Blog Post

Vaccines & High School Spirit

Luke Heintschel • October 2, 2021

Vaccines

Many families are wondering how SJA will respond to yesterday’s news. Governor Newsom announced that the State of California will be requiring that all students participating in in-person education (public or private) be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. From what I can tell, this should go into effect in January or July of 2022. SJA does not yet have a policy responding to this new development. Nonetheless, SJA is committed to the following principles as laid out in our other policies:

  • The safety of our community
  • Obedience to legitimate requirements from the government
  • Safeguarding the God-given rights of all SJA stakeholders (board, faculty, staff, parents, and students), especially their right to act in accordance with their conscience.


Whatever action SJA takes will be in accordance with these principles. You might recall some of the measures we took last year in response to COVID-19. In March of 2020, when it was unclear how dangerous this virus was, we were obedient (and efficient) in moving the school to distance education. In August 2020, when it was undeniable that in-person education was essential for our community, SJA teamed up with other schools in taking legal action against the governor, pursuing our right to re-open in person. We opened in full on September 1, 2020. Over that summer and into the start of school, we also implemented safety protocols, most notably (and most effectively) installing hand washing stations on our campus and encouraging students to frequently wash their hands. As a result, we had almost no spread of any illness whatsoever on campus for the entire academic year.


Our community of parents will have a variety of responses and opinions to this new mandate on the horizon. Some will be anxious to secure vaccination for their children and others will have conscientious objections. SJA’s response will be in accord with the principles outlined above. I will not hesitate to keep our community informed as SJA develops a plan in response to the coming mandate.

High School Spirit

I spoke this week with nearly all of the High School students about how the year is going thus far. Mostly, I wanted to get a sense from them what could improve their high school experience. Nothing will ever trump our highest priorities of classical education and the faithful Catholic formation that we provide, but that does not stop at academics. I’m excited to take their opinions to heart and am exploring new ways to help our high schoolers build up school spirit, a sense of community among one another, and an authentically Catholic culture.


One excellent way to build up school spirit and camaraderie is surrounding our sports programs. Next Friday, October 8, is the Homecoming football game. This week, leading up to homecoming is the High School’s first spirit week. Encourage your teens to get involved! I’ve included the flier on the bottom of this page with each day’s theme. Please note that even when students aren’t in uniform, they still must adhere to the school’s dress code (e.g. no sandals or open-toed shoes, no torn jeans, modesty, etc.). The Homecoming Dance will be in the evening of Saturday, October 9.


Another excellent way to build up school spirit and high school camaraderie is for students to get involved in our many and diverse clubs:

  • ASB plans many events for the high school student body. Any high school student may join as a "general member" and attend meetings to help plan and serve on events. To apply, students should write a letter to Miss Smith (ASB Advisor) explaining their desire to join. The ASB has the power (and my support) to make SJA more fun!
  • Cards Club: Meet once a week at lunch to participate in various card games.
  • Chess Club: Meet once a week at lunch to play chess and learn chess gameplay strategy.
  • Debate Club: Meet once a week at lunch to learn debate skills and debate issues that matter in our world today. The debate club is excitedly planning a public debate as well as SJA’s first Quodlibet event. Quodlibet is inspired by a medieval university exercise and will involve students asking a faculty panel big questions on theology and philosophy.
  • Pro-Life Club: Students will be holding fundraisers for pro life pregnancy centers and organizing various pro life events.
  • Great Outdoors Club: Members have already hiked Vulcan Mountain and are going Kayaking at La Jolla Shores caves on October 11th. Future activities include snowboarding, exploring Mud Caves, and camping. 
  • Young Marines: The Young Marines is an outstanding youth organization focusing on the following core principles and values: Leadership, Honor, Courage, and Commitment, emphasizing a healthy drug-free lifestyle. 
  • The Harvey Club: The Harvey Club exposes students to the cultural depth of the Western tradition. Students explore classical film, theater, dance, art, and music, thereby developing an affinity for these diverse expressions of Western civilization.


Don’t see the club your student wants? Students can form new clubs too! Have them come speak with me about how.

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