The St. John School Parent Association facilitates, encourages and ensures ongoing community-building by providing activities, events, and service to the parish and school community. The Parent Association is a vehicle for supporting communication between home and school, offering a mechanism for education and serving as a structure for political action when needed. All parents/guardians of students attending St. John School are members of the Parent Association and are welcome to join meetings

  • Decoding Boys: Supporting Our Sons in Rapidly Changing World

    The St. John Parent Association, in partnership with ParentMap, provided an opportunity to hear Dr. Cara Natterson, pediatrician and bestselling author, speaks on April 22, 20206.

    Link to this and all previous ParentEd videos: https://vimeo.com/showcase/parentedtalks-25-26 

    Access password: edTalks*2526

    Key Takeaways:

    • Prioritize Open Conversations: There is an urgent need to empower boys through the same level of open conversation recently focused on girls to address concerning trends in their self-image, mental well-being, and academics.
    • Recognize Early Puberty and Behavioral Signs: Puberty is starting earlier for boys, typically around ages 9-10, and parents should be aware that mood swings during this time. Boy puberty is often manifested as intense rage, but also as withdrawal into silence, which is overlooked.
    • Take an Active Role in Sexual Health Education: With the average age of first pornography exposure at 12, parents must overcome their own awkwardness to become primary educators on healthy relationships and safe digital habits.
    • Utilize Connection Strategies: To avoid triggering shutdowns, parents should use “side-by-side” positioning (like talking in the car), or while giving a foot-rub before bed time – as face-to-face engagement can feel too intense. Parents can also engage by learning to like their teen’s hobbies like video games. Using humor especially if you are the “butt of the joke” is helpful in building vulnerability.
    • Focus on Individual Strengths and Mentors: For boys struggling in traditional school settings or with social withdrawal, parents should be relentless in finding outside areas such as clubs or hobbies or even starting a small business where their specific temperaments and strengths can blossom.

    Additional resources

    ParentMap
    Join the ParentMap community for expert parenting tips and tools to support your journey.

    Popular ParentMap articles:

    Resources from speaker Dr. Cara Natterson:

  • 5/12 ParentEd Talk: The Family Tech Reset: Hope and Help for Rebuilding Connection


    Date: 05/12/2026 noon–1 p.m. PT on Zoom

    The Family Tech Reset: Hope and Help for Rebuilding Connection

    Speaker: Andrea Davis, Educator and founder of Better Screen Time

    Talk Link: ParentMap.com/davis Promo code: (promo code: Follow NewsViews)

    The average kid gets their first smartphone at age 11. By high school, they’re spending seven-plus hours a day on screens. With growing pressure to be constantly online, from social media to group chats, helping kids establish healthy digital habits is crucial for their well-being and development.

    Andrea Davis, founder of Better Screen Time and mother of five, has navigated every stage of parenting in the digital age. She joins ParentMap and St John School for a ParentEd Talk on choosing the slow-tech path, strengthening family connection and raising confident, well-adjusted kids.

    You’ll learn:

    • How to create a family tech plan and introduce screens and social media in a slow, intentional way
    • Scripts for talking with kids and teens about digital risks and healthy habits
    • Practical tools to help kids develop self-control and values around screen use 

    It’s never too late to create a tech-healthy home. Reserve your spot here for the live interactive talk. Follow NewsViews for promo code.

    Speaker bio

    Andrea Davis is a former secondary education teacher, mother of five and founder of Better Screen Time, where she helps parents build healthier relationships with technology at home. Andrea is the author of “Creating a Tech-Healthy Family,” holds a certification from the Digital Wellness Institute, and her expertise has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, National Geographic and USA Today. She regularly speaks to audiences around the world, offering actionable tools to help families and schools create balanced, tech-healthy environments.


    ** Watch previous ParentEd talks: https://vimeo.com/showcase/parentedtalks-25-26  –  access code:  edTalks*2526

  • ParentEd Wine Down 🍷

    ParentEd Wine Down – April 30th at 6:30 PM in Egan Hall

    Join us at the PA-hosted ParentEd Wine Down event.  We will highlight three of the speakers from this year’s ParentMap talks focused on Social Emotional Learning and Educational Technology (no need to watch in advance).  We’ll share clips from the talks then will break up into small groups for a guided discussion.

    If you’re interested in learning more about the ParentMap talks in advance, links to the PA website with information on the key points and links to videos are below.

    Please consider joining us to connect with other St. John families while exploring practical ways to support your child’s growth and success.  

    If you’re interested in joining, please RSVP here to help us with setup plans.  RSVP not required to join.

     

  • 3/20/26 PA Meeting

    PA Updates

    Bingo Night (Maile & Stephanie)

    • Bingo tickets are currently on sale as a “Grown Up Sign-Up Party” through the Online Auction bidding site. 
    • Kick‑off planning meeting: Wednesday, March 25 at 8:30am in the Parish Admin Building.

    PA Meetings

    • Only two PA meetings left for the year!
    • Looking for note takers for the final two meetings—please sign up if your grade has not yet participated.

    Auction Updates (Ainslie & Courtney)

    • Auction is one week away!
    • Online Auction
      • Opens Sunday, March 22 at 12pm
      • Closes Thursday, March 26 at 10pm (earlier close time is new this year)
    • Volunteer needs remain—please help fill open slots.
    • Dessert Dash:
    • Christmas Trees:
      • Donations still needed. Goal: 20 trees. Trees will be returned following the auction. 
      • Auction team can coordinate pickup.
    • Kids Art:
      • Great items this year! Includes chess boards, giant Connect Four, textured art.
      • All items will be included in the silent auction (none will go to live).
    • Raffle Tickets:
      • Families must return all sold and unsold tickets.
      • Return by Friday for Free Dress.
    • Fund‑A‑Need:
      • Goal: $100K to fund main building bathroom refresh.
      • Includes new acoustic ceilings, paint, redesigned stalls for privacy, and mirrors.
      • Project planned for June–August, pending fundraising success.

    Overall Auction Goal: Over $350K, as in past years.

    Welcome Committee (Jean)

    • First committee meeting held March 19.
    • Very positive feedback on current onboarding experience.
    • Buddy Family Program is top priority; sign-up link is live and will be included in classroom emails.
      • Greatest volunteer need: Pre‑K and K buddy families.
    • Welcome Happy Hour: May 21
    • Summer Playdate Schedule:
      • June 20
      • July 11
      • July 25
      • August 8
    • Planning a Buddy Family training session to clarify roles and provide resources.

    Parent Map (Alev & Reagan)

    • March Talk: The EdTech Wake-Up Call
      • Recording and key takeaways are available on the PA website.
    • April Event:
      • The Boyhood Crisis with Richard Reeves
      • April 22, 12–1pm (Zoom; registration required)
    • Save the Date:
      • Thursday, April 30, 6:30–8:30pm
      • Community Parent Ed evening event
      • Details forthcoming.

    Volunteer Recruitment (Lauren)


    Continuing to address volunteer shortages. Exploring partnership with the Parish to help recruit more families—especially those declaring in‑parish tuition rates. Planning a Volunteer Fair at the Fall Curriculum Night, similar to the Catholic Schools Week model. Aim is to reduce barriers and make volunteering easier to navigate.

    School Garden (Meggie & Kate)

    • Following February’s successful cleanup, students are returning to the garden.
    • Recent & Upcoming Activities:
      • March 19: 6th graders planted blueberry bushes donated by Swanson’s Nursery.
      • March 26: Kindergarteners will plant snap peas.
      • Week of March 30: Goal to bring 2nd graders to make daffodil bouquets (TBD).
    • Will reach out to room parents as volunteer needs arise.
    • Planning to restart Grow Together Day (Wednesdays or Thursdays after school, 3–4pm).
    • Garden community updates shared via their private FB page:
      https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1X877x6p8s/?mibextid=wwXIfr


    More information about summer garden support opportunities will be provided next month.

  • The EdTech Wake-up Call: Rethinking Digital Learning for Kids

    The St. John Parent Association, in partnership with ParentMap, provided an opportunity to hear Jared Cooney Horvath, Ph.D.- director of LME Global – speak on March 10, 2026.  

    Link to this and all previous ParentEd videos: https://vimeo.com/showcase/parentedtalks-25-26 

    Access password: edTalks*2526

    Key Takeaways:

    The “Inverse Correlation” Rule: Both international (PISA/TIMS) and US data (NAPE) show a direct correlation between increased classroom technology and dropping test scores. High-tech usage is linked to a performance gap of up to two grade levels compared to analog-heavy schooling, as technology often introduces a plateau in reading and math skills.

    The Empathy & Resonance Factor: Humans are biologically “wired” to learn through empathy. In-person learning allows for a “transpersonal resonance” where a teacher and student’s physiologies—including breathing and brain patterns—synchronize. This biological connection helps students push through the “struggle” of learning; technology cannot replicate this, contributing to high dropout rates in online-only environments.

    The “Home Analog” Pivot (Buy a Printer): One of the most immediate strategies for parents is to buy a printer. Because the brain uses spatial memory (remembering exactly where a word was on a static piece of paper), reading on a shifting digital screen essentially “dumps” an entire memory system. Printing out homework and readings restores this 3D location-based learning.

    AI as an “Expert Tool,” Not a “Learning Tool”: AI is primarily a productivity tool for experts who already have the foundational knowledge to vet its output. For a novice student, offloading cognitive effort to AI reduces the mental “struggle” necessary to wire the brain’s neural connections. True expertise is built through “desirable difficulty,” which AI often bypasses.

    The 50-Minute “Deep Work” Strategy: To combat multitasking—which forces the brain into an automatic “muscle memory” mode rather than deep recall—parents can suggest a deal: Two 25-minute sessions of focused, offline study with a short break. This 50 minutes of focused work results in up to 60% better retention than four hours of multitasking.

    Handwriting as “Thinking”: Unlike typing, which is fast and often leads to verbatim transcription without processing, handwriting is a slower, deliberate act of composition. It forces the brain to process meaning and depth while writing, leading to more “durable” and transferable knowledge.

    The Power of Parental Advocacy: In an increasingly digital landscape, parents play a vital role in ensuring a balanced approach to education. By requesting objective data on student performance and advocating for the continued use of proven analog methods, parents can help schools maintain a focus on the deep, focused thinking that traditional tools provide.

    Additional resources

    ParentMap
    Join the ParentMap community for expert parenting tips and tools to support your journey.

    Popular ParentMap articles:

    Resources from speaker Jared Cooney Horvath, Ph.D.:

  • 2/27/26 PA Meeting

    PA Updates

    Engagement Reset

    We are entering the busiest part of the school year, and participation in PA activities has dipped. Many SUGs and volunteer opportunities are going unfilled. Please help spread the word—this work is part of our Fair Share commitment.

    • Bring a friend to volunteer!
    • Share ideas to reinvigorate our community.
    • Looking to fill specific gaps—your feedback is welcome.
    • Special need to focus on Coffee & Donuts. It is a great community-builder. Involve your kids to greet and help serve!

    BINGO Night – Save the Date & Auction Item

    April 24, 7pm in Egan Hall

    • Sign-up party will serve as this year’s auction item hosted by PA.
    • Karaoke, yummy snacks and drinks will be included!
    • Email the PA if you’d like to join the planning committee, which will start up in mid-March.

    Middle School Play: A Wrinkle in Time

    • Performances are this weekend!
    • A special dress rehearsal performance was held for students on Thursday.
    • Tickets will be available at the door (earlier communication stated otherwise; the online portal is now closed).
    • Gift bags available to support the Drama Department.

    Auction Updates (Ainslie, Courtney and Chris)

    • Four weeks to go!
    • Ticket sales remain strong.
    • The Camp Host table plan is popular—only three Camp Host spots left.
    • Volunteer SUG links will be promoted soon.
      • Dessert Dash returns to its classic format. Sign up here!
      • Set-up/Clean-up: Fremont Studios requires a 12‑hour volunteer window.
      • Decor donations needed: artificial Christmas trees (lights optional), old-fashioned canteens, hurricane lamps, and more.
    • Raffle tickets went home last Friday.
      • Sell/return your tickets for Free Dress on Auction Day!

    Hospitality (Aleah & Liz)

    Coffee & Donuts Check-in

    When volunteer slots are not filled, parish staff must cover—often on their days off. Please encourage families to sign up, ideally with a buddy. Sign up to support Coffee & Donuts here!

    Additional ideas raised:

    • Ask classes directly for support.
    • Possibly tie participation to luncheons (half of a class for one week, half for another).
    • Class Grade Level reps to take a more active role in recruitment when their class hosts.

    Upcoming Hosting Dates:

    • 4th Grade – March 1 – Coffee & Donuts 
    • 1st Grade – March 8 – Coffee & Donuts 
    • 3rd Grade – March 15  – Coffee & Donuts 
    • 7th Grade – March 18 – Teacher & Staff Luncheon

    Welcome Committee (Jean)

    • First meeting of the year: Thursday, March 19 (tentative)
    • Will write welcome letters to new families.
    • Planning four Saturday morning summer playdates.
    • Recruiting committee members—please share via room parent communications.
    • Buddy Family volunteer sign-ups launching soon.

    ParentMap ParentEd Talks (Stephanie, standing in for Alev & Reagan)

    • Check out the recording and key takeaways from February’s talk on the PA website:
      From Blowups to Breakthroughs: A New Way to Navigate Anger in Kids with Renee Jain.
    • Next event:
      Tuesday, March 10, 12–1pm
      The EdTech Wake Up Call: Rethinking Digital Learning for Kids with Jared Coomey Horvath.
      Highly recommended!

    Volunteer Recruitment (Lauren)

    • Seeking new ideas to encourage broader volunteer participation.
    • Tracking volunteer opportunities via a tagged spreadsheet—suggestions welcome!

    School Garden (Paul, standing in for Meggie & Kate)

    • Ongoing work continues. Meggie and Kate are doing a wonderful job increasing student involvement.

    Admin Updates (Abby and Paul)

    • Huge thanks to Stephanie, the Valleys, and the entire team supporting the MS play production, A Wrinkle in Time. The updated format—more inclusive and aligned with electives—has been a success. The play is largely student-driven and volunteer-directed.

    Parish Opportunities

    • Stations of the Cross: 12:45pm on March 13, 20, 27
    • Friday Stations & Soup Suppers: March 6 and March 13
      (Sign‑ups forthcoming)

    Morning Drop-off Reminder

    Do not drop children off before 8:05am—there is no supervision before this time. The first bell rings at 8:20am. Please remind other families.

    Hot Lunch (Paul)

    • A parent volunteer may take over lunch ordering (TBD in March).
    • Reviewing the cost structure of lunches—expect a likely price increase next year.

    Admissions Update (Jonna)

    • All grades are full except incoming 1st grade.
    • Teachers participating in training with BBHS principal on ethical use of AI in learning/instruction.
    • March 6: Staff retreat focused on bringing students closer to God.
    BINGO IS BACK!

    BINGO IS BACK!

    April 24, 2026

  • From Blowups to Breakthroughs: a New Way to Navigate Anger in Kids, with Renee Jain

    The St. John Parent Association, in partnership with ParentMap, provided an opportunity to hear Renee Jain – founder of GoZen – speak on February 10, 2026.  

    Link to previous ParentEd videos: https://vimeo.com/showcase/parentedtalks-25-26 

    Access password: edTalks*2526

    Key Takeaways:

    1. Reframe All Feelings as “Useful”

    We often try to suppress “bad” emotions like anger or anxiety. Instead, teach your children that every feeling carries a message.

    • Anxiety is a protective mechanism.
    • Anger often signals a perceived injustice.
    • The Goal: Don’t just try to “calm them down” (which can feel coercive); help them understand what the emotion is trying to tell them.

    2. The “Upstairs” vs. “Downstairs” Brain

    Using basic neuroscience helps kids understand why they lose control. When a child is in a “distressed brain” (the fight-or-flight center), they physically cannot access logic or reasoning.

    • The Tip: Save the “life lessons” and logic for later. In the heat of the moment, focus solely on safety and regulation.

    3. Move Teaching “Outside the Moment”

    Most parenting techniques (like deep breathing) fail because we only suggest them when the child is already exploding.

    • The Strategy: Use “Reset Reboots” or family meetings during calm times to plan what to do when things get heated.
    • For Teens: Discuss how they want to “show up in the world” when they aren’t currently slamming doors.

    4. Respond, Don’t Just “Stay Calm”

    Surprisingly, a parent being perfectly “robotic” and calm can sometimes escalate a child’s anger because they feel unheard.

    • The Adjustment: Aim to be responsive, not reactive. Validate the magnitude of their feelings (e.g., “I can see how much this hurts right now”) so they feel seen, while still maintaining your boundary.

    5. Prioritize Skills Over Consequences

    When a child hits or screams, they are struggling with a lack of regulation skills.

    • The Filter: Ask yourself: “Does this consequence build a long-term skill, or does it just teach my child to fear my reaction?”
    • The Focus: Focus on teaching the skill of self-control rather than just quashing the behavior.

    6. The Power of “Parental Self-Compassion”

    Your children will eventually adopt the “inner voice” they hear from you. If you shame yourself for losing your cool, they will learn to shame themselves too.

    • The Practice: When you mess up, model self-forgiveness. Say, “Mom isn’t perfect, and I’m working on my patience too.” Witnessing your self-compassion is the best way for them to learn to regulate their own shame.

    Additional Resources from ParentMap:

    Resources from speaker Renee Jain:

  • 1/30/26 PA Meeting

    PA Updates

    General Updates

    • Happy Purple and Gold Day! Check out our photo gallery from Spirit Lunch. A special thanks to all those who volunteered to help with this fun event. 
    • Middle School Play: shifting from a musical to a play this year. “A Wrinkle in Time” will be on stage Feb 26–Mar 1 (shows Friday and Saturday evening and Sunday matinee). Tickets on sale now! Also, back by popular demand – purchase your gift bag to support the St. John Drama program. 
    • Hospitality: Coffee & Donuts on Feb 2 and Feb 23; Luncheon on Feb 12.

    Auction Updates

    • The dinner will not be plated—hybrid buffet with seating.
    • Tickets go on sale: Feb 10. Think about your “Campsite” reservations (reserved table). Nominate one camp host in your group of 10 to purchase the table reservation ($40 fee). Others should include the host’s name when buying regular tickets. If you don’t have a “Campsite” reservation, the remaining tables will be open seating. 
    • Final procurement deadline: Feb 12. 
    • Look for opportunities to volunteer: Dessert signup via Signup Genius; decor requests for borrowing.

    Welcome Committee

    • Recruiting new members—especially preschool/prek/kinder families.
    • As part of the Welcome Committee, you will attend/support Happy Hour, Summer Playdates, help with Buddy Families.

    ParentMap ParentEd Talks

    • January’s ParentEd session: “Inside the ADHD Mind” with guest speaker Dr. Sasha Hamdani, ADHD specialist. See PA website for key takeaways and recordin.
    • Upcoming ParentEd session: “From Blowups to Breakthroughs: A New Way to Navigate Anger in Kids” with guest speaker Renee Jain. February 10, 12-1pm on Zoom. Register here. See NewsViews for promotional code. 

    Volunteering

    • Working to make volunteering more accessible; site update in progress.
    • Di Tran sending online entry form to Lauren; feedback welcome.

    Garden

    • Garden Cleanup will be on Feb 21.
    • Find all information about the garden and opportunities to volunteer at our private Facebook page.

    Admin Updates

    • It’s Admissions season! Spread the word – preschool/1st grade openings.
    • Re-enrollment: register older kids first, then younger. Deadline: Wed Feb 4. Make sure you have viewed the State of the School. 
    • Interested in St. John’s impact? See Annual Report available through NewsViews. 
    • Seahawks Blue Day – Thursday, Feb 5. Wear Seahawks tops, uniform bottoms.
    • No school or XDC: Fri Feb 6.
    • February Mid-Winter Break coming soon.

    Important Dates

    • Re-enrollment deadline: Feb 4.
    • No school/XDC: Fri Feb 6.
    • Auction tickets on sale: Feb 10.
    • Final Auction procurement date: Feb 12.
    • Mid-Winter Break: half day Feb 13; no school/XDC Feb 16; XDC open Feb 17.

    Questions?

    • Reach out to Parent_Association@st-johnschool.org.

  • Spirit Lunch Photos – 2026

  • Inside ADHD Mind: Tools to Help Your Child Thrive, with Dr. Sasha Hamdani

    Dr. Sasha Hamdani

    The St. John Parent Association, in partnership with ParentMap, provided an opportunity to hear Sasha Hamdami speak on January 21, 2026.  

    Link to previous ParentEd videos: https://vimeo.com/showcase/parentedtalks-25-26 

    Access password: edTalks*2526

    Key Takeaways:

    1. The Reality of the ADHD Brain
    • Prevalence vs. Perception: ADHD rates in the general population are stable, but diagnosis rates are rising. This is due to a better understanding of “masked” symptoms, particularly in girls and women who often present with internal restlessness rather than external disruption.
    • Neurobiological Roots: ADHD is an inheritable, neurological difference in how the brain is wired. It isn’t “developed” through bad habits; it manifests as the brain’s executive centers mature at a different rate than neurotypical peers.
    • A “Regulation” Disorder: The name “Attention Deficit” is a misnomer. It is actually a dysregulation of executive function. This impacts:
      • Attention: Either too little or “hyperfocus.”
      • Emotional Control: Frequent “flooding” or rejection sensitivity.
      • Biological Rhythms: Difficulty with sleep onset and hunger cues (interoception).
    1. The Management Framework

    It can be treated with medication or behavioral, and behavioral can be both internal and external facing. While medication is a powerful tool (focused on dopamine levels), Dr. Hamdani notes that medication is very individual and need to be done in consultation with a medical provider. For behavioral treatment, Dr. Hamdani emphasizes a Biopsychosocial Approach—specifically the interplay between the child and their surroundings.

    Internal Strategies (The Child’s Mindset)

    • Lead with Curiosity: Start with a curious and non-judgmental approach. Move away from “Why won’t you do this?” to “What is making this hard right now?”
    • Collaborative Problem Solving: Instead of imposing a system, ask the child for input. Once you understand the problem, you can work on a solution. They are more likely to follow a plan they helped build.
    • Process over Product: Shift the “reward center” of the brain by praising the effort and strategy used rather than the final grade or result.
    • Removing Toxic Shame: Focus on the effort your child is doing and the resilience. Do not focus on comparisons to neurotypical siblings or peers. Shame is “dopamine-depleting,” which makes ADHD symptoms worse.

    External Strategies (The Environment)

    • Consider both school environment and home environment; set them up to be designed for success
    • Proactive School Planning: Don’t wait for a crisis. Optimize the classroom environment (seating, distraction triggers, set breaks) before the term begins by collaborating with teachers.
    • The Power of Boredom: Unstructured downtime is vital. While “task-directed” activity is draining, boredom allows the ADHD brain to wander and develop internal motivation.
    1. Screen Time Management.

    Dr. Hamdani is firm on Screen Time Management for two specific reasons:

    • The Stimulation Gap: Modern fast-paced media (like TikTok or high-octane gaming) provides a “dopamine flood” that makes real-life tasks (like homework) feel physically painful by comparison.
    • Constant Availability: Because these stimuli are available 24/7, the ADHD brain—which already struggles with “off-switches”—never gets the chance to reset its baseline.
    1. Emotional Dysregulation.
    • Provide a safe place for your children to experience periods of emotional dysregulation so that they can understand what triggers it and how to manage it when they are young.
    • Do not try to shut down the emotional dysregulation right away; instead allow them to understand that their feelings are okay and helping them to learn to manage their feelings

    Additional Resources from ParentMap:

    ParentMap
    Join the ParentMap community for expert parenting tips and tools to support your journey.

    Check out these ParentMap articles:

    Resources from Dr. Sasha Hamdani: