Message from the Principal
Welcome to the 2021-2022 school year! Summer seems to have flown right by, but I am so very excited to get this year started. Now that we’ve been back for a couple of days, I remember the joy that seeing all of the children brings me each day. When we start a new year, there are many different emotions. Some feel scared or nervous, some happy and excited. No matter how you’re feeling in these first days, it is a time for new beginnings, an opportunity to try new things. This year’s theme is Jesus is in All Things, taken from Colossians 1:15-20. This timeless theme empowers St. John’s Lutheran School to praise and share Christ in the sanctuary, classroom, science lab, choir room, playground, gym, office and every place where God’s children and their leaders gather. In praise and thanksgiving to God, teachers and students strive to do their best, seeking to do all things well, and when they fall short they are blessed to be able to seek the grace of God for forgiveness and then rededicate their efforts individually, and as a school, to glorify God and serve His people. Blessings to all of you as we take this journey together.

In His service,
Teri Lyn Mannes, Principal
Eagles in Action
3rd Grade Eagles in Action 2021
3rd Grade is learning that Jesus is in all things (Colossians 1:17) and that includes our Eagles in Action service project in August and September. During the school year, 3rd grade will use chapel offerings to purchase non-food items each month for the LaGrange Area Food Pantry that Snap or Link cards don’t cover like toothpaste, shampoo, soap, deodorant, or toilet paper, to name a few. We will also be collecting food items like cereal, pasta, and canned goods that can be dropped off during the Meals to Go Supper on Sunday, September 12th. We will keep you posted on the items we purchase in the WINGS. Thank you for helping us serve in our community and share that Jesus is in all things!
Announcements
REMINDER:
Parents are not allowed in the building except by appointment. Drop-ins are not accepted. If you need to make an appointment, email school@stjohnslagrange.org

Late arrivals should come to door B and ring the doorbell by pressing the red button.

Masks are required for anyone entering the building.
Early Dismissal every Thursday
Kindergarten-8th Grade: 2:30 pm
Preschool: 2:15 pm
OFFICE COMMUNICATION
For all communication with the school office, you must use school@stjohnslagrange.org
or call 708.354.1690 Ext 217.
Do not use personal email addresses for office communication, as the email may get missed.

Absence line
708.354.1690, Press 4, then 1
If your student is going to be absent for any reason, you must call and leave a message on the absence line every day with a detailed explanation of the reason for the absence. (If you let the school know in advance about a prolonged absence, such as vacation, you do not need to call every day.)

Extended Care Phone Number
708.354.1690 Ext 288
Arrival times:
Kindergarten-1st grade, 6th-8th grades: 7:45am-8:00am at Door A
2nd-5th grades: 7:45am-8:00am at Door B
Preschool: 8:00am-8:15am at Door D on Park Road
Pickup times:
Kindergarten-8th grade: Mon, Tues, Wed, and Fri: 3:00pm, Thurs: 2:30pm
Preschool: Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri: 3:15pm, Thurs: 2:15pm at Door D on Park Road

Extended Care will be available before and after school.
Make sure you have filled out the extended care registration form.
Extended care email: extcare@stjohnslagrange.org
Sycamore
You should have gotten an email from Sycamore with your login information. Please be sure to set up and/or update your Sycamore account. In Sycamore you can keep track of your student's grades, view your extended care bill, and see a family directory. Report cards are also viewed in Sycamore. If you need your information resent, please email school@stjohnslagrange.org
Extended Care

Extended Care is available in the morning beginning at 7:00 am, and after school until 5:30 pm.

You must sign your student(s) up by emailing extcare@stjohnslagrange.org. There is a $10 penalty if you do not sign up or cancel in advance.

Payments are due on the 15th of each month, but you may also choose to pay weekly. Payments may be sent in your student's take-home folder, or dropped in the mail slot beside the Park Rd. doors.

Please review the Extended Care Handbook for all of the necessary information, and refer to the billing instructions for Sycamore, via the buttons below.
2021-22 School Registration & Medical Forms

Please submit the following medical and school forms
by August 17th: 
**Forms may be mailed or emailed to school office (school@stjohnslagrange.org), left in the mail slot by the Park Road doors.


EIGHTH GRADERS ONLY
Mask Requirement Update
The email regarding mask requirements can be accessed here.
Masks are not required when outdoors.

As you may have seen on the news, ISBE has already taken action against schools, both private and public, who were not following the mask mandate. Additionally, we have been informed of more schools that ISBE has taken action against. Violations of the mandate are causing schools to lose their recognition, and teachers are facing the possibility of losing their teaching licenses. Funding for scholarship funds such as Empower Illinois can be taken away. We understand many of you have strong feelings regarding the mask mandate, and we are always interested in keeping open communication between the school and families. However, St. John's will not risk its status as a school or the status of its teachers.

If you would like to make your voice heard to policy makers, you may contact your local health authorities such as Cook County Department of Public Health, the Illinois Department of Public Health, your local and state government representatives, the Illinois State Board of Education, the office of Governor Pritzker, and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

At St. John's, we continue to respect and honor all members of our community, and appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
School Picture Days
Picture Day is Tuesday, October 5th.
Retake day is Friday, November 19th.

More information will be sent home closer to the date.
School Office
Office visits BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. Drop-ins not accepted.
If a school visit is necessary, please schedule an appointment by calling the office (708.354.1690 ext 217) or email school@stjohnslagrange.org.
        Music Opportunities at St. John’s
Welcome back to school! Whether your child is a returning student or new to St. John’s, we are happy for the opportunity to teach and nurture every child in our midst. This message highlights important information you need to know as the year begins. It is our desire to raise up every child to live his or her life as an offering of praise to our Lord Jesus. The Bible tells us that music plays an important role in praising God, both individually and together as a Christian community.

PLEASE VISIT OUR WEB SITE FOR ALL OF THE INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION FORMS FOR THE MANY AVAILABLE MUSIC OPPORTUNITIES: 

https://bit.ly/MusicStJohns
Confirmation for St. John Lutheran Church’s 2021 -2022
 
An Informational Meeting for potential confirmands (and their parents) will be held Wednesday, August 25, from 6:30 – 7:30 PM in the Heritage Room at St. John’s. Confirmation instructional gatherings will be held on Wednesdays, beginning on September 1st at 6:30pm in the Heritage Room. Youth in grades 7 and 8 are eligible to participate in Confirmation. Please contact Pastor Ben at b.roberts@stjohnslagrange.org or 708-354-1690, ext. 213, or the Church Office, to enroll your youth or for more information.
St. John's Ministries
Find more information about the following exciting events:
CHICKEN BASKET FUNDRAISER
PET PARADE
THRIVENT HELP
EAGLES IN ACTION
MISSION CAFE
CHURCH VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
SAVE THE DATE!

You can access that email via the button below:
Tuition Reduction Incentive Program!
Earn money towards next year's tuition! And support our school! Use the RaiseRight app now! September is almost here! Time to start shopping for cooler weather clothing to get ready for fall! If you just plan on dining out or treating yourself, take time to evaluate your shopping needs and order your TRIP cards! If you are hosting or attending any gatherings, start your shopping with TRIP cards. 

Please text me (Amy Buonassissi) if you have an order & are coming 630-290-0268
   OR if you would like to connect with me somewhere before the order is due.

We will be placing TRIP orders for your shopping needs on these upcoming dates:
August 30
September 7 (Tues), 13, 20, 27
When using the RaiseRight app, you can order eGift Cards to immediately download to your mobile device! In the drive-thru line at Starbucks, or the checkout line at Mariano's? Order an eGift card and it will be ready by the time you are ready to pay! Need to make a Target run? Download an eGift card to use at the store! Learn more about the RaiseRight app here: RaiseRight App
To obtain your personal user login and password, contact Amy Buonassisi: TRIP@stjohnslagrange.org
708-354-1690