NOTES FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dear Parents,

I know many of you have been eagerly awaiting more information about the ESA program, especially with the new legislation that passed this summer and signed into law. As shared at Curriculum Night, we were advised to sit tight and wait to see what happens after September 24th as the opposition to this new legislation has until then to gather enough signatures to halt the new legislation and place it on an upcoming ballot. If enough signatures are obtained, there will most likely be legal maneuvering to determine how a referendum will appear on a particular ballot (either this November or in 2024).

The Diocese of Phoenix Catholic Schools Office and the Arizona Catholic Conference have teamed up to provide a short webinar to help families understand the new universal Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program. A group of experts on ESA and Arizona tuition tax credits ("STOs") has been assembled to review what an ESA is, what the new ESA legislation entails, cautionary notes about the new legislation, and several areas of consideration when choosing to accept an ESA versus an STO scholarship.

View Webinar

We pray that this webinar is helpful to families considering the universal ESA program. Once the September 24 deadline passes and we know if the new ESA legislation takes effect, SJB and the Catholic Schools Office will provide additional helpful information to families.

Joyful Blessings,
Jamie Bescak, M.Ed., Principal

Do everything in love.

1 Corinthians 16:14

SCHOOL NEWS

Acadience (DIBELS) and MAP Assessments

Benchmark testing will take place next week, Monday, 09/12 – Friday, 09/16. No studying is necessary and no homework is assigned during testing week.

Please have your children arrive at school on time equipped with a good night’s sleep and healthy breakfast. Testing will start first thing in the morning and be completed before lunch. Thank you for your cooperation and for helping us help your children to be successful.

Job Opportunities

Our school lunch provider, Blue Willo Catering, has several job openings to offer! If you'd like to catch a glimpse of your child(ren) during their lunch period, a school server position might be fun! See below for all three opportunities:

* 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 obtain a fingerprint clearance card.

Please reply to Blue Willo Catering at info@bluewillocatering.com.

Yearbook 10% Savings

The new school year just started but already we have a yearbook deal for you! Order your 2022-2023 SJB Yearbook by September 30th to save 10%. Click this link for savings: 2022-23EarlybirdDealyearbook.pdf

Nurse's Notes

Thank you all for your continued generous donations to the health office and the teachers' workroom. Your kindness is truly appreciated.

And remember, every $10 donation of goods or cash is equal to one service hour.

Jean Pelrine, RN

480.219.4848 x5102

Innovation Learning — Our NEW

**Before- and After-School Program**

Before- and/or after-school care is now provided by Innovation Learning. We no longer use ESP. To allow adequate staffing, however, children must register one week prior and sign up for the days and times needed. Please see the Innovation Learning website for more details.

Innovation Learning is a full-service program for preschool through 8th-grade children who need to be dropped off early and/or picked up late.

Contact the customer service team to determine if you qualify for a discount program: (866) 239-3661 or info@innovationlearning.com.

Register Here

Mark your calendar for Raise Days, a popular 2-day, bonus-earning event through the RaiseRight app. Significant bonuses will be offered and apply exclusively to eGift cards and reloaded gift cards.

If you haven’t signed up for the RaiseRight app yet, click here for instructions so you can take advantage of Raise Days bonuses! You can plan ahead with a sneak peek of brands on bonus on September 14.

Please email sjbscrip@sjbosco.org to place an order or with any questions.

Tailgate and Toss

October 1st @ 5 PM

Join us for a great night of tailgatin’ and tossin’ at the Dads' Club Annual Tailgate Party. We will be streaming live college football games, eating great food, and hosting our infamous Bags Tournament where you can win bragging rights for the rest of the school year!

Saturday, Oct 1st @ 5pm (note new date)

Cost: $10 per person (adults only)

Location: SJB Courtyard

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE TAILGATE PARTY

Why Be Catholic?

Defending Your Catholic Faith:

School & Parish Mission Series (Bilingual)

Join author and speaker Martin Zavala, former atheist and Jehovah's witness, for answers to common Protestant objections to Catholicism. October 4, 5, & 6 at SJB. Click here for details

TONIGHT! Friday, September 9: Dads' Club Meeting, 7–8PM, SJB MPR
Monday–Friday, 09/12–09/16: Acadience/DIBELS/MAP Assessments
Bilingual School + Parish Mission Series: Defending the Catholic Faith Click Here for Details

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.

PARISH NEWS

BBQ & Boot Scoot

The St. Benedict Events Committee is seeking donations of wine, gift cards, event tickets, and silent auction items for this year's BBQ and Boot Scoot Dinner. Items may be brought to either the parish or school office or email events@stbenedict.org for item pick up.

Thank you for your participation. It will be a wild, good time!

COMMUNITY NEWS

Seton Catholic Prep Band Night at Chase Field

Diamondbacks-Padres, Thursday, September 15

Along with bands from across Arizona, Seton Catholic Prep’s Band will be performing the National Anthem at Chase Field at the Diamondbacks-Padres game on Thursday, September 15th. Special discounted tickets are being offered to help offset the costs of their spring trip to California.

Seats are lower-level baseline and are $26 + online fee (about $5). For every ticket sold, the band receives $3 back towards their trip.

SCP enthusiastically invites everyone to purchase a special discounted ticket, either through this link or the QR code here: Seton Band Performance Flyer

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.