Message From the Principal
|
|
Dear Families
This week has been filled with lessons on democracy and how our government works. As they learned the meaning of terms like Electoral College and referendum, students also prayed that the Spirit would guide the nation as people went about their voting. Following many years as a legal resident, the call to civic responsibility guided me to finally cut the cord and become a citizen. It was a powerful moment as I stood there and took the oath. I was even more moved, when I arrived back at school, to find a host of welcoming students with cards and banners outside my office and a beautiful case of red, white and blue flowers sitting on my desk! Thank you, also, for your good wishes. I feel very fortunate to be an American and a member of St. John.
Sr. Pablo, Miss McFarland and Miss Sullivan are attending the Association for Middle School Education Conference in Portland. This is the largest and most comprehensive opportunity for professional development in middle level education, with more than 600 of the best minds in education presenting more than 60 topics on such subjects as increasing student achievement, implementing the Common Core Standards, differentiating instruction, bullying, equity and so many more. Next week, Mrs. Macaulay-Walker will attend the Association for Social Studies Annual Conference and learn the latest in the teaching of history, civics and geography. I am looking forward to our meetings over the next few weeks as these teachers share their experiences and keep us on our toes! We are fortunate that the teachers have given up the time to attend these opportunities for exceptional professional development.
We also have the opportunity for you to develop your parenting skills. I encourage you all to attend Tuesday's Parent Association Meeting. Our Co-Chairs have lined up an excellent parent education presentation for you, with Joan Duffell from The Committee for Children speaking on Second Step, the program which we are using to teach skills to help the students succeed in school and in life. You play a vital role in helping your children develop these strong social skills. See you at the meeting on Tuesday.
Beannacht,
Bernadette O'Leary
|
 Joan Duffell, Committee for Children to Speak at Upcoming PA Meeting Tuesday, November 13, 6:30pm, Egan HallJoin us for this presentation for an insightful evening. Please see the attached flyer.
Following the meeting you are invited to meet at The Ridge Pizza, 72nd Street and Greenwood for socializing. |
 Preschool & Kindergarten Intent to Register
All families received an e-mail this week giving them the opportunity to let us know if they have a preschool or kindergarten student for next year. If you do not, you can disregard the message. Thank you for assisting us with our planning for next year. If you would like to let us know about your plans for preschool or kindergarten for 2013, please indicate here.
|
|
The Spirit of Sharing
One of our middle school students has been looking forward to joining the delegation this spring, to visit our sister school and parish in Peru. Unfortunately the planned trip must be postponed. Yesterday Sr. Pablo accepted $200 that the student has been saving for the trip, asking that it be given the our sister school. |
 Parish Focus on Stewardship
November is parish stewardship month when all parish families are asked to pledge their support for the coming year. Did you know that fully 20% of the parish Sunday collections goes to support the school? Expect to receive your sacrificial giving cards in the mail the week of November 19th. If you are a parish family participating in our Fair Share Tuition program, you are expected to meet the criteria below:
· Register in the parish office and annually file a Sacrificial Giving Card
· Be active in the life of the parish
· Attend Mass regularly at St. John
· Be supportive of or involved in one of the many parish ministries
· Contribute to parish life by volunteering in the school or parish
· Tithe regularly (weekly or monthly) through the Sunday envelope and make a consistent effort to meet that pledge
Parish families are expected to honor the above requirement throughout their student's enrollment at St. John. Families that do not meet the above criteria are considered out-of-parish. Out-of-parish families pay the cost to educate; this is considered their Fair Share.
|
|
A Message From SMART
These are challenging times for all of us as New York Metro Area residents.
While we know that there is some progress with turning on power, tens of thousands of families all over the region are still experiencing the hardships of Hurricane Sandy. This was a historic storm that wreaked havoc all over New Jersey and the surrounding areas. We continue to be in contact with the local authorities to determine when power, gas supplies and other issues of mobility are fully addressed.
In the meantime, we can tell you that our account management team is working to address all school inquiries and tasks in a timely fashion. Our parent help centers were unaffected by the storm and continue to run at full capacity. Our NJ payment-processing center is fully operational as well; however, US Postal service has stopped and there is currently no inflow of mail. We'll continue to assess the situation and have made the appropriate arrangements to ensure that families are not penalized for mail delays.
Families with concerns regarding payments to the NJ processing center can remit payments to our Los Angeles, California facility or make payments via phone or web.
Payments by Phone: (888)-868-8828
Payments by Web:parent.smarttuition.com
LA Processing Center: Smart Tuition, PO Box 54228,
Los Angeles, CA 90054-0228
To all of our schools and families that have been affected by the storm, we wish you a safe and speedy recovery.
Sincerely,
The Smart Tuition Team
|
St. Brendan School Holiday Craft Fair
Saturday, November 10, 9am-5pm
Sunday, November 11, 12-4pm
Better than ever, this year's fair features the work of over 110 returning and new handicraft vendors, the Holiday Gift Raffle, refreshments, baked goods at our Bake Sale Table, and a special guest appearance by Santa! That perfect holiday gift is waiting for you at the St. Brendan Holiday Craft Fair. Free admission. Located near Downtown Bothell just off I-405 and Highway 522.
|
|
|
"One thing I had learned from watching chimpanzees with their infants is that having a child should be fun."
Jane Goodall |
|
Important Dates
| 
|
Saturday, November 10
Cantionis at 5pm Mass
Sunday, November 11 Veterans Day
Monday, November 12 Veterans Day observed
School not in session
Tuesday, November 13
Picture Retake Day
Parent Assoc. Mtg, 6:30pm, Egan Hall
Thursday, November 15
DRESS UNIFORM
Grandparents & Special Friends Day, Grades Two through Five
VIEW THE 2012-2013 CALENDAR
|
|
Picture Retakes Are Coming!
Sometimes they just aren't right! If that's the case bring your picture packet on Tuesday, November 13. Retakes will be done first thing in the morning - students will give the photographer their picture packet (that they are returning) and the order form (sent home yesterday). Students having retakes may wear photograph appropriate clothing.
| |
 Scrip News
| 
|
Here is the latest and greatest scrip form. We have many retailers that are adding $5 and $10 cards for the holidays. Beginning Tuesday, November 13, scrip will be sold every morning from 8:15 - 8:45 in the east hallway across from XDC. Email an order the night before and if we have the cards in stock we will have the cards ready for pick up the next morning. We have loaded up on many great gift ideas this season. Be sure to check your child's folder for scrip forms - we will be sending home a hard copy each week or you can always pull the order form down from the school website.
Only 14 more days to Thanksgiving. Please think of scrip for all of your holiday needs and give back to the school that gives so much to you and your family. Let's gobble up these cards and make huge rebates for St. John.
Thanks!
|
 Grandparents' & Special Friends' Day
November 15 for Grades 2-5
Volunteers are still needed
Dress Uniform
We expect a very full house for this annual event. To help the event go smoothly, please follow the guidelines below:
Students are to bring a lunch to share with their guest.
Students without a guest will eat lunch in Egan Hall with their classmates and guests.
Grades K, 1, 6, 7, & 8 will eat in their classrooms. Baked items should be delivered to the school office, XDC, or dropped off in Egan Hall that morning.
All volunteers should have received an e-mail reminder. Please contact Michele Thornquist if you have not received information about your volunteer position.
The schedule is as follows:
11:00 to 11:45 Grades 2 & 3 lunch Guests meet students in their classrooms and escort them to Egan Hall. Lunch is provided by the student. Dessert, coffee, tea, and water provided by St. John.
12:00 to 12:45 Grades 4 & 5 lunch
Guests meet students in their classrooms and escort them to Egan Hall for lunch. Lunch is provided by the student. Dessert, coffee, tea, and water provided by St. John.
We will be entertaining well over 400 people---your cooperation and understanding is necessary and much appreciated. Thank you for your support of this wonderful event!
| |
|
|
Hot Lunch 
|
| 
Want more information on ordering? View the video attached. Friday, November 9 Penne Pasta w/Alfredo sauce Tuesday, November 13 Breakfast for Lunch! Pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, syrup, orange wedges Wednesday, November 14 Spaghetti w/Meatballs or Marinara Sauce Thursday, November 15 Sack Lunch - students eat in classes -
half Turkey sandwich, crispy apple, string cheese, small bag of chips, water Visit "Menus" for extended menus. |
|
|
Thank you to sixth grade students and their families for the delightful luncheon enjoyed by faculty and staff today. Deliziosa, favoloso!
We had a great pancake breakfast
with St. John Girl Scouts. Thank you to Michael and Kellen Manley, Dan Pelfrey, Jim Fowble, Jim Anderson, Doug Smith, Tony Amort, Bennett Jones, and Nigel Pope. The girls were working very hard and singing a lot! Knights of Columbus
IS THERE SOMEONE YOU WISH TO THANK? Send your "thanks" to Mrs. Crockett for publication, dcrockett@stjohnsea.org.
| |
|
|
