Last Email Before Spring Break

Dear Saint John's Families,

We are into our final week before Spring Break!
  
After talking with some of my colleagues, who are now beginning in-person learning and working to implement protocols, I had a flashback to last year, around this same time, when the Governor and Archdiocese made the announcement regarding all schools going to distance learning. In returning from this flash back and writing my letter, I am relieved, even with the roller coaster ride resulting from the pandemic, we have remained in-person the entire year! I am grateful for each day we  GET to learn with our students and staff.  We are blessed to learn together and build relationships at school, which is a  GIFT!   On behalf of the Saint John’s staff, our hope for you and your family is an Easter and Spring Break where you can relax and enjoy quality time with your families.

Since we will only have 4 days of school this week, I will include all the information you need for this week and next week in this newsletter.  My next letter will be on April 6. 
 

PARENT AMBASSADOR PROGRAM:
In my last newsletter, I informed families about the parent ambassador program. At this point, only 5 parents have signed-up.  I have a strong feeling, there are other parents in our community, who like to have fun and get together with others.  Please consider being a Parent Ambassador!   Click HERE for more information and sign up!

EASTER EGG HUNT - APRIL 11, at 9:30 AM:
Join us Sunday, April 11, for an Easter Egg Hunt for the kids, along with an Easter Basket Blessing from Father Tom. Not only are there eggs and treats for all in attendance, but the Easter Bunny will make a surprise appearance for socially safe photo ops.
Please invite your friends and neighbors! Any child not currently enrolled for 2021-22 at Saint John's School will get a Golden Egg! Click HERE to find out the incentive for referring friends to our school. 
This is an outdoor event, so come with your own basket, dressed for the weather, and meet outside the Gathering Space . Masks are not required, but encouraged. Click here to see the flyer.

DROP OFF:
Please remember, we have returned to 8:40 a.m. drop off, we do not have supervision for the children until this time.  The start of school remains at 9:00 a.m. and we continue to dismiss at 3:00 p.m.   In addition, it is required to fill out the COVID safety questionnaire the day of, to ensure we follow all COVID regulations and contact-tracing measures. We pull reports from this form regularly, and each entry is time-stamped.  Please follow the Honor System as you continue to fill out this form. We appreciate your diligence with this protocol. 

SPRING SPORTS: 
Thank you to the many of you who supported our Athletics in our Fish Frys Curbside throughout the past month. These funds will go a long way in affording future uniforms for our students! 

Many of you are eagerly anticipating news on our spring sports. At Saint John's, we are members of the St. Paul Catholic Athletic Association (CAA), and have been awaiting word from the CAA on the status of spring sports during the pandemic. 

What We Can Do Now: Middle School Softball & Baseball
Grades 5-8: If you haven't already, please email Athletics Director Laura Haraldson ([email protected]) expressing an interest in either of these CAA-supported sports no later than Thursday, March 25.
   
Getting Ready: Middle School Golf & Track, PLUS: Tennis
If your student is at all interested in participating in tennis, golf or track, even while they are not fully formalized yet, please let Laura know this as well. Tennis in partnership with Little Canada Rec would be available to students in grades 3-8.LACROSSE:

Looking for a new activity for summer?  Join LaCrosse for a fast paced summer fun.

 

 

REMINDERS AND CALENDAR

 
MOVIE NIGHTS RETURN:
We will be starting movie nights at Saint John’s School on the 1^st Wednesday of each month thru September 1, 2021.  The 1^st Movie Night will be on June 2 and will include free live entertainment, pizza, ice cream and other surprises for families and kids - these movie nights are open to all.   
 
APPRECIATION EVENT:  
We have a Special Thank You BBQ for the parish and school scheduled for May 19, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.  I will be providing more about this event in April.
 
TASTE of SUMMER:
We have scheduled our Taste of Summer for July 21, 2021 at 6:30 p.m at Saint John’s School.  This event is for parents and the community.  We will be able to connect and sample beer and wine.

TADS:
Tax season is here. Tuition and Eagle Club payment reports can be pulled directly from TADS. Here are the instructions:
1.       Log into your account at https://secure.tads.com
2.       Click on the Billing tab
3.       On the left side of the screen, click on the "Household Paid Tuition Tax Report" link
4.       Enter the proper tax year and click "submit"

SUMMER EAGLE CLUB:
Our summer care program is available to all children ages 3 to 12. Eagle Club is offered from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily. We keep children engaged and entertained all summer long through activities like arts and crafts, games, science/STEM, reading and math, nature and, of course, field trips once a week. We maintain and grow a vegetable garden, as well as spend lots of time outside playing and enjoying the nice weather. 
Summer registration CLICK HERE.  Please contact Tayler Smith with questions. 

MARCH CALENDAR:
March 23 & 25: Parent Conferences 
March 26 thru April 5: Spring Break-No School.

SNEAK PEEK APRIL: 
April 9: School Spirit wear
April 9: K-2 Coffee Chat with Principal, 9:15 a.m.
April 11: Easter Egg Hunt, 9:30 a.m.
April 30: School Gala 5:00 p.m.

PPRP UPDATE:
Check out our updated Infographic HERE. 
 
Vaccines:
The MDH recently updated its requirements regarding vaccines. Two weeks after receiving the second vaccination, if an individual comes in direct contact with a COVID-positive case, they will not have to quarantine for the required 10 days. Proof of vaccinations is required. This applies mostly to our teachers and staff, and other essential workers who have received the vaccine; there are no changes to protocols for our students.
 
Face Shields:
As our staff nears 100% vaccination rates, some teachers might opt to wear a face shield in class, to ensure our students are getting the best possible education experience by being able to observe critical nonverbals (especially important in early elementary grades when learning to read). Each teacher will have the option, two weeks after their second vaccination, to choose between a mask and a clear plastic face shield. This is a change for vaccinated staff only, and a mask or shield is always required.

SCHOOL CALENDAR:
2021-2022 School Calendar  HERE

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.
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Tell a friend about Saint John’s School!

Dan J. Hurley, Principal