The kids will tell you they are writing every day. They are even writing in art, music, and phy. ed. Why? Because articulate communicators exchange information about every subject. At St. John Vianney School, we are working to help every student achieve his/her full potential in writing. Our efforts are both strategic and systematic to promote continuous growth from kindergarten through 8th grade. We will know when the students have developed as writers because we have clear outcomes in mind. We prepare our students to demonstrate clear focus, meaningful organization, support for their message, appropriate style and proper conventions.

These elements have been more precisely defined for our students and their parents by the middle school English/Language Arts teachers and Learning Support personnel. The formal writing elements are outlined to help each student attend to the features necessary when submitting formal writing in any middle school class. Click here to find the style sheet that has been approved by the entire SJV faculty to define a common target for all writing instruction.  

• Band and Strings students should bring their instruments
• Shamrock Choir students can bring their t-shirts
• DARE students should bring their t-shirts
• Boy Scouts can wear their uniforms
• Girl Scouts can wear their sashes/vests

Parent volunteers are needed to help on this day.  If you are able to take a shift, please contact Janelle Peterson. 

Do you have a special talent, hobby, or interest?  We'd love for you to share your passion at this year's High Interest Day.  We are looking for volunteers to teach classes to our students.  Parents, Grandparents and friends are welcome!  High Interest Day will be held on April 24th, from 12:20 until 2:40pm.  If interested, please contact Tina Lindner at 414-793-8513 or milesandtina@sbcglobal.net. 

Mark your calendar for the SJV Parish Mission 

The St. John Vianney Parish Mission is scheduled for Sunday, February 15 through Tuesday, February 17. Come join Deacons Eddie Ensley and Robert Herrmann on a contemplative journey. Learn to pray as Jesus and the early Christians prayed "and you will find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:29). Topics include:

• How to cope with the hurts of life through letting God heal us in the quiet of prayer.
• Mary, our model of prayer and discipleship points us toward Jesus, resurrection, and new life after loss. See how her example can show us the way through the valley of tears to true Christian joy.
• Reconciliation in Relationships: When God forgives he also forgets. Learn how to move beyond bitterness to reconciliation and peace.
• Learning to Pray Again: Discovering the Font of Christian Life.

Please click here to read the full details for the Parish Mission sessions. 

New Server Training

Any student currently in 5th, 6th or 7th grade or any server who wants a review, is invited to attend one of our upcoming training sessions to be held in the church. If you have any questions, call the Office for Liturgy and Music, 262-796-3946 or the server coordinator, Mr. Bill Beres, 262-349-9152  (email bill.beres@jci.com). We will be holding additional training sessions in May.  Any student trained at either of the sessions will be able to serve at Mass right away.

Attend one (1) of the following:

Sunday, February 22 after the 11:00am Mass

Wednesday, February 25 at 6:00pm

Please RSVP which training session you are planning to attend so that adequate training materials can be available (RSVP to angelab@stjohnv.org).

First Communion Preparation

Parents of second grade children receiving their First Communion in May are asked to attend a second parent/child session on Tuesday, February 10th at 6:30pm in the Church. Reminder, your Mass preference was due on Monday, February 2nd. 

Children's Liturgy of the Word

Children's Liturgy of the Word is a year-round ministry for all parish children offered every Saturday at the 4:30pm Mass and every Sunday at the 11:00am Mass.  Children K4-4th grade are invited to participate and no registration is needed.  Parents are welcome to visit anytime and we especially encourage you to bring your young child the first time, so that they feel more comfortable.  Come hear the Word of God! 

Summer Vacation Bible School

Mark your calendars!  Summer Vacation Bible School is June 22-26, 2015.  Plan to join us for a week-long adventure at EVEREST where kids conquer challenges with God's Mighty Power and Love!  Watch for more details to come.  

We are looking forward to seeing you on Valentine's Day for this great event!  Arrive anytime after 5:30pm, stop at the registration table for name tags and express checkout, check your coats, pick up drink tickets and make your way into the beautifully decorated Activity Center for the Bids for Kids Auction, Under the Moroccan Moon.

Auction Catalog  

The printed auction catalog will come home with the youngest and only children during the week of February 9th, but you can click here to view it online.  Be sure to bring your catalog with you on the night of Bids.  There are separate tabs for the Silent, Dessert, and Live (Voice) Auctions.

Express Checkout  

Upon arrival at the registration table, guests will be offered the option of registering for Express Checkout.  Under this option, a guest pre-registers a Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover credit or debit card.  At the end of the evening, the accumulated balance on a guest's bidder account will automatically be charged to their pre-registered card.  An Express Checkout receipt will be hand-delivered to the guest's dining table after the conclusion of the silent auction.  This Express Checkout receipt can be used to claim silent auction items at the end of the evening.  A final receipt itemizing all silent auction packages, live auction packages, and special appeal donations will be emailed to Express Checkout guests after the event.

All items purchased at Bids will automatically be charged to bidder accounts with the exception of drink tickets.  Drink tickets can be charged to bidder accounts or purchased by cash or check.  The accumulated balance on a bidder account can be paid via Express Checkout (explained above) or by stopping at the bank at the end of the evening.

Bidding  

Mobile bidding will be on your own smartphone this year! The Mobile Bidding page of the Bids website has a link to a short video explaining the basics.

• Conveniently use your own smartphone to bid in the silent auction. No extra gadgets needed!
• When registering, provide your smartphone number.
• Bring your fully charged smartphone to Bids for Kids.
• Upon check-in at Bids for Kids, you'll receive an automated welcome text message. Click on the personal bidder link which will allow you to take part in bidding on silent auction items
• If you don't have a smartphone, let us know when registering. We will provide you with an alternate means of bidding.

New this year! Remote Bidding in the Silent Auction

Are you unable to attend Bids for Kids, but still want to participate in the Silent Auction bidding? This year we are offering the ability for supporters to bid remotely using their own smartphones. In order to do so, you will need to register in advance for remote bidding. You will be asked to provide your name, address, email address and smartphone number. In addition, you will be required to pre-register a credit/debit card to which any winning bids can be charged.

Just prior to the doors opening at Bids for Kids, all remote bidders will receive an automated welcome text message. Upon clicking the bidder link contained in the text message and confirming your name, you will be directed to the Under the Moroccan Moon mobile bidding interface. From there, you can view packages and bid just like guests attending the event.

If you would like to register for Under the Moroccan Moon remote bidding or have any questions, please contact Gina Tegge by phone at 262-798-8088 or via email at bidsforkids@stjohnv.org.

Drink Tickets

Drink tickets can be charged to bidder accounts or purchased by cash or check the evening of Bids.  To avoid lines at the event, use the pre-sale order form.  

Drink ticket prices are:

Beer $3

Wine/Cocktail by the Glass $6

Wine by the Bottle (not the Wine Pull) $15

Soda/Water $1

Stay for the After Party

Bids doesn't end when the bidding is finshed!  Stay and have fun at the Rockin' the Casbah After Party.  There will be snacks, drinks and music to dance the rest of the night away.

Next Day Clean Up

We know you will have a blast, but we need many hands on deck to help clean up after the auction.  Clean up begins at 9:00am, but if you can only give us an hour or two, it would be appreciated.  Sign up to help on our Volunteer page. 

Silent Auction Display Supplies Needed

Silent Auction Display is in need of small to medium boxes to help prop items. The boxes will be covered; they do not need to look nice. They are also in need of large baskets. Please drop them off in the school office. Contact Katie Gilson at katiegilson@wi.rr.com if you have any questions.

Cockapoo Puppy 

One of the Voice Auction items is this adorable female Cockapoo that was born December 5.  She is about four weeks old in this photo. She is buff color with a white diamond on her head.  A cockapoo is a mix of a cocker spaniel and a poodle, resulting in a small, low to non-shedding, hypoallergenic puppy that is highly intelligent with an excellent personality. Cockapoos are very mild-mannered, easy to train, excellent family pets who love kids and are great for families with allergies!

She is currently at a home in Brookfield.  We can set up a time for you and your kids to meet her if you'd like. She will be perfect for any loving home!  Contact Angela Niemann at 262-347-7988 or aniemann@mac.com. 

Dessert Auction

• Zilli's- tableside flaming red velvet donut holes with Purple Door ice cream, serves 10
• Miss Julia's- a three layer 8" chocolate cake which will serve 20 people, value is $125.00
• Brookfield Wedding Cakes- a 9" heart shaped tuxedo cake with raspberry crème filling, value is $40
• Simma's Bakery- 10" cheesecake with fresh strawberries on top and a strawberry glaze, value $80

Sign-Up Parties  

• Fiesta Ladies Night- June 18th, 2015, $40 per person for up to 25 people
• Blue's Egg- April 25, 2015, $74 per person for up to 100 people
• Wine and Beer Tasting- July 11, 2015, $70 per couple for up to 20 couples
• Bean Bag Tournament- June 13, 2015, $100 per couple for up to 32 couples
• Two on Two Backyard Basketball and Cookout-  Date TBA, $20 for up to 15

For $35, you can purchase a glass of champagne in a decorated keepsake flute, giving you a chance to win a gorgeous piece of David Yurman diamond jewelry.  New this year- there will be two winners!  We have two beautiful pieces of jewelry- sterling silver Cerise mini earrings with diamonds and Cable classics bracelet with diamonds and gold.  Winner #1 will choose one of the two, winner #2 will receive the remaining piece. This is a limited offering, only 100 glasses will be sold!  

Souk Marrakesh Restaurant Gift Cards

For $25, you can choose a numbered spice jar that corresponds to a restaurant gift card valued between $20 and $100.

Swag Bags (formerly know as Gift Bags)

Stop by the Swag Bag table to purchase your $25 bag (grab-bag style).  What exactly is in each bag is a mystery, but we can tell you this- each bag will be filled with an item(s) that is valued at a minimum of $15. There are many bags that range from $20-$30, but most exciting is that there are even a few bags that will have gifts valued from $50-$150.  So, please stop by and grab your swag and see what surprise your bag holds. We guarantee you will head home with something fabulous and/or fun!

Jr. Swag Bags 

So, every year when you arrive home from the auction, do your kids ask what you got them?  Well, ours do. So to help make it easier on the parents... new this year... we are having Jr. Swag Bags. When you stop to buy your swag bag, you can now buy a little swag bag for your child for $10 each.  Most of the bags will be filled with the same fun treats and surprises. However, like the adult bags, some lucky kids might just open their bags to find something extra special inside.

Wine Pull

For $20, you can purchase a bottle of wine.  You can choose either red or white, but the bottle you purchase will be a surprise.  All wines are valued over $15 with a couple of bottles between $75 and $100.

Henna Artist

Sit down and relax for a few minutes and enjoy getting a henna tattoo from Hands of Henna by Anita.  Henna tattoos can last from one to three weeks. They are available from 5:30-8:00pm for $10.

Raffles- We have 2 great raffles this year!

The Masters Raffle  

Do you know why the winner receives a "shamrock green" jacket at the Masters? Today, most would think you were severely fashion-challenged! However, in the mid 1930's, all members of Augusta National wore the jacket signifying their status as a member. Guests were instructed to look for the green jacket if they had any questions. Today, the Green Jacket welcomes those winners into the Club! Check out the jacket if you win the Masters Raffle but a word of advice, don't wear one yourself! Tickets are for sale in the Narthex after all Masses this weekend as well as the school and parish office. Don't delay! Tickets are selling fast and are limited!

One Grand Prize: 2 one-day badges to the 2016 Masters Golf Tournament (April 8-10, 2016).  Full tournament hospitality access with open bar and meals included.  One night hotel accommodations in Augusta, GA.

Five- 2nd Prize Winners: $75 gift certificate toward a private golf lesson with Paul Mindel of the National Golf Center

Five- 3rd Prize Winners: $50 Gift Certificate toward a private golf lesson with Paul Mindel of the National Golf Center

The Masters raffle tickets are $100 each with only 150 available. Tickets are available for purchase during regular business hours at the St. John Vianney School Office (by cash or check), the St. John Vianney Parish Office (by cash, check or charge) or in the Narthex after all masses this weekend.  Any questions, please contact Beth Dobrzynski or Tracy DiPiazza.

Cash Purse Raffle 

The Cash Purse Raffle has limited tickets- 100 for $25 each, and only available on the night of Bids. The lucky winner will receive a designer bag filled with cash and gift cards valued over $600!

The raffle drawings will be held at Bids for Kids at 8:15pm.   

If you have any questions regarding Bids for Kids, please contact Kim Tallmadge by email at sktallmadge@sbcglobal.net or by phone at 262-789-9392.