April 27, 2023
April 27, 2023
Dear Wildcat Families,
Congratulations to the following students who made the sacrament of First Holy Eucharist on Saturday, April 22: Isael Alanis, Sadie Buchbinder, Paloma Click, Uriel Coss Alanis, Lionel Cuevas, Yadhira Guevara, John Thang Khai Samte, Benjamin Knutson, Mary Mawi, Audrey Murray, Luke Spans, and Devonte Valentine. At the end of Mass, Father Chris blessed rosaries, a small gift from the school, to commemorate the day all those who received Jesus for the first time this year at St. John the Baptist. It was such a joy to have them join us during Communion on Tuesday during our School Mass. As Fr. Chris told them, they are welcome to tell him or the individual who is giving them Communion, how many times they have received the Eucharist. On Sunday, it will be their fourth time, for many, already. Please pray for Szymon Mikrut as he makes his First Holy Eucharist on Saturday.
As April closes and May begins, a flurry of activity is taking place at St. John the Baptist. This week we had two very special community-based activities and will close it out with another one. We are so blessed to have the support of our community.
Yesterday morning DuPage Care and Control personnel made a visit to our K-2 students as a thank you for the donations our primary students made for their Lenten almsgiving. Ms. Laura brought two sweet bunnies, Petunia and Lolo, to help them learn about the homeless animals for which the center provides care. She complimented our children as they took their role very seriously as volunteers helping socialize the bunnies. The bunnies have only been at the shelter for one week and had not been in front of school children yet.
Additionally, Northwestern Medicine Hospital at CDH made a virtual visit to fourth and fifth grade classes yesterday morning. Ms. Katie presented the Think First presentation for intermediate grades. Part of Think First’s mission is to prevent brain, spinal cord, and other traumatic injuries through education. They learned about the importance of brain protection and how our brain properly functions along with the parts of the brain. As we enter spring outdoor activities, the timing of the presentation was perfect. She will be visiting first grade virtually on Thursday, May 11.
As a reminder, we will be walking tomorrow to Winfield’s Riverwalk Park, which is next to the Fire Department, to be part of Winfield’s Arbor Day celebration and tree dedication. Some of our classes will be singing at it. The ceremony takes place at 10:00 AM. Please make sure that your child wears his/her uniform to school tomorrow. For this special occasion and honor, dress down passes won’t be allowed. This week really epitomized one of our core values, embraced by community.
On the Parent Club front, if you ordered flowers, they will be ready for pick up on Monday, May 8. Families will be notified the pertinent details. Our Gala, A Night at the Oscars, is just one night away. This is our largest fundraising event of the year, please know that your support is truly appreciated! Can’t attend the event? You can still bid on the amazing silent auction packages. As a reminder, in order to bid on Silent Auction items, you must register on the Bidding site. Click here and then select "Get Started" to register. You will be required to provide a credit card to bid.
The spring play, Snow White and the 7 Endings, a musical comedy, under the direction of Michelle Bucaro, is also right around the corner. The cast and crew have been working so hard. Wait until you see what our amazing set and tech crew has made and the incredible talent of our cast. The production will take place on Friday, May 13 at 7:00 PM, or Saturday, May 14 at 1:30 PM or 6:30 PM. Tickets go on sale on Sunday, April 30 at noon. You can purchase tickets here. There will be limited availability at the door. Don’t miss this darling show!
To update you on the tax credit scholarships program, I am happy to let you know that we have awarded 20 tax credit scholarships for the 2023-2024 school year. So far this year, $ 110,000 has been donated for scholarships for St. John’s students. Please prayerfully consider making a contribution to the tax credit scholarship program and receive a tax credit on your 2023 state taxes while making it possible for eligible current and new students to attend our school. A tax credit of 75% of the donation is received on Illinois income taxes and until July 1, parents also receive 25% of the donation as a tuition credit on 2023-24 tuition. New donors, there is still time to double your impact with our matching donations to the program. There is at least $35,000 left in matching dollars. Let’s not let this fabulous opportunity slip away. Currently, there are 48 students on our waitlist. Let’s make it possible for them to continue or begin a Catholic education at St. John the Baptist Catholic School. If you have questions about the tax credit scholarship program, please contact me at Jpolicht@stjohnwinfield.org or 630-668-2625, extension 617. Fr. Jeff Putthoff can be reached at Jputthoff@dioceseofjoliet.org. He has helped so many with the process.
As you are probably aware, the Invest in Kid Tax Credit Scholarship Program has been an incredible blessing and financial support to families at SJB and throughout our diocese. Since the inception of the program in 2018, SJB has awarded 166 scholarships including 27 new students to our school (and there are twelve on this year’s waitlist…some our siblings of students who are at SJB) The program has a sunset clause that ends the program in 2023, unless our state legislatures vote to extend or make the program permanent.
We need YOUR help to remove the sunset. Please start by visiting https://p2a.co/gMQReHi (English) / https://p2a.co/O99b8CT (Spanish) to let your legislators know you value this program, and what it means to students and families throughout the Diocese of Joliet. Ask them to #RemoveTheSunset! An email is already pre-written, and I was able to easily customize it and add how we value the program at SJB. Please join me and others in our diocese in our efforts to remove the sunset.
On Sunday, May 1, Mary will be crowned at the 9:30 AM Mass. Our First Communicants may wear their outfits to Mass this weekend. If your child just received First Communion and is interested in participating in the May Crowning on Sunday, please meet Mrs. Brennan in church. Mary will be crowned outside or inside, depending on the weather. Religious Education will also be honored during the 9:30 AM Mass on Sunday.
As we move into May, we look forward to crowning Our Blessed Mother, Mary, as a school, on Tuesday, May 2, at the conclusion of our School Mass. Our eighth grade and recent First Communion recipients will have special parts in this wonderful and beautiful tradition. Our First Communicants will be wearing their First Communion clothes. You are welcome to attend Mass with us at 8:15 AM. Our preschool students will be honoring Mary next week, too, with flowers and a simple prayer service.
Looking ahead to our Field Day, we are in need of volunteers to help run stations for the afternoon and may need a few in the morning. If you are able to volunteer, please email Mrs. Norton at Pnorton@sjbwinfield.org.
We wish our eighth grade students who are traveling to Carbondale for the State Science Fair, the best of luck, and ask God to shine down on them.
If I don’t see you at the Gala tomorrow night, I wish you a wonderful weekend,
Joanne