Thursday, January 7, 2021
Friday, January 8th - Dollar Jean Day (Wear Flannel if you have it)

Friday, January 15th - No School, Teacher Inservice

Monday, January 18th - Red, White & Blue Day (out-of-uniform)

Wednesday, January 20th - Lou Malnati's Restaurant Night (See flyer below)

Thursday, January 21st - 11:00 AM Dismissal, Parent/
Teacher/Student Conferences

Thursday, January 21st - Cousins Subs Day

Friday, January 22nd - No School

Monday, January 25th - Grade 8 Graduation Pictures
Family Prayer 

Baptism of the Lord

Reading I : Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7
I have called you for the victory of justice.
  • Today’s reading is the first of the four “suffering servant songs” from Isaiah.
  • These songs depict a chosen servant who must suffer much because of faithfulness to God.
  • The suffering servant songs have been linked to Jesus Christ.

Reading II : Acts 10:34-38
He went about doing good works.
  • In Acts, Peter makes the point that the revelation of God’s love began at the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River.
  • In Jesus, God’s reign has been established on earth.
  • God wants the entire world to hear the good news of salvation.

Gospel : Mark 1:7-11
On you my favor rests.
  • In all the Gospels Jesus is publicly proclaimed God’s Son at his Baptism.
  • The details of Jesus’ Baptism in today’s Gospel echo the images from the four servant songs.
  • At the moment of his Baptism, Jesus begins his lifework of proclaiming the kingdom of God.
A Message from Mrs. Laidlaw Otto
 
Dear SJE Families, 

Welcome to 2021! Last Sunday we celebrated the Feast of Epiphany, the celebration of the revelation that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the World. This week we are sharing the blessings of our classroom doors with our students. The information below explains this custom. At the conclusion of this, you will find a blessing to use in your own home. We are sending home a piece of chalk, blessed by Fr. Michael at our children’s liturgy yesterday. We hope that you will take the time to complete this tradition in your home.  
 
Epiphany Blessing 
20 + C + M + B + 21 
(20 + Caspar + Melchior + Balthazar + 21) 
 
The Church has a custom of blessing homes in celebration of the Feast of the Epiphany between January 6th until January 13th. Family and friends gather to ask God’s blessing on their homes and those who live in or visit the home. It is an invitation for Jesus to be a daily guest in our home, our comings and goings, our conversations, our work and play, our joys and sorrows. 
 
One way of doing this is to use blessed chalk to write above the home’s entryway, 20 + C + M + B + 21. The letters C, M, B have two meanings. They are the initials of the traditional names of the three magi: Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar. They also abbreviate the Latin words Christus Mansionem Benedicat, “May Christ Bless the House.” The “+” signs represent the cross, and the 2021 the year. 
Marking the doorway to one’s home is rooted in the Old Testament. Holy Scripture reminds us that God has at times commanded his people to mark their doors. The Israelites marked their doors with the lamb’s blood on the night of the Passover (Exodus 12:7). 
 
“Chalking the door” is a way to celebrate and physically mark the occasion of the Epiphany of God’s blessing of our lives and home. With time, the chalk will fade. It is a reminder to let the meaning of the written symbols sink into the depths of our heart and be manifest in our words and actions. 
 
Instructions for Blessing the Home by the Head of the House 
 
Using the blessed chalk write 20 + C + M + B + 21 over the entry doors to your house. 
Pray the following while chalking the doors: 
 
The three Wise Men, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar followed the star of God’s Son who became human two thousand and twenty one years ago. May Christ bless our home and remain with us throughout the New Year. 
 
Then offer the following prayer:
 
Visit, O blessed Lord, this home with the gladness of your presence. Bless all who live or visit here with the gift of your love; and grant that we may manifest your love to each other and to all whose lives we touch. May we grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of you; guide, comfort, and strengthen us in peace, O Jesus Christ, now and forever. Amen 
 
Warm Regards in the New Year, 

Mary Laidlaw Otto 
Winter Snow Closing Days 
We have updated our school closing policy to reflect the changing situations in our local public schools.
 
Historically it has been our practice that in case of extreme weather conditions, St. John will close when the Greenfield or Whitnall Public Schools close. In light of our current situation, we will be making our own decisions regarding weather closings this year. Tune into any local radio or television station to check for closings or log onto any of the following: 
For even more up to date information, we also post closings on our school and parish website, www.sje.k12.wi.us as well as our school Facebook page: St John the Evangelist Catholic School, Greenfield 
Please remember that in inclement weather situations, coming to school is a parent decision. If you are unable to transport your child to school safely on a day when we are open, please contact the school office immediately in the morning to let us know that your child will not be in attendance. 
Conferences

Our mid-year conferences are quickly approaching. Our upcoming conferences will be held via Google Meets. Today’s paper Thursday envelope includes conference slips. All families are required to complete and return the conference slip by Monday, January 11th. Conference slips will be sent home with students next Thursday, January 14th. Parents will receive the google meet link for their child’s conference from the homeroom teacher.  
 
Conferences are mandatory for all students, including K4 and K5 students. Conference will be scheduled for Thursday, January 21st from noon until 8:00 PM. Please note that students will be dismissed on Thursday, January 21st at 11 AM, and that there will be no school on Friday, January 22nd.  

Students in K4 and K5 will receive their first narrative report card on January 20th.

Please consider helping out!

Our Home and School Committee is in desperate need of a volunteer to sell Scrip after 9:30 mass on the fourth Sunday of each month.

Although this is a long-term commitment, the monthly time commitment is only about 45 minutes.

Do you have a student server in your family? We are happy to adjust the weekend server schedule to coordinate the Scrip and server schedules.  

To volunteer, please contact the school office at 414-321-8540 .
Uniform Updates

As we enter the new year, parents are asked to review our school uniform code, found here:


Some of our students have become lax in following these rules, set forth by our parent advisory committee. Our teachers will be providing daily reminders to students about the dress code. In particular, we are watching for brightly colored and/or patterned leggings worn along with jumpers or skirts, nail polish, and sweatshirts that do not meet our uniform standard.  

Students who are in violation of the uniform code will be provided with a reminder by their homeroom teacher. Communication with parents will occur as necessary.  

Thank you so much for your support of our efforts.
Dollar Jean Day

Tomorrow, Friday, January 8th, is a Dollar Jean Day. Your child may wear flannel along with their jeans if they would like. Proceeds will go to Water to Thrive to fund a well that will provide clean drinking water to the people of eastern Africa. Thank you for your generosity.
St. John the Evangelist School
414-321-8540
Fax: 414-321-4450
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