Dear Parents,

I would like to officially invite and encourage your attendance at our Back to School Night next Thursday, September 9, at 7:00 PM. The evening will begin with a brief general assembly where we will share some important information about what is going on. This includes information about Accreditation, our implementation of the Young Peacemakers program, and APT news and information. You will then have a chance to visit your childrens' classrooms. Please try to make it to this important event.

We are also having a New Parent Orientation Meeting at 6:15 PM just before Back to School Night. The purpose of this meeting is to share information with you on St. John's Lutheran Church and School, so that you have a better understanding of how we operate and how we can serve your family.

I would ask all parents to help us in ensuring safe and efficient afternoon pick-up in our main parking lot. Please follow the procedures as outlined in the Parent Handbook This includes using the yellow lines for pedestrian traffic. If you have children in K-8, please pick them up in the south parking lot. Also, please try not to block the marked walkway when you park your car.

May God bless you and your family with a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is issuing a challenge: Raise $2 million to assist those who survived the recent Hurricane Charley, and they will add $1 million in additional support. Charley struck Florida on August 13, killing 20 and causing upwards of $14 billion in damage. Millions of homes and churches were damaged or destroyed, lengthy power outages caused food to spoil and become unusable, and many find themselves unemployed after their workplaces closed down following the hurricane. The need is great!

If you are able and willing to make a donation, please make checks payable to Napa County Chapter of Thrivent Financial. Write Hurricane on the memo line and bring it to the school office. If you have any questions, please contact Teresa Schmid.

1. Scholastic Book Fair: Our annual Scholastic Book Fair, sponsored by St. John's Athletic Department, opens today and runs through next Friday, September 10th. The Book Fair is open each morning (8:00-9:00 am) and every afternoon (3:00-4:00 pm) except Thursday, when it will be open during Back to School Night. Your purchases not only encourage and promote reading, but also help provide funding for sports equipment for the school. Cash, checks, credit cards are accepted. Please stop by!
2. Get On Track: Attention all class coordinators and all willing volunteers! Please plan to attend our first planning meeting on Tuesday, September 7, 2004, at 2:00 pm in the Fireside Room. We look forward to your support and enthusiasm to make this year's event full of fun and success! If you would like to help out, but cannot make the planning meeting, please contact Liz Schrette at 255-0740 or Jan Van Roekel at 254-9228. Thanks so much!
3. Science Fair: Which type of animal manure will grow the tallest bean plant? Does a heavier person swing higher than a lighter person on a swing set? Find the answers you've been looking for at this year's Science Fair. The dates are December 3rd-5th. Extra applications are avilable at the school office. Don't forget 7th & 8th grade are required to do a project, and 6th grade might use this as a practice year. All the projects are to be done individally. No partners! If you need help coming up with an idea, call Vicky Bartelt at 258-1451 or email her. Applications must be turned in by Sept. 10th to allow for plenty of time to complete a project.
4. PALS Sign-out: Please be sure to provide the PALS supervisor with a signed permission slip allowing your child(ren) to be released early from PALS to go to sports practice, music, or to be released to another parent. Please also inform them if your child(ren) will be returning to PALS that day. Your child(ren) will not be allowed to leave without this notice.
5. Cub Scouts: If you have a 1st-5th-grade son and are interested in Cub Scouts, don't miss the fun. Our next Pack meeting is Sept. 16th at 7 pm here at St. John's in the gym. Boy's will learn skills and have all kinds of fund and adventure, learn leadership and enjoy the outdoors. For more info. Contact Vicky Bartelt at 258-1451.
6. PALS & Yard Duty: Thank you to all the parents who responded to our yard duty request. We now have a full slate and the teachers are able to take a much-deserved break!
   
   We are still in need of someone to work Preschool PALS on Tuesday and Thursdays from 1:30-6:00. This is a paid position. If interested please see Janis King in the Preschool room.
   
   K-8 PALS: If you would like to work K-8 PALS Wednesday, Thursday, and/or Friday, please contact Julia Mahoney at 738-6444
7. APT Meeting: The 1st general membership meeting will be on Tuesday, Sept. 14th at 6:30pm in room 10. All Get on Track and Back 2 School BBQ chairpersons and interested volunteers need to attend this meeting. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend. Babysitting will be provided.
   
   Get on Track & Back 2 School BBQ:The first annual Back 2 School BBQ needs a chairperson to help organize this event with our Get on Track co-chairs Jan Van Roekel and Liz Schrette. If you can help with this event, please call Liz at 255-0740 or Jan at 254-9228 ASAP!
   
   

   Mark your calendar for future APT Meetings

   September 14, 2004

   November 9, 2004

   January 18, 2005

   March 15, 2005

   May 17, 2005

8. Faith Chapel Mosaic Help! Due to one family emergency after the next, I have gotten painfully little done with the mosaic project for the Faith Chapel. I am now returning to school and I'd really like to see this project completed before winter. I am asking for help from any of you out there who may be interested. Experience is not necessary. Honest!! If you can do a jigsaw puzzle, you can help with this!!
   
   I will be at home in my shop from 10-3 every Tuesday and Thursday beginning on August 31st until it's done. Please call me at 255-6996 or 337-2663 if you can be part of this project in any way. I will welcome any amount of time you can offer.

   Thank you,

   Francesca Kirkpatrick 1350 Hestia Way, Napa

9. Attention Preschool Parents: Are you looking for a fun way to spend time learning with your child? Join us for "Mommy and Me Cooking," Frudays from 12:30-2:30 pm. Five sessions beginning September 10th. Taught by credentialed teacher Paula Schweiger. For more information, or to sign up, pick up a brochure in the Preschool room or school office, or call Paula at 963-1766.
10. From the Minister to Youth and Children:
    
    7th and 8th Graders: There is still time to join us if you want to go to the Jr. High Youth Quake! The dates of the Quake are November 12-14, 2004 and we'll be staying at the Sheraton Hotel in Concord. Check out the web site at www.youthencounter.org and click on the links to find answers to your questions. Don't forget, you only have until September 28th! Any questions call or email Steve.
    
    And don't forget that our next Jr. High Night happens on Friday, September 17th. We'll meet from 7-9 pm in the gym for a "Mexican Fiesta"! We'll have a bunch of fun games to play, based on the Mexican theme. So come dressed in Mexican clothes and you'll score some extra points for your team. It's sure to be a fun party, so make sure you save the date!