JEFFERSON — The month of November at St. John the Baptist Catholic School in Jefferson was filled with several special events that concluded with the school’s annual Thanksgiving Food Drive.
The eighth graders and Student Council members sponsored the event, which collected over 600 items donated to the Jefferson Food Pantry. Fifth graders helped their “buddies” in pre-kindergarten make special turkey food bags for the many families given donations for Thanksgiving.
The month began with a Mass on November 1, honoring saints in the Catholic Church. The All Saints Day liturgy featured individual posters of the saints chosen by each classroom as role models of their Catholic faith.
The following day, November 2, the entire school community participated in the annual “Rake-a-Thon,” which was a service project for the community and fundraiser for the school. Students worked together in their multi-age family groups along with teachers, staff, and parents.
This special All Souls Day concluded with a prayer and balloon release in memory of those SJB family members who have died, especially Treyton Kilar and Connor Bourke, students who died within the last two years.
The following week, eighth graders visited each classroom to present information about the presidential candidates and the election process, and prepared to hold a mock-election. The eighth graders organized and conducted Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 6. Students worked as greeters, registrars, election judges, and ballot monitors. Following the election tally, it was announced that Mitt Romney won the presidential election at St. John’s.
On Monday, Nov. 12, students and staff at St. John the Baptist Catholic School presented their annual tribute to veterans in the school gym. The program included expressions of gratitude for the veterans and their service to our country.
The program concluded with a blessing of veterans presented by pastor, Fr. Tom Coyle, and everyone joining in prayer and singing of “God Bless the USA” as students and staff encircled the veterans and their families.