Thursday Newsletter 2/1/2018
St. John Nepomuk Catholic School
Mission Statement
News from the Principal
We are looking forward to welcoming visitors from our Catholic Schools Office on February 8 for our three-year site visit. The three-year visit, following the accreditation of St. John Nepomuk Catholic School in 2015. Superintendent Diane Floyd, Associate Superintendent Joana Camacho, Director of Religious Education Pat Koenig, and Allyson Helm, Associate Superintendent of Schools Standards and Assessment, will review your records and complete a safety audit.
The purpose of the visit is to ensure that the school has maintained compliance with
OCCSAA accreditation standards and made continuous progress toward the implementation of the recommendations by the visiting team. Please join me in welcoming these guests to our campus. I am grateful for the work that they do and the support they provide to our school.
In Christ,
Mrs. Natalie Johnson
Principal
Auction Update
Dear St. John Families,
We are just over a week into our 2018 Gala Spring Donation Drive! Our goal in hosting this donation drive is to receive donations that will benefit our SJN Spring Gala. We have received over 40 contracts so far in our spring donation drive, but we need your help to make our event a success! Many of the donations that have been secured have been directly from our dedicated acquisitions team. Please consider donating to this event. Our children and classrooms will benefit greatly from your support!
Ideas for Donations:
- Themed Baskets & Packages
- Wine Baskets or Bottles
- Gift Cards (buy from SJN SCRIP and then donate-- WIN, WIN!)
- Gift Certificates for Various Services --Home Repair, Spa, Oil Change, etc.
- Family Experiences like Science Museum Passes, Zoo Passes, OKC Riversport Passes, Dodger Tickets, 18-19 Thunder Ticket, OU Tickets, OSU Tickets, Dinner & Movie Passes
- Home Furniture
- Your FAVORITE things!
- iPad, Kindle Tablets, ELECTRONICS!
- CASH Donation!
As mentioned previously, our school endowment fund and school technology will benefit from our fundraising efforts. We also hope to purchase updated interactive projectors for all classrooms. These updated projectors will increase classroom engagement, encourage collaboration and ultimately provide our students and staff with countless other instructional and technological advantages. I invite you to view the video linked HERE to see a model we are considering in action in a classroom.
If you'd like to make a donation, please find the digital auction contract HERE or contact Hope Wheeler at hwheeler@sjnok.org to have one sent backpack express! If you have any questions about the auction or making a donation, please contact our team at sjnokauction@gmail.com. Thank you for your consideration and supporting our event!
Sincerely,
Natalie Johnson
Principal
Ash Wednesday Mass
Don't Forget to Recognize your Favorite Falcon By Purchasing an Ad in our Upcoming Auction Catalog!
Auction Catalog Ads Information
Cinco de Mayo Celebration
February 1, 2018
Dear St. John Nepomuk Parents K-5th Parents,
I am very proud of the progress your child has made this school year learning conversational Spanish using the Rosetta Stone Program. I am especially appreciative of Cane’s, Jason’s Deli, Johnny Carino’s and Cici’s Pizza for providing incentives for your child as he/she makes progress from unit to unit.
Kindergarten through fifth grade have learned about the culture of Mexico, including Mexican Independence Day, Las Posadas, and in April/May, Cinco de Mayo. I am hopeful that my students have a better understanding of the important holidays and celebrations of the Spanish culture and that learning Spanish is exciting to them.
On Thursday, May 3rd, we will celebrate our third annual Cinco de Mayo fiesta. In order for this to be a success, parental help is vital. (This will be a wonderful way for parents to earn Care and Share hours.) I am hoping to have several people in charge of projects/activities prior to the celebration. I will need someone to make calls requesting some Mexican food donations. We will also need a small group of parents to decorate the week prior to the event and clean up the afternoon of the 3rd. In addition, we will need parent volunteers to serve food and help with some of the craft stations that I have planned on May 3rd.
I will send out a request for parent volunteers for Cinco de Mayo, closer to the date, but the positions below need to be filled as soon as possible. I promise I will be there every step of the way to help you!
I am in need of these leadership positions:
- Decorating Chairman
- Food Donation Chairman (This is a favorite part of Cinco de Mayo for your children.)
- Clean Up Crew Chairman
I would also like to go ahead and ask for regular size piñata donations for each grade level. In addition, we will need candy to fill the piñatas and we will need two cases of water bottles for each class. If you are interested in helping with these donations, please email me at rphillips@sjnok.org. (All candy needs to be in unopened packages. Please remember candy goes half price after Valentine’s Day and Easter!!! Please do not send candy older than Valentine candy. ) The actual items will not be needed right away. I would like to have the piñatas and candy on hand by April 15th, and the water bottles delivered by Monday, May 1st.
Thank you so much for helping to make this a fun learning activity for the St. John Nepomuk students!
Blessings,
Robin Phillips
Spring Parent Teacher Conferences
It's almost time for Spring Parent/Teacher Conferences! We will have conferences on February 13 and 15 in the evening. We will have early dismissal on these days at 2:30 pm. This link will navigate you to the online sign-up. Please know that the spring conference is not required with the exception of Pre-K 3 and Pre-K 4 conferences. Please keep in mind that teachers may also require that a family schedule a conference if needed. In this instance, the teacher will contact the parent/guardian directly. Conferences with Mrs. Hixson in 2nd Grade, will be scheduled in late March or early April upon her return to school. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to Mrs. Hope at hwheeler@sjnok.org or 354-2509.
Sincerely,
Natalie Johnson
Principal
2018 Rose Day Rally
Oklahomans have an opportunity to express their belief in the sanctity of human life to their legislators during the 27th Annual Rose Day this February 7th at the State Capitol.
Registration / Rose Distribution: 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Rally: 11:30 a.m.
Location: House Chambers
Speaker: Alveda C. King
Each year, hundreds gather at the Capitol at the beginning of the new legislative session to promote and support the lives of unborn babies by meeting with their state senators and representatives and presenting them red roses, which represent the sanctity of the unborn. Attendees are encouraged to present roses to their representative, senator, Lieutenant Governor and Governor. Roses will not be provided.
Classroom Valentine Parties are Feb. 9!
Classroom Valentine’s parties will take place at the close of our day (2:30 pm) on Fri., Feb 9. Homeroom parents, please be sure to make contact with your classroom teachers to make preparations for these class parties. Our homeroom parents can come to the classrooms by 2:15 pm to set up for the party.
Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School
February 26th - Incoming Freshmen Registration Night from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the Commons (Last name A - G)
February 27th- Incoming Freshmen Registration Night from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the Commons (Last name H - N)
March 5th - Incoming Freshmen Registration Night from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the Commons
(Last name O – Z)
Athletics News
4th Grade Boys, 5th Grade Girls, and 5th Grade Boys are all in First Place. Our 7th Grade Boys are in 3rd Place. Keep up the good work.
We will once again participate in the Bishop McGuinness track meet on April 14th. This year it is open to 1st through 8th grade. Please access the registration form HERE. Return to school by February 9th if interested.
-Mrs. Brown
SJN Celebrates CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK!
Catholic Schools Week is a very exciting time at St. John Nepomuk! We will gather many times as a school community to celebrate the blessings that God has given us here at St. John. The events are part of the nationwide celebration of Catholic education during the week of January 28 through February 2. The week’s theme — “Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.” — highlights the schools’ focus on faith development, academic excellence and dedication to community service.
Friday, February 2
Friday: Celebrating the Nation
Let's celebrate our wonderful country and gear up for the 2018 OLYMPICS by dressing in Team USA colors OR as an Olympic athlete of your choice! Please remember to wear correct footwear and dress modestly (avoid swimwear). It wouldn’t be Catholic Schools Week without our annual volleyball game. Help us cheer as teachers team up versus the 8th grade from 2:15 to 3:00 pm in the gym!
We are looking forward to a FUN-Filled CSW!
Spring Donation Drive & Auction Update
We are busily preparing for the 20th Annual St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church and School Auction & Gala scheduled for April 14, 2018. I am writing you today to ask for your support. We hope you will consider making a donation this year to a great cause, the children and future of our parish and school.
About the St. John Auction & Spring Gala...
Our school, grades Pre-K (3) through 8th grade, takes great pride in its reputation for academic excellence and values the important role our students play in leading us into the future. Unlike public schools, student tuition, parish subsidies and the annual auction, constitute our only financial support. We receive no federal, state or local funding to assist in operating costs.
Our goal this year is to raise money that we will the disburse into several areas. Twenty percent of the profits will be placed in the endowment fund, which is used for scholarships and financial assistance for our families. This year alone, our SJN endowment fund contributed over $55,000 in needs based tuition assistance for our students. Without the support of our auction and donors, this would not be possible.
We will also use Auction proceeds to cover technology related expenses. We are lucky enough to have over 100 leased desktop and laptop computers for staff and student use each day. These computers and laptops are updated every three years ensuring our school is equipped with relevant and current technology resources. We also use these funds to provide comprehensive web filtering and maintenance services to ensure safety and security for all users. Without the support of our auction and donors, this would not be possible.
The other area benefiting from proceeds will be students and classrooms directly! The classrooms at St. John Nepomuk will be furnished with updated interactive projectors to enhance the entire learning experience for our children. These projectors will serve not only our SJN School students, but also children, youth and adults receiving catechisis and religious education in classrooms. We will also host dutch style auction items in which teachers may apply for a grant to be funded directly by those in attendance at our auction event. This could be any item(s) that will benefit students and learning here at SJN School. Examples include technology equipment, flexible seating, novel studies, software, etc. We are eager to share these updates and projects with our community and students!
In an effort to provide funding in these three areas, we will host a live and silent auction featuring donated items. Your tax-deductible donation will be displayed and your name will appear in our published catalog presented to our 450 guests. Any item, service or gift certificate would be very greatly appreciated. Please mark your calendar for April 14, 2018 if you have not done so yet! Please see details and information about our donation drive below. If you need additional contracts, please find the digital version HERE or contact Hope Wheeler at hwheeler@sjnok.org to have one sent backpack express!
Please let me know if you have any questions and thank you for taking the time to consider making a donation. We are excited to have this one last push for donations for our wonderful school and church community! Your support now will positively impact our students and community for years to come!
In Sincere Gratitude,
Natalie Johnson
Principal
2018-2019 School Calendar
I am excited to share that we have partnered with other metro-area Catholic Schools again to create a common school calendar that will be utilized during the 2018-2019 school year. I am happy to announce several dates to allow for you to plan for next school year. A more comprehensive calendar for the 2018-2019 school year will be released in conjunction with enrollment documents.
Archdiocese of Oklahoma City
Common Calendar 2018-2019
Monday, August 13, 2018- First Day of Classes
Friday, September 21, 2018- No School: Professional Day
Friday, October 19, 2018- No School: Parent/Teacher Conferences
November 19 - 23, 2018- No School: Thanksgiving Break
December 22 - January 7, 2019- No School: Christmas Break
Monday, February 18, 2019- No School: Professional Day
March 18-22, 2019- No School: Spring Break
Monday, April 22, 2019- No School: Easter Monday
Thursday, May 23, 2019- Last Day of School
Helpful Information from the CDC on Flu Prevention
With the holidays approaching and hearing of several people who have come down with
flu-like symptoms I thought I would share the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control.
The single most effective way to prevent the flu is with immunization. CDC still
recommends one taking the vaccine even now. There are additional ways to assist in
not spreading this disease.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are
- Stay home when you are sick. If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. This will help prevent spreading your illness to others.
Cover your mouth and nose. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when
coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
Clean your hands. Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. If
soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
Practice other good health habits. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces
at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be
physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
Weekend Basketball Games
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 Attachments & Links
- February Lunch Menu
- February Partners in Faith Newsletter
- Lent Partners in Faith Newsletter
- 2017 SJN School Directory
- 2017 Care & Share Opportunities
- 2017-2018 Family & Student Handbook
- Current SJN Parish Bulletin
- SCRIP Order Form
- School Comment Box
- Care & Share Online Submission
- School Website
- School Facebook Page
- School Instagram
St. John Nepomuk Catholic School
Principal
Email: principal@sjnok.org
Website: sjnok.org/school
Location: 600 Garth Brooks Boulevard, Yukon, OK, United States
Phone: 405-354-2509
Facebook: facebook.com/sjnok