eGazette - January 14, 2009

January 2009 Calendar - See Attached.

January_2009_calendar.pdf

Dear St. John the Baptist Catholic School Families,

We warmly welcome you back after Christmas and hope that you enjoyed valuable time with your cherished children. We enter into 2009 with sincere thanksgiving for a faith-filled, mission-focused community. Together we pray for a blessed New Year of mutual growth in the love of Christ and family with special prayers for peace.

As we start the New Year, we wish to update you on our Facilities Campaign. In the midst of this cold, winter season, we have benefited from our necessary and significant facilities improvement project which provided energy-efficient, hygienic flooring and heating system. To date, we have achieved $275,000.00 of our $400,000.00 goal. Parishioners, Religious Education families, community partners, and alumni have all actively answered our call for involvement.

To date, only 40 current school families have contributed, equating to approximately 23% of our current school families. To those who' ve contributed, we sincerely thank you. Your contribution has made a difference.

In consultation with our School Council, we believe it to be reasonable to expect 100% Facilities Campaign participation from our current school families. However, we have never asked for nor assessed a specific amount. We ask only that there is ownership by all our school families. If everyone contributed to the best of their ability, our Facilities Campaign will be resolved.

Of course, we know these times present challenges. As your school and parish administrators, we are also challenged to responsibly support and sustain our treasured and historic school and faith home. Our partnership is critical.

There are many ways to contribute. If you would like to make a monthly, semi-annual or annual pledge via credit card or Electronic Fund Transfer from checking or savings, we have a form available on line at our website or you may make a check payable to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church - note: school facility. We have also included the donation form in this E-Gazette. All donations are tax deductible.

Thank you for your on-going dedication to the mission of our wonderful school.

In Peace,

Nancy Jordan, Principal
St. John the Baptist Catholic School

Fr. Gordon Kalil, Pastor
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

Donation_Form_for_E-Letter.pdf

Welcome National Catholic Schools Week 2009!
January 25 - January 31

Did you know that our children are among the 2,270,913. that attend Catholic schools in the United States? That's 7,378 schools and 160,175 teachers! January 25 through January 31 marks National Catholic Schools Week. National Catholic Schools Week is a joint project of the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA)* and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Catholic Schools Week celebrates the high standards of excellence and the quality of the education available to all students in Catholic elementary and secondary schools across the U.S. Catholic Schools Week is an annual national celebration of the important role that Catholic elementary and secondary schools across the country play in providing a values-added education for America's young people. Catholic schools are proud of their educational network that emphasizes intellectual, spiritual, moral, physical, and social values in their students.

This year's theme is "Celebrate Service" which emphasizes the duty and delight of giving back. Catholicism has a long and rich tradition of direct service to those in need, as well as social justice efforts to end social ills like racism and homelessness. Catholic schools incorporate service projects into the curriculum, teaching students the value of helping others as an expression of faith and good citizenship. "Civic engagement is a hallmark of Catholic education," said Karen Ristau, president of NCEA. "The majority of elementary and secondary schools participate in service projects ranging from collecting canned goods for the homeless to rebuilding schools in the hurricane-torn gulf, so it was natural that we choose service as a major theme." Catholic Schools Week themes have emphasized what makes a high-quality, values-driven Catholic education stand out among the school choices available to students and their families.

*NCEA, founded in 1904, is a professional membership organization that provides leadership, direction and service to fulfill the evangelizing, catechizing and teaching mission of the church. NCEA members include elementary schools, high schools, parish religious education programs and seminaries.

Click out this link to see exactly how St. John the Baptist Catholic school is celebrating Catholic Schools Week!

In Peace,

Nancy Jordan
Principal

CATHOLIC_SCHOOLS\'_WEEK_2009_SCHEDULE_OF_EVENTS.pdf

Join your friends and school community for an evening of fun, January 26th, at the annual Super Bowl-CRAB FEED!! Laurie Daw has been busy planning, and Family Club is helping fill the dessert tables for the auction. The Room Coordinators will be asking for donations for this task, so please help if you can. This evening is sure to be a blast with the addition of the table decorating contest for those who want to participate - can't wait to see what everyone comes up with!

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and Family Club is teaming with Student Council to bring back Candy-Grams... You will have the opportunity to send your child, another student, or staff member a special treat on Friday, February 13th. Stay tuned for more details to come via a flyer in the next Wednesday envelope.
Mark your calendars...Get ready for PIZZA!

Filippi's Dine & Donate will be on Tuesday, Februrary 24th. A flyer will be included in the next Wednesday envelope - let's see if we can top the success of our Fall event, it was one of their best ever!

Due to scheduling conflicts Family Club will not have a February meeting. We will meet again on Friday, March 6th at 8:30 in the art room.

January was a busy month for welcoming new families; we are thrilled you have joined the St. John community and invite you to join us for a morning of coffee and chit-chat!

The Family Club

Saturday, January 24, 2009
6:00pm in St. John the Baptist Family Parish Hall
21 years old and over only

Menu: All you can eat fresh crab and tri-tip steak - no host bar. Dessert auction table - wrap up your meal by bidding on the most spectacular dessert for your table!

Music & Dancing

Superbowl Pool - $50 per square

Tickets are $45.00 each or you may reserve a table for 10 for $450.00.

See flyer in your Wednesday Envelope or the flyer attached.

crab_feed_flyer2009.pdf

To celebrate Catholic School Week, the 6th grade class will be preparing a baked potato lunch. Lunch will include a baked potato with toppings, salad, cookie and a drink.

All students are encouraged to invite their families, including grandparents, to join them for lunch.

The price for each lunch is $5.00

A SPUDS WITH BUDS LUNCH ORDER FORM IS INCLUDED IN EACH FAMILIES WEDNESDAY ENVELOPE OR SEE ORDER FORM ATTACHED.

SPUDS_WITH_BUDS.pdf

Oil Pasel Art Camp

Please join us Wednesday, January 28 from 12:45 to 2:30 as we continue our series of the different techniques and mediums used in art. Oil pastels allow for rich and very colorful art work. Students will learn basic drawing and shadowing techniques with the added benefit of blending.

Class cost is $20.

Grades 1 - 8 welcome.

Please contact Sandra Moore at sandrapaints@comcast.net 258-9258 or Susie Lee at susie@europebyexperts.com 265-8951 to register.

Dear St. John the Baptist Catholic School Families,

Think about how you joined our family. Was it an ad? Was it a flyer? Was it a recommendation from a friend or family member? What we're learning is that "word of mouth" is the BEST source of new student referrals. People trust their friends!

We are heading into the registration season and are looking to fill our Kindergarten for 09/10! There are also limited openings in several other grades. I've attached our Open House invitation. Please forward this flyer to your friends, family and any others you'd like to join us in our incredible school! Add your own note! Your recommendation is invaluable!

I also invite you to print the invitation and post it in the community - pre-schools, dance studios, gyms, etc. Be creative!

Thank you for your on-going dedication.

In Peace,

Nancy Jordan
Principal

Open_House.pdf

Dear St. John Families:

The Gala is just four months away and NOW is when we need your HELP!

How can you help? Well, do you yourself, a family member, friend or even neighbor have a special talent? Do you know someone who could donate two to four hours of his or her expertise? Someone who could cook a gourmet meal for eight people? Someone who owns a cottage or condo who could donate a couple of nights stay? Someone who has a connection for great seats for Sports Events, Opera House, Theatre? Do you have a special Restaurant you frequent or favorite hotel/resort that you stay at when you're away from home? How about someone that owns a boat or a plane that would be willing to provide an afternoon of entertainment.

The possibilities are endless!

Here are some ideas for great Auction Items. Don't limit yourself these are only suggestions to inspire you. Think BIG...we need great stuff for the Live Auction as well as the Silent!

Auction Item Suggestions

EVENTS
Theatre tickets, Concerts, Movie Packages, Dinner Theatre, Sporting Events, etc.

MUSIC
Instruments, music or dance lessons, sheet music, concert tickets, dance accessories, etc.

ART
Paintings, classes, weavings, pottery, photographs, framing, etc.

JEWELRY
Jewelry from your local jeweler, handcrafted jewelry; necklaces, earrings, bracelets, watches, etc.

LITERATURE
Books, lectures, Signed books or plays, writing instruments, handmade stationery, journals, bookends, etc.

TRAVEL
Ski packages, condo packages, hotel and restaurant packages, golf packages,airline tickets, and boat or train theatre events, etc.

If you are a new parent, new to the Gala committee, and are still not sure about what to request, check with me to browse through an old Auction Program.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me via the office at 224-8388 ext 0, or via email at anegueloua@aol.com. For Donation Form click below.

Thank you!


Elise Negueloua
Gala Chair

2009_Donation_Form.pdf

Back by Popular Demand! - The Wine Closet Drawing!

In celebration of St. John the Baptist Catholic School's 97 year history we are once again hosting a drawing for 97 bottles of wine!

The winning ticket will be drawn at our gala, One Heart at a Time, on Saturday, April 25, 2009

Please help make our Wine Closet Drawing a success by donating your favorite wine(s).

These wines will be combined to make up our spectacular... WINE CLOSET DRAWING

Wine may be dropped off through March 31st at the school office. Please leave your name when you drop of your wine(s)so we may properly acknowledge your donation. Stay tuned for details about upcoming Wine Closet Ticket Sales!

Thank You!

Spanish instruction is now underway for grades 1 through 6. Parents, please check the homework pages on our website for the Spanish vocabulary words for January. Spanish vocabulary words will be posted each month. Please practice these words at home with your child.

Thank you.

Senora Kalten

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Year. We just wanted to thank you all for the tremendous support we have received for the Box Top program here at St. John the Baptist Catholic School. 900 box tops were submitted for the months of November and December for a grand total of $90.00!!! This is in addition to the $470.00 that has already been collected for the first three months of the school year. GREAT JOB!!!

The Box Top program continues to rely upon you all for continued success in working toward our goal of 1000 box tops per grade! Click on the links included here to see the current featured products and promotions that can earn extra $$$ and points for our school.

www.boxtops4education.com

Our Box Top Bears are coming out of hibernation and are hungry!!! Please help "Feed the Bears" and send in your box tops and Campbells soup labels!

Lee Tatsuguchi
Rebecca Griffin

We still have St. John the Baptist Catholic School decals for your car available in the school office. The cost per decal is $5.00

We are looking for someone who is willing to sell scrip in the Narthex after each Sunday 12:00pm Spanish Mass. If interested, please contact Jenny Giaquinto in the school office 224-8388 x 0 or jgiaquinto@stjohnscatholic.org. Parent participation hours available.

Pearl
Rockzilla
PB&J's
Peking Palace
Blockbuster Video
Compadres
Frida's Mexican Grill
The Little Gourmet
La Taquiza Fish Tacos
Red Hen Cantina
Lucky
Genova Delicatessen
Fazerrati's Pizza Restaurant
Rancho Grande Mexican & Seafood Restaurant
Piccolino's Italian Cafe
Don Perico Mexican Restaurant
La Rouge - Whitney Jaeger
Coldstone Creamery
Copperfields Books
Costco
The Gymnastics Zone
Round Table Pizza
In'N'out Burger
Buckhorn Grill
Villa Corona
Walmart
Papa Murphy's
La Prima Pizza

See flyer attached.
Life_is_a_Choice_WFL_Flier.pdf