The PUCKETT Family DAMON, RENEE, JORDYNN, MARLEY & JACKSON
We discovered St. John's for preschool in the fall of 2005, when our oldest daughter, Jordynn, was 4 years old. She loved attending preschool here and loved learning about the Lord and was always asking us to take her to church. So, we would attend church periodically, just to make her happy. As Jordynn got older, she started asking to be baptized and then wanted her sister to be baptized and, just like that, our little child led my wife, Renee, and I to the Lord. We loved the St. John's community and became church members in 2007. Today Jordynn, who attended SJLS from pre-K through 8th grade, sings in the praise band at church. Marley attends St. John’s middle school in 6th grade and my son, Jackson, is in 1st grade. I serve on the Board of Elders for St. John’s Lutheran Church. I also serve as Athletic Director/PE Teacher and Gardening Teacher for SJLS. Renee is also a teacher, who has taught middle school in the Val Verde Unified School District for the last 20 years. The educational expectations and rigor at SJLS have remained constant and have continued to offer education with a sound Christian foundation. The teachers and leadership understand that meeting the needs of young learners starts with teaching the concepts of reading, writing, and math. When all is said and done, there are no real or acceptable short cuts to these timeless principles. On top of this, we love that SJLS offers a variety of hands-on enrichment classes for the children to experience. As a result, most students who graduate from St. Johns after 8th grade have a solid foundation of learning and can move forward with confidence, knowing they can compete and succeed anywhere. We experienced this with our daughter, Jordynn, as well as seeing many other St. John’s alumni move on and excel in their pursuits in high school and beyond. St. John’s Lutheran School is a faith-based ministry of St. John’s Lutheran Church so, along with the standards based academics, the school also provides students with a Christian education founded on biblical principles. The bible-based classroom instruction and weekly chapel attendance have been positive, lifelong guides for our children where they get to learn of Jesus Christ! We believe this makes them more well-rounded students, better prepared to meet the challenges they will face as they enter high school and, subsequently, society as adults. All of our children have received, and continue to receive, a quality education from teachers that truly care about their growth, along with biblical encouragement to succeed in every area of their lives; spiritually, mentally, physically, and socially. We love knowing they are at a school that is an extension of the values and knowledge being instilled by Renee and I at home. We cannot quantify what a blessing SJLS has been for our family and we praise God for bringing this school into our lives. Sending our kids to private school has been a bit of a pinch in the pocket book over the years, but the financial sacrifice pales in comparison to the immeasurable benefits they have received from being in this environment. There is no better investment. Dividends are paid out daily and its value compounds year after year. St. John’s Lutheran School provides a loving, fun and exciting environment for kids to grow and learn. The incredible staff members truly have a heart for Jesus. They value my children’s character development and partner with Renee and I to help our children succeed and shine. We treasure every day our kids are at St. John’s and the memories that have been made there. We feel blessed and grateful that they are receiving quality, personalized education while, at the same time, incorporating God into their lives daily, not just on Sundays. There hasn’t been a day we’ve regretted having our children enrolled in St John’s Lutheran School.
The George Family Randy, Teryn & Riley
Our family’s relationship with St. John’s Lutheran School began over five years ago. At that time, in 2011, I was a Dispatcher for the California Highway Patrol and working graveyard shift. Riley was 3 and an only child so not only were we looking for a preschool so she could start learning and being around other children, but also so I could sleep for a few hours after my workday (night!). My younger brother attended St. John’s in the early 90’s so we decided to check out the school. We met with Ms. Stephanie and immediately felt at ease. Riley is our only child together and, as such, entrusting her to strangers was overwhelming. Riley was placed in the Mountain Room and her teachers with Ms. Joann and Ms. Randa, who would remain her teachers for the duration of her preschool years. I still remember the first day when we dropped her off, praying for her to feel comfortable in this new setting. Ms. JoAnn immediately embraced Riley and we truly felt that she loved our child as her own. Her enthusiasm was infectious and her love of children evident. And Ms. Randa was there in the early mornings when I would drop Riley off, she would make sure Riley was settled in and who always just couldn’t believe Riley was wearing a tank top and one of her fluffy tutu’s in the middle of winter with no jacket. (I tried but she’s very strong willed and has always known what makes her happy!) A couple of years later, after a great deal of discussion and faith, (and quite a lot of support from Ms. Joann, who I think wanted me to be able to stay at home with Riley more than anyone) I quit my job to focus on our family. Riley had just started Kindergarten in Ms. Nancy’s room and blossomed and truly looked forward to going to school. With grateful hearts we’d take her to school knowing she would be safe, happy, and loved. Time always has a way of passing so quickly; Riley is now in third grade in Mrs. Will's class. She has an amazing zest for learning and truly enjoys school. The fact that she is learning in a Christ centered environment is very important to us. After I became a stay at home mom, I wanted to become involved with the school so I began volunteering for various things. The more I volunteered, the more I enjoyed being there. There is thankfulness, not just from the directors but all of the staff at St. John’s for any help provided; they sincerely appreciate their volunteers. This year I am the PTL secretary, which has been a great experience. I also do snack shop every Friday (along with my amazing mom, Kristi). This in itself has been an amazing experience; just for the brief time these children come to snack shop I feel like I have gotten to know so many of them, not just by face but by name. This is a testament to the benefit of a smaller, private school. There is such a feeling of “family”. In December, I work at the Christmas Shop and enjoy watching the children pick out special gifts for their family members. I’m excited be a part of the upcoming Book Fair as well as the annual Silent Auction. I know that Riley will attend St. John’s through 8th grade and we look forward to seeing her "Love, Lead, and Learn." I’m excited to continue to grow my relationship with all of the wonderful people for whom St. John’s Lutheran School is not just a place to work, but a place to nurture children to their full potential with love.
The Duffin Family Rob, Nikki, Kyle Carson & Dax
Sixteen years ago, on the recommendation of friends, I brought my two children, Kyle and Carson Busher, to enroll in preschool at St. John’s Lutheran School. They attended St. John’s into their elementary school years; during that time, they met life-long friends, had a whole lot of fun, and got an exceptional faith-based education. Kyle and Carson left St. John’s and continued to grow into highly successful students; in fact, Kyle just graduated from Hemet High School with Honors (2016) and will attend UCSB in the fall. And, in 2015, here I came again, enrolling my 3-year-old son, Dax, at St. John’s Lutheran Preschool. When we came to enroll him, it was amazing to see some of the same people at the school that were here when Kyle and Carson were in school; people like Ms. Stephanie, Ms. Nancy and Ms. Angela. In fact, when I took Dax to school one day, there was a substitute teacher in his class; lo and behold, it was Mrs. Randa! It brought tears to my eyes to see this sweet lady again; she was my Carson’s teacher {by the way, she has not aged at all!} It is wonderful to feel so secure in the high quality care the kids get at St. John’s. Dax has learned so much; songs, his ABC’s and, best of all, he is learning about Jesus and our Heavenly Father. He loves going to school and I love taking him. The best part about a St. John’s education is the relationships that are formed and the excellent academic and spiritual learning provided to students. I really love meeting all the new families and visiting with old friends when I arrive on campus. I also enjoy all of the fun activities that the school puts on, like festivals, class parties, and field trips. I think ST. JOHN’S ROCKS … I would never go anywhere else!
"The best thing about St. John's is the fact that I'm loved here!" -4th grade student (2015 Annual Student Survey)
"One of St. John's strengths is their desire to bring a strong Christian education and a positive nuturing environment for the students; another is the personal relationships they build with each child. The kids feel loved and safe." - 2nd grade parent (2015 Annual Parent Survey)
"Everything about St. Johns is excellent but if I had to choose one thing it would be all the teachers and support they give to me." - 6th grade student (2015 Annual Student Survey)
"The strength I have seen so far at St. Johns is that they provide for a very loving environment and are very accommodating. I like that they provide activities for families/students to be more involved." -Preschool parent (2015 Annual Parent Survey)