eGazette - November 18, 2009

December 2009 School Calendar

See attached.
DECEMBER_2009_CALENDAR.pdf

The "Let Your Light Shine" Scholarship Fund Appeal
St. John the Baptist Catholic School
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 speaks to us:
To everything there is a season, and
a time to every purpose under heaven:

A time to be born, and
a time to die;
a time to plant, and
a time to pluck up
that which is planted;

In our faithful lives, we've heard this passage many times. Events occur that cause us to truly reflect on these poetic words. Six years ago, God called home one of His angels. Audrey Ford, sister of Ashley and Nicholas Ford and daughter of Martin and Celine Ford, active St. John parishioners and Catholic educators, was just 9 years old when sudden illness claimed her young life. The sorrow that followed was unimaginable, for the Fords and for a community that cherishes its blessed members. With God providing strength, hope blossomed from the pain. The Fords established the "Let Your Light Shine" scholarship fund. The intent of this scholarship is that many children benefit from the faith-filled education they value so deeply for their own children and that they live through their vocations.

Funds from the "Let Your Light Shine" scholarship contribute to the tuition assistance of children who attend St. John the Baptist Catholic School, nearly 10% of our student body. These awards range from $1,000 to total tuition coverage of approximately $5,000. We are blessed by dedicated parishioners who also contribute to financial assistance, along with dedicated funds from our school budget. Our total allocation is over $50,000 for students in need. Parents seek assistance because they have lost their jobs, suffer medical crises or experience other tragedies that impede their ability to provide their children a solid academic education in a faith-filled environment.

My appeal to you is heartfelt. This is November, the month where Catholics remember all those faithful departed. It is the month where we recognize the communion of Saints, who pray for us and remind us of our call to lead Christian lives. I ask you to consider donating to the "Let Your Light Shine" scholarship fund. If you wish to recognize a deceased family member, school alumnus or friend, I invited you to donate in their name. The "Let Your Light Shine" scholarship fund began with one little girl. Her legacy shall live on through the lives of many. We need your assistance, no matter how great or small, to ensure that Catholic education is available to any family who desires it. Thank you.

Please contact me at (707) 224-8388 or njordan@stjohnscatholic.org.

In Peace,
Nancy Jordan
Principal
St. John the Baptist Catholic School

Hello St. John Families!

At Family Club meetings, a number of you have asked how to find the School ID # to designate our school and register your Target Card for Target's "Take Charge of Education" program. It's easy! Go to Target.com/tcoe, then go to the bottom right side if the page and enter your Target charge card number, click "submit". Under "Three Ways to Search for a school"-enter Target School ID # 3293. (If you enter our school name, you will NOT get a result. Enter only the number.)

For every purchase you make at Target, our school can receive a percentage as a cash donation through Target's "Take Charge of Education" program. Perhaps you could ask grandparents, friends, or St. John alumni to register their cards, too? If you shop at Target, this is a great way to help our school by doing something you already do anyway! Please register your card and designate St. John the Baptist as your school.

Can you almost hear the Christmas bells ringing as Breakfast with St. Nick approaches? On Sunday, Dec. 6, St. Nick will join us in St. John's Hall for breakfast and a day of fun for the whole family. Preparations are well under way. Yesterday, St. John parents worked liked busy little elves stuffing hundreds of goody bags!

Do you have crafty creations, items handmade with love to donate to the CRAFT SALE? And for the BAKE SALE, how about that Christmas candy or those Christmas cookies that everyone waits for, perhaps from your secret holiday recipe file? We would love to hear from you,(dreaming of.....Marion Hanson-Jerrard's toffee). How about a bottle of wine, toy, gift basket, gift certificate for the SILENT AUCTION? Donations are being accepted for craft/bake sale, silent auction, and raffle. All items can be dropped off at the school office. Questions? - please contact Jami Bement Mendez at 927-5770.

Congratulations Kindergarten and 1st Grade! These classes had the highest level of participation in the Holiday Catalog fundraiser, and both classes will be celebrating with In & Out lunch delivery! Remember that Huge $100 bill?? For every 10 items ordered by a school family, a raffle ticket was entered to win a $100 prize! We will be drawing the lucky ticket at morning assembly Tuesday, Nov. 24. Good luck to all who entered!

Thank you to Gina Laird, for preparing another one of her special teacher luncheons for the month of November on behalf of Family Club and our school families.

Parents, as the holidays swiftly approach, don't forget to touch base with your Classroom Coordinator, especially if you signed up to help out with holiday parties, or any upcoming events...Crab Feed preparations are just around the corner!

The Family Club would like to welcome our newest board member, DeeAnn Valine! We look forward to working alongside DeeAnn and appreciate the extra support she has offered!

As we reflect on all that we are thankful for, we know it is truly a blessing to our school to have so many of you volunteer to participate in so many school activities, including all the parents who join us and fill the room for the Family Club meetings. So, after filling up on Thanksgiving feasts, and giving thanks for our many blessings, join us back as school for a Family Club meeting on Tuesday, December 1 @ 8:30 am.

Happy Thanksgiving!

St. John the Baptist Catholic School announces Gift Cards for the holidays! Order gift cards for all of your holiday needs by using the special order forms located in the church office, in the school office, in the church Narthex and by the doors of the church. Scrip or gift cards are available for most stores in Napa including Safeway, Luckys, Chevron, Kohl's, Home Depot, McDonalds, Learning Faire and lots of others! A school representative will collect your order after the 10am Mass on 12/6 and 12/13 or you can drop your completed order form at the school office Monday through Friday from 8-3pm. Using Scrip helps our school!

A shortened list order form and a complete list order form are attached.
2009_xmas_order_form.pdf
Scrip_Order_Form_-_complete_list_12_09.pdf

Reminder:

Friday, November 20th is FREE DRESS DAY.

Please join us on Saturday, November 28 for the Napa Downtown Christmas Parade.

The theme this year is "I'm Dreaming of a Bright Christmas". In order to build our float, a St. John "Ginger Bread School House", we will need several supplies and volunteers. If you are able to provide lights, large pieces of cardboard, paint, Christmas accessories and/or your time, please contact the school office at 224-8388 or Katie Batt at ktbatt@yahoo.com.

Be sure to check your child's "HOMEWORK PAGE" over the next several days for important updates. Students must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times during the event. Parade assembly time is at 3:00 pm, the parade will begin at 5:00 pm - rain or shine. We invite and encourage all students K-8 and their families to come and support St. John the Baptist Catholic School. We look forward to your participation.

Thank you.

Our annual Advent Program will be held on December 17, 2009 at 6:30pm in the church.

This year we are trying out a new format. There will be plenty of congregation participation! The final program will be posted soon so you can brush up on your carols! We are hoping that December will see all St. John's families singing carols heartily on their way to school in the morning!

Singing aside we are asking each student to bring in a foil covered empty toilet roll or half kitchen towel roll. These can be further decorated with Christmas themes if you wish. Ribbons, stickers, tinsel, baubles,....your imagination is the limit. These will serve as battery operated tea light holders. The holders will be hand held by the students as they process into the church, please bear this in mind if you are decorating them. The holders are due in the office or to your classroom teacher by Tuesday December 1st. Anyone who is inspired to make more than one would be greatly appreciated!

Any parents who would like to help assembling the tea light holders can contact Sabine Hirsohn at sabine@hirsohn.com or 226 1620. The date for this will be mutually determined.

Important Scholastic Achievement Update on our St. John the Baptist Catholic School Graduates from the Class of '09!

Did you know that 65% of St. John the Baptist Catholic School '09 graduates who went on to Justin-Siena High School made the first quarter honor roll?

Stay posted for word on our graduates who attend Napa and Vintage High Schools...

"All who had people who were sick with various diseases brought them to Him, and he laid His hands on each of them and they were cured." - Luke 4:40

Join us during Advent for the St. John's Catholic Church Mass of Anointing.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009 - 11:00am

All are welcome.

Complimentary Lunch: Homemade Turkey Noodle Soup, Fresh French Bread and Butter, and Wine Cakes

Musical Entertainment provided by our students.

For more information, contact Dhana Waken at 927-5707. For free transportation, leave a message for Melanie Oberting at 287-6449.

We are looking for donations of materials to use to make costumes for masses, the Advent program, or any other event where costumes are needed. If you have extra fabric, table cloths, or sheets that you would like to donate, please send them to the school office.

Thank you.

Thank you to the families that donated some costumes for our Extended Care costume exchange, some families really benefited from this event.

An important reminder for parents: Please provide your child with a healthy afternoon snack if they will be attending our Extended Care program.

In order to cut down on the amount of garbage we have here at school, we would still like to have all students bring their lunches in recyclable containers that can be taken back home with them. If this is not possible, we ask that students take any garbage from their lunch back home with them.

The Box Top Committee will be collecting box tops from the classrooms on November 23rd. This is a short month due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

*Please submit all of your box tops by Monday, November 23rd.*

When shopping this weekend for Thanksgiving be on the lookout for double box top products.

WIN $50,000 for our School: Go on to www.thebigclip.com to enter in the sweepstakes!

Here are some additional Holiday Recipes for your Thanksgiving Feast!!! (More Box Tops Yeah!!)

Recipe # 1 - Streusel-Pecan Sweet Potatoes

A hint of spice and citrus make a buttery, streusel-topped sweet potato casserole extra special.
Ingredients

1 1/2 cups half-and-half
1 1/3 cups boiling water
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 box (6.3 oz) Betty Crocker sweet potato mashed potatoes
1/2 teaspoon grated orange peel
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons Gold Medal all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1/2 cup pecan halves or chopped pecans
Directions
Heat oven to 350F. In 1 1/2-quart casserole, mix half-and-half, boiling water and melted butter. Add contents of 2 pouches potatoes with seasoning (from potatoes box) and remaining potatoes ingredients; stir well.

In small bowl, mix brown sugar and flour. With fork, cut in 2 tablespoons butter until crumbly. Stir in pecans; sprinkle over top.
Bake uncovered 30 minutes or until topping is golden.

Recipe # 2 - Company Broccoli Three-Cheese Bake

Have a crowd to feed? Arm yourself with five easy ingredients, including Green Giant veggies. A few minutes of prep, and you'll have a delicious veggie casserole in the oven.

Ingredients
1 can (2.8 oz) French-fried onions
2 bags (24 oz each) Green Giant frozen broccoli & three cheese sauce
1 package (3 oz) cream cheese, cut into cubes
1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper, if desired
1/2 teaspoon red pepper sauce
Directions
Heat oven to 350F. Reserve 1 cup French-fried onions for topping.
In 5-quart Dutch oven, mix remaining onions, the broccoli, cream cheese, bell pepper and red pepper sauce. Cover; cook over medium-low heat about 20 minutes, stirring once halfway through cooking, until sauce chips are melted. Transfer to ungreased 2- to 3-quart casserole.

Bake uncovered 20 to 25 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Sprinkle reserved onions around outer edge of casserole; bake 5 minutes longer.

ENJOY!!!

Your Box-Top Coordinators,
Lee Tatsuguchi
Rebecca Griffin

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