January 2017 Mark Your Calendar! January 3: School resumes January 8: Home and School Association Meeting @ 10:15 AM in the school library January 16: No School - Martin Luther King observation January 18: Mission Day - Donation for Casual Dress January 20: Progress Reports January 25: Spirit Night at Chik-fil-A January 28: Battle of the Buildings January 29: School Open House from Noon 2 PM January 30/31: Parent Visitation Days from 9 AM 11 AM February. 1: STEM Presentation by Eric Energy February 2: Money machine for the winner of the Claire s gourmet sales SCHOOL NEWS St. John the Baptist Catholic School Newsletter From the Principal s Desk January is often a time of reflection and many times we look for ways to improve our lives. But I also think it s a great time to reflect on all of our blessings and this often comes from the inspiration of others. Seeing the daily generous spirit of the children towards others is so refreshing in this sometimes self-centered world in which we live. I found the following quote from St. Francis de Sale to be the perfect way to try to improve in the New Year: Faith is like a bright ray of sun light. It enables us to see God in all things as well as all things in God. February 3: STEM Fair and Movie Night - Doors open at 5:30 PM St. John the Baptist Catholic School Volume 2, Issue 15 Page 1
Students from St. John s 4th grade and 4th grade religious education class gathered along with Sr. Jane, Mrs. Mareck, Mrs. Baker and other volunteers to bake brownies to serve at the Lord s Lunch. The Lord s Lunch is a cooperative effort that serves free lunch on Saturdays at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church. This retreat day was embraced with lots of energy and enthusiasm for serving others. These interviews were written by St. John s students in the 5 th and 6 th grades. Mrs. Umerlik is our librarian here at St. John the Baptist school, but how well do we know her? First of all, Mrs. Umerlik went to school for her first two years at Howard Community College, and completed her degree at McDaniel College and graduated in 1987. Mrs. Umerlik got her degree in Library Science, she says Library science is a brilliant organization. She became a librarian because she loves books and enjoys reading. Before Mrs. Umerlik was a librarian at St. John the Baptist, she taught at a school named School of Incarnation. Finally Mrs. Umerlik has to be very organized, she said If the room is in disorder then you stop everything and put it in order. There are rules and regulations for a library. That is why we have a great library. Interview by Russell Barbers Mrs. Jones is our school librarian. She loves books. She finds them entertaining and they bring her into different worlds she would never be able to go. In fact, the biggest library she has gone to is the New York Public Library. She got a lot of her knowledge from Millersville University. When Mrs. Jones was our age, she was a pro at Jacks. In high school, she decided she wanted to be a librarian to teach children the magic of books. We are thankful that Mrs. Jones comes and teaches us. Interview by Olivia Struck and Jake Maly Registration for the next school year begins on Jan. 29 th. Registrations are due by April 15 th. If you are interested in applying for financial aide, that application must be sent in no later than April 15 th as well. Volume 2, Issue 15 Page 2
Keep Christ in Christmas Contest Winners! The Knights of Columbus sponsors a drawing contest each year at our school. Students in each class submit a drawing of their idea of what it means to "Keep Christ in Christmas". The Knights of Columbus vote and select a winner from each class. This year the winners are: Casey Campbell, Morgan Campbell, Aubrey Baker, Josh Baker and Genna Sales Thanks to the Knights of Columbus for all their support of our school. Instrumental Music Students St. John s instrumental music students performed holiday songs on Saturday, December 17 th for the parish. All who attended the concert were able to see and hear the wonderful progress the students have made! A Christmas Carol The students recently attended a play at York College. They enjoyed a traditional Christmas story, A Christmas Carol. This timeless classic by Charles Dickens teaches many lessons and certainly helps Mr. Scrooge to see life in a new light. Volume 2, Issue 15 Page 3
Gingerbread Houses Raise Funds The students in Mrs. O'Byrne's second grade class decorated Gingerbread houses for Christmas. Children throughout the school look forward to voting with their pennies for their favorite gingerbread house. The second grade students will count all the money and donate it the missions. A big thanks to Mrs. Mareck for constructing the gingerbread houses and making the icing. The project is delicious and the funds raised will help others. Volume 2, Issue 15 Page 4
Spanish Class Students in kindergarten and first grade made stockings with John 3:16 in Spanish. Students in fifth and sixth grades made an Our Lady of Guadalupe craft. Volume 2, Issue 15 Page 5
Catholic Schools Week Celebration 2017 This year Catholic Schools Week is celebrated from January 28 th to February 3 rd. This annual celebration offers many activities for educators, students and families. January 28 th - Opening Mass, celebrated by Bishop Gainer, at 4 pm at York Catholic High School followed by Battle of the Buildings. Don t miss this friendly competition with Minute to Win It type games between the teachers and the staff for schools of the York Deanery. A trophy is given to the winning school. Join us to cheer on the St. John s Team! T-shirts are available for purchase at: https://www.agpestores.com/esgsports/groupproducts.php?prodgroup_id=4579&prodgroupbypass=true January 29 th - St. John the Baptist will host an Open House on Jan. 29 th from Noon -2:00 PM. If you know of anyone who might be interested in our school, please invite them to stop by and visit us and see what we have to offer. January 30/31 - Parent Visitation Days from 9:00 AM 11:00 AM. February 1 st - The Home and School Association will sponsor an assembly for the students featuring a STEM Presentation by Eric Energy and a luncheon for the staff. February 2 nd 9 AM: Money Machine winner: A name will be picked out of a hat for the winner of the Claire s Gourmet contest. That winner will try to grab all the money he/she can before the time is up! February 3 rd : - STEM fair beginning at 5:30 followed by a Family Movie Night featuring the movie Meet the Robinsons. A concession stand will be offered along with picnic style seating for families. Join us as you are able for our fun week! Students recently volunteered their time after masses to help collect food and monetary donations for the Food Pantry. Along with many canned goods, a total of $162.25 was collected and donated to the Food Pantry. One of the 1st grade students presents the check to the president of the food pantry. Volume 2, Issue 15 Page 6
Guest Readers Surprise 2 nd Graders! It s no surprise that enthusiasm for reading is blossoming in Mrs. O Byrne s class. Every few weeks, guest readers arrive to share stories with the students. The students have no idea when a guest reader will appear but are always pleasantly surprised when the phone rings and the guest reader s arrival is announced! Volume 2, Issue 15 Page 7
Principal s Awards Audrey Baker: Surprised her teacher by decorating the class Christmas tree Jake Causey: Made many good choices in the classroom Aiden Goloboski: Donated his own money to the Food Pantry for Christmas Colin Heim: Helped a Kindergartener zipper his jacket on a cold day Joey Kelchaw: Got a gel pen set for a friend who lost his Madeline Murphy: Stayed in from recess with a friend who had been sick and couldn t go outdoors Jonathan Wagner: Donated earnings to the Food Pantry Brad Gray: Gave a friend money for the Missions day Volume 2, Issue 15 Page 8