Panther Paw News
Friday, September 25, 2026
The Early Learning Center
Note from Dr. Jennifer Coggin
Hello ELC Families,
It was great to see the Pre-K classes participate in the Fun Run for the first time this year! This event is so much fun and we appreciate the funding it brings to the entire school. Don't forget Our High Tea event for our moms and women is coming up on Friday, October 2nd, from 2:15 - 3:00. We hope you will join us. This week Miss Angel and I will begin our Fall CLASS observations in all of the rooms. The CLASS observation measures teacher-child interactions in three main domains: Emotional Support, Classroom Organization, and Instructional Support. These observations will give us valuable information and support us with setting goals and creating professional development opportunities to align with our program's vision of continuous improvement and strong educational outcomes. We will follow up with another round of CLASS observations in the Spring to measure and celebrate our positive strides.
* PLEASE NOTE - CALENDAR CHANGE *
Due to a scheduling conflict with our program space, we need to adjust the time of our ELC Christmas Program on December 5. The program will now begin at 3:00 p.m. instead of 4:00 p.m.
We apologize for the change and appreciate your flexibility and understanding. We look forward to celebrating this special Christmas program with you!
ELC Picture Day Photos
Hi Parents!
Picture Day photos are ready! You should have received an email to view and order your child's pictures.
Didn't get it? Check your SPAM folder, or use the login info on your child's printed proof.
Still need help? Email: support@sugarlightphoto.com
Ordering Details:
- Order online by midnight, October 2nd for free delivery to the school
- Late orders will ship to your home with a small fee
- Have a special request? Email us before placing your order!
We can't wait for you to see those smiles!
Thanks,
The SUGARlight Photography Team
Missed Picture Day?
SUGARlight Photography is offering make-up sessions for anyone who missed Picture Day. If you go to a make-up session, please let the photography team know that your child attends St. John's ELC so that they can give us your child's photo for our school yearbook!
When: Dates are listed on our website
Where: DTC area
Details & Sign-Up:
Fall Open Houses
Know a Family Who Would Love St. John’s?
Our fall Open Houses are coming up! If you have a friend, neighbor, coworker or family member who is looking for a school, we’d love for you to tell them about St. John’s.
Prospective families can visit during the school day, see our classrooms in action, meet teachers and students, and learn more about our Early Learning through 8th Grade programs.
Tuesday, September 29 | 8:30–11:00 AM
Tuesday, October 6 | 12:00–2:30 PM
Fall Open Houses
Know a Family Who Would Love St. John’s?
Our fall Open Houses are coming up! If you have a friend, neighbor, coworker or family member who is looking for a school, we’d love for you to tell them about St. John’s.
Prospective families can visit during the school day, see our classrooms in action, meet teachers and students, and learn more about our Early Learning through 8th Grade programs.
Tuesday, September 29 | 8:30–11:00 AM
Tuesday, October 6 | 12:00–2:30 PM
Fall Fest 2026!
We are looking for help with the execution of our Fall Festival, to be held on Friday, October 9th, 4:00-6:00pm. This event will be a family friendly social event on campus with food trucks and fall fun!
MomCo
- Oct. 6 at 6:00 PM: Emily Jacobson, a Denver-based parenting and life coach, will share practical tools for nervous system regulation and building emotional resilience as parents and caregivers.
- Oct. 20 at 6:00 PM: Our wonderful kindergarten teachers, Mrs. Mari Koester and Mrs. Meg Brake will join us to talk all things kindergarten readiness!
For additional details and to RSVP, please visit: SJ Wash Park // Momco
Join our WhatsApp group LINK
Follow us on Instagram LINK
Pie-a-Thon
26th Annual Pie-a-Thon Fundraiser - Order Your Pie Today!
Once again, the St. John’s community will be working together to raise money to support the ARISE! Women’s Empowerment Program of India Transformed.
Support the cause by ordering a delicious homemade apple pie.
● Regular 9-inch apple pie: $25
● Small 6-inch apple pie: $17
● Choose baked or frozen/unbaked
A frozen pie is easy to save and bake fresh for a holiday gathering. A baked pie makes a tasty treat to share with a neighbor or to give away as a thoughtful gift. All pie purchases and financial contributions help move us closer to our $25,000 goal.
Don’t miss out! You are only guaranteed a pie if you pre-order.
ELC Office Assistant Job Opportunity
The Early Learning Center is looking for a Part-Time Office Assistant to support with administrative responsibilities. The ideal candidate is welcoming and friendly, familiar with computer-based systems, and organized.
Advent By Candlelight - Save the Date!
Monday, December 7th 6-8:30pm. Join us for a festive and beautiful evening of reflection allowing our hearts to settle into the advent season. It’s our largest women’s community event which so many look forward to every year. It takes place in our Worship Center. Men, we need you as well to serve that night. More info to come!
ELC Staff Meeting Snacks
Our teachers are awesome and occasionally spend the classroom naptime having staff meetings and/or training! We like to bless them with some snacks for them to enjoy during staff meetings. We are looking for one volunteer on each of the following dates to donate treats for 30 and drop them off in the morning to the ELC office. This is a great way to get involved and show our teachers how much they are appreciated!
UPCOMING SCHOOL EVENTS
- October 2 - Mom's High Tea
- October 9 - Fall Fest; ELC closes at 4:30pm
- October 14-16 - ELC Closed for Staff Training
- November 4 & 5 - Kindergarten Open House 4-6pm
- November 24 - Grandparents Day 8-10am
Lunch and Snack Menu ~ September 28 - October 2
Monday Lunch: Cheese Quesadilla with Shredded Cheddar
Refried Beans
Corn Cold Salad
Snack: Brown Rice Cake & Sliced Turkey
Tuesday Lunch: Swedish Meatballs
Whole Wheat Pasta
Cold Pea Salad
Diced Beets
Snack: Hummus & Whole Grain Pita
Wednesday Lunch: Chicken & Rice Soup
Whole Wheat Cornbread
Pineapple
Steamed Carrots
Snack: Whole Wheat Lemon Poppyseed Muffin & Sliced Peaches
Thursday Lunch: Grilled Slider with Whole Wheat Roll
Red Potato
Southern Coleslaw
Mustard Vinaigrette
Snack: Orzo Pasta Salad & String Cheese
Friday Lunch: Sliced Turkey
Whole Grain Bread
Par Steamed Broccoli
Sliced Cucumber with Ranch Dressing
Sliced Cheddar
Snack: Whole Wheat Goldfish Crackers and Pineapple
Remind App
In the event of a schedule change (closure, delayed start, or early dismissal) or an emergency situation, we will notify parents as soon as possible via email and the Remind app. If you haven't signed up for Remind notifications yet, please follow the instructions below. Parents with multiple students only need to join one group - all groups receive identical communications simultaneously.
- To join the ELC notification list: text @26f23d to the number 81010
- To join the K-5 notification list: text @4fc467 to the number 81010
- To join the 6-8 notification list: text @he3acac to the number 81010
We only use Remind for urgent, time-sensitive alerts.
Lost ELC Key Cards
If you lose one or both of your key cards, please notify the ELC office staff right away so we can deactivate the card’s building access. If the card is later found, we can easily reactivate it—there’s no need to purchase a replacement.
For the safety and security of our ELC, it’s important that we know where all active key cards are at all times. Thank you for helping us keep our students, families, and staff safe!
School Resources
Support St. John's through Groceries!
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
Our Church
"We walk together towards renewed hope and life in Jesus Christ."
Wash Park
St. John's Wash Park campus has in-person worship at 8am (classic-style), 9:45am (modern-style), or join our Livestream at 9:40am (click the link) St. John's Church
Highlands
Renewal, St. John's Highlands campus: Sundays at 10:00am in-person, or Livestream. (click the link) Renewal Church
Built for This
Thank you to our St. John's School Platinum Sponsors
Thank you to our sponsors for their generous support of St. John’s School. Their partnership strengthens our mission and helps us see our Graduate Promise—Grow in Faith, Excel in Education, Thrive in Community—come to life in the lives of more than 300 children each year.
When it fits your family’s needs, we hope you’ll consider supporting the sponsors who pour into our school community and into your children.
Please click on a sponsor for more information.