Principal’s Letter

WOW! This year’s auction exceeded, not only my expectations, but many of our goals as well. Thanks to your support through donations, sponsorship, live and online items, Fund-a-Need and raffle tickets, we raised over $440,000 in gross revenue for our school. This is incredible! Our Auction Team, Lauren and Andrew Exnicios, Chris Sourov, Paul Kelley and Aleah and Nick Valley, outdid themselves this year. Our new format led to a record number of attendees and fun was had by all. Thank you to the over 400 of you who came, bid, and volunteered on Friday night – we couldn’t have done it without you, and I am grateful for your generosity, especially amidst financial uncertainty; it speaks volumes to how much this community means to all of you, thank you!

Congratulations to the 8th-grade boys’ volleyball team! They advanced to the semifinals. Come cheer them on at St. Louise at 2pm. A shout out to Elle G. who spent the week participating in the Senate Page program. The Washington State Legislature has one of the finest page programs in the country, and each year, hundreds of students from across the state have the opportunity to take part in the legislative process and watch our state government in action. Way to go 8th-graders!

We have all earned a rest, and Holy Week couldn’t come at a better time to help us all do just that. The rhythms of Holy Week help us reset and reflect on what matters most – loving God and loving our neighbor. Here is a link to all of our Holy Week services; pay close attention to the times and locations, as they are spread throughout our three parish family locations. Tomorrow, at 2:15pm, Fr. Parrish will lead our school community through the Stations of the Cross; we hope to see you there. We also invite our children to help lead our Easter Sunday 10:30am liturgy. Roles include readers, gift bearers, and ushers/worship aid distribution. We also need a few adults to assist and guide the children. Contact Julia Rudden at jrudden@stjohnsea.org with questions or to volunteer.

We are asking all families to be mindful of traffic safety and etiquette as we continue to experience issues with parking and blocking driveways around campus. Neighbors are on the watch, especially a neighbor who lives down the street. This neighbor can become quite agitated if drivers are blocking her driveway or in violation of the 5-foot parking code. Please review Seattle Municipal Code 11.72.110. The school advises you to avoid parking near this residence (please refer to the Principal’s Letter in NewsViews emailed on 4/10, for additional information). We would also like to thank our four volunteers who assist each day at the crosswalk. Big shout out to parents Amanda, Jackie, Rula, and grandparent Kelvin for ensuring safe arrival for students and parents at the beginning and end of the school day. Thank you, parents, for being courteous and respectful of our volunteer crossing guards; they are here to keep our community safe. If you’d like to volunteer for a shift, please reach out to Pablo, pkelley@st-johnschool.org.

Another unfortunate event occurred on Tuesday involving a teacher’s vehicle and a car belonging to a neighborhood employee. Sometime between 7:50am and 4:10pm, windows on both cars were damaged by a projectile. Based on the compact impact to the glass of the vehicles and in discussion with Seattle Police, the school suspects an individual may have fired BB’s or pellets at car windows on both sides of 79th St., near the corner of Greenwood Ave. A police report was filed by both drivers, school administration interviewed staff, and reviewed available security camera footage. No specific or helpful evidence in identifying a suspect has surfaced at this time. School safety remains a top priority for the school. Staff and students continue to practice and rehearse school safety drills. Ask your child about the drill we practiced today.

Recently, I have been praying the following Lenten Prayer of Civility, from the USCCB; may it set the tone for the week ahead:

God of all compassion, You call us to love one another as you have loved us. 

In this time of Lent, help us to see our sisters and brothers as truly beloved children of God. 

Help us to fast from incivility and feast on your love for each one of us. 

Help us to fast from discord and feast on the knowledge that you have created each person in your own image. Help us to fast from fear of those with whom we disagree and feast on the joy community brings us. Help us to fast from timidity when we hear hurtful language and feast on sharing the good news of our God-given dignity. Help us to fast from the desire to win arguments and feast on compassion shared in understanding. Help us to fast from assumptions and feast on listening deeply to the stories of our community. Lord, our God, be with us in this time of fasting and repentance, in this time of quiet and simplicity.  

Let us turn to you as the source of our joyfulness and our first giver of love.  

We ask this through Christ our Lord. 

 Amen 

Blessings,

Principal Mansfield