FI_Lion Line_12/13/24

Over the last few months, I’ve had the exceptional privilege of leading the Fleming Island campus. When I came on board in September, my goal was to listen, learn, lead academically, and make improvements through the end of the school year.

At the time, it wasn’t my intent to stay in the “big chair.” But then, as I lived among some of the most incredible teachers I have ever met, and I began unpacking the vision and mission of SJCA, things began to shift and change in my heart.

I also began, at the same time, walking alongside you, the parents of SJCA, and well, your scholars are absolutely the best part of this position.

In all honesty, what's not to love about SJCA? I prayed for my next chapter and now I can say without hesitation that SJCA IS my next chapter!

At the board meeting last night, I asked to have “interim” removed from my title.

My next step is to be vetted and approved by Hillsdale, a process I have already started.

This marks a new beginning for me and our SJCA family. With your help, we’ll ensure SJCA has a bright future.

-Carole McCullough

At the board meeting on 12/12, the board recognized Kiah D., a scholar who has maintained straight A's throughout her high school career and our first scholar to accept an athletic scholarship.

Kiah will attend Hillsdale College in the fall and has earned a $25,000 scholarship between academics and athletics.

The Board of Directors recognized her many achievements and presented her with a plaque on Thursday night.

Our teachers and scholars are excited for the upcoming holidays! Below is a picture of our third grade team wearing their festive t-shirts in preparation of a fun week ahead. You'll also see a list of themed-spirit days (open to all grades), early release days, and reminders of when break starts and ends.

The intent to return for the 2025-2026 school year went out to families via SchoolMint. Parents have until December 31, 2024 to complete the process and indicate their decision. Next year's lottery will take place mid-January 2025.

If your scholar is late to school (late is not inside the gate by 7:55am when the gate closes) parents need to sign their children in with the receptionist.

If parents are late to carline, they must sign their kids out at the reception desk. Carline ends at 3:20pm (Wednesday 1:20pm) when gates close. If gates are closed (will not close before 3:20pm) parents will be invoiced through MySchoolBucks for late pick up.

It's that time again. We're cleaning out the Lost and Found. All items that had names on them were returned to scholars. Items without names are currently sitting outside the cafeteria for scholars to claim. Parents can also come on campus before or after school to look for lost items.

If items are not claimed by December 20, they will be donated.

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.

Join us for a holiday concert.

Flag football try outs are being held next week. This team is open to 3-6 grade scholars; both boys and girls.

All are welcome to try out. There is no cost to try out. However, if your scholar has not been on a school team with us before, please email Coach Jeremy: jtate30@hotmail.com.

Lastly, we are in need of a few volunteer coaches. Any former player who has aged out is welcome to help as an assistant coach (this also works for community service hours for kids who are in sports who require it). If any parents are interested, you don't need any experience, just email Coach Jeremy.

Congratulations to our Roaring Lions! The team took first place at competition in Daytona last weekend!

On Tuesday, come out and support the SJCA wrestling team while enjoying a sweet treat. The team receives 20% of all sales.

As a new fundraiser for SJCA Athletics, you can rent our new birthday banner. For $20, you can have your scholar's name on the banner, which is on the fence as you drive in to school. Registration is on MySchoolBucks.

Please make sure to add your scholar's birthday and name.

The SJCA basketball store is OPEN! In the store, boys and girls can find SJCA apparel.

https://bakerssport-com-sjcabasketball24.itemorder.com/shop/sale/

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.

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.

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.

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).

In the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving break, eight of our Symphonic Band members were working hard to prepare and memorize music so they could send in audition videos to be considered to represent SJCA in the Clay County All County High School Band. These scholars not only had to show that they could play the notes and rhythms set before them, but they also had to show musicianship through interpretation.

Making these audition videos took courage and perseverance as they were creating and 'Loving the Beautiful.'

In the past couple of years, SJCA earned two spots in this honor band. This year, we have increased our number to six!

Congratulations to the following scholars: Jeremy C., Gabriel C., Cassandra C., Lucas J., Sarah M., and Alexsa S.!

Come out to support these scholars and our two middle school representatives at the All County Bands concert at the Thrasher-Horne Center on January 30th at 6:30.

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 concert!

If you'd like to send in a special treat for teachers or staff this holiday season, you can view a list of their 'favorite things' on the Lions Council website.

On December 19, the Lions Council will host a fundraiser at Kendra Scott in St. Johns Town Center. All proceeds will benefit the 1776 Promise Campaign.

The in-store event is:

December 19th

6:00-8:00pm

St. Johns Town Center, 4812 River City Drive

The online event is:

December 21-22

Online code to use: GIVEBACK-IDRLH

SJCA will receive 20% of all purchases made during the in-store shopping hours and the online shopping hours.

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.

Our wonderful art teachers are working hard on clay ornaments this year. Upper school scholars helped grammar school scholars make these keepsakes, and they're on sale now. Ornaments are $20 and are purchased online through the Lions Council website. Proceeds benefit the Fine Arts Booster Committee.

Deadline to order: Tuesday, December 17.

Take a look at how great the ornaments turned out!

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.

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.

SJCA Juniors traveled to Savannah as part of our U.S. History study. While enjoying the beauty of America's first planned city, scholars learned how Jewish immigrants influenced the young city by visiting the Congregation Mickve Israel.

Our tour of the beautiful antebellum Green-Meldrim house transported our imaginations back to 1864. Scholars read and discussed documents written by General Sherman and Secretary of War Stanton, which attempted to forge a better life for freed slaves.

Being immersed in these stirring settings helped our students to "connect the dots" with historical terms and noteworthy Americans. After a quick lunch in City Market, scholars explored the repurposed 1910 power plant and searched for the best ice cream on the scenic waterfront.

-Submitted by History Teacher Carmen Burgess

During their field trip to Tree Hill Nature Center, third grade scholars explored the Florida ecosystem and animal classifications. Mrs. Melquist's class is pictured below.

Scholars in Mrs. Melquist's third grade class examined the properties of motion with a trapeze that they built. They made observations and took measurements and used that data to predict the motion of the trapeze.

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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