Latest News
Preschool, JH, & Makerspace/Technology Highlights
This past week, our students engaged in meaningful learning experiences across campus. In Preschool, our youngest learners explored fire safety while connecting the theme to the letter F. They practiced the /f/ sound, identified words starting with the letter F, and especially enjoyed putting out pretend “fires” during a hands-on sensory activity.
In Junior High Religion, students deepened their understanding of faith and the life of the Church. Eighth Graders completed their study of The Mystery of the Church, Seventh Graders reflected on the significance of Jesus’ Baptism, and Sixth Graders began learning about Abraham and God’s covenant of promise.
In Junior High History, students continued to build their understanding of the past and its impact on the world today. Eighth Graders examined the effects of European Colonization, Seventh Graders wrapped up their study of Ancient Rome, and Sixth Graders moved from the Neolithic Revolution into the Bronze Age, exploring how early civilizations developed.
Over in the Makerspace, students have been applying creativity and engineering thinking to hands-on challenges. Kindergarten through 5th Grade practiced the Design Thinking process as they created prototypes, solved problems, and worked collaboratively. The Makerspace continues to be a joyful space filled with curiosity, innovation, and teamwork.
In Technology, students have been practicing digital literacy and creative problem-solving. K–5th Graders used tools such as Google Docs, Google Slides, and Canva while learning how to be responsible digital citizens. Meanwhile, Junior High students applied critical-thinking skills to projects focused on company planning, marketing concepts, and advocacy campaigns, all while considering how to use technology with integrity and care.
As always, we are grateful for the partnership of our families and the enthusiasm of our students. It is a joy to watch them grow as learners, creators, and children of God each day.
6th Grade Vocations Retreat
Our 6th graders had a wonderful experience at the Sacred Heart Retreat House! A heartfelt thank you to the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus for warmly welcoming our students. The day was filled with joy, reflection, and inspiration as the students sang, played games, created beautiful arts and crafts, and learned about vocations in a meaningful way.
We also want to give a special thank you to Father Oliver, who took the time to speak with our students and celebrate Mass to close our day together. It was truly an amazing and faith-filled experience that helped our students grow in their understanding of God’s call in their lives.
As we reflect on this special day, let us remember the words of Jeremiah 29:11:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope.”
May our students continue to seek and embrace God’s calling in their lives with faith and courage.
4th Grade & Spanish Highlights
Our 4th Graders have been thriving this trimester, diving into multi-digit multiplication and exploring California’s diverse regions in Social Studies. They have journeyed inside the human body in science, learning how the brain controls everything, while in religion, they memorized the beautiful Memorare prayer and reflected on Mary’s love and faith. In English Language Arts, students are strengthening their writing by identifying main ideas in animal stories and expanding their sentences. They have also enjoyed calming fall art projects and building friendships with their 1st Grade reading buddies, making this season full of curiosity, creativity, faith, and friendship.
Across the lower grades, Spanish classes are lively with practice in colors, animals, feelings, and essential verbs like quiere, tiene, and es. Meanwhile, students in 4th through 6th Grade have embarked on virtual trips to Mexico, Cuba, and Chile, learning about chocolate, dominoes, and Rapa Nui culture. Seventh Graders are wrapping up their trimester by exploring El Salvador’s vibrant surfing scene and 8th Graders celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with projects that showcase the richness and diversity of Spanish-speaking countries.
We are proud of all our students’ hard work and enthusiasm this trimester and look forward to many more moments of learning and joy ahead! As Proverbs 1:5 reminds us, “Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance.”
2nd-3rd Grade and Sports Highlights
As the new season unfolds at Saint Joachim, our students are thriving both inside and outside the classroom. From faith-filled lessons and creative projects to exciting sports seasons, there is so much to celebrate. Here is a snapshot of what has been happening with our Second and Third graders, along with updates from our athletic teams.
Our Second Graders have been celebrating God’s creation through prayer, worship, and sharing their favorite parts of the world. They contributed beautiful drawings and writings to an interactive bulletin board and recently deepened their faith by learning and praying a Novena together as a class.
Third Graders are busy mastering multiplication, exploring plant life cycles, and discovering California’s diverse geography. They wrote postcards describing deserts, mountains, valleys, and waters, bringing their learning to life. A highlight was their Reader’s Theater performance of “Take Me to Your Litter,” where they acted out a story about recycling and protecting the environment, strengthening both reading skills and teamwork. God’s love shines through their learning journey!
Our Boys’ Flag Football teams are off to a great start, with the A Team aiming to three-peat as Diocesan Champions. The 5th and 6th Grade teams are showing strong teamwork and skill development.
Girls’ Volleyball is thriving across all grades, with teams building leadership, confidence, and a love for the game. Coaches and families are proud of our athletes’ dedication and sportsmanship as they strive for excellence on and off the court.
We are grateful for the vibrant learning, faith, and teamwork happening every day at Saint Joachim. Stay tuned for more exciting updates as the year continues!
TK, Kindergarten, and Junior High Highlights
Our Transitional Kindergarten class has been off to a wonderful start! The children have been busy making new friends, learning classroom routines, and diving into foundational skills. Exploring letters and numbers in fun, engaging ways has kept them excited. Recently, the class kicked off their second theme, apples, adding a fresh burst of enthusiasm. It has been a joy to see how quickly the students have settled in and how eager each one is to learn every day.
In our Kindergarten class, every day continues to be a special opportunity for growth both in learning and faith. Students focus on building a growth mindset by persevering and putting in effort. Together they learn about God’s creation and practice prayer, helping deepen their relationship with Him. The class also takes time to honor meaningful moments like Patriot Day, learning respect and gratitude. Guiding these little ones as they grow academically and spiritually is truly rewarding.
Meanwhile, our junior high science students have been fully engaged with hands on lab activities this month. Engineering challenges, microscope explorations, and force testing have sparked curiosity and fostered teamwork. These activities develop problem-solving skills while encouraging awe for God’s creation. We are proud of how the students collaborate, ask thoughtful questions, and celebrate each other’s successes.
Preschool and Junior High Highlights
As the school year gets underway, we’re excited to see our students diving into their studies with enthusiasm. They’re growing in both knowledge and faith. In our Preschool and Junior High Religion and History classes, learning happens in meaningful and inspiring ways.
Our Preschoolers have quickly settled into routines. They’re making new friends and growing in God’s love every day. Soon, they’ll begin exploring a pirate theme that will spark their imagination and creativity through fun, hands-on activities rooted in faith.
In 6th Grade History, students are discovering how archaeologists piece together the distant past. They explore artifacts that reveal early human life and build skills to analyze evidence and understand human origins. At the same time, in Religion, they’re diving into the Old Testament’s Book of Genesis, learning about creation, God’s covenant, and the foundations of our faith.
7th Graders study the geography of Ancient Greece and the Persian Wars. They’re learning how the landscape shaped Greek civilization and how conflicts changed history. In Religion, they’re reflecting on the New Testament and the Gospels, thinking about Jesus’ life, teachings, and what they mean for us today.
Finally, our 8th Grade students explore the economic regions of the United States. They’re gaining a deeper understanding of how geography, resources, and industry shape communities across the country. In Religion, they’re studying the Church as a community of disciples, learning about its many images and discovering their own role in the Body of Christ.
We’re truly inspired by the curiosity and thoughtful engagement our students show every day. Through exploration and reflection, they’re building a strong foundation of knowledge and faith that will carry them forward. We look forward to sharing more highlights as the year continues!
Celebrating Fr. Robert’s Installation and 25 Years of Priesthood
We are delighted to congratulate Fr. Robert on his installation as the new pastor of Saint Joachim Church and School this past Sunday! This special occasion was beautifully celebrated with Mass presided over by Bishop Kevin Vann.
In addition to his installation, we honored Fr. Robert’s 25th anniversary of priesthood, reflecting on his dedicated service and commitment to our Catholic faith.
The Mass and reception that followed were filled with gratitude, joy, and warm fellowship. We look forward to the continued blessings and leadership Fr. Robert will bring to Saint Joachim. Congratulations!
Exciting New Release from the SJS Student Choir: “Seven Twenty-Five In the Morning”
We’re proud to share that the SJS Student Choir has just released an inspiring new video called “Seven Twenty-Five In the Morning.” This project highlights the amazing talent and hard work of our students through a vibrant musical experience.
Please help us give this video a strong start by watching and sharing it widely with your family, friends, and community. Let’s boost those views with a sharp and steady momentum to celebrate the dedication of our student performers.
Also, don’t miss the chance to see our choir perform live at the Spring Choir Concert and Ice Cream Social on Tuesday, June 3, from 6:30 to 7:30 PM. It’s a wonderful opportunity to support our singers and enjoy some sweet treats together!
Watch the video here:
Thank you for supporting our choir and the arts at SJS!
Weekly School News & Updates
- First Holy Communion 2025: Congratulations to students who received their First Holy Communion on May 3rd. May God bless them.
- Star Testing: Begins this week for grades K-8, ending May 16th. Tests measure student growth.
- May Crowning – May 8th: Join us for the 8:30 AM School Mass to honor Mary, with Emma Raney (Grade 8) and Sloane Smith (Grade 2) as May Queens.
- Spring Play – James and the Giant Peach: Join us on May 15th at 6:30 PM. Free for children, $15 for adults.
- Blue & Gold Day – May 30th: Dismissal at 1 PM for Summer Games. Lunch truck available.
- Reminder: No pets allowed on campus for safety reasons.
- Snack Bar: Open Tuesdays and Thursdays during recess, with snacks priced at $2 or less. Thank you for your support!
Upcoming Dates
- May 6: Preschool & TK Playdate, 3:30-4:30 PM
- May 7: PS-K Mothers Day Tea, 8:30-9:30 AM
- May 8: May Crowning Mass, 8:30 AM
- May 9: Father/Daughter Dance, 7-9 PM
- May 15: Spring Play, 6:30 PM
- May 22, 29: Year of Hope Parish Retreat, 6 PM
- May 30: Blue & Gold Day
- June 2: Grade 8 Graduation Week (including Grade 8 Disneyland Trip)
- June 3: Grades 5 & 6 Walkthrough the Revolution & Walkthrough the Ancient World
- June 4: PS-K Donuts and Dads, 8:30-9:30 AM
- June 5: Grade 8 Graduation Dinner
- June 6: Grade 8 Graduation, 5-7 PM
- June 8: Pentecost Ministry Fair, 9 AM-3 PM
Upcoming School Choir Dates
- May 11: Good Shepherd Sunday at 10:00 PM Mass
- May 27: Junior High Honor Choir Concert
- June 3: Spring Concert/Ice Cream Social at 6:30 PM
- June 6: Graduation Mass at 5:00 PM
*Dates and times are subject to change.
Weekly School News & Updates
- Pastor’s Postcard from Fr. Robert: The Easter celebration continues for fifty days, leading to Pentecost, with upcoming events including a parish retreat on May 22 and 29, and a Ministry Fair on June 8. He invites everyone to join in these celebrations and looks forward to his installation as pastor on July 6.
- Rooted in Love: Ms. Botto reflects on the passing of Pope Francis, emphasizing his message of hope and love during Easter, and encourages us to live with compassion as he did. She highlights insights from his book, A Good Life, which offers guidance on embracing virtues that foster joy and deepen our faith.
- Congratulations to Fr. Robert: He has been appointed Pastor of St. Joachim Parish and School. Join us for his installation on July 6th.
- Battery Contest Success: St. Joachim placed 6th in the Battery Drive and will receive a $500 prize. Donations for batteries continue year-round.
- Spirit Wear: Special edition tie-dye and retro spirit wear is available for preorder until May 2nd. Preorder Spirit Wear Here.
Upcoming Dates
- April 30: Fellowship of the Fathers, 3:30 SJS Boys Volleyball Games, 5PM BBQ
- May 6: Preschool & TK Playdate, 3:30-4:30 PM
- May 7: PS-K Mothers Day Tea, 8:30-9:30 AM
- May 9: Father/Daughter Dance, 7-9 PM
- May 22, 29: Year of Hope Parish Retreat, 6 PM
- June 2: Grade 8 Graduation Week (including Grade 8 Disneyland Trip)
- June 3: Grades 5 & 6 Walkthroughs
- June 4: PS-K Donuts and Dads, 8:30-9:30 AM
- June 5: Grade 8 Graduation Dinner
- June 6: Grade 8 Graduation, 5-7 PM
- June 8: Pentecost Ministry Fair, 9 AM-3 PM
Upcoming School Choir Dates
- May 1: Diocesan Choir Festival
- May 3: First Holy Communion at 2:00 PM Mass
- May 11: Good Shepherd Sunday at 10:00 PM Mass
- May 27: Junior High Honor Choir Concert
- June 3: Spring Concert/Ice Cream Social at 6:30 PM
- June 6: Graduation Mass at 5:00 PM
*Dates and times are subject to change.
