Jaguar Journal
October 19th, 2023
"Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer". Romans.12:12
Dear Jaguar Families,
Thank you for choosing St. John's School! We are happy to serve your children with a strong academic foundation within small class sizes, along with teaching them about the Catholic faith and character traits. Our private school allows us to have local control over so many decisions that help us mold our children into kind individuals who understand the importance of service to others. Our fifth through eighth grade students joined Father Stan, Dr. Leib, Mrs. Winkeler and Ms. Gain on a peace walk to the peace garden. After 33 years of being a principal, the morning of our peace walk ranked as my all time favorite morning as a principal. I speak a little selfishly, but walking and praying together as a St. John's School Family structure is hard top. It brought me not only a sense of pride, but thankfulness for my new journey as principal of these wonderful children and staff.
I know it may be a difficult decision to choose a community and school for your children. I had to make those decisions myself as a parent of three children. When making the decision, my husband and I looked at several options and what each offered our family. If your child presently attends our school, and you have not decided if you are going to enroll him/her in our K-8 program, please feel free to schedule a meeting with me, or attend an open forum/presentation I am scheduling for the beginning of February. I am open to answering any questions you may have or discuss topics that are on your mind. I look forward to seeing many of you in February. I will do my best to cover all aspects of why St. John the Baptist School should be considered as one of your choices for your child's future. (Besides the fact I enjoy being their principal and do not want to lose any of them.).
Respectfully,
Dr. Leib
Eighth Grade Class - October Themed Basket Raffle
The eighth grade students have created some fantastic baskets for their raffle this year. Don't miss out on your chance to win a great prize for your child, yourself, a friend or another family member. BUY YOUR TICKETS IN THE MORNING AT ST. JOHNS THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 23rd! Check out the pictures in the flyer! Correction to the flyer & ticket pricing. The raffle is 6 for $5 or 1 for $1.
COVID
Covid is once again on the rise in the United States. This is cause for concern, but NOT cause for alarm. During the worst of the COVID pandemic, St. John the Baptist School families supported a healthy school environment by keeping their child home when they were sick. This made all the difference in the world and helped keep our students healthy. Once again we ask that you keep your child home when they are sick and that you test them for COVID. If they are COVID positive, the CDC guidelines are to keep them home for 5 calendar days and then mask for another 5 calendar days. Also, please let the school know that the sickness is due to COVID. Thank you for your support.
October Recess Volunteer Sign Up
Was recess your favorite subject when you attended grade school? Here is your opportunity to get more recess. We are in need of volunteers to help with supervision at recess in October. Enjoy watching the children run, laugh and play; it keeps you young! Please sign up with the sign up genius link below. We appreciate your help! We still need four volunteers for the rest of October. Please sign up below.
Social Media
Unfortunately our Facebook page is down. We are trying to get it back up but are waiting to hear back from Meta. Please check out our Instagram Page for news & updates, STJB Smithton. https://www.instagram.com/stjbcssmithton/?e=ad3ebbbe-68b0-445f-b373-a4a6a164c0dd&g=5
Quilt & Cash Bingo
On Sunday, November 5, the parish will be hosting a Cash & Quilt Bingo. We are looking for volunteers to help with the event to set-up or work the Bingo. Please see the Bingo letter below on how you can help. Tell your friends and join us for a day of fun. PIP hours will be awarded for working the event and PIP money can be earned for attending the event. If you have any questions, please contact Mary Alvarez @ mfran72alvarez@gmail.com.
October 20th - Alzheimer's Walk
The morning of October 20th our students will walk to show their support for those suffering from Alzheimer's. Please send any donations in memory of a loved one who suffered or suffers from Alzheimer's. Students may wear purple shirts with uniform bottoms the day of the walk to show their support. Please check out the flyer. Family members are welcome to join us on our walk. JC through fourth grades, 9:00am to 10:00am and fifth through eighth grades, 10:00am to 11:00am.
2023-2024 Junior Hawks Registration
St Joseph and St. John's Catholic School's boys and girls in grades Kindergarten through 3rd grade are invited to participate in the Junior Hawks Athletic Program. Junior Hawks begins in October and runs through April. Students are taught the fundamentals of basketball, volleyball, and track. The registration link is below.
Read Right Run
Mrs. Renneker & Mrs. Ganey are getting ready for Read Right Run for the year. The GO! St. Louis Read, Right, & Run Marathon® (RRRM) was launched in 2001 and quickly gained national recognition, most recently recognized by RUNNING USA as the “2013 Youth Program of the Year.” The program’s goal is to develop reading-proficient, community-minded and physically fit children in grades K-8 by challenging them to READ 26 books, RIGHT the community with 26 good deeds, and RUN 26.2 miles over a 26 week period. It is a standards-based, sustainable, enrichment program that endorses and supports existing school curriculum. After 26 weeks of hard work, the program culminates when the students complete their race day goals at our Annual Family Day in Forest Park. If your child is interested in signing up please register on the GO! site below. The first practice was Tuesday October 3rd. The group will meet weekly from 3:00 p.m - 4:00 p.m. Join the Group!!!!
Scrip
Scripmania started on August 18 and ends December 5th. There are several opportunities to win giveaways. For every $2500 sold in scrip cards, we will give away a $25 gift card. For every $50 in orders you place, your name will be added into the drawing for a chance to win the scrip card giveaways. The class that has the highest percentage of parent participation for a scrip order placed during this time will win a special prize. St. John's enrollment code is 6372173B117L.
Parent & Teacher Conferences
Thursday, October 26 we have an early dismissal at 11:20 a.m. for conferences. Be on the lookout for a letter that will be emailed to you for sign up purposes. We know you are busy, but would love to have just a little time to focus on future academic goals for your child. We hope you can schedule an appointment with us for that evening. The google form to sign up for a timeslot is attached below.
Calendar Correction
October 26th school will dismiss at 11:20 for parent teacher conferences. Please notate your calendar.
Blue Folder Enclosure
Auction Packet
Hot Lunch Forms-November
Upcoming Events
10/20-End of 1st Quarter, Memory Walk
10/22-Dine & Donate-No Jacks 7am-9pm
10/23-10/26 - 8th grade basket raffle tickets go on sale
10/24 RRR 3-4p.m.
10/25-7/8 liturgy for mass, Kountry Market lunch, 1:55 Dismissal
10/26-11:20 Dismissal, Parent & Teacher Conferences 1:00 4:30 p.m.3:00 - 8:00 p.m.
10/27-No School
10/30 Art Club K-3; 3:00 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
10/31-Halloween Parties @1:30 p.m.
11/5-St. John the Baptist Church Cash and Quilt Bingo
All Star Dinner Auction Kick Off!
Our 2024 St. John’s All Stars Dinner Auction Season is kicking off! Information packets will be sent home to each family in the blue folders soon. The auction is March 2, and we have A LOT of work to do as a school family to prepare. Our auction committee would appreciate EACH family’s help to make our event as successful as possible.
As an incentive for your participation, the PTF will raffle 5 $100 Amazon gift cards. The more each family contributes, the more opportunities they will have to be entered into the drawing. Ways to participate include: 1) making a donation of or procuring a basket and oral auction items, 2) signing up even an hour of your time to prepare for or help out the night of the event, 3) donating a bottle-or two-of alcohol, 4) selling raffle tickets, etc.
It truly takes ALL of our effort to make this event as successful as possible. This is our 25th year, and in the past 6 years, the auction has raised well over $500,000 for our school. Please, we need your time, talent, and donations to continue the tradition.
As you begin selling raffle tickets and handing out donation form letters, contact Neeley Beliveau at 618.960.2608/nbeliveau1212@gmail.com if you need additional copies. Donations of any kind can also be made by completing this online donation form.
Traditionally, each class is asked to contribute an auction item, but please consider making donations in addition to adding to your child’s classroom donation.
Our first donation drop off date is Friday, November 17, in the Munier Center. Our second drop off date is Friday, December 15. Additional dates will be scheduled, and donation items can be dropped off or picked up at any times outside of the scheduled dates.
We will send out several SignUp Genius lists within the next couple months as a means for you to let us know how your family will help.
If you have any questions, please contact the auction Chairs, Neeley Beliveau or Amy Webb 618.444.7664/amywebb23@gmail.com.
For additional auction information, check out our website at stjallstars.givesmart.com