eGazette - October 7, 2009

Principal's Piece

"Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Club Penguin. iTunes...ahh!!!"

Before I turn in for the evening, I've got an almost embarrassing little stress-reducing routine which I will admit only to you, my St. John family I check my "wall", harvest at "Farmville" and "tag" a few photos. What does Mrs. Jordan speak of? Technology and wow, does it affect us all: parents, teachers and especially our children. Texting, social-networking, video-uploading and instant messaging are frantically vying for our children's attention. Technology evolves at a dizzying pace and many of us struggle with how to guide our kids through the positives and negatives of this 24/7 media world.

In previous articles, I have offered pointers for navigating the media landscape. However, there is so much to know, it would be impossible for me to stay totally up-to-date. Simply said, our best action is pro-action. Be aware of your child's media life. Monitor internet activity. Even innocent-appearing games can necessitate on-line interaction with strangers. Flip through your child's texting "inbox" and "sent box". Require that you are a Facebook "friend" on your child's account. The reality is that our children will not ever know a cell-phone or internet-free world. Technology is here to stay and we must claim ownership to manage it. At St. John, we are blessed with an advanced technology program which provides not only high-quality curriculum and state-of-the art equipment but also mandates our responsibility to raise wise and moral media users.

Recently, I partnered with "Common Sense Media", a non-profit, nonpartisan organization whose mission is to help parents and educators stay informed and active in the media lives of children. Common Sense Media provides a wealth of practical guidance for parents on topics ranging from cyberbullying to the media's impact on girls' body image. They are now making all of this information available to schools in the form of a parent education program. I encourage you to visit their Web site at www.commonsensemedia.org. When I wonder about the appropriateness of a movie or song for my children or for a Student Council event, for example, I check with "Common Sense Media". They offer detailed descriptions, comprehensive articles and reviews by media specialists, providing you with practical parenting tips about how to talk to your kids and manage the media in their lives.

The piece that "Common Sense Media" cannot provide is met by our commitment to Christian living. We must complete this gap for our families. When we consider media activity, reflect on these simple questions:

- How does our technology activity further or hinder our faith formation?
- What if a friend's technology activity negatively affects me or contradicts my values? How will I respond?
- Am I aware that what gets posted on-line or via text is permanent and can't be withdrawn?
- Am I aware that I can be held responsible for negative technology activity?

Soo...Would Jesus twitter? There is no doubt that technology is a powerful communication tool which can be used to socialize, but I suggest that it can also effect genuine spiritual growth. There are numerous prayer and scripture groups online, supported by legitimate faith-based organizations. I am a "fan" of Catechist magazine where I can read and reflect on the daily Gospel. I've also begun a St. John the Baptist Catholic School group to capture the attention of alumni "fans". Also, our Youth Ministry program has established a group where our Jr. High parishioners and friends can monitor upcoming events. In our fast-paced lives, technology can serve as an active partner to "Pass the Word Along".

By staying active in the ever-evolving media culture, educators and parents maintain the understanding, skills, and confidence to help our children grow and thrive in today's new media culture. Raising and educating young people in today's 24/7 media environment is one of the most daunting challenges that parents and schools face. But I sincerely believe that by working together, we can raise a generation of kids who are smart, safe, and ethical creators and consumers of media.

With one voice...We'll pass the word along...even electronically.

In Peace,

Nancy Jordan
Principal

~ PICTURE DAY ~

Wednesday, October 21st after Mass in the school library.

Individual and class pictures will be taken. See ordering information in your Wednesday Envelope. Students need to bring their order form and payment on picture day. All students will be photographed for yearbook picture and student ID cards. Also, all students will be photographed using Pose 1. Please indicate background color on your order form.

Individual student picture make-up day is scheduled for Wednesday, November 18th.

EVERYBODY SING ALONG...
FOOTLOOSE, FOOTLOOSE, GET READY, SET AND RUN!

Thursday is the BIG day!!!

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
10:00am Volunteers meet at Justin-Siena High School Football field/track
10:30am Students begin arriving by bus
10:45am Welcome to all, opening prayer and warm-up exercises for students
11:00am Event begins!
11:45am Runners come to a halt!
12:00 Noon - Lunch will be provided to all students, staff, and volunteers
12:30pm Buses begin loading to return to St. John the Baptist Catholic School

NOTES FOR ALL:

All parents, guardians and family cheerleaders please sit in the bleachers. Only staff, students and volunteers are allowed on the field. Food and drink (except for water) are not permitted on the field.

We are looking forward to a fabulously fun-filled day while we raise money for our school. We couldn't do it without everyone's participation and support. Please join us if you can, you don't want to miss such a radically cool day!!!

SEE PRIZE LIST ATTACHED.
Jog-a-thon_09_prizes.pdf

5th - 8th Grade Boys/Girls Conditioning
Friday, October 9, 2009

Where: Westwood Hills Park, 3107 Browns Valley Road

Time: 3:00pm - 4:30pm

Mrs. Shull will meet everyone in the parking lot staging area.

See flyer attached.

Conditioning_-_October_9,_2009.pdf

We have a great new way to show your school spirit! Wear our newly designed "PROUD" t-shirt or sweatshirt to all school functions, sporting events, or as a PE shirt. See sample on the bulletin board in the school hallway.

Look for an order form in your Wednesday Envelope. Order forms should be turned into the school office. If you have any questions, please call Molly Donohoe 758-0688.

Painting on Fabric Art Camp

Come paint with us on Wednesday, October 14 from 12:30 - 2:30pm
as we paint on untreated canvases using acrylic paints.
Class open from 1st - 8th grade. Class cost $20.

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

Hey there, St. John Family Club Members!

Fall is in there air and with the grade 6, 7 & 8 field trips already behind us, our school year is definitely well under way. Just a few quick reminders:

- If you signed up to volunteer "pre-event" for Breakfast with St. Nick, expect a note home soon letting you know when we will be stuffing the goody prize bags, so you can get a jump start on your volunteer hours.

- Remember our fall "Dine and Donate" at Fillipi's is coming up on October 27, so save the date and treat yourself to a night out of the kitchen!

- Our next Family Club Meeting is 8.30am Tuesday October 13; we would love to see some new faces - come and see what we are about! Of course we welcome our old (yet still beautiful) faces too.

Peta Shindle
Family Club Secretary

We are excited to announce DINE & DONATE FUNDRAISER at Filippi's Pizza Grotto.

When: Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Where: Filippi's Pizza Grotto, 645 First Street, Napa

Time: 11am - 9pm - "Eat In or Take Out"

Just present the flyer included in your Wednesday Envelope (or print out the flyer attached) and enjoy your lunch or dinner. 20% of all proceeds will be donated to our school.

DINE_&_DONATE_VOUCHER_-_OCTOBER_27,_2009.pdf

Families of St. John the Baptist Catholic School:

Our Extended Care Staff has organized a Halloween Costume Exchange for the week of October 19th - 23rd. Costume drop-off dates are October 9th - 16th (drop-off-box will be located in the school hallway).

If you have Halloween costumes in good condition please bring them in between October 9th and 16th and then stop by Extended Care during the week of October 19th to pick up a costume.

Mrs. Kunst & Mrs. Dehzad

We now carry Kohl's $25 scrip cards in stock. Stop by the school office anytime or see Kitty Helfrich on Friday afternoons in the schoolyard.

Attached is our School Council Meeting Agenda for October 14, 2009. All are welcome to attend.

School_Council_Meeting_Agenda.pdf

Generations of Faith for school families is Sunday, October 11th, after the 10 o'clock Mass.

WOW!!! We had a great start to our Box Top Collection Goal.
We Collected in September 1,361 Box Tops

Here is how we did by Class:
Kinder = 275
1st = 156
2nd = 368
3rd = 143
4th = 32
5th = 132
6th = 35
7th = 125
8th = 95

The Class that Collect the Most in September was 2nd Grade (What Class will it be next month?)

A couple of reminders about Box Tops:
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

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

WIN $50,000 for our School: Go on to www.thebigclip.com to enter in the sweepstakes!
Can you believe the Holiday's are almost here and that means lots of cooking and don't forget the Box Tops that come along with all the HOLIDAY MEALS.

As Always we provide a recipe with each eGazette and a Big Thank You to Elise Negueloua for the submission

Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
3 Tablespoons olive oil
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (about 1 pound)
1 shallot, finely chopped (can substitute 1 tablespoon finely chopped onion)
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup (regular 98% Fat Free or 25% Less Sodium)
3/4 cup water
1/4 cup thinly sliced sun-dried tomatoes
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
2 tablespoon chopped fresh basil leaves
4 cups hot cooked extra-wide egg noodles
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan Cheese (optional)

1. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 10 minutes or until it's well browned on both sides. Remove the chicken from the skillet.

2. Heat the remaining oil in the skillet over medium heat. Add the shallot and cook and stir for 2 minutes. Stir the soup, water, tomatoes, vinegar and chopped basil in the skillet.

3. Return the chicken to the skillet and heat to a boil. Reduce the heat to low. Cook for 5 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. Serve the chicken and sauce over the noodles. Sprinkle with the cheese and more chopped basil, if desired.
ENJOY!!!

Your Box-Top Coordinators,
Lee Tatsuguchi
Rebecca Griffin

Nationally known civic engagement expert, Ed Everett, will discuss "Community Building: Our Most Important Infrastructure" on October 27th, 7pm - 8:30pm, Napa Valley Unified School District Auditorium.

See flyer attached.

Community_Building_Speaker.pdf

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(707) 224-8388 - www.stjohnscatholic.org
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