Principal’s Letter

On Monday, we gathered in the Church to celebrate the Mass of the Immaculate Conception. We reflected on how God prepared Mary from the time she was born to be the mother of Jesus. Mary served God with love and purity of heart and continues to be a model for us of what it means to say yes to the things God calls us to do.

Guided by our team of devoted teachers, students across our school are actively preparing for the Advent season. Each morning, our primary grades gather for an Advent reflection, prayer, and song, and our intermediate hallway is lined with student work reflecting the many ways they will ‘light up the earth’ this holiday season. Tomorrow, our middle school students will begin their day with a special Advent prayer service in the church, followed by an award ceremony recognizing our outstanding Empowered Disciples – an award voted on by their peers each trimester. On Monday at 8:25am in the church, we will light the third candle of Advent and invite you to join us as we celebrate the Joy of the Season together.

Tonight, we are celebrating the joy of watching our Kindergarten and first-grade students in their Christmas performance. The joy continues next week as we celebrate with our band concert students on Monday evening in Egan Hall at 7pm, featuring our 45 beginning and intermediate band students. And, on Thursday evening, our second graders will shepherd us into Christmas with their rendition of the Nativity. Thank you, Ms. Villanueva, Mr. White, the maintenance team, and our parent volunteers for your work preparing for these special events.

Next week we continue to embrace the holiday excitement with some special holiday cheer:

  • Wednesday, 12/17 – Holiday Headwear and Festive Socks – Break out the elf ears and striped socks, and yes, those Santa hats can finally be worn in the building! (Uniforms are still required.)
  • Thursday, 12/18 – Christmas Sweater or Red/Green Top – Ugly Christmas Sweater? Garfield or the Grinch? Today is the day to wear them with pride. (Uniform bottoms are still required.)
  • Friday, 12/19 – Cozy Christmas Day – It is chilly, so wear something cozy and “Christmas-y”- snuggly pajamas and slippers allowed.

Will your family be attending the 4pm Christmas Eve Vigil Mass here at St. John? We are looking for students to participate in a number of roles, including readers, prayer leaders, gift bearers, and ushers. Please email Julia Rudden at jrudden@parishfamily14.org if your child is interested in participating in this special Mass. Additionally, all students, in grades 4 and 5 are invited to sing three prelude songs at the Mass; no need to RSVP – simply join Ms. Villaneuva at the front of the church at 3:50pm to sing. Students will return to sit with families at the start of service.

I hope to see many of you at our Parent Association meeting tomorrow morning, and I look forward to celebrating the joy of the season with you next week.

We all have something this world needs, and as our students continually remind me, spreading hope and joy this Advent season is one way we can make positive ripples throughout our community.

Principal Mansfield