The Herald 2017 Volume IV Issue 36
St. John’s Catholic School is committed to providing a quality, Catholic,
Christian education; for each child who desires to grow in mind, body, and soul.
2017 Volume IV
Issue 36
May 12, 2017
May
Saturday, May 13, 2017
—Open House: 9:00-12:00
—Family Resource Fair: 9:00-12:00
Sunday, May 14 2017
—Happy Mother’s Day
May 15-19
—5th Grade Used Book Sale
Monday, May 15, 2017
—Student Council Meeting
—4th Grade @ Old Fort Western
—Return Color Team T-shirt Form
Tuesday, May 16, 2017
—Mad Science
—Softball vs. St. Dom’s, 3:30
—5th Grade @ Growstown
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
—KinderKonzert: GR. PK-2
—Math Meet: Gr. 6-8, 4:00
Thursday, May 18, 2017
—Softball vs. BJH, 3:30
Friday, May 19, 2017
—School Mass: Gr. 6 8:00
—Kindergarten Screening: 9:00-11:00
—No Pre-Kindergarten
—No Kindergarten
Saturday, May 20, 2017
—Electronic Recycling Day: 9:00-1:00
Save the Date
Thursday, June 8, 2017
—Field Day
Monday, June 12, 2017
—Last Day of School
—Early Release: 11:30 Dismissal
Inside this Issue
Classroom News
2
Student Council
3
Principal’s Column
& Community Events
6
Our Faith Connection
& Our Parish Connection & Nurse Notes
7
SJCS PTA & Student Corner
& Reminders & SJCS Prayer
8
Page 2
The Herald 2017 Volume IV Issue 36
Mrs. York with Third Grade news
Mrs. Walsh with Fourth Grade News
My students, as a group, have such a good sense of
humor. As I write this they are giving suggestions.
"Are you telling them we talk a lot?" asks one.
"Are you saying how smart we are?" questions another.
"I bet she wants to tell them what we've learned this
week," still another chimes in.
"I like to be able to say what a wonderful group you
are; how kind and considerate you are most of the
time. You're independent learners and thinkers.
Some of you are very creative. Some of you have a
real head for math, and some of you would rather do
Social Studies than anything else."
"I think people will think you are making all of that
up. You better stick with what we're doing," the first
one says.
This is a busy time of year for us. Students are getting ready for the curriculum fair. Our class chose to
do state projects. Not only will they be sharing interesting facts about their states, they will also be writing reports, making 3-D models, and cooking up
some type of dish that is from their state. It should
be quite interesting as they will be applying many of
the skills they've learned throughout the year.
On May 15th, we will be going on a field trip to Old
Fort Western. At the fort, we will learn how early
Mainers lived and what the daily lives of the soldiers
were like. This is just part of the Maine unit of study
for fourth graders. The fourth graders are very excited. They love Social Studies.
In Math, we continue to work on Division, but now
we are our writing our remainders in decimals. Early
Algebra seems to be the classes' most favorite skill
at this time. We continue to use IXL in Math to practice skills, and, to date, our class has answered
60,000 questions accurately. Yipee!
The Herald 2017 Volume IV Issue 36
Page 3
Mrs. Swinton with Fifth Grade News
Thank You!
June is right around the corner, and we are filled
with excitement for the summer but also filled with
the anxiety of trying to do too many things. Grade 5
is no exception to this idea. We have already finished our last book report for the year, and they are
awesome! Samples of these projects will be on display at our curriculum fair later this month.
The Eighth Graders would like to thank you for supporting them in their fundraising efforts. $2, 224.10
has been accumulated in hopes to bring the class
together, have fun, and continue traditions. A portion
of the funds were used to go to Camp Kieve, a leadership school. The experiences from Camp Kieve
were memorable, educational, and will continue to
help through life. The remaining funds will be used
to go on a walking field trip through Brunswick with
school sanctioned chaperones and teachers. The
Eighth Grade will be hosting a car wash as their final
fundraiser, to help contribute to their graduating
class gift. The car wash is Saturday, May 20th, 9:00
a.m.-1:00 p.m., at St. John’s School parking lot.
We also recently had a wonderful evening for the
class "Book Launch" where students shared the
flash fiction that they wrote for the Arts are Elementary program this year. They were bound into
books, and each student now has a copy. They
have had great fun signing each other's books and
feel pretty special to be published authors.
May 16th is our day to visit Growstown School and
step into the past. This is always a great experience
for the students, and I am thrilled to be able to go
with them from year to year. There has been plenty
of laughter about who is whose "brother or sister"
according to the class list that we are given to
use. These are the names and ages of the actual
students who were in school in 1853. One lucky boy
in the class even gets to be my "little brother!"
On June 1, the class will go bowling courtesy of the
Brunswick Police Department. This morning is their
reward for completing the DARE program and writing their essays. Naturally, everyone loves this activity and we are very grateful to Detective Moir for
coming to our class and sharing this program with
us.
Please keep our annual Memorial Mass in
mind. This is such a beautiful celebration to remember loved ones who are no longer with us. This will
be held on May 26.
A big thank you to everyone who has donated used
books for our used book sale. It is always great to
watch the kiddos get excited to find some good summer reading. Due to my absence, the sale will be
next week - May 15-19. Any further donations will
be greatly appreciated.
It has been a great year for Grade 5. Have a truly
wonderful summer vacation!
Thank you from the Eighth Grade class for your generous contributions!
Liam, Luke, Nick, Chloe, Brady, Carson, Amanda,
and Brendan
Page 4
The Herald 2017 Volume IV Issue 36
St. John’s Catholic School
Student Council
Monthly Meeting
Next Student Council meeting will be
Monday, May 15, 2017,
from 2:35-3:00 in Ms. Shorey's room.
It is mandatory that all Officers and Class
Representatives in grades 4-8 attend.
All other Class Representatives are welcome
but do not have to attend.
Points for Paws
The Student Council
wishes to say thank
you for all of the donations made for the
Coastal Humane Society.
5th Grade Used Book Sale
The 5th Grade class has their Used Book Sale set
and ready to go for Monday! Bring in your quarters
and find the perfect book!
Donations
Kindergarten needs your help! They are looking to
collect milk caps for a project.
The school is looking for donations of paper towels.
Thank you for your consideration!
Page 5
The Herald 2017 Volume IV Issue 36
Our Faith Connection
Notes from the Nurse
Readings for the Week
Medical Hero: Edward Jenner
Edward Jenner was an English
country doctor who introduced
the vaccine for smallpox. Previously a keen practitioner of
smallpox inoculation, Jenner
Parish Events
took the principle a stage furYouth Ministry
ther by inducing immunity against this killer
St. Charles
disease via exposure to a
Next Week
harmless related disMay 21: Graduation Mass is at 5pm We’ll
honor the graduating seniors with a blessing and a ease, cowpox. His technique
gift. Then we host the Night of Gratitude from provided safer and more reli6:30pm-8pm. Join us for this lovely evening where able protection than traditional inoculation.
the students say Thank You to all who have helped
Working in an agricultural community, Jenner knew
make this year interesting, energetic and inspiring!
of the country folklore that milkmaids never caught
smallpox. They were known for their relatively flawHigh School Ministry
May 14: Music and Comedy: Join us for conversa- less complexions, which were unmarked by smalltion, music and jokes with our friends at Mallard pox scarring. However, they inevitably caught cowPond Apartments. Come for 5pm Mass and 6pm pox through their close work with cows. Jenner
pizza. Carpools leave at 6:25 and the evening ends speculated that a bout of cowpox produced immunity
against smallpox and even encountered locals who
at 8pm. FMI Contact Sheila Murphy.
claimed to have deliberately infected themselves to
provoke such a response. As a forward-thinking docJunior High Ministry
May 14: Visit the Sick Join us for our last visit of the tor who liked to experiment, Jenner wanted to prove
season. We’ll visit the nursing home and sing songs his theory. In 1796 he inserted pus taken from Sarah
with the residents. Mass is at 5pm, pizza is at 6pm. Nelmes, a milkmaid with cowpox, into a cut made in
Mid Coast Senior Health Center 6:30-7:30pm. FMI the arm of a local boy, James Phipps. Several days
contact
Jana
Chavoustie
at later, Jenner exposed the boy to smallpox. He was
found to be immune.
[email protected]
Reading 1: Acts 6:1-7
Reading 2: 1 Peter 2:4-9
Gospel: John 14:1-12
Jenner called his new method ‘vaccination’ after the
Latin word for cow (vacca). But Jenner had no explanation for why this method worked - no-one could
see the virus with the microscopes of the time. He
submitted a paper to the Royal Society the following
year. It was met with some interest but further proof
St. Patrick
Thank you, Kim Tolley for your excellent leadership was requested. Jenner proceeded to vaccinate and
of Youth Ministry at St. Patrick’s this year. Your faith, monitor several more children, including his own
son. The full results of his study were published in
energy and organization have had great effect!
1798, but his apparent discovery was met with much
opposition, and even ridicule. In time the value of his
vaccine was recognized, but as many poorer communities had limited access to medical treatment it
was several decades before its full benefits were realized. In 1853, 30 years after Jenner’s death, smallpox vaccination was made compulsory in England
and Wales.
St. Mary
May 14: No Junior High Ministry sessions today. Enjoy Mother’s Day! May 21 Final meeting after 9:30
mass. Contact Linda Mario: [email protected]
Page 6
The Herald 2017 Volume IV Issue 36
St. John’s Catholic School
Parent Teacher Association
Monthly Meeting
The next meeting will be held on
Tuesday, June 6, at 6:00 p.m.
in the Church Hall.
All parents are welcome!
Student Corner
This week’s Student Trivia
True or False
Mother's Day is
celebrated in close to 50
countries in different
parts of the world.
Student Trivia Answer
Did you know?
This week’s Riddle
What did the digital clock
say to its mother?
Up-Coming SJCS PTA Events
SJCS PTA Meeting
Tuesday, June 6, 2017, 6:00 p.m.
Busy Hands
Thursday, May 11, 2017
Dine to Donate
5 Guys, Tuesday, May 16, 2017, 4:00-8:00
Last Bottle Drive
Friday, June 2, 2017
Box Tops
Collection takes place all year!
Helpful Reminders
Spring Photos
The Lifetouch Spring photos are coming home!
These are a fundraiser for the school. You do not
need to purchase them. If you do not wish to keep
any of the photos; simply return them to the school.
Purchase as many as you wish, it is totally up to
you. If we get 100% participation, whether in the
form of returned photos or purchased packages, all
students are entered into a drawing to win a bike!
Carnations are very
popular flowers for
Mother’s Day and are
thought to be made from
the tears of Jesus’
mother (Mary) when she
wept at his feet the day
He was crucified.
Riddle Answer
Community Events
Midcoast Youth Theater
Auditions for Summer Shows
All Auditions at Mid-Coast Presbyterian Church
*Audition Sheets must be Signed by Legal Guardians in order to Audition* For more information, contact Pamela Sullivan at 207-319-8505 or
[email protected]
Middle School Performers:
Friday May 19th 7-9 PM or Saturday May 20th 6-8
PM (choose 1)
Grades 3-5: Friday May 19th 5:15-6:45 or Saturday
May 20th 2:30-5:30 (choose 1)
Grades K-2: Saturday May 20th 12-2:00 PM or Sunday May 21st at 2-4 PM (choose 1)
Medication in the Nurse’s Office
Please remember to gather your child’s medications
from the School Nurse before the end of the school
year. Thanks!
Prayer for SJCS
All who are interested in praying together are invited to join Val Flanagan, weekly on Tuesdays @
2:00-2:20 in front of the tabernacle, in St. John's
Church.
Ms. Downing with Band News
The Bath Memorial Day parade will be Monday,
May 29 in the morning....more details to come. Our
concert at Graduation will be preceding the ceremony on Monday, June 5, 2017.
St. John’s Catholic School ~ 37 Pleasant Street ~ Brunswick, ME 04011 ~ Tel: 207-725-5507 ~ Fax: 207-725-5507 ~ www.sjcsbme.org