Saint John’s School Principals’ Newsletter
Welcome to Another School Year!
Quarter 1—August & September 2014
This year there will be continued efforts to inform parents and the community, bring our school together and to strengthen our partnerships with all stakeholders in the school. We started the year off with some very important meetings and events to inform everyone, boost school spirit and celebrate the beginning of the new school year. bers on a tour of the school to meet teachers (working in classrooms), ending the tour at the Meet & Greet in the MPR.
Kick Off Assembly—August 11th— Seniors walked accompanying preschoolers to the annual kickoff assembly in the Gym to celebrate the beginning of a new school year. 7th Grade & New Students Orientations – August 7th – 8th, 2014 – the Secondary Division Principal, Dean of Students and School Psychologist introduced key staff members, presented the academic program and provided an overview of the extracurricular activities and programs available to them. At the end of the presentation, the students were taken in small groups led by student council mem-
Meet & Greet – Friday, August 8th , 2014 - The Multipurpose Room was filled with displays showcasing many of the clubs, programs and extracurricular offerings available to students in SJS to inform of the many opportunities that abound for students, parents and a large group of alumni who visited that day as part of the SJS Alumni Convention. Back to School Night – Secondary Division—August 20, 2014 – attended by over 65% of the parents. Many parents reported that were very satisfied with how well organized and smoothly everything ran.
Back to School Night –Elementary & Early Childhood Division—August 28, 2014 – The early childhood and elementary school were proud to report that this year the students were very happy in the classroom and that that they had fewer “criers “ (students) than other years. Back to School Night for Early Childhood and Elementary—August 28 Another successful event to kick off a great year. Teachers welcomed parents to organized classrooms and Power Point presentations loaded with academic expectations and curricular information. Welcome Reception for New Parents and Families— September 11th at 7PM—this event his held annually to welcome new parents and meet the administration and board members of the school as well as get to know each other.
College Counselor Meetings with Parents & Students In late August and early September Mark Bowen, college counselor, held a series of meetings with parents of all classes in grades 9th to 12th . Then Mr. Bowen met with students by grade level. He conducted presentations with essential information appropriate for each grade level to
provide guidance to parents and students about the college admissions process, and what is most appropriate to be doing in each grade level. More of these meetings are planned throughout the school year to address topics such as course selection and planning, financial aid and standardized testing.
SJS Students with Notable Achievements in the Summer SJS Senior Rene M. Maza Perez (#20 in photo to the right) had an outstanding performance during this summer's USA Youth Volleyball A2 Training Camp in Colorado Springs, Colorado. At SJS Rene was selected as the MVP and All Star in the PRHSAA Varsity Volleyball season as well as winning the Coaches' Award for in Boys’ Varsity Basketball. Last year Rene won the Jack B. Kodesh Athlete of the Year Award during the Sports Award Ceremony for the 2013-2014 School Year. At 6’-4” Rene is drawing attention from several college volleyball teams
SJS Junior Michelle Gao (second from left), was awarded the Bronze Medal at the XVI Olimpiada de Matemática de Centroamérica y el Caribe in San Jose, Costa Rica on Wednesday, June 13th. Michelle represented Saint John's School as well as Puerto Rico, competing against the top ranked 40 students from 13 countries. Michelle then represented SJS and Puerto Rico in the 2014 International Mathematical Olympics from July 3rd to July 13th in Capetown, South Africa. Five students from our Class of 2015 have been selected as Semifinalists for the 2015 National Merit Scholarship Program. Sophie Helmers, Andrea Contreras, Rosie Eidelman, Carlos Grau and Ramón Pericás were chosen by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation from a pool of over 1.4 million high school juniors in more that 22,000 high schools nationwide, for obtaining the highest scores on the PSAT/NMSQT. This nationwide pool of Semifinalists represents less than 1% of all US High School Seniors. This is the first year that Saint John's School has five students selected for this Scholarship (11% of senior class). In February 2015, about 15,000 of these Semifinalists will be notified as having advanced to the Finalist level. National Merit Scholarship Winners will be announced in four nationwide news releases beginning in April 2015 and concluding in July. Page 2
National Merit Scholar Semifinalists
More SJS Notable Achievements this Summer SJS Sophomore Robilee Frederick represented Puerto Rico in the FIVB World Event in Acapulco, Mexico, marking the first time in FIVB (International Volleyball Federation) history that an Under 17 (U17) Boys and Girls competition class was added to the World Beach Volleyball Championships held every two years. Robi and her partner qualified after winning in Puerto Rico Federation the local Beach qualifying tournament in May. Out of 36 teams from 30 countries from all over the globe participating they ended the World Championship run with 4 wins and 1 loss earning a 9th place position which marked the best performance to date in Puerto Rico Beach Federation history.
Saint John's School is proud to announce that our 5th and 6th grade Math teacher, Ms. Carmen Cecilia Olmo, has been nominated for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. The PAEMST are the nation's highest honors for teachers of mathematics and science (including computer science). Since 1983, the PAEMST has recognized over 4,200 teachers for their contributions in the classroom and to their professions. Ms. Olmo has been teaching at Saint John's School for over 17 years. She graduated from Universidad de Puerto Rico in Rio Piedras, and is currently a candidate for an Ed.D., Doctor of Education, from Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico. Ms. Olmo is known for her amazing implementation of technological skills that have helped her students consistently achieve excellent scores on Math tests. Her colleagues describe her as an "outstanding professional" and someone whose "excitement towards what she does combined with her caring attitude strongly encourages her students to continually strive to attain her rigorous expectations."
Freshman Diego Gonzalez Lizardi, was recognized by the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth and its International Talent Search. Diego achieved High Honors in Mathematical Verbal and Spatial Ability and was one of the highest scoring students from among 38,000 participants. Diego has been invited to attend the awards ceremony at Johns Hopkins University in the March 2015.
A cohort of students from Saint John's were recognized by the Alliance Française as recipients of the DELF diploma. The DELF (Diplôme d’Etudes en Langue Française) are diplomas granted by the French Ministry of National Education to those students who have successfully met the requirements for this diploma which entail taking and passing the exams and completing a minimum amount of study hours. The DELF is an internationally recognized diploma and is required by the French Universities for foreign students who are interested in pursuing studies in France. This is the second cohort of students from SJS to earn this prestigious certificate. We congratulate the students for this achievement and their teacher, Dr. Nadya Alsina. Page 3
Meet and Greet—Learn About Our Programs and Opportunities Meet & Greet – Friday, August 8th, 2014 - many of the clubs, programs and extracurricular offerings available for students in all divisions were showcased for new and returning students and parents for everyone to know about what SJS has to offer. This event also coincided with the SJS Alumni Convention at the Caribe Hilton, so a sizeable group of former students dating back to the early 1960’s visited the MPR and got to see what our students are doing these days.
Welcome Dance! Welcome Dance – Friday, September 5, 2014 – an event hosted by the Student Council, the event once again had the theme of “Espuma Party” and was very well attended. There were over 250 students in present and we welcomed guests from eight other private schools.
Quarter 1—August & September
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Big Brother—Big Sister Event Monday, September 8, 2014 – The Classes of 2015 and 2020 were joined in this bonding event that took place in the beautiful setting of Hacienda San Vicente, in Canovanas. Students in both grades blended in teams where they had to overcome and work as teams in obstacle challenges, team building activities and a full day of bonding. This event promotes unity among the youngest and most veteran students in the school and builds school spirit.
NHS and NJHS Induct New Members On Monday, September 15 and then Monday September 22nd, – the SJS Mercedes Higuera National Honor Society Chapter and Junior National Honor Society respectively inducted their new members. Mr. Carlos Nieves, math teacher, was selected by the current members of the NHS to be the key note speaker in an assembly for the entire student body, and NHS President Monica Reichard led the ceremony. The JNHS inducted its new members in a smaller, yet solemn ceremony. The JNHS officers presented a $3,000 donation to the SJS Scholarship fund to Mrs. Lorraine Lago representing SJS in the event. Quarter 1—August & September
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Student Council Induction & a New Elementary Library Student Council Induction— On August 22, 2014 the new executive board was inducted in a traditional very solemn ceremony attended by the entire student body as well as student-leaders from five other schools and the SJS student body, including the 6th grade council. It was followed by a short reception in the MPR.
New Elementary Library: The Early Childhood and Elementary School opened its doors to a new and remodeled library that was officially inaugurated during the
second week of school. Students and teachers are very excited and looking forward to spending time working there.
SJS Hosts One of Largest Model UN Competitions Thursday, September 18 – Saturday, September 21, 2014 – SJS hosted what has turned out to be one of the largest Model UN competitions in Puerto Rico. With 10 schools in the local league, we welcomed 493 delegates (plus coaches, parents and other guests) during these three days of competition. A group of parents and the Model UN Co-Moderators did an amazing job of organizing the committees, the logistics and using our resources to make SJS shine and set the bar for the rest of the schools to follow. From the topics discussed in each committee, to the decorations and the use of technology to enhance the experience, we received tremendous accolades from all the visiting schools.
Quarter 1—August & September
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Class of 2015 Hosts Wine & Cheese Party The senior class hosted the annual Wine & Cheese event on September 26, 2014 at el Horreo de V. Suarez,. This is quickly becoming one of the main events for seniors and their families. Three years ago this event was created to supplant the anachronistic “Senior Auction”, which was last done in 2011. The “Wine & Cheese” is a cocktail party that brings together the parents, students, the community (and many parents and families from outside) in a major event to socialize as we kickoff the new school year. This year the event was also used to auction the original painting by renown Puerto Rican painter Carmelo Sobrino commemorating 100 years of excellence at SJS.
2014 Standardized Test Results Presentation For Parents Mrs. Lorraine Lago, Assistant Head of School for Teaching and Learning presented and analyzed the standardized tests results from 2014 on Wednesday, September 17 to a small group of parents on September 17 at 7:00 PM. The presentation included the results of the CTP4, PSAT, SAT, AP and SEPA exams. The remarkable scores by SJS students were highlighted in an article in the Caribbean Business about top private schools in Puerto Rico (right). The results this year were particularly noteworthy in the SAT, and they were equally laudable in the AP exams. In the SAT, SJS students scored a mean of 1845, which is over 400 points above the mean score of test takers in Puerto Rico (all private schools) and 300 points above the mean scores of test takers across the nation. In the AP exams, SJS had the highest number of students taking AP courses in seven years and 93% of these students achieved 3 or higher, compared to an average of 68% of AP test takers in Puerto Rico and 64% in the nation who achieved that score. Slightly over 20 % of all AP tests taken in PR were accounted for by students from SJS. Quarter 1—August & September
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Parent Development Programs for Early Childhood and Elementary A series of workshops will take place during each semester and a calendar has been created so parents can plan accordingly and assist to these enriching program. So far two presentations for parents of students in grades PPK—6 have been conducted. First, a presentation by Mrs. Glorimar Baralt entitled Feeding the Brain for Academic Success–n was done. Later, another presentation by Mrs. Lorraine Lago, Assistant Head of School for Teaching and Learning on how to prevent young kids from being overly stressed or anxious about academics. Both workshops had excellent parent turn out and parents reported being thrilled to learn about these topics. They had an opportunity to share concerns, strategies and learn more about supporting their kids in school.
New Book Fair at the Elementary & Secondary Division Athletics Update Secondary Division Athletics Update - as of mid October, our fall sports are doing exceptionally well. In Boys Soccer both teams remain undefeated (varsity 4-0-3 and JV 7-0) and are having superb seasons. Girls Volleyball is also having a phenomenal season with the Girls Varsity also undefeated. Girls JV have a record of 3-3, Boys Volleyball JV are also 3-3 and Varsity Boys have a very respectable record of 4-2. Our Golf Team is also doing very well, with our team making it in the top 5 (out of 20 teams in the league) in the first three tournaments so far for the first time in two decades.
New Book Fair at the Elementary The book fair in the Elementary Library was a total success! Students and parents are stacking up on great books to read.
Quarter 1—August & September
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FAMILY DAY 2014 Saturday 15, 2014 – the evolution of Friendship Day, which had been celebrated in the SJS campus the last few years, is now the Family Day. It has the aim of bringing the families of all grades together in a day of friendship and camaraderie. This year the event was celebrated at Hacienda Campo Rico, located about 20 minutes east of SJS and a very comfortable drive from anywhere in the metro area. Some of the activities included inflatables, zip lining (for young kids and for older kids and adults), all-terrain vehicle rides, horse back riding, great food, beverages and a very festive atmosphere. The setting, the atmosphere, the excitement and the fun made it an amazing day. An estimated 1,000 guests attended and the great memories will last a lifetime.
Quarter 1—August & September
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Engineering Class for 12th Grade The Principles of Engineering class is taught by Mr. David Henner and it is an elective course that is taken as the science class by many seniors interested in the STEM fields. This year the class has had four guest speakers so far. Mr. Jorge Fuentes gave an introduction to engineering and used as a case study the difficulties experienced during the remodeling of the library last year and the challenges faced. Mr. Luis Torres of Fe Ri Construction introduced students to
CAD drawings. Mr. William Reichard showed students some of the problems involved with constraints in engineering design. Students saw schematics and plans for engineering and are well on their way to having a basic orientation as to what the field of engineering may entail for them. Mr. David Sanabria lead a presentation on the history of engineering discussing important periods in history and how developments in engineering changed the course of mankind.
Community Service Days for Secondary Division Students The Community Service Program for Secondary Division Students is being approached using a different model, where students will leave schools in groups during designated days to different sites they selected previously to perform service. This program is a cornerstone of the experience at SJS so thus it has integrated it to the school day. It also ensures there is commitment to a cause as they will visit the same sites throughout the year in these “CS Days�. So far these have been a tremendous success, and the feedback from the students is simply amazing. The written reflections they complete upon returning are compelling and are indicative the experience is fulfilling and most worthwhile. Many have created special bonds and are eager to return. The logistics and coordination are being made possible by the efforts of Mrs. Karen Humbert, SJS CS Coordinator and a small army of parent volunteers involved in the entire process. Quarter 1—August & September
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