UPCOMING EVENTS

12/18  6:00  St. John Band Plays on TV (WEIU)
12/18  4:00 – 6:00  Pancake/Sausage Dinner (In the Fellowship Hall)
12/18  6:30  Day School Christmas Service
12/18 - 12/19    Little Lamb Christmas Tea
(Parents invited last 45 minutes of class)
12/19  Full Day of School, Last day before break           
12/19  Market Day Sale, 3-4pm, Fellowship Hall
12/19  Scrip orders Pick-Up 8am – 3:15pm, School office
12/23  4:00  St. John Band Plays on TV (WEIU)
1/3  School Resumes
1/8  12:00  Scrip orders Due to the School Office

This will be our last newsletter before Christmas Break and the New Year.  The Faculty and Staff would like to wish our St. John Family a very Merry Christ Centered Christmas and a Happy 2008 New Year.

THANK YOU

Thanks to all the families who so promptly submitted their final tuition payment for this school year.

CHAPEL OFFERINGS

Chapel offering for Dec. 19th is a small toy such as card games, Match Box cars, travel games, etc.  Please no “Happy Meal” toys.

Thank you to Lesley Ellison and Jeni Oschwald for counting the chapel offerings each week this semester.

The second semester chapel offering will go to Lutheran Association of Missionaries and Pilots U.S.  Their mission is to proclaim the cross of Christ and share God’s love in Native American communities throughout North America.  It is estimated that fewer than 3% of the approximately 3 million Native American people know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.  Our monetary gifts will help Native American pastors and teachers address the complex needs and challenges facing Native communities and bring Christ’s Kingdom to every Native American Nation.

SCHOOL SPELLING  BEE:

The annual school spelling bee was held Friday afternoon, December 14th.  Each class from 5th thru 8th grade entered their four best spellers.  These entrants were as follows:

    5th Grade:  Matthew C., Ali M., Mia M., Will W.
    6th Grade:  Christian G., Bailey M., Sara M., Richele M.
    7th Grade:  Ashley D., Cam M., Hannah W., Lilly W.
    8th Grade:  Michael C., Ryan G., Kelly W., Jordan Y.

Several rounds of spelling eliminated all but the final two contestants who were Hannah W. from seventh grade and Ryan G. from eighth grade.  After correctly correcting Ryan G.'s misspelling of "bactericidal" and then correctly spelling "septuagenarian", Hannah W. won the contest!

Congratulations to Hannah W. our 1st place winner as well as to Ryan G. our 2nd place winner!

LOCK BOX NOW AVAILABLE

There is a new lock box that has been installed outside the office doors.  You may begin placing Tuition Payments, SCRIP Orders and Lunch Payments in it.  Please place your payment in an envelope and state where your payment should be applied.

GIVE THE GIFT OF TUITION

Parents, grandparents and friends of the family can purchase a gift certificate towards your child’s tuition at St. John Lutheran School.  Just stop by the school office for more information or to pick up a gift certificate. 

FAITH HOUR OPPORTUNITIES

Jan. 6th – 1:00 p.m.  Organize collected chapel items that will go in boxes on Monday, Jan. 7th in the Fellowship Hall.  We have one volunteer already and we could still use a couple more.  It is still not too late to call.

Jan. 7th – 8:00 a.m.  – Help classes assemble individual boxes for shipping.  We still need more volunteers.

See/Contact Mrs. Haase if interested in helping with either of these.  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 352-6008 or 359-1714.

PANCAKE/SAUSAGE DINNER

Come have breakfast for dinner before the Day School Christmas Service.  On Tuesday, December 18th from 4:00 – 6:00 there will be a Pancake/Sausage dinner in the Fellowship Hall.  Proceeds will benefit the St. John Lutheran High School Basketball team.  Tickets are $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children 12 and under. 

ATHLETIC SCHEDULE

12/14  5:00  7/8 Girls vs. St. John Mattoon @ Home
12/14  7:30  7/8 Girls vs. Concordia, Springfield
12/15  10:00  5/6 Boys @ OLOL, Decatur
12/15  11:00  7/8 Boys @ OLOL, Decatur
12/17  6:00  5/6 Boys @ Thomasboro
12/17  7:00  7/8 Boys @ Thomasboro
1/5  11:00  5/6 Girls vs. Christ Peoria @ Home
1/5  12:00  7/8 Boys vs. Christ Peoria @ Home
1/5  1:00  7/8 Girls vs. Christ Peoria @ Home
1/8  5:00  6/7 Girls vs. Countryside @ Home
1/8  6:00  5/6 Boys vs. Mattoon @ Mattoon
1/8  7:00  7/8 Boys vs. Mattoon @ Mattoon
1/10  6:00  5/6 Boys vs. Thomasboro @ Home
1/10  7:00  7/8 Boys vs. Thomasboro @ Home
1/11  TBA  7/8 Girls Yorkville Tournament

St. John Parent Teacher Fellowship Happenings

Market Day Volunteers Needed!

Our school’s Market Day committee desperately needs helpers to assist with unloading products and sorting orders at the sale next Wednesday, December 19th.
Help is needed from 2-3:30 pm, or longer if you are able.  Please contact Diane Pelafos at 356-0063 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it if you can help.  No experience is necessary and it is a fast-paced and fun volunteer opportunity.

SCRIP

If you placed an order with us this week, it will be available for pick-up Wednesday, December 19th (our last day of school before Christmas) from 8 am – 3:15 pm.

Participants should have received a SCRIP purchase summary and tuition credit statement earlier this week.   Quarterly statements will be sent out:  March, June, October and December with tuition credit payouts to be made twice a year.  The first payout will go toward your upcoming registration deposit and the second toward November ’08 tuition.
 
Look for new, exciting SCRIP information to come after Break, and don’t forget to share with your friends and family how easy it is to “Shop with SCRIP” while crediting your tuition.  If you haven’t had time to take a look at this program yet - check it out!  Go to www.glscrip.com.  Click on “What’s New” to see the latest retailer additions and credit increases.  Additional Enrollment Forms are available in the school office and on the Narthex table.

Logo Items

These items would make great Christmas gifts and help show your school pride! Logo items will be available in the school office or by contacting Michelle DeYoung at 359-1876 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
 

Market Day

December Market Day pickup is next Wednesday, December 19 from 3-4pm in the Fellowship Hall. If you need to make other pick up arrangements contact Diane Pelafos at 356-0063 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .