42 Maynard Road, Old Saybrook, CT
Phone: (860) 388-0849 | Fax: (860) 388-6265

Educating the Whole Child from Pre-K3 to Grade 8

Welcome to Saint John School

Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 3:15 PM

School Picture Day - September 20, 2024

WALK AROUND WEDNESDAYS

(CLICK HERE TO REGISTER)

Welcome to the St John School Website. Catholic schools stand out from other educational institutions and the St John School is no exception. We serve grades PreK3-Grade 8. All of our students are taught about the Catholic faith – not just the basics of Christianity, but how to have a relationship with God. St John students are held to the highest of standards, each child is inspired to reach his or her potential. Lastly, our students learn the importance of service, the giving of one’s time and effort to help others.

As the Principal of the St John School, I promise that your child will be in a safe, faith based learning environment that emphasizes Gospel values. Our amazing faculty and staff are dedicated to each child's academic success and spiritual growth.

I encourage you to call to schedule a tour of our school and to see firsthand our faith filled learning milieu. I look forward to hearing from you!

God Bless You
Mother Elaine, SCMC, Principal

Mission Statement

The mission of St. John Catholic School is to provide an opportunity for students, parents, and staff to foster a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. Infused with our faith, we strive to provide challenging academic programs in which dedicated, professional educators and families work together in a safe environment to inspire individual growth, self-discipline, confidence and Christian service.

Our shared efforts are directed toward creating an environment rich in opportunities to prepare our students spiritually, intellectually, socially, and emotionally for the future.

We are proud that both parents and students consider our school a great place to learn and we partner together in the words of our motto, to "educate the whole child." We invite you to be part of our school community where Jesus is the core.

From the Principal September 18, 2024

(Past newsletters are posted on the website under “quick links”)

· Schola Choral Group – Rehearsals begin Thursday, September 19.

Students in Grades 3-8 are welcome to join the Schola Choral Group. Rehearsals are held Thursday afternoons from 3 - 4 pm. Schola sings at our First Friday Mass, Lessons and Carols, Spring Concert in addition to other special events at Saint John School. Permission slips need to be returned prior to joining.

· School Photos – Friday, September 20, 2024

Orders can be placed on-line or placed in the envelope sent home and returned to school with your payment.

Students in grades 1 – 8 are to wear their formal uniforms.

Students in PreK 3, PreK 4 and Kindergarten are to wear dress clothes (no gym uniforms).

· Fall After-School Enrichment registration has been extended through Friday, September 20. Please also consider volunteering because without your help these programs won't be possible!

· October Lunch – Place your October orders by Friday, September 20. We have added Ham and American Cheese sandwiches as a third option on Tuesdays. Payment is due at the time of ordering. Cash, check, money orders can be sent in with students. Credit Card payments are available to be made during school hours.

· PTO MEETING - Thursday, September 26 at 6 pm

Childcare is available for potty-trained children.

Come meet other parents of Saint John School while at the same time seeing how you can help with school activities through the PTO.

· NWEA Map Testing begins next week

The Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) is a computer-based assessment tool that measures student progress in reading, math, and language usage in Connecticut.

· The Luxury Raffle - Our biggest fundraiser for Saint John School

A few more volunteers are needed to cover our table at the Old Saybrook Arts & Crafts Fair on October 5th and 6th!

Saint John School’s raffle table will be located outside in front of St. John Church. There are two time periods each day.

For more details and signup information, visit: Craft Fair Volunteer Link.

· Parent Teacher Conferences – Tuesday, October 15 & Wednesday, October 16

Look for an email from your child’s teacher with sign-up information for your conference day and time.

· Paperpie Book Fair Fundraiser – On-line through September 30, 2024

Saint John School earned over $200 in free books from our Back to School Night Book Fair. Thank you to those who made purchases. We are continuing our Book Fair fundraiser online with Paperpie. For every book you purchase you are helping to raise funds for our school, while helping your family bond and learn through books. Please be sure when you shop you only use the EFair link (that is below) attached to St. John Catholic School Book Fair. Be sure it states so at checkout.

https://paperpie.com/brandpartner/W4054/event/4031729

You can shop online NOW until September 30th!

· InchBug Labels

This PTO Fundraiser through InchBug Labels has personalized name labels and tags for all your child's school items through InchBug so nothing gets lost at school again! Place your order online either by using our school shopping link or on their website and using our school coupon code at checkout. The best part is that your order will be shipped right to your home! Make sure you share the link with your friends and family!

School Shopping Link: https://bit.ly/4fYpFEH

School Coupon Code: STJOHNSCHOOLOSCT

SJS will earn 20% back on every purchase you make!

This fundraiser starts NOW and will go until June 30th.

· Pearls & Plaid Shop for a Cause

On Saturday, October 19th from 10 AM - 5 PM if you shop at Peals & Plaid owned by one of our own Saint John School parents, Caroline Olson, 20% of all schools sales will be donated back to our PTO! Just remember to mention Saint John School at checkout!

· Pop Tabs - for the Ronald McDonald house.

Bring in your collected pop tabs through the week of Dec. 10. Pull tabs from beverage cans as well as pet food, vegetables and fruit qualify. Encourage students to ask relatives, neighbors, clubs or teams to help with the collection.

We will announce each week's highest earner and the status of all participating classes. The class at the end of this session with the highest total collection earns a Pizza Lunch the Week of Jan. 6.

Think of all the good this accomplishes for the families who need a place to live while their child is going through medical treatment.

· Recyclable Cans & Bottles

Sister Gabriel is collecting clean recyclable cans and bottles. Please drop off any donations in the main office. Don’t forget to remove the tabs from cans for your child’s classroom collection prior to donating.

· Mark your calendars for upcoming events – Ask how you can help. Volunteers are needed for a successful Trunk or Treat and Grandparent’s Day

Trunk or Treat: Friday, October 25

Grandparent’s Day: Friday, November 1

Veteran’s Day Celebration: Monday, November 11

· School Assessment & Volunteer Hours –

The following are the current 2024-25 Service Hours and Assessment Requirements for Saint John School families (these are per family and not per student):

Grades Kindergarten through Grade 8: 30 service hours / $400.00 assessment

Pre-Kindergarten: 15 service hours / $250.00 assessment

Get started today to complete your requirements for your volunteer hours and assessment for 2024-25. Visit our Luxury Raffle volunteer page for a list of volunteer opportunities.

Questions: Contact Ann Bassolino at luxuryraffle@saintjohnschoolos.org regarding our Luxury Raffle Volunteer possibilities.

· Volunteers needed for Morning Care

Do you have time available from 8 – 8:45 AM a few days a week? We are looking for a few volunteers (time can be added towards assessment requirements), to assist with monitoring the door as children are dropped off for school at Saint John School. Volunteers need to be Safe Environment trained. Contact the office if interested and/or in need to of Safe Environment training.

· Deacon Brian Daley - Please pray for Deacon Brian Daley, a former student of Saint John School, as he continues his studies, training, and discernment to the priesthood.

Please bless all men who will soon be ordained, and we particularly ask today that You help all who are ordained to the transitional diaconate. Help us to love You and Your Church more and more fully each day of our lives.

· Safe Environments – Just a reminder volunteers working with children need to be Safe Environment approved by the Diocese of Norwich. Please contact the office to begin the process of training. Complete the process prior to a special event in your child's classroom or at the school.

· Walk Around Wednesdays! If you know anyone who is interested in visiting our school please have them register here (see link).

Pray With Mother