Home & School

Home & School Association

What is Home and School?

The Home and School Association is our “Parent Organization” here at St. John School.  All parents are automatically part of the Home and School Association. Our purpose is to work collectively on behalf and in support of the school.  While Home and School is a vehicle to mobilize parental efforts in support of the school, it also seeks to create and enrich a sense of community and school family. There is a $25 Home and School fee per student that is collected at the beginning of each school year. This fee helps cover some of the costs of the events described below. Any questions you may have regarding our Home and School Association or special events may be directed to homeandschool@stjn.org. 

Guide to Home and School

Event Dates 2025-2026

  • Doyle Pool/ Back to school event – August 12th
  • Open House – August 25th
  • Color Run – September 24th
  • Fall conferences / Meal for Teachers – October 21st & 23rd.
  • Trunk or Treat – Monday October 27th
  • Craft Fair – Sunday, November 2nd
  • Cookies with Santa – December 19th
  • Catholic Schools Week – Jan 26th – 31st
  • Donuts with Grown ups – Friday, February 6th
  • Pizza & Ice cream Social / Winter Conferences – Feb 10th & 12th
  • Fun with Fellas – Thursday, March 12th
  • Skate City Night – Will book in fall, but most likely Thursday, April 9th
  • Teacher Appreciation Week – May 4th – 8th
  • Tea with Me – Friday, May 8th
  • End of the Year Field Day  – Wednesday, May 28th

Monthly Meetings

St. John Home and School Association meets at on a monthly basis in the New Parish Center and will be rotating the days of the week for this year’s meetings to Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30pm in room number 122A & 122B in the new parish center. If there is ever a need to change the time/location of the meeting, an email will go out as well as an update on our Parent Facebook Page. Please come and join us for one meeting or all of them! Meeting dates are below.

  • August 20, 2025 (Location: Hollanders)
  • September 16, 2025
  • October 16, 2025
  • November 18, 2025
  • December 18, 2025
  • January 20, 2026
  • February 17, 2026
  • March 17, 2026
  • April 16, 2026
  • May 19, 2026

Click here for the Home & School meeting minutes.

Officers

There are four officer positions that are held in the Home and School Association. They are two-year terms. Each officer can serve a maximum of four years. The positions are as follows: chair, co-chair, treasurer and secretary.

Alecia Elrick is the chair of St. John Home and School Association. Her and her husband, Jake, have been married for 10 years and have two children, Jack and Ava, who attend SJS. She works part-time as an accountant for Midwest Workwear in Kaukauna and full-time as a mama to her two greatest blessings. She loves spending time with their families at their cabins, camping, traveling and doing pretty much anything else in the outdoors. “I am so excited to start this new journey with the Home and School Association. Home and School has provided so many amazing opportunities for our SJS, and I feel incredibly luck to be a part of such a caring and giving community.

Katia Van Daalwyk is the co-chair of St. John Home and School Association. She and her husband, Jake, have been married for 8 years and have 2 children (Max and Rylee) who both attend SJS.  She works full-time for a national staffing company called Aerotek and has been there for the past 15 years. Outside of work and Mom life, she loves the holistic health world and is a certified clinical nutritional practitioner. She is an outdoors advocate where summers are spent at the family lake house on Lake Poygan for swimming, fishing, tubing and sandbars.  Fall and winter are spent hunting, fishing and anything snow related (if we have snow). Both her and her husband love to cook and will usually try to make anything from scratch if they can (sourdough and cold brews are a few successes so far).  “I’m really excited to spend more time with the SJS families and the school. I did not grow up in this area, but getting to know all the families the past few years has been a true blessing and we’ve already built great friendships with parents. This school is something special, and I’m ready to help out more and give back to a place my children love going to each day”.

Janine Koep is the treasurer of the St. John Home and School Association.

Hi, I’m Janine Koep! If I seem like a new face, it’s because I’m both a transplant and a convert, but St. John’s has truly become our home! My husband, John, and I have been married for 9 years, and I’m a full-time mom to our four children: Luke (entering 2nd grade in the 2025–26 school year), Emily (1st grade), Clifford (Kindergarten), and our youngest, Genevieve, who just turned one. As a family, we love playing board games, enjoying movie nights, swimming during the summer, and discovering new parks together. 

I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve our amazing school and the wonderful families that make up the SJS community. As someone who’s experienced what it’s like to be new, I understand how overwhelming it can be and that’s why I’m personally inviting you to join us! Come to our Home & School meetings, get involved, and become part of this amazing community. We’d love to have you!

Elyse Lloyd is the secretary of St. John Home and School Association.

Hi, I’m Elyse Lloyd! I’ve been married to my husband, Mike, for ten years. We are proud parents to Alaina (9), Brooks (7), and Ashtyn (4). As a family, we love heading to our cottage and cheering on our favorite sports teams.

I am a lifelong member of St. John Nepomucene Parish and an SJS alum myself, so this school truly feels like home. I’m excited to be serving as the Home and School Secretary and to take a more active role our amazing SJS community. I’m looking forward to working together to support our students and families!

Volunteer Opportunities

It takes a tremendous amount of volunteers to help with special events and fundraising. All profits from these events are used to fulfill the extra needs of the school and teachers. We would love to have you join us in our efforts, even if you only have a small window of time to volunteer! Opportunities to volunteer are available during the day, evenings or even during the weekends. Watch for a Volunteer Interest Form at the Parent Meeting early in the school year or contact us at homeandschool@stjn.org for more information. Sign-up Genius links will also be sent throughout the year via email or the Dutchmen Details. We appreciate all our volunteers because without you this could not be done! All volunteers must be VIRTUS trained. Click here to become VIRTUS trained.

Fundraising

In order to provide support for the school, St. John Home and School Association participates or organizes events to raise money.

Color Run: This Home & School funded event is one of our largest fundraisers throughout the year. This event generally raises $12,000 – $17,000 each year. Each St. John School student will receive a complimentary white t-shirt with a Color Run logo on it. A Limited number of t-shirts for family or friends will be for sale at the event along with extra Color Packets for parents to throw at their children. The t-shirts do not hold the color very well so many families choose to tie-dye their shirts after the event. A complimentary treat will be provided for all students. There is also a meal available for purchase for families. There is no fee to participate. Registration is not necessary. Students can also ask friends and family for donations for the Color Run that can be turned in at the event. Home & School has also been very fortunate to receive many generous donations from local businesses. Home & School has the sponsor’s names printed on the back of the t-shirts.

Culver’s Scoops Coupon Fundraiser: Home & School helps organize our Culver’s Scoops Fundraiser each year. With the money raised, Culver’s has been able to generously give back $6,000 – $8,000 each year to our school from the sales of these coupons.

Christmas Craft Sale: The Annual Hometown Christmas Craft Sale is one of Home & School’s largest fundraisers. It brings in $15,000-$18,000 per year. Families donate items and cash for our raffle baskets. We have approximately 60 craft vendors and serve a turkey dinner during the event. It is a huge undertaking so it takes many volunteers to make the event a success.

Open House: We provide greeters to welcome families into school during the Open House event, which is held in late August. We also have an informational table and provide refreshments during the event along with new student welcome gifts.

Back to School Summer Bash: This event is held at Doyle Pool in Little Chute and all admission is covered by Home & School. This event is a great way for families to catch up before the new school year begins.

Back to School Family Party: This event is open to all SJS students and their families and has been held at Game Day Sports Bar in previous years. Snacks and refreshments were available along with unlimited mini-golf for the children in attendance. This is a great way to reconnect with families after summer break as well as getting to know new SJS families.

Pastries for Parents: This event is held on the first day of school. Parents are invited to stay after dropping off their students. We served coffee and pastries in the Gathering Space of the church. It is a great way for parents to meet each other or get caught up after the summer break. No cost to attend the event and younger siblings are welcome to join us.

Beginning of the Year Staff Gifts:  Home & School offers a $150 reimbursement to each teacher to purchase any additional school supplies needed for the year. Reimbursement is valid at any point during the school year, up to $150.

School Directory: Families are given a form to be included in the directory if they wish. It is distributed by Home & School at the beginning of the school year.

Teacher’s Lounge: Home & School replenished coffee supplies and other beverages for the staff lounge throughout the year.

Birthday Gifts for Staff: All school and parish staff receive a gift during the month of September for their birthday as a “Thank You” for being part of our school community.

SJS Spiritwear: During various times during the school year, Home & School provides spiritwear for purchase and for giveaways.

Hot Dog Day: This is a long standing tradition (40+ years) at St John. Typically held the 3rd Friday of the month (as long as there is no early release or a day off from school, then moves to the 2nd Friday of the month), it is a fun dress down day for students. Participation is optional. The cost is covered by Home and School and includes hot dog (or pizza), chips, beverage and dessert. All school & parish staff are also welcome to participate at no additional cost.

Field Trip Fund: New for the ‘25-’26 school year, Home and School will fully fund up to 2 field trips, per grade level, per year. Parents will not be asked to pay for any field trip fees throughout the school year.

Art Budget Funding: Home & School allocates up to $2,000, per school year,  to be spent on art supplies throughout the year.

Staff Dinner during First Conferences of the Year: Home & School provides dinner for staff to eat during their dinner breaks on both nights of Parent/Teacher conferences.

Trunk & Treat: Home & School sponsors a Trunk & Treat Event in October. Parents provide a trunk for kids to go trick or treating if they wish. There are prizes awarded to the trunks with the most creative decorations. Families are also asked to bring a non-perishable donation to the St. John Food Pantry.

Christmas Craft Fund: Home & School provides up to $100 for each teacher to spend on gifts that their students make for their families during Christmas time.

Christmas Luncheon for Staff with Gifts: Each year, Home & School provides the Christmas Luncheon for all staff along with Christmas gifts.

Cookies with Santa: Home & School provides cookies and hot chocolate for all students during this event along with a very special visit from Santa!

Pizza and Ice Cream Social: This fun event is held during Spring Conferences for students, their parents and all staff members. Little Caesars Pizza and ice cream is provided by Home and School. It is a great way for families to connect during the school year.

4K End of the Year Pizza Party: Home & School funds an end of the year pizza party for the kindergarten students and teachers.

Catholic Schools Week: Home & School provides bussing and bowling during CSW. Home & School will also provide Mr. Reynebeau Cookies for all students that week.

Donuts with Grownups: This event is for 1st and 2nd graders along with their Dads or Special Guys in their lives. Home & School provides the donuts and refreshments for this event.

Teacher Appreciation Week and Luncheon: Home & School provides several special treats and surprises during the week for our wonderful teachers. Examples include lunch, coffee truck, baked goods, books for their classrooms, etc.

Family Skate Night at Skate City: Home & School provides free admission for all SJS students and their families. There are also many giveaways and any SJS student in attendance is entered to win!

Tea with Me: This event is for 1st and 2nd graders and their Mothers or Special Women in their lives. Home & School provides the refreshments for this event along with the supplies and gifts used and gifted during the event.

8th Grade: Home & School sponsors the coach bus for their end of the year field trip to Madison. Home & School also sponsors a luncheon for all 8th graders toward the end of the school year along with a gift.

Fun with the Fellas: This event is held every other year (opposite of Night Out with a Princess) for our young men and their mothers or special ladies in their lives. Games are played in the gym and all in attendance receive refreshments and snacks.

Night Out with a Princess: This event is held every other year (opposite of Fun with the Fellas) for our young ladies and their fathers or special men in their lives to enjoy a night filled with dancing and fun. Music, crafts, refreshments and snacks are provided by Home & School during this event. This event is held in the gymnasium.

End of the Year Field Day: This event is held towards the end of May each year. Home & School supplies funding for many fun events during the day. Examples in past years include inflatables, dunk tank, snacks, refreshments, etc.

Meeting Minutes

January 2025February 2025March 2025April 2025
May 2025June*July*August 2025
September 2025October 2024November 2024December*

*No meeting