St. John Eagle Edition

October 4, 2024

A note from Mrs. Goetsch...

What a great time of the year when we can physically see God's beauty all around us in so many ways. The leaves changing colors, the crops being harvested, the birds are migrating, the squirrels are busy preparing for the cold months ahead, the beautiful sunrises and sunsets are just a few ways we get to see God's earthly beauty.

Here at St. John School, we also get to see how God has wonderfully made each of His dear children, how they are so unique, and how they all learn and grow in similar, but yet different ways. What a blessing that is to witness each and every day here at St. John.

There are many different activities and events planned throughout the month of October to help our students grow in their faith and to help them see God's beauty and the blessings He provides us in our everyday lives.

Thank you for taking time to read about all of the things happening at our school and church this month.

School Learning Journey: Seasons for a Reason

St. John PK3-8th grade students will begin a year-long "learning journey" focusing on God's creation of the four seasons and how each season is related to the life of Christ.

What is a learning journey? It is project-based learning which provides students hands-on and real-life experiences to connect their classroom learning and their faith. This may include field trips, guest speakers, special projects, and assignments to provide students another way to learn, grow and make connections with learning happening in math, reading, science, and/or social studies.

This year, we will be having three one-week learning journeys focused on the four seasons.

October - Summer and Fall combined

January - Winter

April - Spring

Faith Education Theme for 2024-25

ENDURE

Hebrews 12:1-3

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Consider Him who endured from sinners such hostility against Himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted

Chapel Offering is taken each week

Semester 1 donations will go to support "Share Your Holiday" Drive

October School Events

Fire Prevention Week: Oct. 7-11

Throughout the Week of October 7, we will be observing Fire Prevention Week by:

Having special lessons and activities in our classrooms througout the week.
Conduct a Fire Drill
Town of Easton Fire Department will bring a fire truck to school and help our students learn about the vehicle and other fire safety tips on Oct. 9

School Pictures: October 18

School Picture Day is Friday, October 18th, 9:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M.

St. John Preschool parents, who don't have a child in class that day, are welcome to bring their child in to have their picture taken on this day.

Harvest Festival: October 24

Our "Seasons for a Reason" Learning Journey will be extended to the Annual "Harvest Party/Festival" this school year.

During the afternoon, students will:

Reenact the first Harvest Meal between the Pilgrims and the Native Americans
Students will "Harvest" pumpkin seeds and learn how to use the seeds to grow pumpkins for the 2025 Harvest Festival.
PTL will be running a number of Fall activities for students to participate in.
Pumpkin Pie will be served as a special treat at the end of the day to all students.

Hot Lunch being served on October 24th

A St. John Alumni student and his family are providing and serving a hot lunch for students on October 24th.

The menu will be: spaghetti and meat sauce, bread, string cheese, cookie, and a Capri Sun drink.

St. John Students Sing: October 27

Mark your calendars!

The students of St. John will be singing

Sunday, October 27th at the 10:15 Worship Service.

This is a wonderful opportunity for the congregation to see and hear our school children use their voices to praise God in song.

Costume Parade October 31

On October 31, all students (DCE 4K students included) will have a Costume Parade beginning at 10:00 am.

Please make sure your child’s costume is Christian School appropriate.

These types of costumes will not be allowed:

Costumes with weapons attached
Masks that depict horror or are scary
Costumes representing ghosts or witches.
Costumes which depict death or movies based on gruesome killings.

The principal reserves the responsibility to make a further decision based on what is worn on October 31st.

November 8: Veterans Day Chapel

We will holding a special Veterans Day Chapel on Friday, November 8.

Please invite friends or family members who have served in any of the Armed Forces to this special Chapel Service led by the students!

Invites will be sent home with students to share, but here is a LINK to the Invitation if you want to email it to family and friends as well.

RSVP is due by Friday, November 1.

Meeting Reminders

The Next School Board Meeting

The next School Board meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 14th, starting at 6:00 in the Church Library.

Parents are always welcome to speak to the School Board at the beginning of each meeting. There is time set aside for public input.

St. John P.T.L. Meeting

Calling all Parents! We would love for you to consider joining us for our next PTL meeting. It will be on Tuesday, October 15th at 7:00 P.M. PTL is involved in many of the activities that go on at St. John and we could use some more input at the meetings.

Opportunities to Grow in our Faith Together

Care Ministry Harvest Fest

Attention Crafters: Care Ministry Harvest Fest is quickly approaching on October 13th, 2024. This year we will be asking for new craft items to sell. If the item sells, the money will be donated to Care Ministry. If it does not sell, it will be returned to you. Bake Sale items and canned items would also be appreciated. A free will donation will be taken for the Bake Sale items. Contact Gerry Marquardt with questions 715-297-3167.

October is Pastor Appreciation Month!

Now is the time to show Ben and Pastor Stransky how thankful we are to have them at St John. On October 20, the elders will be hosting Coffee Hour. If you would like to give Pastor or Ben a card or gift, there will be a basket in the narthex.

Attention all St. John Members

Please plan on attending a New Member Luncheon on Sunday, October 27th after late service. New members have not been formally recognized at St. John since 2020. Come for food and fellowship with fellow St. John members.

Stay Informed: Parent Communication Tools

Remind 101

THANK YOU to all who have taken the time to join Remind 101 groups.

A couple weeks ago, Mrs. Goetsch sent an invite to all families who had not yet signed-up for the St. John Lutheran School _ALL group.

PLEASE take a few seconds to accept the invite, so you don't miss out on weekly updates and special announcements.

Watch for another invite to the individual Classroom Group so your child's teacher can also connect with you on specific updates for each classroom as needed.

Fast Direct

Fast Direct is our student information system. This is where we store:

Family demographic information
Medical needs information
Tuition Information
Milk account balance
Daily Attendance
Another way for us to email, text or voice recorded messages to share school updates. You can email teachers directly (or to Mrs. Goetsch) through this program as well.

Please contact Mrs. Wenzel if you need your activation code to gain access to your Fast Direct Account.

Facebook updates EVERYDAY

We are now placing more information on our St. John Lutheran School Facebook Page:

Daily Announcements
Weekly Updates from Mrs. Goetsch
Reminders of upcoming events and important dates

Please go to our St. John Lutheran School Facebook Page

Like the page and/or Follow our page as another way to stay up-to-date on the great things happening at St. John School!

Community Connections

Schairer's Autumn Acres

Open Weekends through Sunday, October 27th, 10:00 A.M.-6:00 P.M.194 Western Ave. Birnamwood. Bring your family outdoors for some a-maze-ing adventures at SCHAIRER’S AUTUMN ACRES. From corn mazes, sunflower fields, hayrides, wine tastings, apple products and more, we have something for everyone! October 5th-6th: Brandt’s Horse Drawn Wagon Rides. October 6th: Live Music – Resch Family Gospel 12-3:00 P.M. October 12th-13th: Odyssey Farms Percherons – Horse Drawn Wagon Rides. October 19th: Trick-or-Treat Corn Maze 10am-4pm treats for the kids at each of the 10 checkpoints in the maze. October. 25th-26th: Pumpkin Stroll 6-9pm. Take an evening stroll through the corn maze and find the 100+ Themed Carved Pumpkins

There are SO many parents, families, and church members who answer the call when we have a need at the school.

Each month, we will do our best to acknowledge ALL who choose to give of their time and talents to ensure our students and our school have what they need to grow in their faith in Jesus and in their educational growth here at St. John School:

Gary Rux - mowing our playground field each week
Jim Glatczak - ongoing work on our safety improvements and helping with the hornets around school and church
Steve and Carol Knuze - cleaning out our gymnasium closet
PTL - donating funds to help with classroom supply purchases
Family of Dennis Wantke - providing a meal to our students
Terry Benz - coming and fixing one of our school toilets
Mary Marquardt - making our door labels for school and church
5th-8th grade students who helped spread out our load of wood chips on the playground

THANK YOU to ALL who have been praying for the school, provided financial or volunteer support, or have used God's talents to serve a need here at St. John School. You are all a BLESSING!!!!

Mark Your Calendars

School and Church dates to remember

Oct 1: Care Ministry Meeting 6:45 P.M.
Oct 2: Ladies Aid 1:00 P.M.
Oct 7-11: Fire Prevention Week
Oct 13: Care Ministry Harvest Fest after Worship Services
Oct 14: School Board Meeting 6:00 P.M., Board of Christian Ed Meeting 7:00 P.M., Elders Meeting 7:00 P.M.
Oct. 15: P.T.L. Meeting 7:00 P.M.
Oct. 18: School Picture Day
Oct. 20: Pastor Appreciation Sunday
Oct. 21: Council Meeting 7:00 P.M.
Oct. 22: Senior Club 12:30 P.M.
Oct. 24: School Harvest Party 12:15-2:30 pm
Oct. 25: No School
Oct. 27: St. John Students sing at the 10:15 Worship Service
Oct. 31: Costume Parade at 9:30 am

Vision Statement

Students continue a seamless journey from preschool through eighth grade as teachers continue to meet their educational, spiritual, emotional, social, and physical needs.

St. John Lutheran Church and School

Email: school.secretary@stjohnofwausau.org
Website: http://stjohnofwausau.org/dir/
Phone: 715-842-5212
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/St-John-Lutheran-School/100063492882403/