Fri.   May 17    SJB End of Year Party at Airworx 

Fri.   May 17    Fare Thee Well Gathering for Fr. Gary, 6 pm in MPR

Welcome to Father Bob Binta to the Parish of St. Benedict and the St. John Bosco Community!  Father Binta is from Uganda and has been serving in the Diocese of Phoenix in the role of the Parochial Vicar at St. Paul Catholic Church in Phoenix.  Father Binta attended a seminary high school and then earned degrees in philosophy and sacred theology. He was ordained a priest in 1991. Later, Father Binta attended the University of Notre Dame where he obtained a master's degree in business administration.

MAP testing begins this week for Grades 3-8. We continue to learn more about ourselves and about this snapshot look at learning.  Let me remind you from the fall and winter sessions that the test is Adaptive.  As students answer a question correctly, the next question is more difficult. If their answer is wrong, the next question is easier.  There are 40 questions on each test, and takes anywhere from 15 minutes in the lower grades to 60 minutes in 8th grade to complete a session. One of the things we learned in the Winter testing sessions, is that students who are not engaged in the test don't do "as well" as those who took their time by using scratch paper and reading the questions carefully. It became a question of motivation-- in order to show their true level, they had to want to represent their knowledge accurately.   Please encourage your student at home to do their best.

The last Informal Q and A will be on Thursday, May 16th at 6:00 pm in the Library. Thank you for your attendance, and insight throughout the year. 

Celebrating Your Generosity

Rice Bowls

Lemonade and Bake Sale 

Catholic Education Arizona

Congratulations on a 150% increase and thank you to everyone who took advantage of the school tuition tax credit.  $343,872 was designated to St. John Bosco Catholic School by school families, parishioners and friends.  This is $343,872 dollars that will be available to you as Scholarships for next year!  If you didn't apply, or if you know someone who wants their children in Catholic school but doesn't think they can afford it, contact Mimi Condon at 480-219-4845 or mcondon@sjbosco.org

Battle of the Books

The fifth grade Battle of the Books team of Noah D., Sean R., and John M. represented St. John Bosco at the Chandler semifinals.  The boys placed fourth, but had an amazing battle.  They had an early setback, but then calmly answered every question correctly. They made quite an impression on the battle audience.

We hear it over and over - our community is amazing!  Do you have friends that do not have their children at St. John Bosco Catholic School? Let them know about our next Spotlight- including visits to the classrooms, a look at the curriculum and a chance to ask questions about our school and the available scholarships. If that friend registers their child(ren) at St. John Bosco, we will give you $300 to use for your tuition or re-registration!

Our next Spotlight is scheduled for Tuesday, May 21st at 9:00 am.  Students of all ages are welcome to attend, although openings are limited in some grades.

Let's jump it up at Airworx!

Friday, May 17th 1:30 - 3:30 pm

4960 E. Ray Rd. (NE Corner of Ray and Rural)

$8 per jumper

A flyer was emailed to all families and flyers went home with the students last week.

This summer, St. John Bosco has a wonderful menu of summer camps to include Vacation Bible School, K-Kamp, Lego Camp, SciPrenuer Science and an academic skills camp.  Follow the link for more information.  

Vacation Bible School

Students who are on campus from June 17-21 between the hours of 9 a.m. and noon must be registered for Vacation Bible School.  The 15 hours of programming is $45, click here to register (slightly less than being in MAP during those same hours). All MAP employees are working the VBS during those hours, so if you do not register, plan on keeping your child at home.

Attention Parents

We are in need of adult Crew Leader volunteers for Vacation Bible School (VBS) June 17 - 21 from 8:30 - 12:30 each day.  A Crew Leader loves the Lord and loves children. Each day at VBS you'll visit different activities with a group of five children. You're not in charge of preparing or teaching activities; you just get to be there and help kids enjoy the activities as you shepherd the members of your crew. Remember you can get a start on your service hours for next year by helping out. If interested please contact Mrs. Douglas at vbs@stbenedict.org.

Attention 8th Graders going into high school next year. 

We need your help at Vacation Bible School (VBS) June 17 - 21 from 9:00 - 12:00. Come help Kindergarten through 5th grade learn more about our blessed Lord and have fun at the same time. If interested please contact Mrs. Douglas at vbs@stbenedict.org.

Bulldog Ambassadors are a group of students who are proud to be a part of Saint John Bosco Catholic School.  Ambassadors must be in fifth through eighth grade.  These students are enthusiastic, friendly, disciplined, and willing to work as a team to promote the history and traditions of our school. They are active members of the St. John Bosco family.  A good Ambassador is outgoing and willing to speak in public. They always speak positively about St. John Bosco Catholic School. Typical responsibilities include leadership through example, mentoring new students, public relations, and service. Bulldog Ambassadors take part in New Student Orientation, New Family Welcome, Open House, Catholic Schools Week, Community Breakfast and other occasions where they can serve their school.  Some public relations activities may take place outside of the normal school day, including evenings and weekends

Membership in the Ambassadors Club is by application. Click here to register.

Applications must be submitted to Mrs. Watson no later than 3pm, Wednesday, May 15.

We would once again like to extend a big thank you to all of our Bosco sponsors, donors, volunteers and participants.  Your generosity, time, talent and efforts helped raise just over $84,000!  Once all invoices have been processed, the proceeds from this year's event will be spent on new and updated technology, classroom supplies and teaching tools.

Bosco Sponsors:  The Van House Family, Arizado (Chris & Rebecca Cooper), Barefoot Pools (Chad & Johnnea Bigcraft), CKGH Law (Chris & Pam Henrichsen), Gold Crown Promotions (Peter & Christina Grossgold),  Parish of St. Benedict, Rambro Steel Works/Dance Studio 111 (Kurt & Kay Broer, Kimberly Lewis), Farmers Insurance (Larry & Gina Bartoszek), McCarthy Holdings, LLC (Eric & Tracie McCarthy), Molly Jagdon, CPA, Team Orthodontics, Valley Pediatric Dentists, and Wealthpoint (Tim & Paula Young)

Golf Raffle and Goodie Bag Donors:  

Alliance Beverage Distributing Co, Arizona Cardinals, Bank of Arizona , Barefoot Pools, CheeseCake Factory, Club West, Cookies, Crecent Crown, DiamondBacks, Dos Gringos, Freeway Chev, Ganem Jewelers, Gold Crown Promos, Golf Smith, Habit Burger, Hob Nob, IBM, Irish Republic, Jimmy Johns, Keeling Schaefer Vineyards, Lykins Real Estate, Madison Day Spa, Maricopa County Attorney, Oregano's , RV Rental Outlet, Sport Clips, US Foods

We had over two hundred donors to our raffle, live auction and silent auction.  An online directory of our supporters is being created and will be available June 1. Please be sure to take a look and thank those individuals and businesses by supporting their business.

The Scholastic Book Fair will be held at the Saint John Bosco School library May 20-24.  The spring book fair is a fun way to earn those volunteer hours.  We will need cashiers before school and during dismissal. No experience is required-will train.

We will have a late night on Tuesday, May 21. Setup will be on May 17 at 1:30 and takedown will be on May 24.  Please use this link to sign up if you would like to join the fun!

Sadly, Anita Buckel, our hard working and amazing Book Fair Chairperson, will be stepping down next year.  Her youngest son will be graduating in 2014 and she would like to begin training a new chairperson.  You will work with a wonderful co-chair, Erikah Gamez. Anita has listed the responsibilities of the chairperson (it is co-chaired):  

Book Fair Chair Duties

Attend: Scholastic Book Fair Chair workshop.

Organize: Work with Mrs. Harvey. Confirm dates. Brainstorm ideas for promotion, decoration and room layout. Coordinate set up volunteers.

Publicize: Send email with information for SJB weekly e-newsletter. Use Scholastic online toolkit to create webpage, fliers, bookmarks, etc. Post signs (provided by Scholastic) a few days before/week of book fair.

Oversee: Set-up and decorations of library for Fair.

Host: Teacher Sneak Peek on the first Monday morning of the Fair.

Check: Daily on Mrs. Harvey's needs.

Assist: Mrs. Harvey when volunteers not available.

Oversee: Take-down, packing books, and clean up.

Mrs. Harvey takes care of all other duties such as money collection and volunteer coordination.

Great news!  Our Ultra-tainment gift certificates are valid at all Grimaldi's locations, including the one at Casa Paloma. Stop by our window and pick some up soon.

Graduation is coming up. We have some great cards for your grads, including iTunes in $15 or $25 increments, Starbucks and Visas.  

We have Shutterfly available as well. You can make personalized photo books for Mother's Day, coach's gifts and more.  

We are delighted to announce that the Saint John Bosco Catholic School PTO  and St. Benedict parishioners are joining forces to present a new "Harvest Festival".  Combining the best of the SJB Harvest Fest and the best of the Parish Festival, this will be a spirit-filled day of community with fun for little kids, big kids and adults. Save the date of October 19, 2013 for this exciting inaugural event.