SJPDS Newsletter October 11, 2018
IMPORTANT DATES & REMINDERS
Happy Episcopal Schools
Celebration Week !

October 7th–14th

This year’s theme is "Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed."

Episcopal Schools Celebration (ESC) celebrates the ministry of the nearly 1,200 Episcopal schools and early childhood education programs throughout the Episcopal Church. ESC is the time to give thanks and to proclaim to your community and the Church the good news that is your school!

Sunday, October 14 th
9AM – 11:30 AM
All Saints Hall &
St. John’s Episcopal Church

This year we will culminate the national Episcopal Schools Week with an Episcopal Schools Celebration Sunday at St. John’s Church. Whatever your own faith tradition or background, the St. John’s community invites you and your family to gather for a celebratory morning of worship and learning.

Tomorrow, October 12, 2018
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
All Saints Hall
 
Come to support our 5th-grade fundraiser for Kenya Connect this Friday. Get your yummy baked treats in ASH from 11:30 to 1 PM! Each treat costs $0.50 and there will be many different types of treats available. All donations go to benefit Kenya Connect, a charity close to our heart.

Wednesday, October 17, 2018
6:30 PM
Sign in at Lower Lobby

This parent-child event is designed to assist 4th and 5th Grade families in navigating the process of applying to middle school.
We will provide practical steps for managing your search process with ease and confidence. Come learn about admission deadlines, entrance exams, shadow day visits, and how to organize the various elements of the search process. 
CAMPUS NEWS
4th Grade Field trip to the Washington National Cathedral
On Wednesday, October 10, the 4th grade class made our annual trip to the Washington National Cathedral for the Mid-Atlantic Episcopal School Association's gathering in celebration of Episcopal Schools Week.
(Pictured here, students stand at the center of the crossing near the high altar and look down the length of the Cathedral-the size of two football fields-to discover it is slightly crooked!)
We joined with more than 850 students from 15 member schools for a special service of morning prayer. Our banner was processed in by Mitra, Piper and Elizabeth; Jessie led the congregation in reading the Psalm, and Chaplain Jenni vested and gave the dismissal! Following the service we toured the gothic-style Cathedral with a docent, ending with an exploration of gargoyles and grotesques on the exterior with Mrs. Rose.

All SJPDS classes can join with even more Episcopal students from around the country in celebrating Episcopal Schools Week by coming to this week’s Episcopal Schools Sunday Celebration at St. John’s and processing in at the 9 am worship in All Saints Hall!
Annual Fund 2018-2019
We can’t BEAR not to have your BEAR in the lobby! If you haven’t sent yours in yet along with your donation form it is not too late. The first class to reach 100% participation by 12/31/18 will win a Pajama Day, and the class that raises the most money by the same date will win an after-school Movie and Ice Cream Sundae party in January!

The theme for this year’s Annual Fund is “Experience the Power of 100%!” Our goal is for 100% of St. John’s families to support the Annual Fund this year to help us reach our goal of $45,000. This campaign is our top fundraiser and is critical to the School’s daily operating budget.
Every gift impacts every student. Donations in any amount are welcome and are tax deductible. Be sure to check with your employer to see if they offer a matching gift program. Many corporations match their employee’s gift dollar-for-dollar (or more!).
For more information about Annual Fund or Planned Giving opportunities, please contact Lisa Hermodsson, Director of Development, at [email protected] .
Volunteers Needed
SJPDS offers many exciting activities throughout the year. The more volunteers we have the better the events. Help is needed with the following:
  • St. James Academy Big Band Jazz/Motown Cabaret 10/20
  • Fall Family Fun Day 10/28
  • PA speaker series 11/5
  • Mistletoe Village 11/17
  • Grandparents Day 11/19 (LS/Group B)
  • Grandparents Day 11/20 (Group A)
  • PA Date Night 11/30
  • Santa’s Workshop 12/17 & 12/18
  • Staff Appreciation Holiday Luncheon 12/19
For a list of all volunteer opportunities and descriptions, go to our Website, then to Quick Links, then to Sign Up Genius. If you have any questions, please contact Allsion Heussler at [email protected] or Lisa Hermodsson at [email protected] .
Clark House Parking
Don’t you love when you pull up and see there is an empty parking spot in front of Clark House? Please be mindful that one of the spots is the PA Volunteer Spot and one is the Gala Parking Spot. While it is tempting to park in one of these spaces because you are “just running in for a minute” please refrain from parking there if the space is not yours. It is very frustrating for the families who have the spots to arrive and find another car parked there.

The good news is there are 2 ways for you to get 1 of the coveted spots. First, the PA chooses a volunteer to have one of the spots for the entire month so the more you volunteer, the better your chances! The other way is to bid on the spot at the Gala or Mini Gala each year. In the silent auction you have the opportunity to win the Gala Parking Spot for the 1 st  or 2 nd  half of the year. Thank you for your compliance.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Pizza With a Special Friend Day (formerly Pizza With Pops)
Friday, October 19, 2018
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
All Saints Hall
It is that time of year again! Our special event, Pizza With a Special Friend Day (formerly Pizza With Pops) is just around the corner. Kindergarten, First, and Second Grades will have pizza from 12pm-12:30pm and have recess afterward from 12:30pm-1pm. Third, Fourth and Fifth Grades will have recess from 12pm-12:30pm and have lunch afterward from 12:30pm-1pm.

All special friends should bring ID to check in . If the child they are visiting is in Kindergarten, 1st or 2nd Grade, they should go to the double doors outside ASH. If the child they are visiting is in 3rd, 4th or 5th Grade, guests should check in at the upper playground.
Saturday, October 20, 2018
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
All Saints Hall
Join us for a fantastic event featuring Big Band, Motown, and other favorites from Dr. Phill Butts Orchestra, with all proceeds going to benefit the children of West Baltimore through the work of St. James' Academy.

You won't want to miss this fun-filled evening of good music to make you not just listen, but get up and dance. This year, in addition to an evening of high-energy music and dancing, we will be featuring a silent auction to benefit the St. James Academy , so come prepared to find some amazing items! All proceeds go to helping children in West Baltimore reach their potential by offering year-round academic and cultural enrichment programs that spark their intellectual curiosity. 

Why support?
During the summer of 2018, about 40 kids participated in 5 weeks of summer camp at the St. James Parish Center. SJA’s after school program continues in collaboration with the Bell Foundation as about forty 4th and 5th Graders at Harlem Park Elementary receive support, enrichment, and supper on the school premises. When a teacher asked a Harlem Park child a few years ago (before our program) what he did after school, he replied, “I do just what my mother says – I walk straight home, turn out all the lights, and stay down below the windows.”
Sunday, October 28, 2018
1 PM – 4 PM
SJPDS School Grounds
You’re invited to a Fall Family Fun Day celebration!
We are still in need of parent volunteers to sign up and work some of the activities for this event.
Saturday, November 17, 2018
11 AM – 3 PM
All Saints Hall
You won’t want to miss this much anticipated holiday event! At our annual holiday vendor show you are sure to find something unique for everyone on your list while supporting over 60 small and local vendors. This free family friendly event will offer items including holiday decorations, home décor, clothing and accessories, things for kids, gourmet food, cosmetics and skincare, and so much more. 

8:45 AM – 11:30 AM Lower School, 9:45 AM – 11:30 AM Early Childhood

All sessions begin in the Historic Church followed by classroom visits
We are looking forward to Grandparent and Grandfriends Day! If your child does not have a Grandparent who can attend they may invite someone such as an aunt or uncle, neighbor, or family friend. Many students bring multiple grandparents who are happy to “adopt” a child who does not have a friend with them. Volunteers are needed to help that morning so please see the Sign Up Genius online if you are available. Please contact Lisa Hermodsson, Director of Development, at [email protected] .
PARENTS' ASSOCIATION NEWS
Box Tops
It’s Box Tops submission time! Turn in your Box Tops before  Friday, October 19  and be entered to win a prize!  Remember to put your child’s name and teacher’s name on the collection sheet or baggie. Thanks for all your cutting and collecting!
Spirit Wear Sales!! 
Fall is here and what better way to celebrate than with a new SJPDS sweatshirt, long sleeve t-shirt, coffee cup, or water bottle to take along to next week's sports activities? Spirit Wear can be purchased at any time by completing an order form with Ms. Ashton in the front office - orders will be fulfilled within 3 business days of receiving the order form and payment. 

Please make sure to stop by our booth at the upcoming Fall Family Fun Day on October 28th where we will have a variety of spirit wear available to purchase and take home that day! Feel free to contact Meghan Jefferson ( [email protected] ) or Melissa Mitchell ( [email protected] ) if you have any questions. 

All money raised from the sale of Spirit Wear is used by the Parents’ Association to fund various school-wide initiatives such as awarding teacher mini grants – used to purchase supplemental educational tools, funding parent/child seminars, purchasing large ticket items for ALL STUDENTS to enjoy, AND MORE!!
Scrip
Welcome to Scrip! A fundraiser for the SJPDS Parents’ Association. The idea is simple: you buy gift cards at their face value, and the SJPDS Parents’ Association receives a percentage of the dollar value of your purchase for the benefit of the school and your children. For information on ordering, read more  here .

Scrip Enrollment Assistance

Still a bit overwhelmed by the Scrip sign up process? Join us at the Media Center on  Wednesday, October 17 from 8:15 – 9:15 am  or  Thursday, October 17 from 3-3:45 pm  to sign up for Scrip and make your first Scrip purchase. If you are planning to attend, click here to sign up .


Scrip Vendor Spotlight

Did you know you could buy Scrip gift cards for your Amazon purchases?  If you order a Scrip e-card for Amazon, the SJPDS PA receives 2.25% of the face value. Just another way that your every day purchases can help support the school and your children.
CHURCH NEWS
Mental Health First Aid Course
October 13, 2018
8:30 AM – 4 PM
St. John's Episcopal Church
Did you know 1 in 5 people are living with a mental illness?
Mental Health First Aid is an 8-hour course that teaches you how to help someone who may be experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge. The training helps you identify, understand and respond to signs of addictions and mental illnesses.

Designed for parents, teachers, social workers, and anyone in the helping professions or anyone who has a family member with a mental illness. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Cost: $25.00.
HELP SUPPORT SJPDS
There are some EASY ways to help support our school and help raise extra money for this school year! The money raised goes toward new school items, “mini grants” for our teachers, as well as to support special events (such as author & zoo visits). Don’t forget to pass the word along to family, friends, and neighbors so they can help support SJPDS. We really appreciate everyone’s participation!

Giant A+ Rewards
Enroll your Giant rewards card using our school code 04414 to begin earning points from each purchase you make. The program begins September 7, 2018 and runs through March 16, 2019. Enroll now through January 31, 2019! Last year we earned $1,300. Click here to sign up


Harris Teeter: Together in Education
Create an account and enroll (or re-enroll) your VIC card ( card must be enrolled each year ) and select SJPDS (code 7161) TIE as your designated school. SJPDS will earn points from qualified items (Harris Teeter brands) and receive a cash payment at the end of the school year. Click here to enroll


BoxTops for Education
Collect BoxTops from participating products (there are hundreds of them) and submit them in the envelopes outside the classrooms or in the box in the front hallway. You can either tape them on the sheet provided or place them in a sealed baggie. Please make sure to include your child’s name, grade, and teacher on the paper and/or sealed baggie. We will collect BoxTops all year! Last year we earned $690.00 and our goal is to raise $1,000 this school year! Click here to register

You can also download and use the Box Tops Bonus App. All you have to do is sign up, select St. John’s Parish Day School, select what you have purchased, scan your receipt and start earning money for SJPDS!


Shop with Scrip
Help SJPDS earn money through everyday purchases. Sign up at www.shopwithscrip.com and click on the JOIN A PROGRAM , enter the SJPDS PA enrollment code: 1EDB8C1821622 , and other key information (usename, etc). Select your gift cards and earn money for our school! Feel Free to contact Shana Christrup at [email protected] with questions and more information about the program. 

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