Academy newsletter 1/19/09

:  We’re in the last day of an unexpected four-day weekend thanks to the cold weather.   Things were back on track by Saturday and we had over 1200 7^th and 8^th graders attend our “Fun Night/Dance.”  Thanks to all those parents who were able to assist us as we once again had a problem-free evening.  The success of these events is a real tribute to all the young people who attend and enjoy the time without causing any problems.  Anytime you have 1200 people in one place there is a chance there could be some trouble, but credit goes to these young people for their outstanding behavior and their ability to have a good time in a positive manner.

 

Tuesday we will begin the day with an Academy assembly that will include a presentation from Jake Eddingfield, a SJJ alum who is spent the fall semester in Guatemala working with impoverished children at a local school.  Jake is trying to raise the financial support to go back for the winter semester and weare happy to help himaswehave committed to raising

$280.00 to support Jake for a month in his mission to the children of Guatemala.   Also at our assembly we will split the students into small groups to be lead by Mr. Nichols, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Szynkowski, Mr. Bumpus, Mr. Butler, and me.  The purpose of these groups is to provide more individual attention and support for the students.  As we have grown to 100+ students we don’t want to lose the personal attention that is such a key component of our program and important for this age group. 

 

Over 30 students are actively engaged in the filmmaking process with Ed Radtke, our artist in residence.  One lesson they are all learning—making a film is hard work!  What we see on the screen is the result of hours of planning, rehearsing, shooting, and editing and it’s not all fun.  The end result, though, is a product to be proud of.  We are looking forward to the premier of the students’ films on Thursday, Janaury 29 at 7:00 p.m. at the Maumee Theater. Please plan to attend to support these young filmmakers.  The theater holds @ 400 people and we want a full house!

 

Next Tuesday all of the Academy students will learn even more about the film industry when local movie producer (and SJJ board member) will be here to discuss the producing aspect of the film business.  Mr. Iott’s latest film, “Call of the Wild 3-D” (www.callofthewild3d.com) is premiering at the Santa Monica Film Festival this week.  You are welcome to join us at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 27 to hear Mr. Iott and Ed Radtke share their experiences and their views.

 

The first meeting of the Academy Boy Scout troop will be after school tomorrow, January 20.  If your son is interested but unable to attend please contact troop leader Kym Sloan at kymbsa@buckeye-express.com.  

 

Starting the first week of February in partnership with the Wolf Creek YMCA we are able to offer a swimming phys. ed. unit for any students who would like to learn to swim or become better swimmers.  The unit consists of eight lessons in the mornings.  We can work around student schedules so there are no class conflicts.  We’ll be asking the students if they are interested, but they will need your permission to participate.  Also, in conjunction with Aqua Hut Diving Center we are once again offering an introduction to scuba diving for 8^th grade students.  The two hour lesson takes place on Friday mornings and the students can pick a day that works best for them.

 

A great evening for parents is coming up—Saturday, February 21 the Fathers’ and Mothers’ Clubs are sponsoring a “Mardi Gras Night” with dinner provided by Bravo’s from 5:30-7:30 p.m., a reverse raffle, and a silent auction.  Contact the school office for tickets or call Julie Sofo at 419-829-9928.  More info will be coming.

Academy Newsletter 1/12/09

:   As we face the prospect of more bad weather just a reminder that if we are delayed or cancelled it will be displayed on television as “Toledo Catholic Schools.”  We have used one day so far, let’s hope we don’t’ need many more.

 

There will be a late start on Wednesday, January 14.  Students do not have to be here until 9:15 p.m..

 

There will be a short meeting for those students who are interested in playing tennis this spring next Tuesday, January 13^th after school. The meeting should last about 20 minutes. If your son would like to play tennis but will not be able to attend the meeting, just have them stop by and let Mrs. Fritsch or Mr. Butler know sometime prior to the meeting.

 

We have another 7^th/8^th grade “Fun Night” coming up this Saturday and, as usual, we need help!  If you can assist us in chaperoning the 1000+ young people who usually attend please e-mail Kris fritsch at kfritsch@sjjtitans.org to let her know.

 

A baseball note from Bill Negrini regarding tryouts for the travel baseball team he coaches:

A number of kids that signed up did not show up at the tryout today. We assume that it was due to the snow and the cancellation of a number of other events. We will have a make up tryout next Sunday, Jan 18th from 3-4 pm at the same location, Greater Toledo Baseball.

Please let us know if you plan on attending the tryout.

Thanks,

Bill Negrini

 

 

Over 30 Academy students are actively working on a film project with our Artist in Residence, Ed Radtke.  Mark your calendars for the “Academy Movies World Premier Night” on Thursday, January 29 at the Maumee Theater on Conant Street at 7:00 p.m.  Admission is free and popcorn and beverages are provided.  Let’s pack the house to recognize the student filmmakers’ efforts.

 

On Thursday we kicked off our “Light the World” initiative with an Academy assembly that included a reporter and photographer form The Toledo Blade—look for a story soon.  Following is a note from Mrs. Chambers explaining the project (Mrs. Chambers has been the driving force behind this program and does a great job coordinating the enrichment opportunities for the Academy): On behalf of the Academy, we are very excited about our recent Bogo light kick off that is part of our year-long Green Light Project.  What started as a snowball has grown to an avalanche, and I wanted to share the recent updates with all of you.  

 

The Green Light Project is a year long study of alternative energy and global climate change.  The Academy teachers have been introducing these concepts and their implications in their lesson plans.  Several student conducted an energy analysis of the Academy to graph energy usage and waste.  Our Lego Robotics team built their state championship presentation on this concept as well, and created a website, www.4ourearth.net, to create awareness of alternative energy.    In addition, the Academy is implementing a Green newsletter to share information about green living and energy conservation.  

 

As part of an Academy Enrichment Program, some of our students took a different approach to creating awareness about energy.  In their research, they discovered the concept of “energy poverty” that impacts 1.9 billion people around the globe.  These people, who live primarily in third world countries, have no electricity.  They have no computers or cell phones.  They are not safe.  They cannot generate clean water or refrigerate medications.  And once the sun sets, they live in complete darkness unless they have kerosene, an expensive and dangerous source of light and heat.  The boys discovered a company that is trying to help.  They produce a solar powered flashlight called a Bogo (buy one, give one)  light.  Every time a Bogo light is purchased, one is given to someone in a third world country who is not on the electrical grid.  

 

The company that produces Bogo lights agreed to work with us to start a new program called “Schools Lighting The Way.”  I am proud to say that our school is the first to join this movement.  They manufactured a custom blue and gold Bogo light for us with our school crest imprinted on the side.  They even created a URL in make purchasing the Bogo lights easy.  It is www.schoolslightingtheway.com.  The Academy boys want to “light the world” by Earth day 2009.  Every time someone buys a blue and gold Bogo light from this site, one will be donated to a third world country.  The Academy boys hope to create awareness about energy poverty in the true spirit of being men for others.  

 

Yesterday, we had an assembly for the Academy and revealed the official SJJ Bogo light.  Each boy was presented with his own “Titans Lighting The Way” T-shirt.  The Toledo Blade joined us and stayed to interview the Academy students for an upcoming story about their work.  It will appear next week.  

 

In the true spirit of school unity, an SJJ High School student, Hassan Abbas,  created a group on Facebook called “Schools Lighting The Way” and uploaded a photo of the Titan Bogo Light.  This group is growing daily.  If you have a facebook page, please add this group to your profile page and help us to further the message about energy poverty and continue to drive awareness about our campaign.  

 

Report cards will be on their way in a couple of days.  Take care and pray for everyone’s safety during the days ahead!