Be Kind
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The faculty and staff are prepared for your return! The classrooms are ready and we have finished our inservices. Besides discussing our English Language Arts Standards, and the plans for the new MakerSpace, we spent some hours collaborating on our theme for the year: Be Kind. What does being kind look like, sound like? It is showing respect and using good manners, and it also takes courage and bravery at times to reach out and do the right, kind thing. We discussed equity, diversity, inclusion and God’s mission for us here at St. John. We are looking forward to sharing our thoughts and expectations with the students.
Faculty
Hellos You will recognize two returning faculty members. We are delighted to welcome back Maria Tsagalakis as the PE teacher and Roisín Halley as the assistant teacher in AM Preschool. We welcome Cheryl Pinsoneault, whose family is returning to St. John, as the new first-grade assistant. New to St. John, Seattle, and the three-day preschool school program, is assistant teacher Angelica Yutac. Ms. Yutac has been a kindergarten teacher in the Philippines. Please join me in welcoming our latest team members!
Goodbyes! Michele Thornquist came in yesterday for her final day as Development and Admissions Director. We will all miss her energy, creativity, and drive. Her great love for St. John and her passion for growing our community has resulted in our valuable endowment and sustained positive enrollment. Bon Voyage, Michele! I know you will also join me as we wish the very best to Jody Desclos, who is retiring after so many years as a very influential and wonderful member of the St. John faculty and family. On behalf of all of us here, I express our gratitude for the many gifts Mrs. Desclos brought to our community. Good luck also to Carin Brown who is leaving us to teach preschool full time at St. Alphonsus. Ms. Brown will be missed here, but we hope to see her at St. Al/St. John functions!
Check the school calendar for all the upcoming events! School begins at 8:15am on Wednesday, September 4. Remember, supervision of children on the playground begins at 8:05am. If your children arrive before that time, you will need to supervise them or check them into XDC. When teachers come on duty at 8:05am, please support them by encouraging the students to go to their lines and remain there in an orderly fashion, settling themselves down for the day ahead.
Hot lunch service begins on Monday, September 9. Be sure to complete your orders for the month of September.
Have a safe and restful Labor Day.
Bernadette O’Leary
