It’s amazing how fast this went! We at the PTA Board are so very proud of how our school community gathered, participated, and engaged in all our activities this year. We were successful in both raising funds and raising fun! This has been a trying year for school families and so thank you so much for continuing to make the PTA a part of your family’s life.

Here’s a run down of what we did together:

• Funded PTA member teachers and staff for various classroom and student needs
• Hosted at least one fun event for students and families each month through the school year
• Funded 4 school-wide cultural arts assemblies for all students to enjoy
• Field Day treats – Snowball to all students and staff
• Free Class T-shirt to all 5th Graders, plus funds for end-of-year pool party
• Sponsored an author visit and book discussion for all students to learn about writing and authorship
• Sponsored a self-published book for Second Grade authors
• Provided meals and treats monthly for more than 100 teachers and staff members
• Supplied coffee and creamer for the staff lounge and tissues for every classroom all year long
• Gifted each staff member a fantastic SJLES umbrella
• Coordinated, set up, and staffed the Book Fair
• Coordinated and produced the yearbook
• Provided prizes for the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program to fill the Spot-O-Gram store
• Collected more than 40 coats, scarves, hats, and gloves for the coat drive

As you can see, the PTA is an important support for SJLES and the benefits to the students and staff are immensely impactful.

My child is moving on to middle school, and I’m moving along too! I’ll be the president of the Patapsco Middle School PTA so I look forward to working with many of you all again. I know the 2024-2025 PTA Board will be fantastic and look forward to working with them as well!

2024-2025 SJLES PTA Board:

• Julie Slater – President
• Christian Buzzerd – Vice President
• Claire Mathews – Treasurer
• Sarah Day – Corresponding Secretary

(If anyone is interested in learning about joining this team as another Vice President, as PTA Council of Howard County Representatives, or as Recording Secretary, reach out to SJLES.PTAmail@gmail.com)

A very special thank you to all our volunteers throughout the year, especially those who helped with year-long committees, event planning, and event management. We could not have this wonderful community without you!

Jaguar Pride!

Katie Brewer, PTA President

May 15th In Person @ 6:30

In order to vote on the next board, our next PTA meeting will be in-person in the media center on 5/15 @ 6:30. Please come join us!

PTA Board Positions Needed!

As of right now, we STILL do NOT have a PTA for next year. 

What happens if no one steps up to fill the open PTA Board positions for 2023-2024? 

There won’t be a PTA – which means no events for the kids. The PTA is the reason we have Turkey Trot, Trunk-or-Treat, Bingo Night, Multicultural Night, the Book Fair, and of course, the May Day Festival. But that’s just the beginning. The PTA also supports staff, funds enrichment activities, cultural arts assemblies, staff appreciation events, and more.

Now is the time to get involved! Please don’t assume someone else will raise their hand–we need YOU! The Election takes place at the May meeting, so time really is running out. Without a president and some other crucial committee members, our school will not have a PTA at all next year. Our open positions are:

• President
• Recording Secretary
• PTA Council of Howard County Representatives (2 positions open)

Nominations are accepted via this online form – click here to access!

The PTA’s work helps build a sense of community among SJLES families and create lasting memories for students! And surprise… Volunteering for the school in this way is so rewarding!If you have questions or want to talk it over, please reach out to our current President, Katie Brewer, at SJLES.PTAmail@gmail.com.

The famous May Day Festival will once again be held at SJLES on Saturday, May 11th, from 1:00 – 5:00 PM! EARLY BIRD prices/pre-sales will be available until Friday, April 26 and can be done with Order forms sent home or online at the PTA store via our PTA online store. 

The reason May Day runs smoothly every year is because we are lucky to have great volunteers! We need your help to make May Day run smoothly! Choose a time slot to help with the games, prize tables, and silent auction. Click here to sign up. Thank you!

We are also looking for Bake Sale volunteers and Items for Loan. We need 10 more canopies to make May Day work!  Thank you!

Please reach out to our Volunteer Coordinator, Jane Fisher, with any questions at SJLES.volunteer@gmail.com.

The Spirit Wear store is open for a quick sale! This is your last chance to get Spirit Wear this year, and the store will only be open through 4/28.  Orders will be delivered around mid-May.

Buy Spirit Wear Here

Now is the time to get involved! Our PTA is accepting nominations for next year’s board! Elections take place at the May meeting (which will be in person), so the time to nominate is now! Our open positions are:

• President
• 1st Vice President
• Recording Secretary
• PTA Council of Howard County Representatives (2 positions open)

Nominations are accepted via this online form – click here to access!

The PTA’s work helps build a sense of community among SJLES families and create lasting memories for students! And surprise… Volunteering for the school in this way is so rewarding!

As a more somber recruitment pitch, without a president, our school will not have a PTA at all next year. That will mean no teacher/staff appreciation events, no funds for teachers and grade-level teams, no family fun events like Turkey Trot or May Day, and no representation of SJLES at the county PTA council.

You can do it! When Katie took this position last year, she thought “What am I doing?!”. But now she thinks “I love what I’m doing! It’s fun, we have a strong school community, and my PTA work fills me with pride (and it was not as time consuming as I had thought….)!” If you have questions or want to talk it over, please reach out to her (current President Katie Brewer) at SJLES.PTAmail@gmail.com.

Saturday 5/11  •  1PM – 5PM

Our beloved tradition at St. John’s Lane for over 55 years is back again this year! It is a festival event with games, prizes, inflatables, delicious food, entertainment, and a silent auction.

All are welcome! Please spread the word to family, friends, and neighbors!

Ticket Information

EARLY BIRD pre-sales will be available until Friday, April 26 Purchase with Order forms sent home or at the PTA online store.

• Admission is free!  Tickets are required for games and attractions.
• Wristbands available for all-day, unlimited access to games and inflatables (not food)
  • EARLY BIRD pre-sale wristband price: $20 
  • Wristband price on the day of May Day: $25
• Tickets can be used to play games, play on the inflatables, and purchase PTA-provided food (i.e., excludes Food Trucks)
  • EARLY BIRD pre-sale ticket price: 5 for $1.00
  • Ticket price on the day of May Day: 4 for $1.00

EARLY BIRD pre-sales will be available until Friday, April 26 and can be done with Order forms sent home or online at the PTA store via our PTA online store. 

2024 May Day Participant Waiver

By purchasing tickets and/or wristbands for use at the 2024 May Day Festival sponsored by the SJLES PTA, you are aware of the inherent risks in participating in such an event, you assume all risks in connection with such participation, and you agree to discharge and hold harmless the SJLES PTA and its members from all claims which may arise from such participation.

Online Silent Auction Begins May 6

You can view and bid on auction items at the following website:

https://app.memberhub.gives/sjlespta2024silentauction/Campaign/Details

Or by scanning this QR code:

You can also access the auction and view a list of all the amazing prizes in the gym during May Day as well.

All bidding will be online.  The auction will open on May 6th and will close at 8:00pm on May Day (5/11).  Here are some of the options there will be to bid on!

• A family membership to the Howard County Arts Council
• 10-person tasting event at Elk Run Vineyards
• Photoshoot and Fine Art Portrait from Refocus
• $200 Gift Certificate to The Big Screen Store
• A “Tour and Tasting for 8” at Black Ankle Vineyards
• Four Dance or Tumbling Classes at B. Funk Dance Company
• Four 1-hour admission tickets to the ZavaZone
• Gift Cards for local restaurants and businesses including White Oak Tavern, Sweet Elizabeth Jane, LaPalapa, and more!
• $100 worth of Axe Throwing at Axgard on Main Street in Ellicott City
• Priceless experiences with the awesome staff at SJLES
• And more!

Volunteers Needed!

• We need your help to make May Day run smoothly! Choose a time slot to help with the games, prize tables, and silent auction. Click here to sign up. Thank you!
• We are also looking for Bake Sale volunteers and Items for Loan. Thank you!

Games & Food

Here’s the list of games and food that will be available at the May Day Festival! Delicious menu options include:

• Kona Ice Truck
• Beltway Bistro
• Snow blast DMV
• Mike’s Gelato
• Truck for Popcorn and Cotton candy
• Ring toss, wheel of fortune, tin can alley, frog launcher, penny drop…. just to name a few!
• And more!

Play for prizes! Each game gives you a chance to win Yellow Prize tickets that can be redeemed for fabulous prizes!

Live Entertainment

• We are pleased to welcome several great community groups, including a Cub Scouts opening ceremony, BFunk Dance Studio, Kangaroo Kids, and a magic show by Heroes on Call! 
• A live DJ and musical entertainment will provide the perfect soundtrack for the day!

Rain Date Information

Saturday, May 18, 1:00 – 5:00 PM

In the event of rain on BOTH days, the event will be moved inside on May 18, 1-5 PM.

Questions? Send a note to SJLES.PTAmail@gmail.com

Yearbook price is $20 each. Ordering available online Deadline: April 12th. You can follow the directions to order below:

• Go to the SJLES Yearbook Order Page
• Enter your name and email, then select “Access Yearbook”
• Enter your student’s information, then click “Submit Details”
• Choose “Select,” adjust number of yearbooks if desired, and then “Add to Cart”
• Click “Add a Student” if applicable, follow the prompts, repeating the above steps. 
• Click “View Cart” to review your order.
• Click “Checkout” to enter billing information and complete your order.

If you have any questions please send an email to  jmi624@gmail.com

We are looking for photos from as many Jaguars as possible! Contributing your photos will help us remember all the fun we had this year. All you need to do is click the link and upload them here (Please send your pictures to the appropriate link): 

• Kindergarten: https://plicbooks.com/go/9QN56J
• 1st Grade: https://plicbooks.com/go/TK93WY
• 2nd Grade: https://plicbooks.com/go/CCQ28V
• 3rd Grade: https://plicbooks.com/go/8FC3FF
• 4th Grade: https://plicbooks.com/go/Z4AD3T
• 5th Grade: https://plicbooks.com/go/ZL2X9B
• Back to School Picnic: https://plicbooks.com/go/2VX47H
• Trunk-or-Treat – https://plicbooks.com/go/52BC6H
• Turkey Trot https://plicbooks.com/go/X2PK7Y
• Cozy Reading Day – https://plicbooks.com/go/WH7B9N
• Multicultural Night – https://plicbooks.com/go/EY4NH8
• Life at SJLES – Recess, Lunch, etc. – https://plicbooks.com/go/BQVU1C
• Orchestra/Band/Chorus – https://plicbooks.com/go/MUYPU4
• Misc: https://plicbooks.com/go/X333DJ

If you’ve been wanting a chance to see how happy your Jaguar is during the school day, volunteering at the Book Fair is the perfect opportunity!  Volunteers will assist children with shopping, fulfill book orders, and stock and straighten shelves. Click the sign up below to help from March 14th through March 20th.

🌞Book Fair Volunteer Signup – SJLES 2024🌞

All Volunteers MUST Complete These Requirements (once each school year):

(1)  Confidentiality Training Course 

(2) Child Abuse and Neglect Training 

The PTA is excited to offer discounted tickets to Hershey Park again this year! Now through April 12, you can purchase tickets to Hershey Park for just $45 each (a $5 savings per ticket)! Order forms were sent home with students, you can download the form here, or you can order online at the online PTA store.