Newsletter from Our Principal

September 18, 2025

Dear SJB Families,

It has been a very good week at SJB. As you are probably aware, much takes place here. We are so very blessed at St. John the Baptist…we are truly embraced by community. One highlight of the week was our prayer service held on Tuesday. Eighth grade faith family leaders led us beautifully in readings and petitions that focused on our school being on holy ground, that our hands are holy, and our lips our holy. May we always see others through the eyes, heart, and hands of Jesus. On Tuesday, we also had an opportunity to work with our new director of sacred music, Carrie Marcotte, on our sung Mass responses. Our students sang with heart, joy and a nice lyrical sound. I am pleased to share that Mrs. Marcotte is starting children’s choirs. The school choir is open to students in third through eighth grades and will be practicing on Tuesdays before School Mass. Please find more information about this wonderful opportunity in the attachments. Here's the registration link for the choir, if your child is interested in joining: https://forms.gle/tfGj6Forob3qDs7Z7

Our candy bar sales are off and running! We are thankful to our 8^th grade class for assisting Mrs. Hardesty and the classroom teachers with the distribution process yesterday. We have some super sellers! Four families have already asked for more boxes! Payment for the candy bars is due on October 1 in the collection envelopes that were attached to the boxes. Thank you in advance for making this fundraiser a sweet success! 

Picture Day is on Tuesday, October 7. Lifetouch order forms were sent home with students today. Please check backpacks!

Volleyball is in full swing. Home volleyball games will be taking place again this weekend. Come watch our teams! There has been some amazing play on all teams, and best of all, the improvement seen from the beginning of the season to this point has been great. I personally love to see the look of satisfaction when that perfect tip or spike is made; when blocks are executed, when someone who has been working so hard to get their serve over the net succeeds; when teammates work together to volley and how they encourage one another. The delight is clearly seen in faces on the court and in the stands… these are joys to behold. These moments and excitement will take place tonight and this weekend.

                              Away Volleyball Games – Thursday, September 18, 2025

5^th grade girls @ Sts. Cyril and Methodius in Lemont at 6:00 PM

5^th grade boys @ St. St. Walter in Roselle at 7:30 PM for a scrimmage

Away Volleyball Games – Friday, September 19, 2025

5th grade girls @ St. Raphael in Naperville at 6:00 PM

6^th grade boys @ St. Joan of Arc in Lisle at 6:00 PM

8^th grade girls @ St. Mary of Gostyn in Downers Grove at 8:30 PM 

Home games take place this Saturday and begin at 12:00 PM in our gym:

Home Volleyball games – Saturday. September 20, 2025

                             12:00 PM – 5^th grade boys vs. St. Petronille

1:00 PM – 5^th grade girls vs. St. Joseph 

                              2:00 PM – 6^th grade boys vs. St. Mary Nativity

3:00 PM – 6^th grade girls vs. Notre Dame

4:00 PM – 7^th grade boys vs. Sts. Dennis and Joseph

6:00 PM – 7^th grade girls vs. St. Joan of Arc

7:00 PM – 8^th grade girls vs. St. Cletus

8:00 PM – 8^th grade boys vs. Sts. Dennis and Joseph

Away Volleyball game – Saturday, September 20, 2025 

7:00 PM – 7^th grade boys @ Sts. Peter and Paul 

Our annual tailgate party is on Sunday and kicks off following the noon Mass at 1:00 PM! It is hard to believe, but this will be the eleventh tailgate for education held at St. John’s. Please come join your SJB family as the Bears play the Dallas Cowboys. For those of you have not been to one of the tailgate and watch parties, the tailgating is set up in the portion of the parking lot where the children play at recess. Families bring food and beverages and much fun with friends and the SJB family takes place. Kona Ice will also be here. Your child should have brought home a flier with a coupon for a free hotdog if they present it at the tailgate on Sunday. (There is also a flier attached). I hope to see you there! It is a fantastic community event while raising money for our school! Let's go Bears! Click here for the registration link: https://sjwinfield.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/TailgatingforCatholicEducation2025/tabid/1558944/Default.aspx

Thank you to our Principal of the Day on Wednesday for the gift of PJ Day. Don’t forget that tomorrow is the Student Council sponsored Favorite Character Day. We can’t wait to see who comes to school tomorrow!

In closing, the Feast Day of Saint Padre Pio is on Tuesday. Many would seek Padre Pio and ask him to pray for them. He is quoted as reminding us that “One thing is only necessary; to lift up your spirit and love God.” He also said, “Pray, hope, and don’t worry. Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayer.”

Speaking of prayer, please pray for our graduates of 2025 as they make the Sacrament of Confirmation tomorrow night in our church.

May you have a wonderful weekend with your families. I hope to see you at Mass and/or our Tailgate for Education on Sunday.

With joy,

Joanne Policht