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We'd like to invite you and your upper school scholar to an important meeting on April 15. We have some announcements that we'd like to share with you.

We want our scholars to have a rich and fulfilling high school experience and the changes we're planning will enhance our curriculum and our culture.

Parents with rising 6-12 grade scholars are encouraged to attend.

If you cannot make the meeting, we will release a recap via email.

Also, if you haven't already, please be sure to complete the parent survey sent last week. The survey was sent by School Perceptions, a third-party vendor, who will collect the confidential results and provide them to our leadership team to make future improvements.

-Head of School Carole McCullough

If you have a junior at SJCA, please plan to attend this meeting to learn about their upcoming senior year.

The junior class will host a walk-through history event to celebrate the semiquincentennial of the Battle of Lexington and Concord. All grammar school classes will journey through 1775 and meet historical figures that helped to forge our great nation. Keep your eye out for pictures from this in-school, scholar-only event.

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.

Right before spring break, some SJCA scholars had the opportunity to take a tour of Boston. They visited many of the historic sites that we learn about in class, from walking the Freedom Trail to throwing tea in the harbor, and even carrying out a mock debate on a replica of the Senate floor at the Edward Kennedy Institute.

The trip allowed scholars to stand where many of the founding fathers stood, walk in the footsteps of the soldiers at Lexington and Concord, and become immersed in the events leading to the Revolutionary War.

Scholars mentioned that some of their favorite moments were participating in the interactive tour of the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum and viewing the full Boston skyline on a 360-degree observation deck at the top of the Prudential Center.

An unexpected event that they were lucky to witness was a filming of re-enactors at the Lexington Battle Green as they prepared for the 250th anniversary of the first battle for the Revolution.

With the Hillsdale History curriculum focusing so strongly on the American Revolution, scholars were building upon their prior knowledge from (grade 7) American history and preparing for their return to American History in grade 11.

If this trip interests you or your scholar, keep an eye out for upcoming announcements about a possible trip next year.

-Submitted by Ansley Green, Upper School History Teacher

Pictures below:

Scholars at the Boston Tea Party Museum

Re-enactors on the Lexington Battle Green

The Boston Tea Party Museum

Scholars in front of the Paul Revere statue outside of the Old North Church

To give SJCA families time to prepare for graduation, the Board of Directors has approved an early release day on May 23. Dismissal will work just like Wednesdays.

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.

Medication Pick-Up

If your scholar has medication in the clinic, the deadline to pick it up is Friday, May 30th. All medication must be picked up in person and a return signature is required.

All medication left in the clinic after this date will be disposed of per the Florida Department of Health regulation.

New Medication Forms Coming

Please be aware that SJCA will have new medication forms for the 2025-2026 school year. These forms will be available online or in the clinic for you to pick up.

Tdap Vaccine Requirements

Parents with rising seventh grade scholars, now is a great time to make sure the Tdap vaccination requirement is met. All incoming seventh grade scholars are required to get the immunization. Any scholar who is non-compliant will not be allowed on campus, per state law.

If your child does not have a health care provider, NO COST vaccinations are available through the Florida Department of Health in Clay County’s Immunization Services at 1845 Town Center Blvd., Building 400, Fleming Island. The clinic is open Monday-Friday from 8:00-11:00am and 1:00pm-4:00pm. An appointment is required. Please call 904-529-2800 to schedule your appointment.

All exemptions must be signed by a provider.

Be sure to have your provider update the 680 Immunization Form.

Please send your updated 680 forms to maxine.johnston@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.

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 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.

Come out and support SJCA boys middle school soccer at an upcoming home game. We'd love to see you there!

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.

We'll need volunteers for this event. Keep your eye out for a volunteer sign up.

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.

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.

The Fine Arts Department would like to ask for help with a specific donation. Scholars have several events coming up that involve serving food. To make these events special for scholars and guests, we would like to request the "nice" disposable plates, cups, and cutlery (similar to the picture).

We need dinner plates, dessert plates, short clear glasses, and cutlery (400 count of each) by April 30.

If you can help, please email Cassie.crosby@stjca.org

The Music Department has many opportunities in April and May for scholars to earn volunteer hours, including backstage help, concession stand, and ticket sales/ushering, for the following events:

• Willy Wonka, JR. (also need assistance scenery/props)
• Spring Cabaret Dinner Show
• Spring Piano Recital

Please reach out to Mrs. Crosby to volunteer, Cassie.crosby@stjca.org.

Productions team members, please be sure to check the Google Classroom often for details about the many upcoming performance needs. Sign up for shifts online or see Rylan Phillips.

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.

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 selling Easter Candy Grams for $1. Send your friends a sweet treat to celebrate the holiday. Fill out the "grams" attached by April 15. We'll deliver them on April 17.

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.

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

SJCA Orange Park will offer several summer camps in June and July. Registration details to come.

Please note the Virtue Spirit Camp is now replaced with the Lions Fitness Fun Camp.

Camps offered will include:

• Lions Fitness Fun Camp
• Lion Music Camp
• Literacy Games Galore
• Science Camp
• Lion Soccer Camp

Lions Fitness Fun Camp

Grade: Incoming 1st-5th graders

Camp Leader: Ms. Donovan

Dates: June 9 - 20

Time: 9:00am-12:00pm

Limit: 25 campers

Cost: $200

Description: At the Lion Fitness Camp scholars will learn about the benefits of healthy lifestyles, exercise and our school virtues. Discuss how we can support our school and show school spirit! We will learn the benefits of exercise via fun and engaging activities. Some of the activities will be as follows:

-Stretching

-Yoga

-Kids Zumba and dance

-Team building games

-Duck-duck goose and other favorite games

-Read aloud on exercise/health/virtues

How can we show the virtues when we play a team building game? How can we work together? By being supportive when you loose and showing humbleness when you win.

Lion Music Camp

Grades: K-3

Dates: June 9-12

Camp Leaders: Mr. Garand & Ms. Freeman

Time: Half day camp: 9:00am-12:00pm

Limit: 15 campers

Cost: $150

Description: Get ready for a musical extravaganza! Scholars will team up with two superstar music teachers to whip up a week of fun that’ll have everyone singing in harmony and tapping their toes! Half the class will be all about grooving to the beat with bucket drums, laying down some serious rhythm. The other half? It's a pitch-matching, note-reading party where they'll belt out classic tunes and even jam on the Kalimba! And wait for it... at the grand finale, scholars will showcase all the cool tricks they’ve picked up during camp! Let the music magic begin!

Lion Music Camp

Grades: 4-7

Dates: June 9-12

Camp Leaders: Mr. Garand & Ms. Freeman

Time: Half day camp: 9:00am-12:00pm

Limit: 15 campers

Cost: $150

Description: Get ready for a musical extravaganza! Scholars will team up with two superstar music teachers to whip up a week of fun that’ll have everyone singing in harmony and tapping their toes! Half the class will be all about grooving to the beat with bucket drums, laying down some serious rhythm. The other half of the day, our budding maestros will dive into the magical world of the string orchestra! They'll be mastering the art of holding and playing the glorious violin, viola, or cello. These eager scholars will get to try their hands on some of the most stunning instruments ever and discover if they want to serenade the world with their newfound passion! And wait for it... at the grand finale, scholars will showcase all the cool tricks they’ve picked up during camp! Let the music magic begin!

Literacy Games Galore

Dates: July 7-11 (session 1), July 14-18 (session 2)

Grades: K-2

Camp Leader: Mrs. Mencner

Time: Half day camp: 9:00am-12:00pm

Limit: 15 campers

Cost: $150

Description: We will use games and movement to review the 42 sounds, 26 letters, and 72 phonograms that make up our English language! This fun and fast paced course will also include basic handwriting and spelling while also practicing our reading skills.

Science Camp

Grades: 4, 5, 6

Camp Leader: Mr. Rawls

Dates: June 23-27

Time: 9:00am-12:00pm

Limit: 24 scholars

Cost: $150

Description: Scholars will have the opportunity to dive deeper into various science concepts from our curriculum through demonstrations, discussion, and hands-on activities. We will be investigating weather, cloud formation (making a cloud in a bottle), the water cycle, and climate. We will also discuss the major organs and systems of the body (making a working model of our lungs). We will discuss electrical energy and build a working circuit. We will also observe chemical reactions and the affects they produce. Scholars will also learn about the universe and how gravity holds everything together.

Soccer Camp

Grades: K-3

Camp Leader: Kaitlyn Scherer
Dates: Session 1 June 23-27 (Grade K-3), Session 2 July 7-11 (Grades 4-7)
Time: 9:00am-12:00pm
Limit: Limited spots
Cost: $150/wk

Description: Join us this summer for a fun and exciting soccer camp that will develop your skills and bring out your best on the field! No matter if you are an advanced or beginning player, our camp will offer extraordinary sessions that will focus on teamwork, technique, and fun. Students will have the opportunity to improve their dribbling, passing, shooting, and defensive and offensive strategies while making new friends and developing memories. Our camp is the perfect place for players to build their game in a fun, supportive environment. Don’t miss out on the chance to take your skills to the next level!

All camps will take place on the Orange Park Campus.

Please review the menu each day your K-2 scholar will be purchasing so that they know what they want to say "yes" to and what they prefer to decline.

Faculty and staff are not permitted to accept cash or check for lunch. When sending lunch money in with your scholar, please instruct them to either:

• Bring it to the lunch staff during their lunch (for immediate deposit to account) or;
• Drop it in the black box, labeled "Lunch Money", on the wall above the milk cooler just inside the cafeteria (allow up to 24 hours for deposit to account). Be sure to include your scholar's name on the envelope/baggie!

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

[PLEASE NOTE: A NEW DATE/TIME FOR THIS EVENT IS LISTED BELOW]

The Orange Park campus will host a Bunny Hop Fun Jump on April 16. The event offers a variety of activities, including hopping-related events like jump roping and hopscotch, along with a dunk tank, Easter Basket and Treat Raffles, and a Cake Hop.

Pre-registration is required, but additional tickets for the following activities will be available during the event:

• Dunk Tank Round #2
• Easter Basket and Treat Raffles
• Cake Hop

Costs

• $7.00 General Admission: Does not include any activities
• $10.00 Upgraded Admission: Does not include any activities, +2 tickets to use for Dunk Tank, Cake "Hop", or the Easter Basket and Treat Raffles
• $15.00 Participant Wristband Admission: Includes any scholars or parents/guardians admission to all jump related activities
• $25.00 Unlimited Wristband Admission: Includes any scholars or parents/guardians admission to all jump related activities, +3 Tickets to use for Dunk Tank, Cake "Hop" or the Easter Basket and Treat Raffles
• $40.00 for 3 Participant Wristband Admissions
• $60.00 for 3 Unlimited Wristband Admissions
• $50.00 for 4 Participant Wristband Admissions
• $80.00 for 4 Unlimited Wristband Admissions

All proceeds from the event will benefit Teacher Appreciation and Athletics for the Orange Park campus.

Please note the registration details on the flyer below.

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