NOTES FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Parents,
For the first time ever, a team of SJB students competed virtually in the National Catholic Academic Junior High Decathlon. This one-day competition for Catholic school students in Grades 6–8 is designed to showcase their knowledge of fine arts, science, math, literature, Catholic doctrine, and more. Our SJB team included sixth grader Jorge Rodriguez and seventh graders Sophia Bernardez, Celine Salloum, Theresa Gove, and Harmony Rodriguez.
I am so proud to report that Celine Salloum took 2nd place and Theresa Gove took 4th place out of a field of 21 competitors! Celine will represent SJB on March 25 in the national Decathlon. All five students performed brilliantly under the direction of SJB resource teacher Mrs. Anne Iniguez. Congratulations to all on this very successful inaugural event!
Next week, ALL students will have a chance to shine! Every Catholic elementary school in the Diocese of Phoenix will complete the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS) starting Monday, March 27th. This is the time for students to show how much they have grown academically over the past eight months. Our first-through-eighth graders will take the ITBS, and third- and sixth-graders will also take the Cognitive Ability Test (CogAT). Students in Grades 1–8 have been preparing all school year for the spring ITBS. As always, no studying is necessary for these assessments; the best preparation is a good night’s sleep and a healthy breakfast.
Testing will begin immediately following 8:00 AM prayer and announcements; thus, please make sure your children are at school on time and refrain from scheduling morning appointments next week. It is important that ALL students are in attendance and on time Monday–Friday to ensure we stay on schedule and to allow every student to do their personal best. Thank you for your continued support.
Joyful Blessings,
Jamie Bescak, M.Ed., Principal
Jamie Bescak, M.Ed., Principal
Do everything in love.
SCHOOL NEWS
ITBS Assessments Start Monday
Monday, March 27–Friday, March 31:
1st – 8th graders will take the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS)
Monday, April 3–Wednesday, April 5:
3rd and 6th graders will also take the Cognitive Ability Test (CogAT)
Help your children do their best by making sure they receive a good night’s sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and arrive at school on time each morning.
Stations of the Cross & Fish Fry
Today @ 6 pm
SLOTS STILL AVAILABLE
St. John Bosco School will be hosting the Stations of the Cross in the SJB courtyard TODAY, Friday, March 24 at 6 PM with a fish fry immediately following.
There are various ways to participate in this special evening. Families may sign up to read a selection of one or more of the fifteen Stations of the Cross. Or, if you'd prefer, you may sign up to help serve the fish meal to the community.
A copy of the Stations of the Cross family prayer service we use is linked in the salmon-colored button below. Choose the station that best suits your family.
Dads' Club Family Fun Run Saturday, March 25th
Please join us for the 2nd Annual SJB Family Fun Run on Saturday, March 25th. This is a 5K run/walk from SJB through Pecos Park and back. We will have a food truck, live music, and games for everyone after the run. Check-in will begin at 7:45 AM with the run starting at 9:00 AM and post-run festivities running until 12:00 PM. Adults are $35 and kids are $10; maximum cost per family is $80.
Talent Show
The Student Council will present the annual talent show on Thursday, April 20, and invite students in Grades K–8 students to participate in either of two ways:
- Art Show: Students may create a piece of art and scan it to Mrs. Rafford to be included in a slide show (krafford@sjbosco.org). Art show submissions are due to Mrs. Rafford by Friday, April 14.
- Talent Show: Students may audition for the talent show on April 3 and 4 after school.
Permission slips with all the info are available in the office. Signed slips must be returned to Ms. McLean or Mrs. Rafford by Friday, March 31 at 12:30.
Re-Enrollment Update
The deadline to reserve a spot for the 2023-2024 school year has now passed. Many grades are filling up quickly and offers are being sent to new families every day. If you plan to return to SJB, please re-enroll ASAP or your child may be placed on a waiting list for the 2023-2024 school year.
If you do not plan to re-enroll, kindly let us know so we may offer your spot to another student. Thank you!
Get Tuition $$$ for 2023–2024 School Year
Need tuition money? Apply now for financial assistance for next school year. Applications are available HERE for STOs/scholarships. Most are due April 15.
If you plan to use the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA), check the ESA website regularly to find out when they will begin accepting applications for the 2023-2024 school year.
It's Yearbook Time!
You get 2 free customized pages; additional pages are just $0.99 each. These pages are seen only in your yearbook.
DEADLINE EXTENDED! The regular price is $26.23 if custom pages are created and ordered by March 31, 2023.
Go to: www.treering.com/validate
Enter your school passcode: 1013434873754555
Please reach out to Mrs. Krissy Bileski or Mrs. Kari Czerniski with any questions about the yearbook or purchases.
Employment Opportunities
Join Team Bosco! Our school is growing and we have a few part-time openings:
- Regular Maintenance/Janitorial position
- Summer Maintenance/Janitorial position
- Preschool Instructional Assistant for the 2023-24 school year
For more information or to apply, please click here.
Enjoy delicious food from Chipotle and support SJB at the same time! Just show this flyer (cellphone or hard copy) or simply tell the cashier before you pay that you are part of SJB’s fundraiser. (Delivery for fundraisers is not available at this time.)
SCRIP SHOP
Reminder: The 2022-2023 Scrip year ended on March 17, 2023. Any purchases made in the RaiseRight app or the office beginning on March 18 will go towards the 2023-2024 Scrip year earnings. The year-end Scrip reports will be sent home with your youngest child in early April.
Fry's Community Rewards Participants: Please submit your earnings statement for Cycle 2 to the Scrip office. You may drop it off or email it to Katie at sjbscrip@sjbosco.org
Fry's Community Rewards Participants: Please submit your earnings statement for Cycle 2 to the Scrip office. You may drop it off or email it to Katie at sjbscrip@sjbosco.org
If you still need to enroll in the RaiseRight app, please, click here for detailed instructions and tips for navigating the app. Please email Katie at sjbscrip@sjbosco.org with any questions.
Window Hours: Mondays 7:30–8:15 AM & Fridays 12:00–12:45 PM
Spring Basketball Camp April 29 & 30
SJB School Counselor Mr. Michael Cortez and his father will hold a 2-day basketball camp for boys and girls ages 7–15. The camp will be held at Kyrene Akimel A-al Middle School in Phoenix on Saturday & Sunday, April 29 & 30,
9:00 AM –1:00 PM. Participants should bring a basketball, snack, and refillable water bottle. See the flyer below for more details and register at www.levelupsports.org. Contact Michael Cortez at (480) 479-8736 with any questions.
SUMMER CAMPS
Summer Volleyball Camp
June 5–8, 8:30–11 AM, SJB Volleyball Courts
All incoming 4th–8th graders are welcome to join the fun and bring a friend!
Learn basic passing, hitting, and serving skills while helping us raise money for a new school volleyball net.
Cost is $120 per camper. Please contact Amy Vaughan to reserve your spot before May 19th.
Innovation Learning
Summer Camp
Innovation Summer Camp registration officially opens on April 3, 2023.
Camp Hours
Monday - Friday 7:00 am - 4:00 pm
Extended Day Programming
Monday - Friday 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Camp Pricing (Flyers coming soon!!)
- Weekly (5 days): $239/week
- Daily (single day): $63/day
- Extended Day (4:00-6:00 pm): $55/week
Please contact Customer Service at info@innovationlearning.com with any questions. You may also reach out to your State Director at dkoltes@innovationlearning.com or 612-229-5797.
Vacation Bible School
Coming in JUNE!
Mark your calendars for Monday, June 12 – Friday, June 16, 9 AM–12 noon. St. Benedict will host a STELLAR week of faith, fun, and new friends! Online registration will open in mid-April for children currently in Kindergarten–5th grade. We need many adult & teen volunteers to make this a success and various roles are available. (6th–8th graders are welcome to volunteer with a parent.) If interested in being part of the VBS Team, plan to attend the first VBS Planning Meeting on Monday, March 27 at 6 pm in the St. Benedict Conference Room or email Heather for more details at hmooney@stbenedict.org. Volunteers receive a discount on their child's registration cost. It's going to be out of this world!
- Mon.–Fri., 3/27–3/31: ITBS Testing
- Sun. 3/26: Nello's St. Benedict Fundraiser
- Wed. 3/29: Living Stations of the Cross 2 PM
- Fri. 3/31: 3rd Trimester Progress Reports
PARISH NEWS
MIDDLE SCHOOL & HIGH SCHOOL TEENS:
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR SERVICE HOURS?
St. Benedict needs your help to make the 2nd annual Children's Easter Egg Hunt eggstra special for our younger kids! Volunteers are needed to hide Easter eggs from 9am–9:45 AM on Easter Sunday. If you are able to volunteer, please contact the events committee at events@stbenedict.org
COMMUNITY NEWS
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.
