eGazette - September 10, 2008

Principal's Piece

Greetings from Cyber-Space! Today marks the premier of our electronic Gazette. This exciting project with introduced by our Technology Committee and implemented by Don Huffman, St. John parent and our website manager. We are thrilled to adopt a practice that we know will be environmentally and fiscally responsible. I would like to use this opportunity to update you on our 2008/2009 advancements in technology.

- New Computer Lab! Our students have already jumped onto our new computers! Our lab now features 32 student workstations each featuring Dell computers and 20 inch, flat-paneled monitors which operate using Windows Vista. There may be some kinks as students, staff and parents send files to or from school, depending on home operating systems, but we'll work those out as we go along.

- Network Printer: We are now fully utilizing our computer lab network printer and will soon be installing a staff network printer. Both of these serve to reduce the wear, tear and cost of desk-top printers which we are gradually eliminating from campus.

- School Technology Program: We continue to be the recipients of Pilot status in the School Technology Program.This program serves as the bridge to connect our school curriculum to technology skill development. To sum, we use our core curriculum content as the "meat" of our technology instruction, creating an integrated technology program. For example,students will learn Word 2007 by completing assignments from their Language Arts course. New this year is a module on "Cyber-Ethics" which includes important instruction on the topic of "Cyber-Bullying", a subject important in this fast-advancing world of technology. Continuing this year is the ability for our students to access over 1800 educational web-sites managed by the School Technology Program partner colleges: the University of Richmond and Boston University. I have included the 2008/2009 Program Overview for your information which describes the many highlights of this unique and student-focused program. For additional information, please visit http://www.schooltechnologyprograms.com/

- New Security Measures: Our new system provides greater security measures which further reduce the risk of students accessing inappropriate or non-educational sites. Our policies, outlined on-line in our Family Handbook, are consistent with Justin-Siena High School, a primary feeder school.

There is much to be gained this year through our exciting and innovative technology program. Be sure to ask your child about his/her work in the computer lab and when you receive the directions, visit your child's project page on the School Technology website. Our technology advancement continues to be made possible through funding from our Gala. It's a blessing to see the efforts of our fundraising work directly to benefit our students.

Have a faith-filled September!

In Peace,
Nancy Jordan
Principal
Kindergarten_Flier_-_SJBCS.pdf
Year_1-_2007_-_SJBCS.pdf

Welcome everyone back to school!
The Family Club has been busy, and we're ready for a busy school year!

Thank you to Kristy Reynoso for helping us kick off the school year with the "First Day of School" social. Hopefully, many of you enjoyed a cup of morning coffee from our personal favorite, the Bean Machine, just one way the Family Club gives back to the many individuals who support and help us throughout the school year.

We especially welcome new families, and hope we've been able to meet many of you. If not, we will be available during Back To School Night on September 29th in the Parish Hall. Please stop by our table and let us answer questions, or at the very least, say hello!

What's coming up?

The first of two Dine & Donates will be held on Tuesday, October 21st at Filippi's Pizza Grotto. For those of you who aren't familiar with this event, Filippi's generously donates a percentage of their daily profits to the Family Club. Stop by for lunch, dinner, or take out!
During the last school year, the dinner hour at Filippis was fun-filled and quite the social spot with almost every table filled with a St. John's family! We've earmarked this event to support the purchase of a new rug for our school library, so let's all help Mrs. Evans!

While your calendar is out, save the date for our two scheduled Family Club Meetings...
Tuesday, October 14th @ 8:30 a.m. and Tuesday, November 11th @ 8:30 a.m.,, upstairs across from the computer lab. These meetings include all Room Parent Coordinators and event chairs, but anyone and everyone is welcomed to attend. Please feel free to join us!

By the way, Room Coordinators, we thank you! From joining us at the first Family Club meeting, to welcoming new families, these coordinators have been busy already! If you are not sure who your coordinator is, check out the list below.

Have a wonderful week!
Renay Williamson & Judy Franzino

School pictures will be taken Wednesday, September 17. See order form included in your Wednesday Envelope. You are not required to purchases school photos, but if you wish to, an order form and payment must be submitted at the time the student's photo is taken. All students will have their picture taken whether purchasing a picture packet or not. Class pictures are taken on the steps of the Church.

The 2008 Jog-A-Thon will be held on Thursday, Oct. 9. We are currently looking for Business Sponsors whose names will appear on the back of our student designed t-shirt. The excitement this year is for anyone who pledges $250 or more can have their business logo on the shirt too! If you or someone you know would like to support St. John's School, please complete the sponsor form that was sent home in the first Wednesday envelope and return to the school office by Friday, Sept. 19. Additional forms are available at the school on the Jog-A-Thon bulletin board. We've had a tremendous response to our request for volunteers for the event. If you are still interested in participating as a volunteer, please contact either Mary Beth at marybemis@mac.com or Katie at ktbatt@yahoo.com and provide the best method of contacting you so that we may confirm your time. Volunteers will receive fund raising hours.

Set-up 8:00 - 10:00
Clean-up 3:00 - 4:00
Lap counter K - 4 12:15 - 1:30
Lap counter 5 - 8 1:15 - 2:40

Please help us ensure a safe secure environment for all of the children at St. John the Baptist Catholic School. Per the policy of the Diocese of Santa Rosa, all school faculty and staff and all volunteers, including room parents, field trip drivers, etc. must be fingerprinted and complete safe environment training. Thank you to all who attended the Safe Environment training on Monday in the Hall! The Diocese is asking all volunteers to re-take the latest safe environment training . Anyone who missed the meeting can take the training on line through the Diocese of Santa Rosa website.
Volunteers must complete all three steps before they can volunteer .

There are three mandatory steps to complete:
Fingerprint clearance
Safe Environment training - new 2008/2009
Register on-line at the Diocese of Santa Rosa website

Reminder-after completed the on-line training please turn in your certificate of completion and the $7.00 fee to the school office. Also, turn in a copy of the fingerprint form.

Please contact Stephanie Saunders for further information and any questions on this policy. You may pick up fingerprint forms and instructions for all three steps at the school office or from Stephanie Saunders.. Thank you for your cooperation!

Stephanie Saunders
224-8388 x 101

Kindergarten - Jennifer Warner
1st - Jody Bolen
2nd - Debbie Garcia
3rd - Susan Taylor
4th - Nubia Kunst
5th - Lori Morrell
6th - Denise Wessell
7th - Elisa McClure
8th - Kathy Brashear

Thank you parents who've submitted your Volunteer Sign-Up sheets! Our Family Club Board is working diligently to sort through the nearly 100 forms they've received! If you haven't gotten a phone call yet, hang in there, committee heads or Board officers will be calling you soon! If you haven't turned in your completed form in yet, we need them as soon as possible!

In the upcoming weeks, you'll be hearing reminders to use Scrip. Scrip is a major fundraiser that requires no cost to the participant - something we like to call "free money"! This month's reminder is for you to consider using "Schoolpop". If you do any sort of on-line shopping, start with the "Schoolpop" web page which serves as a portal to hundreds of vendors (including Land'sEnd, Safeway, Target, Macy's, etc.). Shop, shop, shop ! ! !

JOIN THE WOMEN OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST SCHOOL FOR
A "BIG NIGHT" OUT WITH THE LADIES. . . Italian Style

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18 - 6:30

"LEAVE THE "BAMBINOS" AT HOME WITH THE HUSBANDS!

There are still a few spots open! If you would like to make a reservation, or if you signed up for this fun evening at the One Heart at a Time spring gala and you DO NOT see your name listed below, please call Kellie Prittie @ 337-5503 or Judy Franzino @ 258-1214

Marisa Bartalotti
Julie Picard
Katie Batt
Felicia Rundquist
Sam Calforda
Barbara Jean Schell
Stephanie Grohs
Peta Shindle
Marian Hanson-Jerrard
Trisha Tortolani
Mary Lonergan
Paula Vlaming
Elisa McClure
Renay Williamson
Becky McIver
Anette Yazidi
Marcela Mirda
Debbie Zeller
Elise Negueloa
Michele DiMarco
Melanie Oberting
Beth Arbios

Hosted by Kellie Prittie and Judy Franzino at "Trattoria Franzino". Cost is $75 per person - All proceeds benefit St. John the Baptist Catholic School. Additional details to follow by mail for all who plan to attend.

Volunteers are really needed. Please come and help. Please bring a bucket and some gloves. Refreshments provided.

Come to the concert! The remarkable Jesse Manibusan is coming to our parish this September. Join us on September 15, 7 PM, for a delightful evening of song provided one of America's most popular and engaging composers of liturgical music for the 21st century. Tickets available at the door: General Admission, $10; Students and Seniors, $5. If ticket price constitutes a hardship, no one will be turned away. Refreshments will be served at intermission. Jesse will also participate in the liturgy at the 10 AM and noon Masses on Sunday September 14. For information: contact Lynne Baker, 707-257-6559. To learn more about Jesse Manibusan's unique ministry go to www.jessemanibusan.com/ or to http://www.spiritandsong.com/artists/jessemanibusan

Attention all 2nd and 5th grade girls: If you are interested in joining Girl Scout Troop 41, led by Mrs. Lisa Paul, please bring a parent and come to a meeting which has been scheduled for Tuesday, September 16 at the Paul's home. Please contact Lisa Paul at 224-2416 or 916-806-1407 for further information.