September 13th Virtual Backpack

Parents, if you are not purchasing the coupon books they must be returned.

If you still have the books and don’t wish to purchase return to the school office by Monday, September 16th.

SOAR

Mark your calendars for the SOAR Development Dinner on November 23rd! Tickets sales will open October 1st. Any help you can offer will surely make the event a success.

We are in need of sponsors, gift cards of any amount, auction items, and volunteers. Any business interested in sponsoring the event can contact Mrs. Howard @ thoward@sjsomaha.org. Regarding auction items, examples include: sporting event tickets, children’s books, electronics, wine/craft beer, Legos, camping gear, and grilling items. Auction items are needed by October 1st. Those interested in volunteering should visit: https://stjamesseton.ivolunteer.com/event_136. Thanks for your support!

HELP NEEDED!

The cafeteria needs a volunteer to help with trays on Wednesdays.  If you are available go to https://stjamesseton.ivolunteer.com/cafehelp_2020 to get signed up.

The basketball program is open to all 4^th, 5^th, 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grade boys and girls who attend St. James / Seton (SJS) School or are Home School students in the St. James/St. Elizabeth Ann parishes.

If your child elects to go out for St. James / Seton Basketball this fall/winter; the registration process including the medical statement and payment of the participation fee will need to be completed online (debit/credit card via PayPal; note, you do not need to have a PayPal account to pay online).  Note: register and pay the participation fee by September 25^th and you save $30!!!

Evaluations will be held on September 22^nd & 29^th at Roncalli High School.  For updated information regarding evaluation dates and times for each grade, please go to SJS Athletics (link) web site and click on the basketball link in the top right hand side of the screen.  Evaluation dates and times for each pertinent grade will be listed soon.

We will again have 2 evaluations for each grade (boys and/or girls) as long as we have at least 12-14 players registered.  Please try to have your son attend both evaluations if possible, but this hopefully will give everyone a chance to get to at least one evaluation.

If you have questions, contact TJ Burbridge at 402-689-6922, sjsad17@gmail.com.

Join Home & School for a fun family event

@ Skinny Bones Pumpkin Patch next month!

We will provide the bonfire, hotdogs & s’mores stuff, you bring the fam!

Admission is $10.95/each, 2 and under are free.

Please RSVP so that I have an idea on count for food & space.

See flyer for details.

We’re going to try something new at SJS. It’s the Million-Word Challenge. Students in grades 3-8 are challenged to read at least one million words this school year. Studies show that students who read 20 minutes each night will average 1,800,00 words during the school year (this doesn’t count vacations and weekends). This can help them be successful in all subject areas.

A million words sounds like a lot, right? Well, last year, we had 27 students reach one million or more words. Two eighth graders reached even higher – one read over five million words and one read over twelve million words! Out of that 27, we had four read over two million and four read over three million.  Here’s the interesting thing: seven of those 27 students were fourth graders!! Though it sounds like a lot, we believe this is a goal you can achieve.

Here’s how it works:  You’ll read your books and take your AR quizzes as you normally do. You’ll be able to see the number of words in your book after successfully passing the quiz. You’ll keep track of and graph your word count on a log. If you have trouble finding the word count or forget to log it, you can ask Mrs. Vamosi. She will be able to tell you your current word count. Remember, the words only count once you pass the quiz (and no, you can’t read the dictionary!).

The challenge is going to be a little different for Pre-K through second grade. Students in these grades usually read shorter books and may not take AR quizzes. These students will participate in the 100-book challenge. Each student will receive a log that that they can put a sticker or stamp each time they read a book.

There will be incentives along the way for each challenge to encourage students to keep going.

We are off to a great start – five students have already passed one million words – one even passed two million. Many students are almost halfway there.

See Mrs. Vamosi with any questions.  Happy Reading!

H.O.P.E Help our Parish and School Excel by signing up with the HOPE Program.

Life is about to get a little bit busier now that schools are in session!  As you approach your demanding schedule, remember to sign up with Shopwithcrip.com and start purchasing gift cards.                                     Our ID number is CB75E8391229

Just by ordering online and paying with PrestoPay, convenient online payment service, you will be saving time.  Once you are signed up with ShopWithScrip and PrestoPay your options are endless!  You can order online and receive plastic gift cards from your coordinator.  Plus you can add funds to existing gift cards by using reload option, and the funds will be available the next day*.  You can also purchase and print electronic gift cards right from your computer using ScripNow, and your eCard will be ready within minutes!

For every $1 of profit you make for the HOPE Program you get back 50% of that $1 to help towards your tuition.

Please consider purchasing scrip cards weekly to help build up your “tuition rebate account”.  If every household in our school takes part in this program; it will make the HOPE program a bigger success then it is now.

The rest of the rebates are shared between SJ Parish; GTA; and the program.

SJEA Hope Program

Mishek, Coordinator

402-572-7897