Dear SJB Families,

I hope you had a relaxing Labor Day and a wonderful week! Our All School Mass this week was so amazing. It was the Feast Day of Mother Teresa. Father Mark spoke to the students about saying Mass on Easter for the Sisters of the Poor (Mother Teresa's order) while in Rome. He was especially moved by the joy of the sisters and emphasized that those that pour out their gifts for others always have great joy. This immediately brought to mind our teachers. Very often, excellent teachers make everything they do seem effortless. However, I see the hours of planning and thought that go into each one of our students. Our teachers pour themselves into your children. When you choose the vocation to which God has called you, it is not always easy - but there is always joy. It is how God has designed our hearts. Mother Teresa new this well. Please pray in a special way for our teachers!

Those of us that grew up in the 80's and 90's are very familiar with Mother Teresa, but our school students may be a little less so. She had such a huge impact on the world! I grew up in a part of the country where very few Catholics lived. Many people challenged what I believed from a very early age. Not necessarily in a mean way, more like the typical "worship Mary" stuff. I wasn't very knowledgeable about my faith, but I remember being so proud of John Paul II and Mother Teresa. I specifically recall thinking on the playground around 4th grade, "I don't care what they say—if Pope John Paul II and Mother Teresa are Catholic, it must be good. "

"If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.” ~Mother Teresa

See you at Mass!

Maggie Javins



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

Docility is an underlying virtue to the cardinal virtue of Prudence.

Definition: Willingness to learn from other people; receptivity and flexibility.

Docility in Practice:

• I ask for help when needed and seek opportunities to grow in knowledge.
• I genuinely consider others’ feedback and opinions.
• I take direction and correction.
• I am teachable.

Saintly Example- Saint John Bosco

One day young Dominic asked his teacher, St. John Bosco, to teach him how to be a saint. He eagerly listened to everything Don Bosco told him and put it into practice. He wanted Jesus and Mary to be his best friends and would rather die than commit a mortal sin. Several of the boys at the school admired Dominic and thought of him as a friend. He grew quickly in virtue because he was docile and obedient to all that Don Bosco taught him.

Scripture: Sirach 6:32–33

If you are willing, my son, you will be taught, and if you apply yourself you will become clever. If you love to listen you will gain knowledge, and if you incline your ear you will become wise.

Prayer

Dear Jesus,

You are my teacher in every situation. Before acting on important matters, please give me the humility to seek Your wisdom and the wisdom of others, in order to make the best decision.



Amen.

Looking Ahead - Next Week's Virtue: Foresight

9/16 to 9/23 Lunch Form

• Lunch Form must be returned by Monday September 9th
• A paper copy was sent home with students today.
• Students receiving Free Lunches must also complete this form.
• Lunch Form

Free and Reduced Lunch

• If you feel your family might qualify for free or reduced lunches, we encourage you to please apply. 
• Even if your child/children do not get the hot lunch, much of our grant money is based on the number of students who qualify for free or reduced lunch.
•  An application is below. If you have a student at Bishop Luers or Fort Wayne Community Schools you must also still fill out an application for our school.
• Free and Reduced Application English
• Free and Reduced Application Spanish
• Instructions (English) (Spanish)

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.
• 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.
• Aftercare Payments

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.

September 4, 2024

Mrs. Henry - Claire Gerardot

Mrs. Lehner - Karmoni Tatum

Mrs. Newberg - Phina Bunn

Mrs. Sturm - Lucas Vazquez

Mrs. Welling - Iris Flaherty

Mrs. Zimmerman - Davin Weaver

August 26, 2024

Mrs. Henry - Andrew Davis

Mrs. Lehner - Darius Holley

Mrs. Newberg - Charlotte Jewell

Mrs. Sturm - Kate Davis

Mrs. Welling - Kyle Gibson

Mrs. Zimmerman - Maria Farias

August 21, 2024:

Mrs. Henry - Elijah Skeeters

Mrs. Lehner - Ruby Capps

Mrs. Newberg - David Archbold

Mrs. Sturm - Cynthia Collin

Mrs. Welling - Ryan Zimmerman

Mrs. Zimmerman - Santi Hernandez

Middle School Drawing Volunteers

Thank you for the generosity! Parents are signed up through Christmas Break for prizes! I will post again in December for second semester. You are all much appreciated.

Parish Festival on Saturday September 21

The Parish Festival is only a few weeks away! This is a long standing St. John's tradition. Please help support our Festival by selling your raffle tickets, inviting your friends, and – especially – signing up to volunteer. We need nearly 100 volunteers to make this day a success! Proceeds from the Festival will support the demolition and landscaping of the house on the cul-de-sac which was recently purchased by the parish.

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