Thank you to those who joined the November Parent Association Meeting. Below, please review a summary of the topics we covered. Our next meeting will be Friday, January 5, 2024, at 8:30am in Egan Hall.
Principal Search Committee Update: The Principal Search Committee is currently working on the job description with the goal of posting the job in early December. They are working closely with a representative from the Office of Catholic Schools. Thank you for the more than 150 surveys that you submitted, providing feedback on what is important to you in our next principal. The target start date for the new principal is July 1, 2024. If you know anyone who would be a good fit for the position, please encourage them to apply. Assistant Principal Paul Kelley will continue in his position for the 2024-2025 school year. The Principal Search Committee will provide progress updates and information as quickly as they can. Teachers and staff are also receiving updates from the Committee.
Auction Update: Our Auction Co-Chair Lauren Exnicios provided us with an informative presentation on all things auction. Mark your calendars and start thinking about your outfits – the 39th Annual St. John School Auction will be held on Friday, March 15, 2024. The theme is A Novel Soiree. Check out Lauren’s presentation for more details and ways to get involved.
The Wellness Committee held their first Try Me Day of the year on Friday, November 17. They served students popcorn with healthy toppings like nutritional yeast. Look for more information on how the day went in a future NewsViews update.
Thank you to Sara Dean for facilitating our first Parent Education Night on Tuesday, October 24. We had over 70 participants attend who learned about executive function from Dr. Erin Gonzalez. If you missed it, check out the recording here as well as a list of resources. We will hold another Parent Education Night in the Spring and are finalizing the topic now. Please send any topic suggestions to Parent_Association@st-johnschool.org.
Catholic Schools Week will be January 28-February 2, 2024. The week will kick off on Sunday, January 28 with Mass and an Open House for new and current families. The Parent Association will host a Spirit Lunch on Friday, February 2 to add to the festivities. We are currently assembling a subcommittee to plan this event. If you are interested in joining, please email Parent_Association@st-johnschool.org.
Hospitality Update: If you are planning to include Scrip gift cards in your holiday giving to teachers and staff, the deadline to place orders is December 8. Scrip is available from a list of vendors in specific denominations. For more information, click here. If you are a Hospitality Chair and looking for more support in your position, check out the resources available on the Parent Association website.
Admin Update: Assistant Principal Paul Kelley shared the following updates with us:
- The 6th Grade’s Fund Drive to support St. Vincent de Paul is going on now. Instead of a food donation this year, please consider donating the cost of the food to help keep our neighbors sheltered.
- 7th Graders will be hosting a Thanksgiving meal for Residents of the Martina Apartments on Tuesday, November 21.
- 4th and 5th Graders are continuing their efforts to provide hygiene kits within our Seattle community.
- School Open House: Our Open House for new and current families will take place as part of Catholic Schools Week on January 28, 2024. Spread the word to prospective families, especially with younger children.
The Welcome Committee is looking for new co-chairs. If you are interested in leading this important effort to make new families feel a part of the St. John community, please email Julia Tsurusaki at julia@thesakigroup.com or Kirsten Evangelista at farg03@yahoo.com.
