School News
St. John Catholic School Honors Veterans at Special Program

The students, faculty and staff of St. John the Evangelist Catholic School recently honored veterans and active duty members of the military at a special reception Thursday, November 11 2022. The special event included a patriotic procession, reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance, letters to veterans, the Armed Services March performed by the school band and refreshments.
“Many of members in our SJCS community have served or are currently serving in the military and we felt it was important to say ‘thank you’ to them in a special way,” said SJCS Principal Vito Pellitteri. “Our Veterans Day program demonstrates to our students the importance of service and showing appreciation to others.”
St. John Volleyball Team Donates to Family Affected by Breast Cancer

The St. John the Evangelist Catholic School (SJCS) volleyball team recently raised donations to support a family affected by breast cancer in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. During a recent tri-match event, the volleyball team collected donations to benefit a family of five from Tallahassee who recently lost their mother to breast cancer. The team presented a $3,000 check to the Cameron family in memory of SJCS mom Stephanie Nelson.
“In front of their biggest fans - their teachers, classmates and families, the SJCS volleyball team presented a check to a family in need,” said SJCS Volleyball Coach Tiffany Mira. “The breast cancer fundraiser was a huge success and we are so proud of the team’s hard work. It’s been a blessing to be their coach this season and I’m humbled by the girls on the team.”
St. John Catholic School Volleyball Team Raises Money to Fight Breast Cancer

Fundraiser Volleyball Tri-Match Set for October 3
Saint John the Evangelist Catholic School’s (SJCS) volleyball team recently organized a bake sale to raise funds to support those in the community fighting breast cancer. The team hosted the bake sale at school and after Mass at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, raising $1,000.
The school is hosting a breast cancer fundraiser volleyball tri-match event on Monday, October 3 in honor of Stephanie Nelson, a SJCS parent who passed away in 2020. The proceeds of the funds raised from the bake sale and the volleyball game will go to the Cameron family of Tallahassee who recently lost their mother to breast cancer.
“It is important for our students to understand the importance of helping one another, especially those battling cancer, and to demonstrate that compassion,” said SJCS Volleyball Coach Tiffany Mira. “Not only did these athletes plan a fundraiser and upcoming game, they are also praying for those in the community who have overcome and those who are still in the fight.”
The breast cancer volleyball tri-match event is Monday, October 3 and begins at 4:00 PM with a match against Lighthouse Christian School. The second game begins at 5:00 PM between Lighthouse Christian School and Scintilla Charter Academy followed by a 6:00 PM match between SJCS and Scintilla Charter Academy. The games will take place in the SJCS Parish Center located at 800 Gornto Road in Valdosta. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for students.
Local School Surpasses Peers in Testing Scores
St. John the Evangelist Catholic School Students Score Higher than National Average in All Subjects
Saint John the Evangelist Catholic School (SJCS) recently received results from its Fall 2022 MAP testing. The school conducts testing three times a year, Fall, Winter and Spring, to measure achievement and growth of its students in kindergarten through eighth grade in the areas of math, reading, language usage (second grade through eighth grade) and science (third grade through eighth grade).
Fall 2022 MAP testing results show that SJCS students score higher than the national average in all four areas: math, reading, English/language arts and science for all 31 of the subject and grade level combinations tested.
“I can’t put into words just how proud I am of all of our Eagles in continuing to score higher than their peers nationally in all four subject areas,” said SJCS Principal Vito Pellitteri. “This confirms the dedication our teachers have to provide students with a strong academic foundation, continuing the tradition and reputation SJCS has for developing high achieving students.”
School Service Project Delivers Prayer Packages to Local Hospital

Students and teachers of St. John the Evangelist Catholic School recently delivered 586 prayer packages to nine units at South Georgia Medical Center as part of their “We Prayed for You” service project. The project began last Fall with students volunteering their time and talent to create artwork, write prayers for prayer cards and to pray for the community.
Students assembled the prayer packages which contain a prayer card, snack, hand lotion and mints. “With these prayer packages, we hope to provide comfort to those going through challenging times, both the medical staff at South Georgia Medical Center and to those with family and loved ones being treated there,” said SJCS Art Teacher Christine Cabral. “We plan to continue distributing these packages in the community, where they are needed most.”
The “We Prayed for You” service project began with the creation of prayer cards. Each grade selected a specific prayer focus: perseverance, recovery, loved ones, patience, peace, protection, healing, strength, and comfort. They then created unique artwork to reflect each prayer, to be printed on the front of the prayer cards. Lastly, the students of each class then prayed their prayer together, making a recording of it. Recipients of the prayer cards can access the recording by scanning the QR code printed on the card. Recordings of each prayer are also available on the school’s website, SJCSValdosta.org.
The school welcomes donations to be used to create more prayer packages to distribute in the community.
“So many in our community are facing trials and hardships and with the ‘We Prayed for You’ service project, we hope to provide those in need with support, compassion and prayer,” said Cabral.
Teacher Takes Home $10,000 from Annual Reverse Draw

Black Tie Fundraiser for Local School
St. John the Evangelist Catholic School (SJCS) recently hosted the 24th Annual Reverse Draw and Gala. This year’s Hollywood themed event included dinner, music, dancing, door prizes, a Steel’s Jewelry raffle and a chance to win $10,000.
The night culminated in giving away $10,000 to a lucky ticket holder. SJCS Spanish and Religion Teacher Stephanie Valpuesta was the last one standing in the Reverse Draw that night and took home the grand prize. The event is SJCS’s largest fundraiser of the year and helps provide tuition assistance to students, fund community service projects, and supplemental classroom materials. This year’s Reverse Draw and Gala raised more than $50,000.
Event Sponsors Include: Georgia/Florida Excavation & Land Development, LLC in Loving Memory of Chris Williams, Sam Dennis Law, Dr. & Mrs. George Sidney Staton, Traditions Flooring, Ben & Kim Mackey, Valdosta Family Medicine, David & Donna Nolan, Synovus, Mike & Lisa Murphy, Katerhien Gonos, Hester & Morris Orthodontics, Steel’s Jewelry, Bill & Terri Filtz, Universal Roofing & Remodeling, Pellitteri Family, Gladwin Vaughn Architecture, Century 21 Realty Advisors, Tift-Moody Family, Gladwin Family, Hamilton Estate Planning, Habits of Health with the Hunters and Jonathan & Katie Parrot.
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