There is no Short Way to "Catch" that Perfect Walleye
Greg Zeien, St. John's School, Eighth Grade

This past June, St. John's Boy Scout Troop 93 took a trip to Lac Des Mille Lake in Ontario, Canada, to go walleye fishing. Eleven scouts and eight adults went "up north" and spent five days in the land of our Canadian neighbors.

We embarked on our 425-mile journey at 4:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 9. Stopping only to eat and use the restroom, we arrived at the Canadian border by 11:30 a.m. After the border check, we drove to the lodge, but it started raining and didn't stop until the tents were pitched. We decided to immediately hit the water for fishing. We got back to camp at 9:00 p.m. and made dinner, which, coincidently, included fish. Every meal thereafter, even breakfast, included fish. Yes, fish pancakes.

On Tuesday, June 12, we hit the jackpot! Everybody went out early, netting 52 fish before 10:00 a.m. It was too hot to go fishing that afternoon, so Father celebrated Mass for us, just like he did on Sunday. After breakfast on Wednesday, June 13, the scouts took down the tents and cleaned  the camp. Boy Scouts always leave a place cleaner than they found it.

We arrived back safely at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 13. Somewhere between the long trip, the kerosene-like tasting water, and the many hours in the fishing boat, we found that there is no short way to catch that perfect walleye...

Add to your List: "Catch" a New Beginning
Mrs. Sue Clausen, St. John's School Principal

Susan Coolidge wrote a poem entitled "New Every Morning:"

Every day is a fresh beginning,
Listen my soul to the glad refrain.
And, spite of old sorrows and older sinning,
Troubles forecasted and possible pain,
Take heart with the day and begin again.

I like to think of the start of each school year as a fresh beginning. It is a time to look ahead and see what marvelous accomplishments await us for the year. Accomplishments come in many forms and in many ways. Will academic achievements be more rewarding this year? Will a great athletic goal be achieved this year? Will marvelous musical talent be the goal? Will I hear God's voice as I continue to develop and grow? A fresh beginning in any area should be the goal of every student.

Possibly work on organizational skills is needed, maybe to be more diligent in getting "the job" done, no matter what "the job" might be. Summertime provides ample time to help more around the house, wash a car or a pet, clean out a closet or drawers, work on a scrapbook, and read a great book. 

Maybe even work on listening to others by blocking out distractions to tune in better to a conversation. Summer is an excellent time to polish our skills in reading, writing, arithmetic, and organization. Books can always travel with you in the car, to the pool, to the beach, to the playhouse, to your fort, or to a favorite fishing hole (fishing = Greg Zeien; see story at top of page!).

Make time to read a good book and start a journal about what you read. Take a notebook and write a brief summary of how you felt about the book. Pass the book on to a friend to read.  Write reviews of the movies you see or the games you play on the computer. Make flash cards of math problems and review them with an older sibling or parent. Make a new pencil pouch. Everyday is a fresh beginning, so if you forget math for a day, then start tomorrow. Be ready to return to school on Tuesday, September 4, fresh and willing to work!

Remember to check your supply list over the summer so you are ready for the "Meet My Teacher Night" on Monday, August 27, from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. The supplies list is located on the kiosk outside the School Office. All supplies on the list should be brought to school that evening. The Ralph Reeder Center will also accept school supplies that you would like to donate. Just leave your donations by the School Office. 

The goal of summer is to relax and think about how you have grown physically and mentally. We want each student to be a productive member of the classroom and of St. John's school community. Fresh beginnings start with fresh students willing to be open to new ideas and thoughts. Education means we change - how we do things and how we think about things.  Having a disposition and an attitude of openness and eagerness is critical for change and to be changed. Our mission at St. John's is to help our students to grow academically and spiritually - the two are always at the forefront of program planning. Begin the 2007-2008 school year with a fresh perspective by enrolling your student at St. John the Baptist Parish School. Call Sue Clausen, (651) 633-1522, ext. 1117, for more information, a tour, and a fresh beginning.