Good afternoon! We hope you are having a fabulous Thanksgiving Break. Here are this week's news and announcements from St. Johns Country Day School:
Senior Presentation
St. Johns was thrilled to present the Class of 2025 to the School community on Friday in a ceremony that is nearly as longstanding as the School itself. Read more about it right here.
College Acceptances Announced
On Thursday, St. Johns was thrilled to celebrate college acceptances for 19 members of the Class of 2025! These included Fritz Arendt (Florida Institute of Technology, Georgia Southern University), Corban Berrang (Georgia Southern University, University of North Florida), Regan Butler (University of West Florida), Grant Cassady (University of Central Florida, University of North Florida), Ainsley Costarakis (University of Central Florida, Michigan State University, University of Mississippi), Anna Galnor (University of Central Florida), Carter Graham (Mount St. Mary's University Honors College, Seton Hall University, University of Maine, University of Alaska Anchorage, Palm Beach Atlantic University, Florida Institute of Technology, Eckerd College, Florida Southern College, Saint Leo University, Rollins College), Autumn Henry (Belmont University), Cal Holshouser (Flagler College, University of Alabama, University of Kentucky, University of Mississippi, West Virginia Wesleyan College), Ciera Jester (Georgia Southern University, Metropolitan State University of Denver, York College of Pennsylvania), Grace Knight (Belmont University, Samford University), Josh Lewis (Georgia Southern University), Grace McNulty (Appalachian State University), Cece Nowicki (University of Alabama, University of Central Florida, University of Mississippi), Shane Reaves (Flagler College, Florida Southern College, Georgia Southern University, Rollins College, Stetson University), Ayva Safreed (Georgia Southern University, University of Mississippi), Kaitlyn Sunderhaus (Berry College), Addy Vogt (Rollins College), and Reagan Wagstaff (Auburn University, Kent State University, Savannah College of Art and Design, University of Central Oklahoma).
National Honor Society Inducts 23
Congratulations to the 23 seniors and juniors who were inducted last week into St. Johns' chapter of the National Honor Society. These included:
Grade 12:
- Sawyer Davidson
- Rowan Fix
- Sawyer Kenney
- Grace McNulty
Grade 11:
- Madisyn Bauman
- Calli Berrang
- Caden Brown
- Raeghyn Cobb
- Sander Crumpton
- Isabella DeLeon
- Griffin Dubnansky
- Adrian Heinrichs
- Wyatt Hollingsworth
- Audrey Jackson
- Sergio Lopez Diaz
- Brice McClellan
- Tyler Phillipoff
- Ishta Ramroop
- Reyden Rivera
- Hunter Rodgers
- Emily Steckler
- Addison Wagstaff
- Alyssa Walker
You can read more about it right here. Congratulations, new NHS members!
Eight Seniors Commit to College Sports
Last week, St. Johns was honored to host a signing ceremony for eight seniors who signed National Letters of Intent to continue their academic and athletic careers at the college level. These are:
- Camden Brown – Baseball – Middle Georgia University
- Hadley Dantzler – Volleyball – Nova Southeastern University
- Sawyer Kenney – Soccer – Montreat College
- Gabi Oceguera – Softball – Emory University
- Austin Stratmann – Baseball – University of North Florida
- Kaitlyn Sunderhaus – Track and Field – Berry College
- TJ Sunderhaus – Baseball – Georgia Highlands College
- Addy Vogt – Golf – Rollins College
You can read more about it right here. Congratulations, Seniors!
Gobble Wobble!
St. Johns’ Pre-K classes and their Grade 3 buddies kicked off Thanksgiving with a new tradition, a 'Gobble Wobble' race on Thursday, November 21. Twenty-six "turkeys" wobbled across the Roddey R. Fisher Quad with inflatable beach balls between their knees, simulating a turkey's gait. Congratulations to Coco Cost from Pre-K4, this year’s champion!
Thanks to you, our generous community, more than $1,500 was raised raised to support campus safety enhancements and new sound and lighting technology for the Performing Arts Center. Thank you for making a difference!
Food Drive Results
Hearty thanks and congratulations to Lower School Student Council on their hard work on the canned food drive for Food Pantry of Green Cove Springs! The Food Pantry came and picked up our donations last week, and the drive was a roaring success with a total donation weight over 1300 lbs! Thank you to all who helped us bring a little cheer to local families this Thanksgiving.
Athlete of the Week
Congratulations to last week's Nichols & Pina law firm St. Johns Spartan Athlete of the Week, Calli Berrang '26! On the soccer pitch last week, Calli had an outstanding two games scoring two goals, one in the win vs. Niceville, one in the win vs. P.K. Younge. Congratulations, Calli!
Thanksgiving Feast
Last week St. Johns was thrilled to host a Thanksgiving Feast for students, faculty, and staff. Thank you to our Board of Trustees and parents for helping to make this sweet tradition take place. We are thankful for YOU!
Join Us to "Deck the Quad" on December 3
Please join us for coffee at our St. Johns Parent Association Meeting on Tuesday, December 3, at 8:15 a.m. in the Pace Lecture Hall. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend! If you are unable to attend in person, please join us virtually by selecting this link. Immediately following the meeting, we will transform St. Johns Country Day School into a festive campus. We would love for you to stay and help us "Deck the Quad!"
Middle School Movie Night December 6
Middle School students, please join us for Movie Night on Friday, December 6 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. on the Roddey R. Fisher Quad! Pizza and snacks will be provided, but please bring a new, unwrapped toy for donation to the V for Victory Toy Drive. Thank you!
New Cold Weather Gear Now in the Spirit Store! 🛍️
Stay cozy and show your Spartan pride with our new cold-weather items! ❄️ We’ve got something for everyone:
✨ Adult and youth crewneck sweaters
✨ Youth hoodies and fleeces
✨ Zip-up hoodies for all ages
✨ Limited adult Nike hoodies (more sizes coming soon!)
Store hours are 7:45 a.m. – 3:45 p.m., but if you can’t make it in, no problem! Call or email for pictures of the latest items, pay over the phone or Venmo, and we’ll deliver your purchase to your student—super convenient for busy families! Come check it out and stay Spartan Strong this winter!
On Campus Speech & Occupational Therapy
Pediatric Therapy of Riverside Is now offering speech & occupational therapy services at St. Johns. These on-campus services are available to students in all grades. To register your child up for a free on-campus assessment, please click here and select "Schedule a Free Consultation." Please reach out to Pediatric Therapy of Riverside's Bridget Beck, MS CCC-SLP, with any questions.
V for Victory Toy Drive
Lower School Student Council is hosting a toy drive to benefit V for Victory. Please donate an unwrapped toy (valued at $25 or less). This charity provides resources and services at no cost to local families and individuals who are battling cancer. Please help us put some joy on childrens' faces this holiday season by contributing to the toy drive! Donations can be delivered to your child's homeroom or to the Reception desk no later than Thursday, December 5. Thank you!
Lessons & Carols
Please join us for this beautiful tradition of seasonal lessons and carols in St. Johns' Performing Arts Center. Sign in at the Reception Desk and join us in the Performing Arts Center at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, December 6. Come for flag raising with your child and stay for this inspiring assembly.
Winter Band Concert
Please join us on Tuesday, December 10 for a Winter Band Concert! You won't want to miss this festival of sound featuring the Middle & Upper School Bands. Join us!
Join Us for a Family Tree Lighting!
Please join us on Thursday, December 12 for holiday activities, festive music, and the lighting of the St. Johns Christmas Tree! All are welcome to come enjoy crafts, seasonal music, cookies and cocoa while we deck the halls and trim the tree. It'll all be on the patio starting at 5:30 p.m. Plan to stay and also enjoy the immediately followed by the Winter Choral Concert at 6:30 p.m. We look forward to seeing you there!
Winter Choral Concert
Please join us after the Tree Lighting for a Winter Choral Concert! This festive concert will get you in the merry mood and kick off your holiday season with the perfect note. Join us Thursday, December 12, at 6: 30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center. We can't wait to see you there!
Join Us for An Evening in Paris!
Mark your calendars for an unforgettable experience: An Evening in Paris, a festive fundraising event benefiting St. Johns Country Day School! Join us on Saturday, January 25, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the beautiful Club Continental. The night will be filled with fun, food, live music, fantastic company, games to win prizes, and a live and silent auction—all while supporting exciting projects that will enhance our school community. Get your tickets today and we hope to see you there!
Gallery Art Guild Show
While you're on campus for our many great events this holiday season, please plan to come a little early to enjoy the Art Guild of Orange Park exhibit in the Nichols Family Art Gallery. All pieces are for sale with a percentage of proceeds benefiting the St. Johns fund. Just scan the QR code on the signs in the Gallery for sales information.
Contact Us!
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 Krista Parker | kparker@sjcds.net |
| Head of Middle School Ben Magidson | bmagidson@sjcds.net |
| Head of Lower School Otis Wirth | owirth@sjcds.net |
We hope you have a great week!
- Campus Update