NOTES FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Parents,
I hope everyone had an opportunity to relax and refresh during our Fall Break!
It’s hard to believe that we are already approaching the end of our first trimester. Please continue to monitor your child's RenWeb account for grades and any missing assignments.
Our 8th graders are approaching the time to decide on where they would like to go to high school. Representatives and student ambassadors from Xavier, Brophy, and Seton Preparatory have visited, sharing what makes their school stand out and what they have to offer. It was wonderful to see a few of our SJB Alumni return to campus and share their Catholic high school experiences.
Even though this was a short week, students were busy studying, turning in projects and practicing for upcoming events. Our 3rd graders led our entire school in the “Living Rosary” at St. Benedict Church yesterday. We were so happy to have many parents and community members join us in the quiet, reflective time to spend together with our Lord.
Joyful Blessings,
Jamie Bescak, Principal
Do everything in love.
SCHOOL NEWS
Dia de los Muertos
On behalf of Senora Bautista and our Spanish program, you are invited to send in 4x6 (or smaller) photos of your deceased loved ones to be included in our St. John Bosco Dia de los Muertos Altar. Your child's teacher will collect photos now through Wednesday, Oct. 20. This special altar will be displayed in our chapel for all to see from Monday, Oct. 25 through Friday, November 5. Please write your student's name and teacher on the back of the photo so we can return them to you. Thank you for your participation.
Catholic School Support 365
As Catholics, we are no strangers to sharing and helping others in times of need. That’s what we do best. And that’s the idea behind the Catholic School Support 365 Fund. It was born from the Night of Hope and is where donations to Catholic Schools are held for emergency circumstances when families find themselves unable to afford their child’s tuition. The purpose is to provide tuition assistance 365 days a year, as major needs often arise without warning.
As such, your child brought home an appeal envelope this week. Please return it to your child's teacher or to the front office. If you need a little extra motivation, you may be interested in the following incentives:
- The school with the highest percentage of participation (based on September enrollment figures) for gifts to the appeal will win $5,000.00 for the principal’s discretionary use to benefit student tuition.
- The school with the highest percentage of registrations for Night of Hope will win $5,000.00 for the principal’s discretionary use to benefit student tuition.
As always, your generosity is greatly appreciated by your fellow Catholic School families in their time of need.
To whom much is given, much will be required.
Nurse's Notes
- Attendance for the entire school is done in the nurse's office. If your child will be absent or tardy, either call the nurse's office (480-219-4848 ext. 5102) or email attendance@sjbosco.org. Along with your child's name, please include their room number and the reason for the absence.
- Thanks to generous donations from our parents, I have plenty of insect repellent. The mosquitos seem to be quieting down, but are still out there.
- The cold and flu season is upon us. Donations of children's ibuprofen and acetaminophen would be greatly appreciated.
- Despite high transmission of COVID cases in the surrounding area, our school community data continues to hold. Thank you for your diligence!
Winter Sports
Parents, winter sports are right around the corner!
Fifth – eighth-grade students may participate in basketball (boys) and softball (girls) for the winter season. Practices will start approximately the first week in November. Please send your sports forms to Coach Caradonna by October 22nd. Click Here for Sports Packet
Get Ready for Trunk or Treat!
It’s time to plan your costumes and car decor (nothing scary or evil, please) for this year’s Trunk or Treat. This year it will be held on the St. John Bosco School campus along with Harvest Fest to provide twice the fun on one night! Click the following link to RSVP: Trunk or Treat - St. Benedict Catholic Church, Phoenix, AZ (stbenedict.org)
Harvest Fest
Our annual Harvest Festival is almost here! Avoid the lines and get all the tickets you'll need for the evening (e.g., entry wristbands, basket raffle, beer garden, and pumpkin tickets) by using the convenient Formstack link below to submit your requests. Please note the following:
- Online ordering will close on Thursday, October 21 at 5:00pm.
- Tickets purchased through Formstack will be sent home with the oldest child on Friday, October 22.
- Opportunities to purchase raffle tickets for Harvest Fest baskets will be available next week in the courtyard during Drop-off and Pick-up.
Pack the Pantry
PTO is looking for families to help ”Pack the Pantry” with treats, snacks and beverages for our teachers. All donations may be dropped off at the front office or you may reach out to Tricia Estrada to coordinate. These donations count towards your annual service hours; for every $10 spent you may claim one service hour. Sign up to donate: Pack the Pantry
Air Band
Calling all 3rd - 8th-graders! Students in grades 3 - 8 interested in participating in our Harvest Fest Lip Sync Battle, please email Mrs. Barone or Miss McLean.
Learning with LEGOs
If your kiddos like LEGOs, there is a new after-school session of Bricks 4 Kidz starting soon. CLICK HERE for full details.
Scholastic Book Fair is Back!
St. John Bosco will celebrate the power of reading at the upcoming Scholastic Book Fair. You are invited to help our school create a culture of reading, build our school libraries, and you will have the opportunity to shop and select books with your child for your home library! A portion of all proceeds will go back to our school – your support makes a difference.
Click this link if you would like to join the fun as a volunteer.
Monday - Friday, November 1 - 5
- Monday & Tuesday: 7:30AM - 3:30PM
- Wednesday & Thursday: 7:30AM - 6:00PM
- Friday 7:30AM - 1:00PM
NEW In-School and Online Shopping Options! Book Fair eWallet, our new digital payment option, allows your student to shop the Fair cash-free. Can’t make it to the Book Fair? Shop The Scholastic Store™online to choose from over 6,000 products! Visit our homepage to access eWallet or shop online: SJB Book Fair link
Please contact School Librarian Theresa Harvey with any questions. Thank you for your support and for building the joy of reading.
Scrip Shop
Mid-year Scrip reports will be sent home by the end of October to show you how much Scrip you have earned so far this year. Be on the lookout for those statements that will be sent home with your youngest child at the end of the month.
And it's already time to start thinking about holiday gift giving! While the RaiseRight app is excellent for e-card purchases, we know that giving physical gift cards as gifts is preferred. If you would like specific physical cards, please email sjbscrip@sjbosco.org with your requests so there is enough time to get those in stock before the holiday rush.
St. John Bosco Catholic School Scrip Office
(480) 219-4848 x5108
DIOCESAN NEWS
Join Bishop Olmsted and thousands of Catholics for Arizona Rosary Celebration this Sunday, October 17 from 2:00 to 4:15 pm at Phoenix Convention Center, 33 S. 3rd St., South Building, Halls F & G, in downtown Phoenix. Hear the choir from St. John Paul II Catholic High School do a pre-program concert at 1:30pm. Parking is only $5 at the Phoenix Suns Parking Garage on 3rd St. & Jefferson when you mention Arizona Rosary Celebration. Bring family and friends. Let’s pray together for each other’s intentions.
For a bigger experience...
Come as early as noon for confession, adoration, ministry tables, and matachines dancers.
Join the Bishop’s Blessing Procession: https://www.azrosary.net/blessing-procession
Participate as an Altar Server: https://www.azrosary.net/altar-servers
Our Lady represents great hope for your life. She will pray for you, take you by the hand, and lead you straight to Jesus.
Questions? Danny Haywood, Co-Chair, Arizona Rosary Celebration (602) 469-0758
COMMUNITY NEWS
Although the MLB season ended early for our hometown Diamondbacks ☹, there is plenty to cheer about for kids interested in baseball and STEM education. The Arizona Diamondbacks and Honeywell Aerospace are teaming up for a series of fun and educational community initiatives. The programs include support for robotics from Honeywell engineers, building a robot to pitch at Chase Field, Kids Club for children 15 years and younger (which includes a free ticket to Sunday home games!), opportunities for students to nominate their STEM teacher for MVT (Most Valuable Teacher) awards, and much more. Click here for the full press release. Thank you to parent Gus Garayzar for making us aware of this awesome community event!
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook
Stay up to date on classroom happenings by following us on Instagram @sjbbulldogs or Facebook@stjohnboscocatholicschool. We also encourage families to tag SJB on any photos or videos they post of their child(ren) from their personal social media accounts.
Until Monday...
Below are helpful links to information:
School Website: https://sjbosco.org/
School Calendar: https://sjbosco.org/calendar
Faculty & Staff Contacts: https://sjbosco.org/faculty-staff
School Lunch Program: https://sjbosco.org/school-lunch
Parish Website: https://stbenedict.org/
Upcoming events are always available on our website events page.
