Dear Parents,

Welcome back to school! It is great to see all of our St. John's family back in place! I want to thank all of you for your support and adherence to our new Uniform Dress Code. The students look great!

Please remember to read through the Parent Handbook and return the Acknowledgement Form in the back to the school office. The main changes in the Parent Handbook include Dress Code, Discipline, Attendance, and Tardies. Please look over these areas carefully. The Attendance policy is a very important one to review as it deals with a two week notice for voluntary absences in order to receive full credit for missed work and tests.

If you get a chance, stop by the bulletin board near the school office to see a letter and pictures from St. John Lutheran School in New Orleans, LA. They sent a thank you to us for the $10,000 we sent to them to help rebuild their school. Those funds were a combination of chapel offerings and an APT donation.

1. Allergies & Health Issues: If your child has a health condition, please notify the school office as well as the child's teacher in writing. We need to be aware of all medical conditions that may arise. All medicine, including inhalers, is to be left in the school office. If your child is to have medicine on a regular basis there is a form which needs to be completed in the school office.
2. Get On Track: Get on Track is just around the corner. We are in serious need of worker bees. If interested, please contact Kari Perna at 224-2886. She will direct you to the appropriate person.
3. Harvest Event: This year's Harvest Event will be held at Silverado Country Club on Saturday evening, November 4th. Tickets are on sale in the school office for $60.00 each. Don't be left out of a great evening. Stop by and purchase your tickets today!
4. Kinyon Hot Lunch: We are looking for helpers to serve lunch on Mondays and/or Wednesdays from 11:30-1:00. We start serving lunch on Wednesday, September 6th. Anyone interested please contact Ramona Kaufmann at 486-6291 or 252-8009.
5. Sportswear: If you are still interested in ordering a St. John's sweatshirt, please pick up a form in the school office and turn it in before September 1st. They should arrive by the end of September. Sample sizes are available outside Room 7.
6. Book Fair: St. John's annual Scholastic Book Fair, sponsored by the Athletic Department, will begin next Friday, September 1st. The Fair will be open every morning from 8:00-9:00 am; from 3:00-4:00 pm on Sept. 1st, 6th, and 8th; and at "Back to School Night" on September 7th. Make plans to stop by and see what's available.
7. Lost and Found: As of this print, the Lost and Found is pretty empty. But shortly it will grow! Please remember to put your child’s name on all clothing so that it can be returned. Unclaimed items are donated to charity.
8. School Supplies: Should you still need to purchase school supplies, there are two great ways to help your school. If you shop at Staples stop in the school office and purchase some Staples Scrip. They come in denominations of $25.00. Second, if you shop at Office Depot, be sure to tell them to credit your purchases to St. John’s Lutheran School. The school will receive 5% of your purchase amount.
9. The Scoop From Scrip: New to St. John's Scrip is Kohl’s Department store in increments of $25.00. They also allow you to pay your Kohl's charge account with Scrip! We also have Arco gas cards along with Chevron & Shell.
   
   Feel free to go to the Great Lakes Scrip web site and look at their retailers list. If you see something that you would be interested in ordering give me a call and I'll see what I can do.
10. From the Minister to Youth and Children:
    
    7th and 8th Grade Ministry: Don't forget to join us tonight, Friday, August 25th for the "Back To School Bash." We meet from 7-9 PM in the gym to play a bunch of fun games with the theme of School. Wear your school colors if you want, but make sure you are with us! We'll be giving away some fun prizes as well as eating some interesting things. Hope you will join us tonight!
    
    If you are involved in Confirmation this year, don’t forget to remind your parents about our first meeting that happens this Wednesday, August 30th. We will be meeting from 6:30-8:30 pm in the gym to talk about the program, choose up small groups and to talk about the retreat. If you have not received any information about Confirmation, please contact Pastor Mike at 255-0119.
    
    And don't forget about the Youth Quake! It all happens over Veteran's Day weekend, November 10-12, 2006. However, if you want to get the early bird price of $110, you need to have your $35 non-refundable deposit in before this Wednesday, August 30th. If you don’t know much about Youth Quake, it’s a production of Youth Encounter that features Christ-centered music, speakers, workshops, games and social activities. It all takes place at the Hilton Hotel in Pleasanton and the fee covers everything except your food costs. Check out this web page for more information: http://www.youthencounter.org/quakes/ and contact Steve with any questions. You won't want to miss the Quake!
    
    If you or your parents have any questions about any of these Youth Events, please contact Steve Dierker at 255-7451.