St John the Evangelist Catholic School Chronicle
January 15, 2010
Love the Learning. Build our Friendships. Live the Faith
Dear St. John's Parents-
At this time in our liturgical year, it is that time of coming down from an elevated spiritual place of Christmas and moving to a place of Ordinary Time. This Ordinary-ness is at a time of the year where the days are still short, and the nights are long - evoking a sense of darkness, both physically and spiritually. It's the spiritual equivalent of a kid's sugar rush. And if it's anything like the Amodio kids, that rush usually ends with a complete melt-down at about 6:00 when the sun goes down, and ain't nobody happy when that happens!
It's right around this time of year that I pull out one of my favorite pieces of reflection: "Joshua and the Children" by Fr. Joseph Girzone. It is a beautiful story of Jesus's love for children, and how children often act as the role models for parents in these dark seasons of Ordinary-ness. It is also about how when followers of Christ lose track of the importance of children in their community's life, Jesus is saddened - as children truly are the most favored in Christ's presence. Not the politics, not the relations between adults, not the squabbles about who is right and who is wrong in the faith and which side of the fence they are on. Above all - it's the children who matter as they are truly the future of our faith and often times teach us the most profound lessons in our faith journey. As a Catholic educator, it is the shot in the arm I need about this time of year.
I'd like to share an excerpt from the book for you that I think is particularly beautiful in this time of the liturgical season moving into Ordinary Time.
"Father Donnelly did make a few comments on the Gospel, about the gentleness and understanding of Jesus. He went about every day doing good, healing, counseling, comforting, and nowhere, except in one place, does anyone ever thank him. In spite of the people's ingratitude, Jesus never stopped doing good. It is the lesson that his followers need today more than ever before. There is so much hurt and misery, and so many wounds to be healed. We have to adopt the forgiving nature of Jesus, who never allowed himself to take offense, so we can, each in his own way, reach out to heal the hurts all around us. It is our children who will ultimately reap the benefits of our goodness, because one day they will have a better world to live in" (p 56-57).
I invite you all to read this book as it is a book chock-full of points for reflection in this time of the year.
We have a busy month coming up at St. John's. A couple of important events that I'd like to highlight:
· Catholic Schools Week is coming! For those of you who are new to the school community, this is a HUGE event. The details of this week have gone home in a flier and are also listed on the website's School News. There are a couple of events during this week that I'd like to encourage all parents to attend. First is the Sock Hop on January 30th - this is a fun event for the whole family and not to be missed. Come join us for some 50s-style fun! On Thursday we have our wonderful family luncheon. This is a great way to connect with other families and visit our school - not to mention having a wonderful lunch brought to us by our top-notch cafeteria staff. Don't forget to RSVP for this event!
· Over the past few months, I have heard from parents that they'd like to learn more about technology and to have a presentation on internet safety - thank you for your input! We have planned two training sessions related to technology, and I invite every parent to attend these sessions. On February 10th at 6:30 in the Eagle's Nest, our webmaster, Samantha Sweeney will be offering a training session on the new website and our online grade book. Come learn about the features of our new powerful website and how to most effectively use our school's new online grade book. Then, on February 24th at 6:30 in the Eagle's Nest, we will have an internet safety presentation by Chris Pond from the Archdiocese's Office of Youth Protection. This session is open to middle school students and all parents preschool-8th grade. I strongly encourage you all to attend this most informational presentation.
Your families remain in my constant prayers.
Please do keep the people of Haiti in your prayers as they struggle to deal with their recent catastrophe.
May the Lord continue to bless you and your families.
+Blessings,
Dr. Sara Baird Amodio
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
We will be closed on Monday, January 18th for Martin Luther Kin Jr. Day. Have a safe three day vacation.
ITBS Testing
There has been a slight change to the ITBS testing from our original calendar, because of some changes requested by the Office of Catholic Schools. On February 16-17-18 there will be the testing for ACRE (grades 5 & 8), and ITBS Cognitive testing grades 3-5-7 February 22-25 will be for the regular ITBS grades 2-8.
PRE-REGISTRATION FOR THE 2010-11 SCHOOL YEAR
We need your preregistration by January 29TH to give your family first priority for the 2010-2011 school year.
On February 4th we will be hosting our Open House and new families will be enrolling at that time.
Enrollment in St. John's school is allocated in the following order of priority:
1. Current St. John the Evangelist Catholic School families
2. Active parishioners of St. John the Evangelist Church who are new to the school
3. Active parishioners from other Catholic parishes in the local area
4. Active parishioners of a parish outside the local area who currently have children enrolled in a Catholic elementary school and are transferring to St. John the Evangelist
5. All others
Further enrollment materials will be distributed in February.
FREE DENTAL CHECK UP FOR CHILDREN IN NEED
Dr. Gerken’s office called to inform us of the day they will be giving free dental care to those who can’t afford it, or are having hard times. It will be held on February 5th, and they have about 10 slots available. For more information please call the office at 663-7711.
ST. JOHN’S ANNUAL SOCK HOP
January 30, 2010, 5:30-8:00 P.M., Hoying Gym
It’s that time of year to start planning our Annual Sock Hop to kick off Catholic School’s Week!
We are planning a fun-filled family event and we need your help.See the volunteer sign up sheet and log in those volunteer hours. (Remember you need 50!) the sheet is posted on the website. We need volunteers for the clean-up crew, door greeter, photo booth, and food service. Please sign up to help us make this year’s Sock Hop a fun time for all St. John’s school and parish families. For more information, contact Shannon Lotz at 635-5844 or email at lotzsh@saintjohns.net
Please help the St. John’s Booster’s Club raise money for Eagle Athletics!
Wednesday, February 3rd, 4:45-8:00 PM at Culver’s Restaurant, located at HWY 34 Next to Centerra
St. John’s will receive 10% of Wednesday night’s proceeds! Bring the family and enjoy a night out for a good cause!
LENTEN FISH FRY'S AT THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS HALL
Mark your calendar for the Lenten Fish Fry's at the Knights of Columbus Hall starting Friday, February 19, and running through and including Friday, April 2 (Good Friday), from 5:00p.m. to 7:00p.m. Meal prices start at $5.00. Free meatless pasta bar for the kids.
KINGHT OF COLUMBUS FREE THROW CONTEST
All boys and girls ages 10 to 14 are invited to participate in the local level of competition for the 2010 Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship. The local competition will be held on January 23, at 3:00 pm at Sister Carolyn Hoying's Gym. All contestants on the local level are recognized for their participation in the event. The winners will receive an official Knights of Columbus leather basketball. Participants are required to furnish proof of age and written parental consent. For entry forms or additional information contact: Dustin Martinek, ph: 970-461-0614, email: dm0722@aol.com.
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK ACTIVITIES!
January 30- February 4, 2010
Greetings St. John’s Families,
Catholic Schools Week is quickly approaching and we have many great events planned for your child and the whole family. The theme for the year’s celebration is “Dividends for Life”.
Each school day we will celebrate with and outreach to the many different communities that are part of Catholic Education. The following is a schedule of events for the week so please mark your calendars!
Please stop by and check out your student's art work throughout the week.
Art will be displayed throughout the hallways and in the church foyer.
Saturday, January 30th – Sock Hop!
5:30 - 8:00 pm, Hoying Gym – all families welcome!
Saturday/Sunday January 30th and 31st – Mass “In our Parish”
At each Mass Dr. Amodio will be speaking about the school and there will be a short DVD presentation. We will also be collecting prayer requests from parishioners so that our students can pray for our congregation during the week.
ACTION: 1. We will need volunteer families to collect these prayer cards at the end of each mass. Please contact Briana Lasher if you are interested in helping. brianalasher@comcast.net.
2. Please have your children to wear their uniforms to Mass.
Monday February 1st – “Our Community”
Third Annual Birthday Bag Community Service Project. Please see the list on the other side to determine what item your student(s) are to bring to add to the bag. After each class puts their items in the bags, we will donate them to local agencies who will distribute them to families who may not have the resources to celebrate a child’s birthday.
ACTION: Please have the students bring their items to school. We will also be in the loop on Friday January 29th collecting items for the bags.
Tuesday, February 2nd– “Vocation Day”
Each class will be adopting a staff member or a “feeder” church to say thank you for supporting our child’s education. The classes will be putting together thank you notes, goodies and prayers for these special people. We will be asking families to donate items for these thank you baskets.
ACTION: Please help the room parents by bringing in a few dollars to purchase items for the baskets.
Wednesday, February 3rd – “Nation Day”
**EARLY RELEASE** MASS will be held at 8:30. (Note:Mass uniforms please!) This is also Father Franks Birthday; we will be celebrating with himJ. We will be doing a LIVING ROSARY prayer service at 10:30 am for world peace. The service will be held in Hoying Gym. This is sure to be an amazing event as the students are representing the beads of the rosary. Please join us!
ACTION: Saint John’s Booster Club will be hosting a Culver’s Fund Raiser Night tonight from 5-8pm. Please come support our booster club. 10% of the proceeds go back to our school.
Thursday, February 4th – “Student Day”
To kick off student day Parents, Grandparents, Relatives and Friends are invited to come and have LUNCH WITH STUDENTS. RSVP forms will be sent home after the break, be sure to RSVP by January 22nd. RSVPs are required whether you plan on attending or not. After a fun lunch we will be cheering on the Staff VS. 8th Grade in an Olympic Games Competition. Feel free to come watch the mayhem in the Hoying Gym at 2pm!
Friday, February 5th –Teacher Appreciation Day - NO SCHOOL
The Catholic Schools Week committee will be providing a brunch for the teachers to enjoy.
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Check List:
q Return your RSVP by Jan 22nd for the Luncheon. Even if you cannot make it please return the form and indicate whom your child will sit.
q Please send in your items for the birthday box January 29th.
q Bring in a few dollars for the Thank You Baskets January 29th.
q Come to the Sock Hop on Saturday January 30th!
q Make sure the kids wear their uniforms to Mass on the 30th or 31st.
q If you can help collect prayer requests at mass on Saturday the 30th or Sunday the 31st please contact Briana Lasher at brianalasher@comcast.net.
q Students need to wear their Mass uniforms on Wednesday February 3rd.
q Join us on Wednesday for Mass and the Living Rosary.
q Attend lunch on Thursday February 4th..
q Cheer on the staff and students at the Olympic games on Thursday the 4th.
Do you want to help volunteer for any of these events? Please contact Briana Lasher at brianalasher@comcast.net. We are specifically looking for someone to help video tape the living rosary, but there are many other opportunities to help as well.
O God,bless our family and all its members and friends;bind us together by your love.Give us kindness and patienceto support each other;and wisdom in all we do.Let the gift of your peacecome into our heartsand remain with us.May we rejoice in your blessingsfor all our days.
v Please pray for the Kelly, Kensora, Kieu, Killian, Lambrecht families
v Pray for the families suffering in Haiti, pray they receive the food, water, and safe shelter
v Let us give thanks to God for all the gifts he has provided us
v Especially give thanks to God for the gift of a parish school and ask his help as we continue to grow and prosper
v May Our Lord grant us all the graces we need and desire
Saint John the Evangelist Catholic School
1730 W. 12th Street Loveland, Co 80537 970.635.5830
Saint John the Evangelist School does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color or national or ethnic origin
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