Newsletters

December 4, 2006

Dear Parents/Guardians and Students:

The sights, smells and wonders of Christmas were with us even before Thanksgiving. Time passes so quickly, and we certainly need to appreciate each day, month and season. So it is with Advent. Before Christmas even arrives, let us as individuals and families use the season of Advent to prepare properly for the “Coming of the Newborn King”. Some simple suggestions may be:

▪ Answer each morning you awake with a smile and

▪ Decide to say an extra prayer as a family

▪ Visit those in need

▪ Excite others about your faith

▪ Notice at least 3 things each day for which you give thanks

▪ Treat others with kindness; go out of your way to someone who is usually overlooked.

Our faculty sincerely appreciates the input which we received during conferences. It is through communication with out stakeholders that we may continually keep you informed and help your child in any manner possible.

A few parents mentioned concerns about the Math program during conferences. We have taken your comments seriously and some teachers already have met to determine the best means of helping the students. We are directed by the Toledo Diocese to teach the Courses of Study provided by them which contain the objectives to be introduced, developed and mastered by the various grade levels in all subjects. In other words, we teach concepts and not the textbook which is a tool.

As you should be aware, our school improvement plan has as one of its main focal points the subject of math as data showed this was a weak area for the entire school. So all teachers have identified the need for improvement in this area. You will be kept informed as to the progress with our school plan. If at any time you have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher.

A few things to remember:

ü Please let the office knows if your address, phone number, work number or family situation changes.

ü Make sure your children know how they are getting home after school.

ü Interims will only be coming home with your child if there is an unsatisfactory grade or concern with your child

ü The Elementary Christmas Concert will be held Monday, December 11th in the Robert Arnzen Gym at 7:00 p.m. Our Kindergarten thru Fourth Grade students will be presenting “The Night Before Christmas Caper”.

ü Library books need to be returned to the Grade School Library by Monday, December 18th.

ü If your child is sick, homework is to be requested when you call your child in so that teachers can get homework together…OR homework can be made up when your child returns.

ü Please remember to send a note to the OFFICE if your child is going to be absent from school.

Peace,

Mrs. Theresa Kemmann

January 8, 2007

Dear Parent, Guardians and Students.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

A prayer of Thanksgiving during the Winter Season;

Heaven and earth, bless the Lord.
Sparkling ice and mountains of snow, bless the Lord.
Warm fires and crispy marshmallows, bless the Lord.
Cold winds and rattling windows, bless the Lord.
Frozen ponds and runny noses, bless the Lord.
Snow forts and toboggan hills, bless the Lord.
Thick socks and soggy mittens, bless the Lord.

Let the earth and its people, its animals and its seasons, give grateful praise to their Creator now and for ever, Amen

Reminders, Upcoming events, and Miscellaneous

There will be a $1.00 jean day on Friday, January 12th.Students are reminded of the proper attire on jean days. Any questions please refer to the Parent-Student Handbook. This jean day is for the Parent Teacher Guild.
The Van Wert Sheriff’s Office DARE program is sponsoring free of charge motivational speaker Bruce Boguski on Wednesday evening, January 17th at 7:30 p.m. at the Jefferson Senior High School cafeteria. Mr. Boguski is an excellent speaker, and I hope our community will take advantage of this opportunity. This is a “no homework” night so parents may attend.
Please remember to either call your child in or send a note to the office if he/she will be absent from school. You may call(419) 692-8561 and leave a message in the absentee mailbox or extension 1128. Thank you for your help in this matter.
We would like to welcome back Neil and Ricky Recker to our Blue Jay community.
Congratulations to Jacob Rode, 8th grade for placing 1st in the Geography Bee and to Katie Vorst, 6th grade for placing 2nd.Overall congratulations to all of the participants.
Congratulations to the following teachers who received grant money from the McDonald’s MAC Grant fund. They are: Mr. Anthony Closson, Mrs. Sue May, Miss Mary Hasselschwert, Mrs. Amy Gephart, Mrs. Melissa Myers and Mrs. Miriam Scherger. This money will be spent on classroom educational tools.
There will be no school on Monday, January 15th for the observance of Dr. Martin Luther King and on Monday, January 29th for a Teacher-In-Service Day.

Peace,

Mrs. Theresa Kemmann
Principal

January 17, 2007

Dear Parents, Guardians and Students:

The school uniform was discussed at the last School Council Meeting in regards to purchasing the slacks and shirts at other retailers. Council members were in agreement that school uniforms are to be purchased at either Lion Clothing or Shenk’s in Delphos. (Agreed upon 1/10/07)
Thank you to the parents and students who are keeping up on the “haircuts” for the boys. It is greatly appreciated!
Earlier this fall, students in grades 5 and 8 took the Diocesan-wide Religion Test (ACRE). Areas tested included: God, Church, Liturgy and Sacraments, Scripture and Faith, Life is Christ (personal morality and Catholic social teaching), Church History, Prayer and Religious Practices and Catholic Faith Literacy. For both grades Church History was a low area along with Catholic Faith Literacy in grade 8. It needs to be kept in mind, like with many standardized tests that only a few questions may be asked which may lower scores. In grade 5, higher scores were received in the topics of God and Faith Literacy, while grade 8 had higher scores in the area of God, Revelation Scripture and Faith.
- Fifth grade students see “big” or “minor”problems to include; teasing, bullying, and name calling (one area) and then followed with cursing and swearing.
- Eighth grade students were similar noting teasing, bullying, name calling (0ne area), cursing followed by cheating.
- If you have any questions about the ACRE Test, please contact Mrs. Kemmann.

Parents, Guardians or Students have the chance to nominate one of their teachers for The Diocese of Toledo Golden Apple Award. In a letter of recommendation, explain why you think this teacher deserves a Golden Apple Award. Please give specific examples of the individual’s unique qualities and teaching ability. If you would like a form to nominate a teacher, please stop by the Grade School Office. Return the form with your letter of recommendation to the school principal by Wednesday, February 14, 2007.
Mrs. Sue Dew, an eighth grade teacher here at St. John Elementary has been inducted into the National Honor Roll’s Outstanding American Teachers Organization. Congratulations Mrs. Dew on this accomplishment!
Yearbook (memory book) forms will be coming home this week. The cost is $9.00. CHEKCS ARE TO BE MADE OUT TO LANGE PHOTOGRAPHICS, INC. Orders are to be placed by Friday, February 16th.

Catholic Schools Week is January 28th through February 2nd.
- Monday, January 29th – No School
- Tuesday, January 30th – “Community Day”
  - Proclamation by the mayor
  - Variety of thank you letters
  - Musician for the grade school students in the afternoon.

Wednesday, January 31st - “Parent Day”

No homework day

Thursday, February 1st – All School Mass at 8:10 a.m.
Friday, February 2nd – “Student/Teacher/Staff Appreciation Day”

Jean Day – No low cut tops
Grades K-6 will have a movie and popcorn (bring your own drink –must be caffeine free)
Grades 7 & 8 will have a volleyball tournament and popcorn (bring your own drink – must be caffeine free)

Peace,

Mrs. Theresa Kemmann
Principal

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