eGazette - September 23, 2009

October 2009 School Calendar

OCTOBER_2009_CALENDAR.pdf

Dear St. John the Baptist Catholic School families:

Beginning this week, through October 2, students in grades 2 through 8 will be taking the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS), a standardized measure of academic achievement. You may have read the abundant media coverage on the use of standardized tests in public schools, often referred to as "high stakes testing". In the public system, this type of testing is used as measurement of academic achievement, as well as for accountability and funding.

In the Diocese of Santa Rosa (DSR), standardized testing is used for programmatic evaluation. Through year-to-year analysis of ITBS results, we evaluate curriculum delivery and alignment. The intended outcome is improved service delivery to ensure our students are optimally prepared as they progress through their educational careers.

You can assist your child next week by the following:

- Make sure your child gets a good night sleep prior to and during the assessment days.

- Make sure your child eats a balanced breakfast and protein-based snack for recess that will keep a long-term balanced blood sugar level.

- Try to maintain a consistent daily routine for your child throughout the days of assessment.

- Remind your child that the assessment may be a little difficult and he/she is not expected to know all the answers.

Again, encourage your child to do his/her best, but assure your child this is simply another task to do at school, something that happens every year. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. Your child's results will be shared with you during parent/teacher conferences during the week of November 2.

In Peace,
Nancy Jordan
Principal

Family Club hosted its first meeting of the school year on September 11. We extend an enthusiastic "Thank you" to each and every Classroom Coordinator, Committee and Event Chairperson, Mrs. Jordan, and Family Club Member (aka Parent) who attended! With a last-minute change of venue, we were filled to capacity and beyond! All shared coffee, treats, and LOTS of information. If you were not able to make it to the meeting, take a peek at the FC meeting minutes, diligently brought to you after every meeting by Family Club Secretary, Peta Shindle. Minutes are posted on the bulletin board and available to read online in the FC section of the school website. (From the Home page, click on School Life, then go to FC Meeting Minutes.)

IMPORTANT SCHEDULE CHANGE: The date for the next Family Club meeting has been moved to TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13th. On the originally- scheduled October 6 date, our Co-presidents will now be accompanying the 6th Grade class in the great outdoors at Walker Creek Ranch, and many of the rest of you will be busy preparing for the Jog-A-Thon. We hope to see you all on Tuesday, October 13 @ 8:30 am, location TBA.

While you have your calendars out, those of you who signed up to help with Breakfast with St. Nick, we will have the first meeting Friday, October 2 @ 8:30a.m. - in the school library. Didn't sign up for this event, or still looking for a place to volunteer? Join the committee, and help us prepare for this fun-filled event!

Although, it still feels like summer, the "Holiday Wishes" Catalog fundraiser orders were due yesterday! We will pick up the final order forms on Friday, so you still have time to get those last minute orders turned in!

FC hosted the first Teacher/Staff Luncheon last Wednesday, and we offer much thanks to Gina Laird, Peta Shindle, and Claudia Kalten for helping us to nurture and sustain our teachers and staff prior to their staff meeting.

Dine and Donate... Mark your calendars for an evening (or lunch-date) at Filippi’s on Tuesday, October 27th. A flyer will be coming home soon, which must be presented in order for us to receive the percentage.

Be on the lookout for messages from your Classroom Coordinators. They are looking for creative parents who want to help their students prepare for the literary "Pumpkin Head" competition! This event is one example of how our wonderful librarian, Mrs. Evans, helps to bring literature alive for our students. Feeling creative yourself? This year, we will be accepting entries from teachers and family members; one lucky winner will receive a logo tote bag!

Last Wednesday, St. John the Baptist School families, teachers, and staff displayed a true sense of community with an outpouring of generosity, concern, and prayers for Adi Gonzalez and her family. In addition to so many who supported the lunch and made extra donations, Sean Warner made a special appearance as grill chef for the day. Mrs. Kiernan and her 6th graders did a great job serving, with indispensable assistance from our St. John's teachers, and parents Claudia Kalten, Marisa Bartalotti, Jennifer Warner, and Rebecca Griffin. We are so grateful to Brown's Valley Market for generously donating all of the hot dogs, buns, and apples for Adi's fundraiser lunch. Many of us already love Brown's Valley Market, but if you haven't shopped there before, this is now one more reason to support a local business.

Hope to see you at the meeting on October 13th!

The 2009 "Footloose" Jog-A-Thon is now in full swing!

Thank you Mrs. Jordan and our talented School Council for radically entertaining and rockin' us at Friday afternoon's Kick-Off Rally. Thanks Mr. McClure for your awesome drumming and helping us keep the dance beat. Congratulations Ryley D (8th grade), who's totally fabulous shirt design was unveiled on a one-of-a-kind T-shirt.

Students: it is time to get out there and begin collecting those pledges using the white Pledge Envelope you received on Friday. The incredibly cool Jog-A-Thon Prize list will be posted soon on the Jog-A-Thon board in the school's main hall - keep your eyes peeled!

Oh, and volunteers are needed for the day of the event at Justin-Siena. Please contact HeatherAltamuraDumas@gmail.com if you are able to help on Thursday, October 8.

Let's get FOOTLOOSE!

The 2009 radically hip Jog-A-Thon Committee

Basketball Conditioning Practice begins for Boys this Thursday!

Just a reminder that conditioning practice begins this Thursday, September 25 in the Parish hall from 3:15-4:30pm for our boy student athletes. Our girl student athletes will continue to have their conditioning workouts on Fridays from 3:15-4:30pm.

Conditioning is a supplement to the other practices that St. John's coaches will require their players to participate in. Conditioning is a way in which we can prepare our athletes better for their seasons, so we look forward to seeing your player there. If your student is not signed up to play CSL Basketball or Volleyball, perhaps they are playing AAU or CYO we still encourage ALL of our student athletes to join us once a week to develop their stamina, strength and confidence to enhance their ability to perform better in their sport endeavors as well as increasing their fitness and confidence in themselves.

Conditioning is for grades 5-8th.
Boys: Thursdays 3:15-4:30pm Parish Hall
Girls:Fridays 3:15-4:30pm Parish Hall

Questions? Contact Ali Shull at 812-0011 or at alishull@gmail.com

We will be having the Blessing of the Animals in honor of St. Francis of Assisi on Thursday, October 1 at 3:15pm by the Respect Life fountain. ALL ANIMALS ARE WELCOME!

Please do not block the rectory driveway on Caymus Street during afternoon pick-up. Also, the City of Napa has asked that we do not block Caymus Street during afternoon pickup. If you are waiting to enter to park, please do not block through traffic. Thank you for your help in this matter.

You are invited to participate in an exciting new inspirational ministry here at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church from Lighthouse Catholic Media. Lighthouse Catholic Media has distributed over 17 million Catholic audio recordings over the last 30 years.

A beautiful wooden kiosk that holds 9 different CDs is set up in the Narthex. The CDs feature various topics of Catholic life to help build up your faith in God and give you inspiration. You will hear the best speakers in the world, people such as Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Dr. Scott Hahn, and Matthew Kelly cover such topics like: The Healing Power of Confession, 15 Things To Do in the Midst of Suffering, Anger and Forgiveness; How to Keep Your Kids Catholic.

Many of us don't have time to go to bible study, or adult education class, but now we can keep learning and growing in our faith wherever we are. These CDs are especially effective for those who would like to learn more about Christ and their Faith, but have little time to study. Most of us spend over 20 minutes in a car a day, some of us more. Why not take that time and build your faith?

These CDs are available for a small donation of just $3.00 each. What a simple and inexpensive way to inspire you, help yourself or a loved one during times of trouble or stress, and deepen your understanding and love for our Catholic faith.

Please consider stopping by the Narthex and check out these inspirational CDs. Take a couple of them home with you. Help yourself or help a loved one, get the inspiration you need to live life with passion and peace.

AAUW Anti-Bullying/Cyberbullying Task Force
Presents A workshop for teachers and parents
Thursday, October 8
6:30pm
at the Napa City-County Library Community Room
580 Coombs Street, Napa
253-4079
www.napalibrary.org

Attendees will receive a free copy of the "Family Online Safety Guide"

OCTOBER is just around the corner and it is EAT BETTER, EAT TOGETHER MONTH.

Why not bring your family together and cook with your kids and create a family game night once a week. It's a wonderful way to take time to be with each other and to help your school earn money just by staying at home.

HASBRO has partnered with Box Top for Education as of August 1, 2009 until October 31, 2009. Turn Fun and Games into BONUS BOX TOPS! By buying a participating game board listed below we can earn $$ for the school. Valid for purchases made between 8/1/09 and 10/31/09.

Total Qualifying Purchases = Bonus Box Tops Earned = $ To School
$10-$14.99 = 15 Box Tops = $1.50
$15-$17.99 = 30 Box Tops = $3.00
$18-$20.99 = 40 Box Tops = $4.00
$21 and over = 50 Box Tops = $5.00

For the school to receive the Bonus Box Tops just fill out the mail-in submission form, which can be found at the link listed below. Then send it into school with your child, along with your original sales receipt. Make sure to write in the correct 10-digit UPC numbers for each game purchased. We will be submitting all forms together. Deadline: October 23, 2009. ****Get a jump start on your Christmas shopping!! Games make wonderful gifts to get families and friends together**

Participating Games below are only valid for this promotion:
SCRABBLE --- PICTUREKA FLI PPER --- GUESS WHO EXTRA --- CONNECT 4X4 --- PICTUREKA --- MONOPOLY CITY --- BOP IT --- CLUE: SECRETS & SPIES --- CRANIUM W/BONUS FAMILY CARD PACK --- SORRY! SLIDERS --- GUESSTURES --- BATTLESHIP

Don't forget the game night snacks! A bowl or two of these crunchy treats will put smiles on your family's faces and make sure tummy growling won't interrupt your night of fun: Best of all, each of these recipes uses at least 2 Box Tops products, so you can clip and earn cash for St. John each time you make it. Also great for classroom parties and after-school snacks.

Recipe # 1
Banana-Cinnamon Snack Mix - 14 Servings (1/2 cup)

2cups Banana Nut Cheerios cereal
1cup Cinnamon Chex cereal
1cup fat-free small pretzel twists
1/2 cup walnut halves
1 egg white
1 tablespoon orange juice or water
1/3cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 cups popped 94% fat-free microwave pop corn (any flavor)
1 cup crispy apple chips (from 2.5-oz bag), broken into pieces

Directions

1.Heat oven to 300. Spray large roasting pan with cooking spray or grease with shortening. In large bowl, mix cereals, pretzels and walnuts; set aside.
2.In medium bowl, beat egg white, orange juice, sugar and cinnamon with wire whisk until well blended. Pour over cereal mixture, stirring until evenly coated. Stir in popcorn. Spread in pan.
3.Bake 25 to 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes, until light brown and crisp. Remove from oven; stir in apple chips. Cool completely, about 10 minutes.

Recipe #2
MultiGrain Cheerios Ranch-Style Snack- 28 Servings (1/2 cup)

4 cups MultiGrain Cheerios cereal
2 cups Multi-Bran Chex cereal
1 bag (3.5 oz) microwave popcorn, popped
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 envelope (1 oz) ranch dressing mix

Directions

1. Heat oven to 325.
2. In 2-gallon Ziploc Brand Storage Bag, mix cereals and popcorn. Drizzle with melted butter. Seal bag; shake. Add cheese and dressing mix; seal bag and shake until well coated. Pour into ungreased large roasting pan.
3. Bake 15 minutes, stirring after 10 minutes. Spread on waxed paper or foil to cool, about 30 minutes. Store in airtight container.

Strawberry Chex Honey Granola Snack- 18 Servings (1/2 cup)

1 bag (3 oz) light butter-flavor microwave popcorn, popped
8 bars Nature Valley roasted almond crunchy granola bars (4 pouches from 8.9-oz box)
5 cups Strawberry Chex cereal
1/2 cup whole almonds
1/2 cup honey
3 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil

Directions

1. Remove and discard unpopped kernels from popped popcorn. While granola bars are still in pouches, break into coarse pieces with hands. In large microwavable bowl, mix popcorn, granola bar pieces, cereal, and almonds. In small bowl, mix honey and oil. Pour over cereal mixture; toss to coat.
2. Microwave uncovered on High 2 minutes; stir. Microwave 2 to 4 minutes longer, stirring after 2 minutes, until mixture begins to brown. Spread on waxed paper to cool, about 15 minutes. (Mixture will get crisp as it cools.) Store in Ziploc Brand Storage or Snack Bags.

HASBRO Submission Form: http://www.boxtops4education.com/Image.aspx?Id=2331

Your Box-Top Coordinators,
Lee Tatsuguchi
Rebecca Griffin

In an effort to give parents, old and new, an opportunity to get together informally over a glass of wine and trio of dice, Melanie Oberting is offering her home (actually, her backyard) for a weekly bunco game. If you've never played bunco, this is the time to try. It's fun, easy, $5, and a great way to get to know other parents. There's movement, fresh air, conversation, cash prizes and your kids get to hang out, too, all within view! Half the money raised will go to the Family Club. Sign-up at your first bunco game for snacks.

Bring the kids any Friday after school to the Obertings backyard and check it out. No commitment or RSVP required. Their address is 2721 Laurel Street and they live over by the outlet stores. Additional parking is available at Calvary Baptist Church and children are welcome, in fact, encouraged! There's lots to do in their backyard (including a zip-line!) and sophomore Ellen Oberting is available to babysit (if needed). Call or text Melanie for more info on 287-6449. 12 adults are needed to play each week but if we don't have enough, we'll just hang out by the pond and chat til 5. There is no obligation to come more than once but you'll probably want to. Your kids will probably insist on it!

Submitted by Melanie Oberting.