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Blue Jay Flyer
October 26, 2023
From the Principal's Desk...
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Don’t forget to purchase your St. John’s Spectacular tickets! Ticket sales end on Tuesday, October 31st, so don’t miss your chance to attend our biggest fundraiser of the year. I promise a great night with dinner, dancing, and fantastic auction items. All proceeds go directly to our school.
Many of you have seen a new face outside each morning, so I wanted to formally introduce Sam Johnston, our new business manager, to our school families. Welcome to the Blue Jay Family, Sam! Sam graduated from St. John’s in 2009 before attending LaSalle High School and then Eastern Kentucky University. I have introduced him to each class, and the kids are excited to see a new face in the hallways.
On Tuesday, our students participated in our first of three Lockdown drills for the year. We tested the new alarm that was placed on the doors leading from the back of church down to the junior high wing. The alarm was installed over the summer, and we wanted to make sure that all students know what to do if the door is breached during the school day. We will continue to discuss what to do if we ever need to go into lockdown during the school day so that the students feel prepared.
I hope everyone has a great rest of the week!
Courtney Weinheimer
School Calendar 📅
Cafeteria 🍽️
School News
School Spectacular
Last Call to Purchase Event Tickets!
Last call to purchase your tickets to our School Spectacular...ticket sales will close on Tuesday, October 31!
Don't miss out on a fun evening with an open bar, dinner, silent auctions, raffles and dancing. Invite your family and friends to attend. Purchase a table of 10 and receive a $100 discount on your tickets (must be purchased by a St. John's parent in order to receive the discounted price).
Single ticket - $80
Two tickets - $150
Table of 10* - $700
Purchase Out of Uniform and Raffle Tickets
Anyone (think family, friends, co-workers, neighbors...) can purchase out of uniform passes and raffle tickets as well as bid on silent auction items. The silent auction will go live next weekend. Please visit https://sjb23.givesmart.com and share the link with anyone who might be interested in participating.
Out of Uniform Pass
Split the Pot
Go Cincinnati Raffle
Grippy Sock Drive Oct 17-27
As a school wide service project we are collecting grippy socks for local hospice patients. If you would like to donate any NEW socks with rubber grippers on the bottom, please send them into school with your child. A box has been placed in each homeroom for the collections.
Mystery on 13th Street
Please join us!
St. John's Performing Arts Troupe
proudly presents
Mystery on 13th Street
Please join us on Friday, October 27 at 7:00 pm in the St. John's Parish Center (gym) to watch our talented Performing Arts Troupe present their fall play, Mystery on 13th Street. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $5 each or $20 per family.
Halloween Candy
Please consider bringing in a few pieces of your Halloween candy to share with the homeless shelter. Once a month, a group of volunteers from St. John the Baptist Parish prepare a meal for Shelterhouse. For the December meal, they would like to have enough candy to serve for their dessert.
Please bring your candy to the school office. Thank you in advance for your kindness!
Girl Scouts
Is your Kindergartner or 1st grade daughter interested in joining Girl Scouts? Please take a minute to fill out this short survey. Thank you!
Quarters For Kindness
On Fridays during lunch periods when students are able to purchase a sweet treat for .75 cents, they have the opportunity to "round up" to $1.00 and donate their extra quarter to our Quarters for Kindness Project. For the month of October, all money raised will be donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
Andrea Argus Scholarship
Did you know that our faculty & staff donate $2 to wear jeans every Friday? The money raised is allocated to the Andrea Argus Scholarship and is awarded to two 8th grade students, one boy and one girl, who will be attending a Catholic high school. Andrea Argus was a long-time Administrative Assistant at St. John's who passed away after fighting a courageous battle with breast cancer.
We also honor and remember Mrs. Argus with our pink Blue Jay t-shirts which are available to order through the school office.
Little Tikes Picnic Table For Preschool
Our preschool program is in need of a Little Tikes picnic table. If you or someone you know has one that they are no longer using and would be willing to donate, please contact Mrs. Jeanne Unger at junger@stjohnsdrschool.org.
Absence Policies for Ed Choice Scholarship Recipients
Excused Absences
- Parent Notes
- for illness or injury for 3 days or less
- Doctor's Notes
- for illness or injury more than 3 days
- Students with more than 20 unexcused absences will not be eligible for scholarship renewal.
Blue Jay Gallery 📸
Grandparents Day
We loved seeing all the grandparents and other special guests last week for Grandparents Day at St. John's! Thank you to our wonderful teachers & PTO for planning this special event for our students in grades K-3.
Live Rosary
Seventh and eighth grade students, along with their kindergarten buddies, led a live all school rosary this morning after Mass as they stood around the pews in the form of a rosary.
Shining Light Awards
Congratulations to our most recent recipients of Shining Light Awards!
PTO Corner
Trunk - or - Treat
PARKING
There will be special parking for those staying for the movie. Please pay attention when pulling into the lot for direction.
CORPUS CHRISTI PASTORAL AREA FOOD PANTRY
The Corpus Christi Pastoral Area Food Pantry is currently collecting in preparation for their annual holiday meal distribution to families in need within our Blessed Trinity Family boundaries. They are preparing to distribute 250 Thanksgiving meals and 250 Christmas meals.
The following items are needed to complete the meals:
• Packaged instant potatoes (plain or butter flavors) -
Smaller boxes or bags are preferred
• Canned green beans, corn, yams, cranberries
• Turkey gravy (glass jars or cans)
• Canned fruits
• Jell-O
• Cake mixes and frosting (chocolate or vanilla)
• Canned pumpkin and spice cake mixes
Pebble Creek Dine to Donate Nov 13
On the second Monday of every month through March, Pebble Creek Restaurant will be donating 10% of all food sales back to our PTO. Mark your calendars for the first Dine to Donate event...Monday, November 13!
Save the Date: Skating Party
Monday, November 20th
The Place
3211 Lina Place
Cincinnati, OH, 45239
Stay tuned for more details!
Santa Shop
Santa Shop is a Christmas shop at school where the students can purchase gifts for their families. There are a wide variety of gifts to choose from that range in price from $1.00-$12.00. The gifts are also wrapped so that the students can bring home surprises! This is one of the best parts of Santa Shop.
Students in preschool 4s – 8th grade will have the opportunity to visit the shop on
Monday (11/27) – Wednesday (11/29). Each homeroom will be assigned a specific day
and time to visit. Younger grades will have parent volunteers and 7th -8th grade buddies
help them find the perfect gifts.
Volunteer:
A Sign-Up genius for volunteers will be coming soon!
Volunteer Sign-Ups: We will need helpers to set up the shop on Monday (11/20), the
first day of Thanksgiving Break. Volunteers will also be needed to wrap or help
students in the shop on Monday (11/27)-Wednesday (11/29). You will be able to
volunteer the whole day or part of the day.
Donations:
We need wrapping items like tissue paper and gently used or new gift bags! If you have
any gift items to donate please send to Laura Heidorn in the Main Office. Thank you!
Coming Soon:
Shopping List: Students will bring home a list they can fill out for who they would like to
shop for and how much they would like to spend. Each homeroom will have an
assigned day and time in the shop.
Thank you!
Santa Shop Co-chairs
Nicki Middleswarth (Jmiddleswarth@fuse.net), Betsey Miyahara
(Elizabeth.miyahara@gmail.com) & Laura Monti (monti_la@yahoo.com)
Athletic Boosters
Girls' Basketball Sign Ups
Sign-ups will only be offered online at www.stjab.com. In the upper right corner you will see the login or register tab if you do not already have an account. If you do not sign-up during these time frames, we cannot guarantee your son a spot on a team. If you sign-up late and are given a spot on a team a late fee will be charged.
Important info:
- Tryouts - 5th– 8thgrade– Depending on number of girls in each age group, an evaluation if needed will be in mid-November.
- 3rd-8th grade will be playing in the Girls Western Athletic Conference (GWAC). Information about the league can be found at www.gwacsports.com. The season generally runs from early February to early April (depending on the grade level). Practices will start in January.
Email any questions for girls basketball to Will Crawford at stjohnsgirlsbasketball@gmail.com
Catholic High School Admissions Events
Open House Calendar
La Salle High School
Mercy McAuley
Admissions Timeline & Important Events for Class of 2028
Eighth grade families are encouraged to visit www.mercymcauley.org/ClassOf2028 for all of the important details regarding the admissions process – including application deadlines, the link to register for the HSPT, Shadow Day, Open House, event registrations, and more!
Register for Mercy McAuley's Open House
Future Wolves and families of all grade levels are invited to see all that Mercy McAuley has to offer at its Open House on Sunday, Oct. 29, from 1 – 3:30 p.m. To ensure your tour is as personalized as possible, registration is strongly encouraged at www.mercymcauley.org/OpenHouse.
Schedule a Shadow Day at Mercy McAuley!
Mercy McAuley’s shadow days are full school days to provide eighth graders with a real day in the life of a Wolf! Eighth graders will be paired with a Student Ambassador for the day and will attend classes, tour the school, meet teachers, students and school leaders, and will experience the school spirit at an assembly or Mass. Eighth graders will also enjoy lunch in the cafeteria, a sample from White Oak Coffee House, and giveaways. Parents are encouraged to stay for coffee and discussion with Mercy McAuley leaders when dropping their daughter off to shadow. Register at www.mercymcauley.org/shadow. (See flyer.)
Register for Mercy McAuley’s HSPT Prep Course
Mercy McAuley offers a 4-week prep course to help 8th graders prepare for the High School Placement Test (HSPT). Taught by Mercy McAuley Math Teacher Mrs. Sam Duncan, the course covers academic content on the test, familiarizes students with test format, teaches test-taking strategies, and eases apprehension about the test. There is a $100 fee for the 4-week course, which is from 9 – 11 a.m. on the four Saturdays leading up to the test: Oct. 21, Oct. 28, Nov. 4, and Nov. 11. Registration is required at www.mercymcauley.org/HSPTprep. (See flyer.)
Seton
NEW Open House
Due to scheduling conflicts, Seton High School’s Open House will be moved to Tuesday, November 14 from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. We look forward to showcasing our well-rounded and exceptional Catholic education including standout academics, competitive athletics, leadership and service opportunities. We appreciate your support and understanding and look forward to seeing 7th and 8th Grade Future Saints at Open House! If you have already registered, your time slot has remained the same. If this time no longer works for you, you are able to adjust your time slot. If you have not yet registered for Open House, you can do so by visiting https://setoncincinnati.org/future-saints/.
Shadowing
Calling all 8th Grade Future Saints! Shadow at Seton and see what the Seton State of Mind is all about! Shadow days are filling quickly, so register online today at www.setoncincinnati.org. Be a “Saint for a Day” and learn about our challenging academics, leadership opportunities, faith formation and standout school spirit!
St. Xavier
HSPT Prep Course
October 28th and November 4th at St. Xavier High School from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm or 12:30 to 4:30 pm. This HSPT course covers all 5 sections of the test: Verbal Skills, Reading, Mathematics, Quantitative Skills and Language. The course begins with a comprehensive assessment exam, and the rest of the course focuses on learning content. By program’s end, students know how to tackle every type of problem on the HSPT – and effectively manage their time and the test.
Parents can sign-up at www.RedwoodPrep.com by clicking on the 'Sign Up' button on the website. Please see flyer attached below for more details.
Open House
On Sunday, November 12 from 1 to 5 p.m. prospective students and families are invited to attend our annual Open House. Tours are given by current students, allowing families time to speak with teachers, co-curricular moderators, and students about their experiences.
Shadowing
Shadowing is an integral role in a student’s decision-making process. The X-perience Day program provides interested eighth grade students with a firsthand experience on campus. The program runs from September through December. Prospective students will be hosted by an Ambassador of Excellence, a freshmen or sophomore qualified to speak on the various aspects of St. Xavier High School. On these days at 8:30 a.m., parents hear a presentation from a St. Xavier representative about programs, tuition assistance, scholarships, and have the opportunity to tour the school. Families may register for shadowing on our website at https://www.stxavier.org/admissions/visit.
Elder
Elder Shadow Days
Current 8th grade students are invited to visit Elder and shadow a current Panther! Shadowing is
the best way for a prospective student to experience a day at Elder! To schedule your visit go to
Elder Open House
Join us for the annual Elder Open House on Thursday, November 9th. Take a tour with a student
ambassador, meet our dedicated Faculty & Staff, and learn everything about Elder High School! Reserve a time for your family to take a tour at www.elderhs.org/openhouse.
High School Placement Test (HSPT) & Elder Prep Bootcamp
The official High School Placement Test (HSPT) testing day is Saturday, November 18th . If you
are currently in 8th grade, then make sure to schedule your test at your desired location.
In order to help 8th grade boys prepare for the High School Placement Test (HSPT), Elder will
host two HSPT Prep Bootcamps. One will be offered Saturday, November 4 th from 8:30 AM –
12:30 PM, and the second will be offered in two parts on Tuesday, November 14 th and
Thursday, November 16 th from 6:00 - 8:00 PM each night. Each camp costs $40 and covers the
same content. Space is limited, so be sure to secure your spot!
Find information on the HSPT and the Elder Bootcamps at www.elderhs.org/hspt.
Moeller
St. Ursula
Saint Ursula Academy has many exciting events planned for grade school girls over the next few months! There are multiple opportunities for your daughter to experience the sisterhood of SUA and learn more about our vibrant educational community. There is something for everyone and you are invited to join us for as many events as you would like over the next several weeks.
- SHADOW DAYS - Through December - During your Shadow Day, visit classes, take a tour of our campus, have lunch, meet future teachers, and be a Bulldog for the day! Register HERE
- WALKABOUT WEDNESDAYS - Various Dates through November - Tours for Prospective Families Register HERE
- HIGH SCHOOL PLACEMENT TEST PREP COURSE - November 3, 9:00-3:00 - Review tips and tricks and practice strategies to build confidence prior to taking the High School Placement Test (which is required for admission to SUA). Register HERE
- SHOWCASE NIGHT - November 2 or December 6, 6:30-8:30 - This program provides an opportunity for us to "showcase" the many parts of a Saint Ursula Education. Register HERE
- THEATER PREVIEW NIGHT - November 15, 7:00-9:00 - Free admission to the dress rehearsal of the SUA Fall Musical The Sound of Music for 8th-grade girls and a guest! Register HERE.
Full information and additional events may be found at www.saintursula.org/visit.aspx.
Ursuline
Alumni News
News to Share?
We love to share exciting news about our St. John's alumni with our school community! If you have an older child or know anyone who graduated from St. John's who has an achievement to share, please send information and any photos to Laura Heidorn at lheidorn@stjohnsdrschool.org.
Parish News
Vote NO on Issue 1 Nov. 7th!
Please take a minute to view a new video that was just released from the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. It's only 1 1/2 minutes long and does an excellent job of explaining what you need to know before voting on Issue 1. Please click here to view short video.