Dear SJB Families,

As you can see, we have been focusing on Patriotism this week. It is always good to take time (especially after a divisive election season) to remember how blessed we are in this country.

When I was a junior high student, my family took a month to drive from West Virginia to California and back, camping the entire way. I remember the changing landscapes, standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon, and being in awe of the giant Sequoia trees. America is blessed with beaches, great lakes, and massive rivers. All of this is available without even needing a passport—America the Beautiful indeed!

We live in a country where we are free to pursue our dreams, speak openly, and practice our faith. In prayer this week, we called to mind the sacrifices of those in the military. I know many of our families have loved ones who serve, and we thank all of you! We especially honor our veterans. We recognize that the freedoms we enjoy have been hard-fought, and we truly appreciate the sacrifices our veterans have made.

The USA is not perfect by any means, but I, for one, am thankful to be an American and love this country so very much! We ask God to bless America, her leaders, her military, and her people.

See you at Mass!

Maggie Javins



Patriotism is related to the cardinal virtue of Justice.

Definition: Paying due honor and respect to one’s country through words and speech, with a willingness to serve the common good. A part of the virtue of loyalty.

Patriotism in Practice:

• I speak respectfully of my country and its officials.
• I honor symbols of my nation.
• I pray for my country and its leaders.
• I seek to serve the common good.

Saintly Example- St. Louis IX

Louis IX was a great French king who combined his love of Christ and the Church with a willingness to serve his country. He protected and helped the French priests, set up shelters and hospitals for the poor and sick, and built beautiful churches for the people of France. He also gave thought to his own prayer life, spending many hours in prayer for himself and his country.

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:13-17

Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing right you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. Live as free men, yet without using your freedom as a pretext for evil; but live as servants of God. Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

Prayer

Dear Jesus,

Please bless my country and all those who work hard to lead it. May You always be King of this land and glorified through its government and laws. Please give me a heart of service.



Amen.

Looking Ahead - Next Week's Virtue: Prayerfulness

The following students were sent to the principal's office because they were caught being virtuous!

Brinn Joost (1st Grade) and her brother Thomas were baptized into the Church on October 20th. We are so excited for Brinn and her brother. I was lucky enough to sit next to Brinn at a school Mass a couple of weeks ago and was so impressed by her reverence and focus during Mass. Congratulations Brinn and family and I apologize for taking so long to get this in the newsletter!!!!

11/25 & 12/2 Lunch Menu

• Lunch Form must be returned by Monday November 18th
• A paper copy was sent home with students.
• Students receiving Free Lunches must also complete this form.

Any 8th Grade Student Planning to Attend Bishop Luers needs to take the Henry-Keefer Scholarship and Placement Exam.

All interested current 8th graders are invited to take our scholarship exam/placement test on ONE of the two dates. Students with an ISP/IEP should test on the first date in November and a copy of current documentation must be provided ahead of time.

• Saturday, November 9th from 8am – 11:30am
• Saturday, December 7th from 8am – 11:30am

For more information, please contact the Admissions Office at 260-456-1261 ext. 3051

Throughout the week teachers in middle school collect names of students going above and beyond, whether it is helping a classmate, participating in class, answering hard questions, volunteering at Mass, etc. Then once a week each middle school teacher draws out a name from their collection to get a small prize. All names eligible for the drawing are placed on a bulletin board in the middle school hallway for all to see.

November 13:

Mrs. Henry - Daniel Reiff

Mrs. Lehner - Joe Chapman

Mrs. Newberg - Ryan Zimmerman

Mrs. Sturm - Gael Perez

Mrs. Welling - Santi Hernandez

Mrs. Zimmerman - Charlotte Jewell

Ellis did great! He finished 70th overall and was the 2nd finisher from Indiana. We are so proud of you Ellis!

The 2024-2025 8th grade class is fundraising for their 8th grade class trip to Washington D.C. We are looking for sponsors for our spirit shirt. All sponsors will be listed on the t-shirt. Please consider helping the class as they raise money for their class trip, and let us thank you by representing your business or organization on the back of the t-shirts worn by the students, family and friends for years to come.

Please complete the attached form and return to the school office. Enclose cash or a check payable to St. John the Baptist School. Please send black and white Ai or PDF of company name or logo to erinfry20@gmail.com.

As the cold weather approaches, please keep the following in mind for School Closing and Delays

• School Delays will be posted on local TV stations (WANE & WPTA)
• They will also be posted on ClassDojo, Eventlink and Social Media.
• 2 Hr Delay Schedule for Half- Day Preschool will be 10AM - 12PM (3 yr old) and 1PM - 3PM (4 yr old) regardless of the day of the week.
• Full Day Preschool will run 10AM - 3PM.
• There is no before school care on 2 hour delay days.
• Aftercare is available.

We will have a school wide celebration after the All School Mass on December 12th in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the Gym. Can you donate or volunteer? Contact Gaby Lemus at 260.443.8490.

Grandparents Day

November 20th

Mass at 8:15

Refreshments in the Gym to Follow

RSVP form sent hom with students.

Snacks and Coffee for Teachers

Each year HASA organizes parents to bring snacks and coffee for the teachers. It is so very appreciated! If you would be willing to volunteer for a week, please see the signup link below.

You may bring the snacks any day during the week you have signed up. If you are wanting to bring in coffee for the teachers, the coffee maker uses both ground coffee and nespresso pods. We have currently been purchasing ground coffee solely from a Catholic-owned coffee company named Guadalupe Roastery. If you are able, we would love to continue to support them by buying ground coffee directly from them. To help make purchasing easier, link to Guadalupe Roastery's website (Use code StJohn for 12% of Nicaraguan coffee) and a link for where to buy the nespresso pods are linked below. This is just an example of the nespresso pods - any brand of these type will work with the machine.

Thank you! 

Signup Genius

Guadalupe Roastery Website

Nespresso Pods Example

HASA Events - Save the Date!

Popcorn Day/Dress Down Day 11/15

Grandparents Day 11/20

Popcorn Day/Dress Down Day 12/6

Popcorn Day/Dress Down Day 1/10

Trivia Night 1/25

Popcorn Day/Dress Down Day 2/7

Father Daughter Dance 2/8

Mother Son Bowling 3/2 MVP Lanes

Popcorn Day/Dress Down Day 3/7

Popcorn Day/Dress Down Day 4/11

Sign up to help serve Popcorn

HASA is bringing back popcorn day the 1st Friday of each month. Popcorn is $1/bag. Popcorn will be delivered to the homeroom by the end of the day. We need volunteers to help pop popcorn to make this possible. The popcorn machine is easy to use and ingredients are pre-measured. 

Popcorn Signup

Pay HASA Fees

If you have not done so already, please pay your HASA family fees.

• $10 for one child
• $20 for two children.
• $30 for three or more children.
• You may pay by credit card on Eventlink.
• You may send cash or check payments to the school office. Please note your last name and your children's names on all monies sent to the school office.

There are some changes to aftercare this year

• Aftercare will take place in the PreSchool Room and Pick up will be in the cul-de-sac at Door #9. There will be a doorbell for you to ring.
• Miss Sydney Strack will be our Aftercare Teacher.
• All families must complete a registration form on Eventlink. This form provides information to the Aftercare teacher and only needs to be completed once.
• Parents will be sent a statement each week. They can pay by check, cash, or credit card. If paying by credit card, please use Eventlink. They payment is due by the following Friday.
• You can change the payment amount on Eventlink to match what your statement says.
• Aftercare costs $11 per student per day.
• Aftercare hours are until 5:30 PM each day.
• There are semester and quarterly options available for a reduced daily fee.

As a Family of SJB, you have full access to our virtue program

Disciple of Christ, Education in Virtue is more than a curriculum; it’s a way of life – the means to a happy life and a healthy mind. Our school has purchased an institutional membership, and we invite you to sign up – for free.

There are videos and resources for the entire family – parents, educators, teen and young adult and children as young as 4 years old.

Simply use the following link and then type in the zip code of our school. When you see our school name, click on it and that’s it! You now have access to 100 % of the Openlight Media website.

Virtue Program Family Link

Hiring Classroom Aide

Our Title funding was amended and we are able to hire an additional classroom aide. The position would be under the supervision of the Resource Room and work with students who qualify for extra support.

The pay is $14 - $15 per hour (depending on education and experience) and we need 28-29 hours per week. We do require our classroom aides to pursue a substitute teacher license. If you know anyone interested, please have them apply!

• We try to get the students outside everyday for recess. It is so good for them!
• Please dress your children appropriately for cold weather by sending hats, gloves, and coats.
• Hoodie sweatshirts are not winter coats - contrary to what our junior high students tend to think. They go under winter coats.

Spirit and Uniform Store Available

Our new uniform store is available.

• The site is broken into different categories: Uniform, Fridays Spirit Wear, etc.
• When order there is an option to add a comment. It is very helpful to add your children's name to the comment so we can deliver uniforms in a timely manner.
• Uniform Store

Do you know someone who would like to receive our weekly newsletter?

Our weekly newsletter is a great way for grandparents, alumni, and friends to stay connected to our school. Have them complete the following information to receive our newsletter updates.

Sign Up Here

Do you know someone that wants to be a Substitute Teacher at SJB?

We are in need of substitute teachers. In order to be a substitute, you must apply with the diocese and hold a valid substitute license from the state.

• Diocesan information located here.
• Valid Substitute Permit application from State found here.
•  Licensed or Retired Teachers - $125 per Day/ $75 Half Day
• High School Diploma and Valid Substitute Permit - $100 per day/ $60 Half Day
• Please email jhohenstein@stjohnsfw.org once you are on the sub list so that she can be sure to call!