WEEKLY NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 25, 2017
Eighth graders bring their own student-created children's books to Reinhardt Elementary
THIS WEEK'S NEWS AND EVENTS
iOS 11: PLEASE DO NOT UPDATE
With the release of iOS 11, please refrain from upgrading your child's iPad until you receive an all-clear email from us. Upgrading before we complete our tests may mean your student will be unable to complete assignments or access school apps.
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VISION AND HEARING TESTS
Students in grades pre-k, kinder, first, third, fifth and seventh, and students who are new to St. John's will have vision and hearing screenings today or tomorrow. Please note that these are only screenings and do not determine if there is a vision or hearing problem, but rather a need for a closer look by a medical professional. You will only be notified of results if further evaluation is needed. Contact the school nurse, Amy Johns, with questions.
SPEECH SCREENING
Speech-language pathologists from Advanced Speech and Language will be on campus this Wednesday, September 27 to conduct speech screenings. If you are interested in having your child tested, please return the consent form and a $30 check payable to Advanced Speech and Language before Wednesday. Contact Laura Allen with any questions.
EPISCOPAL SCHOOLS SUNDAY
Join us in the church for this annual celebration Sunday, October 1, 10:30 a.m. Hear from teachers who advance the spiritual and educational mission of the school, along with student readers and singers.
First through third grade parents: Please bring your child for choir warm-up in the music room at 10:00 a.m. The service will begin in the sanctuary at 10:30 a.m. The children will represent SJES as they perform "With One Voice." For more information, contact lower school music teacher Megan Clowe-Nasser.
BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS + LUNCH MENU
The October birthday blessings schedule is posted on ParentsWeb (School / Resources). See the October lunch menu. You will also find the monthly lunch menu in ParentsWeb (School / Resources), as well as under the "Current Families" tab on the school's website.
COMING UP
STUDENT PICTURES AND RETAKES
We expect pictures to arrive tomorrow. Please check your child's backpack. Picture retakes will take place next Tuesday, October 3. If your child was absent on picture day and you haven't purchased a package, visit MyLifetouch.com and use the St. John's code, LD947032Q0. If you would like to request a retake, email Marty Polk to add your child to the list. (Please note: you must return the first set of pictures in order to get retakes.)
BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS
You are invited to St. John's church's annual Blessing of the Animals. Join Fr. Houk on the playground at noon, Saturday, October 7. He will lead a brief, casual service. All creatures great and small are welcome.
FALL BREAK
The school will be closed Monday, October 9, for fall break.
THANKS TO PASTORAL COUNSELING CENTER
We had a fabulous first presentation of the parent speaker series, given by Dr. Brad Schwall and Dr. Carrie Davidson from the Pastoral Counseling Center last Wednesday. They spoke on how to encourage well-being in our children and the importance of healthy problem solving and coping skills to counter stresses. Thank you to those who attended. Hope to see you at our next presentation. If there is a topic or speaker you want to hear, please contact school counselor Staci Bloom.
Please save the date for the next workshop on October 26, 9:30 a.m. You will hear from Sally Fryer Dietz, founder and director of Integrative Pediatric Therapy, a clinic providing a broad spectrum of services to children with learning differences and other developmental disabilities.
STUDENT NEWS
CONSTITUTION DAY PROJECT
Last week, eighth graders celebrated Constitution Day by traveling to Reinhardt Elementary to share their Constitution children's books that they had created in Mrs. Wyatt's U.S. history class. Students synthesized the primary source document into a cohesive story that would appeal to an audience of fifth graders. The books told stories about various topics, such as a mouse that traveled to Washington D.C.; the land of Dinocornlandia, where dinosaurs and unicorns united to form a new country that needed a constitution; and a fairy kingdom that needed stronger laws. The following day, eighth graders enjoyed sharing their books with St. John's fifth graders. Check out a digital creation of The Catstitution.
PARENT ORGANIZATIONS
PA MEETING
The Parents Association's monthly meeting will take place Tuesday, October 3. We will be joined by the new head of lower school, Dr. Jayme Johnson. All parents are invited to Parish Hall at noon for a light lunch provided by Society Bakery.
BOX TOPS
Please turn in Box Tops to your homeroom class by Wednesday, October 4. The homeroom or advisory that collects the most Box Tops will win a free dress day. Visit the Box Tops website for tips on how to boost your collections. Good luck!
CARNIVAL 2017
Join us for a World of Adventure on Saturday, October 14, 2:00 - 6:00 pm. Show your family's support for the carnival! We offer multiple sponsorship levels, starting at just $50, with each level receiving perks. Get the details. Online purchases for wristbands and tickets are now available.
SUDS 'N BUDS WAS A HIT!
The Crusader Club had a great turnout at last week's Suds 'n Buds. More than 60 dads were in attendance at Bowlounge for bowling, dinner and camaraderie. The school is grateful for the ongoing support of the dads. Thanks to all who attended!
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
We are so fortunate at St. John's to have two professional artists on our faculty, working with our students and sharing their expertise and passion for the visual arts. They have each recently been recognized for their amazing work:
In addition to serving as the beloved Lower School art teacher, Denise Brown is a professional artist. Her current exhibition, "Windows and Doors," is on view at the Craighead Green Gallery in the Design District through October 7. For more than 30 years, Mrs. Brown has made richly textured paintings, sculptures and mixed media works. Her compositions, draw on myths, folktales, classic literary works, social concepts and her acute observation of the world around her. Read her artist statement.
And our Middle School art teacher, Martin Delabano, has been featured in a recently published book, 40 Contemporary Artists. Featuring a group of artists that includes painters, sculptors and installation artists from around the world. These artists were picked from the Facebook community. Styles vary widely and include figurative realism, minimalism, and expressive abstraction in all media. This book has images of each artist's work along with a short biography of the artist.
CHAPLAIN'S CORNER
In chapel this week we continue to see how 1.) God calls us; 2.) We respond; and 3.) God always keeps His promises. We've seen this pattern in the life of Sarah and Abraham, and also in the life of their grandson. Now we skip ahead a few hundred years to the story of Joshua.
Joshua may have been a reluctant leader. Both God and the people of Israel had to encourage him over and over again to "be strong and courageous." And it's no wonder he was intimidated: Joshua was following Moses, who was the greatest prophet and miracle worker Israel had ever seen. But God promises to support Joshua the same way He supported Moses. And with the first two major tests of Joshua's faith – the River Jordan and the city of Jericho – Joshua believes God, and God keeps His promises. Along the way we'll also discover the character of Rahab, a smart and courageous Canaanite woman who expresses faith in God and helps Joshua's spies get home safely. She becomes part of the story of Israel, and even God's great promise to redeem the world in Jesus Christ comes through Rahab.
Both Rahab and Joshua are unlikely heroes. We'll see, though, that God loves calling unlikely heroes. He places no restrictions on those who will carry His open promise. Anyone who hears His call and responds in faith can join the great story of God's salvation through Jesus Christ.
Parents, this is a good week to discuss courage with your children. They know what it means to be afraid, and they can also understand that courage comes from trusting in God to take care of them no matter what. Whether it's Joshua standing before the walls of Jericho or a student facing a difficult situation at school, faith enables us to "be strong and courageous" with the certain knowledge that God always keeps His promises.
QUICK LINKS
St. John's Episcopal School is dedicated to a program of academic excellence designed to train
the mind, strengthen the character and enrich the spirit of each student in a Christian environment.
St. John's Episcopal School | 214-328-9131
stjohnsschool.org
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