Academy newsletter 2/23/09

It was a busy weekend with the admissions test of next year’s 7^th graders on Saturday morning, the Mardi Gras/Reverse Raffle on Saturday evening (it was good to see many Academy parents in attendance), and “Sundaes with Mom” Sunday evening.  The “Sundaes” event was an enjoyable evening as we played some games, enjoyed a light supper, made picture frames for mother/son “portraits” that were taken in the commons, and, of course, enjoyed ice cream sundaes.  Also, congratulations to one of our 8^th grade basketball teams for their tournament championship victory on Sunday—see the following note form Mr. Butler:

 

 

          Just wanted to take a second to congratulate Coach Starcher’s 8th grade basketball team on winning their season ending basketball tournament yesterday afternoon at Cardinal Stritch High School. Due to the fact that they are on such a roll, Coach Starcher has entered them in another tournament this weekend. We wish them and Coach Periatt’s 7th grade team the best, as they to will be participating in tournament games this weekend.  

Mr. Butler

 

* PLEASE NOTE PRACTICE TIMES FOR THIS WEEK….

PERIATT

MONDAY FEB. 23RD (5:30 – 7:00)

WED. FEB. 25TH (7:00 – 8:30)                STARCHER

MONDAY. FEB. 23RD (5:30 – 7:00)

WED. FEB. 25TH (7:00 – 8:30)

 

On to a new week.  This is the last week of the third quarter–I know, where did it go?  Most teachers do not give third quarter exams, but many will have a test this week.  Please make sure your son has completed all his projects and homework so he finishes the quarter on a high note. 

 

Wednesday begins the holy season of Lent.  We will celebrate a separate Academy Ash Wednesday mass at 8:30 a.m. in the main chapel.  Parents, relatives, and friends are welcome to join us. 

 

A reminder that every Tuesday after school the Boy Scout meets in the Academy from 3:30-4:30 p.m.  Newcomers are always welcome! 

 

Academy students are invited to join the Adventure Club on a Ski/Snowboard Weekend to Boyne Highlands, Michigan from March 6-8.  Total cost is $227 with equipment rental.  For more information contact Kym Sloan at 419-704-8593 or kymbsa@bex.net

 

Our condolences go out to Chase and Casey Shugarman and their mom, Joni Coci, on the passing of Joseph Coci, Joni’s father, and the boys’ grandfather.  Grandparents play such an important role in students’ lives and their passing is often a young person’s first experience with grief.  Academy students are always welcome to participate in a “Grief Group” sponsored by Mr. Heintschel.  They meet every 2-3 weeks and several high school students also participate.

 

A mission collection is being held this week to raise funds for the spring break Appalachian service trip.  Funds collected help purchase supplies and much needed materials to assist the people who live in the impoverished area.  Academy 8^th grade students will be a part of the service team.

 

The car raffle has been extended to April 4 when the winning ticket will be drawn at intermission of the spring musical, “Beauty and the Beast.”  So, you have a little more time to reduce the cost of your son’s class trip by $10 for every ticket sold.  The 7^th grade trips are coming up in March, but we can give you a few more days for final payment extending it until Friday, March 13.

 

Have a good week.

Academy newsletter 2/14/09

:  Hope you are all enjoying a four-day weekend.  This is a great opportunity for the boys to work on projects—8^th graders have Social Studies and English projects-and catch up on any missing homework.  The third quarter ends on February 27 so remind your sons to use the extra time they have to make sure they are caught up and in good standing in all their classes.

 

Next week is “Spirit Week” at school and students may dress down—an SJJ t-shirt and jeans—every day or dress according to the theme of the day.  Tuesday is “pajama day.”  We’ll have the list for the rest of the week posted when the boys return on Tuesday so they can be prepared for the theme days.

 

Best wishes to our Lego Robotics team, which is competing in the state tournament this weekend at Wright State University in Dayton.  Thanks again to coaches Vicki Kurtz and Carol Wedding and SJJ Tech Coordinator Joni Trempe for all their time and effort working with the boys.

 

We also extend our best wishes to Dominic Scarlett who will represent us in the Lucas County Spelling Bee Tuesday, February 17 at 7:00 p.m. at the Maumee Theater.

 

This Thursday, February 19 we will hold another Academy Information Night at 7:00 p.m.  Please encourage anyone you now who might be interested in joining us next year to attend.  We will administer the Academy admission test next Saturday, February 21 at 8:30 a.m. and next Monday, February 23 at 5:00 p.m.

 

Wednesday, February 18 at 6:30 p.m. we will hold an informational spring sports meeting.  Coaches from all the spring sports will be on hand to share information about their programs and answer any questions.  Contact Academy Athletic Director Nick Butler at nbutler@sjjtitans.org if you have any questions.

 

Next Saturday, February 21 is the “Mardi Gras/Reverse Raffle” here at school which includes a great dinner provided by “Bravo’s” restaurant, a reverse raffle, games of chance, a silent auction, and music and snacks throughout the evening. It’s a great time and an important fundraiser for the Fathers’ and Mothers’ clubs.  Let me know if you need a ticket or more information.

 

Sunday, February 22 is “Sundaes with Mom,” a chance for Academy students to enjoy some time with their mom, a light dinner and, of course, ice cream sundaes are on the menu along with games and activities—no battleball, though!  Activities start at 5:00 p.m. in the commons and we’ll conclude at 7:30 p.m.  So we know how many to plan for I’m asking that you e-mail Kris Fritsch, Academy administrative assistant, at kfritsch@sjjtitans.org, to let us know if you’re coming.

 

Students who are in our 7^th grade seventh period exploratory class will be part of another new program at the Academy as we begin a mini-class on public speaking.  Chris Davis, a BGSU graduate student in communications will join me in working with these students to hone their communication and public speaking skills.  It should be enriching and enjoyable.    

 

Seventh grade class trips are coming up in March.  23 students are signed up for the Space Camp experience with the remainder going on the Chicago trip.  Please remember that these trips must be paid for before departing.  The tour company requires us to pay before we leave so we ask your help in making that possible.  The Chicago trip is $300 and the Space Camp trip is $500.  Checks can be made out to SJJ and sent in anytime.  Remember, any car raffle tickets sold by your son reduce the cost of the trip by $10 for each ticket sold.

 

Enjoy the rest of the weekend.

Academy newsletter 2/9/09

We have an abbreviated, but busy week ahead.  Tomorrow is our first “Academy Career/Service Opportunity Day.”  While the high school is engaged in house activities Academy students will be learning about a career or performing service in the community.  Forty-five Academy students are taking the opportunity to shadow a professional for the day while the remaining students will be serving at either Camp Miakonda, the Catholic Club, or the Toledo Seagate Foodbank.  An important note—school ends at 2:00 p.m. tomorrow—the SJJ buses will leave the school at 2:06 p.m. while the other buses will be on their regular schedule.

 

Thursday morning we will have a late start.  Students do not need to be here until 9:15 a.m., however the building will be open for those who need to come at their usual time.

 

Friday all of the staff will be involved in meetings so there is no school for the students, thus kicking off a four-day weekend as Monday we are closed for Presidents’ Day.

 

May I suggest that sometime between Wednesday, February 11 and Sunday, February 15 you stop at Westfield Shopping Center and treat yourself—and your family—to a delicious “Wetzel Pretzel?”   Why, you ask?  Kyle and Lori Brodie, parents of 7^th grade students Nick, are the owners of “Wetzel’s Pretzels” and they are donating 20% of their sales during Feb.11-Feb. 15 to the Academy class trip fund.  Forms were sent home with the students on Friday and they are also being mailed home today.  Thanks to the Brodies for their support!

 

Congratulations to our MathCounts team on their tie for first place in the district competition on Saturday.  Using tie-breaking mechanisms we were officially moved to second place, but our team moves on to the state competition in Columbus.  Congratulations to Sean Wheelock, Harry Thaman, Connor Bopp, and Dominic Zirbel.  Thanks also goes to Ben Oberhaus, Dominic Scarlett, Zach Oberhaus, Dylan Futrell, Mazzin Elsamaloty, Nick Carroll, Raymond Antypas, and Amir Horani for their participation and to Mr. Szynkowski for his great coaching job preparing the boys for the competition.

 

 

Don’t forget to turn in car raffle tickets.  Students receive a $10 credit towards their class trip for each ticket they sell.  A limited number of tickets will be sold and the winning ticket will be drawn at the “Mardi Gras/Reverse Raffle” on Saturday, February 21. 

 

A spring sports information night will be held on Wednesday, February 18 at 6:30 p.m. in the commons.  This is an opportunity to learn about all the spring sports and to speak with the coaches.  Contact Mr. Butler, mbutler@sjjtitans.org, if you have any questions.

 

Finally, a great service opportunity for 8^th grade students is approaching—the spring break Appalachian Service Experience.  We have openings for six 8^th graders to join a group of SJJ high school students working in Nagatuck, West Virginia doing small construction projects, working with local residents, and learning to live with less for a  few days from April 12-17.  Let me know if your son is interested.  I’ll be meeting with the boys this week and sending more information home. 

 

 

Academy Newsletter 2/2/09

:  Sorry this edition is a day or two behind, but hopefully, it is just as timely.

 

It was great to see so many of you at “Academy Premiere Night” last Thursday evening at the Maumee Theater.  Seven groups of students presented their original films in front of an audience of over 200 people.  We concluded our time with Ed Radtke, our filmmaker in residence throughout January, on Friday and returned to a normal pace of Academy life today.  Our “normal pace,” however is still pretty hectic!

 

Last Saturday nine students participated in the Power of the Pen district writing competition.  We look forward to receiving the results next week to discover if any students advanced to the regional competition.  Thanks to Bob Scarlett, father of 8^th grade student Dominic, and Mrs. Chambers for serving as judges for us.

 

This Saturday twelve students will represent the Academy as we attempt to defend our crown as district MathCounts champions on Saturday at the UT College of Engineering. 

 

Archery, scuba diving, and swimming—Academy students started “diving into” these activities last week.  Through a grant we received from the Ohio Department of Wildlife we joined the National Archery in Schools Program and Mr. Butler and Mr. Szynkowski have been working with @ 20 students each day.  Groups of 8^th graders started learning about scuba diving last Friday through a program with Aqua Hut on Reynolds Road, and starting tomorrow fifteen Academy students will learn how to swim through a program we developed with the Wolf Creek YMCA.  These opportunities replace the students’ physical education class for the time they are engaged in the activity.  Next month we’ll be providing unique opportunities in the arts, including pottery and metal working.

 

This Thursday, February 5 at 7:00 p.m. is our first Academy information night for students interested in joining us next year.  Please encourage any friends or relatives who may have an interest in the Academy to attend. 

 

A reminder—Tuesday, February 10 is “Academy Career/Service Opportunity Day.”  Please complete the yellow selection form that was mailed home so we know if your son will be learning about a career that day or would like to participate in service work. We have organized three service activities:  working at Camp Miakonda; painting and cleaning at the Catholic Club; and packing boxes of food at the Toledo Seagate Foodbank.  The school day ends at 2:00 p.m. that day as the high school is holding a “House Day” and the SJJ buses will leave at 2:00 p.m. with other buses keeping their usual schedule.

 

If you still owe for football, basketball, or wrestling fees please send your payment in a soon as possible.  We have to pay these fees before the seasons begin and we rely on your help to cover these costs.

 

Congratulations to 8^th grader Dominic Scarlett, who won the Academy Spelling Bee and will represent us at the Lucas County Spelling Bee on Tuesday, February 17 at 7:00 p.m. at the Maumee Theater.

 

Students can look forward to lunch with their high school “Big Brothers” next week. 

 

Thanks to those who continue to support our cell phone collection program.  We appreciate your cooperation and trust.  So far we have not had any problems as a result of students turning their cell phones in each morning and receiving them back at the end of the day.  On Wednesday we‘ll be handing out dress down passes for those students who turn their cell phone in as a token of our appreciation for their cooperation.

 

Another reminder—no school On Friday, February 13 as we will be here for a staff in-service day and there is no school on Monday, February 16 in honor of Presidents’ Day.