JOY TO THE WORLD

                               

Dear Saint John’s Families,

Today’s Friday Student Mass just couldn’t have been more “JOYFUL”.  What a beautiful ending to the year of 2012, here at Saint John’s Parish/School!  Such a celebration it was!

Father Sam’s homily touched everyone’s heart.  Our students from Preschool through Middle School were fully engaged as Father quizzed them on the true meaning of Christmas.  He gave all of us 2 assignments.  His first request was to follow the tradition that he has done since childhood that is to write a very private letter to Jesus thanking him for all of the blessings received since last Christmas.  This should be a secret letter (in writing) that is hidden away each year.  In addition to thanking Jesus, children are encouraged to express appreciation for every gift from anyone.

The second request was for us all to be JOYFUL and take every opportunity to spread our joy by song.  No doubt all of our students took that message to heart as our entire student body, staff, parents and parishioners gave praise to the Lord in song. 

Music and song is very definitely an ingredient that makes Saint John’s so special. Father Frank’s was given a beautiful, strong voice that he so often shares with us. Not only does he share that gift in Mass or maybe at our Gala, but last Friday evening he lead us in Christmas caroling through the streets of Centerra Mall.  Children, staff and parents didn’t mind the cold at all as we left Barnes and Noble and strolled to the ice rink and bonfire to spread Saint John’s joy.

JOYFUL wishes and a very Merry Christmas to each of you.

Shalom,

Mrs. Schmitt

WHAT IS GOING ON AT SAINT JOHN’S SCHOOL?

Dear Saint John’s School Families,

What is going on at Saint John’s School?  Perhaps the better question is, “What isn’t going on here at school?  What a hustle/bustle environment we live in here at Saint Johns!   How blessed we all are to enjoy such richness in our lives. 

Would you believe that Saint Nicholas did not disappoint us. He made his visit on his feast day, Thursday of last week.  Every student had “one shoe off and one shoe on” until after his visit when a candy cane was found in the shoe left outside their classroom. 

Thank you everyone who attended the Christmas Carol Play last Friday or Saturday evening. Mrs. Brown and our students did a remarkable job.  Of course, the annual “ Breakfast with Santa” on Saturday morning truly put all attending in the spirit of Christmas. One could hear Santa’s “ho, ho, ho”  laughter as he and his Mrs. had their pictures taken over and over again. 

Monday afternoon our boys’ basketball season came to a close.  The away game was played against Saint Mary’s team in Greeley.  Great season, boys, Mr. Sgourdos and Mr. Sobraske.   

Our 3^rd and 4^th grade “Battle of the Books” teams came back with smiles on their faces Tuesday after having battled in competition with two different Thompson School District Schools. Yes, both teams won!  Mrs. Monet, thank you and your coaches, Sarah Smith, Pam Coke, Lexy Donnelly, and Rachel Sundheim

 Oh, yes, the Christmas Store!  Really, do our students actually get to go shopping while in school?  Mathematics skills must be practiced as our little ones count out their nickels, dimes, and quarters to buy Christmas presents for Mom and Dad.  Thanks so much to our storekeepers, especially Bethany Anderson, who chaired this event.

On Wednesday, morning Saint John’s students and staff had a surprise visit from a real author. Lee Ann Thieman, a nationally renowned speaker and author of Chicken Soup of the Soul, spoke to us about how she became a writer and speaker.  Her faith in God led her to participate in Operation Baby Lift during the Vietnam War. 

Wow!!   What a Christmas concert all of our students put on Thursday evening!  Mr. Bradberry, you have what it takes to bring the best out of our students.  What a delightful evening!  Our students truly “sang their hearts out”.  Our preschoolers and our band opened the evening and nearly brought tears to the eyes of  those in the audience.

Next comes our Christmas Caroling out at Centerra along with our Barnes and Nobel Book Fair. What a week it has been! 

Shalom,

Mrs. Schmitt

PROBLEMS, HYPOTHESIS, CONCLUSIONS

Dear Saint John’s School Families,

The Philosophy Statement in our Saint John’s School Handbook states that Saint John’s School strives to: Help each child develop critical thinking and independent learning skills.  Our middle school SCIENCE FAIR is an excellent example of the showcasing of each students’ project which culminates one specific experience of learning how to think and problem solve.  

These critical lifelong skills each one of us needs to use each day of our lives.  Sometimes these skills are needed on simple day to day matters, other times our life challenges can be most complicated. 

Integrated as part of the science and mathematics curriculums, the science fair has assisted our students in developing these important skills.  Learning first to identify and state the question or problem to be solved, learning just what is a hypothesis, followed by the procedure, analysis and background information, conclusion and gathering all of this in his/her Project Data Book  were  requirements for this assignment.  Hopefully, these skills will transfer and may assist a child to some degree in approaching any problem that she/he might encounter. 

What an excellent display of Science Fair Project is found in our gym hallways! The questions and problems truly pertain to real life encounters and needs.  Could it be that science fair experiences such as these spawn future inventions and an improved way of life for us all?  The Science Fair was visited by all of our Saint John’s Students this week.  The projects will continue to be displayed throughout this weekend.    While coming to this weekend’s Ebenezer’s Christmas Carol play this weekend, please do take time to view the projects.  You will be delighted.

A special “thank you” to Mr. Estergard and Mrs. Rottinghaus, parents and judges for your guidance and investment in teaching our young people to problem solve.

Shalom,

Lois Schmitt