Good afternoon St. Joseph’s Families,

Happy Thursday to all! I do hope you have had a chance to enjoy our beautiful weather. We are in our 8th week of school – and the end of first quarter is next week.

Please note, students do not have school on Thursday, October 15th or Friday, October 16th.

We have a Treasure Valley Catholic Schools principals meeting on Tuesday, October 13th to discuss the rising COVID-19 cases in Ada County and how that impacts our Catholic schools. There is potential that Ada County will be moved into the red category early next week.  A decision will be made Tuesday evening whether we maintain our current hybrid model or move forward with our plan for full on-site learning.

COVID-19

In our 8th week of school, we have not had any students test positive for COVID-19. Praise God! Our families are doing great and keeping sick children home.

• Current COVID tracking information for St. Joseph’s HERE.

We want to be able to continue our in person learning throughout the year and we need your help. We all need to practice the 3 W’s both in and out of school:

• Wear a Mask – all people on our school campus must wear a mask
• Wash your hands
• Watch your distance when with others

If your family travels out of state during the remainder of the school year, we ask that you self-quarantine for three days following your return.

Air Quality

We are monitoring our air quality hourly; students go to recess if the air quality is below 150. If we are in the red zone (unhealthy category), students do not go to recess or have outdoor PE.

Parent/Teacher Conferences

Parent/Teacher Conferences will be virtual this year. They will be held on Thursday, October 22nd and Friday, October 23rd. Teachers will be sending a sign-up genius early next for parents to sign up for a time slot. Students will not have school on those days.

Faculty and Staff

We are looking for a middle school instructional assistant and a part time 3rd-5th instructional aide.  Please send me an email if you know of someone who might be a good fit for these positions. The jobs are posted on our school website.

Week of October 12th-16th  

Here is information for the 8th week of school:

• Continue with our hybrid model – ½ students in morning and ½ in the afternoon.
• No School Thursday or Friday next week – 10/15 and 10/16

When arriving and leaving school, please cross the street at the crosswalks. Drop off and pick up times remain the same as the last few weeks.

School Mass

We had our fourth school Mass for the 2020-2021 school year on Tuesday afternoon. It is such a privilege and blessing to be back at Mass. Tuesday, October 13th, our 3rd and 2nd am students will attend Mass.   Mass will be livestreamed and recorded for those students not attending in person. Mass dress is required for those attending Mass in person.

Here is the schedule until the end of 1st quarter:

Tuesday, Sept. 15   7th and 6th AM students Mass at 8:15 AM

Tuesday, Sept. 22   8th and 6th PM students Mass at 12:45 PM

Tuesday, Sept 29    4th and 5th AM students Mass at 8:15 AM

Tuesday, Oct. 6       4th and 5th PM students Mass at 12:45 PM

Tuesday, Oct 1        2nd and 3rd AM students Mass at 8:15 AM

St. John’s Parish/School Connection

Please continue to support St. John’s Parish or your local parish – donations have decreased since the onset of COVID-19 and we need to help our Catholic Parishes out more than ever.

Please reach out to me if you have questions or concerns. We are all in this together.

We are blessed to be able to work with your children. Thank you for your patience, understanding and grace as we navigate this unprecedented school year.

Take Care and God Bless,

Tammy Emerich

Principal

St. Joseph’s Catholic School