Thursday Newsletter 11/1/2018
St. John Nepomuk Catholic School
Mission Statement
News from the Principal
Medical Incident at Mass
Dear Falcon Families,
I wanted to make you aware that we had a parishioner who had an emergency today at mass that required immediate medical attention. SJN staff and those attending mass responded wonderfully and met the needs of the individual until first responders arrived. I wanted you to be aware so that you can be prepared to have a conversation with your child if needed. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
I hope you have had a great day! All Saints in Heaven...PRAY for US!
Sincerely,
Natalie Johnson, M.Ed.
Principal
Circle of Grace Curriculum
Dear St. John Nepomuk Parents,
I am writing to inform you about special curriculum material we will be teaching as part of your child’s regular religious education in the upcoming weeks. The Church desires to help you keep your children safe. The Archdiocese of Oklahoma City is requiring that all young people participating in religious education in any parish or Catholic school receive instruction in protecting themselves from abuse as well as how to communicate potential danger to appropriate adults. The Archdiocese has mandated that these programs be offered annually to children of all grades. The Archdiocese uses a program called Circle of Grace.
The bishop’s document titled Promise to Protect, Pledge to Heal, Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People gives the following instruction: “Dioceses will establish safe environment programs that will provide education and training for children, youth, parents, ministers, and others about ways to make and maintain a safe environment for children”.
The students attending St. John Nepomuk Catholic School will receive this instruction beginning as early as the week of November 5th within their Religion class. This instruction will continue through November 16th. If you choose not to have your child(ren) participate in the Safe Environment curriculum on the scheduled dates, the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City requires you to complete an Opt-Out Form. Those can be obtained from the school office. If you have any questions or concerns or would like to preview the material that will be used, please contact me to schedule a time to meet.
Sincerely,
Natalie Johnson, M.Ed.
Principal
God's Own Making Curriculum
Dear St. John Nepomuk 4-8 Grade Parents,
As educators, one aspect of the curriculum that we must teach to our students of grades 4 through 8 in Catholic education is the belief that our young people need to know the positive values that we as a faith community hold in the area of human sexuality. Our Church has a wonderful message to tell about life and love, and we have an obligation to share it. Parents are, indeed, the first and foremost educators of their children in this area. Religious education is also a means through which the beliefs and traditions of the Church are shared and parents are supported. It is fitting, then, that Church teachings and Catholic values in the area of human sexuality are addressed in the context of a religious education program.
Young people come to this program with all kinds of information about sex, as well as ideas formed by cultural influences. We can provide a safe place to discuss these thoughts and clarify them in light of our Catholic beliefs and values. The series that we utilize is entitled God’s Own Making and it is intended to address three themes in sexuality in an age-appropriate way for grades 4 – 8. The themes of the program are: Respect for Life, Sexuality as Relational and Life-giving, Love-giving.
The purpose of God’s Own Making is to help young people understand that human sexuality is God’s gift and is a fundamental part of who they are as whole persons—body, mind and soul. It is intended to lead them to give themselves in authentic love. It is also to develop in young people a deep appreciation for chastity, the virtue that strengthens personal identity and empowers them to guide their sexuality to the service of mature love. Finally, it is to foster an understanding of the human and Christian values that sexuality is meant to express and to encourage them to live these values.
Students in grades 4 – 8 will begin using the God’s Own Making series during the month of November in conjunction with our Safe Environment curriculum. Most sessions incorporate an activity to take home for further discussion and reflection. We hope that this will help parents to be informed about what their child is learning and also have the opportunity to share with their child their values and beliefs. Please feel free to contact myself or your child’s religion teacher during school office hours if you have any questions or concerns or if you would like to preview any of the Safe Environment or God’s Own Making curriculum.
Sincerely,
Natalie Johnson, M.Ed.
Principal
Seasons are Changing... No Shorts Until Spring!
Auction Update!
First, we want to thank each and every one of you for making our fall donation drive a HUGE success! We could not put together our auction event without YOU! Congratulations to Pre-K 4 on winning the classroom competition for most contracts submitted overall! Pre-K 4 submitted a total of 28 contracts followed closely by 2nd grade with 23, and Kindergarten with 17! Throughout the entire drive, our school submitted a total of 95 donation contracts! Remember, donations are needed all year round and extra contracts can be picked up in the office! THANK YOU for helping us put together an amazing event!
Next on our auction schedule is our much-anticipated Friendsgiving Trivia Night on Friday, November 9th from 6pm-10pm! You can sign up at https://form.jotform.com/70864077210150 Tickets are only $25/person and the prizes aren’t a bad deal either! Please bring your favorite Thanksgiving snack to share and BYOB! If you haven’t attended Trivia Night before, be sure to reserve your spot and join us for an adult-only night of food, friends, and endless laughs!
Again, thank you so much for your support and contributions. We are extremely blessed to have the most amazing families at SJN! Now, bring on the trivia!
-Chrissy McDaniel & Katie Hackett
Fall Individual Retakes
Dear St. John Families,
Fall individual pictures were sent home with your child earlier this week. If you didn’t order pictures, you will receive a proof that you may use to order photos if you would like. If your child was absent on picture day, you will not receive a packet/proof. Picture retakes will take place on November 8. Retake order forms may be accessed HERE or in the school office. Please email Mrs. Hope at hwheeler@sjnok.org if you’d like a form sent home via backpack express. If you choose to have retakes taken, you must return the original picture packet/proof to your child's homeroom teacher on or before Nov. 8. Please let us know if you have any questions at all.
2018 St. John Nepomuk Catholic School Survey
Dear St. John Families,
Families play an important role in the school success of children. Family members carry out the Church’s mission by fostering mutual love in the home and, through that love, by building up the community of the Church and society. There are many different ways that you can get involved and support your children’s learning. Whether you attend parent meetings, volunteer in your child’s classroom or on a field trip, help with the annual auction, or just read with your child at home each night, you are making a contribution that will help your child do well in school, and I am grateful to you for your support.
We are committed to nurturing life-long learners and leaders and forming disciples who will share the Good News in the Yukon community and beyond. Family engagement is strong at St. John Nepomuk Catholic School, but we’d like to make it even better and make sure our program meets the needs of families, students, and staff. You can help us form a better partnership between school and home by answering the questions on our 2018 St. John Nepomuk Catholic School Survey.
You may access the survey at this LINK. This survey is intended only for current St. John Nepomuk Catholic School families, and your responses will only be used to identify things we are doing well and for opportunities for school improvement. It is our hope that each family will take a few moments to thoughtfully complete this survey.
If you have any questions about the survey, please don’t hesitate to give me a call. My number is (405) 354-2509, and I can be most easily reached during the hours of 8:00 am-4:00 pm on school days. I’m always glad to talk with you.
Sincerely Yours In Christ,
Natalie Johnson,
Principal
5K Survey for Participants
Dear 2018 Falcon 5K & Fun Run Athletes,
We would like to congratulate you on your race!! Whether it was your first or 100th race, it is always an accomplishment to toe the line!
We sincerely hope you enjoyed your race experience at St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church and School on September 29, 2018. We would like to thank you for joining us for the 2nd Annual Falcon 5K & Fun Run if you have not done so already.
We would love to hear your feedback by filling out the short survey linked HERE. If a question does not apply to you, please leave it blank. Your invaluable feedback will help us to make improvements for next year.
Thank you for your time and support of our event!
Sincerely,
Natalie Johnson
Principal
Soccer & Volleyball Pictures
Wednesday, Nov 7, 2018, 03:30 PM
600 Garth Brooks Boulevard, Yukon, OK, USA
Soccer & Volleyball Pictures!
Schedule for Pictures:
- 3:30- 3/4 and 5/6 Soccer
- 4:00-1st & 2nd Grade Soccer
- 4:30- Kindergarten Soccer
- 5:00- 5-8 Volleyball
Christmas Card Artwork Contest
St. John Nepomuk is seeking a cover art design for our 2018 Parish and School Christmas message. Any student in grades 2-8 who is a parishioner at St. John Nepomuk Church or astudent at St. John Nepomuk Catholic School may enter. Artwork provided by students will be judged by school and parish advisory councils and the overall winner’s design will be used on the cover of our St. John Nepomuk 2018 Christmas card. The winner’s artwork will also be submitted to the Sooner Catholic. For more information, please contact me at principal@sjnok.org or 405-354-2509.
Specifications
Original 8-1/2” x 11” Artwork must Reflect the theme: The Mystery of Faith
Other Important Information:
- Artwork should not be mechanically or electronically generated – no clip art or photography, etc.
- Artwork must be an original creation of the child.
- Artwork must be on white or similar light-colored paper.
- Artwork should be in color – markers, crayon, colored pencils, paint, etc.
- Artwork should be one-dimensional – no glitter, feathers, sparkles, etc.
- Child’s name, Parent/Guardian name and phone number should be neatly printed lightly IN PENCIL on the back side of the artwork. Name or identifying information should not appear on the front of the artwork.
- Artwork must be turned in or mailed to Natalie Johnson, 600 Garth Brooks Boulevard., Yukon, OK 73099 by 4:00 p.m. Nov. 2, 2018. Late submissions will not be accepted.
This information is also available HERE.
Quarter One Honor Roll Pictures
Red Ribbon Week October 29- November 2
Red Ribbon Week 2018- October 29 - November 2
Since its beginning in 1985, the Red Ribbon has touched the lives of millions of people around the world. In response to the murder of DEA Agent Enrique Camarena, angered parents and youth in communities across the country began wearing Red Ribbons as a symbol of their commitment to raise awareness of the killing and destruction cause by drugs in America. The first National Red Ribbon Celebration occurred in 1988. Today, the Red Ribbon serves as a catalyst to mobilize communities to educate youth and encourage participation in drug prevention activities. St. John Nepomuk Catholic School will celebrate Red Ribbon Week during the week of October 29, and students will show their support for a LIFE is YOUR JOURNEY, TRAVEL DRUG FREE. Each day will have a specific theme for students to dress up and show that they are proud to be drug free.
- Friday 11/2 - Free Dress Day “Free Yourself from Drugs” Free dress day to show we're free from drugs!
Manna Pantry Turkey Drop
First Sacrament Prep & Information
Dear SJN 2nd Grade Families,
I am excited to share important dates for our incoming second grade students' first sacraments during the upcoming school year. Please mark your calendars for the dates below. More information will be shared as each date approaches. For our 2nd grade students who are not Catholic, please know we welcome you and your child at these events and retreats. Your support means so much during this special time!
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to our Director of Religious Education, Mariavis Fitzmorris at dre@sjnok.org or 354-2743.
Sacramental Preparation Dates: Reconciliation & Eucharist
November 6: Parent Meeting @ 7 pm in Marian Hall
December 8: 1st Reconciliation Retreat (Parent and Child) 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
December 11: 1st Reconciliation at Parish Penance Rite
May 4: Retreat & Rehearsal for First Communion (Parent and Child ) 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
May 5: Celebration of First Communion Mass @ 4 pm
Sincerely,
Natalie Johnson, M.Ed.
Principal
Upcoming School Events
Comment Box
In an effort to keep the lines of communication open at St. John Nepomuk Catholic School, we have created the Comment Box. Our hope is that parents will utilize this convenient approach to express thoughts, ideas, and issues involving our school. Please leave a comment or concern for St. John Nepomuk Catholic School principal, Natalie Johnson. Be sure to indicate if you would like to be contacted regarding your submission.
Important Links
- RenWeb Parents Web
- SJN Thursday Newsletter Archive
- SJN Lunch Menu
- SJN School Family & Student Handbook
- Online Lunch Account Payment & Order History
- Current SJN Parish Bulletin
- SJN Enrollment Information for Prospective Families
- Planned Absence Request
- SCRIP Order Form
- School Comment Box
- Care & Share Online Submission
- School Website
- School Facebook Page
- School Instagram
- Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma City Catholic Schools Curriculum
- Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School
- Mount Saint Mary Catholic High School
- Cristo Rey Catholic High School
St. John Nepomuk Catholic School
Natalie Johnson
Principal
Cell: (405) 578-4656
Office: (405) 354-2509
Fax: (405) 354-8192
The school office is open from 7:40 am - 4:00 pm on school days.
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Email: principal@sjnok.org
Website: sjnok.org/school
Location: 600 Garth Brooks Boulevard, Yukon, OK, United States