Monday, May 7

Learn and Live a Christ-centered Life!

The Gift of Understanding is our Family Discussion Topic of the Week!

The following is last Friday’s Parent Newsletter:

Dear Parents and Community Members,

            May!?! I have checked numerous calendars over the course of the past couple days, and each one seems to confirm it is indeed……………….MAY!!!! We have many special events coming up (almost daily), so it is very important that we work together to help the students stay focused on learning and self-discipline.  With the special events, come some special dress code days, so please refer to the out of uniform dress code policy in the handbook to answer your questions.  In general, on “Jean Days” in May, your child is permitted to wear shorts of appropriate and modest length (athletic shorts are permitted) and an appropriate t-shirt.  Some days will be considered blue/gold spirit days, and others may not.  Unless otherwise noted, please help your child be in proper uniform for every school day!

            Please be sure to keep money in your child’s lunch accounts through the end of the school year.  Money in the account at the end of the year will be rolled over into next year.  Any negative balance must be paid off by the end of the school year. 

The Art Show was outstanding last weekend, with wonderful pieces of art displayed from all of our First-Eighth graders.  We were able to watch Snoopy the Musical this past Wednesday as a K-8 school family, and our high school performers and Mrs. Slawinski put on an excellent show.  I encourage everyone to attend tonight or tomorrow afternoon.  St. John’s students can be admitted for $1.00 tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. if they wear St. John’s apparel.  Please, come support our young actors and actresses; it is an amazing effort to pull off such a professionally directed show!

Tomorrow evening is the St. John’s Benefit Auction, themed Cinco de Mayo this year! Thank you to all who have donated time and/or items for the auction, and also to those of you who have purchased tickets or will purchase tickets.  This is a very important fundraiser to our school, and it is always a fun celebration of our school as well! If you need some incentive to go; one of the items for auction is your child can be “principal for a half-day, and I will be a student for a half-day.”  It should be fun; I look forward to seeing many of you there!

The most important event I will attend this weekend will in all likelihood be First Communion! Our second graders, and second graders from the Parish School of Religion, have been practicing this week to receive the Body and Blood of Christ for the first time.  It is one of my favorite moments every year when I am able to look at a second grader and offer them the Blood of Christ for the very first time, and they reply, “AMEN”….I believe!!! That is a testimony to the past, present and future of our Church, the Paschal Mystery!

May Crowning will be this Thursday following the 8:00 a.m. Mass in Church; our K-8 school family will share in the celebration of Mass and then in the celebration of Mary! The Delphos Mini-Relay for Life is this coming Friday, May 11, and is always a wonderful event sharing the day with all Elementary students of Delphos Public and Parochial schools to raise awareness and money to fight cancer.  This is a Jean Day where students should wear either a Relay for Life shirt or a St. John’s shirt!  Peace Be With You! –Nate S.

 

Band Members Flower Sale Pick Up

This Monday Band Members are responsible to pick up the flowers they sold and deliver them.  This will take place Monday, May 7, from 2:00-6:00 p.m. at the K of C Hall.

 Jr. High MAC Track Meet

Jr. High Track team members will be dismissed at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 10, to change clothes, eat a snack and board the bus by 3:00 p.m.  The team competes at Versailles in this year’s MAC meet beginning at 4:30 p.m.  Team members will be permitted to change in the locker rooms and eat a snack in the Little Theater, and then will dismiss from the Little Theater to the team bus at approximately 2:50 p.m. 

St. John’s Cross Country

Steve Hellman the cross country coach will be meeting with the 6th through 8th graders next week to explain the cross country program to the students.  He will also have a sign-up sheet for those that are interested in running Cross Country.  See the attached information sheet for more details on the St. John’s cross country program.  He will be holding an informational meeting for the parents and runners on Wednesday May 23rd at 7:00 at the Stadium Park Shelter House.

 PTO Update

Newly elected committee leaders for the Parent Teacher Organization next year are:  Amy Holdgreve, Chris Cross, Jodi Hershey, Stacy Fairchild, and Heidi Fittro.

They will Join:  President:  Kelly Hershey, Vice President:  Amy Baldauf, Secretary:  Kim Hodgson, Treasurer:  Michelle Boggs and Fundraiser chairs:  Anita Lindeman and Nancy Bonifas.

Thank you to the outgoing PTO officers and committee leaders for all their hard work this year! You helped teachers feel appreciated and certainly helped St. John’s School!

Also, thank you to all the nominees for agreeing to be on the ballot this year.  If you were not elected, please be as involved as possible as a member and try again next year to become a committee leader!!

Monday, April 23

Learn and Live a Christ-centered Life!

Service is the Family Discussion Topic this week.

The following is Friday’s Parent Newsletter:

Dear Parents and Community Members,

            I spent the day yesterday in a principals’ meeting for all Toledo diocese principals.  We had a full day of professional development, human resources, government programs, 21^st century learning initiative, bullying prevention policies and common core curriculum and assessments.  With all of that information, believe it or not, our external visit for our school’s accreditation remains my top priority right now!

Our External Validation Team will be here this coming Tuesday and Wednesday to review our Preliminary School Improvement Plan and to validate our operating standards.  These will be normal school days, except that each teacher will be involved in the process by talking with the external team at some point, and the students will see the team touring the classrooms and meeting with the staff.  Our external team is made up of five current Catholic School principals and one retired Catholic School principal; one member is from the Columbus Diocese, while the other five are from our area.  This is the first time we are being accredited as a K-12 institution, so the team will meet with high school and elementary school teachers and administrators together.  This is a model of Continuous Improvement, so they are not here to grade us on our plan, but they are mainly here to help us have a well written, data-driven plan that will help our school improve and that the plan becomes approved by the Ohio Catholic Schools Accrediting Association! I look forward to this experience and ask for your prayers for good leadership through this process.  I have put a lot of time in this year working with Mr. Huysman to bring the high school and elementary operating standards together, and the teachers have been very helpful and cooperative of this process throughout the year. 

I know on announcements to the student body this week I have tried to stress the importance of “dignity for all”, and I have noticed many students really trying to practice this in their behaviors and attitudes.  I hope you have the opportunity each week to discuss with your children what our “family discussion topic of the week” is, and if they are having any discussions/activities in their classrooms to coordinate with the topics.  This is a proactive method of our bullying prevention plan, and you will notice that each week there is a Christ-centered topic to help us focus our lives.  I also realize I am not always perfect at carrying these topics out in my own life, but the topics do help guide my efforts.  I hope you have an opportunity to discuss each week with your children the constant struggle and effort to focus on our faith in Jesus in our society today.  I know as we near the last month of school, it sometimes seems the daily rigors of school and life can lead us astray from our journey with God, but I have noticed the past couple weeks how thankful I am to work in a faith-filled environment.  It’s certainly true that we are not perfect, and I often hear the negatives during this time of year as people tire of the routine and of some of the decisions that are made that may not be in one’s own favor, but I am still thankful for the opportunity to serve in this particular Catholic Community! I’m especially thankful for the support and encouragement that so many of you give me.  My hope and prayer is that your children and you experience the joy of Catholic School on a daily basis (even at the end of the school year)!

Thank you to those who have returned your SMART tuition registration form to begin using this new system for next school year’s tuition.  I know almost 80% of you have returned the form, and I’m sure more are rolling in today.  The final stage of budgeting for next fiscal year is going on right now for the Parish and School, so I look forward to communicating tuition costs in the near future.  Thank you for the financial commitment you make to our parish and our school to keep St. John’s going strong!

I am excited and proud to announce some academic awards that were won by our students today.  We have four junior high students that have been acknowledged as winners in this year’s, “Why I Am Proud to Pledge Allegiance to Our Flag” essay contest. This contest was sponsored by the Lima Elks.  Our winners are 7th graders Mackenzie Stose and Ally Gerberick, and 8th graders, Madelyn Buettner and Emilie Buettner.  They have been invited to an awards banquet with their parents on May 2nd to receive their award.  Also, 6^th grader Jacob Smith was recognized this morning at the Delphos A & W as the Delphos Optimist Most Improved Student of the Month.  Jacob was nominated by Mr. Kemper, Mrs. Wrasman, Mrs. Neidert and Mrs. Weber for his hard work and relentless effort he gives to his studies and schoolwork, as well as his commitment to sixth grade service projects.  Congratulations to these students and their parents!

Our 2^nd and 3^rd graders perform their mini-musicals this afternoon and I look forward to the show, as they have put in much effort practicing for their performance.  The Junior High Track team competes tonight in the Ottoville Invitational as they continue their season.  The Choir and Band students are preparing hard for their upcoming concerts as well!

Have a beautiful weekend; peace be with you!  -Nate S.

 Art Show Open House

Please join us for Delphos St. John’s first all school Art show open house on Sunday, April 29th after 9:15 and 11:30 Mass. Every child in grades 1-8 will have work displayed. Cookies and juice will be provided. Please come to appreciate all of the hard work you child has displayed in the art room!

 Mini-Relay for Life is May 11

To make our Mini Relay a success we need some help from all students by donating prizes for the kids.  We would like each family to donate one bag of candy if possible. It can be turned into the homeroom teacher.  Some suggestions for candy are Tootsie Rolls, Dum Dum Suckers, Laffy Taffy, Starburst, Lifesavers, Smarties, or Jolly Ranchers.

 Looking Ahead to Upcoming Events

Wednesday, May 2:  St. John’s Pre-School students visit Elementary

Wednesday, May 2:  St. John’s Pre-School End of the Year Program at Annex from 6:30-7:00 p.m.

Saturday, May 5: St. John’s Spring Benefit Auction “Cinco de Mayo” theme in All Saints in the evening.

Sunday, May 6: First Communion at 2:00 p.m. in Church.

Thursday, May 10:  Van Wert St. Mary’s Fifth Graders visit St. John’s

Thursday, May 10:  May Crowning after 8:00 a.m. Mass in Church

 

Monday, March 12

Learn and Live a Christ-centered Life!

Kindness is the Family Discussion Topic of the Week!

Last Friday’s Newsletter:

Dear Parents and Community Members,

       Happy March! I have enjoyed the days getting a little bit longer, and of course this weekend will bring even more daylight hours in the evening! Along with March, we continue our journey of Lent, and our school family is working together on a different Lenten challenge every day.  The past two weeks, we prayed for the poor, helped set the table (hopefully), cleaned up the floor, said something kind to someone, prayed silently for oneself in our hearts, and reflected on Sacrifice; we are being asked to “dust the house” this weekend!  Our third through eighth graders participated in the Sacrament of Reconciliation Thursday, our eighth graders are having a retreat to prepare for their coming Confirmation, and our students have been to weekly Mass.  I’m always happy to share with you the moments that define who we are at St. John’s; our students participating actively in their Faith! As I ramble on throughout this newsletter about various topics of importance, let us all remember and focus on the centralized reason we are here…to learn and live a Christ-centered life!

            Kindergarten Screening has been a success so far, and I look forward to the remaining times I will be spending with potential St. John’s students and their parents! Please, call me if you know someone who has not received information about Kindergarten Screenings and is eligible for Kindergarten next year. 

            The Accreditation process is moving along and we have also begun the process of starting our Strategic Intervention Team that The University of Notre Dame is coaching us on.  I am spending quite a bit of time researching technology improvements and schedule improvements for our future as well.  One of the highlights of my past two weeks was reading to the Kindergarten and First Graders to celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday.  They really enjoy watching and listening as my tongue gets all tied up, and I enjoy reading a funny story with a positive message built in!

          I have been working with the State, Diocese, and Delphos City Schools in order to become a provider for the Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship.  I will be on the phone often in the near future talking with parents who are eligible.  Feel free to e-mail me or call me at school if you have not heard from me and you believe your family may be eligible for a special needs scholarship.  There are many limitations and nuances that I am trying to work through in order to benefit our eligible families, while protecting our already strong Special Needs programs in the Elementary School!

           On a personal note I am sad that the high school basketball season has come to an end, but it is also a relief to my after school schedule.  Thank you again this season to all who supported me in coaching the freshman team; I know it pulls me away from the office quite a bit.  Thank you especially to Mrs. Suever, Mrs. Becker, Mrs. Weber, Mrs. Haehn and Mrs. Youngpeter who all seem to pick up some of my slack in the office during the winter season! I know the teachers put up with it, too, so I am grateful to all the support I have in order to be able to spend time in the gym every day.  Blessings to you and your families this weekend!  -Nate S.

 Smart Tuition is coming….Two years ago we started the cashless cafeteria system.  Over the past few years, the web based program Progress Book has been implemented for grades K-12 to report test results and homework.  We are continuing our technology updates in the 2012-2013 school year with a web based program for tuition payments called Smart Tuition.  Look for more information about Smart Tuition in the weekly newsletters.

 PTO Nomination Form

Please turn in a nomination form to help select next school year’s officers and committee leaders for Parent Teacher Organization if you have not already done so.  There was a hard copy sent home with your youngest school child last week and it was due today, but it will be accepted if received this Monday! There are spare copies in the Elementary Office if you need another copy.

 SCRIP Update

Scrip totals for the week of Tuesday the 28th of Feb. through Monday the 5th of March were as follows:  Total sales: $29,630.00, Total profit: $1,431.23 with $572.49 for the church and $858.73 going to tuition.

 New Retreat Ministry for Women of all ages

The following message was written by Mary Lou Pohlman:

Ladies, I have begun a new ministry and would love to invite you to experience a day of solitude and time with God.  I will be holding retreats at my home and have already had a trial run of which the ladies have had a good experience. In their own words:  ” Ladies of all ages…this is an experience that will fill your heart and soul…it is not a religion-cramming session…this is a time for self-reflection, prayer and an opportunity for uninterrupted solitude with you and God. You will leave this retreat feeling full and wonderful. Please contact Mary Lou Pohlman…you will not regret it!!!!”  “It was WONDERFUL!!!! I highly recommend it to anyone who needs “refreshed & renewed” in any way.” “A day filled with many blessings…I highly encourage you to give her a call….I am so thankful that I spent the day with 6 other amazing women….” “If anyone gets the chance to attend one of Mary Lou Pohlman’s retreats I highly recommend it. What a wonderful day of meditation and prayer.” ” I viewed this day as a time for “soul-searching”, forgiveness, healing, and improvement.”  “The day refreshed my soul.  I came away with a new look at my life realizing what I have been blessed with.  It was like a mini vacation where I spent time with myself, friends, and God.  It was more refreshing than a week at the beach!! I will definitely be sharing this experience again.”

My next two retreats are Wednesday, April 4 (Holy Week) and Friday April 13 (After Easter). Drop your kids off at school; come to my home before or by 8:00am.  Enjoy a cup of coffee/juice and a muffin, I will provide lunch and snacks.  I will then have you back on the road to pick up your children at the end of the day.  Space is limited so let me know if you are interested and I will reserve your spot.  Both retreats are the same.  One day is all that’s necessary to begin.  Friend me on facebook, email me at mlpohlman424@yahoo.com or call me at 419-303-8019 and I will get your name and begin to pray for a blessed day for you.  I look forward to spending this faith filled day with you!  Mary Lou Pohlman

Wednesday, February 22

Ash Wednesday was observed today to begin Lent; all students and staff attended Mass at either 8:00 a.m. or 12:15 p.m.

The following is last week’s newsletter:

Dear Parents and Community Members,

            We were blessed (or cursed) with a snow day this week, so we are down to two more calamity days in the bank for this school year.  Hopefully we will not go over that amount and the weather will remain favorable as it has been for much of the winter.  I’m sure your children will not forget that Monday is No School in observance of Presidents’ Day.  Also, I need to remind you to go to ProgressBook today or ASAP to check your child’s Interim Report; please e-mail or send a note to your child’s teacher once you have seen their Interim Report.  It is very important to keep positive lines of communication open with your child’s teacher(s).  Thank you for all of the support you give our teachers, and the emphasis you put on the importance of quality academics to your child. 

            This coming Thursday, February 23, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at St. Charles Church Basement in Lima there is an informational meeting for any Catholic School families who may be eligible for the Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship.  If you have a child who is on an IEP or a Services Plan, then you will want to attend this meeting if at all possible.  There are details about the scholarship at the end of this newsletter.  If you have any questions I will try my best to answer them, so give me a call or e-mail.  We are working on completing the application to become a provider for this scholarship.  I have a meeting on Thursday before the parent meeting to help with this process. 

            Another neat opportunity for helping students more individually has been given to us by the Toledo Diocese through the University of Notre Dame’s Teaching Exceptional Children program.  In March, many of our teachers will be training to be a member of our School’s Strategic Intervention Team; this will help many of our general education teachers become further equipped in the area of individualized accommodations in the classroom.  I am grateful to the number of teachers who are giving after school time to be trained in this arena.  I believe we have worked very hard and continue to do so to meet the needs of all of our students.  I want to draw some attention to and thank Sr. Susan Faist who has worked hard at tutoring and even providing some enrichment materials for qualifying students this year.  This has been a wonderful addition to our school. 

            I want to extend congratulations to Mitchell Kahny.  Mitchell is a sixth grade student and was selected by his teacher’s as the Delphos Optimist Most Improved Student this month.  He has worked very hard academically this quarter and also is positively involved in Sixth grade service at lunch time. 

I was informed this morning that Mrs. Kemmann’s mother passed away last night, so I want to extend our School Community’s prayers and sympathy to Mrs. Kemmann and her family.  For those that don’t know, Mrs. Kemmann was principal at St. John’s prior to my tenure here.

            Have a nice long weekend with your children!  -Nate S.

 Scrip Update

Here are Scrip totals for the week of Feb 6-13:

Total sales – $22,123.00                                                            Total profit – $1,027.50

Profit for St. John’s – $411.00                       Profit to families for tuition – $616.50

Scrip has been a wonderful program for many families at St. John’s and for our parish! It is available after all weekend Masses in the back of church and during regular business hours in the Parish Ministry Center.

 Lima Police/Optimist Safety City Summer Academy Information

This is a program is available for children ages 5-9 years old, and there is a flier of information available in the Elementary Office for anyone interested.

 St. Jude’s Math-a-thon

This Tuesday, February 21, is our School Math-a-thon kick off.  The students who would like to participate must turn in a permission slip by Friday, February 24.  Our school goal is to raise $7,000 for St. Jude’s Children’s Research. 

 St. John’s Elementary Yearbook

Elementary Yearbook order forms are due next Friday, February 24. 

 FRESHMEN ORIENTATION MEETING FEBRUARY 27^th, 2012, 7:00 P.M. in the ROBERT A. ARNZEN GYMNASIUM

Parents of the 2012-13 freshman class at St. John’s should attend this meeting.

Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship Program

Did you know Ohio has a new scholarship program for students with special needs?

• Starting in the 2012-2013 school year

• Scholarships can be used to pay for private school tuition and private therapies

• Worth $7,196 – $20,000, depending on the child’s special needs

• Any Ohio student with an IEP is eligible

Wednesday, February 15

Learn and Live a Christ-centered life!

Pure of Heart is the Family Discussion Topic.

The following is last Friday’s newsletter:

Dear Parents and Community Members,

            I conclude my letters many times with “Peace be with you;” this week I want to start that way- Peace be with you! As most of you know, I have picked this greeting or salutation up from the title of our Christ-centered bullying prevention plan.  This title has often reminded me what I am truly here for, and that is to spread peace (the love of Christ) in an environment of K-8 education.  Often times my role as Elementary Principal calls me into work with our Pre-School and High School as well, especially this time of year as I prepare for Kindergarten Screenings, work on Accreditation as a K-12 Catholic School, and coach Freshman Boys’ basketball.  This week was filled with working on the above mentioned items, plus meeting and organizing for the coming of the Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship, and while working on those items, sometimes the farthest thing from my mind is spreading the peace of Christ.  That is why Tuesday was probably the most important day for me this week; I was able to attend two parts of the Parish Mission.  The first part I was able to attend was Tuesday at noon with our K-4 students (you may have seen one of our students being shaken like a “salt shaker” on the front page of the Delphos Herald earlier this week), and the second part was Tuesday evening my wife and I attended the “Sermon on the Mount.”  Those parts of my week reminded me once again of what my mission here is, and that is to truly work for the Mission of, “St. John’s School encourages everyone to learn and live a Christ-centered life which makes our school a ‘tradition worth keeping’.”  I know sometimes I am not able to fulfill everyone’s wishes and requests, and that makes it hard to feel 100% accomplished, but I do know with God all things are possible! I will continue to try to focus my life on faith in God every day, and I believe that will continue to help guide me as a husband, dad and school leader.  I hope some of you were also lifted up spiritually by the Parish Mission this week!

            The Second graders will be a positive example for our Catholic community this weekend as they will make their First Reconciliation on Saturday.  I am very proud of their growing faith and thankful for their teachers and parents for supporting them in making this important Sacrament for the first time.  This serves as a reminder to me as well, for when I fail to fulfill God’s will as mentioned in the previous paragraph, it is important to participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, so thank you Second Graders’ families for reminding me to do this!

            Please remember to use ProgressBook to stay updated on your child’s academic progress and to monitor their lunch account.  Please make sure there is always money on your child’s lunch account for them to use.  We also have had to enforce our policy that children need to eat their meal, whether packed or purchased, before they buy and eat other snacks.  Please, remind your child to eat a well balanced meal; I think our cafeteria does a good job of rotating a nice menu.  We are pretty fortunate to have hard workers making balanced meals for our students every day. 

            I want to remind everyone again that letters have been sent to prospective parents for next school year’s Kindergarten class.  If you did not receive a letter, and/or know someone that did not receive a letter and should have, please call the office for more information at 419-692-8561.  I am very sorry for anyone we may have missed in the mailing.  The dates are set for Tuesday, March 6, Friday, March 9, and Tuesday, March 13, and the screenings will take place in the Robert A. Arnzen Gymnasium. 

            At the other end of the spectrum it is time for our 8^th graders to begin thinking about high school scheduling so there is information about Freshman Orientation at the end of the newsletter for parents of 8^th graders to see!

            Have a great weekend; good luck to all of our Junior High teams competing in tournaments or finishing their regular season this weekend! Go Blue Jays! -Nate S.

 

 

FRESHMEN ORIENTATION MEETING FEBRUARY 27^th, 2012, 7:00 P.M. in the ROBERT A. ARNZEN GYMNASIUM

Wednesday, February 8

Learn and Live a Christ-centered Life!

Happy Birthday Adam Gerker!

Last week’s newsletter:

Dear Parents and Community Members,

            Catholic Schools: Faith. Academics. Service.  We had a great and full week of school, celebrating Catholic Schools Week.  Thank you very much to so many of you who volunteered time in any way this week to make it special for our students and staff; I hope you all felt celebrated as well for being great parents and stakeholders at St. John’s.  We had a wonderful Mass in the Gym last week, and I estimate about 1,200 people were there celebrating Mass together for our Catholic School.  According to our Mass attendance percentages, we were up about 8% from the previous weeks’ attendance; it would be wonderful if we could maintain that percentage every weekend! On Monday, we had an outstanding History Fair in the All Saints Building; congrats to all of the participants on wonderful projects and to Mr. Miller on his leadership of the History Fair! It was fun on Monday and Wednesday to see so many students dressed up as teachers or members of a Religious vocation….hopefully those costumes will become reality someday! Tuesday was a fun celebration of Service with many thank you letters being written! Thursday the students were appreciated with a Movie and Popcorn, and today the Staff had a wonderful luncheon from the PTO; thank you!

            This coming Monday and Tuesday is the Parish Mission, and therefore we have “No Homework” nights in order for you to be able to attend the Mission with your family in the church at 7:00 p.m. on both evenings.  Mr. Runyeon will also provide a play called “Salt and Light,” for our K-4 students, on Tuesday at noon in the church; parents are invited to this as well.  “AFRAID,” is the title of the play on Monday evening, February 6 in our church, and Tuesday’s play is “Sermon on the Mount” along with a thought-provoking talk on Hollywood vs. Faith.

            Thank you to those who nominated a teacher for the Toledo Diocese Golden Apple Award; we have many well-deserving teachers. 

            As of this afternoon, our new leader of School Pastoral Life is Kim Honigford.  Mrs. Honigford will continue to teach High School Religion this year while she fulfills her new responsibilities of helping prepare our students for liturgies, sacraments, serving, and growing in their Spiritual lives.  Mrs. Honigford will become full time in her School Pastoral Life and Youth Ministry duties following the school year.  Thank you to MaryLou Pohlman who concluded her work on staff today in the Religious Ed office; she will be missed on staff but still very involved in our Parish!

            Thanks to the Dienstberger Foundation Grant, we have now installed our new Security Camera System in the Elementary and High School.  This will help keep the building secure during the school day and after hours.  Also, cables were ran that allows are building to now become wireless for internet and network use.  Our Technology Committee will continue to meet in order to continue to upgrade our technologies used within school. 

            Peace be with you, and go blue jays!  -Nate S.

 

Kindergarten Screening for 2012-13

Letters have been sent to prospective parents for next school year’s Kindergarten class.  If you did not receive a letter, and/or know someone that did not receive a letter and should have, please call the office for more information at 419-692-8561.  We are sorry for anyone we may have missed in the mailing.  The dates are set for Tuesday, March 6, Friday, March 9, and Tuesday, March 13, and the screenings will take place in the Robert A. Arnzen Gymnasium.

Monday, January 30

Learn and Live a Christ-centered Life!

Celebrating Academics at our Catholic School today for Catholic Schools Week.  We have many teacher and principal look alikes dressed up today to celebrate our high standards of learning in a Catholic environment!

Happy Birthday to Keaton Jackson, Myah Boggs, Betty Vorst and Olivia Kahny.  Also, Happy Birthday Sr. Georgene! Happy Birthday to my sister Amanda!

The following is last Friday’s newsletter:

Dear Parents and Community Members,

            Well, the weather has played with our schedule a little bit this week, so we’ll see if that means we can get a full Catholic Schools Week in or not this coming week! I look forward to celebrating “Catholic Schools: Faith. Academics. Service.” with you starting this Sunday at 11:30 a.m. with our Mass in the Arnzen Gym.  The Elementary School will be hosting an Open House/Learning Fair in the All Saints Building following the Mass, and our PTO will be serving hot dogs and cookies during that time! We will have some displays of our Peace Be With You materials, Math Curriculum materials, plus History Fair Projects and the LEGO Robotics demonstration! Let’s pray for good weather on Sunday! Starting Monday we will have a series of activities to celebrate Catholic Schools Week.  To emphasize the importance of “Academics” on Monday we are having an “Academic” dress up day, so students may wear their school uniform or dress up like their favorite teacher or administrator.  I know many teachers will be wearing their shirts about being hungry for a good book, so student may wear shirts they may have about Math, Reading or any other school subject.  For instance, the LEGO team could wear their team shirts with the school uniform pants.  Use good judgment and it should be fun! On Tuesday, we will be celebrating “Service” and the students will be writing thank you letters to people of service in our country, church and school.  Wednesday, we will celebrate “Faith”, the reason we exist! Students and staff may dress up like a Priest, Sister, Brother, Monk, Saint, or wear their school uniform.  Thursday is Student Appreciation Day, and we will have a K-12 Mass at 8:00 a.m. that you are all invited and welcome to attend! The students will watch a movie in the afternoon and PTO is making popcorn for our students to enjoy with the movie! Friday is Teacher Appreciation Day and Spirit Jean Day; teachers will have a luncheon sponsored by PTO and all may wear blue/gold with jeans! Thank you PTO officers, leaders and any members who are assisting with so many projects during Catholic Schools Week.

            The following week, Monday, February 6 and Tuesday, February 7, St. John’s will be hosting actor, Frank Runyeon, for our Parish Mission.  The Mission will be in the church on at 7:00 p.m. on both evenings.  Mr. Runyeon will also provide a play called Salt and Light, for our K-4 students, on Tuesday at noon in the church.  We are encouraging all the families in our parish to participate in these two evenings and bring your children.  This Mission is powerful and entertaining.  Frank has won national acclaim for his work as a translator and performer of Biblical text over the past 20 years.  He is a graduate of Princeton University with a degree in Religion.  After studying acting in New York and Los Angeles for 15 years, he attended Fuller Seminary in Pasadena in preparation for the writing and performance of AFRAID, which will be presented Monday evening, February 6 in our church.  He further refined the play, in study at Yale Divinity School and the General Theological Seminary, from which he received his Masters, with honors.  He is currently working toward his doctorate in Biblical studies.  He will also incorporate a thought-provoking talk on Hollywood vs. Faith after his play on Sermon on the Mount, Tuesday evening that is a wonderful message for teenagers.  To preview his message go to his web page, www.runyeonproductions.com.  We will have no homework these two nights in the Elementary so hopefully you will all attend and our teachers can attend as well!

            Also, I would like to encourage you to nominate a teacher for the Diocese of Toledo Golden Apple Award.  This Award is given to seven Elementary Teachers and two High School Teachers throughout the Diocese every year.  The application is attached to my e-mail today! Or you can pick one up in the office; it needs to be returned to me by next Friday, February 3.

            Please keep Mrs. Buettner, Junior High Intervention Specialist, in your prayers, as her dad’s funeral was this afternoon.  Dick Feathers was a great supporter and long time volunteer for St. John’s Schools and Athletics; rest in peace Mr. Feathers! Also, good news for our school family, Mrs. Bonifas gave birth early this morning to Grant Matthew Bonifas!!! Congrats to the Bonifas family! Peace be with you all! -Nate S.

 

Kindergarten Screening for 2012-13

Letters were sent this past week to prospective parents for next school year’s Kindergarten class.  If you did not receive a letter, and/or know someone that did not receive a letter and should have, please call the office for more information at 419-692-8561.  The dates are set for Tuesday, March 6, Friday, March 9, and Tuesday, March 13, and the screenings will take place in the Robert A. Arnzen Gymnasium.