Dear Parents,

I want to say a big thank you to all those who were a part of putting together the Country Fair. You all did a wonderful job. Thank you also to all those who donated items for this event. Besides money that was raised, it was a tremendous opportunity for fun and fellowship. I want to especially thank Jennifer McCulloch, Wendy Randolph, and Stephanie Grubbs for their leadership of this event. There were many who helped out, but they had the task (and stress) of putting it all together.

Attached to this week's newsletter is another Parent Survey. This survey deals with parent, student, and teacher relationships. We want your feedback and input! Please take some time and fill this out, and return it by next Friday, May 6. Surveys are not effective unless we have a good return.

1. Country Fair: You did it! Thank you parents and teachers for all of the hours and hard work you dedicated to the St. John's Country Fair. A.P.T. profited approximately $28,000! Great job! A meeting will be held Tuesday, May 3rd, at 8:30 AM in the Fireside Room, to discuss the Fair. Thanks again for everyone's tremendous efforts. It paid off!
2. Junior High Writing Events: Thank you very much to everyone who made the Junior High Writing Events a great success. On each of the three evenings we had between twelve and fourteen of our junior high students participating. The judges (Clara Hageman and Thom McDermott from the Justin-Siena English Department; Jim Gordon, editor of CA Wine; Kathy Lee, Napa Library librarian; and Kelly Watkins, 1996 alumni and recent Cal Berkeley graduate) did a wonderful job, and they all commented on the students' excellent writing abilities. They also pointed out ways the students could improve their writing. The following students were recognized for composing the top writings: Zina Zaia - essay, Ginnie Kerr - poem, and Libby Francke - creative writing. Congratulations to all the students who participated. Special thanks to Mrs. Wahlers for being present at all three events and taking care of all the technology concerns, and to the APT for funding these events. Please see the sheet attached to the Blue Note for copies of the winning essay, poem, and creative writing.
3. Car Wash: Bring your cars down to the St. John's parking lot this Saturday, April 30th, for a FREE Car Wash from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. This is a service provided by the Youth and no tips or donations will be accepted. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans has donated supplies and refreshment for the youth working at the car wash. We'll see you this Saturday, 9-3!!
4. Track Meet: This year's Lutheran Schools Athletic Association (LSAA) Track Meet is scheduled for Saturday, May 14th, at Newark Memorial High School. This annual daylong meet brings together the best athletes from Lutheran Schools throughout the Bay Area. A listing of students who qualified is posted in the gym window by the 2nd grade room. Directions and other info. will be sent home next week.
5. St. John's Basketball Camps: Brochures and registration forms for our 22nd Annual Summer Basketball Camps for students entering 5th through 8th grade this fall are available. Pick one up in your child's classroom, from Coach Hauch, or in the school office. The Boys' Camp runs from June 20-24, the Girls' Camp from June 27-July 1. The hours are 9:00am-12 noon. Camp sessions are limited in number. Registration is due by May 16th.
6. Youth Basketball: If you coached a NCRD basketball team this past season (or if your child played on a team not coached by a St. John's Parent), please take the time to submit a team roster to Coach Hauch so that we can recognize everyone's participation at our end-of-year Sports Award Presentation. Names need to be submitted ASAP. We've only received about 27 names, and we don't want to leave anyone out.
7. Summer Camp: Sign ups have begun. You may now sign up for summer camp in the school office. There are two separate camps being held. One camp is for current preschool through Kindergarten students. The second camp is for current first through fourth grade students. Applications are available in the school office.
8. 8th Grade Parents: The next graduation meeting is Monday, May 9th, at 7:00 pm in the 8th grade classroom. This should be the final meeting of the year, so it is very important that each family is represented and each committee be prepared to share how their preparations are coming. Also, Mr. Kusel is putting together the end of the year video. If you have any pictures from this year that you would like to be considered, please bring them to the meeting or give them to Mr. Kusel. Pictures should have a minimum of three students included.
9. Yearbook: There will be a supplemental issue to our yearbook, which will focus on the Track Meet, Country Fair, Confirmation, and Graduation. If you have pictures covering these events, please bring them into the school office ASAP. This new addition will be available at the beginning of the school year.
10. Audit Committee Members Needed: APT needs 2 volunteers to form an audit committee to examine the accounts of APT and SCRIP for the 2004-2005 school year as required by our By-Laws. Experience with accounting principals would be helpful. Must submit written recommendations and findings to APT Executive Board by the end of June. Committee members do not necessarily need to be parents from our school. They may also be community members. Anyone interested in helping us complete our requirements, please call Vickie Lancaster at 328-7754. We need to fill these positions by May 17!
11. APT: APT Board is looking parents interested in being a part of the betterment of St. Johns Lutheran School. There are two positions available on next school years executive board. Please give thoughtful consideration to volunteering your time and energy to helping APT have a successful 2005-06 year. There is a nomination form available in the school office. All nominations must be submitted no later than Tuesday, May 10, 2005, for consideration.
12. The Scoop From Scrip: Did you know that Banana Republic has opened an outlet store in the Napa Premium Outlets stores in west Napa? We have Scrip for Banana Republic/Gap/Old Navy. Stop by, pick some up and check out their newest store!
    
    This year's Scrip commitment has now ended. We will let those know who did not reach their commitment. There will be a 10% fee on the unpurchased amount. Start early and buy Scrip for next school year. Next year's commitment begins May 1st.
13. From the Minister to Youth and Children:
    
    General Announcement: Don't forget to bring all your vehicles to the 4th Annual FREE Car Wash! It all happens tomorrow, April 30th, from 9 am 'til 3 pm in the big parking lot. The Car Wash is truly FREE as no tips or donations will be asked for or accepted. This is our way of providing a service to our community. So tell all your friends and neighbors to bring all their cars to the FREE Car Wash tomorrow!
    
    Congratulations to our 8th Grade Confirmands! May God bless you as you confirm your faith in Jesus Christ this Sunday.
    
    7th and 8th Graders: Our next meeting happens on Friday, May 20th. We'll be meeting together from 7-9 pm in the gym for "A Night at the Movies." Join us as we watch either "The Incredibles" or "Napoleon Dynamite." There will also be free snacks and drinks. So bring your friends and come on down for a fun evening at the movies! Hope to see you on Friday, May 20th.
    
    If you are helping with car wash tomorrow, don't forget that we meet up at 8 am to set up and be ready for cars at 9 am. And if you collected pledges, make sure you bring your pledge sheet with you in the morning and turn it into Steve.