 Enjoying tributes to loved ones at Dia de los Muertos
Message From the Principal
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Dear Families, This week, the community of St. John, students, staff, parents, lived the mission of our school in so many ways! Today, we celebrated the Mass for All Saints. It was beautiful. Representatives from each class processed in with a poster of an American saint. In class, the students had discussed the Habits of Mind that the saint may have practiced. We prayed that we might strive to improve ourselves by practicing the Habits of Mind. Schola sang fervently and our lectors read clearly and reverently. Yesterday, we experienced another wonderful prayer tradition as the fourth and fifth graders commemorated the Faithful Departed. Their teacher, Se�ora Blanca prepared them for a day of remembrance, Dia de los Muertos and ensured that this cultural event was very positive for them, providing a time for them to call to mind special people who are part of our great communion of saints. Thank you, parents, for providing all that delicious food! Our mission statement calls us to leadership and service. The seventh and eighth grade students shared their talents and modeled stewardship and so many great Habits of Mind including interdependent thinking, creativity, listening with empathy and understanding, thinking flexibly, managing impulsivity and finding humor as they treated the primary grades to a fun-filled afternoon at the Halloween carnival. The children were filled with wonder and awe!
In between all of these activities, I have been spending time in the classrooms and I can assure you that our pursuit of academic excellence is always at the forefront. Thank you, parents, for the support you gave the teachers this week. It made Halloween far less scary for all of us!
Beannacht,
Bernadette O'Leary
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St. John Students Cross Social Boundaries
11th Annual
Mix It Up at Lunch Day
On October 30, St. John middle school students joined more than one million other students across the country to help break down barriers by participating in the 11th annual Mix It Up at Lunch Day.
The event, launched by the Southern Poverty Law Center's Teaching Tolerance project in 2002, encourages students to sit with someone new in the cafeteria for just one day. Classroom preparation for the event mirrored many of the Habits of Mind, including listening with empathy and understanding and taking responsible risks.
Cafeterias are the focus of Mix It Up because that is where a school's social boundaries are most obvious. Thousands of schools nationwide participated in the event this year.
"Mix It Up is a positive step that schools can take to help create learning environments where students see each other as individuals and not just as members of a separate group," said Teaching Tolerance Director Maureen Costello. "When people step out of their cliques and get to know someone, they realize just how much they have in common."
The Southern Poverty Law Center established Teaching Tolerance in 1991 to provide educators with free resources designed to reduce prejudice, improve inter group relations and support equitable school experiences for our nation's children.
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 HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE November 1 through 20
Sixth grade students kicked off the annual Holiday Food Drive today. Please consider sending non-perishable items for our neighbors in need. Donated food and supplies will be distributed by St. Vincent De Paul over the coming months, to those in need.
Students may bring items directly to classrooms. Please bring items in non-breakable containers (no glass). Suggested items:
peanut butter, jelly, jam
cereal
canned fruits and vegetables
canned meats, fish, chili, soups, stews
pasta and pasta sauce
macaroni & cheese
boxed meals
all paper products
dried pudding, Jell-O
nuts, dried fruit
powdered milk
baby wipes
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Knights of Columbus Pancake Breakfast
Sunday, November 4, after 8:30 & 10:30 Masses
The Knights are at it again, with a free will donation breakfast to benefit the Girl Scout troops of St. John. Come hungry! |
 Championship Game Scheduled
The 8th grade St. Al/ John boys are going to play St. Louise in the CYO Championship title match. St. Louise is the team we faced successfully last year. As a result, we are chasing that rare title of "Back to Back" Champions!
The game is at Eastside Catholic stadium, 232 228th Ave SE, Sammamish, at 11:30 Saturday the 3rd. Last year, we had a great turnout and would love to see a big crowd for the rematch!
The St. Al/John Coaching Staff
GO PURPLE!!!
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 Rehearsal Accompanist Needed
The Middle School will begin rehearsals for "Beauty and the Beast, Jr." in January. We are looking for a pianist to accompany the students at rehearsals, primarily to help them learn melody lines and harmonies. We have an accompaniment CD of all the music in the show. Rehearsals are held Monday through Thursday, 3-5pm, but we would appreciate any time an accompanist could offer. Adults or students are welcome! Please contact Katie Franklin at 206-781-4672 or [email protected] if you are interested.
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Holiday Boutique to Benefit CCS
Saturday, November 3, 10am-4pm
Crafts and art pieces made by local artisans, will be on sale at The Brig at Magnuson Park, 740 Sand Point Way NE. Find creative holiday gifts and decor for everyone on your Christmas gift list! Sponsored by the Frances Hoffman Circle of the Association for Catholic Childhood, proceeds will benefit children and families in crisis, being served by Catholic Community Services.
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"If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales."
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Important Dates
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Sunday, November 4
Daylight Savings Time! Set your clock!
Tuesday, November 6 Election Day - Remember to Vote!
Thursday, November 8 Grade 6 hosted faculty/staff luncheon
Saturday, November 10
Cantionis at 5pm Mass
Monday, November 12
Veterans Day observed
School not in session
Tuesday, November 13
Individual picture retake day
VIEW THE 2012-2013 CALENDAR
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 Happy
Thank-scrip-ing Day!!! Can you believe Thanksgiving is just three weeks away? Scrip has everything you need to make your holiday delicious and beautiful, from the food on your plate to the decor on your table. The grocery cards we have on hand are Fred Meyer/QFC, Safeway, Whole Foods, Cash and Carry, PCC, and Albertson's. For your decorating needs we have Pottery Barn, Macy's, and Crate and Barrel. Don't feel like cooking? Not to worry - we have you covered with restaurants, as well - The Met, Anthony's, Capitol Grille, and Palisades, to name a few.
Scrip order forms will come home with your student every week in November and December. You can also print one yourself from the school website. Don't want to use the order form? Simply send us an email and let us know how we may assist. For the customer who likes to order on the spot, we will be selling every morning before school from 8:15-8:45am beginning November 13. Look for us in the West hallway in front of XDC. We have many great gift cards for friends, family, and co-workers. A complete list of cards can be found at
Thanks! |
 JOB OPENING
St. John Extended Day Care St. John Extended Day Care Program is now seeking a lead teacher to join our team, one who is caring, energetic and loves to work with children. Our mission is to provide an environment that is safe and conducive to good health, one where these children can assemble, work, and play together. Each child is encouraged to use self-discipline and develop the ability to make good choices. This is a part time lead position, 2:45 to 6:30pm, Monday through Friday. We are open year round. Our program is available to children 3 - 12 years old. This job consists of supervising a group of children with the ability to plan and implement arts/crafts, science projects, help with homework, organize games, outdoor group activities, and daily cleaning duties. The successful lead candidate must be 18 years or older, have a high school diploma/GED. Early Childhood Education cert. preferred or taking classes in early childhood education. Must be willing to meet the Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle and the Washington State Licensing requirements. Wage dependent upon experience. Open until filled. | |
Grandparents' and Special Friends' Day
Please return your RSVP forms so we can invite your loved ones to Grandparents' & Friends' Day on November 15. Follow this link and return the form to the school office. Questions? Call or e-mail Michele Thornquist at 206-783-0337 ext. 323 or [email protected].
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Hot Lunch 
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Want more information on ordering? View the video attached. Friday, November 2 Buttered noodles w/Parmesan, veggie sticks w/Ranch dip, chocolate cake Monday, November 5 Chicken or Cheese Quesadillas Tuesday, November 6 Macaroni & Cheese, mini peas, fruit salad Wednesday, November 7 Crunchy fish sticks, oven roasted JoJos, coleslaw, chocolate cake Thursday, November 8 Hamburger or veggie burger, oven baked tatertots, grapes Visit "Menus" for extended menus. |
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Thank you to all Noel House overflow volunteers for October: Rachel Douglas, Tara Cannava, Rosalinda Aguirre, Mike Fletcher, Allison Pham, Colleen O'Leary, Ann Amort, Aurora Martin, Celena Kathan, Betty Ericksen, Mary Ellen Talley, Ken Talley, Shelley Pfeifer, Lisette Nenninger, Nicole Hardie, Molly Martinez, Kristin Kent, Mary Frictenburg, Matt Haskins, Hannah French, Kathy French, Karen O'Connor, and Jim Russell.
We are constantly in need of new volunteers to drive and/or to stay overnight as chaperones to the guests. Contact Mary Kearney at [email protected]
if you are interested in helping.
Thank you to the Halloween Pizza crew who fearlessly flung pizza in the eye of the Halloween storm: Cara Young, Geraldine Stone, Marianne Wells, Pat Gilbrough, Shannon Manley, Sue Kelly, Page Harader, our tireless coordinators Colleen Mounsey and Jane Blaylock, and to all students partaking in Dominoes delights. This month approximately $1,500.00 will benefit the orphans in Kenya.
IS THERE SOMEONE YOU WISH TO THANK? Send your "thanks" to Mrs. Crockett for publication, [email protected].
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