Summer Reading Lists and Books Are Available
Check the front hallway of the school for books on the summer reading list. If you have any of the books on the list at home, please feel free to donate them. Just leave them on the table in the school's front hallway.
If you visit the summer assignments page, you will see a letter and summer reading list by each homeroom teacher. The page will be updated next week with math assignments. End-of-year student test data will be sent home next week in the Gold Folders, and report cards will be mailed home after school ends on Wednesday, June 12. Parents with financial balances for tuition, After Care, or unserved lunch duties will receive report cards and access to the Rediker Parent Portal when payment is received by the school.
SJB Now on Instagram
If you are on Instagram, follow us at sjbsilverspring.
Register for After Care for Next Year
The Note last week included the sign-up form for After Care for next year. The After-Care sign-up form will remain posted on the Forms page of the website. You can always return to the Forms page for the After Care form.
Archbishop Gregory to Visit in Two Weeks
Archbishop Wilton Gregory is scheduled to celebrate Mass at St. John the Baptist at 12 noon on Sunday, June 23. This will be his first visit to SJB since Pope Francis installed as archbishop of the Archdiocese of Washington in April.
Congratulations, SJB Class of 2019!
Twenty-eight members of the graduating class of 2019 celebrated with faculty and family in a Graduation Mass and Ceremony on Sunday, June 1. The graduate address was given by Julie Zalalutdinov.
Presidential Awards for Outstanding Academic Excellence, which require a 90 percent average in grades 4-8 and test scores in the 85th percentile or above, went to 10 students:
Abby Botkin
David Damiano
Michael Davis
Mary Clare Hazleton
Cici Hickey
Kevin Monge
Anthony Nguyen
Caitlin Ober
Sofia Tassara
Julie Zalalutdinov
The Presidential Award for Extraordinary Effort went to Adrian Anthony.
Two Presidential Award winners had straight A’s and a total grade average of better than 96%, earning Medals of General Excellence.
Mary Clare Hazleton
Julie Zalalutdinov
Presidential Physical Fitness Awards went to five students:
Symon Bundi
David Damiano
Cici Hickey
Kevin Monge
Anthony Nguyen
Eleven students in the Class of 2019 were awarded 23 scholarships totaling over $275,000. Among the scholarships and honors awarded:
Joey Caporizzo
Blair High School accepted Joey to their Communication Arts Magnet Program.
Michael Davis
Gonzaga College High School awarded Michael a Presidential Scholarship for academic performance.
Carmela García
St Vincent Pallotti High School awarded Carmela a Catholic Traditions Scholarship.
Nicholas Hippchen
The Catholic Business Network of Montgomery County awarded Nick a scholarship for his outstanding essay in response to the topic: “Living the Beatitudes."
Kevin Monge
St Vincent Pallotti High School awarded Kevin the St Vincent Pallotti Scholarship in recognition of his academic performance.
DeMatha High School awarded Kevin the St John DeMatha Scholarship in recognition of his academic performance.
Anthony Nguyen
St Vincent Pallotti High School awarded Anthony a Catholic Traditions Scholarship.
Our Lady of Good Counsel High School awarded Anthony a Xaverian Scholarship for academic excellence.
Caitlin Ober
St. John’s College High School named Caitlin a De La Salle Scholar in recognition of her outstanding academic performance.
St John’s College High School awarded Caitlin a band scholarship in recognition of her musical talent and ability.
The Academy of Holy Cross High School named Caitlin a Sancta Crux Scholar and awarded her a scholarship in recognition of her outstanding academic record.
St Elizabeth Seton High School named Caitlin a Seton Scholar in recognition of her outstanding academic record.
Tommy Sigg
St Vincent Pallotti High School awarded a Tommy Catholic Traditions Scholarship.
St Vincent Pallotti High School awarded Tommy a St Vincent Pallotti merit scholarship in recognition of his academic performance.
Sofia Tassara
The Catholic Business Network of Montgomery County awarded Sofia a scholarship for her outstanding essay in response to the topic: “Living the Beatitudes."
The Archdiocese of Washington named Sofia a Latino Student of Merit in recognition of her outstanding academic record.
The Archdiocese of Washington awarded Sofia a scholarship for her outstanding essay in response to the topic “Giving Respect.”
The Archdiocese of Washington awarded Sofia a Fitzgerald Scholarship in recognition of her leadership and academic performance.
Julie Zalalutdinov
St. John’s College High School awarded Julie a Presidential Scholarship for Academics and named her to the De LaSalle Scholars Program.
Our Lady of Good Counsel High School awarded Julie a Xaverian Scholarship for outstanding academic performance.
St Elizabeth Ann Seton High School named Julie a Seton Scholar in recognition of her outstanding academic excellence.
Richard Montgomery High School accepted Julie into their International Baccalaureate Program.
Danilo Zukic
Our Lady of Good Counsel High School awarded Danilo a four year St Francis Xavier Academic Scholarship for students of Latino Heritage.
WE ARE EXCITED FOR SJB SUMMER CAMP!
Camp begins June 17 and runs through that week. We have a few spots left if you are looking for a good place to get help with summer math and reading, and for your child to enjoy art and theater fun with friends from school. If you have already registered, please send in your balance this week.
Please send any questions to kathleen.morris@sjbsilverspring.org.
Need A Summer Camp Job?
Attention SJB Alumni! Mrs. Irwin is looking for a swim instructor at the Knights of Columbus Camp on Cherry Hill Road. You must be lifeguard certified and available for most of the camp season, June 17-August 16. Please email her if you are interested: kofccamp@gmail.com.
Please Return Any Books Borrowed from the 8th Grade
Mrs. Morris is missing many books from her classroom library. These are books that are kept in the 8th grade, and students from grades 6-8 are free to borrow them at any time simply by signing them out. Please look at home, in backpacks and under the bed for any books marked “MORRIS”. If you find any, please return them at any time over the summer or when we return to school next August! Thank you!
Third Grade Students Read for the Public in the Library
All Are Welcome to End-of-Year Liturgy
Our final school Mass is hosted by the Kindergarten. It will begin at 9:45 am on Wednesday, June 12. After the liturgy, the faculty will host a family appreciation reception in front of the library. Many parents come to the Mass and stay for the reception until dismissal at 12 Noon. Please remember that Wednesday, June 12, is a half day, and there's no After Care.
Take an SJB Buddy Family Under Your Wing
As you know, here at St. John’s we have a wonderful school community that boasts friendships and a support network among all families. Nonetheless, adjusting to a new environment can be a bit overwhelming. As a way to prepare and introduce new families to SJB, many years ago we implemented the Buddy Family Program. This program pairs up a new family with one that is already established at St. John’s. It really has helped bridge the gap for new families because the Buddy Family answers questions, introduces them to other SJB families, and helps them prepare for school. Please consider signing up to welcome new families at SJB Buddy. Questions? Contact Hilary Lappin at hilarylappin@gmail.com or (202) 368-8284.
Please Use the Summer to Catch up On Virtus Certification
Once the school starts, there will be lots of opportunities for parents to volunteer: as chaperones on field trips, as lunch-duty and recess-duty supervisors, as helpers for special projects.
The Archdiocese requires that all parents undergo a background check and receive child-protection certification before they can volunteer in the school. Here is the volunteer page with all of the information on what parents need to do to become Virtus certified.
There are some child-protection training sessions scheduled over the next few weeks. You must register on Virtus before you can attend a training session. Here is the page with the training sessions.
End of Year Pool Party!!
Twin Farms will be hosting this year's end-of-year pool party for SJB students on Wednesday, June 12 from 12 noon to 3 pm. The pool party is free for members of the pool, $5 for non-members. Head on over right from school. Incoming 8th grade students will be selling Chick-fil-A, hot dogs, and will have a 'sugar shack' open for business. Come hungry and have fun with your friends!!
The pool party is not sponsored by the school. Stay safe and have fun.
Early School Year Dates
- Pre-School Open House on Wednesday, Aug. 21, from 5 pm to 6 pm
- Buddy Family Picnic on Wednesday, Aug. 21, at 6 pm
- New Family Orientation on Wednesday, Aug. 21, at 7 pm
- Kindergarten Open House on Thursday, Aug. 22, from 11 am to Noon
- First Day of School on Wednesday, Aug. 28 (Half Day for Preschool, Full Day for Everyone Else)
- Back to School Night on Thursday, Aug. 29, at 7 pm
- Half Day and Back to School Liturgy at 10:45 am on Friday, Aug. 30
- Back to School Barbecue Picnic on Friday, Sept. 6, from 6 to 9 pm
Looking for a Piano?
Looking for a beautiful piano? Mrs. Kuzemka has a piano which is no longer used and would love to GIVE it away. All you need to do is make arrangements to come and get it. Send an email to kkuzemka@sjbssparish.org.
Summer Camp Information is here...
This is the sign-up form for the SJB Summer Camp.
It's Already Time For Fall Soccer Registration
Here is the flyer for fall soccer at SJB.
Remember to Put Aside Items for Ms. Moore's West Virginia Trip
Please remember that Ms. Moore will be making her 21st annual trip to West Virginia in June. She is happy to pass along to the families in Appalachia gently used baby and children's clothing, all sorts of linens (sheets, towels. blankets, pillows), household items and personal hygiene items (even travel sizes). Place your donated items in the gym stairwell. Please put loose items in a bag and mark the bag "WV."
Mrs. Jenkins - Summer Tutoring and Enrichment
Warmer temps are in the air which signals SUMMER is almost here. One of the considerations for parents over the summer is finding ways to keep the motivation for learning strong thereby not losing ground from what has been mastered over the school year. Sometimes it is tough to find ways to build the bridges between grade levels. One area of utmost importance is reading. It cuts through all areas of the curriculum. Summer reading work is assigned to SJB students to help keep those reading muscles strong. Mrs. Jenkins will be offering tutoring/enrichment sessions in reading and writing this summer. Please reach out to her at the following: judy.jenkins@sjbsilverspring.org if you would like to discuss summer tutoring/enrichment for your son/daughter.
Mrs. Castillo Available to Tutor Over Summer
Mrs. Castillo is available for summer tutoring and can meet with children in Grades 2-8 and focus on Math or Reading. Please email her at: liz.castillo@sjbsilverspring.org to arrange a tutoring schedule for your child this summer. She can work around your family's schedule and set up times that are convenient for you and your child.