Dear Parents,

Saturday's Harvest Festival was an amazing evening filled with enjoyment and the strengthening of our community bonds! The costumes displayed remarkable creativity, and the lip sync competition and live band delivered an outstanding performance. This yearly gathering is made possible solely through the dedicated and selfless contributions of our parent and student volunteers. We extend our gratitude to all those who invested their time in overseeing the various sections of the festive venue.

Dear Parents,

The campus courtyard has been buzzing with excitement throughout the week as parents and students have been taking sneak peeks at the grand Harvest Fest baskets on display and eagerly anticipating the announcement of the lucky raffle winners!

I welcome everyone to attend the Harvest Fest TOMORROW evening as we come together as a united community with St. Benedict Church. There's a plethora of activities suitable for all ages, including food trucks, bouncy houses, a petting zoo, a beer garden, a costume contest for preschool–3rd grade, a lip-sync contest for 3rd–8th grade, a live band, and charming fall decorations to enhance your the Harvest Fest experience. 

Dear Parents,

I hope you enjoyed a restful and rejuvenating Fall Break!

We're already approaching the final weeks of our first trimester. Please maintain a close eye on your child's RenWeb account for grades and any outstanding assignments.

Our 8th graders are on the verge of deciding their high school paths. Student ambassadors and representatives from Xavier, Brophy, Notre Dame, and Seton Catholic Preparatory will visit over the next few weeks to share the unique aspects of their schools and what they offer. We look forward to welcoming back some of our SJB alumni to campus to share their Catholic high school experiences.

Dear Parents,

NOTE: No Bulldog Bite next Friday due to Fall Break/Diocesan In-service. The next Bite will be sent on Fr, Oct 13.

I am looking forward to our 22nd Annual SJB Gala tomorrow night! However, if you cannot join us in person, rest assured that you can still participate in the Online Silent Auction.

Dear Parents,

We have reached the midpoint of the first trimester. Today, parents of students in grades K–8 will receive a progress report via email. This report offers a glimpse into your child's performance during the initial six weeks of the school year. It also serves as a reminder that there are approximately six more weeks available for students and parents to enhance or sustain their current grades before the grading period concludes and report cards are distributed on Tuesday, November 7.

Dear Parents,

I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Girl Scouts for leading the Patriot Day flag-raising ceremony and to the Student Council for their reverent prayer service to commemorate the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Gathering our entire school community in front of the school for this solemn occasion was a touching and meaningful experience. Together we joined in prayer and reflection honoring the memory of those who lost their lives on that fateful day.

Dear Parents,

Next week — Monday, September 11 to Friday, September 15 — benchmark testing sessions are scheduled. These assessments encompass Acadience (formerly known as DIBELS) and Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) and provide teachers vital data on your child’s academic growth. Please understand the significance of punctuality and regular attendance during this week.

Dear Parents,

We would kindly appreciate everyone following the parking lot rules to ensure the safety of our community and facilitate traffic flow. Thank you for using patience and care as you navigate through the parking lot each day. Please do not drop your children off in the north parking lot. According to our Parent/Student Handbook, students must be walked to the front gate or classroom to ensure their safe arrival to the school grounds. If you are in a hurry to get to and from school, consider utilizing our efficient valet carpool service. 

Dear Parents,

Last week was bustling with students settling into their daily routines of centers, lessons, group projects, and homework. It's no surprise that they likely return home quite tired and hungry after putting in so much effort. As I go through my routine visits to classrooms (definitely the highlight of my day!), I witness bright smiles, the blossoming of friendships, and the sounds of joyful laughter. It's evident that these children are enjoying their time at school.

Dear Parents,

I want to express my sincere gratitude to Daniel Aguilar, affectionately known as "Mr. Daniel," for his dedicated years of service as the custodian at St. John Bosco Catholic School. His unwavering commitment to maintaining a clean and welcoming environment has not gone unnoticed, and his positive impact on both staff and students is immeasurable. As he embarks on new journeys, his presence will be greatly missed, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

The first school week was truly fantastic! Thanks to our incredible Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO), our students arrived on campus and were greeted by balloons and a festive backdrop perfect for picture-taking. Fr. James and I were filled with joy as we welcomed every student and their families through the glorious gates of SJB. 

We hope you will join us tomorrow (Saturday) at 6:30pm for our Back-to-School BBQ hosted by our PTO, Dads’ Club, St. Benedict Parish, and the Fr. Bob Binta Knights of Columbus. Free food, music, games, face painting, and a dunk tank will be provided for all to enjoy. This event will be held outside in the courtyard and in the MPR. 

Throughout the past week, we have experienced a profound sense of faith, togetherness, and enthusiasm as we make final preparations for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year. Beginning with morning Mass celebrated by our own Fr. James, our dedicated faculty and staff participated in a full-day, interactive religious retreat at Corpus Christi Church led by Sr. Mary Beverly of the Diocese of Phoenix. The rest of the week was jam-packed with various trainings including a thorough review of school guidelines, updated technology features, comprehensive instruction in the NEW English Language Arts curriculum, sessions in Teach for Transformation (DWP), and updated school safety protocol. On top of all that, teachers have been diligently setting up their classrooms in anticipation of Monday’s big event!