The Panther Post

MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) assessments help us better understand each student’s individual academic growth in areas such as Math, Reading, and Science. The results provide teachers with valuable insight, allowing them to personalize instruction, identify learning gaps, and thoughtfully tailor the curriculum to meet each student’s unique needs.

MAP assessments are not used for grading or retention. Instead, they show what students already know and what they are ready to learn next, helping us best support their continued academic growth.

To help your child feel prepared and confident, we encourage students to eat a healthy breakfast each morning and get a good night’s rest before testing days. Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting your child’s learning.

Just a quick and friendly reminder regarding our daily school bell schedule and sign-in procedures.

The morning school bell rings at 8:15 a.m. Students are expected to be in their seats at that time in order to be marked present for the day. Students who arrive after 8:15 a.m. will be recorded as tardy or absent, per attendance guidelines.

Arriving on time is especially important, as it allows teachers to begin lessons promptly and set a positive, focused pace for the day. This is particularly important during MAP Testing days.

If a student arrives after the bell, they must be signed in by an adult at the K–8 office for security purposes.

The afternoon dismissal bell rings at 3:15 p.m. If a student needs to be picked up before dismissal, they must be signed out by an adult in the K–8 office prior to leaving campus.

Thank you so much for your continued partnership and support in helping our school days run smoothly. We truly appreciate your cooperation and commitment to our students’ success.

Join us for The Big Breakfast, our annual celebration for fathers and the wonderful men in the St. John’s community! This relaxed and welcoming event is a perfect opportunity to spend quality time with your children, enjoy a delicious breakfast, and connect with other families in our school community.

We have two seatings—7:15 a.m. and 8:15 a.m. Please choose the seating time that works best for your family.

Breakfast includes: breakfast burritos with meat, gluten-free, and vegan options, as well as bagels, yogurt, fresh fruit, coffee, juice, and water.

Pricing:

• Early Bird (through September 4): $9/child and $14/adult
• Late Bird (September 5 onward): $12/child and $18/adult

If Dad is unable to attend, we warmly welcome uncles, grandfathers, or another special male role model. If needed, we can also help connect your child with another friendly family so they don’t miss out on this special morning—just reach out to the school office.

For catering purposes, registration closes at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.

We look forward to welcoming you to The Big Breakfast!

Join us for The High Tea, our annual celebration for mothers and the amazing women in the St. John’s community! This relaxed and welcoming event is a wonderful opportunity to spend quality time with your children, enjoy a delicious afternoon high tea, and connect with other women in our school community.

We’ll be serving scones, cucumber sandwiches, chocolates, and, of course, tea!

Pricing:

• Early Bird (before September 19, 2026): $8 per child | $12 per adult
• Late Bird Pricing (September 19, 2026, and after): $10 per child | $15 per adult

If Mom is unable to attend, we warmly welcome aunties, grandmothers, or another wonderful female role model to join the celebration. 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 4:00 p.m. on Monday, September 28, 2026.

We look forward to welcoming you at The High Tea!

Through the India Transformed Love India Program, our school proudly supports five children in India. Our sponsorship helps provide these children with the opportunity to attend a high-quality Christian school, as well as receive birthday and Christmas gifts. It also helps provide food and essential supplies for their families.

Students are invited to support our sponsored children by bringing coins, cash, or checks to school. Donations may be placed in the offering box located in each classroom.

Every gift, no matter the amount, makes a meaningful difference. Thank you for your generosity and for helping us share God’s love with children and families in India!

Volunteer: Our master SignUpGenius is now open! Sign-up to help with lunch, classroom activities, staff meeting snacks, events, and more.

Sign up to Volunteer

Support Panther Parents: Donations help make our events and activities possible throughout the year. Donate online below or drop off a check in the Main Office with “Panther Parents” in the memo line.

Make a Donation

Thank you for helping make this a great year for our St. John’s community!

St. John’s has been nominated in the 2026 Best of the Front Range, and we need your help! Please take a few minutes to vote for St. John’s Lutheran School in these categories:

• Elementary School
• Middle School
• Preschool
• Faith-Based School
• Private School

How to vote:

1. Visit the Best of the Front Range voting site.
2. Navigate to the Education section.
3. Find each of the five categories above.
4. Select St. John’s School and submit your votes.

We are pleased to share that School Day Out is now open for registration.

If this would be helpful for your family, please follow the instructions below.

If you have already registered your child for Before and After Care during 2026-27:

• You can skip completing all the background information and simply email extendedcare@sjdenver.org with the dates you would like.

If you have not yet registered your child for Before and After Care during 2026-27:

• You should complete a background information form, and then indicate which days you would like to book.

Friday, 8/28 - HALF DAY only
Friday, 9/25 - HALF DAY only
Wednesday, 10/14 - HALF and FULL DAY available
Thursday, 10/15 - HALF and FULL DAY available
Friday, 10/16 - HALF and FULL DAY available
Monday 10/19 - HALF and FULL DAY available
Friday, 10/30 - HALF DAY only
Monday, 11/23 - HALF and FULL DAY available
Tuesday 11/24 - HALF and FULL DAY available
Friday, 12/18 - HALF DAY only
Monday, 12/21 - HALF and FULL DAY available
Tuesday 12/22 - HALF and FULL DAY available
Wednesday, 12/23 - HALF and FULL DAY available

Letter from Robert Deserino, Interim Coordinator

Kid Check

Extended Care Email

The purpose of Watch D.O.G.S. at St John's School is:

-To provide positive male role models for the students, demonstrating by their presence that education is important.

-To provide extra sets of eyes and ears to enhance school security and increase student welfare.

-To help fathers get an inside peek at our school and their child's education.

Example of half-day or daily duties:

7:30 Welcoming students at the front entrance

8:15 Perimeter check

8:30 Reading to a class

8:45 Small group support

9:45 Recess

10:15 Math

11:00 Teacher Support

11:30 Lunch with your child/ren [finish the day]

Sign Up to be one of our WatchDOGS . Dates for the whole 2026-27 school year are available. Pick dates and times best for you!

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.

If you have little ones (Birth-2nd grade) and are looking for some other moms to connect with, join us in the Community Room. Every other Tuesday 6-7:30pm

Dinner and childcare provided. Let us know you are coming by clicking the link. MomCo:

Join us this fall for Women's Huddle, a welcoming Bible study where women gather to grow in God's Word, encourage one another, and build meaningful friendships. This semester we'll be studying Psalm 23: The Shepherd With Me by Jennifer Rothschild. We meet Monday mornings from 8:30–9:30 AM at St. John's Church, alternating between homework discussion and the accompanying video each week.

Our first study discussion starts: Monday, September 14.

For more information or to RSVP, contact Melani Hensley at hensleyfam4@gmail.com or text 407-952-9541.

The first time you partake in the Lord's Supper, you gain far more than just a new experience. You receive forgiveness in a profound new way, deepen your relationship with God, and partake in a foretaste of the heavenly banquet.

Classes will begin immediately following the 9:45 service Sunday: 9/20, 9/27, 10/4 & 10/11. Classes are designed for 5th graders and older. A parent is expected to attend each of the four sessions with their child. The classes will take place in the 7th-grade room and last about an hour each. The Students and families who feel ready will then receive communion for the first time at our 9:45 service on November 8. Register Here

Our 2026-27 K8 School Calendar

September

1: Pizza Day

1-4: MAP Testing

7: Labor Day, School Closed

13: Grandparents Day

15: Pizza Day

18: Big Breakfast

25: FUN RUN & Half Day

October

2: High Tea

6: Pizza Day

9: Fall Fest

14-19: Fall Break/ Educators' Conference

20: Pizza Day

25: 3rd-5th Grade Choir Presentation

30: Half Day, dismiss at 11:30am

Access the Parent Calendar Here

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

"We walk together towards renewed hope and life in Jesus Christ."

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.

Calling all Men, we need you as well to serve that night. More info to come!

ST. JOHN'S CHURCH EVENTS

September

6: First Sunday Food Donation

12: MomCo | Sunrise Pilates Sculpt

20: First Communion Class

October

RENEWAL CHURCH EVENTS: Follow Here

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.

Editions dating back to October 25, 2024, can be found here.