Academy news 2/23/08

:  As many of you may have heard, the SJJ community suffered a loss this week when 1996 graduate Eric Floyd passed away from complications from injuries incurred in a car accident.  Eric was a CYO basketball coach for the Academy, assisting his younger brother, John, with one of the 7^th grade teams.  Our prayers are with his family and also with the family of 8^th grade student James O’Shea, whose grandfather passed away this week.   Our hope is that the members of the Floyd and O’Shea families have many good memories to comfort them as they deal with the loss of a loved one. On a happier note, congratulations to 8^th grade student Tony Calamunci, who represented us in the Lucas County Spelling Bee last Tuesday.  Tony made it to the second round before he was eliminated. Mr. Nichols is busy preparing with the students for the Science Olympiad next Saturday, March 1 on the Lima campus of Ohio State University.  We are competing in fourteen different events in hopes of advancing to the state finals in Columbus. We will send out a mailing next week with forms for various upcoming activities, including a flyer about the basketball banquet that will be held on Wednesday, March 5 at 6:30 p.m. in the commons.  Another date to check is Saturday, April 12 when we invite Academy students to join us for the 2:00 p.m. performance of “Les Miserables” at the Valentine Theater.  This production is staged by our high school students and promises to be a great experience for the Academy. As fundraising efforts continue to help defray the cost of class trips the next event will be a bake sale on Thursday, March 6.  So when you come to the basketball banquet on March 5 you can bring along a bake sale item for the next day.    This Friday, February 29 we will reflect on the Stations of the Cross in a prayer service in the chapel.  The Stations are a Lenten devotion in which we recall the last events in the life of Jesus and the sorrow endured by his mother, Mary. Friday, February 29 also marks the end of the third quarter, the shortest of the year, especially when you include the snow days.  Report cards will be sent home by the end of the following week. 

Academy newsletter 2/16/08

:  I hope you are all enjoying a long weekend.  This Tuesday we look forward to a visit from “Children’s Stage Adventures,” (www.childrensstageadventures.org) a group that is working with the Ohio Theater in Toledo to promote the arts among students.  They will present workshops to academy dealing with the art of mime and theater games that help develop focus, awareness, and team building.  We’ll post some pictures on the website after their visit.  Be sure to ask your son on Tuesday evening if he enjoyed the presentation. It looks like we’re set for our “Academy Basketball Appreciation Night” to take place on March 5 at 6:30 p.m. in the commons.  A reservation form will be sent home this week and also e-mailed.   Anyone interested in playing tennis this spring will have a chance to learn more about the program next Friday afternoon when Coach Tom Brell will be here to meet with the prospective players.  If your son ever had an interest in playing, now is the time.  Also, a Wednesday after-school golf program is available beginning in April and continuing through May.  Instruction will take place in the golf dome at South Toledo Golf Course in April and the boys will be golfing on the course in May.  Registration forms will be available to the students this week. Mr. Nichols and I will be in Columbus on Thursday attending the Ohio Middle School Association conference.   Congratulations to Mr. Carroll and the SJJ swim team for winning the school’s first ever district swimming title.  Now it’s on to the state finals next weekend in Canton. The 7^th grade students enjoyed pizza and a euchre tournament with their high school “Big Brothers” last week.  We’re not completely finished, but our first finalists are the team of 7^th grader Ben Brossia and junior Chad Stein. A reminder that Wednesday evening is our Academy information night beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Auditorium.  If you know anyone who might be interested in the Academy, please encourage them to attend. 

Academy newsletter 2/10/08

Attached is a flyer about the TRIP-SCRIP program here at school.  Please take a few minutes to read it.  The program is a great opportunity for everyone to reduce their tuition while doing the regular shopping and eating out that is already a part of your routine.  It is already helping many families reduce their tuition by a considerable amount.   Two important calendar reminders for the week:  there is a late start on Wednesday, February 13.  Students do not need to be here until 9:15 am. for homeroom.  Students will have a day off this Friday, February 15 as all of us on staff will be here for an in-service day.  Since next Monday, February 18 is Presidents’ Day that means they can enjoy a four-day weekend! Academy information night for those interested in joining us here next year is Wednesday, February 20 in the auditorium.  If you know anyone who is interested please encourage them to attend.  The admissions test will be given Saturday, February 23 at 8:30 a.m. in the Academy classroom area. Congratulations to the 8^th grade for successfully completing their “Mission to Mars” in record time last Tuesday at the Challenger Center.  Their achievement is a testament to teamwork and good preparation by Mr. Nichols.  Look for pictures on the website in a few days. Attention parents of Academy basketball players:  we are planning a season-ending celebration for all teams here at school.  We are checking schedules with all the coaches, but we are tentatively looking at the first week of March for this event.  We will have a definite date next week.