Dear SJB Families,

We have almost made it to Thanksgiving Break! This week, our 8th graders traveled to the other side of the diocese for a special day of prayer, learning, and reflection. I had the joy of accompanying the girls as we spent the day with the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration. (See below for all the fun things both the boys and girls did throughout the trip!) Father Paolo celebrated Mass for us and gave an especially meaningful homily.

The purpose of the trip was to invite our young women to think about vocations and to introduce what religious life may look like. Father shared that we cannot even begin to discern our vocation until we try to see ourselves as God sees us. Too often we see ourselves through many other lenses—our parents, our friends, our not-so-friends, and especially through social media. But until we see ourselves as His Beloved Children, we cannot fully contemplate the plans He has for us. He loves us deeply. And if we truly want to discern His will, that is where we must begin.

The sisters echoed this beautifully. As Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, they take turns throughout the night in quiet prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. One student asked what happens if a sister accidentally sleeps through her alarm. Sister Fiat smiled and answered, “I try to be patient with myself.” She went on to explain that she knows the Lord loves her and that He called her to this life in spite of her weaknesses. So even on the days she falls short, she simply tries again. Maybe the joy that shines through the sisters is because they can see themselves as God sees them!

Finally, please keep our second graders in your prayers this weekend as they receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the very first time. What a tremendous gift of grace for our young students!

See you at Mass!

Maggie Javins

Any overage will help fund a resource officer for the school! Please be generous!

What is an SGO?

SGO stands for "Scholarship Granting Organization" which provides scholarship awards to qualifying families to help them afford the school of their choice. 

What is the difference between an SGO and a School Choice Scholarship (Voucher)?

SGO scholarships are funded by charitable corporate or individual private donations, not by the state. A qualifying family can receive both an SGO and a School Choice Scholarship (Voucher). If a family qualifies for a School Choice Scholarship, then they qualify for an SGO.

So if we have the School Choice Scholarship - why do we need an SGO?

• SGO's can be applied to 4 year old preschool tuition. (Age restrictions apply)
• As tuition continues to increase to meet school overhead needs (paying teachers appropriately, staffing to meet the needs of diverse learners, having updated technology available to students, ensuring students have updated curriculum and materials, offering a foreign language program, and much more), the SGO can be used to cover the difference between tuition and the School Choice Scholarship.

Why would I donate to an SGO instead of just giving to the school?

The SGO offers its donors a significant tax credit. Individuals, corporations, partnerships, LLCs, PCs, and self-employed are all eligible for the tax credit; in fact, any entity with a state tax liability can receive the benefit from a donation to the SGO.

Example of Tax Benefits (please see your tax professional to verify your particular situation).

Depending on your tax bracket, a donation of $1000 to the SGO could result in:       

Donation to SGO                  $1000.00

50% state tax rebate           (-$500.00)

25% federal deduction        ($500.00 x 25%=-$125.00)

Net cost to you                     $375.00

How are SGO funds applied?

Our pastor and administration award SGO grants to an individual family, following income guidelines from the State. (We do ask families to complete a FACTS grant application in order to receive the funds).

If you would like to donate, please make sure you designate Saint John the Baptist, Fort Wayne on the donation form. That ensures the funds come directly to our school. St. John the Baptist Catholic School is especially grateful to our donors who fund the SGO's for us. Without their help and support, this source of aid would not exist for our school.

Many of our St. John’s School families have parents who both work or who stay home with small children and are unable to help with driving their students to special events. We are seeking trustworthy volunteers who are willing to be contacted by teachers to drive students of any grade to these outside learning experiences. If you have some availability during school hours or know a youthful grandparent or someone else who would be a trustworthy driver of our students, please pick up the required volunteer paperwork that is available in the school office. Thank you!

Definition: Bearing present difficulties calmly.



Patience In Practice

• I stay calm in frustrating situations.
• When it is necessary to wait, I do so calmly and pleasantly.
• I can and often do delay the gratification of my desires.
• I see the value in choosing to slow the pace of life.

Prayer for Patience: Dear God, help me to wait without complaining, to see You in my neighbor, and to let Your grace enter this moment so that I may not lose my patience. Amen.

In an effort to prepare for the coming weather, we have changed dismissal in the parking lot slightly. We are trying to load 4 cars at a time to keep things running safe and smooth.     

1. Please pull forward in a line headed directly toward the open gate. (Not the sidewalk)         

2. Do not park on Fairfield Ave.                                                     

3. If your student is late, we will ask you to pull to the middle of the lot and staff will bring you your student and will help you exit.  

4. For student safety, please do not pull out of the line unless a staff member directs you to do so.                                               

Thank you for helping dismissal running safely.                             

NOTRE DAME CATHOLIC SCHOOLS DAY - SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21

Join us on the campus of Notre Dame for Catholic Schools Day on Sunday, December 21! Your Fighting Irish Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams will be facing off in a doubleheader, with the men tipping off first against Purdue Fort Wayne at 2 p.m. and the women versus Bellarmine at 7 p.m. It’s the holiday season at Purcell Pavilion; Santa’s coming to town! Enjoy a meet-and-greet opportunity and photos with Santa on the concourse before each game. Everyone at your school can get a special $10/person rate on tickets for either game. Questions? Contact the Ticket Office at 574-631-7356 or tickets@nd.edu. Please feel free to forward this information on to school and parish families.

12/1 and 12/8 lunch menu

• lunch form must be returned by Monday, November 24
• students on free and reduced lunch must also fill out and return
• REMINDER: if NOT turned in, students must pack

Christ the Teacher Nomination

Please recommend one of our amazing teachers for the Christ the Teacher award! Students brought home paper copies last week, or you can complete the digital version.

Middle School Drawing

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 19, 2025 Drawing:

Mrs. Henry - Moises Rojas

Mrs. Lehner - Daniel Hernandez

Mrs. Newberg - Tom Berghoff

Mrs. Sturm - Aiden Newberg

Mrs. Welling - Ethan Stover 

Mrs. Zimmerman - Dayana Del cid

Mrs. McAfee's Craft Club

Christmas Piano Recital

Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 6:00pm: Christmas Piano Performance Party for first-year students; starting in the church and then moving to the basement for refreshments and meet-and-greet.

Thursday, December 18 at 6:00pm: Christmas Piano Recital for returning students in the church.

Santa Shop is BACK: December 1st - 5th 

Students will shop during recess. Each class will get 1 opportunity to shop. See the schedule below. It will enable children to purchase their own special holiday gifts for family and friends. The gifts range in price (affordable selections) and children enjoy making decisions and learning about economics. These are great items for everyone, such as licensed sports products, popular jewelry as well as licensed gift items.

We are very excited about the program as a learning experience as well as a service to the students and parents. Adult volunteers play a vital role in the success of the holiday shop. 

Parent volunteers are needed to help with set up, decorating and running the shop. A signup genius is attached. 

We realize that the holiday season is a busy time for everyone but we would appreciate your support. 

P.S. Grandparents are very welcome!

What a great day! The boys were able to visit the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at Notre Dame-home to over 1600 relics. We visited the grotto to pray. A former pastor, Father Andrew, walked with us for the first hour of our visit! Father Carl, a Holy Cross priest, gave us the history of the Log Chapel, the first building built at Notre Dame and the burial place of the first ordained priest in America-Father Stephen Theodore Badin. He also shared his vocation story. Our final stop was the Hesburgh Library. Ivan Miranda, our Notre Dame guide, told us about the Word of Life mural (touchdown Jesus).

The 8th grade girls had a wonderful time during their visit to the St. Francis Convent in Mishawaka. The Sisters of Saint Francis of Perpetual Adoration graciously welcomed us and showed us around their beautiful facilities. Sr. Fiat gave us a tour, we spent time in Adoration, and Fr. Paolo celebrated Mass for us. We then enjoyed lunch with several of the sisters and novices. The sisters shared their vocation stories, hosted a thoughtful question-and-answer session, and even led us in a lively versions of “Ships and Sailors” called "Nuns and Sisters," which was a huge hit!

All of the girls truly enjoyed their day. Our young ladies asked thoughtful—and sometimes very practical—questions, especially about the habits. (“Do you wear that to sleep?” was a favorite!) When the sisters asked one of our students for her takeaway, she admitted she expected things to be much more strict. I think, like many of us, when we meet religious sisters for the first time, we are struck by the joy they radiate. It was a beautiful and memorable experience for everyone.

The bus trip was also a lot of fun and included both the boys and the girls. In the morning, Father Paolo led the students in Morning Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours, followed by a lively and competitive Catholic Trivia game. On the way home, we had a very entertaining round of Charter Bus Karaoke (boys vs. girls!), and we closed the day together in prayer with a Rosary. It was a wonderful end to a great day!

Athletic Schedule

Want to catch the Eagles in Action - please see the following Sports Schedule.

Volunteers Needed

HASA provides so much for our school. Their calendar of events is impressive including Grandparents Day, Trunk or Treat, and many more. In addition to these, they also provide regular snacks for teachers and popcorn for our First Friday Jeans Days. They are looking for parents to volunteer to help with both of these events.

We invite all students, grades 5-8, to join us on scheduled Monday evenings from 6:00-7:30 at Saint Elizabeth for “Kindness Club.” (See flyer for dates.) Meet new friends and help us cultivate kindness with one another through crafts, community, and fun!

We would love to see you! Please sign up for the sessions you’d like to attend below.

Bishop Luers - Ignite the Spirit Capital Campaign – Bishop Luers is looking to the future by upgrading classrooms and raising funds to build an auxiliary gym/performing arts center! Learn more and give today at www.bishopluers.org.

Bishop Luers High School Theater presents....

Do you want to build a snowman? You’ll love this fanciful and heartwarming stage adaptation of the top-grossing animated film of all time! Join Anna, Elsa, and all of your favorite characters as they embark on an epic, ice-filled journey of self-discovery, camaraderie, and the real meaning of true love. Adapted for young performers, this musical includes favorite Frozen songs such as “Love Is an Open Door,” “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?,” and “Let It Go,” as well as wonderful new songs from the Broadway production. With its empowering message of love and understanding, Frozen JR. is sure to melt your heart!

Showtimes:

Thursday, December 11, 2025 - 7:30pm

Friday, December 12, 2025 - 7:30pm

Saturday, December 13, 2025 - 2pm and 7:30pm

Tea Party:

Saturday, December 13 at 1pm

Admission: $15 each

Monday - Thursday Uniform

• Light Blue or White polo style shirt (any brand is okay!)
• Navy Blue or Black docker style shorts or pants. (Shorts may be worn from 8/7 to 10/31 and then again from 4/1 to 5/22)
• Saint John's Logo Sweatshirt
• Plain Navy Blue Sweater
• Girls may wear uniform jumpers or skirt. (Landsend, French Toast, or Schoolbelles code 2278)

Friday

• Any Saint John's or Bishop Luers top with uniform bottoms.

Sign Up for our School Newsletter

Sign Up for Eventlink

We use Eventlink as another layer of parent notification. An electronic version of our school calendar is also on Eventlink. We ask all parents to sign up for notification. We will have someone available to help with Eventlink signup at verification day.

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

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!

• 11/22 - First Reconciliation
• 11/25 - No Aftercare
• 11/26-11/28 - Thanksgiving Break
• 12/5 - HASA sponsored Dress Down Day (No Popcorn due to Sant's Workshop)
• 12/7 - St. Nick Breakfast