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Blue Jay Flyer
September 6, 2023
From the Principal's Desk...
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Thank you to all the families who helped support our Red, Walk and Blue Jay walk-a-thon last Friday. As a school, we raised $12,770 that will be used for projects around the building and the grounds in memory of Cathy Dreyer. Some things that will be completed include installing a faculty restroom in the Jr. High wing, a new awning out front of school, and planting a tree with a bench in Cathy’s memory. Any additional funds will be allocated by a special committee created to carry on Cathy’s legacy at St. John’s. I wanted to share a beautiful poem that Cathy’s friends shared at the kick off of our event.
I thought of you with love today,
but that is nothing new.
I thought about you yesterday,
and days before that too.
I think of you in silence,
I often speak your name.
All I have are memories
and a picture in a frame.
Your memory is a keepsake,
with which I’ll never part.
God has you in His keeping,
I have you in my heart.
We love you, Mrs. Dreyer!
A huge THANK YOU to our walk chairs, Kelly Heid, Amanda Kirkpatrick and their team of volunteers! A special thanks to Megan League, Susie Schmitz, and Irene Maschinot for all their hard work. Megan’s money counting skills will be missed next year! Thank goodness our Blue Jay (Susie Schmitz) will still be around a couple of more years to have dance offs with the other high school mascots! We appreciate all the volunteers who came out to help make the Walk a special day for our students. Hopefully everyone enjoyed the ½ day of school and the long weekend that followed.
Have a great rest of your week!
Courtney Weinheimer
***A huge thank you to Betsey Miyahara for sharing her amazing walkathon photos with us***
School Calendar 📅
Cafeteria 🍽️
School News
Congratulations Walkathon Incentive Winners!
We are pleased to announce all the winners of the walkathon incentives!!!
- No School on Monday, Nov. 20: Because we met our $10,000 goal, EVERYONE wins and receives the WHOLE WEEK off school for Thanksgiving break!
- FC Cincinnati Bailey Tickets and Spirit Wear: One lucky winner who turned in at least $30 before Aug 25 received won this raffle. As you can see in the photo, he is pretty excited!
- Out of Uniform Day: Students who turned in at least $30 by Aug. 31st may be out of uniform on Friday, September 15.
- Pizza Parties: Our third and seventh grade classes had the highest turn in totals and will each receive pizza parties.
- $100 Shopping Cent$ Gift Certificate The Kirkpatrick family had the highest turn in total for donations..
Shopping Cent$ Orders Filled 9/7
Shopping Cent$ orders will be filled tomorrow! Look for order forms in the Blue Jay folders.
Shopping Cent$ is a year-long fundraiser for our school that doesn't cost you anything more than you normally spend! We buy gift cards at a discounted rate and sell them to you at face value. Buy cards from us and use them instead of cash at your favorite restaurants, retail stores, grocery stores and gas stations. You can also purchase cards and ecards online through our partner, Raiseright.com or the Raise Right app. There are over 750 brands available! See flyer below for school enrollment information.
Orders are filled and sent home every other week on Thursdays. If we are out of stock or you have a special order (last column of the order sheet), you will receive a note on your envelope. If you do not receive your order, please double check your child's backpack and folders. If you are still unable to locate it, please contact the office or Amy Roetting as soon as possible. The longer you wait to report a missing order, the more difficult it is to track it down.
Picture Day Coming Soon
Picture Day
Tuesday, September 19
Pre-order a package ahead of time at mylifetouch.com and
enjoy FREE 8 x 11 photo book from Shutterfly
Use Picture Day ID: EVTH9CFQR
Save The Date: 2023 School Spectacular
Mark your calendars for our fifth annual School Spectacular, "Follow Me!" Join us on November 11th for a fun evening of cocktails, dinner, live and silent auctions, raffles and dancing.
Tickets go on sale soon....stay tuned for more information!
Opt In For Text Messages
In addition to emails, if you would like to receive important updates and information from St. John's via text message, please text the word ALERT to 22300.
School Uniform Spirit Wear
There are several styles of sweatshirts and jackets that can worn during the school day over the uniform polos as well as t-shirt options for spirit wear and out of uniform days. Click here to view photos of the various styles and pricing. Order forms along with payment of cash or check (made payable to St. John the Baptist School) can be sent into the school office anytime throughout the year. Orders take approximately 2-4 weeks to arrive and will be sent home with your student.
An order form is attached below for your convenience.
2022-23 Yearbooks
If you ordered a 2022-23 yearbook online it should have been in your child's Open House packet or sent home with them on the first day of school. A limited number of extra copies are available to purchase for $18.00 To purchase a yearbook, please send cash or check payments to the school office, Attn: Laura Heidorn/Yearbook.
We also have some extra copies from previous years that are available to purchase.
Beginning & Advanced Band: The Music Staff
Students in grades 4-8 will have the opportunity to participate in a band program brought to us by The Music Staff. The program is offered once a week before school from 7:10-7:50 a.m. Students may choose from the following instruments: Flute, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Bells (xylophone) or Snare Drum. Families are responsible for the rental fee of the instruments along with the fee to The Music Staff.
Please see the attached fliers for more detailed information.
Blue Jay Gallery 📸
Shining Light Award
Congratulations to our newest recipient of a "Shining Light Award!" Thank you for helping some of our new students navigate the hallways and for collecting homework for absent students.
Reading Buddies
Last week our seventh grade students read stories to the first graders.
Duck, Duck Goose!
Nothing better than a good old fashioned game of Duck, Duck Goose during recess!
PTO Corner
Join the PTO
To join the PTO, please scan the QR code in the lower left hand corner of the flier below.
Athletic Boosters
Boosters Golf Outing
Please see attachment below to register for the Boosters Golf Outing on October 7.
Catholic High School Admissions Events
La Salle High School
Mercy McAuley
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!
Now is the time for 8th graders to register for a Shadow Day at Mercy McAuley; the first Shadow Day is coming up on September 13! 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.)
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 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.)
Mercy McAuley Grade School Sports Nights
Grade school girls are invited to experience the excitement of Mercy McAuley Athletics at the school’s Grade School Sports Nights! All grade school girls will receive free admission to the games along with snacks and giveaways! Registration is not required. (See flyer.)
Grade School Volleyball Night – NEON THEME!
Tuesday, September 19
Festivities begin at 6 pm. Varsity game begins at 6:30 p.m.
Grade School Soccer Night – LUAU THEME!
Monday, September 25
Festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. Varsity game begins at 6 p.m.
Seton
Schedule a Shadow Day
Grade School Volleyball Night
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.
X-Perience Nights
St. Xavier High School hosts two X-perience Nights (October 17 and 23). Your school and all 7th & 8th grade families will receive an invitation to attend. The evening begins in our Reynolds Room at 6:30 p.m. and concludes at 8 p.m. Parents will hear a presentation about the mission of St. Xavier from a current student, a parent, faculty member, and an admissions representative – with ample time for questions and answers afterward. Students will learn about St. X by engaging in experiential learning opportunities that will be directed by current St. X students. Families have found these nights to be an opportunity to receive in-depth information and hear different perspectives about St. X. We ask that families register in advance.
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.
St. Ursula
- SHADOW DAYS - September-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!
- WALKABOUT WEDNESDAYS - Various Dates through November - Tours for Prospective Families
- EDUCATIONAL SERVICES NIGHT - September 21, 6:30-7:30 - Meet teachers from our Educational Services Program and find out how Saint Ursula supports students with identified learning disabilities.
- GRADE SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL NIGHT - September 28 at 6:30 - Free admission for grade school girls, coaches, and parents as the SUA Volleyball team takes on Mercy McAuley
- OPEN HOUSE - October 22, 1:00-4:00 - Take an in-depth look at all SUA has to offer! An RSVP is suggested.
- 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)
Additional information, dates of other events, and registration links can be found at www.saintursula.org/visit.aspx.
Ursuline
Alumni News
Please Vote for AJ Brockhaus!
Please vote for AJ Brockhaus, St. John’s 2020 graduate, for big school soccer player of the week! Currently a senior at Ross High School, he scored both goals in a 2-0 win over Edgewood which was the Rams' first win of the year.
Click here to vote. You may vote multiple times.
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
Create the Good Coat Drive
Create the Good is an outreach program associated with St John Dry Ridge Parish. Our role in the parish is to find ways for us to reach out to our greater community by collaborating with local charities, who are already responding to those in need, and support them with our time and goods.
This month our committee is looking to collect gently used and new winter coats for Hope’s Closet. We are hopeful some of you have done a little summer purging and have a coat your child has grown out of that you can donate. Please do not feel the need to purchase new coats. Our collection dates are from September 6 through September 15. We have placed a large barrel in the office hallway for students to place the coats in.
A list of sizes that are needed:
Girls: 2T, 3T, 5T, 6, 8, 10, 12, Adult S, M, L & XL.
Boys: 3T, 5T, 6, 7, 8, 12, Adult M, L, XL
Hopes Closet exists to enrich the lives of families that are impacted by children’s services. They strive to build intentional relationships to restore broken families as they LOVE displaced children and their families, PROVIDE encouragement, support, and material needs, and INSPIRE hope in a loving God.
If you have any questions, please contact Heather Smith (513)616-8353
Vote No on Nov. 7th!
The Cana Experience
Please see attached fliers for information on Cana Family Institute programs. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Kaitlyn Siebenaller at