November is a time of giving thanks! We began our day by praying for and thanking veterans. A number of eighth-grade students who have family members who served in the armed forces volunteered to lead a short prayer service and explain the origin of Veterans Day. We are grateful to all the veterans in our community, and give a special salute to Sean Laverty and Mark Gerling (maintenance) and to Mr. Tice (middle school).
We are also very thankful for the rich history of support for St. John School and Parish. Over the next few weeks, you will have opportunities to keep that going. Fifth-grade students will start delivering donations of gently used clothing to Ella Baker Elementary clothing bank, and sixth-grade students are organizing a food drive for St. Vincent de Paul. We are asking students to do chores and send in a little of their earnings to their Unbound classmates in other countries, and today, we release the Endowment video, a fun and informative look at the Endowment, with a sneak preview of the auction theme. COVID has once again postponed a celebration to honor Michele Thornquist who was so instrumental in building the Endowment. However, like many things these past 20 months, we won’t let a pandemic slow us down! You will receive another email later this evening asking you to donate. It wouldn’t be a Catholic newsletter without an ask! Donations, big and small, help to further the mission of the school. Thank you for your generosity! Your gift will enable St. John to remain a bright and dynamic Catholic school for years to come.
I invite parents to the Stakeholders Meeting this Tuesday, November 16 at 7pm. An important step in our Accreditation/self-study is to review and offer revisions to our school’s Mission and Philosophy statements. Your input is vital. If you plan to attend, please RSVP here. I also invite in-parish families to view the State of the Parish and review the Fair Share Tuition Program if you haven’t done so.
Congratulations to our St. Al/John soccer teams! The 6th-grade girls earned second place, and the 7th and 8th-grade boys took home the championship trophies! Go, Eagles!
It is with great pride and delight that students are telling me about their vaccinations! We also need to officially document that news. Parents, even if you have already done so, please email a picture of your student’s COVID-19 vaccination card, once they have completed the vaccination series, to Mrs. Q.
On less exciting news, I have to tell you that my week began with a voicemail from one of the neighbors who could not get her car out of her driveway last Friday because it was blocked by a St. John parent picking up a student. We have to do better, and we will need to do better, especially when work begins on the large-scale build on the corner of N. 79th St. and Greenwood Ave. I trust you will review the traffic protocols in order to help keep our community safe and accident-free.
Once again, on behalf of the faculty, staff, and students, I thank all of you who have served in the armed forces. You are in our prayers.
Bernadette O’Leary
