NOTES FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Parents,
I hope you are all having a wonderful summer spending time with family and friends. On behalf of the faculty and staff of Saint John Bosco Catholic School, I’d like to welcome you to the 2022-23 school year!
We are all very eager to see your children on Wednesday, August 10 to begin another fabulous year of learning and growing! We have many fun events planned, so be sure to read the Bulldog Bite in its entirety each Friday — beginning today! — so you don’t miss anything.
We have been busy this summer making adjustments to enhance the safety, learning environment, and quality of education for all learners. Before the teachers left for the summer, our entire faculty finalized our Accreditation Report to submit to the Diocese of Phoenix Catholic Schools Office and the WCEA Accreditation Team. We have been dutifully preparing these documents for our 6-year accreditation visit in November. It’s a major undertaking requiring input from every teacher and many staff members to collect data on our school operation and curricula, present evidence of our progress, and set goals for the future. This is an intensive self-study and assessment by educators and administrators within the Diocese of Phoenix and a visiting colleague from outside the diocese — all designed to maintain excellence in Catholic education and keep us on our toes. We are looking forward to their visit in November as it gives us a chance to show the brilliance of St. John Bosco Catholic School, inside and out.
Of course, the safety of our students, faculty, and staff is of the utmost importance. Fr. James and I recently met with a third-party security specialist affiliated with the Diocese of Phoenix and reviewed our current security measures and protocols. In addition to practicing monthly school-wide lockdown and fire drills, we have installed 35+ security cameras, and strictly enforce one way in and out of our campus. We will continue to look into implementing additional measures to ensure the safety of our community. Please remember when entering campus, all parents and visitors must enter through the school office or front gate. ALL other gates are for emergency exit only. The north gate may only be used for the before- and after-school program.
We are also making visible improvements to our campus with the construction of outdoor learning areas. Our Dads’ Club, the Knights of Columbus, and TMC Landscapers spent an entire labor-intensive weekend moving rock and digging holes to prepare all three corridors for the installation of artificial turf and trees to allow ample space for outdoor learning for all grade levels. TMC is finalizing the irrigation and turf this week to add even more beauty to our campus. Once the heat subsides, our students and teachers will be able to enjoy many learning activities outside in the fresh air of our newly-renovated space!
Our fabulous PTO has worked overtime providing a massive facelift to our teacher workroom. The new layout will not only increase efficiency but does double duty by creating a beautiful space for teachers to eat lunch and relax between classes. We may now officially call it a Staff Lounge.
This week we received a delivery of 300+ Chromebooks and all classrooms will have OneScreen Interactive Boards. In keeping our pledge to provide academic excellence to all learners, this will enable every K—8th-grade student to have their own Chromebook to use to start off the new 2022-23 school year.
Finally, I am pleased to introduce our 2022-23 Faculty and Instructional Assistants. Please help me welcome those new to our staff this year.
Preschool 3-year-olds: Krissy Bileski & Madeline Snyder
Preschool PK: Karen Rizzo & Sharon Faccenda
Kindergarten: Brenna McLean & Rachel Barone
1st grade: Kari Czerniski & Kerry Pezzuto
2nd grade: Jena Gump & Jennifer Opdahl
3rd grade: Laura Jean Curley & Samantha Monarrez
4th grade: Naneth Perezchica & Amy Day
5th grade & 6th grade: Josilyn Tan, Language Arts; Nicole Camou, Math/Science;
Seth Tyler, Social Studies
7th grade: Melanie Del Grosso, 6th, 7th, & 8th Math
8th grade: Kelly Rafford, Jr. High Social Studies & Amy Pratt, 6th, 7th & 8th
Science
Jr. High Language Arts: Sandra Heffron
Art: Katherine (Kitty) Whitlow
Counselor: Michael Cortez
Kindergarten Instructional Assistants: Jennifer Vaught and Julie Bresnahan
Library: Theresa Harvey
Music: Dr. Luis Rodriguez
P.E.: Brett Caradonna
Preschool Instructional Assistants: Maryola Fabilena, Jodi Vaught, Aliyah
Castelo, Maria Lopez, and Jaime Mandarino
Resource: Anne Iniguez
Resource Instructional Assistant: Pam Boggs
Spanish: Johana Bautista
STEM/ IT Director: Hogan Macdonald
Joyful Blessings,
Jamie Bescak, M.Ed.
Principal
Do everything in love.
SCHOOL NEWS
Summer Office Hours through August 5th: 8AM–1PM
Office closed Wed. Aug. 3rd for Faculty/Staff Retreat
They're Here!
Click the links below to see your student's classroom supply list. We suggest bringing your supplies on Monday, August 8 when you come for "Meet the Teacher."
We are looking forward to seeing everyone on Monday, August 8th, 2:00–4:00 pm to find out who your homeroom teacher is and drop off your school supplies.
Remember, in order to receive the “magic envelope” with your child’s assigned teacher, you must have all enrollment and FACTS account information set up as well as the items listed below.
For your convenience, we now have paperless forms! Please click on the links below to access and complete them. There is NO need to print them! Just hit “SUBMIT” and the appropriate individual will receive them.
Have we got news for you!! St. John Bosco is now offering Innovation Learning, a full-service, extended-day program for preschool through 8th-grade children who need to be dropped off early (6:30–7:30 AM, M - F) and/or be picked up after school is dismissed (M–Th, 3:00–6: 00 PM; Friday, 12:30m–6 PM. See below for more details or contact Innovation Learning: Innovation Learning: A Brand New Before- and After-School Service!
Innovation Learning is introducing a new family registration platform called EZChildTrack, a robust software program designed to ease the registration process. ALL families are considered a “new” family as the accounts are being created. More information can be found below:
Don't forget to contact our customer service team to determine if you qualify for one of our discount programs. Our team of professionals is here to help support you every step of the way and make this the most seamless process imaginable.
Contact Customer Service: 866.239.3661 or info@innovationlearning.com.
In the News
As many of you may know, the Arizona Legislature passed HB 2853 which would provide a universal Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) to all students attending a private school. While this is very exciting news for all of us, we are being advised by the Diocese that there still may be some roadblocks ahead. At this time we encourage everyone to continue using the Tax Credit Program. Be assured that we will follow this development closely and share any good news as soon as we receive it.
Preschool Employment Opportunities
Prime employment opportunities are available! Great schedule:11AM – 3:30PM, Fridays OFF. To apply or for more information, please contact Principal Jamie Bescak: (480) 219-4848.
More Job Opportunities
Blue Willo Catering, our school lunch provider, has several job position openings to offer:
- Cook: Starting pay $23–$26/hour; must have experience; will work hand-in-hand with head chef.
- Driver: Starting pay $17–$18/hour. Must have a 24-month clean driving record.
- School Server: Starting pay $17/hour + free lunch for children that attend your school. Must have a fingerprint clearance card.
Please reply to Blue Willo Catering at info@bluewillocatering.com.
Safe Environment Training Renewal
The Safe Environment Training (SET) year runs from July 1 to June 30; thus, your existing certification has expired. It is now renewal time for EVERYONE who wishes to volunteer in any capacity. Simply visit https://phoenix.cmgconnect.org to update your profile information and take the 30-minute renewal.
Click here for an easy step-by-step guide. If you need assistance or if you have never taken SET, please email Safe Environment Coordinator Teri Aguiar or call/text Debbie Smith 480.529.4828.
Still Looking for LEGOs
SJB is preparing to upgrade both the STEM Program and the Media Room. If you have LEGOs that are taking up space in your home or are tired of stepping on them, we will be happy to take them off your hands (and feet). Please consider donating them to our STEM Program! They may be dropped off in the front office for Mr. Macdonald.
CHESS CLUB
Chess Club will be starting again on August 31st! Click the following link to sign up and for all the details: Chess Club
Scrip Shop
We are pleased to announce that a new local business has joined our Scrip program! Big Apple Pediatric Dentistry recently opened in the Foothills and will be giving back 6% on all treatments. This is in addition to our current SJB family-owned businesses that offer Scrip: Gold Crown Promotions gives back 6% on advertising and promotional products, Barefoot Pools offers 3% back on their pool services, and Dr. MacKenzie at Foothills Animal Hospital offers 4% back on veterinary services provided by (only) him. You just need to let them know you are an SJB family and we do the rest!
Do you have a business that would like to support the Scrip program? If so, please reach out to Katie at sjbscrip@sjbosco.org for more information!
For the remainder of July, the Scrip Office will be open on Tuesdays & Thursdays, 8–9 AM. Dates are subject to change.
Please email sjbscrip@sjbosco.org to place an order or with any questions! Remember: You can use your RaiseRight app all summer long to purchase electronic scrip on the go! Click here for detailed instructions on how to enroll!
- New Family Night. Wednesday, July 27th @ 5:30 PM. Parents of new students are invited to learn more about the beginning of the school year, protocols, dress code, and how we make Catholic Education affordable. (parent-only event)
- Meet the Teacher. Monday, August 8th, 4:00–6:00 PM. Parents and students are invited to meet their teacher and drop off school supplies before the first day of school.
- First Day of School. Wednesday, August 10th @ 7:45 AM. Preschool – 8th-grade students begin the 2022-23 school year!
- Back to School BBQ. Friday, August 13th
DIOCESAN NEWS
Come out and watch this fierce-but-friendly rivalry between our diocesan priests and seminarians in this annual event! Click the following link with all the details:
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 over the weekend:
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
Past Bulldog Bites: https://sjbosco.org/ (beneath Principal's picture)
Upcoming events are always available on our website events page.
For a more detailed list of yearly events, check the SJB website online calendar.
