Notes From the Office: October 5th, 2021

St. John School Newsletter

October 5th, 2021

Families:

 

Well, we made it to the end of the first quarter!  Let me extend a huge thank you to all of you for your efforts to make this a success.  New buildings, new students, new drop-off and pick-up, new lunch schedule, new Mass set up, new places for classes, and of course, new principal.

 

I believe that the students are thriving and the atmosphere on campus is one of hope and continued positivity.  It is definitely a great place to be around.  Today's Gospel was the story of Martha and Mary and it really helps frame what we are here to do.  First and foremost, Love the Lord our God and love the children.  Educate them not just in academics, but in how to love each other and what it means to build God's Kingdom.

 

As you head out for break this week, please spend time with your children and give praise to God for what you have.  Stay healthy in your travels and activities and come back ready for us to move into fall and indoors more often than not as the weather cools.

 

Please read through these next Announcements:

1.  The Bishop of Lexington has extended the mask requirement indoors for all students, staff, and visitors through the Thanksgiving Break.  That is November 26, 2021.  We will continue to mask indoors as we have since the start of school.  Click here to review the full letter.

 

2.  Please be sure that you have emailed the office if your child is interested in playing in the parochial basketball league this year.  This applies to boys and girls in grades 5-8.  Additionally, I am gauging interest in a skills program for boys and girls in grades 3-4.  Please email your interest to the school office as soon as possible.

 

3.  As there have been several uniform questions recently, please refer to the Parent-Student Handbook for specifics.  You will find that shorts are permitted through October.  Be mindful, however, that the likelihood for your student to spend more time outdoors than in years past is still high while indoor masking is required.  So, please dress them according to the weather.

 

Peace and blessing,

 

Mr. Mayer

 

 

New Lunch Menu Starting After Fall Break

Click here to view the new menu that will start after fall break.

Calling all players (and those that want to play)!  The Parochial Basketball League is currently being planned to happen this winter.  The league games would run from mid/late November until early March.  St. John School would like to host some teams to play in this league.  So, first we need to gauge the overall interest in feilding team(s).  The league has traditionally been split as follows: 7th/8th grade boys; 7th/8th grade girls; 5th/6th grade boys; 5th/6th grade girls.  As you might imagine for a smaller school like St. John School, it is often difficult for us to field teams for all 4 leagues.

 

For all boys and girls in grades 5-8, please respond back to the office about your interest in playing basketball this season.  

 

I would also like to gauge the interest in a skills camp for all boys and girls in grades 3-4.  This skills camp has been run a few times in years past to help drive interest and skills development in our younger students to hopefully keep them involved as they get older.  It would likely be no more than 2 times a week and last for around 4-6 weeks.

 

For all boys and girls in grades 3-4, please respond back to the office about your interest in basketball skills camp this year.  

 

Once we have a good measure of the likely participation rate, we will get our coaches lined up, send out a practice schedule (starting as early as the week of October 18th), and collect participation fees.  As in years past, we will have to rent a gym to practice (I have confirmed that Faith Baptist would like to host our practices again this year) and pay team league fees that cover the referees and other costs.  So, please be sure to email the office with the student name and interest level (for all those in grades 3-8).

Poster Contest

Have you heard about The Pilgrims Trail? Beginning during Catholic Schools’ Week, on Sunday, January 30th, 2022, you will have the opportunity to fellowship at every church, mission, and oratory in the Diocese of Lexington’s 50 counties. You will meet people from all over our diocese, see where they celebrate, and learn about their traditions.

 

Passports, which can be stamped at each location you visit, will be available at your parish office. In November 2022, bring this passport to our first annual The Pilgrims Trail meal where you will enjoy dining with other pilgrims and Bishop John.

 

Poster Competition

 

To inaugurate this journey, we are holding a poster design contest for The Pilgrims Trail. Get out your colored pencils, paper, ink, paints, canvases, or laptops to help spread the word about The Pilgrims Trail! People of all ages are welcome to submit their designs. You could win a cash prize and have the honor of your work displayed in Crossroads and in locations around the diocese.

 

Feel free to use YOUR artistic ideas about the concept of spiritual pilgrimage in Kentucky, but if you need help getting started, symbols for The Pilgrims Trail include: mountains; trees/forests; rivers; open fields; rail fences; a church with a cross on the steeple; the cross or stained-glass windows; people with walking sticks and/or in a vehicle; images of fellowship such as people shaking hands or being welcomed; Catholic Church symbols, such as a monk greeting visitors, a chalice, communion host, or a dove, to name a few. 

 

Prizes include $100 for 1st place, $50 for 2nd place, $25 for 3rd place, and $25 for the Youth Encouragement Award.

 

Rules for Submission:

 

Physical copies must be delivered on paper, poster, or canvas in the following sizes: 8.5” x 11”, 11” x 17”, or 18” x 24”.

Photos of your artwork may also be submitted to the Dropbox link below. Please take the highest quality photo you can in bright light/daylight.

Digital artwork should be at least 350 dpi, CMYK color mode, and have a 1/8” bleed on all four sides.

Artwork must be signed. If submitted by a minor, please include printed name, school, and grade.

Entrants agree that their artwork and name can be reproduced and distributed for the promotion of The Pilgrims Trail.

 

We cannot guarantee your artwork will be returned to you, so please take photos if you would like to include it in your portfolio.

 

Final entries must be RECEIVED IN THE DIOCESAN OFFICE by November 10, 2021. Considering current mail conditions, allow extra time for postal delivery.

 

Mail submissions to:

The Catholic Diocese of Lexington c/o Skip Olson

1310 W. Main St.

Lexington, KY 40508

 

Upload photos and digital submissions to:  

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/p132hxzk9254kf4/AAAGkRjlrsuLFvilQcMfDvKha?dl=0

 

Don't Forget to Sell Your Tickets!

You can drop off the tickets at the office or place them in a sealed envelope to return with your child (Just mark the envelope "Raffle Tickets" or mark it with "OFFICE").  Thanks to those who have already turned in some ticket sales

Important Lunch Information for the 2021-2022 School year

School breakfast and lunch will be free for all students for the 2021-22 school year. This takes the burden off of families while they continue to recover from the pandemic.  We still need our families to apply for free/reduced lunches if applicable, click here.  These applications affect receipt of the P-EBT cards the government has been sending out as well as grant money the school receives from the state.

 

To view the breakfast and lunch nutritional information, go to https://www.myschoolmenus.com/instance/1092/district/1106

 

Breakfast Menu - Subject to change

Cold Lunch Menu - Subject to change - This menu begins 10/11/21

 

2021-2022 School Calendar ** updated 8/3/21

Click here to view the 2021-22 school year calendar.  This calendar is subject to change.

Registration for the 2021-2022 School Year

IS STILL OPEN!

We still have openings for the 2021-22 school year.  Please spread the word about our school to all your friends and family.  Or share the image above on your Facebook page!

 

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

Important Dates:

Oct 5: End of 1st quarter

Oct 6-8: No School

Oct 12: Report cards go home

Oct 16: Cardome Fall Fest 5-9PM

PLEASE, LIKE, FOLLOW, & SHARE THE ST. JOHN SCHOOL FACEBOOK PAGE!

St. John School Website