Blue Jay Flyer
December 16, 2020
From the Principal's Desk...
the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.
Dear Parents and Guardians,
On behalf of the faculty and staff of St. John the Baptist School, I want to wish everyone a happy and blessed Christmas. In these very unusual and challenging times, we are called to be present for one another even when we cannot be “present.” Advent and Christmas give us the opportunity to trust and believe in what we do not fully understand.
This year has taught us many things; we have learned how to have class, meetings and family dinners on Zoom. We have learned that wearing a mask does not have to “mask” who we are. We have learned how critically important and precious is the time that we have with our families especially when we don’t get to have the time that we desire.
As we approach our break and Christmas, may we recognize and rejoice in the real Gifts that we have in our lives. I have a new (and first) granddaughter, Mary Kate, whom I have only been able to see very briefly. Her presence has helped me to be deeply grateful for all of the Grace that has been made manifest in my life this year.
This Sunday is the Fourth Sunday of Advent, and we hear the narrative of the Annunciation from Luke’s Gospel (LK 1: 26-38). It is the story of the beginning of the greatest gift; the most amazing presence. “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.”
My prayer for all of us is that we recognize the Lord’s presence in our lives, and that we do whatever it takes this year to keep our families safe and healthy. May we be grateful for every real gift and presence in our homes and families. In so doing, we will be able to be prepared this Christmas to know that the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.
Peace,
Dan Minelli
Calendar of Events

School News
Return to Five Days In Person
Last Minute Shopping Cent$ Orders
Limited time $5 Starbucks and $5 Panera gift cards are still available!
Please note that special order gift cards (from the right hand column of the order form) are not guaranteed to arrive before Christmas.
Amazon Smile To The Rescue
Still doing some holiday shopping? Let Amazon Smile come to the rescue and deliver the gifts right to your doorstep!
Our school earns .5% of all Amazon orders provided that you shop through the Amazon Smile link, http://smile.amazon.com, and select St. John the Baptist Catholic School Cincinnati as your charity.
It really is that simple. If you have Amazon Prime, all of your benefits remain the same when using Amazon Smile.
Shopping through the Amazon app on your phone???
Go to Settings. Click on AmazonSmile and assign your St. John's as your charity. All purchases made through the app will earn money for St. John's unless you go back in and change it.
Last Minute Stocking Stuffers
We also have a limited amount of sweatshirts, jackets, etc. in various sizes. Please email or call the school office for inquiries.
Note From The School Nurse
Hamilton County has adopted several different quarantine options that have been given by the CDC and ODH. Please note that due to the current high incidence of COVID - 19 in Hamilton County, St. John the Baptist School will continue to follow the 14 day quarantine per the recommendation of Hamilton County Health Department. We will continue to evaluate this and keep you updated with any changes.
Mrs. Elise Hochhausler, RN
School Nurse
St. John the Baptist School
Inclement Weather Policy
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.
Blue Jay Gallery
Kindergarten
Kindergarten students have been very busy getting ready for Christmas. They made handprint ornaments, celebrated "Reindeer Day," and enjoyed playing and creating at their classroom Christmas stations.
Measuring Up Mrs. Kahny & her 4 year old preschoolers made Christmas ornaments by putting a piece of ribbon the exact height of each student and their photo into a keepsake ornament. | Santa Shop Always a favorite, the PTO Santa Shop gave students an opportunity last week to purchase small gifts for their families and friends. | Remote Snuggles Snuggle time with pets is an added bonus that comes with remote learning. |
Measuring Up
Santa Shop
Elf on the ShelfSixth grade has their very own real live Elf on the Shelf! | Cards for Heartland HospiceIn hopes of bringing some Christmas cheer to the patients of Heartland Hospice facilities in the area, our junior high students made these beautiful and heartfelt Christmas cards as an Advent service project for religion class. | Light of Jesus Mrs. Sander's first graders made handbands as a symbol of how we share the light of Jesus with others. |
Cards for Heartland Hospice
In hopes of bringing some Christmas cheer to the patients of Heartland Hospice facilities in the area, our junior high students made these beautiful and heartfelt Christmas cards as an Advent service project for religion class.