eGazette - February 10, 2010

Principal's Piece

Dear St. John the Baptist Catholic School Family,

Please see this letter provided by our Superintendent, Dr. John Collins, who writes to you in recognition of National Catholic Schools Week.


February 1, 2010
Catholic Schools Week

Dear Parents of a Catholic School Student,

Happy Catholic Schools Week!

I take this opportunity to greet you and to thank you for your willingness to partner with a Catholic school of the Diocese of Santa Rosa in the formation of your child.

Your choice of a Catholic school is a wise one, for three basic reasons:

1. Catholic schools impart a complete education. This is an education that adds values to the intellectual mix, values in accordance with human nature and with genuine human aspirations;
2. Catholic schools are a natural ally with the home. What we want for children and youth-their optimum development, educational success, and lasting happiness-are deeply compatible with what you want; and
3. Catholic schools believe in you as an educational partner. You come first in time and significance regarding the education of your child. Catholic schools honor your significance and so we commit to timely communications with you regarding your child's progress and to promotion of parent organizations that advance student life and the overall life of the school.

All the more I am pleased with your willingness to partner with a Catholic school because of the financial priorities and sacrifices that this partnership requires of you. Your tuition payments and fundraising work are signs of a major financial investment, one that pays immeasurable dividends in raising up your child and her/his schoolmates.

In conclusion, I remind you that all the human effort that is expended in support of students and of Catholic schools is met, as it were, by a corresponding-even heightened-support. This is the support of God for us. This God goes before us and our children in this life, intent on securing our well-being for eternity. Thus what we in Catholic school education mean by 'partnership' also and above all embraces the God who embraces us. May we not fail to be attentive and grateful for God's support.

Sincerely,

John Collins
Superintendent of Catholic Schools
Diocese of Santa Rosa

Such a busy year already...and its only February!

A spirited group of parents made yesterday's FC Club meeting, the 1st meeting of the year, energetic, productive, and informative. Thank you to all the parents who joined the FC Board, several Classroom Coordinators, and Mrs. Jordan - your ideas and friendly faces make St. John the Baptist Catholic School a better place!

Valentine Candygrams are on the way! "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways"... 682 to be exact! Yesterday, a small, but hard-working (and fun!) group of very special parents joined FC Board following the FC meeting and created 682 Valentine Candygrams! Our hearts go out to Nubia Kunst, Angie Troppy, Theresa Parmigiani, Sabine Hirsohn, Jen Warner, and Katie Batt. Thank you SO much! Because of you, there will be a lot of St. John student, staff, and parents who will know they are loved! Deliveries will be made this Friday. We also want to thank all those school families who participated by placing all those Candygram orders!

Catholic Schools Week began with two special celebrations. The St. John school and parish community honored Sister Joyce on the occasion of her Golden Jubilee and honored Mrs. Boyce for 30 years of service at St. John the Baptist Catholic School. The week was jam-packed with activities and commemorations. Family Club especially enjoyed instigating cheers and excitement during Student Bingo when we tossed dozens of prizes to our students as part of Student Appreciation Day. By Friday, those yummy donuts were just what we needed - thank you St. John teachers and staff for that sweet thank you to all the parent volunteers.

Our teachers and staff will receive an early Valentine's treat today... a delicious lunch lovingly prepared by Gina Laird and Angie Troppy. Thank you for being so sweet!

Upcoming Events:

- This Thursday, February 11: Open House for prospective students

- February 18: Do you like "a place for everything and everything in its place"? FC will reorganize the upstairs costume room and FC room. All hands on deck - let's get this job done! Sign up at the FC Bulletin Board, or contact Peta Shindle to volunteer to help. Qualifies for Parent participation hours.

- March 2: Read Across America! Commemorating the birthday of Dr. Seuss, the week will include the anticipated Pajama Day read-a-thon and special classroom activities and prizes. Details to follow in your upcoming eGazettes.

- Dine and Donate - Oxbow Market's "Pica Pica" will host a Dine and Donate month for St. Johns School. Present your "Dine and Donate" voucher when you place your order any time during the month, and the school will receive a check for 10% of the total orders at the end of the month. Details to follow in upcoming Wednesday envelopes.

- Friday, March 5, 8:30 am: Bring your ideas, concerns, and enthusiasm to the next FC meeting. Hear updates by FC and Mrs. Jordan. Coffee, conversation, and friendly faces included, so bring yourself and invite another parent. Hope to see you then!

The Family Club Board

ASSEMBLAGE
Feb. 24th 12:40 to 2:30

"Assemblage is an artistic process in which a three-dimensional artistic composition is made from putting together found objects."

We are going to do "Assemblage" in Art Camp. A key component to the success of your project will be the "found objects" that you use. We would like you to bring a bag of found objects from your home. These objects can be almost anything: small toys, plastic trinkets, figures, toy cars, bottle caps, game pieces, dice, dominos, magnetic letters, fake flowers, photos, notes, cards, wire, nails, scraps of wood or metal, etc. If they are objects that have significance for you - even better. It might help you to theme the objects. For example: lego or car themed, nature themed, Barbie themed, hardware themed, etc.

The trick will be to put these items together in a meaningful way. It will be an interesting challenge. Your artwork may not be the typical pretty picture you are used to but it will mean something powerful to you the artist!

Class cost: $25 Grades 1 - 8 welcome. Please email sandra@csmdesign.com to register.

Sandra C. Moore
sandra@csmdesign.com
www.sandracassayremoore.com

Open House! Perhaps you know of a family searching for a safe, faith-filled educational program for their children. Please click on the link to find an invitation to our upcoming community Open House, Thursday, 2/11. We've also included a paper copy for you to hand to an interested neighbor, family member or friend. Your word of recommendation is better than any newspaper advertisement.
Open_House_2010.pdf

TRACK & FIELD DAY
SUNDAY MAY 16, 2010
JUSTIN-SIENA HIGH SCHOOL

Thank you to all parents who emailed or attended the Track & Field Meeting. If you missed it, please see the attached flier for more photos and information. We have many enthusiastic students this year and look forward to parent support to help make this a fun experience for all.

Will you be available to help with practices if they are Fridays from 3:30-4:30 March-May? Contact Paula Vlaming, 707-363-1046 or paula@focus501.com, for more information or to let her know your availability. Thank you!
Track_Info_10_02.pdf

For the safety of everyone, please remember to slow down as you enter the school grounds during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up.

What a week! So much happening and lots of photo opportunities for all of us! For pictures from some of the events, check out the school website and for more photos, check out my website at:

www.injoyphotography.com

(Photos from my website are available for purchase).

With much gratitude,
Lexie Boezeman Cataldo
lexie@injoyphotography.com

In addition to Mass, Religious Education for children, your Faith Family Parish offers many opportunities, in both Spanish and English, for all ages, to experience a renewed faith in Christ. Why not give the time to grow in your faith beginning this Lenten season.

Scripture Class-English 8:30AM every Thursday in the narthex (coffee at 8:00AM)
Focus: The Gospel of Luke-bring any Catholic Bible and join in
Scripture Class-Spanish 7PM every Thursday in the hall

RCIA-and Returning Catholics: Every Sunday following the 10:00AM next to the hall (eastside) in the Little Church House, ground floor
Upcoming topics: The Nicene Creed / the Way of the Cross; Despair & Death & Conversion; God's Law, Personal Sin, Social Sin

Lighthouse Media CD's to take home, listen and share with family and friends-on sale every weekend following Masses for $3.00 each. Some of the topics include: Three Days that Changed the World, Passion of Christ Applied to Your Life, Glimpses Along the Way of the Cross, The Truth, Cristo en el Credo & Pasion, La Humanidad & Divinidad

Generations of Faith Topic for March: We believe in Jesus Death and Resurrection

Sunday, March 14 English after 10:00AM Mass Hall; Spanish after noon Mass Hall; Tuesday, March 16 CCD Families Spanish; Wednesday March 17 CCD Families Spanish; Thursday March 18 CCD Families English

Brother Richard Moratto will be offering evening classes in English-one on Scripture and one on the History of the Roman Catholic Church. Brother Richard is a Christian Brother, outstanding teacher, terrific presenter and spiritual director. For an update in faith and spirituality, for anyone interested in learning about God's great love for us.

In light of Lent the Topic will be "The Ten Commandments Plus One" = a presentation and discussion on the current issues relative to the Commandments. Classes take place every Monday 7-8PM beginning March 8, in the Narthex (front gathering room in the church)-Come as you are-there will hand-outs and a lively discussion.

Reconciliation Services: English, 7PM Tuesday March 16, Church-Spanish: 6PM Thursday, March 18, Church

Let us all strive to make time for the Lord in our lives and grow in an understanding of God's great love for us so that we may love as Christ.

WOW...we are over 1/2 way through this school year and making great progress toward are box-top goals!!! Great job everyone.

For the Month of January the classroom that collected the most box-tops was 2nd Grade...Way to Go 2nd Grade!!

Now on to Box-Top business... The last date to submit box-tops this year is March 31st...we would like to submit as many box-tops as possible on the March 31st submission. Ask your friends and family to collect...they will be supporting a GREAT SCHOOL.
Valentine Recipes below:

Hugs and Kisses
Surprise your family with a special treat that says "I love you"!
Ingredients
2 cups Original Bisquick mix
1/3 cup milk
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
Granulated sugar or colored sugar, if desired
Directions
1. Heat oven to 400F. Stir Bisquick mix, milk, 2 tablespoons sugar and the egg in medium bowl until soft dough forms. Place dough on surface generously dusted with Bisquick mix; gently roll in Bisquick mix to coat. Shape into a ball; knead 5 times.
2. Roll or pat dough into 6 1/2-inch square, 1/2 inch thick. Cut dough into 12 strips. Shape 6 strips into circles to make O shapes; pinch ends to secure. Cut remaining 6 strips crosswise in half; crisscross pairs of strips to make X shapes. (Or use X- and O-shaped cookie cutters dipped in Bisquick mix.) Place hugs and kisses on ungreased cookie sheet.
3. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light brown. Immediately brush with melted butter and sprinkle with granulated sugar. Serve warm.


Valentine Pizzas
You can't get these from a pizza shop! Heart-shaped individual pizzas tell your family they're special. Serve them often!
Ingredients
1 (13.8-oz.) pkg. Pillsbury refrigerated classic pizza crust or Pillsbury refrigerated thin pizza crust
1 (8-oz.) can pizza sauce
24 slices turkey pepperoni with 70% less fat
3 oz. (3/4 cup) shredded mozzarella cheese
Directions
1. Classic Crust: Heat oven to 425F. Lightly spray large cookie sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Thin Crust: Heat oven to 400F. Spray or grease 15x10-inch or larger dark or non-stick cookie sheet.
2. Unroll dough. Cut dough into 4 equal portions. Place on sprayed cookie sheet. Cut 1-inch slit in center of wide edge of each dough portion; on opposite wide edge across from slit, pinch dough together to shape point of heart. Slightly separate each cut slit and gently press dough into a 6x5-inch heart, creating slight rim on edge of dough.
3. Divide pizza sauce evenly onto hearts, spreading to within 1/2 inch of edges. Top each with 6 slices pepperoni and scant 3 tablespoons cheese. Classic Crust: Bake 13 to 16 minutes or until crust edges are golden brown and cheese is melted. Thin Crust: Bake 9 to 13 minutes or until crust edges are golden brown and cheese is melted.

Websites that help our school with box tops are:
www.thebigclip.com
www.boxtops4education.com
Both of these sites either have contests for extra box tops, recipes, and links to shopping online which will benefit our school.

Your Box-Top Coordinators,
Lee Tatsuguchi
Rebecca Griffin