NOTES FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Parents,
As we plan for the upcoming school year, review feedback from parent surveys, and hold discussions with our faculty, PTO, and School Advisory Board, we have decided to implement a classroom fee of $100 per student one time annually. This fee will cover the various teacher gifts throughout the year as well as help fund our many class events and parties.
Traditionally, room moms have had the unpleasant task of asking for contributions from parents frequently during the year. We believe that implementing a one-time fee is a more efficient and effective way to fund these important events and activities. This will also reduce the burden on parents as they will not be pestered with requests to contribute multiple times throughout the year.
Specifically, this fee will cover the cost of teacher's birthday, Christmas, and end-of-year gifts, as well as the cost of putting together our Harvest Fest and Gala baskets. Additionally, the fee will fund three class parties that we host throughout the year (fall, Christmas, and end-of-year).
On average, the cost per event is $10–$15 per student. By collecting this fee upfront, we can ensure that every student is included in these special events regardless of their family's financial situation. We believe this is the best way to ensure a fair and equitable experience for all of our students.
We will charge the $100 classroom fee through FACTS accounts at the beginning of the school year. We understand that many families utilize ESA funds to help cover the cost of tuition and other school expenses, and we want to remind you that these funds may be used to pay this fee as well.
Thank you for your continued support of our school and our mission. We believe that these events and gifts are an important part of building community and creating a positive learning environment for our students. We look forward to another great year together!
Joyful Blessings,
Jamie Bescak, M.Ed., Principal
Jamie Bescak, M.Ed., Principal
Do everything in love.
SCHOOL NEWS
Welcome, Sisters!
Today during Mass we welcomed the Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary to our school and parish community. We are very blessed that Sr. Delia, Sr. Ruth, and Sr. Merced were assigned to serve in our school and parish beginning this July. Sr. Merced will serve as a fifth grade teacher, Sr. Delia will serve as Campus Minister at St. John Bosco and Coordinator of Youth Minister at St. Benedict, while Sr. Ruth will serve as the Director of Evangelization and Religious Education Formation at St. Benedict. Also pictured below are Sr. Anthony Mary, Vicar for Consecrated Life, Pastor Fr. James, Fr. Manasseh, and Principal Mrs. Jamie Bescak.
Road Construction Pause
As you may have noticed, the orange cones are down again while road construction on 48th St. is paused. Thus, effective Monday, April 24, regular drop-off and pick-up times will resume, as below:
- 7:30 AM: Gates Open
- 7:45 AM: First Bell (students head to class)
- 7:50 AM: Second Bell (students seated at desks, ready to learn)
- After 7:50 AM: Tardy slips will be issued
Please be sure to have your students here on time. We appreciate your patience and will notify you of further updates as soon as we get them!
ESA News
Applications for the 2023/2024 school year are now open on the ESA Website. THIS IS ONLY FOR STUDENTS THAT ARE NEW TO THE PROGRAM.
If you currently have an active ESA account you will be sent a new contract to sign soon. This information may be found on page 53 of your ESA Parent Handbook.
Kelly McLean
kmclean@sjbosco.org
480-219-4848 ext 5106
Re-enrollment invoices were sent on April 5th from your FACTS account. This is an invoice only. If you are enrolled in Autopay the funds will be taken from the account associated with FACTS on Friday, April 28th.
If you are not enrolled in Autopay, please make sure to pay all outstanding balances in your FACTS incidental account by May 5th. Any unpaid balances in your incidental account after May 5th will result in forfeiting your enrollment spot for the 2023-2024 school year.
Battle of the Books
Sally Salloum and Valeria Vanegas represented Saint John Bosco at the City Semi-finals of Battle of the Books. The Quizzical Queens gave an amazing performance answering question after question. With only one wrong answer in the entire competition, they advanced to a nail-biting tiebreaker with another school. They were presented a very tough question and eliminated, but so close to heading to the finals.
The girls were very gracious and congratulated the winning teams, which was duly noted by the MC. Thank you, Valeria and Sally, for representing SJB with such poise and grace. Future 5th and 6th graders, get ready for the 2023-24 Battle of the Books season!
Teacher Appreciation Week
May 1 – 5
Would your family, restaurant, or business like to sponsor breakfast/lunch or donate snacks, food, or beverages to this event? Please email PTO Room Parent Coordinator Erin Gonzales. Any type of donation is welcomed and voluntary!
This year's theme: “The Best Teachers in the World are at St. John Bosco!”
Dads' Club Golf Tourney
Whirlwind Golf Club, May 5 @ 2 PM
Grab your clubs and gather your team for the annual Birdies “Fore” Bosco Charity Golf Tournament at Whirlwind Golf Club on Friday, May 5 for a 2 pm shotgun start. Awards and dinner buffet to follow.
Scholastic Book Fair
May 8–12
Our school will celebrate the power of reading at the upcoming Scholastic Book Fair. You are invited to help our school create a culture of reading, build our school libraries, and have the opportunity to shop and select books with your child for your home library. A portion of all proceeds will go back to our school.
NEW In-School and Online Shopping Options! Book Fair eWallet, our new digital payment option, allows your student to shop the Book Fair cash-free. Can’t make it to the Book Fair? Shop The Scholastic Store™ online to choose from over 6,000 products! Visit our homepage to access eWallet or shop online: SJB Book Fair link
Thank you for your support!
School Uniform Sale
Anton Uniforms announced their annual spring UNIFORM SALE. Don’t miss this chance to skip the back-to-school rush for your child’s SJB uniforms!
Afraid your child will outgrow them before school starts in August? Click here for Anton's flexible exchange policy!
Exciting Hot Lunch News
SJB's hot lunch provider, Blue Willo Catering, has a new bread vendor and will be adding soup bread bowls to the menu next year! They are also adding Bento boxes, new sandwiches, new salads, and new hot panini sandwiches. For a full list of new menu items, email info@bluewillocatering.com
Employment Opportunities
Join Team Bosco! Our school is growing and we have several part-time openings:
- Regular Maintenance/Janitorial position
- Summer Maintenance/Janitorial position
- Preschool Instructional Assistants for the 2023-2024 school year
SCRIP SHOP
If you still need to enroll in the RaiseRight app, click here for detailed instructions.
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.
SJB SUMMER CAMPS
SJB Summer STEM Camp
June 19–23, 2023
Saint John Bosco is happy to announce the return of our full-day (9:00 AM to 3:30 PM) Summer STEM Camp. We will partner with invent.org to use their curriculum and modules but the camp will be taught by our trusted SJB teachers for students in Grades K–8.
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 to raise money for a new school volleyball net.
Cost: $120 per camper. Please contact Amy Vaughan to reserve your spot before May 19th.
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, 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!
Innovation Learning
Summer Camp
Innovation Learning Summer Camp registration is OPEN!
Camp Hours
Monday–Friday 7:00 AM–4:00 PM
Extended Day Programming
Monday–Friday 4:00 – 6:00 PM
- 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.
- Fri. 4/21: Dads' Club Meeting 7 PM MPR
- Mon. 5/1––Fri. 5/5: MAP & DIBELS
- Fri. 5/5: Dads' Club Golf Tourney 2 PM Whirlwind Golf Club
- Mon. 5/8—Fri. 5/12: Scholastic Book Fair Library
- Fri. 5/12: 8th Grade Last Day & Clapout; Awards Dinner-Dance
- Wed. 5/17: 8th Grade Graduation 7 PM SJB Courtyard
- Fri. 5/19: Pre-K Graduation 11 AM MPR
- Thurs. 5/25: Pre-K–7th Grade Last Day of School 12:30 PM Dismissal
St. Benedict
PARISH NEWS
COMMUNITY NEWS
Seton Catholic Prep will be hosting summer camps over summer break for all ages! Click HERE for info and registration.
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.
