The Panther Post
September 5, 2025
Exciting Matching Gift Opportunity
A generous alumnus has offered up to $125,000 in matching funds to continue campus improvements—specifically the lockerrooms and bathrooms.
Checks are welcome and preferred. We will be sharing electronic donation information shortly. We are grateful to all who help bring this next phase to life.
Another Big Breakfast in the books!
A huge thank you to all the dads, grandfathers, uncles, and other special role models who joined us for The Big Breakfast today. It was such a joy to see over 250 men and children in our community gathered together — sharing food, laughter, and meaningful time with the children. Your presence made the morning a true celebration of the men who pour into our students’ lives, and it was a beautiful example of how we Thrive in Community at St. John’s.
The High Tea 2025 - Registration closes Monday, September 15.
Join us for The High Tea on September 19 - our annual celebration for mothers and amazing women in the St. John’s community! This relaxed, welcoming event is a perfect opportunity to spend quality time with your children, enjoy a delicious high tea, and connect with other women in our school community.
This year we will have one, extra-large seating at 2pm to better serve all of our community. We’ll be serving scones, cucumber sandwiches, chocolates and, of course, tea.
If mom can’t attend with their children, we warmly welcome aunties, grandmothers, or another wonderful female role model. If needed, we can also help connect your child with another friendly family so they don’t miss out on this special afternoon - just reach out to the school office and let us know.
For catering purposes, registration closes at 4pm on Monday, September 15, 2025.
Volunteer for WatchDOGS
We’re excited to invite the men of our community to be part of Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) here at St. John’s ELC-8th Grade.
This program welcomes dads, grandfathers, uncles, and other special men to volunteer at school and make a difference in our students’ lives.
The purpose of Watch D.O.G.S. is to:
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Provide positive male role models for students, showing that education matters.
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Add extra eyes and ears to help support safety and student well-being.
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Give fathers and father figures a unique opportunity to experience our school day and their child’s learning firsthand.
Click here to review the available dates and sign up.
We look forward to seeing you in the halls and classrooms, making a lasting impact in our school community.
2025-26 MAP Assessment Updates
We want to share an important update about your child’s MAP Growth assessment results.
Beginning this fall, MAP Growth will use a new set of national norms to help interpret student scores. Because of this change, you may notice some differences in your child’s reports.
What is happening on our Franklin Street side?
Work is underway on the Franklin Street side of campus as part of our West Side Landscaping Project. This phase includes a new retaining wall and fence stretching from the ELC playground to the entrance near 3rd Grade. These improvements will add another level of security and reshape the area to make it more usable for students.
The project also brought us the beautiful new West Patio, which is quickly becoming a favorite space for events and gatherings, with its amazing view across Smith Lake and Washington Park. We are deeply grateful to the generous and committed donor whose gift made these important improvements possible.
Chapel Offering Focus (August- October 17th)
For the next several weeks, we are highlighting a very special way our school family is making a difference around the world. St. John’s currently supports five children in India through sponsorship.
Our partnership provides these children with the opportunity to attend high quality Christian schools, where they receive a strong education in a faith-filled environment. Your generosity also makes it possible for them to receive birthday and Christmas gifts, as well as food and essential supplies for their families.
Thank you for your faithful support in helping us share God’s love in such a meaningful way. Together, we are blessing lives far beyond our own community.
St. John's Boys Basketball Clinic
The boys’ basketball season is right around the corner! Before tryouts begin in October, we are excited to offer skill development clinics on the following Fridays: 9/12, 9/19, and 10/3 from 3:30–4:30 PM in the St. John’s gym.
These sessions will focus on teaching and practicing fundamental basketball skills. Whether your child is new to the game or already an experienced player, the clinics are a great way to sharpen skills, build confidence, and get ready for the season ahead!
There is no need to register in advance—simply have your child come to the gym after school with sneakers and a change of clothes.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Eric McCrady: 720-289-9879
Pioneer Girls
Parents of 1st–5th Grade Girls
We invite your daughter to join Pioneer Girls at St. John’s!
Pioneer Girls is a Christ-centered club designed to help young girls grow through:
Life lessons
Skill building
Friendship and fun
Community connection
Each grade level is led by a parent volunteer. Groups meet 1–2 times a month, usually right after school.
Cost: $180 per girl for the year (scholarships available).
For more information, contact Monica Strachan
Email: mmstrachan23@hotmail.com | Phone: 720-273-9920
To register: Please fill out the registration form and turn in your check to the school office, checks made out to St. John's.
Cardversations
Each Chapel, our K–8 students begin with a short partner conversation around an interesting question. This helps children know and be known by their chapel buddy, while also starting Chapel with a little fun.
This year’s questions come from the Spiritually Vibrant Home series. Each week we’ll share the question and a few highlight responses. We encourage you to ask your child what their response was in Chapel—and share yours with them as well.
This week, Thomas in 3rd Grade asked: “How would you describe your home?”
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Noe in 7th Grade said, “It feels loving and kind, because you have your family with you.”
What would your family say? Why not ask them tonight at dinner?
DIGITAL FLYERS
Thursday Folders have gone high-tech.
We will no longer be sending home paper flyers each week. Please see here for your digital flyers.
Grandparent's Day (K-5th grade)
Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)
Kindergarten - 5th Grade Choir
Kindergarten - 2nd:
Colorado Christian Sports League: Kindergarten - 4th grade
5-6 year old Flag Football, sign up
1st & 2nd Grade Flag Football, sign up
3rd & 4th Grade Flag Football, sign up
3rd & 4th Grade Run Club, sign up
Thank you for help us save time, resources, and many trees. If you would like a hard copy of these flyers, please ask Molly Hanson.
Dates for your Calendar
September
7: Grandparents Day
15: Dot Day (K-2nd)
16: School Picture Make Up Day
16: Pizza Day
19: High Tea
22: Lutheran High School (LuHi) Preview Day, 7th & 8th graders
26: Student Half Day/ Teacher PD, dismissal 11:30am
October
7: Pizza Day
8-10: Fall Break
17: Fall Fest (St. John's Community event)
21: Pizza Day
24: Fun Run Fundraiser
28: Lutheran High School (LuHi) Parent Open House
31: Student Half Day/ Teacher PD, dismissal 11:30am
2025-26 K-8 School Calendar
Support St. John's through Groceries: King Soopers Community Rewards
An easy way to support St. John’s School is through your grocery shopping! We’ve partnered with King Soopers in the Community Rewards Program. Simply create an account at www.kingsoopers.com by either using your loyalty card or alternate ID. Once you have logged in, select My Account and then Community Partners. Search for St. John's Lutheran School or select organization number HM299.
Each purchase made, King Soopers donates to St. John’s. All proceeds go to the Teacher Wish List.
Lunch Link
Need to order lunch for you student? Check out Lunch Link by Wholesome Food Services. Go to their custom website and order food for the week. Click the logo to order.
PTO Pizza Days
All proceeds for the Pizza Day fundraiser goes to PTO and Love India
$3 per slice. Click the Pizza logo for purchase.
Milk Card
Need to add money to your student's milk card?
Feel free to come by the School Office with Cash or Check and funds will be applied to the balance.
Pre Kindergarten Spots Available
Our Pre-K program still has a few spots available, and we’d love to welcome new families into our nurturing, faith-based community. With a strong focus on academic readiness, social-emotional growth, and joyful discovery, our curriculum is thoughtfully designed to support each child’s development during these foundational years.
Our experienced and caring teachers create a warm and engaging environment where children thrive in mind, body, and spirit.
If you're exploring Pre-K options, we’d love to connect and share more about what makes St. John’s a special place to begin your child’s educational journey.
Have questions or want to schedule a tour? Reach out to ELCinfo@sjdenver.org
Wash Park
St. John's Wash Park campus has in-person worship at 8am (classic-style worship) or 9:45am (modern-style worship). We also offer our service online for 9:45am service at 9:40am. Livestream St. John's Church
Highlands
Join us in the Highlands for worship on Sundays at 10:00am, either in-person, or online! Our services are modern, rooted in the ancient faith, and community-oriented. You'll experience band-lead music, compelling messages, and meaningful moments centered on God's Word. Livestream Renewal Church
Spiritually Vibrant Homes
We start our sermon series, Spiritually Vibrant Homes. Together, we’ll explore how to live as everyday missionaries, right where God has placed us.
Over the next year, the goal is to equip 150 everyday missionaries in our community through themes of spiritual habits, spiritual conversations, and hospitality, woven into classes, Life Groups, sermons, events, and practical tools. This series is inspired by Spiritually Vibrant Households by Lutheran Hour Ministries
ST. JOHN'S CHURCH EVENTS (click links for information)
September
28- October 19: Foundations & 1st Communion course
October
26: Fall Voters Meeting
RENEWAL CHURCH EVENTS
