Students in middle school are in the process of choosing just the right book to capture their imagination and sustain their interest throughout a unit of literary study. A wonderful roster of choices has been identified by our language arts department. Some books appear on multiple lists while others have been chosen for use at a particular grade level. The selections provide a range of genre and challenge.   Character, setting, conflict and resolution will be discussed along with theme, style, technique and structure. In small and large group discussion students will consider text as they explore point of view, author's craft, and use of language. Writing activities will be integrated to provide instruction and practice in literary analysis. At the end of the unit, the entire middle school will share their books in a celebration of good literature. Click here for our Archdiocesan reading standards for literature.

Parents are encouraged to discuss the titles with their children.  Some of these books will be familiar to parents and others are new. All have received critical acclaim and are highly recommended for adolescent readers. . Click for links to the list of books available for sixth, seventh and eighth grade. With the exception of Book Thief and Brown Girl Dreaming, our school owns multiple copies of each book. Students choosing Book Thief or Brown Girl Dreaming will have to provide their own copy. Students will be able to use sticky notes to mark pages in the books belonging to SJV. If students prefer to highlight text or write in the margins, they may wish to acquire their own copy of their book to keep and reread.

We look forward to sharing ideas, perspectives and dreams through wonderful books.

Operation Rice Bowl
Each family has received an Operation Rice Bowl bank and calendar.  With this, students and families have an opportunity to pray for and directly assist the poor in the United States and overseas.  Please see the Operation Rice Bowl Letter for further details.  All contributions are due by April 1. 

We are proud to announce that the SJV Summer Camp is back for its second year! 

New for this year:

• The camp runs July 6-10 and 13-17 from 8:00-3:00.
• Sign up for one week or two, depending on summer schedules
• Opportunities for organized outdoor play (weather permitting) are offered every day at no extra charge.
• A greater variety of classes, including new classes, such as engineering with Legos, drama, and dance, along with some of the old favorites like cooking, technology and art!

By clicking on our SJV Summer Camp link, you will find everything you need to know, including class offerings and descriptions, schedules, pricing and registration information. If you are interested, please print the catalog, register for classes and return to the school office with payment at your earliest convenience.  Please note that registration closes on Friday, May 15. Please direct any questions to Dan Demeter at or Chris Gordon. Thank you for considering our great summer camp!  

SJV Middle School

Annual Toiletries Drive

Wednesday, April 15- Wednesday, April 22 

Can we count on you?   

PLEASE HELP the Milwaukee Rescue Mission, The Guest House and Sojourner Truth House

Bring in any NEW or NEVER USED toiletries from hotels or the store, such as: Combs, women's hygiene products, deodorant, cough drops, shampoo, lotion, soap, floss, mouthwash, foot care products, chap stick, mosquito repellent, sun block, and tooth paste and tooth brushes.

Please bring in toiletries to your homeroom or drop them off at the school office from April 15-22.  Thank you for your support!                                                  

Don't be a spectator!  Get in on the fun!

Are you interested in creating a fun and memorable experience for your family on Memorial Day and Independence Day?  We may have just the venue for you!

The SJV School Committee would like to sponsor an SJV School float in the upcoming community parades and we need you!  We are seeking interested parents and school staff to join in on the fun.  

As this would be our first year participating, we're looking for a few parade pioneers to help with either or both parades.  If you'd have interest in leading this community event or just helping out on these days, please let us know.  SJV School Committee has reserved space in each of the parades and we'll be providing float decorations, spectator give-aways, and holy water.

This is a great way to show our school spirit walking the streets of Elm Grove and Brookfield with fellow classmates, teammates, scouts, club members, Shamrock Choir and even our very own musicians in the band and jazz band!  

As we're hopeful there will be interest expressed by parade pioneers, future communication will be shared in the weeks to come on these events.

If you would like to help coordinate either of these events or would simply like to share ideas we encourage you to contact, Pam Pyzyk, School President, Elizabeth Lange, Advancement* Subcommittee Chair or me, Rob Durham

School Committee Chair.

MAP Testing Window-

ITBS Testing Window- The ITBS testing window for grades 3,5 and 7 begins on Monday, April 13 and ends on Friday, May 1.  

In order to minimize the impact on our daily academic program, testing sessions are arranged to take one class period or less. Check the detailed schedules to learn more about your child's particular testing times and dates.    

Map Testing Schedule 

7th Grade ITBS Schedule 

3rd & 5th Grade ITBS Schedule 

It's not too late to sign up for Track! Practice starts next Monday. Even if you are involved in other spring sports like AAU, soccer or baseball, we accommodate those schedules in track.  We're hoping to get over 100 kids again this spring, so if you've been thinking about it, please sign up!  Whether you are fast (or not so fast) we want you on the team!  There are tons of opportunities for running, jumping, throwing and having fun with your friends.  Practices are generally Mondays and Thursdays 5:30-7:00pm, at the BC track.  Track meets are typically on Saturdays.

Please fill out the Track Registration Forms as soon as you can.  The season starts March 30th.

We also can always use more coaches!  With 100 participants, the more parents the better, even if you can only help out some of the time. We'll have a coaches and parent meeting coming up soon- watch for further information.  Contact Anthony Boldin if you have any questions. 

Nominations are Open for Home & School

Are you ready to serve your school in a new way? Home & School is looking to fill three executive offices next year.  Positions open include a Chairperson(s)-1 year term, Secretary-1 year term and Treasurer-2 year term.  The Chairperson(s) would serve the following year as the Advisor.  We have several talented parents that are interested, but nominations are still being accepted until April 2 by 11:30am.   Please email Amy DiPiazza with your names.  The nomination list will be published in the April 14th Shamrock Weekly.  Voting will take place at the April 22nd Home and School meeting.  Consider offering your time and talents through these leadership positions.

Items up for Vote at April Home & School Meeting

Three issues will be brought to Home and School members for a vote in April.  Please plan to attend the April 22nd meeting at 9:30am in P209.  We will be voting on:

1. Election of new officers
2. Adoption and approval of H & S Guidelines.   Paper copies of the proposed guidelines are available in the school office for your review.
3. Vote to apply $30,000 of unallocated funds to help defray the cost of fixing the roof for the school.  The cost to repair the roof is anticipated to cost over $130,000.

Last Spirit Wear Order of the Year 

Hurry!  The spirit wear website closes tonight (March 24) at midnight!  You can access it by clicking on the Spirit Wear link.

This will be the last spirit wear order of the school year, so stock up now on t-shirts, shorts, hats and so much more!  The website will be open through Tuesday, March 24.  Items will most likely arrive over Spring Break and will be available for pick up at school when we get back.
If you have any questions, please contact Jen Doyle or Allison Rusch 

One more SCRIP order before Easter Break!

In order to send you and your family off on a relaxing Easter break, we are processing SCRIP one more time!  Orders will be due Monday, March 30 by 8:30 am and will be sent home in the backpacks as early as Wednesday.  If the SCRIP shipment is delayed, cards will be sent home on Thursday.  We will not be processing SCRIP the week of April 6 due to Easter Break, but if you wish to order online and use PrestoPay, feel free to do so.  Scrip ordering will resume on Monday, April 13th.  Thanks!!  As always, Martha Connelly, Amy Lodes and Janet Fisher are here to answer your questions.

First Communion Preparation

Church Tour for both children and parents is Saturday, March 28 from 9:30-11:30am in the Church.  All First Communicants and their parents are invited, but if you missed Joy Day we ask that you attend this event.  Reminder, the second family sharing experience was due on Monday, March 16. 

Catholic Memorial Jr. Crusader Summer Basketball   

Summer basketball registration is open to boys and girls entering grades 4-9.  All athletes will play two games per night, one night per week at Center Court in Waukesha.  Practices will be on Sundays. 

Catholic Memorial Jr. Crusader Football

Junior Crusader Football is open to youths entering grades 5-8.  All registrations are due by April 1. Any questions can be directed to Andy Krause at 414-406-3474. 

Attend the Rockin' Dance Party at Pius 

Friday, March 27 from 7:00 - 9:00pm

Open to students in grades 5-7. 

Supervised activities including a DJ, games, prizes and ice cream.  Click for information and permission slip. 

Pius Spring Showcase

Wednesday, April 22 at 6:00 pm

Come learn about Pius XI Catholic High School through a student-led building tour and parent and student panel.  Teachers, staff and coaches will be available to answer questions.

Shadow Opportunities at Pius XI 

Pius XI Catholic High School will be offering shadow opportunities for 7th grade students in March and April.  Please click for the registration form.  

De Sales Days Seminary Summer Camps

Check out our complete schedule of middle school, high school and young adult camps under the events tab at www.thinkpriest.org. Mass, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, confessions, discernment talks, sports, recreation, service, fellowship, and discussion for young men discerning God's call.

For more information, please go to www.thinkpriest.org or contact Carla Dal Santo in the Vocation Office by email for phone 414-747-6437

June 27            June 21-24        August 2-5