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

STAND FIRM IN THE FAITH

                       STAND FIRM IN THE FAITH

Dear Saint John’s School Families,

                 

Yes, next Friday, March 1, is a vacation from classes for our Saint John’s Students. However, for teachers and administration it is not a vacation day, but a day when all are expected to gather in Denver at the Colorado Convention Center for the Living the Catholic Faith Conference.       

 Each year we have this wonderful opportunity to renew our faith and come together as God’s family and hear some of the best speakers in the Church today.  It’s the single biggest yearly gathering of Catholics in the Rocky Mountain region.  Last year over 4500 people attended the conference, (1000 teachers).  Friday’s attendance includes parish clergy, professional staff, and ministry leaders (DREs, Youth Ministers, Directors of Liturgy, etc.) as well as catechists, RCIA & faith formation teams, and students from the archdiocese’s biblical and catechetical schools. 

The Conference will begin at 8:00a.m. with Mass celebrated by Archbishop  Aquila. Following Mass our Archbishop will provide the keynote presentation: STAND FIRM in the FAITH.  Some of the workshop presentations the teachers and I registered for included:  Catholic identity and evangelization;   To teach as God does: rediscovering the divine pedagogy in the Catechism of the Catholic Church; Evangelization and media: rethinking the Catholic sub-culture . One session will be given by Jason Evert, who will provide the Youth Chastity Rally on March 20.   

The conference also provides the opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation as well as to explore the exhibit hall filled with countless interesting booths displaying resources and services.  

What an excellent staff development day this should be!   In order to provide a strong Catholic education for our Saint John’s students, it is essential that our faculty and staff continue to learn and grow in our faith.  Please keep us in your prayers Friday for safe travel and that the conference will strengthen our Catholic identity.

Shalom,

Mrs. Schmitt

                                      

A NEW SEASON AHEAD

              

Dear Saint John’s School Families,

An important question must be asked each year.  How will our school community experience this Season of Lent and Holy Week in a personal and meaningful manner. 

Tuesday, afternoon will begin our schools’ celebration  of the season.  A Mardi Gras parade will begin starting in the Middle School and ending in our gymnasium.  Our school band and  Mrs. Brown will lead with us with exciting music. All students will be wearing the creative hats they created.  After the loud, happy celebration, we will officially bury “Hallelujah”.  Students will be dismissed eating a donut to celebrate FAT TUESDAY.

Ash Wednesday morning we will attend Mass as a student body.  Please help students to wear their uniforms. 

Our spirituality is as personal as our breath or our fingerprint.  As we move through the forty days of Lent, we might on occasion, surrender freely to the quiet within us.  Beginning next Thursday afternoon students 2nd-8th grade will by class go weekly to Adoration. 

Further in the Chronicle you will learn of how our students will take part in alms giving.  More  of our plans will be shared as we travel this desert road toward Easter.

Shalom,

Mrs. Schmitt

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS’ WEEK ENDS/REGISTRATION BEGINS

Dear Saint John’s School Families,

As we near the end of Catholic Schools Week, 2013, I would like to thank each and every one of you who contributed to, supported and attended the many events and activities.  From the Barn Dance, then the special weekend Masses, to the Open House, to Spirit Day, followed by the 4^th grade Archdiocese Mass and lunch hosted by Saint Johns, to yesterday’s Family Luncheon, until today, the Student/Staff athletic competition, all were successful and made for a great week. 

As calendars are turned to February tomorrow, it is now time to begin planning for the next school year.  The very first step is to hold REGISTRATION.  Please make this a top priority in order for us to move forward with our planning.  It would be greatly appreciated if we could receive your registration forms as soon as possible.    You will be delighted to learn that due to our generous benefactors contributing to our Endowment Fund and the prudent use of our resources, there will be NO increase in tuition for next year. 

Included in this packet you are receiving today is the ANNUAL REPORT for the Archdiocese of Denver Catholic Schools. Thank you for taking time to read this information about Catholic Education and the 38 Catholic Schools in our Archdiocese.

 On the cover you will open the Doors of Faith in our Catholic Schools, (actually, these are the doors of the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception).  The Cathedral is celebrating her 100^th year as the Mother Church of the Archdiocese of Denver.

Inside you will become better acquainted with our Archbishop Aquila and Mr. Thompson, our Superintendent of the Archdiocese of Denver Catholic Schools.  Would it surprise you to learn that our Archbishop attended both Catholic elementary and high schools?

On the back cover you will find a FINANCIAL SNAPSHOT giving interesting facts about the 2012 Fiscal Year.   You will find Saint John’s tuition K-8 is lower than the average tuition for Affiliated Catholic families.  It is important to be informed about Catholic Education and share the good news with others.

Shalom,

Mrs. Schmitt

NATIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK 2013

                                                                                                                                                                       

                                                       January 27-February 2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Dear Saint John’s School Families,

Did you know that Catholic Schools Week began in 1974?  Catholic Schools Week always begins the last Sunday in January .   The theme for the National Catholic Schools Week 2013 is “Catholic Schools Raise the Standards.” The 2013 theme supports the recent launch of the National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools, that ensure the effective operation and responsible governance Catholic schools across the country, thus promoting high academic standards and Catholic identity.

Below you will find how Saint John the Evangelist School celebrates the week.  We look forward to your participation in these events.

Shalom,

Mrs. Schmitt              

Schedule of Events!                             

¨ Saturday, January 26:

The Barn Dance from 5:30-8:00 in the school gym

4th Grade Spelling Bee

¨ Saturday & Sunday Masses, January 26-27:

Please come Mass with students in their Mass uniform!  We need all students to sit in the choir and SING!

¨ Sunday January 27^th: OPEN HOUSE!

Invite your friends & neighbors to the OPEN HOUSE from 12-2!

Stop by the Rotunda and check out your child’s art work at the

Saint John’s Art Show   

¨ Monday January 28:

Saint John Spirit Day! Allow extra time when driving through the loop for coffee. Students wear your favorite St John shirt with jeans for only $2. All money goes to our Adoration Chapel

¨ Tuesday January 29: 

Student Council serving cookies for $1, all money goes to the Adoration Chapel

4th Grade Mass for all schools in the Archdiocese  will be held here at St John’s

¨ Wednesday January 30:

Family Luncheon—Order form is on the next page

¨ Thursday January 31 :

Staff & Faculty vs. 8th Grade! Stay posted for more information

¨ Friday  February 1:

No School- Teacher Appreciation/In-service

Happy New Year

                                                 

Dear Saint John’s Parents,

“Happy New Year”.   What a perfect time of year it is to reflect on the past year, as well as to self-evaluate, and set our New Years’ resolutions and goals.  In an effort to continue to strive to make Saint John’s School the very best it can be, we are asking you parents to complete the following three surveys. The surveys are part of our self-assessment that is a critical component of the AdvancED Self-Assessment.  The AdvancED Self-Assessment is designed to serve as a valuable tool that will assist our school in reflecting upon our effectiveness as well as to prepare us for our upcoming Quality Assurance Review which will happen this spring. 

The Self-Assessment is based on Standards, which serve as the foundation of the AdvancED accreditation process.  In order to earn and maintain accreditation, schools must meet the Standards, engage in a process of continuous improvement and host a Quality Assurance Review (QAR) at least once every five years.  The SA has been designed to engage the school community in an in-depth evaluation of each of the standards, which assists a school to identify areas of strength and opportunities for improvement.  

Your input as parents is highly valued as a part of this in-depth evaluation.  PLEASE GIVE YOUR FEEDBACK AS PARTNERS IN YOUR CHILD’S EDUCATION BY COMPLETING THESE SURVEYS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, BUT NO LATER THAN, FRIDAY,  JANUARY 25. Thank you in advance for making this request a top priority to help Saint John’s continue to be an outstanding Catholic School.  Please be assured that your responses to this survey will be anonymous. Your honest opinion is appreciated.

Gratefully, Shannon Lotz, Chairperson for QAR experience & Lois Schmitt, Principal

SURVEY LINKS

Please complete all 3 surveys!

In an effort to improve system practices, Saint John the Evangelist School is conducting a Parent Survey. We value your opinion and ask that you take the time to complete this survey. In order to complete the survey, please go to: http://www.advanc-ed.org/survey/public/6832514

In an effort to improve system practices, Saint John the Evangelist School is conducting a Catholic Identity Defining Characteristics Parent and Community Survey. We value your opinion and ask that you take the time to complete this survey. In order to complete the survey, please go to: http://www.advanc-ed.org/survey/public/6917340

In an effort to improve system practices, Saint John the Evangelist School is conducting a Catholic Identity Program Effectiveness Parent and Community Survey. We value your opinion and ask that you take the time to complete this survey. In order to complete the survey, please go to: http://www.advanc-ed.org/survey/public/9191124

Please be assured that your responses to this survey will be anonymous. Your honest opinion is appreciated. Thank you again for your time and attention to this matter.

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