SJPDS Newsletter
September 27, 2018
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IMPORTANT DATES & REMINDERS
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October 2 & October 3, 2018
Individual Pictures are next week. Teachers will notify families of their class’ picture days.
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Wednesday, October 3, 2018
6:15 PM – 7:45 PM
Please sign in at the Lower Lobby
Come and enjoy a pajama party for the kids with crafts and fall themed snacks. Meet our Kindergarten team and hear from parents about their experience.
RSVP to Ginger Burcham
[email protected]
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Thursday, October 4 at 3:45 pm
LS Playground field (or All Saints Hall if inclement weather)
All school students, families and their pets are invited for a special animal blessing in honor of the Feast of St. Francis. Bring your fine, feathered or furry friends (on leashes or in cages please) for a meet and greet and prayers in celebration of all of God’s creatures. Photographs (and cuddlies) are welcome for a blessing also. Please consider bringing a donation of pet food or blankets for the Howard County Animal Control adoption center.
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5th Grade Bake Sale Kick Off
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Yesterday, our
fifth
graders launched their Bake Sale to Benefit Kenya Connect!
Every year, the fifth graders read
The Lemonade Wars
by Jacqueline Davies for summer homework. In this story, the two main characters decide to set up lemonade stands to see who can earn the most money in a weeklong period. The characters end up donating the money to a charity close to their heart. As an extension to the story, our 5th graders set up and run their own bake sales. All the money we earn goes to a charity close to our heart- Kenya Connect.
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We hope that you will support our students and help us raise money to help Kenya Connect. We have three more bake sales remaining- October 3rd, October 12, and October 26th.
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Our School Fundraiser Is Half Over!
Please help support our PA by participating in our Fall Fundraiser! Turn your tickets in at the box today to win the first week’s zoo crew prizes.
Orders are due by Friday, October 5th.
Our school ID is z-15498.
Contact Kim McKnab ([email protected]) or Cecilia Duquela ([email protected]) if you have any questions.
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Tuesday, October 2, 2018 at 7 PM
St. John's Elementary School Media Center
2960 St Johns Ln, Ellicott City, MD 21042
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Interested in Girl Scouts?
There will be a parent interest meeting for both SJLES and SJPDS families. In the meeting you will learn more about Girl Scout Programming and how to form new troops. We will break into smaller groups and have experienced leaders on hand to answer questions and provide guidance. Questions prior to the meeting can be sent to
[email protected]
.
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It’s a BEARY Good Time to Give!
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!).
Your student received a paper bear in their Friday folder last week. Please have your child decorate the bear however they like (the crazier and more creative the better!) and return the bear along with your donation to the front office or to Clark House. The bears will be displayed in the lobby so be sure to check them out.
The first class with 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.
For more information about Annual Fund or Planned Giving opportunities, please contact Lisa Hermodsson, Director of Development, at
[email protected]
.
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Volunteer Parking Space for October
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SJPDS Parents’ Association congratulates the Kopec Family for earning the Volunteer of the month parking space for October!
April Kopec is a rockstar volunteer! She has been at each event undertaking so far including Welcome Back Popsicle social, BooHoo Yahoo, and Pizza Friday, along with several classroom specific sign ups including Room Parent. Thank you April for all of the time and energy that you give the SJPDS community!
***Please remember that this spot is reserved for the winning family of the month. Please do not park in this spot. Would you like the chance to earn this spot? Sign up to volunteer or chair an event for the PA! Volunteer Opportunities are always available. Please ask any PA officer for ways that you can help.***
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Wednesday, October 3rd, 2018
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
All Saints Hall
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Get your yummy baked treats from ASH on Wednesday, October 3rd from 11:30-1:00. We will be donating the money to Kenya Connect. Each treat costs $0.50 and there will be many different types of treats available. Thanks!
–Ryan, Isaac, and Calvin
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Sunday, October 28, 2018
1 PM – 4 PM
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The first Friday of every month
8:15 AM – 9:30 AM
Lower Lobby
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Drop off your student in the classroom then join us in the lobby on the first Friday of each month for a light breakfast and conversation. Grab a coffee and donut as you pass through or stick around and meet other families and staff and experience the wonderful community we have here at St. John’s!
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Saturday, November 17, 2018
11 AM – 3 PM
Meet at All Saints Hall
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Save-the-date
for our annual holiday vendor show! You’ll 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.
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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
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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. Invitations will be mailed out to Grandparents shortly so if you did not fill out the online Grandparent form please do so by Friday, 9/28. Names and addresses of Grandfriends who should receive an invite should be sent to Lisa Hermodsson at
[email protected]
.
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PARENTS' ASSOCIATION NEWS
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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.
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We need YOU!
We would like each classroom to have 2 room parents.
What is a room parent? What will I have to do?
You will:
- Communicate with classroom families about school & classroom events
- Help with organization of parties (if requested by your teacher)
- Help organize & distribute teacher, assistants, and specialists’ gifts throughout the year (collaborating with other room parents)
- Attend 2-3 room parents’ meetings (as your schedule allows)
This a great volunteer opportunity. You will get to know the students and families in your class as well as other classes.
You can sign up on the Sign-Up Genius under your teacher’s name.
For more information please contact
Lauren Frey, Parents' Association, Room Parent Coordinator
at
[email protected].
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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
.
Total Scrip earnings
Last year, with 11% of the SJPDS families participating (total of 29 families), the Scrip fundraiser earned approximately $1600. Imagine what we can do for the school and your children with full participation!
Scrip Vendor Spotlight:
Did you know you could buy Scrip gift cards for your daily coffee stop? If you order a Scrip e-card for Starbucks, the SJPDS PA receives 7% of the face value. Just another way that your every day purchases can help support the school and your children.
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Mental Health First Aid Course
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October 13, 2018
8:30 AM – 4 PM
St. John's Episcopal Church
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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.
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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! Last year we earned $1,785.00!
Feel Free to contact Shana Christrup at
[email protected]
with questions and more information about the program.
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CONNECT WITH US AND SHARE THE SPIRIT!
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We would love for you to follow, connect, and have a conversation with us.
Follow us on social media
@stjohnspds
to keep up to date with our school community.
Help us capture and share the Spirit. Use
#STJOHNSPDS.
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St. John's Episcopal Church
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