February 9, 2023
February 9, 2023
Dear Families,
Happy Thursday!
Yesterday, we received some happy mail! Bishop Hicks sent a thank you note to SJB. It reads:
“Dear Fr. Chris, Mrs. Policht, faculty, staff, students, and everyone at St. John the Baptist School,
Thank you for the creative and thoughtful gifts. I will wear the hat and socks with great joy. Also, it was wonderful celebrating Mass and taking the tour of the school. There are great things happening at St. John the Baptist school! Keep it up and God bless you.
Paz y bien,
Bishop Hicks”
At School Mass we celebrated our eighth grade students for their outstanding work and effort on their science fair projects. Congratulations go to our bronze level winners: Matthew Pullins and Liam Zbierski; our silver level winners: Adan Barcenas, Philip Cabrera and Julia Mawi; and our gold level winners: Brielle Borner, Augustine Cin, Anthony Emlen, Mia Grantz, Jack Kozlowski, Michael Mang, Alexa Murray, Kim Nguyen, Faith Owens, Connor Parkitny, Aaliyah Silva, Sofia Soriano, Tyler Stith, Alina Thorson, Lucia Vang Nu, and Joseph Zagotta. Results were announced in church on Tuesday, and they received certificates and ribbons to commemorate their accomplishments. Brielle, Augustine, Anthony, Mia, Jack, Michael, Alexa, Kim, Faith, Connor, Aaliyah, Sofia, Tyler, Alina, Lucia, and Joseph will be moving on to the Regional Science Fair held in March. I am so very proud of all our eighth grade students.
Today and tomorrow, I am attending the Winter Seminar for diocesan elementary school principals. It has been a wonderful time centered on our Catholic faith and enhancing our Catholic and school culture, as well as a time of fellowship and connecting with one another. Fr. Fragomeni, is facilitating our time together today. Prior to our seminar, we read the apostolic letter from Pope Francis on The Liturgical Formation of the People of God.
We are deep into basketball season. On Friday night, our 6th grade boys, who are currently in second place, travel to St. Scholastica in Woodridge to play at 6:00 P.M. On Saturday, we have home games at 3:00, 4:00, and 5:00 PM. Come cheer on our Wildcats! Next weekend are our last home games, and we will honor our 8th grade boys just prior to their 5:00 PM game. To celebrate and honor our basketball players and teams, we will be having a Pep Rally on Thursday, February 16 at 1:30 PM in our gym. You are welcome to attend. If attending, please enter the building through our main entrance, door 1, and sign in at the office before proceeding to the gym.
With Ash Wednesday around the corner on Wednesday, February 22, please know that there is no hot lunch on that day. Please be sure to pack a lunch for your child(ren). Speaking of Ash Wednesday, our students will receive ashes at Mass at 8:15 AM. Our preschool and prekindergarten classes will be joining us in for Mass in church as well. Please know that only cheese pizza will be available on Fridays during Lent for lunch. The Knights of Columbus will be offering a Fish Fry on Fridays during Lent. Please see the posting for more information. Stations of the Cross will take place weekly on Fridays at 2:00 PM during Lent in church for students in kindergarten through eighth grades. All are welcome to join us. Each family will be receiving a Lenten booklet, “Trust in the Lord” which has daily scripture, reflections, prayers, and family activities listed to help make the season of Lent more meaningful. The inspiration for the theme of trust in the Lord comes from Scripture:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your way acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6.
Booklets will be sent home as we get closer to Ash Wednesday with the youngest child in your family.
Parent Club Update:
Winter Carnival
The unofficial numbers are in for our Winter Carnival. We believe we made $953.63 in profit! What a successful night!!! Thank you once again to all who enjoyed the fun, planned the evening, and to all those who helped.
Thank you, thank you to all who graciously donated their time and/or donated items. Without their support, the event WOULD NOT HAVE been as successful as it was:
Kathy Barrett
Dawn Marsden
Jessica Owens
Allison O'Donnell
Juan Casarrubias
Marc Farin
Agnes Farin
Edith Markiewicz
Jessica Blitvich
Monica Barton
Kyle Barton
Megan Farris
Shena Sivertsen (and Karina)
Brenda Perez
Jane Marie Quijano
Lexi Schuhriemen
Kelley Whitman
Kevin Klein
Ellen Nelson
Angela Murray
Adalberto Resendez
Karen Reed
Phil Reed
Kiera Liebich
Jason Barrett
Courtney Pena
Angela Doncoes
Kevin Panacchia
Kate Buchbinder
Stu Buchbinder
Mallory Silva
Lauren Weitz
Esperanza Alanis
Christina Moreci
Katie Pierscionek
Dan Schoenborn
Andrea DeMola
We hope we didn't leave anyone off this list, and sincerely apologize if we did. Thank you to all who stepped up and helped run areas where coverage was light, too!
Mother Son Bingo
Don’t miss Mother Son Bingo Night on Friday, February 24. It will be held here at school in St. Cecilia Hall from 6:00 – 8:00 PM. It is sure to be a fun evening with a delicious dinner and amazing prizes. Remember to RSVP by February 16. Please see yesterday’s email or the paper flyer which was sent home earlier this week for more information.
Thanks to the Invest in Kids Act, there are more opportunities for families to find the education that best fits their child’s needs, regardless of cost. At this time, we have sixty-two students who are applying for the scholarship and on our waitlist. Please see information in the posting about the Illinois state tax credit you can claim for making a gift to Catholic Education. To donate, please click on this link for step-by-step directions: How-to-Donate-Step-by-Step-Guide_091421.pdf (empowerillinois.org) if you need help, please feel free to contact me. I am happy to walk you through the process or put you in contact with someone who can assist you. Please note that we have a Tuition Savings Plan. With this plan, when a SJB parents make a donation, 75% of the donation is received back as a tax credit on your 2024 Illinois state taxes, and 25% of the donation is received back as a tuition credit.
One Book, One School - Aven Green Baking Machine
We hope that your child(ren) have been enjoying our One Book, One School book. Here's the link for chapter 9 which is read by eighth grade student, Brielle: https://youtu.be/qiuevzEsBWE
Don’t forget that Tuesday is a half day for students, and it is red, white, and/or pink dress down day. Please see the posting for details. We will be dismissing at 11:30 AM due to Teacher Inservice and there is no extended care. School will not be in session on Friday, February 17 due to a diocesan-wide Institute Day, and on Monday, February 20, in observance of President’s Day. School will resume on Tuesday, February 21.
Don’t forget that tomorrow is a Student Council Sponsored Dress Down Day, Throwback Day. All are invited to dress in their favorite decade of clothing!
With joy,
Joanne