Email Address Changes

Please note that email addresses for some faculty and staff members have undergone a change. In the past, email addresses included the first seven (7) letters of an individual’s last name followed by the first letter of the first name, plus @sjabr.org. For example, Mrs. Linda Harvison’s email address was harvisol@sjabr.org. Now, email addresses are the individual’s entire last name plus the first letter of the first name. Example: Mrs. Harvison’s address is now harvisonl@sjabr.org. Please make note of these changes when you are sending an email to a faculty or staff member. Click here for a complete list of faculty/staff members.

Back-to-School Information

School Handbook
Click here for the 2011-2012 School Handbook for Students and Parents. Please note that it is the responsibility of students and parents to read this handbook and to be informed of its contents. Click here for the School Handbook Acknowledgment Form. Signing and returning this form ensures that you have read the handbook and agree to follow and uphold the policies and practices of St. Joseph’s Academy. Parent/guardian signatures also grant permission for your daughter’s photograph, video image, name and/or interview answers to be used for publicity purposes on the SJA website, in Academy-produced publications and in various media outlets. (See the Communications section of the handbook for complete policy.)

Failure to abide by the policies of the handbook by either the student or the parent/guardian may result in the student’s removal from school.

Handbook contents can be changed during the school year. Students will be notified of changes via email; parents will be notified via the Parents Newsletter.

The signed School Handbook Acknowledgement Form is due to the Student Receptionist’s Office on Friday, August 12.

Back-to-School Shopping List
Click here for the shopping list for the start of the 2011-2012 academic year.

Class Schedules
Preliminary schedules are posted on NetSJA. Official schedules will be posted on Monday, August 1. Student schedules will not be printed and provided to students; as a result, students must print their own schedules. Late requests for schedule changes may not be honored as the deadline for requesting changes has passed. Please direct questions to Assistant Principal of Records Mrs. Kathy Meares (mearesk@sjabr.org; 388-2213).

SJA 101: Everything Parents Need to Know and More (for parents of freshmen)
This meeting for parents of all freshmen will be held on Thursday, August 4, at 6:30 p.m. in the Activity Center. Hear important information as your freshman daughter makes the transition from elementary school to high school. There will be presentations by school administrators, the Academic Counseling Center and the SJA Mission Advancement and Finance offices. Parents of freshmen will also meet their daughters’ teachers and hear about their classes.

FAQs from Parents of Incoming Freshmen
Below are some questions we commonly receive from our new parents.

Question: What will my daughter eat on her day of orientation?
Answer: Lunch will be provided to all 9th graders.

Question: What should my daughter wear to school for orientation?
Answer: The regular school uniform (not dress uniform) is required during orientation. The first day of school, August 9, is a dress uniform day. The red sweater does not have to be worn on hot days. The button-down white oxford shirt is acceptable.

Question: What kinds of supplies should my daughter bring to school on the first day of school?
Answer: During her orientation session, your daughter’s teachers will tell her what to bring to school. She must bring her tablet computer, power cord and bag, and she should back up all work she did during the summer, as her tablet will be reimaged.

Question: My daughter ordered her PE shirt, but how will she get it before PE class on the first day of school?
Answer: PE shirts will be given out by the instructor on the first day of class. Students will not be expected to “dress out” on the first day.

Reminder: All student pick up and drop off takes place on the long driveway off Kleinert. Due to construction, please do not enter the Activity Center parking lot or the Medaille Hall circle. Do not drop off on Broussard Street.

Student Orientation
Friday, August 5, for freshmen and Monday, August 8, for upperclasswomen. Click here for Orientation Schedules. Freshmen are reminded to please print their orientation schedules and bring a copy to follow on this day. If your daughter cannot attend her scheduled orientation session, please submit the reason in writing to Assistant Principal of Activities Mrs. Stacia B. Andricain
(andricains@sjabr.org). For additional information, please call 388-2217.

Yearbook and Student ID Pictures
Kleinpeter Photography will take photographs for the SJA yearbook and student ID cards during student orientation sessions. Click here for the Photo Order Form. Complete the form and return with payment to the photographer on your daughter’s designated picture day. Retakes will be taken on Thursday, August 18.

First-Day-of-School Prayer Service/Student Council Induction/Academic Letters and Bars Presentation
Tuesday, August 9, beginning at 1:49 p.m. in the Activity Center. We will follow Assembly Schedule 3 on this day. Dress uniforms are required. Parents are welcome to attend. Please remember that parking is one of our major issues. Please do not park in the lawyers’ lot or on their grass.

Classes at Catholic High School
Questions/issues for SJA students taking classes at CHS will be addressed during student orientation. Please direct curriculum questions to Assistant Principal of Academics Mrs. Sheri Gillio (gillios@sjabr.org; 388-2226). Transportation questions should be addressed to Associate Principal of Students Mrs. Jacqueline Labat (labatj@sjabr.org; 388-2215).

Back-To-School Night for Parents of Students in Grades 10-12
Thursday, August 11, 6:30 p.m., Activity Center. You will follow your daughter’s schedule to visit her classes and meet her teachers. Please print your daughter’s schedule from NetSJA.

August Events

Campus Life

SJA Telephone System
The school’s main number is 383-7207, but you are encouraged to call faculty and staff directly. Faculty members do not have physical phones; rather, their phone numbers connect directly to a voice mail box. Click here for a listing of faculty/staff phone numbers.

If you have a Blackberry/Smart Phone and are searching for the person you are calling by his or her name rather than extension, you must use the standard number pad to type the letters in that name.

Parking at SJA
Due to construction of the Academy Arts center, we will be losing several faculty and student parking spaces, therefore creating some challenges for us. Parking is offered to juniors and seniors only. Sophomores will not be allowed to drive for any reason during the year; we ask parents of freshmen and sophomores to please make other arrangements. The vehicle registration form is included. Those who follow the procedure below will be given either a street spot or an assigned parking spot according to a lottery system as long as spots are available. Qualifying seniors will be assigned first, then juniors. We will be auctioning off two parking spots in the Kleinert lot and two spots in the Activity Center lot at the Sizzlin’ Soiree on Saturday, August 20.

Please follow these steps for registering your daughter’s car for a parking permit for the 2011-2012 academic year:

1. Click here for the Vehicle Registration Form. All items must be complete. Students must have a driver’s license (not a learner’s permit) by Monday, August 8, in order to register a vehicle.
2. Return the completed form and check for $100 (assigned spot in a lot) or $25 (unassigned spot on the streets surrounding campus) to the Main Office by Monday, August 8, at 3 p.m. The form can also be mailed (3015 Broussard Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70808), or your daughter can put it in the box labeled “Vehicle Registration” in the Main Office during her orientation on August 8.
3. This is a lottery, not first-come/first-served, so all students who return the form and check have an equal chance of being assigned a parking spot in a lot. Seniors will be assigned before juniors.
4. The lots included in the lottery are the Activity Center, Kleinert, Synagogue and Lawyers’ lots.
5. Students must present their valid driver’s license when picking up their registration tag. If a student does not have a license, or if she only has a learner’s permit, she is not eligible to get a tag at this time.

Please note: Sophomores will not be allowed to drive under any circumstances for the entire school year. Please make a plan for your daughter prior to the start of school. Special permission will not be given to those sophomores who are on sports teams, so please plan ahead.

Sweatshirts/Sweatpants
Sweatshirt orders are due by Friday, August 12. Click here for the Sweatshirt Order Form.

Students will be allowed to purchase either red or navy uniform sweatpants from the Sticker Shop. These uniform sweatpants can be worn in the winter from December 1 until February 28 as the uniform bottom. Please note that red or navy sweatpants purchased from another vendor or store will not be allowed. Sweatpants orders will be taken in September.

School IDs/Lanyards
Students will be expected to wear their school ID on the school-issued lanyard at all times. The ID must be worn on the outside of the uniform so it is visible. Students not wearing their ID will be required to purchase a new one for $2 (at an increase of $2 each time a replacement is needed) and/or receive a checklist. Replacement IDs can be purchased in the Administrators’ Office.

School Calendar
Click here for the School Calendar for the 2011-2012 academic year.

Contact Information
Please help us keep in touch with you. Our monthly newsletter for parents is sent via email, and we may contact you with breaking information via our phone/text alert system. If your email, phone number or physical address has changed since last time you updated our records, please let us know. Please report changes to Assistant Registrar Mrs. Kristen Belanger (belangerk@sjabr.org; 388-2236).

Emergency Procedures
SJA generally follows the same procedures as the East Baton Rouge School Board and Diocese of Baton Rouge. School closures are announced via phone/text messaging system. You may also listen to the radio or TV for instructions. If your phone number has changed since you last updated our records, or if you would like to add additional phone numbers to those we call, please contact Ms. Stephanie Heine (heines@sjabr.org; 388-2240).

Carpool
If you are interested in forming a carpool in your neighborhood, please contact Student Receptionist Mrs. Erin McLean (mcleane@sjabr.org; 388-2256) beginning Monday, August 1.

Bus Service
SJA has bus service in the morning only. If you are interested in your daughter riding the bus, please call the East Baton Rouge Parish Bus Transportation Center at 226-3720. If you continue to have questions, please contact Student Receptionist Mrs. Erin McLean (mcleane@sjabr.org; 388-2256) after Monday, August 1.

Spiritual Formation
SJA students can grow in their faith through sharing special times and events such as Eucharist, group prayer, reconciliation services, retreats, weekly rosary, guided prayer experiences, mission trips and service opportunities. Various ministry clubs are available, including Student Ministry (seniors), Liturgy Committee, Liturgy Choir, Liturgical Dance, Students for Unity, Amnesty International and Respect Life Club. Information will be provided after school starts.

Liturgy Workshop
Sunday, August 28, 2-4 p.m., in the Activity Center. This workshop is for students interested in Liturgy Choir, Liturgy Committee or Liturgical Dance; seniors who wish to cantor for school masses or plan to sing at Senior Mass; and students who plan to read, dance, sing, play a musical instrument or be an altar server. Register on Moodle under Liturgy Committee or the specific club. For additional information, contact Sister Chaplain Sister Ily Fernandez (fernandezi@sjabr.org; 388-2262).

Student Retreats
Participation in retreats is required for graduation. Please plan accordingly.

Senior Retreat: October 9-10, Woodworth, LA
Junior Retreat: January 17, SJA
Sophomore Retreat: October 12, SJA
Freshman Retreat: March 15, Activity Center

Cell Phone Policy Change
Cell phone use by students is allowed during their unstructured period or lunch and only outside of buildings. If your daughter is sick and needs to leave school, she must go to the Student Receptionist’s office to call you. If a student is found using her cell phone during class, it will be taken from her. She will retrieve it, along with a check list, at the end of the day from Associate Principal of Students Mrs. Jacqueline Labat (labatj@sjabr.org; 388-2215).

Student Directory
A student directory will be available in early August. Students receive a directory at no charge; additional directories are $5 and available from Student Receptionist Mrs. Erin McLean (mcleane@sjabr.org; 388-2256).

Outside Food
Because students enjoy the benefit of the federal food lunch program, food may not be brought to students during the school day. Students may bring lunch from home.

Required Service Program
Service is an integral part of the SJA curriculum. Important information about this year-long program can be found on the SJA website under the Student and Parent drop-downs. Please read this information so you are aware of requirements and deadlines. Please direct questions to Campus Minister Mrs. Kristen Lazarine (lazarinek@sjabr.org; 388-2321).

Safety Report
SJA is in compliance with federal regulations concerning asbestos. All federal guidelines for underground pipes are also in compliance. For further information, contact Maintenance Supervisor Mr. Arthur Smith (smitha@sjabr.org).

Pesticide Hypersensitivity
SJA is in compliance with Act 237 and maintains a registry of students who are hypersensitive to pesticides. If your daughter has this sensitivity, please send written verification by a licensed physician and your written statement regarding her condition so we may attend to her needs. Send verification to Ms. Stephanie Heine in the principal’s office.

After-School Media Center/Library Hours
Media Center/Library hours are 3:15-5:30 p.m. Charge for late pickups (after 5:30 p.m.) are $15 for the first 1-15 minutes and an additional $1 per minute after 5:45 p.m. Students waiting to be picked up must report to the Media Center/Library by 3:15 p.m. Quiet study/homework time is 3:15-4:30 p.m. After-school Media Center/Library rules can be found in the School Handbook for Parents and Students under the Parent and Student drop-downs. Please direct questions to Librarian Mrs. Rebecca Stagg (staggr@sjabr.org; 388-2235).

Calculator Requirements
Students in Algebra I, Algebra I Honors, Geometry or Geometry Honors must have an inexpensive scientific calculator of their choice. The math department recommends the TI-30XS. Students in Algebra II, Algebra II Honors or any other higher-level math class must have the TI-Nspire or TI-Nspire CX. New calculators should be brought to school with all of their packaging. Seniors may use either the TI-Nspire or TI-84 Plus graphing calculator. A limited number of calculators are available for rent. Please label calculators before bringing them to school. Please direct questions to Mrs. Nancy Landi (landin@sjabr.org; 388-2331).

Tuition Policy 2011-2012
St. Joseph’s Academy is committed to providing an environment of excellence for young women in the Baton Rouge community. The SJA Board of Directors has established guidelines for tuition income. Click here for the Tuition Policy for the 2011-2012 academic year.

Tablet Insurance
Students are responsible for costs of all repairs not covered by the Warranty Against Defective Parts Agreement provided by the school. Students never pay for a hardware malfunction repair. Tablets are not insured for accidental damage or theft; it is the student’s responsibility for out-of-pocket costs for repairing or replacing a tablet. It is highly recommended that individuals provide coverage through their homeowners’ or other insurance policy. Information about insurance through Student Insurance Partners can be found at www.studentinsurancepartners.com. You may also call 1-800-620-3307 and ask for Tammy.

In the case of a theft, the student must report it as soon as possible to SJA, the police and her insurance carrier. Students must present the police report and have her parent/guardian contact the Warranty Repair Center (helpdesk@sjabr.org) before a replacement tablet will be issued.

When you read the online Student Handbook and sign the acknowledgement form indicating you have done so, you will also be asked to indicate whether you will accept or decline the insurance.

Piano Needed
SJA is looking for a piano. If you have one you'd like to donate, please contact Facilities Director Mr. David James (jamesd@sjabr.org; 388-2204).

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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