Congratulations Class of 2014! Tonight at 7:00 we will have the Commencement Exercises for the graduating eighth graders.

We are so proud of their accomplishments. Many of our students received academic, merit and stewardship scholarships to the Catholic High Schools.   For some of our students, deciding on which high school to attend was made more difficult as they received awards at more than one school!   The class also had a number of winners in math and science competitions - see below.    

I am looking forward to hearing about their successes as alumni!  Last week, I received an email about graduates Michael Lambert, Caroline Lambert, Davis Pessner, and Elijah Pasco who recently  received Ignatian Awards from Seattle Prep. At Holy Names, Colleen Martinez and Nikki Cullen received Religion Service Awards. See below for more alumni success stories!  Please inform us if you know of a graduate who is following the St. John mission to lead lives based on Gospel values, committing to academic excellence and service to others.

Speaking of service, it was a joy to attend the Parent Association meeting and hear about so many new and returning volunteers for next year. At this time of the year, when we are evaluating programs, discussing achievement and purchasing curriculum, I am acutely aware of the need for fundraising and the power of your stewardship. Your fundraising goes directly to the operating budget. The operating budget covers salaries, instructional needs, utilities, technology, etc. - the annual cost to run the school. This year's auction, jog-a-thon and scrip together raised approximately $400,000 for the school's operating budget! We can add a new assistant for the third grade, we will purchase new reading books for the primary, and students in grades 3 - 5 and the geometry class get new math books! Your Fair Share commitment and your stewardship is an investment in the children and they reap the benefits!  Thank you to all of you and especially to Michelle Sorrick, Lynette Muenzberg, Karen Schuler, Lisa Mendenhall, Christine Craig, Page Harader and the many volunteers who help make St. John successful.

We have new team leaders among you:

• Nancy Alton and Barbara Folger will 'intern' with Christine Craig in Parent Association next year.
• Team Scrip: Alec Strigen, Charlotte Dimock, Anne Mathieu, Julia Rudden, Karen Bombino.
• Team auction will be led by Julie Skinner, Fundraising Administrator. The auction team is expanding to include more committees and they have BIG plans for next year! Look out for some exciting news!

These groups are forging ahead to ensure that St. John is the best it can be.

Beannacht,