Principal’s Letter

It seems like we are packing a year’s worth of events in the last few weeks of school! The Irish blessing, “May the road rise to meet you,” comes to mind this week. Students and their teachers are traveling far and near. The eighth graders have almost finished their tour of Washington, DC, and the sixth graders are back, looking tired this morning following three days of hiking, canoeing, studying environmental science and community-building activities at Camp Hamilton. The first-grade classes went to the Center For Wooden Boats on Wednesday as part of their habitat unit study of oceans. They built their own model boats and tested them on the nearby pond. They even got to row boats! Third-grade students went to study the shoreline in Edmonds, and today the second graders attended Mass at Bishop Blanchet High School, where many students received their ‘second’ communion. The seventh graders are touring the Capitol, and tomorrow the kindergarten class will go to the Arboretum. What a week! Thank you teachers for organizing these experiences and thank you chaperones.

You spread the good news about St. John School, and this evening we will have a welcome event for the new families who will join us next year. Thank you to the families who have volunteered to be their ‘buddies’ as they join our community.

As part of their empowered discipleship curriculum, students in grade seven are spearheading a fundraiser for Mary’s Place. Read on to hear about their community work:

Hello, St. John Families, 
We would like to inform you about the bake sale happening on May 23. The money will be going to Mary’s Place, which is a very unique organization that helps families overcome homelessness, food insecurity, and poverty. Their mission is to ensure that no child sleeps outside by centering equity and opportunity for women and families. In 2023, they served 836,937 meals, provided a safe space for 3,923 children, and brought 1,355 families to stable housing. They have served so many people but can only continue if they have funds.
The seventh graders are hosting a bake sale for Mary’s Place and would like your support. Right now, generous local corporations have agreed to match every dollar donated to Mary’s Place, so we have made it our mission to raise as much money as possible for Mary’s Place. All treats at the Bake Sale Fundraiser will be priced at $2, and the sale will be on the blacktop from 3:00 to 3:30pm on May 23. Additional donations can be made here. Your donations are extremely helpful – thank you!
Sincerely,
Jax H., Sofia O., and the 7th Grade Class

Thank you, too, to our community for supporting the American Heart Association. Students will participate in the Kids Heart Challenge tomorrow.

Last but not least, remember to attend the PA Parent Education event on Tuesday, May 21. This Zoom presentation on “Optimizing Online Safety” is highly recommended.

Let’s keep up this amazing energy!

Bernadette O’Leary