eGazette - December 17, 2008

Christmas Eve Mass - 5:00pm

We invite all children to take part in our Christmas Eve presentation, "The Christmas Story". After the homily, the children will come forward to the sanctuary and sit at the feet of Grandpa Ed to help him tell the story of the birth of Jesus. We look forward to seeing you all there.

Merry Christmas!

St. John the Baptist Catholic School presents our annual Advent Program

"What is Christmas All About?"

Thursday, December 18, 2008 - 6:30pm
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

Please Join Us!

- - - Note to students and parents: Students must be in their classroom no later than 6:20PM. The school doors will be unlocked at 6:10PM. - - -

A Precious Christmas Gift: Our Children

You may have noticed that we've made several changes to our Morning Assembly this year. Our Morning Assembly is considered part of our instructional day and as such, we strive to make it a meaningful experience for our students. New this year is greater involvement of each classroom, Kindergarten through grade 8, not only to sing, but to share prayer intentions and sometimes poems and readings with our school community.

Recently, our 2nd graders treasured their opportunity to share their faith, and as a special Christmas gift to us all, Mrs. Ford and I pass along their prayer intentions. - Note that I didn't offer any edits ; )

For the people that are houseless

For the animals in danger

For the polple in the hostbittel that they get better soon we pray

For the people hwo lost there lives that they ejoy there time with God

For people who has riped close and scraps

For Brok Obama that he chusis his choeis wisle

For the teachers that they guide us to good echuicayion

For the people how have come bac frme the war

For Father gorden and Father Frinsiscow

For the people who are poor and sick that they connect with God

For these and all the needs in the hearts of our precious families, we pray! Enjoy a peaceful Christmas and treasure the many blessings we enjoy: our children, our families, our parish and school community.

In Peace,

Nancy Jordan
Principal

At this time, we would like to thank the many families of our school and parish that shared their Sunday morning with us at Breakfast with St. Nick; we had a record turn out and hope that you had as much fun as we did!

It takes a few months to prepare for this fun-filled morning and we are so grateful to our many committee volunteers (some of you faithfully from day one, some new to the school): Jami Bement, Tony Klein, Rita & Gary Madison, Jesse & Carl Binz, Joyce & Rob McGinnis, Sean Warner, Ken & Nubia Kunst, Kitty Helfrich, Suzanne Gibbs, Shelly Saucedo, Melanie Oberting, Lucy Quinonez, Debbie Garcia, Karen Gatton, and Marisa Bartolotti.

Not to be forgotten, our wonderful group of student helpers, especially the stand-outs: Justin McClure, David Laird and Caroline Johnson.

Our Bake/Craft Sale was a success, and we appreciate the many donations, especially from Laurie Daw, Donna White and Marion Hansen-Jerrard.

Lastly, an enormous ho-ho-ho to Don Shindle for arriving on his sleigh for us at the final hour! This event wouldn't have been as successful without each and every one of you; hopefully we haven't forgotten a single, holly-jolly soul!

Looking for that perfect stocking stuffer or last minute quick gift? Here's your chance to grab it AND raise some money for the school at the same time. See's Candy! We are selling the last of our See's Candy treats ($5.00 each) after school, so look for our table at student pick-up!

This year, in lieu of Family Club's traditional holiday gifts to our teachers, we decided to support their class effort in reaching out to those less fortunate than us in our community, by supplying each class with a Target gift card to put towards their "Love Tree" shopping spree.

Friday was our last Family Club meeting for 2008 with every seat filled! As one 1st-time parent profoundly said it, "I have learned more about what goes on at the school at this meeting than I have the whole time we've been here." So, if you ever find yourself wondering about school activities, if you have a thought or suggestion, or you would just like to share some coffee and conversation (and often some morning treats!) with other school parents, come to a F.C. meeting. We will meet again in 2009 on January 7th at 8:30 a.m., so please join us!

With "Breakfast with St. Nick" behind us, it's time ease back and celebrate this beautiful holiday with our family and friends. On behalf of the Family Club Board, we wish everyone a wonderful Christmas and a safe and happy New Year! See you in 2009!

The Family Club Board

Thank you Renay Williamson and Jami Bement and the entire Family Club for all your time and efforts on our wonderful Breakfast with St. Nick. It was a tremendous success.

The Faculty, Staff & Students at St. John the Baptist Catholic School

Thursday, December 18 - Advent Program - 6:30pm

Friday, December 19 - Free Dress Day - 12:30 Dismissal - No Extended Care

Monday, January 5 - School begins again after Christmas Break.

By the time you read this, St John the Baptist Catholic School will have offered its first full month of California Standards Based Art Instruction Classes for one hour for each grade (K-6). Hopefully, your child filled you in on the concept of "Line." If they haven't, ask them to tell you what a line is.

We have volunteers for almost every class. If your room coordinator contacts you, it's because we still need parent helpers in your grade level. The lessons begin again our first week back after the Christmas break. The 6th, 5th, and 4th grades are meeting on January 7, then Kindergarten meets on January 9. 3rd, 2nd, and 1st grades will meet on January 21. I am the contact person for all volunteers, please drop me a quick e-mail (suzgibbs@aol.com) if you plan to attend. Remember, Parents that work in the classrooms and have contact with students must pass the school's security clearance - please contact Stephanie Saunders for more information on this important safeguard for our children. I will not be checking your status, please be responsible parents, thank you.

The room recently added scissors, glue bottles, glue sticks and colored pencils to the available supplies - if you see Kitty Helfrich, please thank her for her generous support of this program.

Once again, thank you so much for allowing me to pass on what I know (Art) to your wonderful children.

Have a Merry Christmas and Peaceful New Year.

Suzanne Gibbs

We will be starting a new Christmas Family Prayer for all Families who attend St. John the Baptist Catholic Parish. Please bring in an unbreakable ornament RED, SILVER, or GOLD with your family name on it to hang on our Christmas Trees. We will include your family in our prayers of the faithful through Christmas Masses. Trees will be available after December 16

We have not yet received the formal announcement for the North Bay Catholic School League 2009 Track & Field Day, but expect it will be Sunday, May 17 at Cardinal Newman High School in Santa Rosa. The Track and Field Day will be open to K-8th Grade students, and we would like to include the Team in the 2008-2009 St. John's Yearbook. In order to do this, we will need all interested Track & Field participants to come for team photos on a day to be determined in January. Please watch the Gazette for the photo date. In the mean time, mark your calendars for the May 17th event. If you are interested in helping with Track & Field, please contact Paula Vlaming at 363-1046 or paula@focus501.com.

The students of St. John the Baptist Catholic School would like to thank Mr. Brian Daw for fixing both tetherball poles for set-up.

See attached.
2009_Gala.pdf

Don't forget to "Feed the Bear!!!" 1000 box tops per grade remains our goal! Keep sending in those box tops and Campbell's soup labels.

A friendly reminder, please be mindful of the expiration dates on the box tops. Any box tops turned in without or beyond the listed expiration date cannot be submitted. UPC codes on the soup labels must be intact.

Thank you again for your support of the Box Top program.

Award Winning Discovery Toys For Your Children

Discovery Toys Educational Consultant Julie Mitchell has partnered with St. John's Catholic School to provide award winning toys, books and games for your children. A 10% donation will be made to the school for each order placed with Julie Mitchell.

View the online catalog at www.verysmarttoys.com and make a list of the toys, books and games you would like to purchase.

Call Julie to place your order at 707-644-5465. Make sure to let her know it is for St. John's Catholic School.

Toys will be ordered and will arrive to your door via insured UPS Ground within 3-5 business days.

Please call Julie with any questions.

See attached.
Dr._John_Collins_-_letter_to_parents.pdf