Dear Parents,

This coming Sunday, January 29, is a special Sunday at St. John's Lutheran Church. Our congregation has started to use the fifth Sunday of the month as an opportunity to do a few things differently at church. There will be only one service at 9:30 a.m. During the sermon, younger kids will leave church to work on a special project. Then, after the service, there will be a fellowship meal in the Parish Hall. We want to welcome any school families who would like to come, to join us this Sunday. We do ask that if you are planning to stay for the meal, that you call to let us know.

For those 5th – 8th graders who are traveling to Portland for the Lutheran Elementary School Tournament (LEST), I have been sending home information. If you have any questions about flights, hotel, or transportation in Portland, please let me know.

1. Re-Enrollment Application Form: Re-enrollment for St. John’s Lutheran takes place during the month of February. Attached to this Blue Note is the re-enrollment form for your child for the 2006-2007 school year. Please return as soon as possible. They are due back to the school office no later than Tuesday, February 28th. You must return the form with a $50.00 application fee for each student. These forms will not be accepted without the fee.
   
   If you have a child going into the Pre-4 program please complete the blue form. Those students entering grades K-8 need to complete the salmon color form.
   
   Kindergarten entrance: Those students in our Pre-4 class wishing to enter Kindergarten in the fall need to also include a $50.00 Gesell Screening. This should be paid along with the enrollment fee. No child will be Geselled without this fee being paid.
2. Health Alert: Fifth disease or “slapped cheek” has been diagnosed in several of our preschool children. This is a very mild disease with either no symptoms or a slight runny nose and sore throat. The lacelike rash may come and go for 5 weeks, especially after warm baths, exercise, and sun exposure. No treatment is necessary. This distinctive rash is harmless and causes no symptoms that need treatment. Where there is a concern is in adults and/or pregnant woman. Adults will usually develop joint pains. These pains may last 1 to 3 months. If you are pregnant and exposed to a child with fifth disease see your obstetrician.
3. Kindergarten Readiness Meeting: On Tuesday, February 7th at 6:30 pm, there is a mandatory Kindergarten Readiness meeting for all parents who are planning on having their children attend Kindergarten at St. John's Lutheran this coming fall. This meeting is for parents only. If you have attended a Gesell meeting with us in the last two years you do not need to attend. If not, you must attend in February or your child will not be allowed to be Geselled. The first group that will be Geselled is our currently enrolled four-year-old students. If you are on the wait list and wish to attend, you are more than welcome. We will not know until after Spring Break if we need to go to the wait list. If we do, we will have another Gesell meeting.
4. Crab Feed: Crab Feed Saturday, February 11, 2006 Plan to reserve your seat for this year's annual crab feed. Seating is limited and space is filling up. There will be pasta, salad, garlic bread and crab; followed by a live auction, tuition raffle and a wine cellar raffle. Live music by the "Crustaceans" will be playing during the evening. You will not want to miss this event. Please call Cindy Stade at 258-1636 to reserve your seat.
   
   ATTENTION ROOM PARENTS: A reminder that the children's art projects which will be auctioned at this years crab feed will need to be ready by February 10, 2006. Due to the time constraints, the kids will not be able to work on them during Art Attack week Feb 6-10.
5. PALS: All outstanding PALS bills that have not been paid, will be charged a $25.00 late fee. Please make sure that all bills are paid by their due date.
   
   Parents please remember an adult needs to sign your child out of PALS, either yourself or an adult on your pick up list. If someone other than the above is going to pick up please be sure to send an authorization note or contact the school office ahead of time.
6. Lost & Found: The number of items in Lost & Found so far this school year has been overwhelming. Starting this month, we will be donating all items on a monthly basis. Please label your children's items so we can try to return them.
7. Vintage High School Cheer/Dance Youth Clinic: Vintage High School is having a cheer/dance youth clinic for boys and girls in grades K-8 on Friday, February 10. For more information and registration forms stop by St. John's school office.
8. The Scoop From Scrip: Valentine's Day is February 14th. Remember that someone special with something sweet from See’s Candy. Certificates available for $13.60 (1 lb. of candy). Dinner out is always a hit. Try our locals at ZinsValley or Applebee's, or head a little out of town to Amigos Grill and Cantina in Sonoma, Compadres in Yountville or Chevy's. If lunch fits the bill, don't forget Monticello Deli, Quiznos, or Marie Callenders.
   
   Maybe staying home and doing a family night is best. Pick up some Blockbuster Scrip to get that favorite movie and Baskin Robbins Scrip for a great Valentine Ice Cream Cake. Remember, Safeway Scrip not only pays for groceries but for flowers too! Visa & MasterCard accepted!
9. From the Minister to Youth and Children:
   
   Summer Camp Information: It's never too early to start planning for summer camp and to get the special "early bird" rates. Mt. Cross, located in the Santa Cruz mountains is a great place for camp. Check out all their programs for 2nd graders all the way through High School age youth. They even have a great "Family Camp," too. It's all available on their web site at www.mtcross.org or, for a brochure, stop by Steve's office.
   
   The Soup Bowl of Caring: We'll be collecting an extra offering after Chapel on Wednesday to help feed the homeless. Just bring an extra $1 and after Chapel, as you walk out, we’ll have a soup bowl that you can put your offering. All the money collected on Wednesday as well as the money collected at Church on Super Bowl Sunday will be donated to the Napa Food Bank. And the Napa County Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans will be donating matching money. So don’t forget to bring your extra dollar on Wednesday.
   
   7th and 8th Graders: If you are involved in Confirmation, don't forget that we meet again this Wednesday, February 1st. Don't forget to bring your Bible, Catechism, and binder. Any questions, contact your adult guide.
   
   8th Graders: Don't forget to talk to your parents about going on the summer Houseboat trip. It happens July 10-15, 2006 and the cost is $275.00. Space is limited to just 13 students, so get your parents permission and then let Steve know. Any questions, contact Steve at 255-7451.