NOTES FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Parents,
Can you believe that Tuesday is already the 100th day of school? It is amazing to see how much our students have grown spiritually, physically, and academically in that short time. All are invited to attend the Preschool and Kindergarten 100th Day of School Parade Tuesday morning following morning prayer and announcements.
Our Catholic Schools Week committee has been eagerly planning exciting events for our 21st Annual SJB Catholic Schools Week. We will kick off the week with an assembly in the courtyard followed by a different fun event each day. Students will also get to wear something special each day to celebrate the theme of the day. We have many entertaining events planned; for details, see this Catholic Schools Week Schedule of Events and the CSW section below for more information.
Joyful Blessings,
Jamie Bescak, M.Ed., Principal
Jamie Bescak, M.Ed., Principal
Do everything in love.
SCHOOL NEWS
SJB in the NEWS
Watch the Arizona Daily Mix THIS Monday, Jan. 23 at 9:00 AM! Tune into AZTV Channel 7 to see our very own principal Mrs. Jamie Bescak discuss our beloved St. John Bosco Catholic School. Here is the link if you would like to watch it LIVE online.
As we prepare to celebrate Catholic Schools Week we invite all families to attend our Celebration of Learning Open House on February 1 and witness first-hand all SJB has to offer. Our master teachers, beautiful campus, state-of-the-art STEM lab, differentiated curriculum, and so much more will be on full display.
Regular Drop-off and Pick-up
Times Resume
Please remember that regular drop-off and pick-up times have resumed since road construction has been halted. Gates open at 7:30 AM; first bell is 7:45 AM; and last bell is 7:50 AM. Students arriving after 7:50 AM will be considered tardy.
Students should be picked up promptly at 3:00 PM unless they are attending tutoring until 3:30 PM or attending after-care with Innovation Learning. Please be mindful of pick-up times — 3:30 PM on M–TH and 12:30 PM on Fridays. Our teachers have meetings and other obligations after school each day and the front office closes at 3:30 PM on M–TH or 1:00 PM on Fridays. We very much appreciate your diligence.
FREE DRESS DAY
Thank you to all who registered and/or attended the Diocese of Phoenix virtual Night of Hope on November 3rd, 2022. We truly appreciate your support for Catholic Education!
For all who participated, your child’s teacher will give your child a Free Dress Day pass that may be used on Thursday, January 26. Check his/her backpack for this coveted reward and please make sure to follow the Free Dress Day rules in the Parent-Student Handbook.
Best of Ahwatukee Survey
Click the link above or scan the QR code to vote. See numbered categories below to save time:
SECURE YOUR SPOT!
**Last chance to secure your child's seat before Open Enrollment begins**
Money-Saving Note: Families who re-enroll by February 28, 2023, will receive a discounted enrollment fee of $150 per K–8 student and/or $200 for Preschool, with a family maximum of $250. On March 1, enrollment fees will increase to $200 for K–8 students and/or $225 for Preschool, with a family maximum of $300.
Bonus Incentive: Families who re-enroll their student(s) by Monday, February 28 will receive a free dress day for their child(ren)!
Referral Program: Each referring family will receive $300 credit towards their child’s tuition/fees for each family they refer and who enrolls for the 2023-24 school year. Spread the news about what our school has to offer!
PLEASE NOTE: We are experiencing a flurry of calls expressing interest in our school; thus, current families are strongly advised to re-enroll early to ensure a spot for next year. Specific instructions for re-enrollment were emailed to all existing parents.
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK!
It's almost here! We will kick off the week with Penny Wars and SVDP Dream Center Drive so make sure children bring coins and toys starting on January 30. And in typical Catholic take-care-of-our-neighbors fashion, we request canned or boxed food to fill the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry for our annual Cans Across Campus tradition.
FIELD DAY
Tuesday, January 31
Field Day, one of our students' favorite days of the year, is coming soon and parents are invited to join the fun!
We celebrate the joy of Catholic Education with a morning of fun and games followed by a free lunch! But it takes a village to pull it off so we invite parents to sign up below to help:
Catholic Schools Week OPEN HOUSE
On the evening of February 1, 5:30–7:00 pm, our annual Catholic Schools Week “Celebration of Learning” Open House will showcase our entire school from preschool through 8th grade. If you have any friends or family members looking for school options next year, please tell them to save this date and RSVP here if they plan to attend. Our School Board members and Campus Ambassadors will be ready to give them a personal tour. Current parents and students are also invited to attend.
Student Tuition Organization (STO) representatives will be in the courtyard to explain how SJB makes Catholic Education affordable for ALL families as our SJB Children’s Choir provides listening enjoyment for families touring the campus.
Students' Art Masterpiece projects will be on display in their classrooms for parents to admire and/or purchase. Make sure to check out 5th–8th-grade Science Fair projects in the MPR. Preschool–4th-grade classrooms will also be open and displaying their own science and STEM projects.
VIP Day: Friday, February 3
We are honored to close Catholic Schools Week with VIP Day. On this day, students may invite a special person (aunt, uncle, grandparent, or parent) to school to show them around our beautiful campus. Ideally, this would be a person who hasn't had the opportunity to see our campus and/or volunteer. Please note: VIPs must be 21 years or older.
- 10:00 AM: All VIPs check in at the front office, then enjoy coffee and donuts in the courtyard. Campus Ambassadors escort VIPs to classrooms at 10:20 AM
- 10:20 PM: VIPs visit classrooms from 10:20 AM–10:50 AM.
- 11:00 AM: VIPs invited to attend mass and sit with the students
- After Mass: Students may leave with VIP but must sign out in the front office
Please RSVP For Your Child’s VIP HERE.
Get Your Tickets Now – Only a Few Tickets Remain!
Purchase Tickets and Sponsorships HERE
~ Teacher Experiences ~
See the Full List HERE
Parking Spot Ticket Sales End on Monday, January 23 at 5:00 PM.
Thank you to our GENEROUS SPONSORS:
DIAMOND Sponsors: *Platinum Sponsor*
Collabrie The Brimmage Family
GWP and Associates
Junior Engineering School Gold Sponsors:
Tempe Chrysler Jeep Dodge Kia St. Benedict Catholic Church
The Brown Family
Anton Uniform
SAVE THE DATE!
Saturday, February 11
Bring your favorite girls to the Annual St. John Bosco Father/Daughter Dance SATURDAY, February 11, 7–9 PM in the SJB Courtyard. Enjoy a date night under the stars with live DJs, dancing, a photographer, snacks/beverages, and plenty of lasting memories. Admission for the whole family is only $30 and includes a family photograph!
Registration opens next week — Stay tuned!
Registration opens next week — Stay tuned!
SAVE THE DATE
for TRIVIA NIGHT
February 24
SPRING SPORTS REGISTRATION
Closes NEXT Friday—January 27
Baseball (boys) and basketball (girls) registration is now open. Practices will begin the first week in February. CYAA forms must be completed for all participants and submitted by the deadline date of Jan. 27th — no exceptions.
We are currently seeking baseball coaches and would be grateful for your time and talent!
New Spirit Store Vendor
We are happy to announce a new vendor addition to our SJB Spirit Shop. Please welcome Dos Yahoos Print Co. Check out the NEW spirit shirts, with more on the way! Use the QR code or click on the link above to check out this NEW spirit wear.
Employment Opportunity
Our school has an opening for a part-time janitor. For more information or to apply, please click here.
GIRLS ON THE RUN
Girls on the Run is an amazing after-school program focusing on building girls' confidence, increasing physical activity, and learning important life skills — all while having fun with their friends. This program is for girls in 3rd through 5th grade and meets twice per week (Wednesdays 3:15–4:45 PM & Fridays 12:45–2:15 PM) for 10 weeks starting February 1. The program will conclude with a celebratory 5K run on April 29. Registration is now open. DON'T MISS OUT ON THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUR DAUGHTER!
Visit Girls on the Run for more details and to register. If you have any questions, please contact SJB parent/coach Jennifer Villalba @ 480.235.5927
SCRIP SHOP
St. John Bosco Catholic School Scrip Office
(480) 219-4848 x5108
Window Hours: Mondays 7:30–8:15 AM & Fridays 12:00–12:45 PM
Chess Club
A new session of Chess Club starts after school
on Wednesday, January 25.
PARISH NEWS
BINGO TONIGHT
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20
6–8 pm
COMMUNITY NEWS
Seton Catholic Prep will host two Sentinel Spiritline clinics for 6th–8th graders next week on Tuesday, January 24 & Friday, January 27!
Click your preferred date above for details. Registration will open soon, so sign up early or come the day of! #SentinelFamily
- Fri. 1/20: Parish Bingo & Bake Sale TONIGHT
- Sun. 1/29–Fri. 2/3: Catholic Schools Week
FEBRUARY Sneak Peek:
- Wed. 2/1: Open House 5:30–7 PM
- Thurs. 2/2: Open House 9–11 AM
- Sat. 2/4: Bosco Gala
- Sat. 2/11: Father-Daughter Dance
- Fri. 2/24: Trivia Night
Stay up to date on classroom happenings by following us on Instagram @sjbbulldogs or Facebook@stjohnboscocatholicschool. We also encourage families to tag SJB on any photos or videos they post of their child(ren) from their personal social media accounts.
Until Monday ...
Below are helpful links to information over the weekend:
School Website: https://sjbosco.org/
School Calendar: https://sjbosco.org/calendar
Faculty & Staff Contacts: https://sjbosco.org/faculty-staff
School Lunch Program: https://sjbosco.org/school-lunch
Parish Website: https://stbenedict.org/
The Bulldog Bite: Dr. Teri Pistacchio Aguiar, editor
Past Bulldog Bites: https://sjbosco.org/ (below Principal Bescak's picture)
Upcoming events are always available on our website events page.
For a more detailed list of yearly events, check the SJB website online calendar.
