For school delays and cancellations, our school will be announced by media outlets as “St. John Lutheran School, Kendallville.”  Our delay and cancellation information can be seen on all local TV stations (WANE-15, WPTA-21, WISE-33, WFFT-55), as well as on AM radio station WAWK 1140, and FM stations WBCL (90.3), WBTU (93.3) Star 88.3 and Magic 95.1.

With very few exceptions, our decisions will be consistent with East Noble on weather-related issues.  Our student body, like theirs, pulls from a broad area.  Ice and fog can often be a major issue in one part of the region even if things are clear here.

WHEN SCHOOL IS DELAYED FOR TWO HOURS, PRESCHOOL (2-DAY AND 3-DAY) WILL MEET FROM 10:00 UNTIL 11:30.  EXTENDED CARE WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS ARRIVING TOO SOON FOR CLASS, OR FOR THOSE NOT PROMPTLY PICKED UP AT DISMISSAL.

WHEN SCHOOL IS DELAYED FOR TWO HOURS ON A COLLABORATION MONDAY, SCHOOL WILL START AT 10 a.m. and the advanced strings music class that normally starts at 8:00 will start at 9:30.

Remember, look and listen for St. John Lutheran School, Kendallville in the Noble County listings!

NWEA testing will begin next Tuesday for students in grades 1-8.

NWEA is a computerized test to help teachers and parents get a sense of student progress.  The test is tailored to each student, providing more difficult or “easier” questions as the student moves through the test to determine their mastery of math and language arts.

During testing, students should take extra care in terms of diet and sleep.  Also, encourage your child to take his or her time on the test and to view it as a chance to do something different from normal class time – as opposed to something stressful or foreboding.

Thank you for your partnership!!!

Talk with your child’s grandparents now to invite them to a special day of activities with their St. John grandchild!  Students in kindergarten through eighth grade will be involved, and really appreciate having someone join them.  Substitute grandparents are welcome.

The event begins 8:30 with a chapel service followed by brunch in the gym.

We are looking for someone to chair this year’s Grandparent’s Day.  See Mrs. Thiem if you are interested in finding out what is involved.  THANK YOU!!!

A big thank you to parents and students for supplying our school with needed tissues and paper towels!  It has been a real challenge trying to find suitable space to store them!  If you have not yet purchased tissues and towels for the school, please wait until later in the year when a plea for them goes out via the Banner.  Again, thanks!

Please do not send snacks or lunches to school that require refrigeration.  Ice packs made specifically for cooling lunch boxes are available quite inexpensively at local retailers and serve the purpose of keeping the lunch cool until needed.

There will be no soft drinks during the school day.  This also means that parents who bring in food for a special treat for their child’s lunch should opt for an alternative drink.  Students bringing their lunch from home may not consume pop even if it is brought to school in their lunch box.

Mark this date on your calendar:  Tuesday, September 21.  That is the day when St. John dads (or male substitutes) are invited to a special half-hour before school to share a donut with their child.   The event begins at 7:15 a.m. and is sponsored by our PTL.  We are seeking a chairperson, so if you are interested, please speak with Mrs. Thiem!

Moms, plan to join us on Tuesday, November 9, for a muffin or doughnut with your child.  Moms (or female substitutes) are invited at 7:15 a.m. for a half-hour of special time with their St. John student.  Mark the date now!  A chairperson will be needed for this event also.

If your child rides an East Noble bus and needs to get off the bus at a different location, you must send a written, dated, and signed note giving the child permission to do so.  This note must be signed by the principal of our school and given to the bus driver when the child boards the bus.  This is done so the bus driver knows he/she has specific permission to leave your child at an alternate residence.  Students who do not have a note will not be allowed to verbally relay instructions to the driver.

Barr, Bender, Blaskie, and Blundell

If your child uses a doctor-prescribed inhaler to treat bronchial asthma, it is our policy that the inhalers be kept in the locked cabinet in the school office.  However, if your doctor feels this is inadequate for the severity of your child’s situation and the inhaler needs to be kept with the child, please have him/her issue a written statement to that effect.  Return that to the school office as soon as possible.  Thank you!

Please keep all payments separate.  All payments must be made on separate checks as they are deposited in many different ways at various locations.  Thank you for your help!

Below is a list of fees due and to whom to make a check payable:

Sports Fee ($25.00) St. John Lutheran School due when sport begins

Band Fee ($40 registration fee) St. John Lutheran School ASAP

($30.00/month) St. John Lutheran School due by the 15th of month

Strings Fee ($40.00 registration fee) St. John Lutheran School ASAP

($30.00/month) St. John Lutheran School due by the 15th of month

Guitar Fee ($10 registration fee) St. John Lutheran School ASAP

Guitar rental ($10.00/month) St. John Lutheran School due by the 15th of month

Extended Care (billed monthly) St. John Lutheran School due 15th of following mo.

Lunch ($1.85/.40 reduced) St. John Hot Lunch Program     pay in advance

Milk ($.35) St. John Hot Lunch       pay in advance

We will soon publish our annual booklet which contains names, addresses, and phone numbers of our families.  If you do not wish for any of this information to be published – YOU MUST INFORM MRS. THIEM.  If we do not hear from you by September 8, we will assume it is your desire to make this information public.

Also, divorced or separated families:  if you have a preference as to how you are listed, please talk with Mrs. Thiem.  Thank you.

Now that school is back in session, I want to remind you to recycle the empty ink jet cartridges as well as any cell phones, MP3 Players, I-PODS, and Laptop computers.  Some cell phones and Blackberrys can earn up to $100.00.  You can give them to Angi Goldey if they are large items, or put them in the wooden collection box in the church lobby.  Thanks for helping to keep our world clean and making money for your school!

Sign-up sheets coming home today!

Please return yours on Tuesday!

Remember to become familiar with FastDirect! As in the past, parents and guardians of students in fourth through eighth grade can access grades and missed assignment information through this school information program.

Due to the addition of our M/W preschool class, the Banner will now be published and sent home with ALL students on Wednesdays.  We will soon begin e-mailing it to those with e-mail addresses on file to save on paper and publication costs.   If you still need to receive a paper copy, please let us know.  There will be a table set up at Back-To-School night, September 1st, to do just that.

An easy, but yet very valuable, way to help in our school is serving as an afternoon mail deliverer.  Help is still needed on Mondays and Wednesdays and would involve stopping by the school office around 2:30 to pick up any messages for teachers or students and delivering them to teachers before dismissal.

If it sounds like this may fit into your schedule before you pick up your child after school, please speak with Mrs. Thiem.  Thanks!

Keep in mind that school pictures have been scheduled for Wednesday, September 22.  Mark your calendars now!  All students in our school will be pictured.  Pictures will be on a pre-pay, money-back guarantee basis.

Ordering information will be sent home soon.  Please make checks payable to “Ken Rolofson Photography.” and send order form with payment to school as soon as possible.  Students without money on picture day will not be allowed to purchase pictures.  Checks can be written with the assurance they will not be cashed before picture day.  The more envelopes that are received early, the easier the task of organizing everything when the photographer arrives.

Two day preschoolers will need to be brought to school that day to be photographed at 11:00.  All other students will be pictured during their normal class time.

If you did not receive an order form, please contact Mrs. Thiem or your child’s teacher.

Students in grades 6, 7, and 8 are invited to get involved with our Junior Spell Bowl team, coached by Mrs. Debbie Hayden.  This will be the sixth year in this age group for our school.  Mrs. Hayden would love to have lots of students join in this fun competition.  Practice will be held on Mondays from 3-4:00 p.m. with the first practice slated for Monday, August 30.  Students who are interested should make every effort to attend the first practice.   Regional competition will be Tuesday, October 26.  We will also be participating in Invitational competitions prior to the October 26 Regional.

For more information, call Mrs. Hayden at 347-4098 or pick up a study folder in the school office.  The first test will be over page 1 of the study guide.

Mrs. Summer Moser will again coach our Elementary Spell Bowl team.  Students in grades 4 and 5 are encouraged to get involved!  Their practices will be on Mondays beginning Monday, September 13.  Practices will run from 3:00 – 4:00.

The competition at the Elementary level will be Thursday, November 18.  Students who are interested should make every effort to attend the first practice.

For more information, please call Mrs. Moser at 349-8217 or 349-1745.

TEAM TISHA!!

7:30pm

East Noble High School

Light the Night Walk is the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s nationwide fundraising walk to celebrate and commemorate lives that have been touched by blood cancer. Participants carry illuminated balloons, white for survivors, red for supporters and gold for those remembered. More than a walk, the evening includes music, food and family activities.

St. John will once again have a team to collect money led by Mrs. Thiem and in honor of former St. John employee and present St. John parent, Tisha Campbell.   Tisha was diagnosed with Stage II Hodgkin’s Lymphoma on January 20 of this year.  She underwent twelve chemotherapy treatments and has been in remission since July 14th.  Of her experience, Tisha calls it “a life-changing experience.  I couldn’t have gotten through it without God, my family, and my friends.”

Funds raised will go directly to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to be used for research to find cures for blood cancers and improved the quality of life of patients and their families.

We need walkers!!!! It’s fun and easy.    All you need to do is collect as much money as you can then come to the walk for an evening of fun, food, and prizes for various dollar amounts collected!  Let’s all get out there and show our support for so many people suffering from this devastating disease and also show that same support to one of our own!  TEAM TISHA!!

Please detach and return the bottom portion on Monday!

Yes, I will be a Walker:   ______________________________________

No, I’m not able to attend the Walk, but would like to donate:   ______________

My phone number is:  ________________________________

Facts Tuition Management System

Keep in mind that changes can be made in your FACTS tuition agreement should a need arise.  Perhaps you have received a windfall and would like to make an advance payment, or perhaps you are having particular financial strains and need an adjustment.  See Mrs. Thiem for assistance and she will direct you to Mr. Scheiber if needed.  Please contact us at least 10 days before the payment is scheduled to be deducted from your account.

We want to give qualified individuals an opportunity to place their name on our substitute teaching list.  They must have at least two years of college education and obtain a substitute teaching license.

We would also like to have the names of those who would be willing to substitute for our Extended Care personnel when they are unable to supervise either in the morning, mid-day, or afternoon.

If you would like your name placed on either of these substitute lists, please leave your name with Mrs. Thiem.

Those who have more than one child enrolled will find that newsletters, milk bills, etc. will be sent home with the oldest child in the family.  If you would rather have things sent with a younger sibling, please notify Mrs. Thiem.

We will be doing lots of head lice checks here at school, but it is always beneficial if parents are regularly checking their children at home as well.  Please report any suspicions of head lice to the school immediately and begin treatment with a shampoo formulated for lice control.  Students must be nit-free to re-enter school after a head lice case is discovered.  Before a student is allowed re-entry, Mr. Scheiber will check for lice and nits, so please accompany your child to school following head lice treatment.

Remember to keep us up-to-date on how to reach you during the day.  If any information changes, call Mrs. Thiem as soon as possible.

The year has started smoothly and we as a staff feel blessed to serve you and your children!  We are thrilled to welcome back 130 students and to welcome 32 new ones!  We look forward to growing together as one family in Christ.

PS-2 Isaac Blaskie, Kayla Bruce, Aidan Cole, Rory DeClue, Taryn Haines, Ethan Hillegass, Alan Jimenez, Evan Kilburn,  Jaxon Kitchen, Branson Klink, Dylan Krehl, Lex Moser, Garrett Parks, Jared Price, Cameryn Proxmire, Naomi Schroeder, Natalie Spidel

PS-3 Kylie Anderson, Braxton Cheesman, Oliver Kessle, Anthony Passi, Kylie Stoneburner, Adrianna White

Kindergarten Jaxson Campbell, Brendon Heileman, Christian Heileman, Kyle McKenzie, Aowyn Myers, Samantha Schroeder

Second Grade Abby Anderson

Fourth Grade Mason Goddard

Seventh Grade Birdena Graber

Mr. Scheiber is asking ALL PARENTS OF STUDENTS IN K-8 to participate in this year’s Back-To-School night next Wednesday, September 1st.  He has some important information he needs to share involving this year and also the future of our school.

The evening begins with a meal courtesy of our Parent-Teacher League beginning at 5:30 p.m.  Beef and Noodles, Mashed Potatoes, Vegetable, and Roll will be served.  Anyone coming to eat should plan on finishing up by 6:30 p.m.

Those who finish the meal early may choose to walk through their child’s classroom(s) and visit briefly with their child’s teacher.

Everyone should proceed to the Worship Center at 6:30 where students in K-8 will open the meeting in song.  They will then be dismissed for another activity in another part of the building so parents can devote their full attention to Mr. Scheiber’s message.

That portion of the evening should wrap up at 7:00 and parents who have not yet visited the classroom may do so before heading home.  Everyone should be out of the building by 7:30 p.m.

Child care for younger child will be available beginning at 6:20 and will continue through the meeting portion of the evening (7:00) in the preschool classroom.

Bring your calendars to sign up for an Apple Festival shift (or two!) and don’t forget to stop by the volunteer table and the scrip table, too!

One of the things that makes our school successful is the willingness of our volunteers.  Parents, Back-to-School night will provide a great opportunity to stop by the Volunteer Table and let us know how many ways you want to be involved with your child’s school!  See you then!

Our St. John School Board is seeking applicants for the position of Admissions Counselor.  This is a 10-20 hours per week position funded by a grant from the Lutheran Foundation.  The ideal candidate will have passion and knowledge about the school and its ministry, the ability to develop positive personal relationships, and possess excellent communication, office, and organizational skills.

The St. John School Board is also accepting applications for the position of School Food Services Director currently held by Mrs. Julie Claymiller.   This is a part-time administrative/supervisory position for which the ideal candidate will have successful managerial or supervisory experience, a background in food service, good business sense, and an ability to work well with others.

Individuals interested in either of these two positions should obtain employment applications at the school office or send resumes to Principal Vernie Scheiber (principal@sjlc.net).  Deadline for submission of applications is quickly approaching – if you are interested in either of these positions, now is the time to respond!

We’re still accepting students in all classes.  We could take two additional students in each of our two-day preschool classes (Morning T/Th or Afternoon M/W) and one more child in three-day preschool, as well as students throughout the grades.  Spread the word!

Sending your child to St. John means that you value your child’s spiritual life – a vital component of parenting.  We want to do everything we can to encourage you in that role.   Please don’t hesitate to ask your child’s teacher for help in fulfilling your God-given role as a spiritual leader in your child’s life.

Also, sending your child to St. John is not a REPLACEMENT for an active church life – it is a complement to it.

Please consider joining us for church this Sunday morning at 8:00 or 10:30 in the sanctuary, or at 9:15 in the Worship Center.  Kids’ Church also meets during the 9:15 service.  This schedule is in effect through Sunday, September 5.  We will return to services at 8 & 10:30 in both the sanctuary and the Worship Center on Sunday, September 12.

If you have a church home, participate there as regularly as possible.

Interested second graders and their parents are invited to a meeting here next Thursday evening, September 2, beginning at 6:30.  Mr. Bill Klickman, our band and strings instructor, will be with us and present a short demonstration of stringed instruments.  A representative from Mr. Music will be on hand to discuss possible instrument rentals with parents.

Following that meeting, beginning at 7:15, parents of interested band students may also meet with Mr. Klickman and the representative from Mr. Music for possible band instrument rental and/or fitting.

Appropriately, every student in our school has music class. Music is a well-researched way of attending to certain skills and brain functions often ignored by other parts of schooling.  Our view is that students in our school benefit from our music program while they are here, exploring God’s gifts, even if they don’t plan to play an instrument after they leave here.

Kindergarteners and first graders will have general music.

Second- and third-graders will have keyboarding and may enroll in strings (violin, cello, bass).  Second graders will begin the year with a survey of strings, then will be invited to a parent night for the final decision on strings.

Fourth-graders will have the option of band, strings, and keyboard.

Fifth-graders can choose between band, strings, tone chimes, and keyboard.

Sixth through eighth graders can choose between band, strings, tone chimes, keyboard and guitar.

BAND, STRINGS, and GUITAR  require extra fees and instrument rentals.

We are seeking someone who is able to teach some guitar classes on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:00 until 9:00 a.m. to interested students in grades 6-8.  Interested applicants should speak with Mr. Scheiber or Mr. Buuck.

Please remember to call the school when your child will be tardy or absent for the day.  We will be recording the number of excused and unexcused absences for each child and those will be tabulated on a report to the state at the end of the school year.  Excused absences result from illness, seeking medical care, family emergencies, and other unique situations approved by the principal.  Family vacations will be recorded as “unexcused”.  More details can be found on page 10 of our school handbook.

Please return all completed forms to the school office.  This includes the registration form, the emergency card, permission to leave our building forms, dental record, immunization form, Child Pre-Consent form (optional), vision form (kindergarten), physical education permission form, handbook acknowledgement, and computer usage agreement.  If you receive notification that a form is missing for your child, please respond immediately!

According to State Law IC 20-8.1-7, immunization histories are now due no later than the first day of school.  The immunization form must be completed and signed by a licensed physician.  If immunizations are not yet completed, a doctor must give written verification of appointment dates for the needed immunizations.  We must report immunizations for our preschoolers as well as all other grades.  Please ensure that your child is protected by following the immunization guidelines.

Students who were enrolled at St. John last school year were given the opportunity to participate in the “Summerbook Program”.  A party was promised for all students returning their completed workbook.  That party has

been set for Friday, September 3.

Students have until September 1 to return their completed workbook.  Please make sure your child’s name

is clearly indicated on the book.

We are seeking someone to organize the party.  If you are interested, please let Mrs. Thiem know.

It’s not too late to order one of our school t-shirts or hoodies!  Shirts are on display in Mrs. Thiem’s office.  Orders may be placed in the school office.   Last day to order will be FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3.

NO EXCEPTIONS!

Those who have more than one child enrolled will find that newsletters, flyers, etc. will be sent home with the oldest child in the family.  If you would rather have things sent with a younger sibling, please notify Mrs. Thiem.

Mrs. Cathy Thiem, our school secretary, works in the school office each day from 7:15 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.  She can help you with most school-related matters.  Mrs. Angi Deetz, our church secretary, is available to help if Mrs. Thiem is unavailable.

Principal Vernie Scheiber’s official office hours are:

Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays 9:20 – 10:45

Mondays and Wednesdays 12:25 – 12:50

Tuesdays 8:45 – 10:45

Fridays 8:15 – 10:45

Mr. Buuck will also be tackling some of the principal duties and will be in the office at the following times:

Mondays and Wednesdays     9:40 – 10:10

Tuesdays and Thursdays 12:45 – 2:00

Fridays 9:15 – 10:20

1.Parents are welcome to eat lunch with their child.  However, our cook must know by 8:00 a.m. that morning that you will be eating with your child to insure an adequate amount of food is prepared.

2.Please do not send in a special treat for your child and a few of his/her friends.  Rather, if you include some, please include the entire class.  We want to avoid situations that exclude some students.   Please consider what these type of actions may mean to a child and avoid doing them.

3.Remember to sign-in and sign-out students arriving late or leaving early.  There is a sheet on Mrs. Thiem’s desk.  Students arriving late must sign the sheet before proceeding to their classroom.  Students who need to be picked up early must be accompanied by a parent who then signs the sheet before leaving the building.

4.Anyone visiting our school during the school day should sign in on the proper sheet in the office.

Take this opportunity at the beginning of the new school year to become familiar with our scrip program.  LOTS of great certificates are available for your daily purchases in local stores.  You can reduce your tuition costs simply by using scrip!  INQUIRE TODAY!

It’s very important for students to be ready to begin the school day when the 8:00 bell rings.  Students who are tardy cause the entire class to miss valuable instructional time.  It is best for students to arrive five to ten minutes before the start of school.  Read the policies regarding tardiness on page 10 of our Handbook.

Remember –   Students who arrive late must sign in at the office on the sheet on Mrs. Thiem’s desk.  Students must then receive a late slip to be given to the teacher.

Also remember – Students who must be leave school during the day must be signed out by a parent – again on the same sheet on Mrs. Thiem’s desk.  We know this may be somewhat inconvenient, but we require this to insure student safety.

This year’s Festival will be held on Saturday and Sunday, October 2 & 3.  A sign-up sheet will be coming home soon.  Remember, we do expect all our school families to be involved with this huge project in some way.  And since apple peeling and the actual Festival are a week apart, we REALLY encourage and appreciate those parents who help with both tasks!!!  You will enjoy the time you spend making new friends and socializing with familiar ones – all the while earning some money to benefit our Parent-Teacher League.

There will also be a sign-up table at Back-to-School night on Wednesday, September 1st, so bring your calendar and sign up to peel apples AND to work a shift or two at the Festival!  THANKS!!

St. John Food Service Charging Policy

Meals will stop being served when account reaches the $20.00 Charging Limit

Thank you to all the families that continue to pay their meal accounts in timely manner.  This effort has greatly eased our financial situation and has allowed us to improve our program.

As many are aware, very few schools allow any charging policy.  Those that do allow any charges, typically only allow one day.  Additionally, the responsibility of maintaining an adequate balance in the family meal account is often the sole responsibility of the parents.  This does not just apply to public schools, but also to private and other Lutheran schools.

A $20.00 charging limit is very lenient, and over the past few years we have moved steadily to enforce it, but even so, if every family carried the max charge, our program would be behind over $2,000 on a regular basis, and very often is.

Considering the limited resources of our small school, we will continue to move to a parental responsibility of maintaining adequate funds in the meal accounts.  Therefore, we will institute the following tweaks to enforcing our charging policy.

1.Fast direct will be the only notification avenue until your account reaches the $20.00 charging limit.

2.You will receive an “urgent” message from Julie Claymiller when your account falls below $0.00  (Our system does not allow for you to choose if you would like more reminders, and several families did not appreciate the constant reminders I sent last year , so I will discontinue all reminders except when the balance is below $0.00)

3.Written notification will only be issued when you reach the $20.00 charging limit.

4.A written notice, with a stop serve date will be sent home with your oldest child, and you will have 7 days to pay that account before meals will be stopped.

Our food service program is a rolling account.  Charges are being incurred every day, and for the time being, it is not economically feasible to post charges and deposits on a daily basis.  To help us put more resources back into the program, we are asking that you make your payments at the first of the month.  It may not seem like much, but making one deposit vs 4 or 5 would conceivably save over 5 labor hours a month that could be better used toward providing better service and quality to your children.

Charges will continue to be posted on a weekly basis.

Prices:

Lunch $1.85 Average Monthly Charge:  $37.00

Lunch Reduced $ .40 Average Monthly Charge:  $8.00

Breakfast $1.10 Average Monthly Charge:  $22.00

Breakfast Reduced:  $ .30 Average Monthly Charge:  $6.00

Afterschool Snack:  $.50 Reduced: $ .15

Extra Milk:  $. 35   Note: Extra milks are not included in the Free and Reduced Lunch

Program

Adult Lunch:  $2.25 Adult Breakfast: $1.25

All  school lunches and breakfasts are subsidized by the USDA.  We receive reimbursement for every lunch and breakfast we serve, even full paid lunches.  We also receive government commodities and matching money based on the number of meals served.

Many families that qualify for free and reduced meals do not receive them simply because they do not apply.  Please check to see if your family qualifies for the free and reduced lunch program. The incomes limits have increased, and it is a program that is designed to help families while also providing nutritional meals to children with food grown in the USA.

I have sometimes heard from those who may qualify for reduced or free lunches that they don’t want to take a handout from the government.  But the USDA meal program not only benefits all children and families, but also helps the economy by allowing families to utilize limited income in other areas as well as supporting our agricultural industry.   All applications are completely confidential.  Students, teachers and kitchen staff do not know which students receive free or reduced meals.

If you have any questions, please call Julie Claymiller at 260-582-9380.

If you have not turned in your application for free or reduced price lunches, please do so immediately.  The government reimburses our school above and beyond the cost of these lunches, so it is a benefit to us as well as you to use this if you qualify.   Applications are strictly confidential.

Note:  Even though our school does not charge for textbook rental, checking that box and signing provides St. John with additional funding.

Keep in mind that school pictures have been scheduled for Wednesday, September 22.  Mark your calendars now!  All students in our school will be pictured.  Pictures will be on a pre-pay, money-back guarantee basis.

Ordering information will be sent home soon.  Please make checks payable to “Ken Rolofson Photography” and send order form with payment to school as soon as possible.  Students without money on picture day will not be allowed to purchase pictures.  Checks can be written with the assurance they will not be cashed before picture day.  The more envelopes that are received early, the easier the task of organizing everything when the photographer arrives.

Morning two day preschoolers will need to be brought to school that day to be photographed at 11:00.  All other students will be pictured during their normal class time.

Mrs. Thiem is in need of one more volunteer to assist the photographer and students on school picture day, Wednesday, September 22.  Help is needed from 8:00 a.m. until just after lunch.  If you are willing to help, please talk with Mrs. Thiem.   (Thanks already to Angel Diehm!)

We think it is wise for parents to check their child for head lice on a weekly basis.  We will also be checking periodically at school.  If you should discover lice, please report it to the school office immediately.

A big thank you to our St. John parents/nurses who volunteer their time to check students for head lice.  They are sincerely appreciated!

Our Extended Care Program, under the direction of Deborah Thornton, proves to be extremely beneficial to many of our school families.  Mrs. Thornton will supervise children before school, mid-day on Mondays and Wednesdays, and after school.  Mrs. Jody Anglin will assist Mrs. Thornton.

Keep in mind that students who enter our building before 7:45 a.m. will automatically be enrolled in the morning program and a bill will be forthcoming at the end of each month.  Students who arrive after 7:45 are supervised at the lunch tables but no costs are incurred.  (***NO Extended Care fees are recorded on teacher collaboration Mondays from 7:45 to 8:30, but we ask that you only have your child here if necessary.)  Bus riders are not charged.  Morning care begins at 6:30 a.m.

Mid-day care is provided on Mondays and Wednesdays starting at 11:10.  Please also be aware that students who are not promptly picked up when classes dismiss or arrive earlier than ten minutes prior to class starting for afternoon preschool automatically participate in Extended Care.

After school care is provided until 5:30 for all students not picked up by 3:00.  Again, you will be charged for supervision if your child is not picked up immediately after school.  This year, students in grades 4-8 will be placed in a structured study time from 3:15 until 4:00 supervised by one of our teachers.  They will meet in Mr. Buuck’s room (#102, close to the kitchen).

If you have Extended Care needs that are not addressed in the paragraphs above, please talk to Mr. Scheiber.

We want to give qualified individuals an opportunity to place their name on our substitute teaching list.  They must have at least two years of college education and obtain a substitute teaching license.

We would also like to have the names of those who would be willing to substitute for our Extended Care personnel when they are unable to supervise either in the morning, mid-day, or afternoon.

If you would like your name placed on either of these substitute lists, please leave your name with Mrs. Thiem.

Keep in mind that changes can be made in your FACTS tuition agreement should a need arise.  Perhaps you have received a windfall and would like to make an advance payment, or perhaps you are having particular financial strains and need an adjustment.  See Mrs. Thiem for assistance and she will direct you to Mr. Scheiber if needed.  Please contact us at least 10 days before payment is set to be deducted from your account.

Our school library is in full swing.  This year, our collection tops out at over 5,000 books!  This works out to a student-to-book ratio of 1 to 30; excellent for a smaller school such as ours.  Gifts of books to our library are welcomed although we reserve the right to use your donation, particularly of used books, where we think they will be best suited.  Any book gifts can be given to or discussed with librarian Sara Taylor.

On September 3rd, all St. John students will be able to experience a once-in-a-lifetime event.  There will be a parade of Duesenberg originals right along our Main Street!  Mayor Suzanne Handshoe is asking that the schools be allowed to witness this rare event.

We would like you to join us!  We will be starting at around 1:30.  This is a terrific way to support our community by coming together and celebrating a part of history.  Look for information about specific instructions in next week’s Banner.

An easy, but yet very valuable, way to help in our school is serving as an afternoon mail deliverer.  Help is still needed on Mondays and Wednesdays and would involve stopping by the school office around 2:30 to pick up any messages for teachers or students and delivering them to teachers before dismissal.

If it sounds like this may fit into your schedule before you pick up your child after school, please speak with Mrs. Thiem.  Thanks!

Students in grades 6, 7, and 8 are invited to get involved with our Junior Spell Bowl team, coached by Mrs. Debbie Hayden.  This will be the sixth year in this age group for our school.  Mrs. Hayden would love to have lots of students join in this fun competition.  Practice will be held on Mondays from 3-4:00 p.m. with the first practice slated for Monday, August 30.  Students who are interested should make every effort to attend the first practice.   Regional competition will be Tuesday, October 26.  We will also be participating in Invitational competitions prior to the October 26 Regional.

For more information, call Mrs. Hayden at 347-4098 or pick up a study folder in the school office.  The first test will be over page 1 of the study guide.

Mrs. Summer Moser will again coach our Elementary Spell Bowl team.  Students in grades 4 and 5 are encouraged to get involved!  Their practices will be on Mondays beginning Monday, September 13.  Practices will run from 3:00 – 4:00.

The competition at the Elementary level will be Thursday, November 18.  Students who are interested should make every effort to attend the first practice.

For more information, please call Mrs. Moser at 349-8217 or 349-1745.

Volleyball practice began last week for sixth- through eighth-graders.  Thanks to Angi Deetz and St. John grad Holly Miller for taking on coaching duties!

Mr. Albertin’s soccer team has also started practicing.

Extracurricular activities encourage discipline, teamwork and physical fitness.  Thanks to Mr. Albertin for his efforts as athletic director to provide these chances for our students!

At the end of last school year, a small black wallet with a Tinkerbell on the front was found.  A very small amount of cash is still inside.  If you can claim the wallet, see Mrs. Thiem.

Information is available in the school office regarding a cheerleading mini-camp for interested girls.  Registration forms must be returned by next Wednesday, September 1st, so don’t delay if you are interested!  The camp is open to girls in K-8.

Mrs. Schroeder asked that we inform parents of the opportunity for children to take free airplane rides from Smith Field in Ft. Wayne.  On Saturday, September 11, children from the ages of 8 – 17 may register for the free ride between 10:00 a.m. and noon.

You may speak with Mrs. Schroeder for more information, visit www.eaa2.org, or call (260) 693-6191.

Light the Night Walk is the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s nationwide fundraising walk to celebrate and commemorate lives that have been touched by blood cancer. Participants carry illuminated balloons, white for survivors, red for supporters and gold for those remembered. More than a walk, the evening includes music, food and family activities.

St. John will once again have a team to collect money led by Mrs. Thiem and in honor of former St. John employee and present St. John parent, Tisha Campbell.   Tisha was diagnosed with Stage II Hodgkin’s Lymphoma on January 20 of this year.  She underwent twelve chemotherapy treatments and has been in remission since July 14th.  Of her experience, Tisha calls it “a life-changing experience.  I couldn’t have gotten through it without God, my family, and my friends.”

Funds raised will go directly to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to be used for research to find cures for blood cancers and improved the quality of life of patients and their families.

We need walkers!!!! It’s fun and easy.    All you need to do is collect as much money as you can then come to the walk for an evening of fun, food, and prizes for various dollar amounts collected!  Let’s all get out there and show our support for so many people suffering from this devastating disease and also show that same support to one of our own!  TEAM TISHA!!

Please detach and return the bottom portion on Monday!

Yes, I will be a Walker:   ______________________________________

No, I’m not able to attend the Walk, but would like to donate:   _____________________

My phone number is:  ________________________________

(Each day during our faculty devotions we will be praying for a family in our school.  We will also remember in our prayers the special needs of others.  We encourage you to daily include these families and special needs in your prayers also.  If you want a particular prayer request included in the Banner, contact your child’s teacher or Mrs. Thiem.)

Albertin, Anderson, Anglemyer/Oiler, Anglin/Weber, and Antal

Nevaeh and Jocilynn Wolf upon the death of their great-grandmother; and

Ben Weber on the death of his grandmother

His protection throughout the summer months;

The children in our school family;

His promise to continually love us and provide us with the strength and power to live for Him.

We pray for God to be with each of us as we begin a new school year growing in Him and praising His name!

V

We are honored to partner with you during

this school year as we