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Weekly School News & Updates
- Holy Week: Take time away from daily distractions to connect with Jesus as we approach Easter. Wishing everyone grace and blessings during this sacred time!
- Lenten Project: Support St. Vincent de Paul Society with a $5 donation for a Free Dress Day after Easter Break.
- 4th Grade Trip: Our 4th graders will explore California’s history in Sacramento and San Francisco on April 15 and 16, with Ms. Botto and Ms. Roca as chaperones. Follow our Instagram for highlights!
- Living Stations of the Cross: Presented by Grade 8 students on April 16 at 11 AM in the church.
- First Reconciliation: Congratulations to our students who made their First Reconciliation! Keep them in your prayers as they prepare for First Holy Communion on May 3.
- Signing In and Out: Parents must sign children in and out for safety.
- Spirit Wear: Special edition tie-dye spirit wear is back! Pre-orders due by May 2nd. Order here.
- Pet Policy: No pets allowed on school grounds.
Upcoming Events:
- Mother/Son/Special Person Bowling – April 29, 6-8 PM at Irvine Lanes, $25 per person. Reserve tickets on the app.
- Fellowship of the Fathers BBQ – April 30, with Boys A & B volleyball games at 3:30 PM, BBQ at 5 PM. Bring a side dish and beverage; RSVP to fr.robert@stjccm.org.
- Preschool & TK Playdate – May 6, 3:30-4:30 PM. Please RSVP by May 5.
- Father/Daughter Dance – May 9, 7-9 PM, $20 per person. Reserve tickets on the SJS app.
- Year of Hope Parish Retreat – May 22 & 29, 6:00 PM in Nevin Hall (English).
- Pentecost Ministry Fair – June 8, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM in Nevin Hall.
Thank you for your continued support and cooperation!
First Reconciliation
This past Wednesday, we had the joyful celebration of our 2nd graders and a few 3rd graders receiving their First Reconciliation. The students were well-prepared to take this meaningful step in their spiritual journey within our Catholic faith. It was a significant moment for everyone involved, marking an essential part of their faith development. The atmosphere was filled with nerves, excitement, and reverence as families gathered to support their children during this important rite.
This experience served as a powerful reminder of the values of forgiveness and community, as reflected in the story of the Prodigal Son, where the father joyfully declares, “We had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found” (Luke 15:32). We are incredibly proud of our students for embracing this important milestone!
As they reflect on their journey, they are eagerly looking forward to receiving their First Holy Communion in May. We encourage our families to continue supporting these young learners as they grow in their faith and prepare for this next significant step in their spiritual development.
Go Sea Kings!
Weekly School News & Updates
- ARK Testing: March 31 – April 11 for Grades 2 – 8. The ARK Test (Assessment of Religious Knowledge) assesses knowledge of the Catholic Faith through straightforward questions on topics like the Creed, Sacraments, morality, prayer, Christian discipleship, and virtue. Results will guide the formation and teachings of the Catholic faith.
- Pets Policy: Dogs and pets are not allowed on school grounds for safety and allergy reasons.
- Lenten Fish Fry: Fridays during Lent from 6:30-9:00 PM in Nevin Hall, $14.
- AR Challenge Recognition: Congrats to students; parent volunteers needed for the ice cream party (sign up here).
- School Board Applications: Due April 9.
- Living Stations: Presented by 8th Grade on April 16.
- Mother/Son Bowling: April 29, 6-8 PM, $25 per person, reserve via SJS App.
- Fellowship of the Fathers: April 30, Boys A & B volleyball games at 3:30 PM, BBQ at 5 PM. Bring a side dish and beverage; RSVP to fr.robert@stjccm.org.
- Preschool & TK Playdate: May 6, 2025 – RSVP by May 5 to admissions@saintjoachimschool.org. Activities include meeting the teacher, crafts, playtime, food, and swag bags.
- Father/Daughter Dance: May 9, 7-9 PM, $20 per person, reserve via SJS App.
- Year of Hope Parish Retreat: May 22 & 29 at 6 PM in Nevin Hall.
- Discover Your Spiritual Gifts: Take the inventory here.
School Choir Dates:
- May 1: Diocesan Choir Festival (All day choral school field trip)
- May 3: First Holy Communion at 2:00 PM mass
- May 11: Good Shepherd Sunday at 10:00 AM mass
- May 27: Junior High Honor Choir Concert at Segerstrom Center with Mater Dei HS
- June 3: Current date for 6:30 PM Spring Concert/Ice Cream Social
- June 6: 5:00 PM Graduation mass
Dates & times are subject to change. Visit our School Choir Website for updates.
Second and Third Grade Highlights
Our second graders are making great strides in their AR reading goals. It’s wonderful to see their skills and love for books grow! They also enjoy game days filled with board games and Legos. These fun activities enhance their learning and strengthen friendships. As they prepare for their First Reconciliation and First Communion this trimester, they are excited to mark this special time in their faith journey.
Meanwhile, our third graders are fully embracing the Lenten season. They have set daily goals focused on fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. These goals help them grow spiritually and connect with their faith. In math, they collaborate through independently paced activities. They share ideas and strategies with one another and it’s fantastic to see their teamwork! To celebrate April Fools’ Day, they participated in a playful prank about the fictional “Lirpa Loof” bird. They discovered the clever trick behind the backward spelling of “April Fool!”
We are proud of our students’ growth and enthusiasm. They are deepening their faith and enriching their learning experiences together. Keep up the great work!
Empowering Educators: CSJ Ministerial Formation
Last week, our dedicated teachers took part in the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph’s (CSJ) Ministerial Formation right here at our school. This program allowed them to grow spiritually while earning valuable hours toward their teacher catechist certification.
During the formation, they discussed important topics, such as how to integrate technology and artificial intelligence (AI) in the classroom. They also explored the significance of digital citizenship. A powerful quote from the program stated, “We cannot evangelize digital culture without first understanding it” (SR 17d). This highlights the need for educators to grasp the digital landscape to teach our children how to navigate it safely.
The teachers reflected on their roles as ministers in the digital era. They focused on creating a conscientious culture that aligns with Gospel-based digital citizenship.
We are proud of our teachers for investing in their growth and the well-being of our students. By enhancing their skills, they become better equipped to guide our children through today’s digital world. Thank you for your continued support of our educators and our school community!
SJS at the Regional Catholic AJHD
We are incredibly proud to announce that eight of our outstanding students—Tannah, Paloma, Hudson, Jacqueline, Arianna, Genevieve, Max, and Nate—represented our school at the Regional Catholic Academic Junior High Decathlon held at Santa Margarita Catholic High School this past Saturday. Their hard work and dedication truly shone throughout this prestigious event. We also want to acknowledge Mary, who was not pictured as she was sick during the event.
Under the guidance of our dedicated teacher coaches, the students participated in both individual and academic events across a wide array of subjects, including logic, fine arts, literature, religion, science, social studies, current events, english, and math. A special thank you to Mr. Hopkins for serving as the head coordinator, along with Mrs. Cheng, Ms. Davis, Mr. Mercado, and Mr. Wally for their invaluable support as coaches. Their commitment to excellence and teamwork exemplifies the spirit of our school community.
Congratulations to our decathletes for their remarkable achievements! We are excited to see how their dedication continues to inspire others in our school. Keep up the great work!
Open House
Join us at Saint Joachim Catholic School for our Open House on January 26 at 11:30 AM! Discover a faith-based education with experienced teachers, a safe environment, and supportive peers.
Visit us at 1964 Orange Ave, Costa Mesa, or call 949-574-7411 for more information.
Reserve Your Auction Tickets Today!
Join us for our upcoming auction where your support will make a meaningful difference in our school community! The ticket reservation link is now open.
https://aesbid.co/ELP/SJSGALA25/Tickets
Thank you for your continued support and for being a vital part of our mission!
Battery Recycling Contest
🔋 Bring your used batteries! The City of Costa Mesa is bringing back the BATTERY CONTEST, sponsored by the Costa Mesa Sanitary District!
From September 2024 to March 2025, collect and drop off your batteries.
Battery Drop-Off Details:
📍 School Office 🕒 7:30 AM – 3:15 PM ✅ Accepted Batteries: AAAA, AAA, AA, C, D, N (LR1), 9 Volt (remember to tape terminals or bag individually to prevent fire hazards)
Let’s top our last participation where we won $500.00! Collect those batteries and help us win big!
Community Bike Skills Workshop
🚲 St. Joachim Catholic School and Parish invite everyone to a fun and informative Community Bike Safety Event on Saturday, November 2nd, from 10 AM to 2 PM. Learn essential road and helmet safety tips, including guidance for e-bike riders. This event is open to all members of the community—drop by any time to participate! Bring your bikes and helmets, and let’s promote safe riding together!
