What a wonderful start to our 2023-24 School Year! Our entire faculty and staff were ecstatic to welcome back so many familiar faces, and to meet some new ones, as well! The SJPDS campus feels complete again with our Bears exploring, socializing, learning intently, and having fun.

We are looking forward to another stellar year and hope your children had as much fun as we did on their first day!

Join us on campus for Back to School Night next Thursday, September 14th, from 6:30 PM-8:00 PM. Parents will join us is All Saints Hall (ASH) as a group to meet the faculty and hear from our Administration team. This important, parents-only, event will showcase SJPDS' goals for the year, will go over improvements we have made around campus, and offer time to gather as a community.

Once our group gathering is finished, parents will disperse to their child(ren)'s classroom(s) for a presentation from teachers about the upcoming year and curriculum highlights. Please note, this is a parents-only event and children should not attend. If you have any questions, please email communications@stjohnspds.org. We look forward to seeing you there!

We are so excited about our continued partnership with Yay Lunch, a school lunch service that provides freshly made, balanced meals for students, faculty, and staff through a simple online ordering process. All meals are prepared daily by local food partners and delivered to schools by the Yay Lunch team. Click HERE to register today! Menus and ordering are now live for the school year! Click HERE to see our menu and the variety of offerings we have available.

And we have even more good news: You can take 20% off one week of orders when you use the code SAYYAYLUNCH20 at checkout! This offer expires May 7.

September 15^th marks the anniversary of the publication of best-selling author/ illustrator Peter H. Reynolds’ The Dot, a story book for all ages! The Dot tells the story of a caring teacher who reaches a reluctant student in a remarkably creative way. In Peter’s book, the teacher dares a very resistant Vashti to “make her mark.” Vashti’s breakthrough begins with a simple dot on a piece of paper. Encouraged by her teacher she sets off on a journey of self-discovery, letting her creativity bloom and, ultimately, inspire others. 

We are thrilled to announce that we have arranged a virtual author visit with Mr. Reynolds himself! It's scheduled for this Spring, and will also include a special Family Literacy Night event! More details to come.

International Dot Day is next Friday, September 15th. Mrs. Moulding will be reading many of Mr. Reynolds books next week in Media. Next Friday will also be a Dress Down DOT Day for students and staff to celebrate! So, get your best polka dots ready!

We'll be celebrating International Dot Day with interdisciplinary lessons in Art, STEM, Music, Spanish, and more! To join in on the fun, you can watch the Dot Day Song video, HERE, the Spanish version HERE, and download the lyrics, HERE!

Thank you so much to Mrs. Jenny Moulding, our librarian, for making our International Dot Day so special!

To Learn More About International Dot Day Click Here!

St. John's is excited to host our first ever Family STEM Night on Thursday, October 12^th from 6:15-7:30 PM! This event will be for all SJPDS students and their families. There will be a number of hands-on Early Childhood activities & games in our Auditorium, and a variety of Lower School stations in All Saints Hall. Keep an eye out for more information and a RSVP link in the coming weeks!

St. John's is excited to host their very own chapter of Girls on the Run! This 10-week program is for 3rd-5th grade girls. The Bears will have practices Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 PM - 4:45 PM beginning September 19th. To learn more about Girls on the Run, and for sign-up information, click HERE. Please reach out to lisaboardgardner@gmail.com with any questions. We're looking forward to this fun initiative!

The SJPDS Parents’ Association is excited about the new school year. We have several opportunities for you to be involved in Fall activities. Please read the Thursday Newsletters each week for all the latest PA news and information. You can also stay connected with the PA’s Facebook and Instagram. Also, the PA Linktree will be your one link for all the current signups, events, and programs. Check it out today for PA Volunteer Needs, Room Parent & Yearbook Parent Signups, Girls on the The Run Registration, the PA Online Store, and more!

Join the Parish of St. John's Episcopal Church for their "One Worship" service at 10:00 AM. on the front lawn! (Weather permitting.) Please bring your own chairs and blankets. Immediately following worship, SJEC will hold the annual Ministry Fair! We hope you can join to see how you can get involved at St. John's. The Church will also be collecting food for the Food Pantry at UMBC. Details and items needed can he found HERE!

St. John's Creation Care Ministry is having an online Native Plant Sale from September 8- September 21! Pick-up is Saturday, September 23rd from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM, in the Lower School Playground parking lot. To view available plants, and to make your purchase, click HERE!

6:30 PM-8:30 PM

6:30 PM- 8:30 PM