Blue Jay Flyer
February 10, 2021
From the Principal's Desk...
And blew into his nostrils the breath of life
Dear Parents and Guardians,
I want to apologize for the lateness of today’s decision to have a remote day. Over the past 24 hours, we have had to deal with multiple quarantines and possible positive tests. I recognize that this has created challenges and inconveniences for many families.
Yesterday afternoon, Mrs. Hochhausler, our school nurse, and I were responding to reports of multiple students who were impacted through weekend sports. Late last night, I was informed of another two staff members who would have to be quarantined in addition to the two we already have out. I was hoping that we could continue to have the staff needed to remain open.
Early this morning, I was informed of at least one more staff member who would need to be quarantined. This made it nearly impossible to be fully staffed. In addition, we will be doing extensive contact tracing at multiple grade levels.
Given that today would be the only day we would be in person until next Tuesday, this seemed like the only course of action. After consultation with Fr. Pete and Fr. Kyle, I decided that we had to be remote today.
I have reviewed with our facilities staff the need for thorough cleaning and disinfecting over the next few days. This, too, is critical.
Tomorrow, our faculty and staff begin the process of being vaccinated. We are hopeful that this will help us turn the corner. As you know, we are constantly responding to what happens outside of school.
I have stated time and time again that our first and foremost concern is for the health and safety of our students, families, faculty and staff. This is what we will continue to focus on as we go forward.
Again, I apologize for the lateness of the decision, and I appreciate your support even in the midst of the challenge.
In this morning’s first reading (Gn. 2: 4-9), we hear in the second story of creation how God creates human life. “The LORD God formed man out of the clay of the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life, and so man became a living being.” The Hebrew word for breath (Ruah) is the same as the one for spirit and wind. This is a powerful image of how God creates.
We are living in a pandemic which so often reminds us of how important it is to be able to breathe. Those who have suffered the most from this disease have been deprived of their very breath. We all wear masks so that we do not breathe on each other. As we continue to pray for one another during this very difficult time, may we give thanks to our God who has, does and always will be the one who “blew into his (our) nostrils the breath of life.”
Sincerely,
Daniel A. Minelli
Calendar of Events
School News
IOWA Testing Begins Feb 22
***It is IMPERATIVE that students not be tardy and/or have any outside appointments
between the hours of 8:00 am and 10:00 am during these two weeks.
We greatly appreciate your cooperation in this important matter.
Students who arrive to school tardy or late from an appointment will not be permitted to go to their classroom until the next testing session begins. All missed tests will need to be made up as soon as possible.
Catered Valentine's Dinner
If you have attended either our School Spectacular or Fashion Show events catered by Vonderhaar's, you know first hand that the food is delicious! Please consider supporting Roger, our amazing and generous partner, while also helping our school.
See the attached flyer below for more details.
Schoolbelles Sale & $1000 Tuition Giveaway
Also, Schoolbelles is continuing their Giving Tuesday Giveaway promotions. Fifteen prizes have been awarded so far, with five active giveaways still to enter.
Giveaway #1 features a $1,000 Tuition Payment made on behalf of the winner (or a $1,000 Donation made directly to a school with no tuition) and they are accepting entries until June 30, 2021. Other giveaways include several special uniform packages. See attached flyer below.
To be notified of Schoolbelles upcoming sales, store closures, extended hours and career opportunities, simply text the word Schoolbelles to 22828.
Re-registration Forms Due
If your family is planning to return to St. John's School next year and has not yet turned in a
re-registration form, please return your form as soon as possible.
*The $225 non-refundable registration fee is due by March 5, 2021.
After March 5, the re-registration fee will be $300.
If you have an incoming kindergarten student, please add their name to the purple registration form along with your older student(s) and contact the school office to request a Kindergarten Registration packet.
Registration forms can also be found on the home page of our school website at stjohnsdrschool.org
Spread the Word...Win a $500 Tuition Credit
***Would you like to be the lucky winner of a $500 tuition credit?
Simply refer a new family to St. John's School (Preschool-8th grade) and upon their official registration, your family's name will be entered into a drawing for a $500 tuition credit. Winners will be announced at our fall Open House in August.
Performing Arts Assistant(s) Needed
Amy Eyers, our Performing Arts Leader, is looking for an assistant (or two) to help with rehearsals each week, coordinate volunteers, and help send emails.
St. John's Performing Arts Program (grades 6-8) is a wonderful extra curricular for our students and without additional adult volunteers, it may not be possible to continue the program next year. Ideally, we would like to find someone this year so they could learn a little about how things work and then be able to step in next year.
If interested in becoming a volunteer assistant, please contact Amy Eyers at amyeyers21@gmail.com.
Inclement Weather Procedures and Busing
Morning preschool and half day kindergarten will be cancelled for a two hour delay. Please refer to page 19 of your Student Handbook (accessible on the school website under the Parent tab) for further information.
***For students that are bused by another school district (Mt. Healthy or Fairfield), you are expected to follow the announcements of Northwest Local Schools. Please note that if Mt. Healthy and/or Fairfield Schools are CLOSED and we are open, your student(s) will NOT have busing to and from school that day.
Covid Testing Protocol
If you, your child, or someone in your household is being tested for COVID-19, please keep your child or children home from school while waiting for the results.
Please notify the school that this is the reason for their absence on the attendance line.
financial aid & Scholarships
Scholarship Opportunity for Current 7th Grade Students
To be considered, current 7th grade students must complete an application and write an essay about a time they helped someone when it was not required. Winners will receive $1000 toward their 8th grade tuition at their current Catholic grade school.
Applications must be postmarked no later than March 1, 2021.
Winners will be notified at the end of May.
*Please see file attachments below for more details and the application form.
Ed Choice Scholarships
The Educational Choice Scholarship (EdChoice) Program provides students from designated failing public schools the opportunity to attend participating private schools. The program also provides low-income students who are entering kindergarten through 12th grade scholarship opportunities.
For the RENEWAL of both financial (income based) and traditional (school district based) Ed Choice Scholarships, applications are now being accepted online.
For NEW traditional (school district based) Ed Choice Scholarships, enrollment will not be available until March 2, 2021. To view a list of designated public schools that are eligible for the traditional type, please visit the Ohio Department of Education website. You may however bring your scholarship request applications along with a copy of a current utility bill to the school office anytime. Your student(s) must be registered at St. John's for the 2021-22 school year before any scholarship requests can be submitted.
For more information about tuition assistance, please visit our school website under the Admissions tab. If you have any questions, please contact Jill Katterjohn at jkatterjohn@stjohnssdrschool.org or call 385-7970.
Last Chance To Apply For Aubrey Rose Foundation Scholarship
Extended Application Deadline: Friday, February 12, 2021.
The Aubrey Rose Foundation applauds young people who give back & are excited to offer 8th-grade students attending private high school the opportunity to earn a $500 scholarship toward tuition!
Unlike academic and/or athletic scholarships, ARF scholarships are based on a young person's kindness, willingness to give back to our community and their compassionate heart...an incredible way to honor a deserving students.
Click here to apply online: Aubrey Rose Foundation
Blue Jay Gallery
Show Us Your Snowman!
Thank you to those families who shared their snowman photos below.
A "Beary" Good Day
Cell Cycle
Paper Robots
First grade students designed their own paper robots during computer class.
New Way of Learning
Athletic Boosters
Softball Sign Ups Closing Feb 14
Girl's Softball signups are open until Sunday, February 14th. They are currently looking for a few more girls in the following grade/age group:
*Instructional Softball (Preschool thru Kindergarten)
*7th/8th grade
They could always use a few more girls to round out teams as well.
Please spread the word to any of your family and friends with daughters that may have an interest. They do not have to attend St. John school to play. There have been a few programs around us that have recently in the past year/years shuttered their programs (St. Bernard & St. John Harrison)
Please follow this link: www.stjab.com. Signups will be open through Sunday, February 14th.
A one-time family fee of $50 will be assessed per account at the beginning of each calendar year. The family fee helps to cover capital improvements and operating expenses of our athletic facilities.
If you have any questions regarding the softball program please me:
Robert Roetting - rroetting@msn.com
Track & Field Registration
St. John's is teaming up with Our Lady of Grace to provide track and field for those interested in participating in this sport. See attached flyer for additional information
Track & Field registration for the 2021 season is now open!
Our Track & Field program is offered to boys and girls in all grades (k-8). This sport is a great opportunity for students to compete with their own skill level and still be part of a team. There are various events and races that each student can try.
Practice days and times will be determined by the coach for the corresponding team and when the track is available for use. We will hold practices at LaSalle high school
Follow the link below TODAY to register!
https://track-field-2021.cheddarup.com
COVID Guidelines will be followed. Additional information for COVID guidelines will be available as we get closer to the season/meets.
DEADLINE IS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19th!!!
Late registrations WILL NOT be accepted due to CYO registration deadlines.
Questions please contact Amanda Hood at olgtrackandfield@gmail.com
Soccer and T-ball Sign Ups
Sign ups are also still open for t-ball, and SAY soccer. Please visit the Boosters website to register.