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The Month of the Holy Rosary 

 October 17, 2013   

In His Image 

 

Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Saint of the Month:  St. Paul of the Cross, Patron Saint of Evangelists 
Habit of Mind:  Taking responsible risks 
Image of God:  He is spiritual, creative, and intelligent 
 

from Psalm 121






 

 

 

Dear Families, 

 

We watched in wonderment and awe as the new bell tower was hoisted high in the air and placed on the steeple. The children cheered and clapped. A murmur began in the watching crowd and students came to tell me that the cross was pointing the wrong way!   Then the cheering erupted again as the dome swung around slowly and gently dropped into place. The sun sparkled on the new shiny copper - I think God was as delighted as we were!

 

The new dome and  our School Garden (see below) are fitting images of our efforts to care for and improve our facilities and provide for future generations, as Fr. Quigley and earlier generations of parishioners provided for us.  Tomorrow as we celebrate the 90th anniversary of St. John School, we will continue that effort as we build our endowment for future generations of students. Two hundred seventy-five (275) guests have responded to the invitation to the Anniversary bash! It is going to be a grand party! Thank you, Michele Thornquist and to all the volunteers!

 

Jog-A-Thon packets continue to arrive to the school office. As a school we ran 853 combined miles. Amazing! The Jog-A-Thon benefits our current students as the proceeds go directly to the operating budget; helping to cover the costs of salaries, instructional supplies, textbooks, technology, and so much more - all to benefit students and help them to achieve. Thank you so much for your donations! Many of you still have your envelopes at home. We are counting on you to return your donations as soon as possible. You may bring the envelopes to the conferences if you wish! Students who reached the $250 dollar donation level will be participating in the Cash Grabbin' Gecko game on Monday during lunch.     

It is lovely to see you meet and greet one another as your children play in the play-pit after school. However, remember that at this time you are in charge of your students. You are the supervisors! We have a teacher on duty on the sidewalk outside and on the playground closer to the office. We do not have a teacher on duty in the play-pit area. Make sure that your children play safely and respectfully. The handbooks states: Playing on the play-pit is permitted after school until 3:15pm when the child's parent supervises. During non-school hours children may never be present without adult supervision on any part of the parish school campus. Accidents occurring as a result of the lack of proper parental supervision are not the responsibility of the school.   

 

Thank you for your continued cooperation.

 

Beannacht,  

 

 

Bernadette O'Leary

On Our Way to the Cure
PINK BOXES 

Five St. John School 7th grade girls are running a drive to benefit people with breast cancer.  Now through November 26, they will be collecting unused hats of all kinds, scarves, gloves, and throw blankets to help patients keep warm and comfortable during their treatments and in their recovery.  Look for the pink boxes located in the hallways, the school office, and the portables.

Please bring your new items in by Tuesday, November 26.

In addition, students donating at least a one dollar on Tuesday, October 29, are welcome to wear PINK FREE DRESS that day!  All donations will go to support Seattle area breast cancer patients.

  Many hands make light work!

 

We had crews out over the past two weekends and they orchestrated a transformation!  The Eagles' Nest was cleared of its old raised bed and copious amounts of weeds and blackberry bushes Saturday, October 5.  This past weekend, new raised beds were constructed with green cedar from Dunn Lumber.  

   

               Before...                             During...

 

After!

Special thanks to Josh Binder and Kimball Coffroth for their planning and practical expertise.  We are also very thankful to our extremely efficient crew including: Nils Dahlgren, Kris Overby, Peter Eagan, John and Eli Pasco, Trevor Carr and Se�or Pablo, and everyone who helped us get to this point.  Special thanks to our organizers, Maureen Rimkus, Lisa Behringer, and Kari Aguila.  

 

As you can see by the photos, the transformation is amazing!  We will have a fabulous outdoor classroom for our spring curriculum!

 

Cross Country Champions!
 
The St. Al/John Cross Country team won its fourth
consecutive team championship last Sunday.  Our runners competed against 2,400 runners from 50 schools to score the top team score of 419 points, only the second team in the history of CYO Cross Country to ever break the 400 point total.

 

 

Special congratulations to the K-3 runners who contributed a meet high 102 points, and to the Girls 7th grade and Boys teams of 4th, 6th and 7th grade, all who won their individual class championship trophies.

 

A special "Great Job" goes to Charlie M., Kevin S., Mac S., J.P. F., Mae S., Gabriel L., John R.-O., Julianna D., Matthew A., Brian S., Emily C., Lucy M. and Emma F., all who finished top 10 in their individual races.

Student/Parent/ Teacher Conferences

Conferences will be held Thursday and Friday, October 24 and 25 (school will not be in session).

 With the exception of preschool and kindergarten, students are expected to participate with parents in the conference.  

 

Parents may reserve a date and time for their conference online.  The links below give access to the reservation site - you will receive a direct email invitation from SignUpGenius as well.   

 

Preschool through Grade Five

Grades Six, Seven, or Eight

Current Students of Mrs. McCarthy

Current Students of Miss Gudaitis 

 

Parents wishing to meet with a Specialist (Spanish, Music, Physical Education) should contact the teacher directly.  

 

Se�or Pablo, Spanish 6, 7, 8
Se�ora Blanca, Spanish K-5
Mr. O'Leary, Physical Education, PK-2, 5-8 
Mrs. Briones, Physical Education, 3-4 
Mrs. Tsagalakis, Music K-2, 6-8, Schola
Mrs. Kelly, Music 3-5, Cantionis
Mrs. Rousso, School Counselor

 

Middle School families:  One additional appointment may be requested if there is a specific concern that may only be addressed by the subject teacher. (Note:  Some teachers see more than 160 students.)

 

We ask that you make your appointment(s) for conference within the time frame set aside and avoid, if at all possible, requesting teachers to meet with you at a time other than the times offered.

 Get "Ghosted!"
Halloween is coming up! What better way to get into the trick or treat spirit by "Ghosting" your friends and neighbors! For $5 Girl Scout Troop #43664 will put together a Halloween treat and deliver it to the address you provide. Just fill out and return the attached form. Deadline is October 23rd. Your form may be mailed to the address indicated, or returned to the school office or XDC. All proceeds will benefit the 5th Grade Girl Scout Troop. Happy "Ghosting"!
Fulcrum Foundation 2014-2015 Hossfeld Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) - Fulcrum Foundation

 

It is the mission of the Fulcrum Foundation's Hossfeld TAP to make Catholic schools accessible for families in need of financial assistance. A Fulcrum Foundation Hossfeld Tuition Assistance grant provides $1,035 towards elementary tuition.  For parish families this grant helps to fill in the difference between Fair Share pledges and the actual cost to educate; for out of parish families, the grant reduces the amount of tuition due.

 


Please visit the Foundation's website for more information about this grant, and to apply for the 2014/2015 school year.  Applications will be accepted beginning November 1.  The school office must receive a hard copy of your application, along with required financial documents not later than Friday, December 13.  Contact Diane Crockett in the school office, with questions. 
Parent Association
Speaker Series
presents
Dr. John Medina
Tuesday, November 19, 7pm, Egan Hall

 

We are proud to present New York Times best selling author, Dr. John Medina (Brain Rules) as our first speaker for the 2013/2014  school year.  He is a developmental molecular biologist with a lifelong fascination with how the mind reacts to and organizes information. 

See the attached flyer for more information. We encourage you to invite your friends, family, and neighbors to this exciting event.

 

St. John the Evangelist Choir Needs YOU! 

Are you looking for a volunteer opportunity that will  

  • provide a sense of community?
  • fit into your busy schedule?
  • support your Catholic faith?

Consider joining the Sanctuary Choir that sings at the 8:30am Sunday Mass.  The choir meets each Sunday at 7:45am for a quick rehearsal before mass.  Please contact David di Fiore, PA for Music for additional information.

([email protected])

children
"It's not only children who grow. Parents do too. As much as we watch to see what our children do with their lives, they are watching us to see what we do with ours. I can't tell my children to reach for the sun. All I can do is reach for it, myself."
ACTION ITEMS
  • Grades 3-8 - Review and sign your student's Mid Trimester Progress Report - sent home today      
Important Dates


Friday, October 18
St. John School's 90th Anniversary Party
 
Tuesday, October 22 
Grade 7 to Experience Music Project  

Wednesday, October 23   
Grade 4 to The Farm at Swan's Lake
Kindergarten to Craven Pumpkin Farm

Thursday, October 24

Student/Parent/Teacher Conferences
School not in session

Friday, October 25
Student/Parent/Teacher Conferences
School not in session

Tuesday, October 29 
Bring at least $1 for Breast Cancer, wear PINK Day

Thursday, October 31
Preschool through Grade 3, Halloween Party, 1pm

Friday, November 1
DRESS UNIFORM 
Liturgy, All Saints Day, 9am, Church 
 
    
  The Dome is Installed!


St  John Dome Installation


 
 

The Engineering Club will begin Thursday, October 31, and run for seven, 90-minute Thursday sessions through December 19. Students in grades two through five are eligible to register for the class. Class size is limited to 16 students. The cost of the Engineering Club is $112.00. Open registration through the school website will begin on tonight, Oct. 17, 7pm. 

 

 

 The course scheduled is Engineering FUNdamentals (see attached flyer) with instructor Justin Kaiser, and faculty advisors, Mrs. Brumback and Se�or Pablo.

 Scrip 3

Did you know that you can register your Safeway club card on escrip to earn rebates for  St. John?  Simply register your Safeway club card at www.escrip.com, shop at any Safeway store and St. John receives quarterly rebate checks.  It's just that easy.  If you have registered your Safeway club card in previous years, it's now time to renew your account.  Please see the attached form for instructions.
 
Last week we mentioned that we needed many hands to run the scrip program.  Thank you to Susie Slonecker for being the only person to sign up.  Please consider signing up by following the attached link.  We have a couple of Sunday's that we don't have enough coverage for sales.  The school and parish families really depend on us to be there.

 

Link:  HELP WITH SUNDAY SCRIP!

 

Thanks!

 

Your Scrip Team

 

Lisa Mendenhall
Scrip Coordinator
Children EXTENDED DAY CARE (XDC)

 

Extended Day Care administration and staff have been collaborating on the creation of a new XDC mission statement. The process began last Spring with an invitation to parents to participate in a survey regarding the XDC program. Feedback from the survey, along with information shared during a July XDC Stakeholders meeting, had helped in crafting a vision for the mission of the program. Changes to the program have taken shape already including: hiring of new staff, professional development, working with No Junk Inc. to provide nutritional breakfast and snack options. Future considerations for the program include the addition of after school enrichment programs. The XDC staff would like to thank all the parents who participated in the survey and also the following parents who attended the July 17 Stakeholders meeting:  Colleen Douglas, Monica Overby, Joan Krawchik, Richard Stewart, Jennifer Stankovich, Molly O'Connor, Amy Vanderhorst, Jeff Miles, Dawn Thornburg, Shannon Mapp, JR Masters, Mary Wiseman, Denise Scofield, Rachel Berryessa, Ellen Petre, Lisa Thenell, Grace Mwangome, Boniface Mwongela, Bridget Sevigny, Anna McCarthy, Jenny McGovern, Carolyn Sherman, and Olga Sala.

Mission Statement
St. John Extended Day Care provides a safe, Christ centered environment filled with love and trust. The care program is committed to providing developmentally appropriate enrichment that promotes balanced growth in a child's physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being.

Luke W. practices aerial skills 
Grade 5 Goes to Circus School!  
Students attended classes at SANCASeattle (School of Acrobatics and New Circus Skills) last Friday.  Along with having a wonderful time students practiced cooperation, working in groups, and following instruction.   
  K 1st Grandparents' Day Grandparents' & Friends' Day for Grades 2-5
November 14, 2013

Follow this link to RSVP, volunteer, and bake for this event!
Wire Hangers
No Wire Hangers!!!
 
You know they don't belong in your closet!  Get them out - and send them to St. John School or Parish office.  They will be used to make beautiful Christmas wreaths...re- purposed from something scary to something quite special!
Hot Lunch

NoJunk

 

MENU

Friday, October 18                

Curly Pasta with Organic Marinara Sauce, Homemade Garlic Bread, Organic Seasonal Fruit      


Monday, October 21        

Chicken Teriyaki with Natural Chicken Meat, Steamed Rice, Organic Seasonal Fruit

 

Tuesday, October 22        

"PIZZA PASTA" Curly Pasta, Organic Creamy Marinara Sauce, Fresh Baked Pizza Focaccia Stick, Organic Seasonal Fruit

 

Wednesday, October 23       

Creamy Tomato Soup, Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Organic Seasonal Fruit     

 

Thursday, October 24     

No lunch service - school not in session     

 

To order, visit NoJunk, Inc. 


    Happy Children

Thank You Corner

 

 
Mrs. Skokan would like to thank Jen Bergman, Cindy Tramountanas and Ida Henricksen for helping out in the classroom.  Thank you to art volunteers: Diana Navarro, Marilyn Hanley, Jen Bergman, Cami Stewart, Amy Gilbrough, Bridget Spear.

Faculty and staff wish to say "Grazie, grado 7 studenti e famiglie, per il delizioso pranzo festa!" - thank you, grade 7 students and families, for the wonderful Italian themed luncheon yesterday, complete with on-site crafted lattes, cappuccinos, and Italian sodas!  (Serving dishes may be picked up in the school office.) 
 
Apple Bite
Bites

 

 

 

Something happening in the non-school community you would like to let others know about? Forward your "bites" to Diane Crockett.

FACES OF GUATEMALA
Saturday, Nov. 2, Blue Ridge Community Club 

Avivara and Mark Hussein Photography are proud and excited to present a special photo exhibit of "The Faces of Guatemala."  This event is free - please register here to help with planning, and learn more about the event.  Former St. John School teachers Gary Teale and Ann Austin have been working in Guatemala since 2006, and formed Avivara in collaboration with Gustavo Valle, a Guatemalan educator.   Avivara is a non-profit charitable corporation registered in the State of Washington, and a 501(c)(3) tax-deductible public charity.  Asociacion Avivarais a registered tax-exempt non-profit organization (NGO) in the Republic of Guatemala. 

All St. John & St. Alphonsus 8th grade parents are invited to attend an Evening with Seattle Prep, Tuesday, October 29th, at 7:00pm.  The evening is co-hosted by Bethany and Tim King and Annmarie and Bob Kelly at the King home, 9629 26th Ave NW, Seattle.  This is an informal opportunity to meet personally with Seattle Prep administrators, learn more about the school, and ask questions. Light appetizers, desserts, and beverages will be served. Please RSVP to Bethany by October 25th, at [email protected]. Hope to see you there!