Good afternoon! Is everyone in your family geared up for a great week off next week? Meanwhile, here are this week's news and announcements from St. Johns Country Day School:
In Case You Missed It...
In case you missed it, last week St. Johns published news about nearly 30 students who were lauded in the annual French competition and about the 35 college acceptances announced on Friday for members of the Class of 2021. You can read more about these stories and more at sjcds.net/news.
Subscribe to St. Johns' Calendar
It's been a tough year to stay on top of what's going on, with events and dates changing so frequently due to COVID-19. Simplify your life by subscribing to the School's calendars on your phone. Then you'll have everything you need all in one place, and it'll automatically update for you if there are any changes. To subscribe, just visit sjcds.net/calendar and select the gray RSS button above the monthly view. Then, for each calendar you want, just hover over the green iCal button to select the format you need and install. It's that easy! Not sure which one to pick? We recommend the "Master" calendar, to stay on top of everything that's happening.
Birthday Books!
Would you like to commemorate the people and events in your lives while also supporting the library? Honor your student’s birthday or celebrate your student’s senior year by making a donation of $25 or more to the Heinrich Learning Resource Center. Your donation will add a book to our collection and a bookplate will be placed inside the book to commemorate the occasion. We look forward to your participation! Visit the Heinrich Learning Resource Center on the Topics page of your division's My School App page for the order form.
Planning for College: Financial Aid Workshop
Earlier this month, the College Counseling Office hosted a financial aid webinar, "Understanding the Financial Aid and Scholarship Process," for St. Johns Middle and Upper School parents. Featuring Ms. Kim Parrett, Admissions Director from Sacred Heart University, and Antonio Serrano, Admissions Director from The Ohio State University, the webinar worked to help St. Johns parents decipher the code of acronyms and what to do when in financial aid and scholarship planning. The webinar reviews the college financial aid cycle, explores how financial aid awards are calculated, and provides “insider tips” to help navigate the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Best of all, the recording is available to you here. Just click through and enter the passcode Sd6&Qr?W for your free access.
2021-2022 Technology Updates
As mentioned in the email you received from Director of Technology Anne Gorman late last year, in order to make sure our graduates are ready for college and beyond, St. Johns is updating its student technology requirements for the 2021-2022 year. Beginning in August 2021, all Upper School students will be required to come to School equipped with a laptop each day. Middle School students may continue to use an iPad for this upcoming School year but will need to transition to a laptop for the 2022-2023 School year. Technology requirements for Lower School students will continue to be met by the School, with the exception of personal earbuds, which are on students' annual supply lists. Full detail, product recommendations, and a link to St. Johns' online store, where you can access special education pricing, are available in the Middle and Upper School Topics pages of My School App, under Technology.
COVID-19 Reminders
In an effort to continue to keep our students, faculty, and staff safe and secure at School, please help your student continue to adhere to all coronavirus protocols, including consistent mask-wearing, social distancing, and frequent handwashing. It's a good idea to have your student pack an extra mask each morning-- just in case.
Also, please be reminded that if you have news about your family's or your student's COVID-19 status, please reach out to School Nurse Michele Adams-Lentz at madamslentz@sjcds.net. Thank you for your continued support!
Join Us for A Night in Old Havana
St. Johns is very much looking forward to the 2021 Gala & Auction, A Night in Old Havana, which is coming up Saturday, April 10, to Timuquana Country Club. We hope you will plan to join us for what is always a fun-filled evening with friends and fellow Spartans. A number of measures will be in place to help make it a safe and fun evening for all, including:
- Timuquana Country Club is a new, larger venue for this event that allows for more space both inside and outside.
- Cocktail-style dining means that revelers will move around, indoors and out, rather than sitting in one place for dinner.
- Our delicious tapas will be pre-plated at stations placed around the venue. This helps prevent frequently-touched areas, especially around food.
- Masks will be required.
- Ongoing cleaning & disinfection will take place throughout the venue, just in case.
- For those who prefer not to join us in person, virtual auctions are available!
Tickets for A Night in Old Havana are now available. Get yours today at sjcds.net/havana!
St. Johns Spartans Golf Tournament
Mark your calendars and plan to join us for the 15th annual St. Johns Spartans Golf Tournament on Friday, April 23, 2021 at beautiful Eagle Harbor Golf Club. Your day will include lunch, beverages, a putting contest, great golf, raffle prizes, 6:00 p.m. awards ceremony, and heavy hors d'oeuvres, so grab some friends, make a foursome, and register today! Can't join us on the 23rd? Please consider one of our many sponsorship opportunities. All proceeds go to support St. Johns Athletics Department and our student-athletes. Learn more at sjcds.net/golf.
Summer Camp Registration Now Open
Registration for St. Johns' 31st Summer of Fun is now open! Visit sjcds.net/summer to sign up for day camp, sports camps, or specialty camps including babysitting training, Soccer Camp, CSI Camp, Cooking, Dance, Basketball, Technology, and much more! There's something for everyone this summer, from our youngest preschool Spartans through rising Grade 8. Sessions run June 7 through July 30 with Wraparound Camp and Extended Day available from 7am-6pm. Some of these camps fill up very quickly, so sign up today at sjcds.net/summer!
Key Contacts
Some things never change— no matter the circumstances, St. Johns staff stand ready to assist with anything you might need. Please feel free to reach out at any time to:
| Head of School Valorie Baker | vbaker@sjcds.net | |
| Head of Upper School Mary Virginia Fisher | mvfisher@sjcds.net | |
| Head of Middle School Jackie Lentini | jlentini@sjcds.net | |
| Head of Lower School Otis Wirth | owirth@sjcds.net |
We hope you have a great week, and a fabulous Spring Break!