As we move more into the routine of the school year additional activities are beginning. Next week we will begin our band program with Xavier Smith, Director of Instrumental Music, working with both beginning and advanced groups of students twice a week. The following week Luke Rosen, Director of Choral Music, will work with groups of 7th and 8th grade students who will form the Academy Chorus. Also, the week of September 15 our 7th grade exploratory language class will experience their first look at a new language when they learn about the German language and culture for the week.
A great resource for the students is the Learning Center and our Academy Learning Specialist, Mrs. Marcia Chambers began working with the boys last week. Mrs. Chambers will be here from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and will be available to help the boys prepare for tests, improve study skills, review writing assignments, as well as coordinate our enrichment program. This is her third year with us and she has been an invaluable resource for the Academy students. Finally, one more new program will begin next week when a guidance counselor joins us for the first semester to work with the boys helping them with transition issues, challenges with socialization and relationships, and other difficulties they may be encountering. Following is an introductory note from the counselor, Mussa Orra:
Dear Parents-
My name is Mussa Orra, and I am currently working at St. John’s as a guidance counselor-intern under the direct supervision of Bob Borman, SJJ guidance counselor. The reason that I am writing this letter is because I wanted to inform you that I have been given the opportunity to work with the Academy students as a guidance counselor. My counseling duties include assisting the students with academic issues, behavioral issues, the transition from the SJJ Academy to the SJJ high school, and generally any other concerns that students and parents may have.
Currently I am a graduate student at the University of Toledo earning my Master’s degree in both School and Community Counseling, and am on track to receive my school counseling license this December 2008. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, also at the University of Toledo. I myself am a graduate of SJJ, class of 2002, and am looking forward to giving back to the community that has given so much to me.
I look forward to the wonderful opportunity that I have been given and hope to help make SJJ a great experience for your children as well. Please feel free to contact me with any questions, concerns, or comments.
8th grade students reunited with their high school Big Brothers this week enjoying a lunch and working together to build a device to catch and egg as it was dropped from increasing heights. Congratulations to 8th grade students Kevin Eberle, Tom Schafer, and Ron Birchfield along with their high school Big Brothers, Ryan Knight, Ryan Wittman, and Walt Anderson for building devices that successfully caught their eggs that were dropped from the top of the Academy staircase without breaking. They will receive a dress down day pass and a free lunch voucher. (look for pictures from the egg drop contest and the canoe trips to be posted on our website, www.sjjatitans.org, in a few days) Next week we will match the 7th grade up with juniors who have volunteered to serve as Big Brothers.
Our sympathy goes out to 8th grade student Benito Perales and his family on the loss of Benito’s great-grandfather for whom Benito was named. Often losing a grandparent is the first experience with loss and grief that a student experiences and to help students express and deal with their grief Mr. Heintschel, along with a counselor from outside the building, organize a grief support group that will start meeting in the coming days. Any Academy student is welcome to participate in this group. Also, if your family experiences a loss during the school year please let Mrs. Fritsch or me know so we can notify the school campus ministry office and have the opportunity to express our sympathy.
Friday, September 26, beginning at 6:00 p.m., we will have a campout at the Beaver Creek Preserve, a part of the Wood County system of parks. We will be there from 6:00 p.m. on Friday until noon on Saturday. There is room for @ 50 people so we are giving the 8th grade the first opportunity to sign up. You are welcome to join us in camping out overnight in tents—you will have to bring your own tent—or just join us for the evening or morning. Below is a link with more information on Beaver Creek.
http://www.woodcountyparkdistrict.org/beaver_creek_preserve.htm
We will be sending more information home this week, but if you think you are interested please let me know as soon as possible.
A few calendar notes:
Wednesday, September 17 school will start one hour late; students do not need to be here until 9:15 a.m.
Thursday, September 18 Academy Parent Night from 7:00-9:00 p.m. meet the teachers, learn about class trips, etc.
Monday, September 22 no school—staff will be at a conference held here at SJJ
