eGazette - November 5, 2008

Principal's Piece

About 3:00am Friday night, I heard the sweet cry of a toddler. Running down the hall, I saw that our 3 year old niece, Sara, had awoken and was confused by her surroundings in her cousin's bedroom. I rubbed her back and assured her she was ok and that her brother was right next to her. Jack, my 5-year old nephew, rolled over, sleepily opened his eyes and murmured "It's okay, Sara, I'll keep you safe". As exhausted as I was after a non-stop evening of trick-or-treating, my heart was touched. Our children are so very, very blessed. They are blessed by food in their bellies, clothing on their bodies and loving families. They feel safe and they feel loved.

Recently, Father Gordon spoke in his homily about two visitors to his office. They were homeless and shared with him a life of addiction, disappointment and despair. Father reminded us that all lives matter. Jesus calls us to see the face of God in everyone we meet; the sick, the hurt, the poor.

This month, we are called to feed the hungry. In partnership with the St. Vincent de Paul Society, food barrels have been placed in the entrance hallway of our school. We invite your families to fill them. Please bring in non-perishable food items during November so that we can make a difference in the lives of many who have little.

To create a "Service Learning" learning opportunity for our student body, we added an educational component to this food drive. By connecting education with service projects, two parties are the recipients of service. Our children learn about world hunger and God's charge for action on our part. Hungry persons in our community receive food.

Mrs. Berube directed her 4th graders in a powerful Reader's Theater on world hunger. Each class attended and our 1st graders paid admission of canned goods to view the production. We learned that:

- 800 million people in the world go hungry every day

- 15% of the world's population has all the food they need and more

- 30% of the world's population makes up the working poor, barely getting enough to eat

- 55% of the world's population is starving

Thus, this food drive will remind us that all lives matter. We do not exist in a bubble and we need each other.

The past weekend, we celebrated the All Saint's Day and the Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed or All Soul's Day. Little causes us to consider life more than the reality of death. During this time, our church celebrates the lives of all Saints, those canonized and other baptized who led saintly lives. We consider our relatives and friends who've gone before us. We remember how they impacted our lives, made a difference in the lives of others. We know that, with all the strength of God and the memory of the faithful departed, we must also touch the lives of others.

During this month, we invite you to stop by our Table of Remembrance, located in the entrance hallway. Write the name of deceased loved ones and they will be remembered in our prayers.

We pray for a world where hunger and fear cease. We pray for a world where all 3 year olds can be comforted during the night. We pray for a world where all children, like Sara, feel safe. We know our action makes a difference.

Have a Faith-Filled November and let's fill those barrels.

In Peace,

Nancy Jordan
Principal

Fundraising News...
Wow! Filippi's was jam packed with St. John's families on October 21st! Thank you to the many families that helped raise $455 for our school! Thanks also to those who so generously helped with our Holiday Catalog fundraiser. We are still counting envelopes so will keep you posted on the totals. An enormous thank you to Peta Shindle for taking over the paperwork portion of this fundraiser! All items should be received within four weeks, before we depart for Christmas break.

Library News...
The Scholastic Book Fair ends on Friday of this week. The library will be open until 4:00 each day and until 6:00 on Thursday.
All proceeds benefit the school library with some of the funds used to support our school's Second Annual PUMPKIN HEAD Contest. With each and every pumpkin unique and amazing, this was a very difficult vote! A big congratulations to SECOND grade and KINDERGARTEN, who tied for FIRST place! If you missed these true works of art, pictures will be posted on the website.

Boxtops News...
Family Club would like to thank Rebecca Griffin and Lee Tatsuguchi who painstakingly pasted BoxTops sheets for the month of October, and with the help of many families, were able to collect a whopping total of $477 for our school... Wow, see what can be accomplished in ONE month!

Used Uniforms...
Due to overflowing shelves in the Family Club room, we are collecting sweaters and sweatshirts only, until further notice. Please make sure items are in good condition and without embroidered names.

St. Nick News...
It's just around the corner, schedued for Sunday, December 7th in the St. John Hall. Planning is underway, and the second committee meeting is scheduled for Friday, November 7th at 8:30 a.m...If you signed up to volunteer for this event, please join us! A big thank you to the many new parents who have already stepped forward to help us! Do you have something to donate to Breakfast with St. Nick? A bottle of wine, toy, gift basket, gift certificate, handmade scarf or secret holiday candy recipe? Donations are being accepted for silent auction, raffle, and craft/bake sale. All items can b dropped off at the school office. Quesions?, please contact Jami Bement at 252-4371 or Renay Williamson at 253-8662.


Family Club Meetings...Come one, come all!
Tuesday, November 11th at 8:30 a.m.
Friday, December 12 at 8:30 a.m.

Renay Williamson and Trish Tortolani

Hurry, hurry don't delay the Jog-A-Thon Prize Rally will take place on Friday, November 14. There is still time to help your class win top prize for this fundraiser. Return your envelope and your pledges will apply to your class total. You will also be included in the individual class drawings. We must receive your outstanding donations by Friday November 7th to qualify. All prizes will be announced at the rally on Friday, November 14 at 2:00 p.m. in the hall. We hope to see you there!

On Saturday, November 29, 2008 the City of Napa will hold its 46th annual holiday Christmas parade. As a school community, we would like to participate in this event. Please contact Katie Batt at kbatt@stjohnscatholic.org if you are interested in being the Chairperson for this event and/or if your children would like to participate in the parade. The parade begins at 5:00 p.m. and will go through Downtown Napa. The theme this year is "Nutcracker Sweets". We look forward to hearing your ideas and suggestions.

Most all retail store gift cards are available through our scrip vendor. Please check the list attached and begin your Christmas shopping early.
SCRIP_SPECIAL_ORDER_FORM.pdf

See attached.

2008_7_8th_BBall_Sched.pdf

Attached please find:

- Catholic Schools' League Site Directions

- Spectator Code of Conduct

- General Information

BB_Info_for_all_schools.pdf
CSL_SITE_DIRECTIONS.pdf
Spectator_Code_of_Conduct.pdf

2424 box tops were collected for the submission period ending Oct. 31, 2008. Using the Target Bonus Box Top program we were able to increase the total to 4764 box tops. This translates to $476.40.

Faith in the Valley

This beautiful book was published to celebrate the 150th anniversary of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. "Through words and photographs, it presents a fascinating overview of 150 years since the founding of the church in the heart of the city of Napa."

A copy of this book is available for review in the school office.

Order form is attached.
Faith_in_the_Valley_Order_Form.pdf

The 2009 One Heart at a Time Auction Gala will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2009 at the beautiful Meritage Resort and Spa in Napa, California.

Elise Negueloua
Gala Chair

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