What's the Meaning of Fat Tuesday?

Dear Saint John's Families,
 
February passed by in the blink of an eye, and I am looking forward to sunshine and brighter days! As the picture shows, we just achieved one hundred days of school!

The month of March is filled with madness - the NCAA college basketball tournament as well as High School State Tournaments in all winter sports.  In March we celebrate such things as more daylight, Women’s History, the American Red Cross, Spring Break and National Umbrella Day!  Finally, as my dad told me - I will have a great month if I trap a leprechaun on St. Patrick’s Day!

As we enter the season of Lent and transition from winter activities into the anticipation of spring. Please continue to pray with your children and include a special prayer for our Middle School students, who will be attending Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center next week.  Wolf Ridge is located south of the Boundary Waters and overlooks the North Shore of Minnesota’s Lake Superior.  It is an annual tradition our 6th, 7th and 8th grade students look forward to and a wonderful experience to immerse in nature, gain self-confidence and grow as leaders.    

Thank you to all our students, staff, and families for your continuous support as we inch closer to the end of Trimester 2 and Spring Break!I  
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FISH DINNER ON MARCH 4 SUPPORTING ATHLETICS PROGRAM:

Through our partnership with Saint John’s Men’s Club, we are excited to help host the parish fish dinners again this year. Our first one supports Saint John’s School Athletics, and will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. this Friday, March 4, in the school gym. Advanced registrations are available at www.sjolc.org/fish-fry, or come the night of with cash in hand. Meals are $12/adult, $8/child, and there are a la carte pizza options available as well.

We are also excited to help the Men’s Club with their traditional Fish Fry on April 1. Both will be in-person, with takeout options available. We hope to see you on both of these upcoming Fridays! Monies raised will keep our athletics fees down and support future uniform and supply costs. You need not be a member of a specific team to volunteer at these events, as they benefit all programs!  Looking for another way to volunteer? Sign Up for CAA Basketball Tournament Volunteers by Clicking Here
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Registration for Lego Club:

Build your imagination and problem-solving abilities with LEGO Club.  If interested please sign up today HERE.  The class will fill up!
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Save These Dates for Family Fun in our Parish
Some of you may not be aware of the regular family-oriented events hosted here at Saint John's Community on the weekends. These gatherings are often called Discipleship Sunday, here are some of the upcoming items of note:

March 6, After Masses: Hospitality Sunday with our School Gala (free doughnuts and an intro to our school Gala!)
Sunday, March 27, 9:30 AM: History of Saint John's Display & Church Tours | Gathering Space, followed by the Lenten Retreat (free doughnuts and coffee; lunch included in retreat)
Sunday, April 24, 11:30 AM: Easter Egg Hunt | Gathering Space Circle (outdoors)
See www.sjolc.org/discipleship-sunday and www.sjolc.org/retreat for more details.
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March Calendar:
March 1: School Advisory Board Meeting-5:00 p.m. School Library
March 2: Ash Wednesday all school Mass: 9:10 a.m.
March 4: School Spirit Wear Day
March 4: Athletics Fish Fry, 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. 
March 7-9: Middle School at Wolf Ridge.
March 10: End of Trimester 2
March 11: No School-Teacher In-Service  (Eagle Club Sign Up will be up this week)
March 14-18: Spring Break (Eagle Club Sign up HERE)
March 25: Extra-Curriculars Yearbook Photos
March 30: Archbishop Hebda presiding at all school Mass, 9:10 a.m.
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Aim Higher Foundation – deadline is today, March 1, 2022. 
More Scholarships. More Students. Stronger Schools.

Aim Higher has offered generous scholarships to many of our families.  If you would like to apply for a scholarship for your family, applications are now open for the 2022-2023 school year. Find out more information on aimhigherfoundation.org and/or you can submit your tuition assistance application at mytads.com as per other years
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DEADLINE APPROACHING - SAINT JOHN’S FINANCIAL AID for grades K-8, applications are due by March 15, 2022.
Now is the time to apply for financial aid for next school year.  Completing your application early will ensure you are considered for the most aid we can offer to you based on your application results.  You will find the application in your TADS account.  Please note, you are required to apply for AIM Higher to qualify for Financial Aid.  Your Financial Aid application must be in good standing in TADS before the committee will consider any aid for your family.  This often takes a number of steps and following up with TADS to ensure everything gets processed, so it is imperative you stay on top of the process until you are in GOOD standing.  Please reach out to Kathy LaCasse with any questions you may have [email protected]. 
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2022-2023 School Calendar:
Here is the 2022 – 2023 calendar for your scheduling purposes.  Please note items may change, so please always look to my newsletters and the school website calendar for updates throughout the school year. 
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Saint John School of Little Canada Parent-K-8 Student Handbook:
I would like families to review the uniform section of the handbook.  The staff recently reviewed the handbook, as we are noticing an uptick in violations.  As a reminder, students must come to school in appropriate uniform EVERY day, unless otherwise notified.  Please do not hesitate to talk with your teacher or myself if you have questions or concerns.  Uniform Policy starts page 11: Handbook
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PRESCHOOL:
Schulze Early Learning Scholarship Program at the Catholic Schools Center of Excellence

The Catholic Schools Center of Excellence (CSCOE), in partnership with the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation, presents the Schulze Early Learning Scholarship Program to help middle-income families gain access to excellent preschool programs for their children.
 
CSCOE and the Schulze Family Foundation firmly believe in and support the strength of the academic experience, the caring community and the spiritual development that is provided by the Catholic elementary schools.
 
Scholarships will be awarded ranging from $500 to $3000 and will be sent directly to the preschool to pay for tuition.
Applications are currently being accepted for the 2022-2023

• You are eligible to apply if:
• Your child will be attending an eligible Catholic preschool.
• Your child will be in their last year of preschool in 2022-2023 and
• Your family is middle-income.

The Schulze Early Learning Scholarship application will be online at schulzefamilyfoundation.org. Click on Early Learning Scholarships.
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Vintage Gala:
The Gala committee is seeking sponsors, donations, and attendees. Check out our new website at https://e.givesmart.com/events/ooO/ to secure your tickets, be one of our elite sponsors, or donate an item from our wish list.
One of the silver linings of COVID is that we've seen unprecedented growth at our school. We know we can continue to provide excellent education to all of these new students in years to come, and we need your help to do so!
Please consider generously donating to our largest event of the year!  Some of the monies raised at the Gala will contribute much needed financial aid to students and support one of the most influential programs we offer; Wilson Learning.

When you consider your annual giving, consider making a 100% tax-deductible donation to support the outstanding educators of our community;  a school driven by excellence and committed to providing personalized holistic education to our future leaders.
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ADORATION AT SAINT JOHN’S:
Eucharistic Adoration is offered in the church from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. each Friday that school is in session.
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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.

Tell a friend about Saint John’s School!

Dan J Hurley, Principal