What's Ahead:
Friday, March 10 - No School, Professional Day Archdiocesan Teachers
Monday, March 13 -- Arts & Academics Setup in Gym
Last day to place Pizza Lunch Order - Order Here
Tuesday, March 14 -- Arts & Academics Judging in Gym
10:30 to 11:30 Science -7th grade
5:30 to 7:45 Art - 6th Grade
Wednesday, March 15 -- 7-8 pm Arts & Academics Showcase for Families of All Grades
Thursday, March 16 -- Pizza Lunch
Friday, March 17 - Noon Dismissal, Half Day
Monday, March 20 - No School, Staff Retreat
Friday, March 24 -- Author Evelyn Logan Visit
Monday, March 27 -- 7 pm HSA Meeting
Saturday, April 1 -- Father Daughter Dance
Wednesday, April 5 -- Half Day, 12 Noon Dismissal
No After Care
Thursday, April 6 -- No School, Holy Thursday
Friday, April 7 -- No School, Holy Friday
April 6-16 - Easter Break
Monday, April 17 -- Classes Resume
Please note that the staff retreat was on a different date on an early printed copy of the school calendar. Please check the SJB online calendar, which syncs to the website calendar, for the most up-to-date information.
A Note from Our Steel Drum Instructor
Please see the note below from resident artist Kevin Martin, who taught steel drums to students in grades K-8 last month.
Brian,
I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the week at St. John the Baptist.
I love everything I saw about how you run your school. The first thing I noticed was how well the teaching staff worked together and had each others backs... working to create a schedule where we could fit in as many workshops as we could. They supported each other and came in to cover each other and worked to help students in every workshop. It made such a difference... every teacher without exception dove into the project and floated around the room helping students who needed a little extra... You can feel when the administration and the teachers are in sync and that was so evident at your school.
The students were several years above their grade level in social skills... in helping each other... On the second day I told them that to be a great band we needed to keep our eyes on the students on each side of their pans and to help each other... to be willing to show the person next to you how to play the song... or even harder to ask the person next to you to show you how to play a phrase if you were struggling...
They all did and it amazed me... I don't know what you are doing to create this environment but I am amazed.... Thank you for letting me see education happening is such a calm and consistent way... I would be happy to come work with you guys anytime and like I said... I will be telling people about your amazing school as I travel the state...
Best,
Kevin Martin
I hope Mr. Martin's note makes you feel as proud of your children as it makes us.
A Note About Inclusion
The following passage about including classmates in parties and social events appears in the SJB Parent-Student Handbook:
Parties held outside of school are the sole responsibility of the parents. Invitations may be distributed during the school day only if they include every student (i.e., all the boys and/or all the girls). We place great emphasis on inclusion at SJB. The coordination and gathering of an exclusive group of students for a social event, such as a birthday, may not take place at SJB. No student should be made to feel excluded from a social event while at school.
When the section above first appeared in the Handbook several years ago, invitation cards to birthday parties were typically handed out in the classroom at the end of the school day.
Parents now send online invitations several different ways, bypassing the classroom, but the effect of excluding a single boy or a single girl from a birthday party or social event can still be felt in school. When one child feels hurt, the others feel it, too, so we continue to ask our families to support our mission of giving each person a feeling of belonging at St. John the Baptist.
When a single student feels lifted up, everyone else feels that, as well.
School Advisory Board and Home School Association
Go here to nominate someone for a seat on the School Advisory Board or the Home School Association.
For more, see the School Advisory Board & Home School Association webpage.
See the Gold Folder SJB Camp Info
Here's the camp flyer.
Arts & Academics is Next Week
Call for Judges
The Arts and Academics showcase returns to SJB next week. Families are invited to view the large display of work from every grade on Wednesday, March 15, from 7 to 8 pm in the Gym.
Potential science judges should contact Mr. Daly at kevin.daly@sjbsilverspring.org.
Potential art judges should contact Mrs. Castillo at liz.castillo@sjbsilverspring.org.
Judging is a great opportunity for 5th and 6th grade parents to preview what's in store for their child next year at Arts & Academics.
How to Get A&A Display Boards
All students in grades 5-8 must have display boards for their Arts & Academic research papers, projects, and presentations. The boards can be purchased for $7 (cash or check) by students during lunch when Ms. Schwab visits the classrooms. Checks should be payable to SJB.
Friday is Last Day to Buy Yearbook Ads
Congratulations, Grades 2 and 6, Black History Jeopardy Champs!
The 2nd grade and 6th grade won the Black History Jeopardy Championship games last week. The 4th and 8th grades were runner ups. Winning and runner-up team members received medals in a ceremony on Wednesday, and all participating students in grades 1-8 received certificates.
The SJB Diversity Committee, made up of parents and faculty, designed and planned the tournament to be fun and educational during February's Black History Month. See a 30-second clip of the competition.
Thank you to the Diversity Committee parents who did the research and provided question packets and awards.
Little Help?
Please See A Little Help for Ways that Parents Can Help Our School.
SJB Students Advocate for Catholic Schools in Annapolis
SJB sent a small delegation of students to Annapolis last week to lobby state lawmakers on the importance of Catholic schools. The six students from the 4th grade joined small groups of students from many other Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Washington and the Archdiocese of Baltimore as they met with legislators in the State House. The students spoke in favor of state BOOST scholarships that help make Catholic education more accessible to families of all income levels. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has proposed phasing out the 7-year-old BOOST program. The SJB students met or attempted to meet with the state senator and delegates of the 20th district that encompasses St. John the Baptist:
Sen. William C. Smith, Jr. (D)
Del. Lorig Charkoudian (D)
Del. David Moon (D)
Del. Jheanelle K. Wilkins (D)
