Have you walked around the school lately? Daffodils, hyacinths, and tulips are blooming. Children are laughing, learning, and growing. I can’t help but think that these are daily reminders of God’s love for us. As we come to the end of the Lenten season and prepare for Easter, God’s love helps us to embrace this month’s Catholic Social Justice Teaching of empathy, inclusion and community.
I see April’s Catholic Social Justice Teaching on display when I look at our families doing their best to keep this most recent COVID outbreak from spreading. I see families testing, keeping sick children at home, notifying us of results. I know our families are making sacrifices to keep our community healthy. Thank you, families. And thank you to the faculty and staff, who continue to teach with warmth and dedication no matter the situation. We cannot do this without you.
I am so excited to share that our students in eighth grade did a commendable job at the North Puget Sound Regional National History Day (NHD) competition. With a total of 246 students across the different categories, 147 projects, and 15 schools competing, several St. John students are moving on to the state competition:
- Anton C.: Individual Documentary – 5th Place
- Clara C. and Caroline E.: Group Website – 1st Place
- Maia O. and Evie R.: Group Website – 2nd Place
- Jasper H. and Hyett M.: Group Documentary – 3rd Place
Congratulations to our state competitors! All of the 8th graders did a great job. And a thank you to Mr. Bretz for helping our students navigate the NHD competition.
Congratulations also to Miss Jane Green, kindergarten assistant, who has been offered a position in her field of environmental science. Although we will miss her we are excited to see Miss Green pursue her passion for environmental sustainability, and we wish her well. More good news! Mrs. Lisa Longton will return after Easter to assist in Miss Williamson’s classroom.
Don’t forget to purchase your Auction tickets – today is the last day tickets will be available. Don’t miss out on St. John’s largest fundraiser and the chance to see a performance by Doc Brown and the Marty McFlys! And don’t forget to sell those auction $2500 raffle tickets. All tickets, sold and unsold, must be returned to the school by Friday, April 8. This is a free dress day for all students who have returned tickets. Also, do remember that Reconciliation will be offered next week for students in grades 2 through 8 in preparation for Easter.
Happy Spring,
Bernadette O’Leary
