St. John the Baptist of New Brighton


	Mrs. Sue Clausen, St. John's New School Principal

back to Minnesota is to be near my sister, Anne Ford Nelson, who resides in St. Paul and is very excited to have her sister moving to be near her. My other family members come in and out of the Twin Cities and I will enjoy seeing them.

I have taught and been an administrator in three different Catholic schools in Bellevue, Washington and Kirkland, Missouri. I taught kindergarten, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth grades, as well as substituted in the seventh and eighth grades. I have been a full time vice principal and a principal for the last 13 years. I earned my MA in Curriculum & Instruction with an Administrative Credential from Seattle University. I am passionate about Catholic education where we are able to assist parents in educating students academically, spiritually, emotionally, socially, and physically. My goal has been, and will continue to be, to have each of our students be the best they can be. I look forward to working with the staff at St. John's to support each of the students.

I am privileged to be following a wonderful leader like Sister Gwendolyn. She has left a legacy of a joy-filled school that has been very well run. During my interview with the Search Committee I can remember saying, "I am passionate about Catholic schools, and in particular, a parish Catholic school."

Being part of a parish helps us to keep in perspective that we are part of a larger faith community. We draw on the example of the adults, prayers are constantly coming our way, and we can make a vital contribution to the larger parish. I find Catholic schools are the best place for families to raise their children - we match parents' values, we foster academic excellence, and we can assist parents in raising faith-filled Catholics. I feel it is an awesome responsibility to work with parents and to be a part of their children's lives. I look forward to meeting and getting to know the staff, the students, the parents, and the parishioners, and being part of the community here at St. John's.

Sue Ford Clausen
Principal, St. John the Baptist


	When I entered St. John the Baptist School for the first time in April, I noted the word, "JOY!" In my interview, the Search Committee shared with me that St. John the Baptist School uses the word "JOY" to illustrate what the school was all about. Mr. Bilski then told me that it's an acronym for Jesus, Others and You.


	I thought it was a wonderful acronym, and I found it resonated with me in several ways. These words symbolized what the school stood for, and they also helped to set one's priorities - to recognize that we live for Jesus, that we are to do for others, and that we each must become the best person we can. I had heard the word joy used in a different context as I was growing up in Moorhead, Minnesota. Each morning that I set off for St. Joseph's grade school, my mother would say, "Spread some joy!" I chose to use this with my two daughters as they went off to school each day. And as I drove out of Seattle on July 10 for my cross-country trip to Minnesota, to become the principal at St. John the Baptist, my two daughters told me to go forth and spread some joy. I will take this to heart and hopefully continue to encourage JOY around St. John's School. It is with great delight that I join the staff here at St. John's. I have been in education for almost 30 years. As I mentioned, I grew up in Moorhead-Fargo with six brothers and sisters and attended the College of St. Benedict. I did my graduate work at the University of Washington, receiving my MA from Seattle U., a Jesuit university. I taught in Nassau, Bahamas and Florissant, Missouri. I met my husband, Gary, in St. Louis and then moved to the Seattle area where I have lived for the last 30 years. Gary died 12 years ago, and I raised our two daughters. Sarah, my oldest daughter, is completing her BA at Antioch University in Seattle, and has a daughter, Zoe Rose, who is 3 years old. My youngest daughter, Lisa, graduated last year from the University of Washington in the area of International Studies. One of the advantages of moving


	St. John's Calendar of School Events for 2003-2004

What's happening at St. John the Baptist School?

As dark comes a little earlier each evening, we are aware that summer is drawing to a close. And this means that we are a little closer to beginning the school year. The teachers have already been hard at work preparing the classrooms and the school to welcome students and parents. If you haven't already met the new principal, stop by the office and introduce yourself.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

· September 16, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.: Coffee with the Principal (place to be determined)

· September 19, 20 & 21: St. John's Parish Fall Festival

· October 4: Marathon Fundraiser for St. John's School

Each year brings a special growth in your child. We look forward to welcoming the children with JOY! Please feel free to contact our office at (651) 633-1522 with any questions. We hope to make this school year an exciting year full of learning and growth!


	SOCCER CONTACTS: · Girls' soccer, Grade 6 - contact Larry Justin · Girls' soccer, Grade 7 - contact Sheryl Szymanski · Girls' soccer, Grade 8 - contact Stacey Meyer · Boys' soccer, Grades 5 through 8 - contact Jerry Bennek