St. John's Catholic School

Exceptional Education Anchored by Faith

Peek of the Week

First Day of School Newsletter

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St. John’s Catholic

School 2020-2021

First Day of School Newsletter

August 26, 2020

From the Principal’s Desk

We had a wonderful first day of school! There was a lot of learning new routines, a lot of reconnecting with old friends and meeting lots of new friends! The first day of school is always a little challenging, and this year was no different. Many students were nervous to return to school because it’s been so long. Others were a little nervous to start at a new school. Asking students to wear a mask is challenging, and not what they’re used to. Listening to their teacher with a slightly muffled voice is challenging, and not what they’re used to. Things will get better and we will work through the bumps as we go! Overall I do think there were many successes of the day.

Morning car line worked very well, thank you to everyone for completing your online screening form in a timely fashion! Afternoon car line needs a little practice, but just as kids need to practice, adults do too – particularly with new procedures and expectations that are a little different than what you may be used to. Each day should get a little smoother and within a week you’ll be out of here in no time at all! Particularly for the primary parents, it is okay to step out of your vehicle, with a mask on, to let your child see you. Many of our younger students didn’t recognize their parents’ vehicles which made it challenging to get them into their vehicles quickly. Additionally, if your child is going to Learning Center, please let your child’s teacher know via email – at least for the first week or so. Some students were very confused and couldn’t remember where they were supposed to be. (Which is understandable after such a long day!)

Please read through the important items below and keep scrolling for a few pictures from our day! I’m looking forward to tomorrow! I think we’ll all rest pretty well tonight!

God Bless,

Shelly Wheeler

Click below for access to the SJCS Student Handbook and PDF files of the PowerPoint from last weeks’ Zoom meetings.

Student Handbook & Zoom Slideshow PDF

Need or have supplies for students? See Melissa ...

Things to Remember

  • Submit your COVID screening form each morning (the earlier the better!)
  • ID numbers for our screening system have been altered – please use SJCS in front of your child’s ID number to submit their form (Example: SJCS54938)
  • Drive slowly at morning and afternoon car line
  • Have patience with car line – with practice it does improve!
  • If your child has medication needs please communicate with the office and our school nurse
  • Send clean masks to school each day
  • If you have a concern, please contact your child’s teacher first
  • Let us know if you have any questions

THANK YOU FOR A GREAT DAY!

August 23, 2020

Dear SJCS Families, 

It is so hard to believe that the first day of school is finally here! We haven’t had students in the building since March 13, that’s 166 days!  A normal summer vacation is around 75 days, so it’s definitely been a long period of time without their smiling faces.  We can’t wait to welcome them in the doors on Wednesday morning. God has blessed our school community in so many ways, and the fact that we’re able to open for in-person instruction is just one of the many blessings our school community has to be thankful for. 

I would like to give a big THANK YOU to Mrs. Snow who worked tirelessly this summer to help get our new families in the building and enrolled, as well as prepare the school for all of our needs.  She’s a rock star, but most of you already knew that.   Also, a big THANK YOU to Mr. Brown for doing such a great job on our school building over the summer – he installed our new lockers, fixed and painted desks for classrooms that used to have tables, washed all the carpeting, and so much more.  We couldn’t run our school without these two, so if you see them around, please give them a shout out for being so awesome! 

 A few details to get you started this week  – please read through carefully for the information.   This is more detailed than a typical Peek of the Week because I know we have several new families and want to make sure that information is clear. You can still email with any questions! Alicia.snow@portlanddiocese.org or shelly.wheeler@portlanddiocese.org 

 Back2School COVID Screening:

All families should have received an email with their child’s unique ID number and a link to the COVID screening form that will be required for entry each day.  If you did not get this information via email, please email jennifer.nelson@portlanddiocese.org .  PLEASE practice on Monday and Tuesday this week so that you can start becoming familiar with the process.  Additionally, by having our families practice, it will give US some time to see how the data gets processed and presented to us through the system.  Please help us out and practice! 

 What to bring to school:

  • Backpack
  • Several face coverings (students should be wearing one to enter the building)
  • Personal pack of tissues (we have some, but will be easier if they have some at their desk to reduce sharing)
  • Filled water bottle with student name and grade
  • Morning snack and cold lunch 
  • Beach towel for outside sitting 
  • Older kids (grades 5-8) – Pens/Pencils would be helpful 

 *All traditional school supplies (crayons, binders, paper, etc…) were ordered by the school and our families have been charged a $30 supply fee to cover the costs of these items.  It saves you from shopping and it saves us by having all students with identical supplies! 

 All students should be in DAILY UNIFORM on Wednesday, August 26, even if they are scheduled for Phys Ed. Please have students wear sneakers if they are scheduled for PE. 

 Phys Ed Uniform Days by Class:

PreK – Monday

Kindergarten – Friday

First Grade – Friday

Second – Nelson – Wednesday

Second/Third – Zinni – Wednesday

Third/Fourth – Walsh – Monday

Fifth – Friday

Sixth – Friday

Seventh –  Friday

Eighth- Friday 

Presentation links for the Zoom meetings were emailed last week, if you would just like to find the PDF presentation slides, you can follow this link for access: SJCS Parent Docs (You will also find the SJCS 2020-2021 Student/Parent Handbook in this folder).

I am looking forward to Wednesday, please let us know if we can help your family in any way! Have a wonderful week! 

 God Bless,
Shelly Wheeler
Principal

Peek of the Week – August 24, 2020

 Monday, August 24

No School –  Teacher Workshop Day 8am-3pm

 Tuesday, August 25

No School – Teacher Workshop Day 8am-3pm

 Wednesday, August 26 

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL! 

  • Morning care is not available on the first day of school
  • Doors open at 7:25am, Please drop off between 7:25-7:40am 
  • Complete your child(ren)’s COVID screening form 
  • Pack a water bottle, snack, and cold lunch 

Learning Center (after care) is available – open until 5:30pm 

Daily Uniform for ALL 

 Thursday, August 27

Morning care is available starting at 7:00am – please ring the doorbell

  • Complete your child(ren)’s COVID screening form
  • Doors open at 7:25am (for regular drop off)
  • Pack a water bottle, snack, and cold lunch

Learning Center (After care) available – open until 5:30pm 

Daily Uniform for ALL 

 Friday, August 28

Morning care is available starting at 7:00am – please ring the doorbell

  • Complete your child(ren)’s COVID screening form
  • Doors open at 7:25am (for regular drop off)
  • Pack a water bottle, snack, and cold lunch

Learning Center (After Care) available – open until 5:00pm

 Daily Uniform: York(PreK), Nelson (2), Zinni (2/3), Walsh (3/4)

Phys Ed Uniform: Alley (K), Curry (1), Shorey (5), Johnson/Loubier (6/7/8)

*Reminder that LC closes at 5:00pm on Fridays

Coming Up:

 Sept. 1 – School Mass, Middle School Cohort, 8:00am (Livestream available) 

Sept. 7 – Labor Day – No School 

Sept. 10 – PTA Meeting – Virtual, 6:00pm 

Sept. 22 – School Pictures – Mass Uniform required for pictures 

Oct. 9 – No School, Professional Development Day 

Oct. 12 – Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples Day – No School 

Oct. 21 – Early Release, 11:30am – Learning Center Available

Oct. 21 – Parent Conferences, Virtual, 12:30-7:00pm 

Nov. 11 – Veterans Day – No School

Nov. 20 – End of First Trimester 

Nov. 23-27: NO SCHOOL – THANKSGIVING BREAK 

Dec. 16 – Christmas Pageant – Details TBD 

Dec. 22 – Early Release, 11:30am, NO LEARNING CENTER AVAILABLE

Dec. 23 – Jan 3: NO SCHOOL – CHRISTMAS BREAK