8th Newsletter (feb 11-14)

Happy Monday! Thank you to all who helped plan/decorate our Jr. High Valentine's Dance! It was a big hit...we all had so much fun!!!

UPDATES/ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. Tomorrow is our February graduation meeting at 8am in my classroom.

2. This Thursday is Valentine's Day! We also will be having our yearly baby shower. Please see the links for the letter, and items needed (baby baskets & birth choice).

3. Our 8th graders will be taking their graduation portraits after mass on Thursday, please have them dress in their Sunday best!

4. On Valentine's Day, students are invited to bring in valentines for the whole class. We have a total of 26 students. Student Council is selling Valentine's Grams too!

5. Please read the SJA newsletter: this week's newsletter.

6. Yearbook Ad Orders Due February 15th

Yearbook ads are a great way to congratulate a student, thank a teacher, send a greeting, advertise your business or wish our graduates well. Please use this order form and place your orders by February 15th. There will be no late orders accepted this year due to production timelines.

7. GALA INFORMATION

SJA’s Around the World Gala Packets and Raffle Tickets are Coming Home Today

Our annual Gala is in 45 days! A packet of information and raffle tickets were sent home today. Please review and consider sponsoring, underwriting, getting involved and most importantly...attending! This event is a HUGE community builder and CELEBRATION of SJA! Please contact our fabulous chairs, Susan Hanna and Sherri Daquipa for more information.

Gala Raffle:

We are excited to launch the 2019 Gala Raffle and back by popular demand is our cash prize of $5,000 to one winner which will be drawn on Saturday, March 9th at the SJA Gala.

We are asking for every family to sell a minimum of 20 raffle ticket

Tickets are $10 each

Sign up to sell at weekly masses and fish feast: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0f49aba72e5-gala

Cash prizes for top 3 selling families

Additional prizes for weekly participation and Class Participation

Tickets are being sent home today. Please check your oldest child's backpack for tickets and more detailed information.

We need 100% participation to make a success! Please get out there and start selling those raffle tickets!

8. Fit to Lead Newsletter ~ Selfless

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.  In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus."  Philippians 2:3-5

We have finished focusing on the different roles on a team.  Students are now learning the components of teamwork, beginning with how each member of the team needs to be selfless in order for the team to reach its full potential.  Pope John Paul II said, "The great danger for family life, in the midst of any society whose idols are pleasure, comfort and independence, lies in the fact that people close their hearts and become selfish."  SelfISHness easily destroys teams, relationships, marriages and families, while selfLESSness is the foundation of all successful relationships.  Jesus is our greatest example of selflessness in countless ways, especially when He sacrificed His life out of love for us.   In sports, one of the most selfless acts is to pass the ball.  Students played Do It All Ball, soccer and basketball, where they had to pass the ball before scoring.  The students experienced first hand how much more effective and enjoyable the game can be when you work together as a team, selflessly always looking for your teammates.  I loved watching the entire team celebrate because each person had played a part in scoring the goal... so much richer than just one person putting on a show!   Enjoy pics of the action ~ https://stjamesphysicaleducation.shutterfly.com Family Discussion Questions: 1.  Think of a time when you or someone you know was selfish, what were the effects of that person's selfishness on others? 2.  Think of a time when you or someone you know was selfless, what were the effects of that person's selflessness on others?  3.  Why do you think God wants us to be selfless? 4.  What is one way you can be selfless this week with your family, at school, on your team, with your friends?

Have a great week!

Ms. Mottles