Principal’s Letter
School families, we need your input for Partners in the Gospel, the Archdiocesan multi-year consultative process to renew and reinvigorate parish life. As we have already informed you, this plan calls for two or three parishes to be grouped into a family beginning July 2024 with one pastor and one or more parochial vicars. Between 2024 and 2027, the pastor, parish leaders and parishioners will determine how best they will operate together to carry out the mission of the church as one canonical parish. This past weekend, the initial draft families were announced in all the parishes. Fr. Crispin announced our proposed family – St. John, St. Alphonsus, and St. Benedict. Although the focus is not on the schools, schools are the biggest ministry of the parishes.
As a member of the school community, you are a member of the parish community. Your input in this process is valuable. At the listening sessions next week, you have the opportunity to voice your hopes and concerns and ask questions. If you cannot attend in person, send your feedback via the online survey.
Two reminders: I see children jumping out of cars without their coats. Remind them to bring their coats! Unless it’s absolutely pouring, like during that downpour on Tuesday, we will have outdoor recess. The children need fresh air and exercise. The children also need to be healthy so they can come to school ready to learn. Consider registering your child for the St. John Flu and Updated COVID Vaccine Clinic. Speaking of health and safety, last week we alerted you to a handful of robberies that occurred, which targeted young students. PNW Parent Education is hosting a Youth & Public Safety webinar to equip caregivers with tools to support the safety and well-being of young people in our communities. More information can be found here or in today’s Community News.
Congratulations to Jana Kohler, primary PE teacher and second-grade assistant. She is about to receive a great honor. As a previous All-America in the Javelin and Heptathlon and ranked 19th in the Heptathlon in the U.S. in 1986, Mrs. Kohler qualified for the Olympic trials in the Heptathlon in 1997. She was inducted into the Slippery Rock University Hall of Fame in 1998 and the Beaver County (PA) Hall of Fame in 1994, Next month, she will be honored as a member of the inaugural class of the Athletic Hall of Fame for Beaver Area High School. Congratulations, Ms. Kohler!
Many thanks to our wonderful community! Your generosity this past month will benefit not only our community but so many others who need assistance. Thank you for being so supportive of the Blessing of the Backpacks. Joyce Farrell, president of our St. Vincent de Paul conference, was so happy to see the food pantry stocked again. Your donations also help many families at Broadview Thompson K-8 School. The students gave Fr. Crispin a huge welcome back as he blessed their backpacks.
A huge thank you to families and friends for supporting the Jog-a-thon; it was a great success! We are currently at $107,495, and with matching gifts and a few more donations, we might just approach our goal of $125,000. The proceeds of this fundraiser go towards the operating budget which covers salaries, instructional supplies, programs and so much more to keep the school running. Don’t forget to come and celebrate St. John and cheer on the Seahawks as you support the Endowment this year.
Thank you for doing your homework by reading and staying informed of all school information. See you at the listening sessions next week.
Bernadette O’Leary
