come together for the Spring House Olympics on May 7. Information about the event is below.

If you'd like to purchase a house t-shirt, please use the link below to buy one from Stryker Custom Designs.

Jack McGinn, who graduated from SJCA last year, is interning with US Senator Susan Collins at her Portland, Maine office.

The Action Shooting Team is holding an information night on Monday, May 12 at 6:30pm in the Fleming Island cafeteria.

This is for rising 6-12 grade scholars interested in shooting sports.

You are required to attend this meeting and our clinic in June before you can try out in August.

Please remember the gate closure times as you drop off and pick up your scholars.

Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week is May 5-9.

Every year, the Lions Council takes great pride in planning a full week of activities for our dedicated teachers and staff. With your help, we can shower our wonderful teachers and staff with love.

The Lions Council Support Committee has come up with a theme: The Stars of the Show. Below you'll find a daily schedule.

Please know that participation is optional and that any kind gesture during this celebratory week is appreciated.

Remember, each teacher and staff member has filled out a "Favorite Things" sheet, which are all on the Lions Council website.

Volunteer signups have been sent to all approved volunteers. If you aren't receiving these emails, please reach out to Communications.LionCouncil@stjca.org.

In the fall, SJCA will adopt a new HOPE (Health Opportunities in Physical Education) fitness program that's designed to promote physical fitness and personal growth for all scholars.

The program begins with Level 1— with the white shirts, which parents must purchase through Stryker Custom Designs. This basic level marks the start of the journey, and scholars will work to advance through the next levels as they improve their fitness.

Fitness testing will occur once a month, with students having the opportunity to challenge themselves to reach the next level during each testing day. The testing categories include Muscular Strength, Muscular Endurance, Agility, Cardiovascular Endurance, and Flexibility.

The Upper School Physical Education Department is currently fundraising to purchase the shirts scholars earn beyond the basic white t-shirt. The plan is to give these t-shirts to scholars as they're earned.

If you'd like to support the initiative, please reach out to Hannah Patterson at Hannah.Patterson@stjca.org for more details on how to donate.

Please take note of the testing schedule. 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.

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

We're looking for a new head swim coach and an assistant boys and girls golf coach.

If you're interested in the position, or would like to know what the position entails, please reach out to matthew.sage@stjca.org.

SJCA Athletics plans to host summer camps for girls volleyball, boys/girls basketball, and cheerleading. Details for basketball camps are coming, but volleyball and cheerleading are set. Details below.

Cheerleading Camp

On July 11, our official cheer team will host a summer cheerleading camp. The one-day camp runs from 9:00-am-3:30pm on the Fleming Island Campus. Registration will start at 8:30am. This is a drop-off event.

Scholars should come in athletic wear and bring a packed lunch.

Registration is open now.

Questions: Tanya_Joson@csx.com.

Volleyball Camp

If you're interested in playing volleyball, our upcoming summer camp is a great way to try it out. Register today on MySchoolBucks. Questions: matthew.sage@stjca.org.

We'll have a Volleyball Scrimmage Jamboree May 20 at 4:00pm in the Orange Park gym.

Field Day is coming! This year, we have two dates for Field Day, depending on grade level.

Field Day will have an Olympic theme; each grade level will represent a different country.

NEW: Scholars in grades 3-5 should pre-order Jeremiah's by filling out the form below. Please give $5 cash to your teacher ahead of the event to streamline distribution. Flavors are listed below.

Volunteer signups have been sent to all approved volunteers. If you aren't receiving these emails, please reach out to Communications.LionCouncil@stjca.org.

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.

Parents should plan to drop their scholar off and pick them up at the end of each session.

Our grammar school musical theatre group (grades 3-5) is working hard on Willy Wonka Jr. Make plans to come out and see their wonderful performance on April 24, 25, or 26 at 6:00pm.

Band scholars have been hard at work preparing music for the Spring Band Concert. They have been working on a range of music such as classical, Celtic, sacred, movie themes, and even a piece written by a couple of Symphonic Band members. Make plans to come join us on Thursday, May 1 at SJCA-OP Gymnasium for a night of beautiful and fun music!

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!

While the deadline to get dinner tickets has passed, you can still purchase a non-dining ticket and see the show. Tickets are on sale on the Lions Council website.

Join us on May 6 on the Fleming Island campus for the upper school choir concert.

Join us on May 8 for a Spring Piano Recital, performed by our upper school scholars.

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.

We have one last Skate Station Spirit Night scheduled for the year. Join us on Friday, May 2.

The Lions Council is collaborating with Mrs. Hancock and Mrs. Kujawa to organize a Book Fair. We'll invite families to the event to purchase curriculum-approved books for their home libraries. 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.

Safety Patrol is partnering with Dignity Impact Outreach to host a diaper drive. You can donate diapers, wipes, and baby essentials and we'll donate them to local families in need. The deadline to donate is April 31. Please drop donations off in Mrs. Hancock's room.

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 10lbs. 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

Registration is now open for summer camps! Please visit the link below to review the camps that are offered at SJCA Orange Park.

You'll find a link to MySchoolBucks on the page to register.

It's best to register early since some camps have limited seats.

FortifyFL is a suspicious activity reporting tool that allows you to instantly relay information to appropriate law enforcement agencies and school officials. You can submit a tip at any time.