Some of the highlights during the month of March are listed below:

• March 1st- Staff from St. Luke’s was here for a Read Across America Celebration!  Volunteer Readers visited grades PreK-5th. Preschool also celebrated with special themed days the entire week!

• The students participated in Stations of the Cross this month. There are symbols of Lent all around our school.



• We celebrated school spirit day and got to dress in our SJRS Lions, Marian Colts and Marian Fillies attire!

• We also finished filming a fun, short video with all students and staff this month that we will share with everyone in May.

Looking ahead:

• Please check the April calendar for all important dates. 

• Financial Aid for 2024-2025 School Year opened on January 3rd. It closes May 3rd. Be sure to apply before it closes.

• 8th Grade Graduation is scheduled for June 4th at 6:30pm. More information for families will be sent home soon.

• Scholarship Applications- To request an application for the Kremer Scholarship (for low-income families- for a family of 4 or less, the household income amount is less than $60,256. That number increases by $10,324 for each qualified dependents over the number of four residing in the household) please email Mrs. Smarr at dsmarr@sjrschool.com. The school will need everything completed and returned by Friday, April 19th.

• Race for Education – May 13th (Rain date May 16th)

This is a major fundraiser for SJRS and we are asking every family to participate and share the link for the event to be successful. This helps to keep the cost of tuition down. Many people do not mind sending a donation to the school. It is a wonderful way to ask people outside the area to support the school. For your convenience, here is the RACE FOR EDUCATION link that you can share with friends and family who want to donate online.

Christian of the Month

The Christian of the Month Award recognizes students who display good character on a consistent basis and serve as student role models throughout the month. Students are nominated by their teachers based on the six pillars of character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. Students chosen to receive this award will be acknowledged for their accomplishment in the monthly newsletter. Students will receive a dress down pass, Christian of the Month Certificate and Applebee's certificate. The students will be recognized in the monthly newsletter.

This month's Christian of the month for preschool is Georgia Pedersen. Georgia is the youngest of three. She is one of the most respectful, kind and caring friends. She always follows directions and has shown wonderful growth in preschool. She enjoys playing with her friends and loves spending time with her sisters Marcia and Aurora. Georgia is a happy, funny, and quite entertaining little girl. She enjoys dancing, listening to music and reading stories. Georgia loves anything that is "Frozen" related. During her spare time, she truly enjoys spending time at the lake with her friends and family. Congratulations and keep up the great work Georgia!

Carter Stephens is Kindergarten's March Christian of the Month. Carter comes to school every day with a smile and a positive attitude. He is always ready to learn and tries his best at everything that he does in school. Carter happily participates in all parts of the school day. Carter is a great friend in our classroom. He is kind and respectful to everyone. Carter can always be counted on to do the right thing. When he is not in school, Carter enjoys playing fall baseball and biddy ball. In his free time Carter loves music, dancing, riding his scooter, playing catch, and doing puzzles. He is a great friend and brother. Carter's family and teachers are very proud of him. Way to go, Carter! 

Gioia Benny is Kindergarten's March Christian of the Month. Gioia is a very respectful student who cares about her friends, her teachers, and her school work. Gioia works very hard in our class and always strives to do her very best. She pays attention in class and is always a good listener. Gioia has great manners and shows great kindness and care to others. When she is not in school, Gioia participates in gymnastics at Tumble with Denise. She also does jazz, ballet, and tap at the Dance with Kim dance studio. In her free time, Gioia enjoys spending time with her family. Gioia's teachers and family are very proud of her. Way to go, Gioia! 

The Christian of the Month for First Grade Blue is Giada Carsia. Giada is a great friend to her classmates and always goes above and beyond to help those around her. She works hard in class and always does it with a smile. Outside of school, Giada plays softball for Valley Regional Girls Softball, and she takes gymnastics classes with the Performing Arts Center. Giada also plans to join the Girl Scouts in the fall. Congratulations, Giada!

Mackenzie Howay is Christian of the Month for First Grade Gold. Mackenzie is a caring friend to all of her classmates. She is the first one to help a friend who is sad or play with a classmate who is lonely. Mackenzie loves her school and works very hard in the classroom. Outside of school, Mackenzie is on the Tamaqua Blue Waves Swim team. She has earned a yellow belt in Karate. Mackenzie volunteers with her mom at the Lake Hauto Beautification Committee. She loves to spend time with her friends riding bikes and swimming. Congratulations, Mackenzie!

The Second-Grade Gold Christian of the Month for March is Sasha Serfass. Sasha is a good student who works hard and always tries her best. She offers to help her classmates and teacher whenever she can. She is kind, caring, and respectful to everyone with whom she interacts. When Sasha is not in school, she is a cheerleader for the Lehighton Booster Club. She also practices Tap, Ballet, and Hip Hop with Dance with Kim. For five years, Sasha has made Valentine cards for PTD Touch a Heart through Blue Ridge Cable. She also takes baking classes at NickiCakes in Palmerton. Sasha is creative, loves to sing and dance, and enjoys helping others.

The Christian for the Month in Grade 2 Blue is Ulysses Fitzpatrick. He is always kind to his classmates. Ulysses is respectful of all and is very trustworthy. He can always be counted on to do the right thing.  Outside of school, Ulysses is a striker on his soccer team. He also plays baseball. Ulysses is a faithful member of SS Peter & Paul Parish. He helps out at the Backyard Bash and at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass. Ulysses practices his faith at home as well by praying a decade of the rosary every night with his family. He loves learning about God, the Saints, and everything else about his faith. Congratulations, Ulysses!

The Christian of the Month for 3rd Grade in March is Kennedy Sabol. Kennedy is active with the SJR Cross Country CYO program and also takes piano lessons. She loves spending time with her family and friends and always has a smile on her face! In the classroom, Kennedy is a respectful, helpful student who puts great effort into her schoolwork and is a wonderful and kind friend to have! Congratulations, Kennedy!  

Fourth Grade Gold's Christian of the Month for March is Blaise Kopp. In school, Blaise is caring, helpful, and studious. He is always willing to lend a hand for any classmates (or his teacher) who need a little extra aid. Outside of school, Blaise plays soccer for Tamaqua Area Youth Soccer. This is his sixth year! He has also started clarinet lessons with Mr. Cressley and plays in the SJRS band. Blaise serves as an acolyte in his church- St. Paul's in Beaver Meadows, PA. He loves all outdoor activities, especially swimming and riding his bike. Blaise is very creative and loves to draw and make things. He is also an avid reader, both in and out of school. Blaise admits to loving school and takes his education very seriously, and it shows by how hard he works. Great job, Blaise! We are all so proud of you! 

Janna Varner is the Christian of the Month for Grade 4 Blue. In school, Janna is a conscientious and helpful student. She often volunteers to assist the teacher or to lend a hand to her classmates. Her work is always completed neatly and thoroughly, and she frequently participates in class. Janna is a member of the St. Jerome CYO girls’ basketball team. She also recently joined the Girl Scouts. Outside of school, Janna enjoys playing outside with her cousins and riding her dirt bike. She also enjoys working on the farm. Congratulations, Janna!

Vitaliy Chepelskyy is Fifth Grade's Christian of the Month for March. Vitaliy has been a member of our school community since preschool and truly enjoys it. He is always helpful within the classroom and with his classmates. Vitaliy is a very responsible and diligent student with his classwork and homework. He is always prepared for school. His after-school activities include karate, where he received his black belt in December 2023, and soccer. Vitaliy attends SS. Peter & Paul Church in Beaver Meadows. Congratulations, Vitaliy!

Gavin Woodring has been chosen as the 6th Grade Christian of the Month. Gavin has been a consistent honor roll student. He is honest, kind, and respectful. He works hard, is conscientious about his work, and is always prepared for class. He was last year's District 5 CYO Spelling Bee winner. You can find him reading in his spare time. He loves traveling and has been to Israel, Egypt, Italy, and Greece. He enjoys anything outdoors which includes sports and spending time with friends and family. Gavin is a member of the Warpath Travel Baseball and Hazel Twp. Little League where he plays shortstop, 3rd, or 2nd base. He also participates in CVCO basketball and SJR CYO basketball and cross-country teams. Gavin has played the piano for 7 years at the Demelfi School of Music as well as saxophone with the SJRS Blue and Gold Band for 3 years. He has attained an orange belt at Karate and has received Spanish lessons for 7 years. Gavin is a wonderful big brother and son! His family is very proud of his work and many accomplishments! Congratulations, Gavin! 

Carly Green is the 7th Grade Christian of the Month. Carly is an excellent student who always has her work completed neatly and in a timely manner. She volunteers in class discussion and willingly does work on the board. Carly is part of the team that does morning and afternoon school announcements. Carly is a member of the Marian Catholic Junior High Track and Field team, plays goalie on Tamaqua Youth Soccer, and swims with the Tamaqua Blue Waves. She plays drums with the SJRS Band and Marian Catholic High School Marching Band. Carly also has a black belt in Karate. She performs in musical theater productions with Tamaqua Arts Center, Zion Opera Workshop and Majestic Theater. Carly also performed at Madison Square Garden with Spotlight Kidz and will be singing the National Anthem at Yankees Stadium this summer. Congratulations, Carly!

We are delighted to announce that Zoey Quintinsky has been selected as Christian of the Month for Eighth Grade! Zoey is a highly determined student with exceptional creativity and artistic abilities. She actively participates in various school activities, including serving as a mission representative, reading during school mass, and contributing to the design and construction of the 8th grade bulletin board. Outside of school, Zoey enjoys spending quality time with her family and playing softball. We wholeheartedly congratulate Zoey on this well-deserved recognition, and we wish her continued success in all her future endeavors.

Saint Jerome Regional School

(2023-2024 2nd Trimester Honor Roll List)

Grade 5

First Honors:

Aiden Barrett, Brianna Heater, Rebecca Wippel

Second Honors:

Avery Fuhs, Nicholas Zawisza

Grade 6

Distinguished Honors:

Gavin Woodring

First Honors:

Evrett Angelo, Addison Engleman, Lilly Gallagher, Aiden Gilbert,

Alex Lin, Lilly Porambo, Bella Sanfilippo, Luke Young

Second Honors:

Avion Graham Cruz, Kellan Krajcirik, Peyton O’Brien, Gianna Osenbach, Cody Salko

Grade 7

Distinguished Honors:

Ella Bones, Andrew Mummey

First Honors:

Madison Antolick, Joelle Currie, Gia DeCosmo, Gabrielle Feller,

Conner Giannelli, Emma Gilbert, Kylie Kisenwether, Nora Nothstein,

Grace Shemany, Abby Upanavage, Maiya Vavro, Adam Zawisza

Second Honors:

Viktoriya Chepelska, Skylare McConnon, Levi McCullion, Joshua McGinley,

Ryan Metters, Brody Peiser, Roy Sword, Michael Lee

Grade 8

Distinguished Honors: Andrew Reaman

First Honors:

Camden Gilbert, Noah McGinley, Cara Rehnert

Second Honors:

John LeClair, Peter Pikitus, Sean Stoves

The Catholic Daughters of the Americas held a contest in which students can submit art, poems, or essays on a specific theme. This year's theme was taken from Luke 1:78 - "God's love and kindness will shine upon us like the sun that rises in the sky". The students were asked to focus on how their love shines for others.

Kathy Becker, from the local Court Ryan 911 in Jim Thorpe, visited SJRS to deliver certificates & cash prizes to the winners! The students who received first prizes will also have their work submitted on the state level.

Congratulations to the following students!



Emma Gilbert- 1st Place

Gia DeCosmo- 1st Place

Brielle Hannis-Miskar- 1st Place

Blaise Kopp- 2nd Place

Sarah McGinley- 3rd Place

We are so proud of you!

Jr. Schuylkill County Band Festival

Congratulations to Victoria and Joseph Lashock, Adam Zawisza, Isabella Martinez and Andrew Reaman for being selected for Schuylkill County Junior Band. Thank you to Mr. Cressley for all he does for our Music Program!

2024 BISHOP'S CATHOLIC SCHOLAR AWARD WINNERS

We are very pleased to share our SJRS 8th grade students who have been selected to receive 2024 Bishop’s Catholic Scholar Awards. Each of these students will receive a $1,000 scholarship as they continue their education at one of our Diocesan Catholic High Schools next Fall. The following SJRS students have been selected as the Bishop's Catholic Scholar recipients:

Jakob Buzinski

Camden Gilbert

Joseph Lashock

Robert Lashock

Victoria Lashock

John LeClair

Natalie Moses

Nicholas Polakovic

Gregor Poleschuk

Zoey Quintinsky

Andrew Reaman

Cara Rehnert

Sean Stoves

Lewis Wetterau



Bishop Schlert will host this year’s Bishop's Catholic Scholar Awards Ceremony on Saturday, April 27 at Berks Catholic High School.

Congratulations!

Please Help Saint Jerome Regional School Keep Tuition Cost Affordable

Throughout the year you will be receiving information about the various fundraisers through the school and the Home and School Association. The reason we have fundraisers is to keep tuition costs down. The actual cost of education of each child in our school is over $6500.00. As you know, tuition is much less than this. The fundraisers help us make Catholic Education available to more children. 

We do not have mandatory fundraising at Saint Jerome Regional School because it is our hope that every family will do everything possible to support our efforts, not because they must, but because they want to participate and because they care about the future of this school. Thanks for joining the effort for the sake of our children!  

Gift Certificates and Scrip Certificates           

These are great ways to help with tuition costs. If you have any questions, please call the office. Many people are saving hundreds of dollars in tuition by purchasing certificates. Certificates are sold from the school office daily during school hours and scrip orders are taken on Tuesdays. No Scrip orders on March 26th.

Tuition Chance

This year we will again sell tuition chances to help you win money toward your tuition bill. The chances are $1 each, and paper slips are in the family envelope. If you want to purchase the chance, fill out the slip and enclose money in an envelope marked tuition chance. This is not a fundraiser. All money collected will be awarded to the winning student’s tuition account. If your tuition is fully paid, credit will be applied to next year’s bill. The winner for March is Gabe Bonner in Kindergarten. The amount of tuition credit is $135. Thank you to all who took chances. Slips are enclosed for next month’s drawing which will be on April 22nd.

Home and School News

We encourage all parents to get involved with Home and School. We will need much help, especially this year with our fundraising efforts. We encourage everyone to share ideas with HSA. If you are interested in helping with Home and School, please email HSA.

2023-2024 Home and School Officers 

President- Kathy Reaman

Vice-President- Kelly Kisenwether

Secretary- Megan DeAngelo

Treasurer- Billie Jo Wetterau

Coordinator of Fundraising Activities- Karen Weicker

Coordinator of Outreach- Maria McGinley

Email: hsa@sjrschool.com

Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more pictures and happenings in our school!

Your Tax Dollars can help SJRS 

Everyone has to pay taxes and typically your tax dollar’s fall into four main buckets; Welfare, Infrastructure (roads), Prison Systems, or Public Schools. The great thing about joining our program is it allows you to direct your tax dollars to St. Jerome Regional School. Donors are able to make a direct impact to their community through their tax dollars; they can come into your school any day and see the people they are impacting.

​

For additional help, please contact:

Amy Impellizzeri

Director of Scholarships

Eastern Pennsylvania Scholarship Foundation

aimpellizzeri@allentowndiocese.org

Office: 610-866-0581, ext. 2344



or contact principal- Amy Hannis-Miskar, who will be able to put you in touch with the Director of Scholarships in the Diocese of Allentown.  

The faculty, staff and administration ask for your continued prayers, support, cooperation and dedication to Catholic education. If you have any questions or concerns, you can call the school office at 570-668-2757. We will be happy to help you! Thank you for being part of the SJRS Family! Thank you for all the sacrifices you make to send your child to this school! In order to save time and money, we will continue to use email to communicate with you. If you have an email address, please check it and look for our messages. If you are not receiving our e-newsletters, please send a note to the office to be added to the email list. 

Let Us Pray

Let us place our lives in the hands of our God who loves us

unconditionally and who calls us to life.

May his peace live in our hearts and shine through our actions so that

others may come to know him

and turn their hearts toward him.

Lord, give us the grace to live every day of this Lenten season

guided by your great commandment of love ~

love for you, love for others and love for ourselves.

AMEN.

Let us pray for:

Our school family

a Special Intention

Your continued prayers, support, cooperation and dedication to Catholic education.

Your continued kind words toward each other.

Our SJRS Faculty and Staff, our Home & School Association officers and members, our lunch aides, those who work at our fundraisers, the cooks and bakers and those who support our school in any way. Your dedication and sacrifices, commitment and sharing of your time, talent and resources is a source of inspiration to us. We thank God for the gift of each one of you and we ask Him to continue to bless you and your efforts as you help to make SJRS – simply the best.

This is a special place because you are special people. 

Our community and neighbors.

Email your prayer requests to altssj@ptd.net or send a note to the office.

We will list the names that you would like us to pray for in our monthly newsletters.