Principal’s Letter

Thank you! So many of you turned up on Sunday! It was such a lovely Mass and party. Thank you for being there. I am still reading the messages on the cards and the kudoboard. My family is also very grateful to you all. “They love you as much as we do,” one of my sons noted. Soaring Eagles go to those who organized it. As it was all in secret, I am still not sure who else was on the team with Pablo, Karen, Jonna, Maile, Rachael, Allan, the Valleys, and Teresa. A huge shout out also to the fine Irish dancers. Thank you, Chef Stephanie, the kitchen team and ESR for the delicious brunch. We have another ‘secret’ team planning Fr. Crispin’s party. Be sure to RSVP for that!

Tomorrow, Friday, will also be a celebration at school as students cash in their auction Skipping School for Sundaes and Extended Recess winnings. All students will participate! Sundaes will be enjoyed during regularly scheduled lunch periods and each department will enjoy an extended recess time. Thank you to our auction team, volunteers, and Nutty Squirrel Gelato.

As we approach the end of the school year and the many events, please be considerate about parking. Folks in our neighborhood need access to their driveways at all times; please do not block them. Also, do not park along the bus loading zone (yellow painted curb) for Greenwood Elementary on 1st Ave NW during school hours. They dismiss students earlier than we do, and they do not allow double parking. Please remind your family members who might be attending end-of-year events at St. John School.

The band will have performed by the time you read this. Bravo to our fine musicians and Mr. White. It is such a joy to listen to the growth over the year. I am also delighted, of course, to see the growth in our students as they complete end-of-year assessments. They have come a long way since September. And big thanks to your 7th graders for hosting the bake sale after school today for Mary’s Place. Way to go acting for the common good.

At this time, we often hear how our former students are doing in high school and college. Holy Names Academy sent us the following message: As the 2023-2024 school year comes to a close, I wanted to share our congratulations for the recent honors received by your St. John alumnae:

  • Daphne Miller ‘24 – Valedictorian
  • Gwyndolyn Sawicki ‘24 – Salutatorian
  • Daphne Miller ‘24 – National Merit Commended Student
  • Chloe Masters ‘25 – AAUW – Scholar’s Recognition Program – American Association of University Women
  • Marin Aguila ‘25 – Junior Academic Award Nominee
  • Em Binder ‘25 – Junior Academic Award Nominee
  • Eleanor Rial ‘25 – Regional Washington Music Educators’ Association Solo & Ensemble Contest – 1st Alternate Large Soprano/Alto Ensemble

Congratulations to these St. John alumnae for their outstanding performance!

As we prepare for the long weekend – recall, school and XDC are not in session on Monday, May 27 in observance of Memorial Day – please take time to honor and mourn the U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.

Bernadette O’Leary