Good afternoon! Here are this week's news and announcements from St. Johns Country Day School:
Congratulations, Seniors!
On Friday, St. Johns was thrilled to begin announcing college acceptances for the class of 2022! We know that every college application is an achievement and each acceptance is to be lauded, and we heartily congratulate these seniors on their acceptances: Angie Arellano (Eckerd College, University of South Florida, University of North Florida); John Cabrera (Auburn University, Florida Institute of Technology); Abbie Campbell (Auburn University, Samford University, University of North Florida, University of South Florida); Kaiya Cooper (University of Alabama); Lauren Correia (Florida Southern College, Flagler College, University of Alabama, University of North Florida); Dru Detlefsen (University of Alabama); Addie Ellis (University of North Florida); Mary Beth Garrison (Newcastle University); Emma Gonzales (Brevard College, Nova Southeastern University, Salem College, Santa Fe College); Susannah Goodwin (University of Alabama); Kinley Hall (Samford University, Belmont University, Florida Atlantic University Honors College); Evelyn Hanson (University of North Florida, Louisiana State University Shreveport); Finn Howell (University of North Florida); Jude Howell (Rollins College); JD Lewis (Auburn University); Jack Minners (University of Alabama in Huntsville); Emelia Morton (Savannah College of Art and Design); Riley Myers (Florida Southern College, Flagler College, University of Alabama); Clayton Philpott (Santa Fe College); Noelle Sanford (Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida Southern College, Jacksonville University, Savannah College of Art and Design); Callum Steiner (Colorado School of Mines). Congratulations, seniors!
Upper School Diaper Drive
Upper School Student Council and Interact Club are hosting a Diaper Drive for diapers to be distributed by The Way Free Medical Clinic in Green Cove Springs. Diapers are needed in all sizes, but most in demand are sizes 4, 5 and 6. Please send in donations to your child's homeroom. Diapers will be collected until Thursday, December 9 and the Upper School grade with the most diapers donated will win a special breakfast treat on Monday, December 13. Thank you for your support!
Please Support Our Toy Drive
St. Johns' Lower School Student Council is honored once again to host a toy drive to support JP Hall Children's Charities. With your help, we can bring some holiday joy to families around the Jacksonville area. Please send in a new, unwrapped toy appropriate for children from 0-14 years old (please, no weapons, e.g., Nerf guns, knives, light sabers, etc.), either to your child's homeroom teacher, or to the Admin Reception Desk. We'll be accepting donations from now until the morning of Thursday, December 16. Thank you for your support!
Holiday Choral Concert
Don't miss tonight's Holiday Choral Concert at 7:00 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center. It's sure to be a great concert filled with friends and good music, so be sure to join us. We look forward to seeing you there!
Winter Band Concert Event
St. Johns' Performing Arts Department will continue to make the season merry with a Winter Band Concert, this Thursday, December 9, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center. This concert always features a variety of fun favorites and holiday surprises. This year there will also be a dessert truck featuring warm mini donuts and coffee, plus a holiday photo opp, so bring the whole family and we'll see you there!
Midterms December 10-15
Midterms are nearly upon us! Please make a note of the schedule, below, and of early release days for students in Grades 8-12. Students should report to homeroom at the regular time each morning. During midterms, students are allowed to wear Spartan Spirit Dress. Students may wear St. Johns tops (from the Spirit Store or any St. Johns team, activity, or club) and jeans or uniform shorts or pants (no holes, or frayed hems). Students may not wear athletic shorts, warmups, or pajama pants.
Friday, December 10: English 8:30-10:30 a.m., World Language 12:30-2:30 p.m. (Dismissal 3:15 p.m.) Please note that students may not sign out at lunch between morning and afternoon exams on Friday.
Monday, December 13: History 8:30-10:30 a.m.
Tuesday, December 14: Science 8:30-10:30 a.m.
Wednesday, December 15: Math 8:30-10:30 a.m.
Thursday, December 16: Makeup exam day
Please Note: December 13, 14, and 15 will be Early Dismissal Days for students in Grades 8-12. Students will be dismissed for the day after their exams finish at 10:30 a.m. The holiday break will begin for Grade 8-12 following the last exam on Wednesday, December 15. Please see the email from Head of Middle & Upper Schools Jackie Lentini dated November 5, 2021, for more detailed information.
Give the Gift of Time
The Parent Association gives the gift of time to St. Johns Faculty and Staff by volunteering to wrap presents for them. Gift wrapping will take place Monday, December 13 through Wednesday, December 15. If you love wrapping gifts and want to spread some holiday cheer, we'd love your help! Please click here to sign up. You can sign up for as many shifts as you want!
Your Gift to the St. Johns Fund
Help us push our programming to the next level in the fine and performing arts, athletics, technology and innovation and more with your family's gift to the St. Johns Fund. Designate your gift in support of an area that benefits your student, or give St. Johns the flexibility to address a critical area of need for our Pre-K3 through Grade 12 community. Support our Spartans today at sjcds.net/give!
Pardon our Dirt, Garden Club at Work!
St. Johns' Garden Club is creating a new and improved butterfly garden and would appreciate donations of gently used shovels, hoes, rakes, a wheel barrow, etc. If you have items you could donate to a great cause, please reach out to Ms. Reynolds at annareynolds@sjcds.net.
Spring Musical Auditions
St Johns' Performing Arts Department is proud to present auditions for our Spring Musical—Rogers and Hammerstein's Cinderella—on Monday and Tuesday, January 10 & 11. Auditions are open to students in Grades 6-12.
Students will be asked to sing a song from any musical of their choice and will also read from the script. Scripts will be available ahead of time for those who are interested in auditioning. Rehearsals will take place during H periods as well as occasionally after school, and the performances will be April 8 and 9, 2022.
Interested students may audition during the school day or after school on January 10 or 11. Please email Mr. Riker (criker@sjcds.net) for a time slot or for more information.
Character Foundations: Service
This month in Character Foundations, students in all divisions will be learning about and putting into practice service, which is defined as lending a hand to help someone else. Learn more about service and how you can help support St. Johns' lessons at home at sjcds.net/news!
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 Middle and Upper Schools Jackie Lentini | jlentini@sjcds.net | |
| Head of Lower School Otis Wirth | owirth@sjcds.net |
We hope you have a great week!