St. John's Parish Day School Newsletter for January 4, 2018
Welcome Back!

Students and staff at St. John's returned from a lovely holiday break this week and hit the ground running, jumping back into lessons that are both fun and educational. First graders learned about contractions by "performing surgery" to make two words into one. A special thank you to Mrs. Stewart, who donated surgical masks, gloves, and booties, which made the project all the more memorable.

The highlight of the week was the return of Ms. Pontier to our Transitional Kindergarten classroom. Ms. Pontier and Mrs. Walker have been an unstoppable team for over 14 years, using their talents to preparing students for Kindergarten and beyond. Another special thank you to both Mrs. Walker and Mrs. Reid, for their tireless support of TK. Once again, Welcome Home, Ms. Pontier!
From the Office of Admissions

The New Year is here, and it's time to be thinking about re-enrollment for next school year. By now, all EC Families should have received a re-enrollment form and all Lower School Families will receive a re-enrollment contract this week.

EC Families
Please complete your re-enrollment form and indicate your program preference for next year. With this information, we will generate a re-enrollment contract for your child. Your re-enrollment form is due back to St. John's by Tuesday, January 16th. Adhering to this deadline allows us to meet our goal of giving priority consideration to our current families prior to offering enrollment to new families. If you have misplaced your re-enrollment form, extra copies are available in the school building's Main Office.

LS Families
Your re-enrollment contract will arrive in the mail this week. Please review your contract and submit it to St. John's, along with the contract deposit, by Thursday, February 1st. Please feel free to contact Nadine Marks in the Admissions Office with any questions regarding re-enrollment.

Our Administrative Team is actively planning for next year and we look forward to having your children with us again. Thank you for choosing St. John's!
Calling All Kindergarten Applicants

Are you thinking about enrolling your child in Kindergarten at St. John's next year?

St. John's offers an outstanding Kindergarten program with intentionally small classrooms, a challenging curriculum, flexible learning group model to meet the needs of each child, a culture that celebrates the preservation of childhood, and teachers who KNOW your child. Best of all, your child will continue to grow and flourish in a comfortable and familiar environment.

St. John's Kindergarten applicants participate in a readiness assessment taking place on January 22nd and 23rd. This assessment is available for St. John's Kindergarten applicants only. To ensure a smooth transition from the 4's or TK program into Kindergarten, simply complete your re-enrollment form and indicate "Kindergarten". We will notify you of your child's assessment date and begin connecting you with resources and contacts in Lower School.
Caring Thoughts

If you are looking for a way to support our beloved Chaplain Jenni and Andrew in this difficult time, you can make a memorial gift to Andrew’s education fund in honor of Pepper, and in lieu of flowers. Donations can be sent to St. John’s Episcopal Church, attn. Andrew’s Education Fund, 9120 Frederick Road, Ellicott City, MD 20142. (Please note this form of donation is not tax deductible.) Checks should be made payable to “Maryland College Investment Plan”.

Donations can also be put into the Sunday offering plate, and should be designated for Andrew's education fund. Due to the tax law changes the 529 funds can be used by Chaplain Jenni to continue Andrew’s enrollment in private schools throughout his life.

If you would like to send a card or note to Chaplain Jenni and/or Andrew, please send it to SJPDS: 9130 Frederick Road, Ellicott City, MD 21042. Cards and other well wishes will be gathered and delivered to their home. At this time Chaplain Jenni is accepting emails, text messages, and calls and she will respond as she is able.

A service of Christian Burial for Pepper will take place on Saturday, January 6th at 2 P.M. in the Historic Church with a reception to follow in All Saints Hall. Please read the service information document below for more detailed information directions on parking, carpooling, and how to help with the reception. Children are welcome in worship.

Additionally, Sharon Runge from the parish community and Ros Pettit from the school community will be coordinating meals once Chaplain Jenni is ready, and then a separate communication will go out.

Your prayers and support are bringing her much comfort. Please continue to keep Chaplain Jenni and her family in your prayers.
Winter Weather Information

Our students love to spend time outside during recess, so please remember to send a coat or jacket in with your child each day. Please see the winter weather information flyer for more information. Remember, St. John's will determine weather-related delays and cancellations independent of the Howard County Public School System's decisions.
A Message from Rev. Barnabas Lee

The Korean-language Sunday service at St. John's Episcopal Church begins at a new time in January and has a new campus location for Lent.
Events
Grade-Level Coffees
January 3rd–12th

Our Grade Level Coffees are a great opportunity for a sneak peek into the future. You will meet with teachers for the next grade level to learn about the innovative projects and experiences for next school year. All Coffees will be located in Clark House.

Current 4's & TK Friday, January 5, 9:00AM
Current Kindergarten Monday, January 8, 8:30AM
Current First Grade Tuesday, January 9, 8:30AM
Current Second Grade Wednesday, January 10, 8:30AM
Current Third Grade Thursday, January 11, 8:30AM
Current Fourth Grade Friday, January 12, 8:30AM
Parents' Association Dine-Out
Wednesday, January 10th

Going to a Dine-Out is a fun and easy way to volunteer with the PA and spend time with family and friends. We will be heading to Nora's Kabob in Ellicott City on Wednesday, January 10th . Please bring the flyer below to dinner.
Winter Enrichment Programs
Forms due Wednesday, January 10th

Registration  for 2018 Winter Enrichment Classes is now open! 

Spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Forms and checks should be handed in to the School's Main Office. 
Gala Save the Date
Saturday, April 21st

More Information to Come!
Walk for Wamunyu
Wednesday, January 24th

Every year the students at SJPDS participate in the Walk for Wamunyu, a walk-a-thon on campus to help raise money for our pen pals in Kenya. Look out for a Sign-Up Genius to come soon to volunteer to help with the walk.
T-Shirts will be on sale for $10.00 starting next week and up until the event at EC and LS Pick-Up and Drop-Off times. If you would like to help with sales, please contact Mrs. Cramer.
All pledge money and record sheets are due on or before Monday, January 22, 2018 to the school's Main Office.
Click here for more detailed information and history about this special event!

January 3–12

Grade Level Coffees

January 10

PA Dine-Out

Enrichment Forms Due

January 12

EC No Class

EC Conferences

Conference Care Available

January 15

School Closed

Martin Luther King Day

Online Financial Aid Applications Due

January 16

EC Re-enrollment Forms Due

Gala Planning Meeting

January 17

SJPDS Open House

January 18

Mrs. McGeehan Conferences

January 22 or 23

Kindergarten Readiness Assessments ( for SJPDS Kindergarten applicants only )

January 22

Walk for Wamunyu Record Sheets and Money Due

January 24

Walk for Wamunyu

January 30

SJPDS Open House

January 31

Noon Dismissal

Spirit Day - Wear RED

Walk for Wamunyu SNOW DATE

PA Dine-Out

February 1

LS Re-enrollment Contracts Due
Special Offers for St. John's Families
The PA has restarted the Scrips Program. You order gift cards, (physical or e-cards), pay for them, then use them. The donation percentage from each card is then sent to the school’s business office for our account. Friends and family can participate too. If a loved one wants to participate, that person will need to provide information to confirm their association with a student.
Do you shop at Giant or Harris Teeter?
Do you have a loyalty card at either of these local grocery stores?
If so, you can help St. Johns earn FREE money by registering your card(s) today.