eGazette - February 24, 2010

March 2010 School Calendar

See attached.
March_2010_Calendar.pdf

Lent Across America

As we poured over the vibrant paintings, colorful Mardi Gras beads and t-shirts with sayings too naughty to publish, we heard the radio blast an ad for a local restaurant "Come on down for a special Lenten menu! All you can eat fried catfish, hushpuppies and fries!" Robert and I are in New Orleans where Catholicism is truly a way of life. Streets, buildings and yes, even food and beverages are named after Catholic Saints, Popes and other significant church leaders. Sunday evening, I experienced the peace of Mass in the historical St. Louis Cathedral, established as a parish in 1720. St. Louis Cathedral sits famously in the heart of the French Quarter, overlooking the Mississippi River. As I took in the spectacular imagery that is the sanctuary, I listened to the very same readings and responses that my brothers and sisters at St. John the Baptist Catholic School were listening to. This moment was a beautiful reminder that Catholics across the country and world are journeying through Lent together.

This past week at school, we've brought the experience of this Holy liturgical season to our students. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, leads us to Passion (Palm) Sunday and ultimately to the sacred observances of Christ's death on Good Friday and Jesus' resurrection on Easter. During the 40 days of Lent, we consider these traditional disciplines: prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Lent calls us to journey with Jesus - to close the gap between who we are and where Jesus calls us to be. Here are the ways we have welcomed Lent with open hearts:

- Burning of the Ashes: The morning of Fat Tuesday, Sister Joyce led us in prayers surrounding the burning of our Palms that we saved from last year's Palm Sunday in a fire pit during morning assembly. The palms transformed into the ashes our parish would use for Ash Wednesday.

- Fat Tuesday Celebration: During the afternoon of Fat Tuesday, we held "Mardi Gras" in our Faith Families, Our Faith Families, which consist of a student from each class, created "Alleluia" banners, Lenten symbols and enjoyed "King cupcakes". As tradition has it, one lucky student found a plastic "baby" in his/her cupcake and became the King/Queen of the party and joined other King/Queens to "bury the Alleluia" with me in the school basement. We said good-bye to the "Alleluia" for Lent and said hello to our Lenten promises. Using purple, paper footprints, students identified how they will "walk with Jesus" during these 40 days.

- Ash Wednesday: After Mass, we recognized our journey from the earth back to the earth. Ashes were crossed onto our foreheads and we were reminded to "Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel." (Mark 1:15)

- Environment Change: In observance of the season, you will see traces of purple in and around our school. Look at: the Classroom prayer tables, our doorways, our church, the Priest's vestments and altar.

- Lenten Prayers Amongst our Staff: As with our students, we as a staff recognize our need to nurture our spirituality during this Lenten season. Our staff will gather each morning at 7:55am to reflect and pray.

It can certainly be said that drinks named after Saints and an "all you can eat" fish offer is a bit irreverent but it does demonstrate a richness and pervasiveness of heritage. Catholicism isn't just an event on Sunday mornings. It's a culture. It's lived daily. This is a powerful reminder, especially during this faith-filled season of Lent.

In Peace,
Nancy Jordan
Principal

Please turn in returning student registration by Friday, February 26, 2010.

New student registration begins March 1, 2010.

Stephanie Saunders
224-8388 x 101

Cupid shot his arrows and they were landing everywhere in St. John the Baptist Catholic School! Over 900 Valentine Candy-Grams were delivered to students, teachers, staff, the rectory, and even a few parents. We know for a fact (Cupid told us!) that every single student in our school received one or more Candy-grams, thanks to those sweethearts who joined FC Board to help create them: Nubia Kunst, Angie Troppy, Theresa Parmigiani, Sabine Hirsohn, Jen Warner, and Katie Batt. We "luv u"!

If you've ever visited the FC Room for used uniforms, or the costume room to prepare for a school program, you won't recognize it now! We need everyone to help keep this area organized, so to ensure that everything is accounted for, please use the provided sign-out sheet located on the door. Too tired to put everything away at the end of an eventful day?? (YES!) Here is a new idea: Appoint a couple of well-rested volunteers (who were not assigned to the event-day work) to be responsible for that job after the event day is over.

Upcoming events:

- Dine and Donate: Oxbow Market's "Pica Pica" restaurant is hosting a special "Dine-and-Donate" for our school during the entire month of March. Plan a fun dinner out with other St. John families, or order dinner-to-go at the end of a busy day. Use the "Dine and Donate" voucher any time during the month of March, and Pica Pica will donate 10% of the total orders for the month back to St. John the Baptist Catholic School! You get to take off your chef's hat for the night and our school benefits too! Flyers will be sent home on Monday. Please look for them in your child's backpack.

- March 2, Read Across America! That is this coming TUESDAY! Commemorating the birthday of Dr. Seuss, the week will include the anticipated Pajama Day Read-a-thon, trivia questions, classroom activities, and lots of Seuss prizes. Don't forget to wear your pajamas or sweats and free dress day appropriate shoes...bring a pillow and your favorite book! Look for further information with your child on Monday.

- Family Club Meeting: Friday, March 5, 8:30 a.m. in the Student Council Room. Don't forget: these meetings are for everyone, so bring your ideas, suggestions, and thoughts!

Please mark your calendar for May 8, 2010 for an entire family fun event from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. We'll be playing a bocce ball like tournament called Petanque. It's a lot of fun, the entire family can enjoy themselves and connect with others within the community. Feel free to invite others that you think might like to take part in this activity.

All proceeds will go towards the "Let Your Light Shine Foundation." More information to follow soon.

Boxtop reminder: The end of month is this Friday...please get all your boxtops in by Friday!!

Please see link below for a great idea for Mother's Day!!

Campbell's Labels for Education Cookbook Promotion Yields Big Labels For Education Point Credits! This powerful new program offers an even easier way to score cool stuff for your kids' schools. Your school supporters can choose from a wide array of Campbell's cookbooks that contain ample family-pleasing, quick and easy recipes. Each cookbook purchased will add 125 Labels For Education points to your school's account. Go to lfecookbooks.com to learn more.

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

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