Dear Parents,

We have all enjoyed a splendid first week of school.   Continue to introduce yourselves to me as you drop by; I am trying hard to learn your names.  It may take the entire year!  Thank you for your patience.

I see that some of you walk to school!  Mrs. Suarez and I are also walking.   It is such a pleasant start to the day.  We encourage more of you to walk to school.  In fact, we challenge you!  Let's see how many of us can walk to school every day!  We are taking care of God's creation - the environment, reducing the carbon footprint, relieving the traffic jams that occur at drop-off and pick-up, and doing ourselves a power of good, by exercising!

The students have been learning the expectations and procedures in their new classrooms.  You are the teachers' partners, so you should also know the expectations!   Encourage your children to teach you! 

I met with Lisa and Lisa, our Scrip volunteers, Wednesday morning.  We are so blessed at St. John to have these dedicated hard-working ladies.  Purchasing Scrip is the most pain-free method of fund-raising and yet generates such a huge return.  We all  buy the groceries anyway, so why not purchase the gift cards from St. John and then go grocery shopping.  St. John gets a donation from the Scrip company and it doesn't cost us a penny!   It's a win-win for the students.  Think of Scrip and thank Lisa and Lisa when you see your child studying from the brand new science text book!  

There have been rave reviews from students and staff for the new hot lunch program.  Be sure to pre-order daily online. For your convenience you can also pre-order for the month.  

See you at the Tailgate BBQ tonight and at Curriculum Night next week!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Bernadette O'Leary

SIGN UP AS A VOLUNTEER! 

Volunteer sign ups are under way with 103 families already signing up.  The Kindergarten class is leading the charge with 54% of families signed up for volunteer activities.  Thank you Kindergarten families!  Remember your pledge:  40 hours per year per two parent household; 20 hours per year per one parent household. 

Still urgently needed - first grade coed soccer coaches.

Announcing our first Grounds Work Party of the year on Saturday, September 24, from 9-noon.  We'll be focusing on the grounds around the church and the portables. Bring work gloves, and wheelbarrows if you have them.

If you haven't yet, please follow this link and sign up today!  

From the Playground

The new school year begins and Our Lady of Perpetual Asphalt (Catherine Dahlgren) is looking for playground volunteers. The safety and security of your children is insured by the number of eyes watching them and the volume of adult supervision to help them problem solve. MANY more volunteers are needed to round out coverage during noon recess. If you are available any day of the week from 11:15 to 12:45, please sign up via the volunteer website link. Younger siblings are welcome as long they won't distract your attention.      

St. John Parish Women's Shelter 

The Women's shelter is in need of volunteers. Each Saturday and Sunday night up to twelve women from the Noel House homeless shelter for women  stay in the mezzanine in Egan Hall. Two chaperones are needed to stay with them each of those nights. If you are interested in learning more about how you can help please contact Mary Kearney at 206-297-7072 or marytkearney@comcast.net. Consider us as you are making your volunteer decisions. We are listed under Parish Specific/ Outreach women's shelter on the website. This is a great way for those working parents to get their volunteer hours. Volunteer once a year or once a month no minimum commitment.

Scrip  

Scrip will be available at tonight's Tailgate BBQ