March 10, 2023
Principal’s Corner
Dear SJCA Families:
May the peace of the Lord be with you ~
SHOUT OUT to our soccer teams and coaches for a great season. The students really enjoyed being able to play soccer which would not have been possible without our parent coaches, K – 2: Mrs. Nicole Neumann and Mr. Isaiah Rodriguez and 3 – 5 Ms. Suleima Garica and Mr. Brian Rutherford who generously donated their time, patience and love. Heartfelt CONGRATULATIONS to our 3-5th grade for winning the championship game yesterday against Holy Nativity. I was so impressed with their skill development over the course of the season in addition to their high level of team coordination and sportsmanship. There will be a celebration after we return from break. Soon after break, basketball season will begin and we are grateful for the following parent volunteers who are making it possible, K – 2 Mrs. Nicole and Mr. Jason Neumann and Mr. Isaias Rodriguez and 3 – 5 Mrs. Maria Buxton and Mr. Louis Bertella.
Pope Francis is an avid soccer fan and he teaches that:
“Sport is a very rich source of values and virtues that help us to become better people. Like the athlete during training, practicing sport helps us to give our best, to discover our limits without fear, and to struggle daily to improve. In this way, to the extent that each Christian grows in holiness, he or she will bear greater fruit for our world. For the Christian athlete, holiness will, therefore, consist in living sports as a means of encounter, personality formation, witnessing and proclaiming the joy of being Christian with the people around oneself.”
– Pope Francis “Giving the Best of Yourself” 2018
Open Enrollment for new families begins on Monday March 20th. Grades K-3 are forecasted to be full shortly with a waiting list so please remember that BioUpdates in PowerSchool for existing families should be complete by end of business today, March 10th. If you have any issues or questions about PowerSchool, the office will reopen and be available on Monday March 20th at 7:30 am.
Our Annual Sip n Support fundraiser is scheduled for April 15th at 6 pm in the parish hall. This was an event enjoyed by all with auction items including student artwork, gift baskets, a wine toss, etc. As a person who does not usually enjoy social events, last year was a wonderful time of warmth, laughter and good conversation. The cost to educate a student at SJCA exceeds our yearly tuition by approximately $1,000/student and this event is our main avenue for closing that gap. If you know of a local business owner who would be willing to be a sponsor or donate items for the auction, please contact Mrs. Nikki Thomas or Ms Boncaro (co-cochairs) at sjcasipandsupport@sjseagles.org.
I am happy to share that we have filled our open literature and history positions in the middle school for the 2023-2024 school year. Mr. Christopher Hatch and Miss Rebecca Peter (soon to be Mrs. Hatch) have accepted positions in our middle school and their love of literature, language arts, and the faith will allow our students to learn from passionate area experts. It has been a prayer of mine on behalf of our middle school to increase the level of expertise along with a genuine heart for the middle school years. Miss Peter holds an undergraduate degree in English, Economics and Environmental Studies from Florida Atlantic University along with a Master’s Degree in English from FAU. Mr. Hatch is an Air Force veteran where he served as a firefighter crew chief and holds a bachelor’s degree in English and Creative Writing. They will be married in June and look forward to joining our faith and teaching community and relocating to Panama City this summer.
Please pray for two of our teachers, Ms. Boncaro and Mr. Hatch, who have applied to the Catholic Educator Formation and Credential Program, an alternative to State licensure, approved by the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, involving 18 months of formation and professional development. This is a national credential that prepares educators to infuse a deeply Catholic philosophy and practice of education into their teaching which we know will be a blessing for the entire community. This is another pillar of our renewal project as we transition fully into classical Catholic education by providing actionable professional development opportunities for teachers who commit to remaining at the Academy for a significant portion of their professional career. We appreciate your ongoing prayers as we invest in and cultivate a stable teaching community who will serve at SJCA for years to come.
Finally, please be assured of my prayers as you enjoy family time, additional rest and the continuation of our lenten journey with Jesus. I look forward to welcoming the students back on Monday March 20th and hearing about their adventures.
Through Christ our Teacher ~
Sister Grace Ford, Er. Dio.
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