Dear Families,
These past few weeks have once again demonstrated the wealth of goodness and the strength of bonds that exist in our community. You are on the playground and in the classrooms, you are there in times of celebration and development – Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day, the auction, CYO games and track meets, Robotics and Girls on the Run, and you are there when we hear sad news, reaching out wholeheartedly to the Jarvis family and to Mrs. Skokan, following her husband’s accident.
Friday at 4pm, St. John Parish will host the funeral for Chris Jarvis. Reception to follow in Egan Hall. The play pit will be closed Friday after school. Thank you for exiting the grounds immediately after dismissal. The parking lot will be open at 3:15.
Many of you have reached out with offers of support for the Skokan family. At this time your prayers are most needed. Joe is currently in the intensive care unit at Harborview. The school is working to identify specific needs for the family. We will keep the community updated.
Please also keep the Thornquist family in your prayers. Michele’s father, Jay Charles, passed away Wednesday. Michele is our Director of Development/Admissions at St. John School. Her children, Erik and Laura, both graduated from St. John School.
We are delighted to report the birth of Isaiah Joseph Kelly, to Mrs. Becky Kelly. All are well and the family is very happy.
Next school year we will be adding to our teaching community. We are excited to introduce you to our new faculty members. You already know one of our new fourth grade teachers. Ann Martin currently is on staff at St. John as our full time substitute for preschool through eighth grade. Ann graduated from Gonzaga University with a Masters In Teaching and undergraduate degrees in History and Philosophy. Ann began her teaching career as a middle school teacher at St. Alphonsus Catholic School. She also taught fifth grade at Highland Park Elementary. Later at Sacajawea Elementary Ann taught a fourth/fifth grade loop. Ann took a break from classroom teaching when she and her husband James had their children, Eleanor and Cliff. While home with her children, Ann became a volunteer PEPS leader and a Parent Educator leading Positive Discipline workshops for families with young children. Now that both children, Eleanor (grade 3) and Cliff (grade 1) are students at St. John, Ann is excited to return to the classroom as a full time teacher to share her love of learning with students.
Meet Kiley Purchio, the new Fourth Grade teacher for 2016-2017 school year. I am a fourth generation native of Montana, but I’m eager to move to Seattle and begin my career in Education at St. John! As a product of twelve years of Catholic Education, I know and understand the profound and positive effect that faith-based education can have on an individual, their family, and their community. I studied both Elementary and Special Education at the University of Montana and graduated with honors. I enjoy hiking, camping, skiing, and spending time outdoors. I love to spend my summer days floating the river or swimming in the lake. My dog, Henry, and I are excited to explore all the water in and around Seattle! I look forward to joining the Greenwood community at the end of summer and meeting the wonderful families that make up St. John. Looking forward to the Fall! Kiley Purchio.
Meet Morgan Robbins, the new Fifth Grade teacher for 2016-2017 school year. It is evident that the faith community at St. John School and Parish is truly one of a kind. I am humbled and blessed to have the opportunity to become a part of the entire community, not only as a current parishioner but also as one of the 5th grade teachers. I feel that God has truly called me to serve through teaching and guiding students in their own faith journeys. My experiences at Gonzaga University, Seattle University and more recently, St. Joseph School, have instilled in me a dedication to life-long service and have guided me toward practicing compassion and humility. I am looking forward to meeting all the parents, families, and students at St. John and hope you all have a wonderful summer. See you in the fall and GO ZAGS! Blessings, Morgan Robbins
Beannachtaí,
Bernadette O’Leary
