NOTES FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Parents,
It was wonderful to see so many of you at the St. Benedict Groundbreaking! It was a momentous occasion for our community. Thank you to our Campus Ambassadors for representing our student body and taking part in the groundbreaking ceremony alongside Fr. James and Bishop Olmsted.
Thank you to all who attended our Veterans Day Flag Ceremony and Prayer Service. Our scouts and student council led the gathering of our SJB community, staff, and student body through a reverent prayer service and flag-raising ceremony honoring our country’s cherished veterans. We’re especially grateful to the veterans who joined us and allowed us to say thank you in person.
I also had the pleasure of touring many prospective new families yesterday during our Open House. I love taking families through our beautiful campus (especially this time of year!) and showing off the brilliant schoolwork of our students. It is very common to hear remarks from prospective parents about the advanced skills of our students in their respective grade levels. Our students and teachers really are remarkable.
Enjoy a beautiful Arizona fall weekend!
Joyful blessings,
Jamie Bescak, Principal
Do everything in love.
SCHOOL NEWS
Running with Rosco
Affordable Catholic Education
In an effort to provide affordable Catholic Education, SJB is pleased to make our families aware of programs that reduce the cost of tuition. As such, many Student Tuition Organizations (STOs) are offering matching programs on Giving Tuesday, November 30. Watch this space next week's Bulldog Bite for a list of STOs that will provide BONUS $$ to celebrate Giving Tuesday.
Sneak Peek
TOPS for Kids will hold an informative Zoom meeting to prepare for Giving Tuesday. Topic: How to Use a Family and Kids Korner page to your advantage
Time: Nov 18, 2021 06:00 PM Arizona. Click here to join TOPS Zoom meeting
Time: Nov 18, 2021 06:00 PM Arizona. Click here to join TOPS Zoom meeting
Jamma Jingles
'Tis the season for giving and we will offer many opportunities to join in the fun! The first is our annual Jamma Jingles collection on behalf of the Pajama Program of Arizona. SJB collects new pajamas to distribute to foster care children at their annual Christmas party. New pajamas provide a comforting gift that a child may bring from home to home.
'Tis the season for giving and we will offer many opportunities to join in the fun! The first is our annual Jamma Jingles collection on behalf of the Pajama Program of Arizona. SJB collects new pajamas to distribute to foster care children at their annual Christmas party. New pajamas provide a comforting gift that a child may bring from home to home.
If you'd like to participate, please buy NEW pajamas (size 10 or larger) and drop them into the striped bin near the front gate. Write your child’s homeroom teacher’s name on the tag, as the class that brings in the most pajamas will earn a class party with the principal!
We will collect pajamas until December 10th, so take advantage of all of the Black Friday sales!
Nurse's Notes
- Thank you to our generous SJB parents for all the donations of masks!
- Please remember to label your child's sweatshirt or jacket. It's that magical time where mornings are fall-like and afternoons are summer-like!
- As I am sure you have heard, the first COVID-19 vaccine authorized for children ages 5-11 years is available. Vaccines are the most effective tool we have to keep COVID-19 from spreading and to keep our children in the classroom. Vaccines may be available through your child's healthcare provider. Also, the Maricopa county Department of Public Health is offering children's COVID-19 vaccines at most community events. See a list of community events at Maricopa.gov/COVID19VaccineLocations. Please know that SJB does not require vaccines for students.
- As you can see by the table below, there are more students with COVID-type symptoms. Fortunately, the majority are testing negative for COVID and flu.
It's November...
And that means Dr. Rodriguez continues preparations for our annual Christmas Program. Below are important housekeeping items:
- The program is on Wednesday, December 15, 2021 at 6:00pm. We would dearly love every child to participate; however, we understand that holiday schedules may conflict. If your child is not able to attend, please let me know at your earliest convenience so I can assign an alternate project.
- Students must memorize the lyrics to their song before Thanksgiving Break. We will be working on the songs in music class but additional home practice with parents is highly encouraged. Suggestion: Ask your child to perform the songs for you at least once or twice each week.
- This link is a YouTube Playlist with Reference Videos of Songs. NOTE: Some of the song videos have slightly different words or more verses than what we are singing; students need only sing the words in their handouts.
- This link contains an updated version of each song in their handout. Please have your child print a current copy of their handout and any additional copies from this link.
- Students should dress in their “Christmas/Sunday Best.”
- Masks will not be required for anyone as the event will be held outside. If, however, you or your child prefer to wear a mask, that is totally fine.
Questions may be directed to Dr. Luis Rodriguez. Thank you!
SET Deadline November 15
However...
The Diocese takes the obligation of Safe Environment Training very seriously.
As parents, teachers, and volunteers it is our duty to protect our children from predators. The Safe Environment Training (SET) provides examples and tips on what to look for and understand tactics used when children are approached. You will be the eyes and ears of protection for our children.
Effective November 15, parents and volunteers who have not completed SET will not be allowed to volunteer on campus until it has been completed. It is vital that we do everything we can to educate ourselves on the warning signs of predatory actions.
So, If you have never taken SET or submitted to a background check, the online training will take approx. 1 hour, and results of the background check are returned within 5 - 7 business days. If you have taken the training within the past 2 years and have a background check on file, it will only take 30 minutes. Please use the following format for your username: firstname.lastname.dop (which stands for diocese of phoenix). NOTE: If you do not have a SS#, please use your ITIN when creating an account.
If you need help signing on, TEXT Debbie Smith, St. Benedict SET Coordinator @ 480-529-4828. If you have general SET questions, please feel free to contact Teri Aguiar, SJB SET Coordinator.
Scrip Shop
Mark your calendars! Friday, November 19th will be our only day of the year to purchase Scrip cards at the window with a credit card and AVOID the 2.6% processing fee! Think ahead for your holiday shopping needs.
With increased shipping times, the final day for the school to place a physical card order is Friday, December 3rd, so there is enough time to get them to you before Christmas break. Please plan ahead and email sjbscrip@sjbosco.org with any special requests.
Don't forget that the RaiseRight app is still a great option for your e-card purchases and "ship to home" eligible cards. They also offer extra bonuses, so please keep that in mind when you're doing your holiday shopping!
St. John Bosco Catholic School Scrip Office
(480) 219-4848 x5108
Log Volunteer Hours
Remember to log your volunteer hours in RenWeb. Click the link below for step-by-step instructions.
With the holidays approaching, there will be many more opportunities for involvement in the festivities, so make sure you have completed Safe Environment Training for clearance. (Not compliant yet? Click here.)
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/
The Bulldog Bite: Dr. Teri Pistacchio Aguiar, editor
Upcoming events are always available on our website events page.
For a more detailed list of yearly events, check the SJB website online calendar.
