Principal’s Letter
I am writing to you from NYC this week amidst my daughter’s NYU graduation festivities. It feels like just yesterday we were lining up on the blacktop for her first day of school here at St. John, in Mrs. Brumback’s first-grade class. Where has the time gone!?!
I love seeing the photos, social media posts, and blurbs coming out of the classrooms this week. Our 8th graders are fully immersed in their Washington, D.C. experience, having an amazing tour through history. Some highlights include laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, touring Mt. Vernon, Gettysburg, Monticello, and the Holocaust Museum, and many important memorials including the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, MLK Memorial and a photo stop at the White House. We are grateful for experiences such as these, where our students learn more about our history and how we can continue to effect change as citizens.
Our 6th graders are enjoying Camp Hamilton. While there, the students will not only get to reinforce the concepts learned in science class in a hands-on environment, they will also participate in several collaborative activities, including a challenge course, team building, canoeing, gardening, and praying together in God’s creation! The 7th graders spent yesterday touring the State Capitol; they were able to visit with Governor Ferguson, reenact a Supreme Court case in the Temple of Justice, and visited the Senate and Congress to see where laws are made. And today they showed real leadership as they led our K-5 students in our Kids Heart Challenge activities throughout the day. These enriching, beyond-the-classroom leadership experiences are part of what sets St. John apart, and I am grateful to the volunteers and staff who help make them happen.
Truly, I am incredibly appreciative of all our volunteers who support this community. Thank you to our Grand Day volunteers for making it a special day for our guests and students in grades K-2. There were many happy, smiling faces for sure. Thanks also to our Jog-a-thon sponsors, Owens Mental Health and Presenting Sponsor Barnhart Crane and Rigging. Interested in sponsoring the Jogathon? Information can be found here. And, of course, thank you to Rachael Groark for her service as Parent Association Co-Chair. My heart is full of gratitude for her commitment to our community. Please join us at the last Parent Association meeting of the year tomorrow at 8:30am in Egan Hall, where we will share information about year-end activities and celebrate Rachael.
In gratitude,
Principal Mansfield
