SJPDS Newsletter October 4, 2018
IMPORTANT DATES & REMINDERS

Tomorrow, October 5, 2018

8:15 AM – 9:30 AM

Lower Lobby

Be sure to drop by First Friday tomorrow morning for coffee and conversation. Drop off your student and join us in the lobby for a light breakfast and a chance to chat with friends and staff. Grab a coffee on the go or hang out and enjoy the wonderful community we have here at St. John’s!

Tomorrow, October 5, 2018
 
Order forms are due tomorrow, October 5th. Turn in your order forms for delivery before the Thanksgiving break. Contact Kim McKnab ( kimberlymcknab@gmail.com ) or Cecilia Duquela ( ceciliaduquela@gmail.com ) if you have any questions.

October 7th–14th

Each October Episcopal schools and churches across the country celebrate the benefits and blessings of Episcopal education in the lives of students and their families.

Sunday, October 14 th

St. John’s Episcopal Church

This year we will culminate the national Episcopal Schools Week with an Episcopal Schools Celebration Sunday at St. John’s Church. Whatever your own faith tradition or background, the St. John’s community invites you and your family to gather for a celebratory morning of worship and learning.
CAMPUS NEWS
"Good Morning!" Video
We made a short video of a few of our amazing preschoolers wishing us a Good Morning. They were ready and excited to start their school day! 
Meet Our Head of School Finalists!
The Search Committee is excited to have narrowed the Head of School candidates to three finalists:
Ms. Dembo, Mr. Schifeling, and Mr. Riley. Each Finalist will be here one whole day and a half, engaging in interviews and meetings.

There are two Parent Forums you may attend on Day 1 of each Finalist’s visit: (1) 8:30-9:30 AM in the Parish Church and (2) 5:00-6:00 PM in the School Auditorium.  Parents will have an opportunity to hear from the candidates directly as they share their background, educational philosophy, and perspective on parental roles in education.There will be a Q & A session following each candidate presentation.

You are welcome to submit questions via email ( sjpds.search18@gmail.com ) . The moderator will ask as many of your questions as time allows and the search committee will consider all responses during their final evaluation of each candidate.

  • Ms. Lori Dembo: took place Thursday, October 4th (8:30 am & 5 pm)
  • Mr. Michael Riley: Monday, October 15th (8:30 am & 5 pm)
  • Mr. Matthew Schifeling: Monday, October 22nd (8:30 am & 5 pm)

Please RSVP*  so we may adequately prepare for your presence. 
Annual Fund 2018-2019
Have you seen all of the adorable paper bears in the lobby? The kids are really enjoying making their bears their own so please continue to send them in along with your donation form. The first class to reach 100% participation by 12/31/18 will win a Pajama Day, and the class that raises the most money by the same date will win an after-school Movie and Ice Cream Sundae party in January!

The theme for this year’s Annual Fund is “Experience the Power of 100%!” Our goal is for 100% of St. John’s families to support the Annual Fund this year to help us reach our goal of $45,000. This campaign is our top fundraiser and is critical to the School’s daily operating budget. Every gift impacts every student. Donations in any amount are welcome and are tax deductible. Be sure to check with your employer to see if they offer a matching gift program. Many corporations match their employee’s gift dollar-for-dollar (or more!).
For more information about Annual Fund or Planned Giving opportunities, please contact Lisa Hermodsson, Director of Development, at Lhermodsson@stjohnspds.org .
UPCOMING EVENTS
Friday, October 12, 2018

11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

All Saints Hall
Get your yummy baked treats from ASH on Friday, October 12 from 11:30-1:00 PM. We will be donating the money to Kenya Connect. Each treat costs $0.50 and there will be many different types of treats available. Thanks! We hope that you will support our students and help us raise money to help Kenya Connect. We have two more bake sales remaining- October 12, and October 26th.
Sunday, October 28, 2018

1 PM – 4 PM
Saturday, November 17, 2018

11 AM – 3 PM

Meet at All Saints Hall
You won’t want to miss this much anticipated holiday event! At our annual holiday vendor show you are sure to find something unique for everyone on your list while supporting over 60 small and local vendors. This free family friendly event will offer items including holiday decorations, home décor, clothing and accessories, things for kids, gourmet food, cosmetics and skincare, and so much more. 

8:45 AM – 11:30 AM Lower School, 9:45 AM– 11:30 AM Early Childhood

All sessions begin in the Historic Church followed by classroom visits
We are looking forward to Grandparent and Grandfriends Day! If your child does not have a Grandparent who can attend they may invite someone such as an aunt or uncle, neighbor, or family friend. Many students bring multiple grandparents who are happy to “adopt” a child who does not have a friend with them. Volunteers are needed to help that morning so please see the Sign Up Genius online if you are available. Please contact Lisa Hermodsson, Director of Development, at Lhermodsson@stjohnspds.org .
PARENTS' ASSOCIATION NEWS
Box Tops
It’s Box Tops submission time! Turn in your Box Tops before  Friday October 19  and be entered to win a prize!  Remember to put your child’s name and teacher’s name on the collection sheet or baggie. Thanks for all your cutting and collecting
Fall Family Fun Day Volunteers Needed! 
Please join us in fellowship as we put on the fabulous and much adored family friendly community event. It's not too late to sign up. Come for the event, and spend a minimum of 30 minutes helping out at a station, or host a Trunk for our trick-or-treaters.

Can't make the event, but still want to help? Help is needed for set up and break down, as well as donating cupcakes for the delicious Cupcake Walk, which can be placed in the freezer/fridge in ASH the Friday prior (10/26). See the signups for more volunteer details or reach out to Allison Heussler ( allisoneheussler@gmail.com ).
Spirit Wear Sales!! 
Fall is here and what better way to celebrate than with a new SJPDS sweatshirt, long sleeve t-shirt, coffee cup, or water bottle to take along to next week's sports activities? Spirit Wear can be purchased at any time by completing an order form with Ms. Ashton in the front office - orders will be fulfilled within 3 business days of receiving the order form and payment. 

Please make sure to stop by our booth at the upcoming Fall Family Fun Day on October 28th where we will have a variety of spirit wear available to purchase and take home that day! Feel free to contact Meghan Jefferson ( meghan_jefferson@hotmail.com ) or Melissa Mitchell ( leensmom@gmail.com ) if you have any questions. 

All money raised from the sale of Spirit Wear is used by the Parents’ Association to fund various school-wide initiatives such as awarding teacher mini grants – used to purchase supplemental educational tools, funding parent/child seminars, purchasing large ticket items for ALL STUDENTS to enjoy, AND MORE!!
Room Parents Wanted
We need YOU! We would like each classroom to have 2 room parents.
What is a room parent? What will I have to do?
You will:
  • Communicate with classroom families about school & classroom events
  • Help with organization of parties (if requested by your teacher)
  • Help organize & distribute teacher, assistants' , and specialists’ gifts throughout the year (collaborating with other room parents)
  • Attend 2-3 room parents’ meetings (as your schedule allows)

This a great volunteer opportunity. You will get to know the students and families in your class as well as other classes.  You can sign up on the Sign-Up Genius under your teacher’s name. For more information please contact Lauren Frey, Parents' Association, Room Parent Coordinator at ladybug4656@gmail.com.
Scrip
Welcome to Scrip! A fundraiser for the SJPDS Parents’ Association. The idea is simple: you buy gift cards at their face value, and the SJPDS Parents’ Association receives a percentage of the dollar value of your purchase for the benefit of the school and your children. For information on ordering, read more   here .

Scrip Enrollment Assistance

Still a bit overwhelmed by the Scrip sign up process? Join us at the Media Center on  Wednesday, October 17 from 8:15 – 9:15 am  or  Thursday, October 17 from 3-3:45 pm  to sign up for Scrip and make your first Scrip purchase. If you are planning to attend , click here to sign up .

 
Scrip Vendor Spotlight:
Did you know you could buy Scrip gift cards for your home improvement projects? If you order a Scrip e-card for Home Depot or Lowe's, the SJPDS PA receives 4% of the face value. Just another way that your every day purchases can help support the school and your children.
CHURCH NEWS
Mental Health First Aid Course
October 13, 2018

8:30 AM – 4 PM

St. John's Episcopal Church
Did you know 1 in 5 people are living with a mental illness?
Mental Health First Aid is an 8-hour course that teaches you how to help someone who may be experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge. The training helps you identify, understand and respond to signs of addictions and mental illnesses.

Designed for parents, teachers, social workers, and anyone in the helping professions or anyone who has a family member with a mental illness. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Cost: $25.00.
HELP SUPPORT SJPDS
There are some EASY ways to help support our school and help raise extra money for this school year! The money raised goes toward new school items, “mini grants” for our teachers, as well as to support special events (such as author & zoo visits). Don’t forget to pass the word along to family, friends, and neighbors so they can help support SJPDS. We really appreciate everyone’s participation!

Giant A+ Rewards
Enroll your Giant rewards card using our school code 04414 to begin earning points from each purchase you make. The program begins September 7, 2018 and runs through March 16, 2019. Enroll now through January 31, 2019! Last year we earned $1,300. Click here to sign up


Harris Teeter: Together in Education
Create an account and enroll (or re-enroll) your VIC card ( card must be enrolled each year ) and select SJPDS (code 7161) TIE as your designated school. SJPDS will earn points from qualified items (Harris Teeter brands) and receive a cash payment at the end of the school year. Click here to enroll


BoxTops for Education
Collect BoxTops from participating products (there are hundreds of them) and submit them in the envelopes outside the classrooms or in the box in the front hallway. You can either tape them on the sheet provided or place them in a sealed baggie. Please make sure to include your child’s name, grade, and teacher on the paper and/or sealed baggie. We will collect BoxTops all year! Last year we earned $690.00 and our goal is to raise $1,000 this school year! Click here to register

You can also download and use the Box Tops Bonus App. All you have to do is sign up, select St. John’s Parish Day School, select what you have purchased, scan your receipt and start earning money for SJPDS!


Shop with Scrip
Help SJPDS earn money through everyday purchases. Sign up at www.shopwithscrip.com and click on the JOIN A PROGRAM , enter the SJPDS PA enrollment code: 1EDB8C1821622 , and other key information (usename, etc). Select your gift cards and earn money for our school! Feel Free to contact Shana Christrup at scripdirector@gmail.com with questions and more information about the program. 

CONNECT WITH US AND SHARE THE SPIRIT!

We would love for you to follow, connect, and have a conversation with us.  

Follow us on social media @stjohnspds  to keep up to date with our school community. 
Help us capture and share the Spirit. Use #STJOHNSPDS.
CALENDAR
October 7 – 14


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