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Gael's Gazette, June 11, 2008
“We Have Been Called”
Last night we celebrated the graduation of the St. John the Baptist Catholic School class of 2008. They are an exceptional group of young persons whose intelligence, faith and friendships will carry them through life. I reminded them they are part of our family forever and welcomed them to visit us as go and grow.
Remaining with us is a community that should be proud of the many joys and successes of another incredible school year. We established that “We Have Been Called” to St. Johns. We have shared our many unique gifts and talents. I am thankful for each and every one of you: Students, Parents, Faculty and Staff, Fr. Gordon and our Parish Priests, alumni and all those who make it a blessing to come to school everyday.
Before we hit the beach and pull out the sunscreen, I share several announcements:
Pardon our Dust! The school building will be completely inaccessible from June 16th until about August 13th. This is due to the comprehensive facility improvements that will be underway. As I described in the last Gazette, these projects included: the removal and replacement of our school-wide heating system, replacement of the flooring, replacement of the 7th/8th grade classroom windows, re-wiring of the computer network cabling, establishment of new network server, replacement of all the computer lab workstations and more! I will provide updates via the web site during the summer on the state of our exciting projects.
Summer Communication: Mrs. Giaquinto, Mrs. Saunders, Mrs. Sylvester and I will be checking messages regularly. Phone messages can be left at the school number: 224-8388. E-mail can be sent to: schoolinfo@stjohnscatholic.org
School Web Site: Another important route of communication this summer will be our School web site. Please check it for construction updates, – calendar, supply lists, homework packages, etc.
Welcome New Families: I offer a special welcome to our new families who will be joining us in the Fall. This summer, you will hear from our Family Club to answer any questions and make sure your child(ren) are comfortable in their transition.
Save the Date! Please save the date for our Parent-Only, Back-to-School evening on: Monday, September 15. It’s our only non-child event and critical to our parent/school partnership as we begin another academic year.
Best Wishes to Mrs. McClintick: We again acknowledge the dedication of Mrs. McClintick whose time at St. Johns ends today. Her 10 years of committed teaching has left lasting impressions on nearly every student in our school. We will miss her, but know that her husband and two sweet, young children will be seeing much more of her. Thank you, Mrs. McClintick and like we told our graduates, this will always be home to you.
Welcome to the 8th Grade: With much enthusiasm, I warmly introduce Mrs. Ellen Bucchianeri-Duane as our incoming 8th grade Homeroom Teacher. Mrs. Duane brings teaching experience rich in Catholic education with additional work in Special Education. She holds a B.A. in Child Development and Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. Mrs. Duane is also attending the Institute for Catholic Educational Leadership at the University of San Francisco completing her M.A. in Catholic Educational Leadership and Administrative Credential. She is a product of Catholic education, having attended St. Rose Academy in San Francisco with Mrs. Kiernan. A recent move from the city with her husband and two daughters has given us the opportunity to welcome Mrs. Duane into our St. John family. Mrs. Duane joins Mr. Gallegos, Mrs. Picard, Mrs. Stiver and Ms. DiMarco in a solid, dynamic team of Jr. High educators.
In acknowledgement of all we have accomplished and in excited anticipation for the future, I announce our 2008/2009 school year spiritual theme: Now is the Time!
Have a safe, relaxing Summer and enjoy many faith-filled moments with your precious children.
Return to us renewed and ready to accomplish the 08/09 school year.
Let us always; act with justice, love tenderly, serve one another and walk humbly with God.
In Peace, Nancy Jordan, Principal
Gael's Gazette, May 28, 2008
“We are Called”
Dear St. John the Baptist School families,
It’s hard to imagine we’re speeding toward the close of another year. The 07/08 school year brought many accomplishments and I wish to thank each and every one of you for the many gifts you and your children bring to our blessed community. Among our achievements this year:
· We were chosen as the first West Coast school to pilot a special school-wide integrated technology program, a partnership with Boston University & the University of Richmond.
· Our 8th Grade Math students took 2nd Place in the Justin-Siena High School Math Contest.
· Five students placed in the 1st, 2nd or 3rd places in the American History Writing Contest (sponsored by the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution, Vineyard Trails Chapter).
· Our Student Body completed over 25 Service Learning projects, benefiting over 18 local and global community organization/projects
· Our 8th Grade boys Boy’s Basketball team won North Bay Catholic Schools League Championship.
· Several dedicated families, along with Mrs. Berube, created a School-Wide Learning Garden.
· Our fundraising efforts, in the Crab Feed, Jog-a-thon and Gala, raised over $100,000.00!
Of course, our success is based on the valued partnership we share between home and school. Our dedicated faculty and staff, who view their jobs as their vocation, spend countless hours preparing for their precious time with their students. I thank them for all they give for the Mission of our fine school. I am pleased to announce our 08/09 school year staffing:
Principal: Nancy Jordan
Principal’s Assistant: Stephanie Saunders
School Secretary: Jennifer Giaquinto
Kindergarten: Mrs. Betsy Kiernan, Mrs. Paulette Boyce
1st Grade: Mrs. Samara Calforda
2nd Grade: Mrs. Celine Ford
3rd Grade: Sister Joyce Poeschl
4th Grade: Mrs. Suzanne Berube
5th Grade: Ms. Linda Lee
6th Grade: Mrs. Linda Woolworth
7th Grade Homeroom, 7th/8th Grade Language Arts and Social Studies, Resource Support: Mrs. Julie Picard
8th Grade Homeroom, 7th /8th Grade Math and Science, Resource Support: “Open*
7th /8th Grade Math, Science and Spanish: Mr. Milton Gallegos
Physical Education, 7th/8th Grade Religion, Student Services Programs: Ms. Michele DiMarco
Music: Mr. Tony Carlin
Library: Mrs. Rozann Evans
Science Lab Technician/Technology Coordinator: Mrs. Kristen Stiver
Instructional Assistant: Mrs. Katie Batt
Instructional Assistant: Mrs. Shelly Saucedo
Extended Care Coordinator: Ms. Karyn Kelley
PM Extended Care Assistant: Mrs. Eileen Dehzad
Bookkeeper: New Level Group (outsourced)
Bookkeeping Assistant: Mrs. Denise Sylvester
We especially recognize and thank Mrs. Carole McClintick, who’s chosen to spend more time with her beautiful children in the upcoming year. We wish her the best and are forever thankful for her 10 years of dedicated service. Mrs. McClintick has touched the lives of nearly every current student at St. John the Baptist Catholic School and we will miss her.
We also send prayers along with Fr. Abel as he begins the study of Canon Law in Rome. Joining Fr. Gordon, we welcome Fr. Francisco as Associate Pastor, who has recently relocated from Nicaragua.
*Note on the 8th Grade Homeroom Teacher Opening* For 08/09, we added a full-time Jr. High Math/Science/Spanish teaching position which Mr. Gallegos took. This has opened up the 8th grade Homeroom position.
Programmatically, we look forward to many enhancements in the 08/09 school year:
· Facility improvements that will support greater safety, security and beautification of our campus: Details will follow regarding the installation of our new heating system, traffic safety improvements and additional necessary projects.
· Adoption of a new Religion Textbook series: These greatly needed textbooks have been ordered and we look forward to aligning our curriculum with their content.
· Continued focus on Language Arts as we further develop our “Six Traits of Writing”, school-wide writing program: We are accessing our private school allotment of “No Child Left Behind” Funds to expand our knowledge base in this critical area.
· Resource Support: Learning support will be provided through a daily resource lab staffed by a credentialed teacher
· Increased instructional support at all grade levels
· Adoption of a school-wide, Peer Conflict Resolution/Anti-Bullying Program
· Comprehensive upgrade of our Computer infrastructure: We are replacing all workstations in our Computer Lab, deploying and updating the current Lab computers to staff, updating our security supports, purchasing a new Server and re-wiring the network.
· Continued advancement of our Technology Curriculum Program: Our pilot participation in the “School Technology Program” continues in 08/09 with new curriculum and an added course in “Cyber-ethics”.
· Our Parish Sesquicentennial celebration: Watch for monthly events commemorating the extraordinary life of our church. The celebratory activities will result in the launch of our Capital Campaign to develop and support our parish and school.
· Continued development of our school-wide Learning Garden
We are still developing our Art and K-6th grade Spanish programs. I’m happy to say that our new Art Studio has been furnished with rescued furniture from Napa Unified! Updates to come!
Let us celebrate in the many gifts we have been given – in our students, our staff, our parents, in each-other.
Let us always; act with justice, love tenderly, serve one another and walk humbly with God.
In Peace, Nancy Jordan, Principal
Gael's Gazette, April 30, 2008
Spring has Sprung!
Greetings! It’s hard to believe we are almost to May.
Among our highlighted activities:
1st Communion: Our 2nd graders are preparing to receive their first Holy Communion on Sunday, May 4th at the 10am mass. In addition, 2 students have been baptized: Madison Smith and Lisa Taylor. What a blessing! I offer a special thank you to Mrs. Ford for her dedicated effort in this sacramental preparation. Please keep our 2nd graders and their families in your prayers.
Gala: Elise Negueloua, our Gala chair and her committed group of volunteers have spent countless hours in preparation for our upcoming Gala event, Saturday, May 10. I thank all those who participate in this very important evening which provides critical contribution to our general operating budget.
Track and Field Day: Thank you, Paula Vlaming, for organizing this athletic day sponsored by the Catholic Schools League. Root us on Sunday, May 18 at Cardinal Newman High School in Santa Rosa.
Treasure Hunt: A very special thank you to Marion Hanson-Jerrard for organizing our exciting, innovative, school-wide community treasure hunt last Thursday, April 17th. With the support of our staff and 26 parent helpers, our children were able to discover hidden history in our nearby surroundings. A thank-you also goes to the Napa Valley Register for their generous coverage.
Enrollment Update: It’s the time of the year when we are filling spots for the coming school year. Our enrollment pattern is on a steady upswing and, based on the 2007/08 Diocesan Report on Schools, we are one of only 3 elementary schools in the Diocese of Santa Rosa whose enrollment is up. I attribute this exciting statistic to our dedicated Pastor, staff and of course, our families. It is through your enthusiastic word that many of our new families join us. Sharing your experiences and bearing witness to our dynamic, faith-based educational program is far more effective than a print ad. People trust the word of friends and family. Please continue to invite your friends and families to explore St. John for their children. At this time, openings remain in Kindergarten through 6th grade. 8th grade is on a wait-list and 7th grade applicants will be considered only in special circumstances.
Smoking Cat Café Update: I want to follow-up on our on-going dialog with the owners of the Smoking Cat Café, Mr. Michael Mendez and Ms. Jackie Hammond. They seem to be attempting to better understand their neighborhood and have withdrawn their Wine and Beer license application and have reduced their hours to prevent evening activity. They still plan to pursue outdoor dining, but maintain they will post and enforce a no-smoking policy. The idea of “hookah” smoking has been completely eliminated from their business plan. I believe our consistent message has been heard and they understand that St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and School will support a deli and/or coffeehouse.
Stay posted as we swim to the finish line of the 07/08 school year. We are a vibrant community, educating our children in a “whole-child” approach. Academics, Athletics, Spirituality are among the highlights of this month.
Let us always; act with justice, love tenderly, serve one another and walk humbly with God.
In Peace, Nancy Jordan, Principal
Gael's Gazette, April 16, 2008
We are Teachers, just like Jesus
When I was about 10 years old, someone gave me a book of Parables. At the moment I opened that book, I became completely enchanted with the image of “Jesus as Teacher”. People gathered at his feet to listen, to learn, to hear something that would feed them. At that moment I realized the connection between Jesus and my classroom teacher who shared the ability to hold the attention and fill the minds and hearts of a crowd. I realized the connection between Jesus and my mother, who faithfully read me stories every night before bed. I realized the connection between Jesus and me, who meticulously lined up all easily located dolls for random lessons I taught during make-believe school. There was something so very real about this image of Jesus that brought me closer to God. I immediately immersed myself into these engaging, metaphoric stories called Parables that were so readily applicable to so many daily situations. And to this day, they continue to grow my spirituality.
This past Sunday, the Gospel reading was a Parable of “Jesus as Shepherd” (Jn 10:1-10). Jesus, like us, our teachers, mothers and fathers knows each and every child in his sight. Jesus is like the shepherd who knows each and every sheep in his flock. We mirror this, in our daily life, in so many ways. Our children are blessed with the gifts and guidance of so many. I share with you several recent contributions of our school family and know that their actions are examples of “Jesus as Teacher”:
· Welcome Back Alleluia: On Easter Sunday, we celebrated our movement into the Liturgical season of Easter. With the resurrection, we brought back the Alleluia. On a walk through the hallway, you’ll find our “Alleluia” banners have been raised from the basement where we “buried” them on Ash Wednesday to their celebratory positions hanging from the ceiling. I thank the Faith Formation Team which consists of St. John teachers and parents for organizing this now-tradition.
· Justin-Siena Speech Contest: Our dynamic 7th grade teacher, Mrs. Picard, led 23 of our 7th and 8th grade students into a winning performance during the 4/9, Justin-Siena Speech Contest. Of 18 possible awards, St. John the Baptist Catholic School took home 11 wins!!! In addition, we were incredibly proud of how our students carried themselves and represented our blessed school community. They were respectful, creative and positively contributed to the afternoon. Thank you to Mrs. Picard and our participating students. Go Gaels! |
