1. Healthcare

Volume 3, Number 8
Mrs. Lori Trott, Principal
February 2015
SJA SPIRIT AWARD HONOREE
As a member of Saint Joseph Academy’s Class of
1990, Melissa Valadez began a life-long
commitment to Catholic education at an early
age.
Her 15 year tenure as an educator for the
Diocese of Brownsville began in 1999 when
Melissa became the 6th grade Language Arts
teacher at St. Mary’s Elementary. In 2005, she
returned to Saint Joseph Academy where to this
day she is the industrious and highly regarded
10th grade English teacher and Department
Chairperson.
Melissa, always a contributor, additionally
Mrs. Gracie Touchy and Bishop Daniel Flores congratulate Mrs. Melissa Valadez
at the Spirit Award Ceremony on Friday, January 23, 2015.
dedicated herself as the Writing Across the
Curriculum Coordinator, Student Council Moderator, School Life and Mission Committee Member,
ACP Mentor, ACE Mentor, and Junior Encounter participant.
Ceaselessly devoted to honing her expertise in Catholic Education, Melissa has attended the 2008 and
2009 Loyola Leadership Conferences, Sharing Our Call I and II, and she was SJA’s 2013-2014 recipient
of the Marist Heritage Award. Leading her students by deed, she recently completed her studies
earning a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership.
Melissa’s love and appreciation for Catholic Education was gifted to her by her parents, Ray and Rosie
Sotelo. Melissa and her husband, Cristobal Valadez, Jr. are passing this tradition on to their sons, 2010
SJA graduates, Cristobal and Cristian, and future 2017 graduate, Eros.
It is with great pride that the Saint Joseph Academy community claims Melissa Valadez as one of its
finest assets.
IT IS A GREAT NEW YEAR AT SAINT JOSEPH ACADEMY!
I do hope everyone’s New Year has gotten off to a wonderful start. Students and teachers hit the
floor running on January 5, when we returned from our Christmas holiday. First semester report
cards were mailed on time. If, by chance, you did not receive your student’s report card, please let
me know and I will send you another copy.
KEEPING IT MARIST
On Tuesday, January 13, Brother Steve Milan from the Marist
Evangelization Office addressed the faculty during our afternoon
meeting regarding the New Marist in Mission program and shared
some of the activities that took place in Nairobi at the world wide
convention. This was followed by the announcement from our
Advancement Department regarding the 150th year celebration for Saint Joseph Academy.
Please watch our website to learn first-hand what exciting events are planned throughout
2015 as we celebrate this marvelous milestone.
Brother Steve later joined a gathering of the staff and faculty at the Brothers’ Residence for
dinner and further discussion on the increased collaboration between lay and religious
members in the Marist family.
SJA STUDENTS IN THE NEWS
Marist Youth and Operation PROM
The Marist Youth group need your help in this year’s
Operation Prom Campaign. Please donate your gently
used dresses and help make going to prom a wonderful
evening for girls in our community who cannot afford a new
prom dress. Drop off your donated dress at Camille
Playhouse, Brownsville Museum of Fine Art, St. Mary’s
Catholic School and Kenmont School.
Katherine Murphy
Receives
DAR Good Citizen
Award
Katherine Murphy was presented with the Daughters of
the American Revolution’s Good Citizen Award on Saturday, January 10, 2015. The
scholarship award is given to a Brownsville senior student who exemplifies the dependability,
service, leadership and patriotism qualities that the DAR promotes through this program. The
entry consists of an application with personal information, the student’s scholastic record, two
letters of recommendation and a two-topic essay.
February is “Your Life Is Beautiful” Month
YLB’s goal is to empower students with the knowledge of
the daily struggles bullying can cause. YLB also cultivates
new friendship, promotes unity, and encourages
acceptance through fun and effective activities.
Your Life is Beautiful is an anti-bullying organization
founded by five SJA sophomores in 2011. The inspiration
came from the different problems that where occurring all
across our nation.
Your Life is Beautiful is more than just an inspiring phrase to these students, it is a mission. The
name is a truth they want everyone to know and share. They believe life is the most valuable gift
anyone can have and they encourage people to know that we each have something unique to offer to
this world. This knowledge is so precious and can be life changing.
During this month, YLB members will hold several events and campaigns to raise awareness about
bullying and encourage an environment where everyone is welcome, accepted and included.
COURSE SELECTION FOR 2015-2016 SCHOOL YEAR
On January 28, members of the Administration and the Guidance Department met with students
currently in grades 8 through 11 to review the course selection process for the 2015-2016 school
year. Counselors have already met with each student to review the courses they will need to
complete for graduation. Course Selection sheets must have the following information completed on
the form. Once completed, the form should be submitted to the Finance Department with the $300
selection fee which is half of the re-registration fee, leaving a balance of $300 due in March.
The course selection sheet MUST be signed by a parent.
The course selection sheet MUST have a total of 7 credits in the far right hand column for all
students entering grades 9 through 12.
The course selection process begins on Monday, February 2 and ends on Friday, February 13. Our
staffing and course selection decisions will be made using the information from the course selection
sheets. If your student is applying for an Honors or Advanced Placement course, a seat in these
classes cannot be assured if the course selection sheet is not received by February 13. All course
selection sheets received after the due date will be placed on a waiting list for placement in requested
classes.
Congratulations to
Texas Conference Essay Winners
Please congratulate SJA Sophomores, Danahi Morquecho and
Daniella Salinas, who are winners in the Texas Conference Essay.
They will attend a School Choice Rally at the Capitol in Austin on
Friday, January 30 where they will meet their State Senator and/or
State Representative to receive their award, along with a certificate
from the Texas Catholic Conference.
GRANDPARENTS’ LITURGY AND RECEPTION
On Wednesday, January 28, we recognized the importance of our grandparents
and celebrated their influence and love for us with a Mass in the Brother Francis
Garza Student Center, followed by a reception in the Library. Reverend Tony
O’Connor from the San Felipe de Jesus Parish officiated at the Mass.
Grandparents’
Liturgy
and Reception at
Saint Joseph Academy
January 28, 2015
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER IN
FEBRUARY 2015
Mark Your
Calendar !
February 2-13
Course Selections for All Grades
February 3
Diocesan Rice Bowl Presentation
February 5
Progress Report Grades Posted
February 10
Noon Dismissal / Tuition Due without late fee
February 11
Spring Encounter – Camp Bayview
February 15
TAIZE Prayer Service – MD Gym with pot luck supper 6:00 pm
February 16-20 Vocation’s Week
February 17
First Round Soccer Playoffs
February 18
Ash Wednesday – Lauds (Morning Prayer Service)
Acceptance Letters Mailed to New Students all grades
Athletic Booster Club Meeting – 6:30pm UD Library
February 20
Assembly Schedule – Pep Rally Soccer & Track
Marist Youth Dress Down Day
Deadline for Financial Aid Applications (PSAS)
February 26
Noon Dismissal – Charro Days (modified office hours)
February 27
School Closed – Charro Days
February 27-28 TAPPS Soccer & Basketball Tournaments
 Be sure to visit the SJA website at www.sja.us for important news and information under Daily
Announcements on the front page and use the Google Calendar for the most up to date
information on activities at SJA.
 Is your Edline account activated and does it include your email address? You may be missing
out on important news and alerts from SJA if your email address is not activated in Edline.
Contact Linda De Los Santos with questions at [email protected]