COVID Updates & Art-sy Opportunities

Dear Saint John Families, 
 
In this unique chapter of history, being alert to changing conditions of COVID-19 is the new normal.  We have all learned to be patient and flexible on a daily basis. I want to acknowledge the incredible work our teachers and staff have done to get us to this point. Living in a pandemic is not what any of us expected in our lifetime.  I want to share with you new protocols and clarify expectations for assignments.
Today your teacher will be sending an email regarding new procedures regarding assignments due to quarantine and/or isolation as a result of COVID-19.  The updated summary protocols based on CDC, MDH and the Archdiocese are below:

CLOSE CONTACT:
Stay home and away from other people for at least 5 days (day 0 through day 5) after your last contact with a person who has COVID-19.  The date of your exposure is considered day 0. If you do not develop symptoms, get tested at least 5 days after you last had close contact with someone with COVID-19.  If you test negative, you can leave your home, but continue to wear a well-fitting mask until 10 days after your last close contact with someone with COVID-19.
 
POSITIVE TEST
If you tested positive for COVID-19 and had symptoms, isolate for at least 5 days.  You can end isolation after 5 full days if you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your other symptoms have improved.  (Loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation.)
Continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days (day 6 through day 10) after the end of your 5-day isolation period.
If you test positive for COVID-19 and never develop symptoms, isolate for at least 5 days. Day 0 is the day of your positive viral test (based on the date you were tested) and day 1 is the first full day after the specimen was collected for your positive test. You can leave isolation after 5 full days. If you continue to have no symptoms, you can end isolation after at least 5 days. You should continue to wear a mask around others until day 10 (day 6 through day 10).

Please click  HERE  for a detailed infographic regarding Saint John's protocols. 
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Catholic Schools Week (Jan 23-28):
Jan 19: Saint John's Book Fair starts: 
We are excited to celebrate Catholic Schools week, January 23-28! During the week, students will be taking part in daily dress-up days and activities!

Reminder:  January 24 - NO SCHOOL, teacher workshop

Please click  HERE  for the full schedule
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Young Rembrandts was created to be fun. LAST CHANCE TO ENROLL:
Our drawing classes offer child-friendly and relevant subject matter to spark interest and increase knowledge retention. Through the process of weekly instruction Young Rembrandts students are exposed to a wide variety of subject matter, artistic concepts, art history and mastery of their materials. Elementary: K-5 sign up HERE

Middle School: 5-8 sign up HERE


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K-8 Parent Conferences: (Preschool Conferences will be held in Spring). 
K-8 parent-teacher spring conferences will be on February 10 and 15 in the school gym. Preschool conferences will be held later in the spring.  The conferences are an opportunity for you to speak with your child’s teacher about their academic progress.  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.      
Thursday, February 10
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e084ba4a923a7fb6-saint19

Tuesday, February 15
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E084BA4A923A7FB6-saint20
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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"
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SAINT JOHN’S FINANCIAL AID for grades K-8, applications will be considered starting 2/14/22:
Now is the time to apply for financial aid for next school year.  The committee will begin to consider applications as of February 14.  Completing your application early will ensure you are considered for the most aid we can offer to you based on your application results.  Please click,  Here  for information on financial aid.  When you are ready to apply for financial aid for grades K-8, 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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IMPORTANT REMINDER-REGISTRATION  - (We are nearing a wait list in some grades,  so ENROLL now to hold a spot for your student. ):
ALSO:  There are only a couple more days to take advantage of the lower enrollment fee!  The Early Eagle Enrollment Fee is $125/family until January 28, 2022.  As of January 29, 2022, the  Eagle Enrollment Fee increases to $250/family.  So, you will save $125/family if you enroll before January 28, 2022.  (If you have more than one student, you should only be assessed the enrollment fee on one child.  If you get charged again for this, please reach out to Karla Schultz at  [email protected] .)   

Current parents,  PLEASE DO NOT  apply again through TADS. (Please note:  If you have students who will be new to the school next school year, you will have to first fill out an application for admissions.  You will find that option in your TADS account.  You will only need to do this for new students, current students will start at the enrollment step.)  Please see  HERE  for more information on enrollment for 2022-2023.    

Please feel free to reach out to Kathy LaCasse at  [email protected]  if you have any questions as you complete your enrollment for next year.
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All FOR BOOKS:
Each year to kick off Catholic Schools’ Week, Saint John School Student Council partners with Scholastic Books to raise money to purchase books for the University of Minnesota Children's Hospital. These books will be donated through the Nicholas P. Koenig H.E.R.O. Foundation.  Click  HERE  for more information. 
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SNEAK PEEK FEBRUARY:
Feb 1: School Advisory Board Meeting, 5:00 p.m. School Library
Feb 4: School Spirit Day wear
Feb 10: K-8 parent conferences
Feb 11: No School Teacher In-service (Eagle Club Open)
Feb 15: K-8 parent conferences
Feb 21: No School, President's Day (Eagle Club closed)
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PARENT SESSION
“Parenting Exceptional Children” — January 19, 7 p.m.
Parenting children with educational and behavioral differences can be rewarding AND challenging. 
Even children who are gifted and talented present special challenges. In this session, we will discuss parenting children who have diverse needs because of educational, behavioral, and mental health challenges, as well as those who may need more enrichment. 

•  CLICK HERE TO REGISTER 

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SAINT JOHN GALA:
While you shop on Amazon, please consider donating one of the items off of our Amazon Prime wish list for our silent auction for this year's vintage gala. We made it easy: just click & ship! 
As always, your donation is tax-deductible as we are 501c3. 
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2C89WIIG7T17L?ref_=wl_share

Questions? Please email Gala Chair Missy Machkhashvili at  [email protected]  
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ADORATION AT SAINT JOHN’S:
Saint John’s invites you to support your students, teachers and staff in a unique and fulfilling way; by praying for them during Eucharistic Adoration.
What is Eucharistic Adoration?
Eucharistic Adoration is time spent in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament giving praise and thanks – in silence. During Adoration, the Eucharistic host is exposed, and participants have a conversation with Jesus, pray the rosary or reflect on Scripture or other spiritual reading. As with any form of prayer, Adoration directs us inward, to the joy of a deeper relationship with God, and outward, to a more selfless love of others. Pope Francis said, "Jesus speaks in the silence of the mystery of the Eucharist."
The Adoration Schedule:
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