Heading into November

Dear Saint John's Families, 

I hope everyone had a great fall break.  I was able to do a digital detox by unplugging and giving my brain a chance to slow down, reconnect with nature and enjoy each moment in Baudette MN, the Walleye Capital of the World.  The fall colors really helped me forget about my smartphone. Of course, the lack of cell reception ensured that I really could block the outside world completely from my mind and unwind in a beautiful environment. It was relaxing not hearing the beeps, buzz, and checking emails on my phone. I was 100% present with my friends! 
My question to my family when I got home was, "what do you do to detach from your cell phone, technology, social media to better connect with the people around you?" (Brooklyn's first response was, "can I research that on my phone?")  I hope that you all found some time to relax as well, especially with the holidays quickly approaching.  
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Highlights on curriculum:
We are now in our second year of  Believe and Read .   This program brings the methodology used  at Groves Academy to Saint John's through outstanding professional development and teacher coaching.  The goal is to ensure that every student at our school reads at or above grade level. All students who participate in Believe and Read will benefit; struggling readers become proficient, and good readers become great ones! In addition to building students’ vocabulary and comprehension skills through their regular reading lesson, teachers incorporate a daily 30-minute phonics-based lesson to ensure students are grasping the reading rules they will need to achieve fluency.
Furthermore, we have expanded the number of spots available for students in grades 4-8 in our Wilson Reading System® – WRS program. This reading system directly and systematically teaches students how to decode fluently and accurately. It is unlike traditional phonics programs in that instruction is very interactive and multi-sensory. It also thoroughly teaches total word construction where students learn to encode (spell) as they learn to decode. Saint John's is the only private elementary school to offer the Wilson reading program to students who could benefit from this type of intensive intervention.
 
We continue to provide a rigorous and innovative academic experience for all students, acknowledging the needs and aspirations of each student.
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Lunch Update: 
We will be officially starting  CKC Good Food  as our Food Management Company on November 1, 2021.  We are hoping for a smooth transition, but please be patient as we ride the learning curve with this new program and partially take the lunch program back into our hands.  Their menu is on a six week rotation, and the meals look like items the students will like.  Please click  HERE  for the upcoming menu.  
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Parent Conferences:
Parent teacher conferences will be on November 11 and 16. The conferences are an opportunity for you to speak with your child’s teacher about their academic progress. Our goal is to have 100% of our parents attend parent teacher conferences. Do not miss this important opportunity to discuss your child’s overall performance and learn how you can assist your child at home. 
See links below for  sign ups. (K-8 is set up in the gym.  Preschool is in their classrooms).    

Thursday, November 11
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e084ba4a923a7fb6-saint17

Tuesday, November 16
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E084BA4A923A7FB6-saint18
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ATHLETICS NEWS:
Good luck to our soccer and volleyball teams as they face off in CAA tournament action this week!  Sign Up for Winter Sports:
Thank you to the many sports sign-ups we've been getting for Winter Athletics. As a reminder, we hope to have basketball (girls & boys), hockey & swimming. Students CAN be in multiple sports, but we need enough interest to support a team. (Right now we are a bit light on both basketball teams.) Sign up today. Swimming is open to all kids able to swim 25 yards without assistance in grades K-8 (try-outs likely for younger kids). Register interest here: https://school.sjolc.org/information-calendar 

Calling All Coaches:
Did you know? All of our Saint John's coaches are unpaid volunteers. Please extend a note of gratitude the next time you have a chance. We especially thank our fall sports coaches, Dan Theisen, Pat Keenan and Jean Schreier, as their seasons start to wind down. Check the School Calendar if you still want to catch a game!
 
We are in need of basketball coaches, so please reach out to Athletics Director Laura Haraldson: lharaldson@sjolc.org if you are interested or have any questions! 
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Advent Concert Announcement:
Hello, my name is Ms. Spoden and I’m the new music teacher! I have thoroughly enjoyed working with your students in my classroom. We have been learning new songs, rhythm activities, and utilizing online music making software. In the upcoming weeks, we will be preparing for our all school Advent Concert. This will be held on Thursday, December 2nd at 6:00 PM in the church. All students are expected to participate (should there be a conflict for your student, please feel free to contact me via email at  [email protected] ). Families and friends are invited to watch either in person in the church, in person in one of our overflow spaces, or via the livestream. I look forward to making music with your students!  Please feel free to reach out should you have any questions, [email protected] Thank you! 
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Join the Circus! 
(Fun volunteer opportunity!)
Greetings, Saint John's parents! We are gearing up to plan our annual fundraising Gala, themed "Vintage Circus" and taking place April 22, 2022.  Will you join us, once a month, in-person or online, to assist in planning our most successful event yet?  Please visit the link below to share your interest. Our first meeting will be Thursday, October 28! 

Link:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSepdajOBMKHQMp02BbE-raUb_lOzBAUrY6sKnudEadqKMMbzA/viewform?usp=sf_link
 ____________________________ SAINT JOHN'S COVID DATA TRACKER
*All data is collected daily

Total positive cases	0
Number of students out sick (MDH decision Tree)	0

Number of Students out (Community Close contact)	0
Face Mask Optional

Mask Matrix. 
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October:
Oct 29: Halloween Party
Sneak Peek November:
Nov 2: No School, Teacher In-Service
Nov 4: Preschool Dad's Night (6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.)
Nov 5: School Spirit Wear Day
Nov 11: Parent Conferences
Nov 12: Picture Re-Takes
Nov 16: Parent Conferences
Nov 25-26: No School, Thanksgiving Break. 
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Fine Arts:
If you are interested in signing up for Piano, Guitar or Voice lessons, please click HERE
Theatre: Annie Jr. Sign up HERE  
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All Saints Tricks-or-Treats
Did you know that the name "Halloween" is derived from the Christian-based holiday, All Souls Day (November 1)? All "Hallows (or Haloes) Eve" references this important feast day in the liturgical calendar commemorating the holy people in history who set an amazing example for us yet today. To celebrate, Saint John's Discipleship Sunday Committee is hosting a fun and informative youth All Saints activity this year, at 9:30 A.M. October 31. Kids begin in the Gathering Space, and then are supervised down to the lower church, where there will be stories and activities themed around the saints, along with Halloween treats. Check out www.sjolc.org/discipleship-sunday for more information! Registration is not required, so save the date, and we hope to see you there!
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We are proud of our school and look forward to more exciting things to come our way!  Check out the great that is happening daily on our school website and follow us on Facebook.
Thanks, 

Dan J Hurley, Principal