WHAT IS A SOAR STORE?

Dear Saint John’s School Families,
Yes, it is the latest “tongue twister” that you are hearing from your child(ren). Our students here at Saint John the Evangelist School are excited for the “Grand Opening next Wednesday of a new store here on campus.
At our “Back-to-School -Sunday a brief description was given of our the PBIS Program that is being implemented for students, faculty/staff and parents. Pamphlets sharing this good news were handed out to each family. A Positive Behavior Intervention System you may find in other schools throughout the nation and in schools in Loveland. However, each is unique to the specific school. Last year, with the assistance professional coaches, our faculty and staff laid the foundation and designed a PBIS Program to meet our needs at Saint Johns. A core team of faculty worked during the summer to finalize the details in order that we could “kick off” the program when school opened this fall.
Common expectations and vocabulary as to the expectations of students and staff is just one of the benefits of this program. What a way to learn/teach life skills that will develop the “whole child”! Now the exciting part…..Wednesday, students may shop at the SOAR STORE using the soar bucks they have earned.
Please thank our PTO for helping us to afford the items in the store. Without their support we couldn’t have opened our store. Several organizations have promised to help provide “treasures” for purchase. The cost of the purchase will, of course, depend on its value. Students may save their soar bucks if they would like to buy something of greater value, like Lunch with Fr. Sam??
Parents, when you are buying Scrip maybe you would like to donate a gift card of $1, $5, $10 dollars to place in our SOAR STORE. Are there new but unused or interesting “somethings” around your home that would be something fun for a child to buy? Perhaps you may know of a business, or organization that would be willing to support this program with small but meaningful items.
Thanks for backing our latest new program at Saint Johns.
Shalom,
Mrs. Schmitt

A GREAT START TO THE 2013-14 SCHOOL YEAR

Dear Saint John’s School Families,

Yes, we are “off and running”.  Monday morning saw 241 Saint John’s Pre-school–eighth grade students arrive for classes.  How exciting it is to see our school grow!  A great deal of planning and preparation took place to result in the smooth beginning of this new school year. 

First of all, thank you Saint John’s Families for celebrating the 11:00a.m. Mass together on “Back-To-School” Sunday.  The picnic that followed gave everyone an opportunity to get acquainted or reacquainted.  Mother Nature cooperated with cloud cover, and only a sprinkle of rain.  The meeting in our gym was brief in order that the children could meet their teacher(s) and drop off their school supplies.  It was a successful and happy Sunday.  Monday’s abbreviated day was just what we needed to help our transition from vacation, especially on the hot day.

Of course, this first week consisted of everyone, students, staff and parents,  learning  schedules, routines, and expectations. With additional enrollment, the arrival and dismissal of students needs to receive attention. While the arrival/drop off  “LOOP” in the morning for the K-4 children appears to be working quite successfully, the pick up “LOOP” in the afternoon needs a small change in order that cars are not backed up on Tyler Avenue causing confusion and a safety issue.  Parents, please  enter the “LOOP” from Tyler Avenue (west) and proceed immediately to the far right, passing the Middle School and the Church.   Make two lines as you drive west toward the pick up location.  As the “LOOP” moves slowly, please keep a tight space between your car and the one ahead.  This will allow more cars to cross Tyler Avenue and be on Saint John’s Campus. 

Your will be receiving a new/revised schematic which will outline the plan for each day’s arrival and dismissal.  Thank you in advance for helping us get off to a smooth, new start. 

Tara Kirkpatrick, a loyal PTO member, has once again agreed to put together a Saint John’s float for the Loveland Corn Roast Parade.  Students, Staff and Parents, the parade begins earlier this year.  Please help represent our school and be part of the parade. We will gather at 8:00a.m. on Railroad Avenue near Fairground’s Park, Float #45.  What a great way to end our first week back!    

Shalom,

Mrs. Schmitt

MOVING ON WITH NEW CHALLENGES AHEAD

Dear Saint John’s Families,

With only 3 ½ days of school remaining in this 2012-2013  school year,  reality is facing us, as significant milestones are near in the lives of many of our students and several staff members.   

Last evening, 15 of our 8^th graders were bid farewell during a beautiful graduation Mass, ceremony and reception.  The touching DVD of their lives brought laughter and tears.  Many of the graduates had been classmates since preschool.  To watch their lives unfold in front of us from childhood to now, high school, reminds all of us how quickly time passes, and how we all need to “make every day count”, as childhood and life is “oh” so short. 

This morning 29 of our preschoolers had a “moving up” celebration.  How excited they were, waving at mom and dad as cameras flashed and small diplomas were given to them by their 7^th grade Mass buddies.  A picnic with a unique cake with all of childrens’ names was then held outdoors on our east grassy playground.

Next week all of us will say our “goodbyes” to 3 of our special staff members.  Yes, this will be hard, and they will certainly be missed by all of us.  Truett Shilling, has accepted a technology teaching position, so will leave us as our Extended Day Director/Athletic Director.    Dana Brungardt, our Reading/Interventionist, has found that her own business is flourishing and can no longer balance her two jobs.  And, last but not least, Rachel/Campbell-Maher, our beloved kindergarten teacher is moving to Denver. 

Thanks for “ making every day count”!  See you next Tuesday.  Have a safe and fun Memorial Day weekend.

Shalom, Lois

Congratulations Confirmandi!

On Wednesday night the class of 2013 received the Sacrament of Confirmation! We would like to congratulate these students who worked hard to prepare for this day. May God, through the intercessions of Saint John the Evangelist,   continue to touch the hearts of all these students and inspire them to lead good Catholic lives. Congratulations, Jackson, Chelsea, Jack, Kevin, Eric, Weston, Sierra, Jennifer, Maggie, Jacqueline, Isabella, Nick, Mark, and Samantha.

We encourage the First Year Confirmation class (2014) to continue to work hard and continue to bless our community with their vibrancy and enthusiasm.

“The new things of God, the trials of life, remaining steadfast in the Lord. Dear friends, let us open wide the door of our lives to the new things of God which the Holy Spirit gives us. May he transform us, confirm us in our trials, strengthen our union with the Lord, our steadfastness in him: this is a true joy! So may it be.”   Pope Francis 4/28/13 Homily

DO YOU WANT TO DRIVE A PORCHE?

Dear Saint John’s School Families,

Well, don’t we all.  First, you need stick-shift practice.  Do we have a deal for you!  The Saint John’s school bus is a manual transmission, and drivers are wanted for school field trips during the school day hours for next year.  A CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) with a school bus endorsement is needed, but training can be provided for those tests. 

Do you occasionally have days off on school days?  Would you like to drive the Saint John’s school bus for field trips?  Dr. Scott Sunheim and Frank Paup have kindly volunteered to provide training this summer for anyone interested in volunteering for this special need.    This is your chance to fulfill your parent volunteer hours while enjoying some fun and interesting field trips.  Ladies and guys alike, please give Dr. Sunheim a call at     593.0345         if you could help us out and become a trained driver.  Our students love riding the bus as new as it is! 

 Thanks so much for considering this opportunity.

 Shalom,

Mrs. Schmitt

PREPARATIONS END/ CELEBRATIONS ARE NIGH

Dear Saint John’s School Families,

Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”     Matthew 19:14    

Our Saint John’s second graders and eighth graders have been       carefully preparing for a very important milestone in their lives.      Receiving the Sacrament of the EUCHARIST and CONFIRMATION are two very special happenings in the life of a student here at Saint John’s Catholic School. 

What a blessing it is to have the instruction for these Sacraments be a part of the curriculum taught every day.    The excitement builds as tomorrow morning, Saturday, May 4,  our younger children make their FIRST HOLY COMMUNION.  How beautiful and precious they will be as they receive the EUCHARIST and realize this is an intimate union with CHRIST JESUS!  No doubt, each of us attending this special Mass will have fond memories of our own First Holy Communion.

The second extraordinary date on our school calendar is when our oldest students receive the sacrament of CONFIRMATION.  Archbishop Aquilla will confirm our eighth grade students on Wednesday, evening, May 15^th.   Both our younger and oldest students are very well         prepared to receive these two sacraments.

Please join us in the celebration and happiness for our students .

Shalom,

Mrs. Schmitt

YOU ARE INVITED……NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER

Dear Saint John’s School Families,

National Day of Prayer is held on the first Thursday of May each year, inviting Americans of all faiths to pray for the country and its leaders.  Several million people are expected to participate in this call to prayer.  Other events in various communities across the United States will include:  choirs and bands performing songs relating to prayer; community prayer breakfasts or luncheons; daytime prayer walks; and evening worship and prayer services or gatherings.  National Day of prayer is a time for people of all faiths to pray together in their own way. 

In 1775 the Continental Congress allocated a time for prayer in forming a new nation.  Over the years there have been calls for a day of prayer, including from President Abraham Lincoln in 1863.  On April 17, 1952, President Harry Truman signed a bill proclaiming the National Day of Prayer into law in the United States.  It was President Reagan who amended the law in 1988, designating the first Thursday of May each year as the National Day of Prayer.

The National Prayer Committee was formed in the United States in 1972.  It went on to create the National Day of Prayer Task Force, with the intended purpose of coordinating events for the National Day of Prayer.  According to the Legal information Institute, the President shall issue each year a proclamation designating the first Thursday in May as a National Day of Prayer on which the people of the United States may turn to God in prayer and meditation at churches, in groups and as individuals. 

Our local National Day of Prayer Committee here in Loveland has invited  Saint John’s School to participate NEXT THURSDAY AT GROUP PUBLISHING, 1515 Cascade Avenue.   Our student council members lead by their teacher sponsors,  Mr. Sgourdos and Mrs. Garcia  will be on the evening’s program.  EVERYONE IS INVITED to join together for this interdenominational community prayer event.  The evening will begin at 6:00p.m. for refreshments and 6:30 prayer and praise.  Prayer topics will include Family, Church, Schools, Government, and Local Issues & Concerns.  Our students will lead in prayers for our Military. 

With the recent events such as the tragedy in Boston, our nation and local communities must come together to pray.  Perhaps in our own family we could celebrate the National Day of Prayer in our home.   It is good to remember Mother Teresa’s  statement, “The family that prays together, stays together.”

PRAY FOR AMERICA      

“IN HIS NAME THE NATIONS WILL PUT THEIR HOPE.” MATTHEW 12:21 (NIV)

Shalom,

Lois Schmitt