Mrs. Cheryl Burruel has been teaching at SSJ since 1999.  Like Mrs. Smith, her favorite memory is the annual field trip to the Andre House where Mass is celebrated with Fr. Bill outside, with all of the students, chaperones and the homeless that gather.  “This to me is truly what it means to celebrate Jesus.”  Mrs. Burruel also remembers when her father passed away in February of ‘04.  “His funeral was at his parish, St. Clement of Rome in Sun City.  It touched (flooded)  my heart to see the SSJ school bus arrive with my students from Room 9, to join with me at the Mass celebrating my father’s life.  SSJ is truly a community!!”

Mrs. Mary Smith, ‘79,  has been teaching at SSJ since 2003. 

One of her most special memories is taking her class on a field trip to the Andre House each year to sort donations.  The kids return with a great awareness of how fortunate they are, and they truly appreciate all of the blessings they have. 

The 5th grade year offers the students many exciting opportunities to work together, grow individually, and explore many learning environments.  We have worked hard to unite the two classrooms as if they were one large family.  Classroom lessons are coordinated between both teachers to ensure uniformity and consistency.  Students may be separated physically by the wall between the two rooms; however, the students participate in most activities together.  Our parties, field trips, special events, and many classroom activities are integrated which allow for the development of a close-knit community.

Some of our most memorable events are:

All Saints’ Day – seeing the culmination of the students’ hard work as they present their Saint to the community at Mass. 

Annual community service project at Andre House  – here we see first hand how each person’s work of service combined with others can result in a magnificent product.  Our 5th graders see with their own eyes the desperate needs of the less fortunate and are given an opportunity to respond to this need.

Junior Achievement’s BIZTOWN – is a phenomenal program incorporating the elements of the ‘real’ business world into the classroom.  Students spend several weeks with hands-on classroom lessons preparing for a one day adventure in a simulated city.  Students put their new work-readiness knowledge in play as they take control of each business, city hall, and their own personal finances. 

Pen pals with our neighboring elementary school - Ocotillo School – This monthly communication allows our students to learn about families in our parish neighborhood.  Students look beyond the fences and interact with children their age whom they may never have crossed paths previously.  This activity focuses on strengthening our communication skills while demonstrating our Catholic Christian identity to others.  Our pen-pal program concludes with a field day at our school where we meet face to face and build upon our new friendships.