FI_Lion Line_1/10/25

Welcome back! I hope everyone enjoyed a restful break. It's great to see scholars back on the campus and eager to return to the classrooms.

While we are all getting reacquainted with our daily routines, at SJCA, we're also looking ahead. In about a month, we'll host our biggest fundraiser of the year, the Lions Winter Gala.

Over the years, this event, hosted by the Lions Council, has grown so much that "Winter Dinner" no longer feels like a suitable name, which is why we've decided to rename it to the Lions Winter Gala.

In its fifth year, this event brings together SJCA families and community leaders to celebrate and showcase our beautiful school.

On February 7, we'll enjoy a cocktail hour, a three-course meal, and a series of speakers. This year, we'll welcome Congressman Aaron Bean back to the campus as our keynote speaker, who will not only speak with our audience, but auction off a few high-value items.

As we dine and chat, you'll notice the event is elevated by our scholars, who serve as the wait staff, provide musical ambiance, and are represented in the artwork on the walls.

I want to personally invite each and every family member to this wonderful event. You'll find more information and the link to buy tickets below. I hope to see you all there.

-Carole McCullough

Advance ticket sales only. No sales at the door.

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.

SJCA reissued carpool placards. All carpool placards are now lime green. If you still have a pink tag, you will be re-routed.

If you qualify for a car pool tag and still have a pink one, please follow these steps immediately:

• Stop into the Little House and list the 3+ scholars that you regularly pick up
• Tell us how many placards you need

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

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. Expect enforcement.

If your scholars are in grades 4, 5, or 6, they're invited to track try outs on January 16. The team will practice on Tuesdays in Orange Park and complete their season on February 22 at a county-wide track meet that's geared towards these specific age groups.

Questions? Reach out to Coach Dasher: malissia.dasher@stjca.org.

On December 15, the Lions Wrestling Club took seven of our returners to our first wrestling tournament of the year. It was a large tournament held at the Alachua Sports Center called the Buchholtz IOF.

Of the seven we took, six of them placed:

-1st: Zayden D.

-2nd: Tala H.

-3rd: Cullen L., Shayla H.

-5th: Zac D., Elwood L.

Flag Football games begin soon for 3-6 grade! We'd love to see scholars and parents come out and support them on the OP fields.

Basketball is already underway. Make plans to support our Lions, who currently play in the gym at OP. The next home game is January 14. Find the full schedule on the athletics website.

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 interest before try outs, which will be held February 27. Sign up on MySchoolBucks.

Soccer camp attendance will let us know if we are going to have a team or not this year.

Sign ups are for middle school only.

CALLING ALL ATHLETES! Coach Sage is planning a field trip to the Jax Icemen game for all athletes. The deadline to register is January 17. Game details are below.

The Athletics Department and The National Honor Society will host SJCA's Inaugural Color Run. Don't miss out on the fun! If you register early, you can save money. The registration fee of $25/participant includes a t-shirt and a medal. Parents are invited to run too.

Grades K-1 ~ One lap run

Grades 2-12 ~ Two mile run

Food and concessions will be on site for purchase.

Points of Contact: Coach Sage: matthew.sage@stjca.org or Mrs. Cosme: anamaria.cosme@stjca.org.

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

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).

The Lions Council Fine Arts Booster will host a Painting Class with Mr. Ross on January 24. Scholars will stay after school and paint Vincent Van Gogh's Sunflower painting. All materials and a snack are included in the price.

Register to attend on the Lions Council website (not MySchoolBucks).

If your family is dealing with a financial hardship, you're welcome to utilize the Uniform Closet. During this time of year, scholars may need warm weather apparel or have experienced a growth spurt, and the Lions Council is happy to provide support. Interested families can email: Chairman.lioncouncil@stjca.org.

Congratulations to our Safety Patrollers of the Month, Vance S. (December) and Norah M. (November)! Thank you for your dedication and outstanding service in helping keep our school safe. Your commitment to ensuring a secure environment for everyone does not go unnoticed, and we truly appreciate your hard work and responsibility.

Safety Patrol is selling candy grams for the Chinese New Year, which is January 29. Your scholars can send their friends a personalized fortune cookie (see picture) for $2. Cookies are randomly selected. Deadline to order is January 24. Please use the order form below.

Mrs. Melquist's third grade class used their knowledge of multi-digit multiplication in a game that required strategy, luck, and skill.

Ms. Kujawa's fourth grade class made wind turbines from plastic water bottles after studying different types of energy.

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

The National Honor Society is planning two events. Please mark your calendars and watch for additional details in The Lion Line.

• Father/Daughter Dance: March 29, 2025 - 7:00-9:00pm
• Mother/Daughter Tea: May 17, 2025 - 11:00-12:30pm

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