Notes From the Office: December 7th, 2020

Greetings,

During this second week of Advent, we continue preparing to celebrate the Nativity of Christ. We light the second candle on the Advent wreath which symbolizes love. Taking the time to reflect on God's love for us and sharing this love is more important than ever as we navigate our way through the Christmas season and  the angst of the pandemic.

There has been a lot of concern about not being able to continue in person education. There is nothing the teachers, principals, superintendent, priests, and Bishops of Catholic Schools would like more than to be back in school. Last summer, we created a strong "Healthy at School" plan with the help of many members of our school community. Although Governor Beshear recommended the schools go virtual, the bishops of the four dioceses met with the governor and we were given the green light to open despite the recommendation to go virtual. Our teachers and parents followed the plan diligently and it worked very well resulting in a healthy school environment.

Just before Thanksgiving, the Governor issued a mandate, which basically has the same weight as a law,  that all schools (public and private) go virtual and not return to in person instruction until December 7 if your county was out of the red. Understanding there was little chance at this point that many counties would be able to get out of the red, principals and their pastors met with the superintendent and the Bishop. Despite many emotional pleas and discussion, the bishops stated we must follow the mandate. Appeals through the court have resulted in the Governor's order being upheld.  The Dioceses has every intention to return to in person school on January 4th. The governor is very aware of the problems caused with students not being in school. The same goes with other closures that he has mandated which have affected the livelihood of many Kentuckians.

At this point, I want to assure you that principals, superintendents, and bishops of Catholic schools in Kentucky are doing everything within the law to get our schools open. In the meantime, the teachers at St. John School are working diligently to provide a quality virtual program. I have heard many positive comments, and the teachers appreciate the kind words. We are working on the glitches and constantly looking for ways to improve our virtual instruction.

During this Advent season, please be patient as we navigate through the pandemic. Please pray for everyone who is fighting their own great battle during the pandemic. Remember to also have hope and love as represented by the first two candles on the advent wreath. The staff miss the students, and with God's help, hopefully, we will be back in school soon. 

God bless and take care,

Dan Mardell

Principal

Below are 2 links to more information about virtual school communication and the legal challenges.

Communication timeline for November Virtual School - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SCkjthm7y-JMEUifGLEWBEVgUSJkaz7m3crlAIpPIbk/edit?usp=sharing

Legal Challenges to Governor Beshear's Executive Order -  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1f-7Uh3n7gDPOXpE1tPyU8Z5ItzPtm_lWld7PNxXcrHo/edit?usp=sharing

Our lunch program is committed to ensuring that all children have access to healthy meals. We understand that families continue to feel the economic impact of COVID, so we are continuing to feed at each school location Monday – Friday from 11:00-12:30, providing both breakfast and lunch.  Please take advantage of this essential service that keeps our staff working as well.  Please email the cafeteria, [email protected], to order or drop by. 

Teacher Gifts

St. John School has THE BEST teachers and staff!! 

2020 has been a true test! It’s time to show them your support! SIA is collecting donations to purchase gift cards through Scrip for Christmas gifts for our wonderful staff! 

If you would like to contribute, please drop-off cash/check with a note of “teachers” at the school office.  Also, donations can be made via Venmo @Amanda-SQUIRES-0 comment “teachers”. Donation deadline Monday, Dec. 14th.

ALL Donations big or small welcome!          

Contact Ginny Squires 502-316-4182 

Tuesday Virtual Mass

Father Linh will be streaming Mass tomorrow morning at 8:30.  You can log on to Facebook and go to SS. Francis and John Catholic Parish to stream the Mass.

CHRISTMAS CARDS
Our Christmas Card fundraiser has been a huge success!  We will continue to take orders through December 15th.  Thank You!

Shop with Scrip’s Raise Right App is now offering  SHIP TO HOME! No wait, no hassle, way to raise money for our school. Download the app here! St. John School Enrollment Code: BDBBLD8822467  

Old school? Not a problem! SELECT GIFT CARDS IN STOCK AT THE SCHOOL OFFICE. (ask to see the scrip binder)

Your gift card purchases help buy much needed items for  SJS  classrooms. Thank you! Questions? Contact Ginny Squires 502-316-4182

January 2021 Lunch Menu

Click here to view the January through May lunch menu.

  
Trump Administration Extends Free Meals for Kids for Entire School Year!!!

“The family, is so to speak, the domestic church.” (Lumen Gentium #11)

We are excited to announce that we have partnered with Good Shepherd to bring CHRIST IN MY HOME Ministry to SSFJ!  Each week, a short video (no more than 10 minutes!) will be sent via email and posted on our SSFJ website. The videos will help you prepare for the following week's Gospel along with practical ideas for building your "domestic church".   It is our hope that you will set aside a time  to view the video as a family and invite Christ in to your everyday living!

Videos and discussion questions will be emailed out on Sunday afternoons and posted on the SSFJ Facebook Page & the SSFJ Website.

School Year Calendar

Click here to view the full school year calendar.  This calendar is subject to change due to COVID.

After School

You can contact the after school program by emailing [email protected] or by calling 502-642-0692.  Please only call if you will be late picking up your child from after school.

Important Dates:

December 21-January 2: Christmas Break - No Scool