January Calendar Changes

Special Privilege Day
Wednesday, January 4. Students will be dismissed at 1:45 p.m. We will follow Assembly Schedule 3.

BCS Bowl Game
In light of the LSU Tigers playing in the national championship game on Monday, January 9, school will be closed. On Tuesday, January 10, we will start the school day at 8:45 a.m.

Regular Schedule
We will follow our regular schedule on Wednesday, January 11. We are no longer on Assembly Schedule 3 for early dismissal.

January Events

SJA Science Fair
Thursday, January 5, 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. in the Activity Center. Science Fair is a requirement in some science classes. Students have spent many hours researching and consulting with professional mentors. Projects can be viewed from 7:30 a.m. until 2:40 p.m. Judging will be from 2:40 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., followed by an awards ceremony at 6 p.m.

SJA/CHS Student Council Dance
Friday, January 6, 8-10 p.m. in the CHS courtyard and gym. Hosted by the student councils of both schools. Tickets are $5 and will be sold Wednesday-Friday, January 4-6, in the Dining Hall at all lunch periods. Tickets purchased at the door are $6. Please address questions to Student Council co-moderator Mrs. Mary Kay Alford ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ; 388-2250).

The Bishop’s 19th Annual Respect Life Rally
Sunday, January 8, 2-4 p.m. in Catholic Life Center Main Auditorium. Come celebrate life with Bishop Robert Muench. Keynote presenter is Father Shenan Boquet, director of Human Life International. Other activities include a Living Rosary, Pro-Life Oratory Contest winner, crosses for the unborn, respect life displays, Bible crafts for children 7 and under during keynote speech and presentations on repealing the death penalty and the Catholic Charities’ Sanctuary for Life home for pregnant women. Please direct questions to Ms. Shannon Baldridge ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ; 242-0323).

National Vocation Awareness Week
The Catholic Church in the United States will celebrate National Vocation Awareness Week, January 9-14. We are all called to love and serve God and one another. As we continue to walk in the light of Christ and to serve our Lord with our whole heart, mind and soul, may we be filled with the love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and seek to forgive all who have hurt us. National Vocation Awareness Week is a time for reflection. All Catholics are encouraged to take time to pray for vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life; reflect on our own vocation and strengthen our personal relationship with Christ; and educate our young people about the importance of silent prayer and taking the time to truly listen to God’s voice in our hearts.

Balfour Final Orders
Wednesday, January 11, concession area of Activity Center, all lunch periods. A Balfour representative will be taking final orders for graduation announcements, caps and gowns (seniors) and school rings (juniors). Parents are welcome to attend. Please direct questions to Assistant Principal of Activities Mrs. Stacia Andricain ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ; 388-2217).

Junior Class Field Trip
The juniors will visit the WWII Museum in New Orleans on Thursday, January 12. They will depart SJA at the start of the school day (7:30 a.m.) and return at the end (2:45 p.m.) on Calco buses. The girls are to wear regular uniforms (no sweatpants) and will not need books or their tablet computers. In addition to touring the museum, the students will see the 4-D film Beyond All Boundaries.

Mass for Vocations
Friday, January 13, 9:45 a.m. in the Activity Center. Father Jason Palermo, pastor at St. Joseph Church in French Settlement, will be the presider. Dress uniforms are required. Parents are invited to join us.

Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday
Monday, January 16. School is closed.

Junior Retreat
Tuesday, January 17, 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. in the Activity Center. The retreat will focus on the question, “Who am I called to be?” The annual class retreat is mandatory; please do not plan appointments or conflicts, as your daughter must be present for the entire retreat. Please direct questions to Campus Minister Mrs. Kristen Lazarine ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ; 388-2321).

School is closed on January 17 for freshmen, sophomores and seniors.


Mission Trip Fundraiser
On Wednesday, January 18, Zoe’s Kitchen will partner with SJA to raise money for SJA mission trips. Between 4 and 9 p.m., Zoe’s will donate 15 percent of each sale to the SJA Mission Trip Fund. Customers must mention St. Joseph’s Academy.  Both locations of Zoe’s (Towne Center and Perkins Rowe) will participate.

Freshman Sweetheart Dance
Saturday, January 21, 8-10:30 p.m. in the Activity Center. This year’s theme: Winter Wonderland. Freshmen Student Council members host this dance for SJA freshmen and their guests. Tickets are $10 per couple and may be purchased the week of the dance during lunch. The name and school of guests must be provided. Candid pictures will be taken at the dance. Dress is semi-formal (no plunging neck or back lines and no bare midriffs). Attire for boys is dress pants and tie. Students must arrive at the dance by 8:30 p.m. and stay until 10 p.m. Carpool will be in the Activity Center lot. Limos, party buses, RVs or modes of transportation other than a regular passenger vehicle are not permitted. Please address questions to Ms. Lori Harper ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ; 388-2326) or Mrs. Anna Landrum ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ; 388-2280).

Early Dismissal
Wednesday, January 25, for faculty professional development. Students are dismissed at 1:45 p.m. We will follow Assembly Schedule 3.

Catholic Schools Week
Sunday, January 29, through Sunday, February 5. This year’s theme is Catholic Schools: Faith. Academics. Service. Among the week’s events is the Distinguished Graduates Awards program, hosted by the Catholic Schools Office of the Diocese. The dinner/awards banquet will be held on Tuesday, January 31, at the Crowne Plaza. SJA’s honoree this year is Alice Dugas Greer, class of 1966.

Two SJA alumnae will be honored at the dinner as distinguished graduates by their elementary schools. They are Sherri Riker Montagnino ’86, Our Lady of Mercy, and Mary T Heffron deBrueys ’72, St. Aloysius.

Campus Life

Report Cards/Semester GPAs
Report cards and the semester GPAs will be mailed January 5. Grades will be posted on NetSJA as teachers complete grading exams. Parents and students should check NetSJA for updates. Please email your daughter’s teacher(s) if you have questions.

Student Transcripts
Beginning in mid-January, student transcripts will be available on NetSJA. The transcript is not an official transcript. You may view the transcript using the Student Menu. Grade-level counselors will be in the classrooms in February for scheduling. Students should see their grade-level counselor for questions regarding their transcript.

Important Parking Notice
Beginning in January, we will no longer accept new vehicle registrations from juniors and seniors wishing to drive to school. Students currently registered will be able to continue to drive to and park at school. All four of our surface lots are full, and Kleinert Avenue parking has reached its capacity. We understand that this could create a hardship for some families; however, space is limited, and we ask that our students continue to carpool or be dropped off at school. Please contact Assistant Principal of Activities Mrs. Stacia Andricain ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ; 388-2217) with questions.

Checking Out To Get Drivers License
Please be reminded that students who check out of school to get their drivers license will be given an unexcused absence and therefore earn a zero on any missed work. We ask that you please take care of personal business such as this after school or during holidays.

Service Hours
A reminder to all parents and students that service hours are due in only three months. Please support and encourage your daughter as she completes her hours. Following are the requirements for our service program.

Each grade level will be required to participate in a specific area of service. Every student is required to complete 10 service hours in the specified area and 5 hours in a Christian service in an area of their choosing. Please visit the Service Page on the SJA website for more details.

Service hours for the 2011-2012 academic year must be completed on the following schedule:
• Seniors: Thursday, March 29
• Juniors: Friday, March 30
• Sophomores: Monday, April 2
• Freshmen: Tuesday, April 3

Failure to turn in service hours on the above dates will result in a check list. Those students who fail to complete 15 hours by the above date will have until Monday, April 16, to turn them in.  Additionally, these students will have to participate in a Service Work Day at SJA on Saturday, April 21, from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m.

Your daughter’s service card will be accepted only if it is submitted with all authorized signatures and appropriate contact information to verify hours have been completed. Only service hours from the SJA Service Directory, opportunities posted on Moodle or those approved by Mrs. Lazarine will be accepted. The Service Directory is located on the SJA website under Service/Service Directory.

For additional information, contact Campus Minister Mrs. Kristen Lazarine ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ; 388-2321).

Save the Date
Cami Walker, bestselling author of this summer’s school-wide reading assignment, 29 Gifts: How Month of Giving Can Change Your Life, will visit SJA on Wednesday, February 15. Click here for the details.

Yearbook Senior Advertisements
The Shield yearbook staff is now selling 2012 Senior Ads. Please click here to learn more about purchasing an ad for your senior. Deadline for purchase is Friday, May 4, 2012. Please direct questions to Ms. Kacie Fuselier ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ; 388-2338).


Mother/Daughter Brunch and Style Show
Join us on Sunday, March 4, at the Crowne Plaza for the 2012 Mother/Daughter Brunch and Style Show. Times are 10:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza. Mother-daughter portraits will be taken poolside (weather permitting) from 10 to 11 a.m. Ballroom doors open at 10:30 a.m. A buffet breakfast will be served from 10:45 until 11:30 a.m. The program begins at 11:30 a.m. Click here for a reservation form. Click here for a photography order form.

School Tuition/Expense Tax Deduction
According to the Louisiana Department of Revenue, Act 8 of the Second Extraordinary Session of the 2008 Louisiana Legislature grants an individual income-tax deduction for tuition, fees and certain educational supplies and expenses paid on or after January 1, 2009. Taxpayers are encouraged to keep all related receipts so they can claim the deduction on their 2011 tax returns, which are due May 15, 2012. The legislation created a deduction for private school tuition and fees, including expenses for uniforms and supplies for private school students. Act 2011, No. 121 changed the deduction for elementary and secondary school tuition to actual costs paid per dependent, limited to $5,000 starting with the 2011 tax year. For 2009 and 2010, this deduction was for 50 percent of the costs paid per dependent, limited to $5,000.

For more information, contact the LDR call center at 219-0102 or at http://www.revenue.louisiana.gov/sections/individual/
SchoolExpenseDeduction.aspx

You will not receive any additional support documentation or verification of tuition paid to St. Joseph’s Academy since your bank statement provides the payment information.

Spirituality Center Offering in January
A Spiritual Spa Day, Saturday, January 14, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., SJA Dining Hall. This morning of reflection is designed to pamper your soul and help you find rest in the love of God. Presenter is Patti M. Clement. Fee: $35. Call 383-3349 for information or to register.

Rosary
Each Thursday at 7 a.m., Mary’s Plaza (outside Chapel at SJA). Parents are welcome to join us. (In case of inclement weather, the rosary is recited in the chapel.) Please park on Broussard Street.


Job Opportunities
Job opportunities are posted on the bulletin board in St. Joseph

Hall outside the Academic Counseling Center offices. SJA does not solicit these job announcements and does not endorse the postings. Call the prospective employer for all necessary information.

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