FI_Lion Line_5/16/25

We've had a busy few weeks on campus, especially with state testing. I want to thank you for your support as we worked to improve our test scores. I plan to share a video with everyone before the end of school to recap our state testing efforts and discuss a few other topics as we prepare for the coming year.

Please stay tuned for the video, which we'll release during the last week of school.

-Head of School Carole McCullough

Today marks the last day of school for our seniors. The Class of 2025 enjoyed a senior lecture series, where teachers spoke to them about various post-high-school topics, and then they gathered outside under the breezeway to celebrate their final bell; an SJCA tradition.

Congrats to our seniors!

Scholars who get their formal pictures taken BEFORE school starts in August, get to select the formal pose they want for the yearbook. If you're interested in doing this, please schedule a session time with Leonard's this summer.

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

Our annual year-end awards ceremony for grades 2-5 will be held at River Christian Church on Tuesday, May 20. Parents will receive an email invitation if their scholar is getting an award.

The Class of 2025 will graduate later this month.

The end of May has a mix of events and dismissal information that parents need to know.

Please note, in preparation for graduation, dismissal for May 23 will work like a Wednesday. This is a change to our original schedule and is different than the early release days later in the month. Please reference the dates below to stay organized and aware of dismissal times.

SJCA has once again partnered with School Tool Box to offer pre-boxed supplies for scholars in K-5. Each box of supplies matches the grade-level supply list created by teachers. Boxes are shipped to the school and will be delivered to classrooms before the first day of school.

Deadline to order is 6/15.

Our volunteers have returned items with names on them, but please remind your scholar to check the Lost and Found for any jackets, sweaters, water bottles, or lunch boxes. Parents may look through it before or after school. Any item left behind after May 30 will be donated.

There will be two full games played (best of 3 sets) with a performance by our cheer squad in the middle of the two games. If you'd like to donate, there will be a code and cash donation available. Checks can be made out to SJCA Athletics.

We're looking for an assistant 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.

River Christian Church is partnering with Overtime Athletics to offer a variety of athletic camps in June and July.

June 2-6: Sports Spectacular

June 9-12: Sports Spectacular

June 30 - July 12: Kaboom Kickball

July 7-11: Go Long Flag Football

July 14-18: Shooting Stars Soccer

July 28 - August 1: All Star Week

If you'd like more information, please visit: https://www.otathletics.com/jax

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.

This year, Field Day will take place on two days, depending on grade level.

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

Scholars in K-2 should bring in $4-7 for Kona Ice. Please place cash in a baggie with your scholar's name on it.

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.

As we wrap up the fourth year of the Lions Council—the parent-led nonprofit supporting St. Johns Classical Academy—we want to express our heartfelt thanks to the entire school community for your partnership and support.

Alongside our committee chairs and council members, this team has made a meaningful impact in support of SJCA’s mission. Thanks to their leadership and the generosity of our school families, we’ve been able to:

• Raise nearly $25,000 for the 1776 Promise Campaign, benefiting our outstanding teachers.

• Provide financial support to the Fine Arts programs through the Lions Council Fine Arts Boosters.

• Devise, implement, and finance Teacher Appreciation Week, as well as funding teacher coffee stations, field day supplies, clinic supplies, monthly staff recognition and upcoming gymnasium murals to enhance our environment.

As this term comes to a close, we are excited to pass the baton to a new executive committee who will continue this important work on behalf of our school.

We welcome the 2025-2026 Executive Committee:

• Chairman – Lisa Mockabee

• Finance Director – Tracey Noble

• Communications Director – Julie Borkoski

• Secretary – Bethani Woody

Thank you for another incredible year of partnership and progress, we appreciate your support!

Your 2024-2025 Lions Council Executive Committee,
Nicole Chapman, Chairman; Melissa Taylor, Finance Director; Lisa McEwen, Communications Director and Heather Stevenson, Secretary

At the most recent Lions Council meeting, the women who have fueled the Lions Council since its inception in 2021 came together to celebrate the achievements of the group and welcome its newest executive committee.

Pictured left to right:

• Bethani Woody; Secretary 2025-2026
• Tracey Noble; Finance Director 2025-2026
• Leandra Cramer; Communications Director 2021-2023
• Jennifer Baatstad; Secretary 2021-2023
• Melissa Taylor; Finance Director 2023-2025
• Nicole Andrews; Chairman 2021-2023
• Lisa McEwen; Communications Director 2023-2025
• Nicole Chapman; Finance Director 2021-2023, Chairman 2023-2025
• Lisa Mockabee; Chairman 2025-2026
• Julie Borkoski; Communications Director 2025-2026

Not pictured: Jessica Skapetis; Secretary 2023-2024 and Heather Stevenson; Secretary 2024-2025

A special note of thanks to all those who donated to this campaign.

You can send a friend a Lucky Duck Gram in support of the Panama Philanthropy Trip. Details are below.

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.

✅ Please be mindful of lunch balances. Scholars who are "paid" cannot charge more than $21.25 and scholars who are "reduced" cannot charge more than $2. You can send in cash or check with your scholar, or you can pay online ($3.25 MSB fee).

✅ Balances DO CARRYOVER to the next school year! Those maxed-out negative balances will need to be cleared up prior to lunch service being provided.

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

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