Saint John School

Mary Kate C.
Speaker #1
Catholic Schools Week
Opening Mass
January 27, 2008


Good Morning! My name is Mary Kate C. I am an 8th Grader at Saint John School.

Today we open Catholic Schools Week. The 2008 theme is "Catholic Schools Light the Way." The theme focuses on the leadership that Catholic Schools provide to our nation, producing graduates who light the way to a brighter future for all humankind. The theme also highlights the spiritual foundation of Catholic schools, for we are on "The Way," a biblical term used to describe those who follow Jesus as disciples. The slogan, "Catholic Schools Light the Way," reminds us that we are called to "light the way" to the kingdom for others even as we walk "the way" of discipleship and grow in faith ourselves.

Throughout the week, Saint John School, will be celebrating Catholic Schools Week in a variety of different ways. Some of the activities will celebrate those who have made their vocation in serving God – like Mother Martin and Father Joe & Father Joseph – and our teachers who work tirelessly each and every day to educate each of us with compassion and concern – Mrs. Green, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Massaro, Mrs. Clark, Miss Jensen, Sr. Bernadette, Mrs. Solias, Mrs. Janicki, Mrs. Morris, Mrs. Papp, Mrs. Dion, Mrs. Fisher, Mrs. Bauer, Mr. Pearson, Mrs. Sorenson, Mrs. Uliano, Mrs. Kennedy, Mr. Stevens, Miss Carpenter, Mrs. Scherber, Mrs. Fuggett along with our administrative staff – Mrs. Jensen, Mrs. MacLeod, Mrs. Perkins, Mrs. Marchese, Mrs. Kusmierski, Sister Gabriela and Mr. O’Neill.

As beacons of light, our school community will be collecting Pennies to be donated to a charity of Father Joe’s and Mother Martin’s choice, gathering non-perishable items for our local food pantries and wearing hats for the American Cancer Society.

As an eighth grader at Saint John School, I am proud to celebrate Catholic Schools Week. The activities that have been planned reflect the spirit of Catholicism and the values that I have learned while attending Saint John School.

Thank you!

Kerry M.
Speaker #2
Catholic Schools Week
Opening Mass
January 27, 2008


Good morning! My name is Kerry M. I am a 7th Grader at Saint John School.

Saint John School opened in 1964 with 70 students in the first and second grades. Today, Saint John School enrolls over 240 students in grades Pre K 3 – 8th Grades. The history of Saint John School can be likened to the education at Saint John School. Each year is more exciting than the next. As education goes it is like a work in process. Throughout the years Saint John School has grown as I have grown.

In 1999, a new wing was added to the school. In 2002-2003 a science laboratory was updated and modernized that rivals some high school science laboratories. In 2004, a Pre-K /Kindergarten playground was added along with landscaping around the Pre-K and Grade 2. During 2004-2005, the library was relocated and upgraded. It was in 2006-2007, all new computer equipment was purchased and at the end of 2007 – the renovations of the Gymnasium began. We were welcomed back during the 2007-2008 school year with an amazing Gym Floor. Throughout this year, new windows have been installed in the Middle School Wing along with continued improvements in the Gymnasium which include bleachers and padding. We are all anxiously awaiting new cafeteria tables.

I feel truly blessed that my parents have allowed me to attend Saint John School. Saint John School has allowed me to have a catholic education in a very safe and nurturing environment. The academic and extracurricular activities are founded on Christ-centered principles.

My brother is a graduate of Saint John School and has continued onto Xavier High School. I see how he has quickly been able to adjust to the challenging academic curriculum at Xavier High School. I know that I too will continue on with my catholic education in a year or so but I feel that each day that I am learning more and more preparing me for my next step into high school.

The balance between strong academics along with the exposure to variety of extracurricular activities that include sports, drama, music along with the use of a state of the art computer lab and science lab are preparing me well.

I am proud to be a student at Saint John School. I thank the Saint John Church Community for supporting Saint John School.