Good afternoon and welcome back! We hope everyone had a fabulous and relaxing Spring Break. We're now officially in the countdown to the end of the school year, but meanwhile, here are this week's news and announcements from St. Johns Country Day School:
Friday Spartan Spirit Dress Days
Just a reminder that every Friday from now until the end of the school year will be a Spartan Spirit dress day. That means a Spartan spirit shirt and jeans or other school-appropriate pants or shorts (no track shorts, yoga pants, or anything with rips, holes, or tears). Or, of course, your regular uniform attire is always acceptable. Please reach out to your Division Head or Dean with any questions.
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.
Havana Registration & Silent Auction Now Open!
We are just a few short days away from A Night in Old Havana! Auction registration is now open and we ask that everyone register in advance of the event. Be sure to provide your mobile phone number to receive a one-click login link for easy access to the auction, along with text outbid alerts. For those who may not be able to join us in person this year, the silent auction is now live and open for bidding. Cilck here to get started today You have through the end of the evening on Saturday to bid on your favorite items. Haven't booked your tickets yet? Get yours today at sjcds.net/havana! We look forward to seeing you for a fun-filled and festive evening!
Sponsor the Spartans!
Slots for golfers are full for the annual St. Johns Spartans Golf Tournament on Friday, April 23, but you can still sponsor the Spartans! Whether you own a business or just want to support our hardworking student-athletes, there is an opportunity that's right for you at our 15th annual golf tournament. Visit sjcds.net/golf to learn more. All proceeds go to support St. Johns' Athletics Department and our student-athletes and we truly appreciate your support.
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.
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.
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.
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!