eGazette - May 27, 2009

JUNE 2009 CALENDAR

See attached.
JUNE_2009_CALENDAR.pdf

"Now is the Time"

Dear St. John the Baptist School families,

It's hard to imagine we're speeding toward the close of another year. The 08/09 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. Programmatically, we enjoyed many enhancements in the 08/09 school year:

- Facility improvements that supported greater safety, security, energy-efficiency and beautification of our campus: We began the school year with a radiant floor heating system, double-paned, windows for grades 2,3,7 and 8, ceiling fans, sensor lights and beautiful and improved landscaping.

- Comprehensive upgrade of our Computer infrastructure: We replaced all workstations in our Computer Lab, deployed and updated the current Lab computers to staff, updated our security supports, transitioned all computers to the Vista operating system, purchased a new Server and re-wired the network.

- Adoption of a new Religion Textbook series: These greatly needed textbooks were adopted and implemented at all grade levels. We dedicated time as a staff to analysis our diocesan Religion "scope and sequence".

- Continued focus on Language Arts as we further developed our "Six Traits of Writing", school--wide writing program: We accessed our private school allotment of "No Child Left Behind" funds to expand our knowledge base in this critical area.

- Curriculum Analysis of our Mathematics Program: The staff spent the year in a guided analysis of our Mathematics program including the standards, curriculum, instruction, pacing and mapping.

- Development of the "Friendship Club", a school-wide, Peer Conflict Resolution/Anti-Bullying program: The lunchtime, "Friendship Club", facilitated by Ms. DiMarco, was a tremendous successful in proactively and reactively teaching positive, Christian social skills.

- Continued advancement of our Technology Curriculum: Our pilot participation in the "School Technology Program", a partnership with Boston University and the University of Richmond, continued in 08/09 with new curriculum and an added course in "Cyber-ethics".

- Our Parish Sesquicentennial celebration: We commemorated the 150 year presence of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in the Napa Valley through many varied activities and the launch of our Capital Campaign to develop and support our parish and school.

- Continued development of our school-wide Learning Garden

- Development of our Art Studio and the implementation of the standards-based art program, "Arts Attack": The former religious adult education room across from the Computer lab was transformed into a top-of-the line artist studio by many talented, creative and dedicated parents. Mrs. Gibbs facilitated the "Arts Attack" program which introduced our students to various art forms, artists and materials.

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 09/10 school year staffing:

Principal: Nancy Jordan
Principal's Assistant: Stephanie Saunders
School Secretary: Jennifer Giaquinto
Kindergarten: Mrs. Carole McClintick
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. Betsy Kiernan
7th Grade Homeroom, 7th/8th Grade Language Arts and Social Studies, Resource Support: Mrs. Julie Picard
8th Grade Homeroom, 7th /8th Grade Math, Science and Spanish: Mr. Milton Gallegos
7/8 Math Part time position: Open
Physical Education, 7th/8th Grade Religion: Ms. Michele DiMarco
Music: Mr. Tony Carlin
Extended Care: Mrs. Eileen Dehzad, Mrs. Suzanne Gibbs & Mrs. Nubia Kunst
Library: Mrs. Rozann Evans
Art: Mrs. Suzanne Gibbs
Instructional Assistant K/1: Mrs. Paulette Boyce
Instructional Assistant: Mrs. Katie Batt
Computer Lab/Science Lab: Mrs. Kristen Stiver
Bookkeeper: New Level Group (outsourced)
Bookkeeping Assistant: Denise Sylvester
*We are evaluating our K-6th grade Spanish program. Details to follow*

As the new year comes, so do changes. We offer a bittersweet good-bye to Mrs. Linda Woolworth and Mrs. Shelly Saucedo. Mrs. Woolworth and her wonderful husband, "Wooly", our electrician-in-residence, are heading to Calaveras County to live near family. Mrs. Wooly is a dedicated and incredibly faith-filled teacher who has touched the hearts and minds of hundreds. I tremble to think of the Advent program without her talents! We are saddened by her departure but know she will take us with her in prayer.

Mrs. Shelly Saucedo and family will be moving to Maine shortly after the birth of baby #3. We will miss Mrs. Saucedo's generous spirit and flexibility. In addition to assisting, covering and substituting across all grade levels, Mrs. Saucedo's work with our parish religious education program is so greatly appreciated. Best wishes to the Saucedo family of 5!

Two of our classrooms will receive new teachers in 09/10. However, neither are new to St. John the Baptist Catholic School. Mrs. Kiernan is moving from Kindergarten to 6th grade. Mrs. McClintick is moving from Jr. High to Kindergarten. Please read the link attaached for bios on both of these highly-qualified teachers.

Let us celebrate in the many gifts we have been given - in our students, our staff, our parents, in each-other.

Now is the Time!

In Peace,
Nancy Jordan, Principal
Staff_bios_Kiernan_McClintick.pdf

Thank you to Anette Yazidi, Donna White, and Gina Laird for helping us with a very special, and much deserved, "Teacher Appreciation Week" luncheon.

Don't forget! Join the Family Club on Tuesday, June 2nd for our last meeting. To share our appreciation with the many volunteers who have supported us throughout the school year, the Bean Machine will be joining us at morning assembly!

If that's not enough... The Family Club Board and the Boxtop Team would like to invite all students and their families to join us for a BBQ lunch on Monday, June 8th at 11:30... Yes, this means - you don't have to pack lunches on this day! A thank you to Rebecca Griffin and Lee Tatsuguchi for planning this fun event, and to the many families that supported the Boxtop and Campbell's programs this year!

See flyer attached.
FIELD_DAY_FLYER.pdf

St. John the Baptist Catholic School is pleased to announce the names of our new School Council members.

Thank you and congratulations to Kellie Prittie and Kyle Schuh. Kellie and Kyle are active parents and parishioners of St. John. They will serve on the board for a 3 year term and will join our current school elected members; Katie Batt, Maureen Bose, Lisa Paul, Felicia Rundquist, and Bob Zeller along with our Parish appointed members; Jake Arcanin, and Howard and Phyllis Haupt. Thank you to our outgoing members; Mike Bolen and Dick Longergan for their dedication and service over the past several years. Questions and/or comments with regard to School Council elections may be directed to Katie Batt at ktbatt@yahoo.com.

Thank you to all students and families who participated in Track & Field Day. It was HOT, but we had students from every grade, run, jump and throw their way through the day.

Participants were:
Emily B., Diego K., Sam W., George B., Jean-Pierre N., Ryan P., Juliana K., Gianna T., Mia V., Carlo B., Max B, Deven B., Emilio K., Zachary K., Christian R., Pria B., Erin M., Maggie S., Madison S., Alex P., Robert B., Lori K., Ky K., Charlie R., Claudine B., Rachel B., Lily S., Caroline S., Kathleen S., Clark W., Ellen S., Joseph O., Marisa B., Meredith M ., Liliana R., Aly S., Peter H., Justin M., Sam O., Jack W., Manet Y., Tyne H., Sarah B., Miranda S., Liam V.

We extend an enormous thank you to the many parents who endured the heat to chaperone students to each event and run the softball throw throughout the entire day. We look forward to Track & Field Day 2010 - which will be at Justin-Siena High School next May. When the date is finalized, it will be announced in the Gazette. In the meantime, keep running, walking and staying fit for the 2009-2010 track and field program! For summer Fun Runs (and more) visit Active.com and put in your zip code to learn more about local races.

RUN FOR FUN - ST. JOHN RELAY RACES THIS FRIDAY

All interested St. John students are invited to participate in relay races this Friday, May 29 at Silverado Middle School from 3:30-4:30. The 400m Track & Field Day Relay Races were popular with all grades, so we are inviting all interested students to participate in 400m student relay teams after school on Friday. (Four-person teams will run 100 meters each to complete a 400m relay.) Carpooling is encouraged, so invite some classmates, bring a water bottle and meet at the Silverado Middle School track located at 1133 Coombsville Road for an hour of spring relays. For more information, contact Paula Vlaming 707.363.1046, or Paula@focus501.com.

On behalf of the board of athletic directors, I would like to express our sincerest gratitude to everyone who made last Sunday's NB CSL Track & Field Day at Cardinal Newman High School a great success despite the intolerable weather!

THANK YOU to every parent who volunteered to work an event, and showed up!

THANK YOU to the parents who provided pop-up tents and refreshments for their teams.

THANK YOU to the hundreds of families who came out to support all the kids.

THANK YOU to all the volunteer coaches who came out and got your teams ready for this big day.

The Track & Field Day is the largest event the North Bay Catholic Schools Athletic League puts on, and with over 600 kids participating on this one day, it takes an army of committed volunteers to make it happen. Those 600+ kids took home over 3500 ribbons!

A special thank you goes out to our fabulous Meet Director, Paul Griffin from Napa, who worked from start to finish directing all the running events.

Thank you to these schools whose volunteers worked the following events:

Long Jump & Standing Broad Jump - St. Eugene's Santa Rosa
Softball Toss - St. John, Napa and St. John, Healdsburg
Shot-put - St. Apollinaris, Napa
All Running Events, Start & Finish lines - St. Rose Santa Rosa, St. Apollinaris Napa, Blue Oak Napa and St. Francis Sonoma
Admission Gates, Information-First Aid Station, Announcer, Snack Bar & Clean-up crew - St. Rose, Santa Rosa

KC. Paul
President, NB CSL

The St. John the Baptist Catholic School Garden needs to be adopted this summer.

- Tend the 2nd grade Butterfly Garden
- Water fall pumpkins and sunflowers
- Nurture the veggies, grown for The Table

Twice a week is all we ask. Please email Mrs. Berube with your availability. Thank you. sberube@stjohnscatholic.org

..."What can a simple Dixie cup teach us about the Holy Spirit and Pentecost? Come to Generations of Faith on Sunday, May 31 and find out. We look forward to seeing you. Food will be provided."

Dennis Uniform Company in Oakland, California is having an EARLY BIRD SALE June 10 through July 10. See flyer attached.

June_Sale_Flyer_-_Dennis_Uniform_Co..pdf

Faith in the Valley
Celebrating 150 Years
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

This book filled with historical pictures and information is on sale now in the school office. Cost $20.

Justin-Siena High School is looking for families to host International students for the 2009-2010 school year. Students come from all over the world to attend classes at the school and stay for one semester or an entire academic year. Hosting is easy and often a life-changing and enriching experience for both the student s and the family. The students don't need much beyond a loving family environment and a place to sleep. Host commitments are needed by May 20th, and international students arrive in mid-August.

For additional information about the program or if you think you might be interested in having an international student stay in your home, please contact Madame Bouldt as soon as possible at 255-0950 ext. 551, or email her at Bouldta@Justin-Siena.org. There is a very generous monthly stipend available for families who host students.

©St Johns the Baptist Catholic School - 983 Napa St. Napa, CA 94559
(707) 224-8388 - www.stjohnscatholic.org
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