In an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 and keep students, staff and families safe, St. Johns Public Schools will move all students to a remote learning platform starting on Tuesday, November 3 through November 13, 2020. Adventure Club will be closed as well, however, Little Wings will remain open at this time. Right now they are planning on all school buildings to reopen on Monday, November 16.
On Sunday the 7-day average of the percent of positive test cases in Clinton County reached 8.2%. Last week, the numbers continued to rise. This makes the demand on the Mid-Michigan Health Department extremely heavy and affects the turnaround time of contact tracing.
Elementary students in attendance on Monday, November 2 were sent home with breakfast and lunch for Tuesday. Free meals may be picked up by any family at the High School Athletic Entrance on Monday and Wednesday each week between 8:00 and 9:30 a.m..
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St. Johns High and Middle Schools move to remote learning
Earlier in the week an individual at St. Johns High School tested positive for COVID-19. This has led to additional staff and students having to be quarantined for two weeks. Some students at St. Johns Middle School have tested positive for COVID-19. The positive cases appear to stem from a non- school event this past weekend. This has led to several students and staff members having to be quarantined for the next two weeks.
Quarantine does not mean that these individuals are infected. It indicates that these people have been exposed to a person who is infected.
ALL students will need to connect in through Zoom during the closure and follow their daily class schedule:
– High School – Closed to in-person learning through November 6. In-person classes will resume on November 9.
– Middle School – Closed to in-person learning through November 11. In-person classes resume on November 12.
The Mid-Michigan District Health Department investigated the situation and worked with staff to identify individuals who were close contacts who needed to be quarantined. The school district will continue to implement thorough cleaning procedures to protect our staff and students. They will implement our enhanced cleaning protocols in the entire building before the return of staff and students to that facility.
Please continue to be vigilant in following safety protocols and monitoring yourself and your child for any symptoms that could be related to COVID-19.
His Cup Runneth Over finishes 6th season
His Cup Runneth Over, a mobile food ministry, just concluded it’s 6th season. Due to Covid-19, His Cup Runneth Over started the 2020 season later than normal and did not travel to multiple locations like in past seasons. Instead they stayed at one location at First Congregational Church, St. Johns.
The ministry served meals every Tuesday from June thru October and also some Thursdays with the Salvation Army’s produce distribution. They prepared and distributed 3,715 free meals this season.
Individuals would come and get a meal for themselves and their families, and delivery was also offered for those who could not get out to get meals.
Clinton Transit, along with a couple of individuals, made weekly deliveries to 16 different households. They had 29 volunteers who helped in some way to prepare meals, serve meals, or provide trailer maintenance.
Organizers look forward to being back for the 2021 season. If you want to find out more about getting involved in this ministry you can email hiscuprunnethover@gmail.com.
A couple of weeks ago Guven Whitteveen conducted an interview with Suzi Brown, and you can see it here: https://archive.org/details/soupkitchen48879
St. Johns ready for Trick or Treaters
Tricking or Treating will be held in St. Johns from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 31.
Here are some safety suggestions:
If you wish to participate, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Michigan Department of Health have both determined that traditional door to door trick or treating is a high-risk activity as far as Covid-19 is concerned.
Trunk or treat events, which are usually done by non-profit or church groups, are also considered high-risk so similar CDC guidelines are also recommended.
St. John’s Lutheran Church’s Trunk or Treat event is Drive-Thru Only! Out of an abundance of caution for everyone’s health and safety, a decision has been made to host Trunk-Or-Treat via Drive-Thru only. No walk-ins, please.
Please plan to drive through the trunk path to collect lots of treats and goodies which await you on October 31 from 3 to 5 p.m.
There will be businesses to trick-or-treat at during the Friday, October 30 Event So Good Its Scary being held from 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Then please join folks in beautiful Downtown St. Johns on Saturday, October 31 from 6:20 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. for the first annual Downtown Candy Cruise Trick Or Treat event.
Come drive through downtown with the kids and enjoy a contact free trick or treat event courtesy of the St. Johns DDA/PSD and several of our local businesses. This will be a great and safe way to get the kids out for a fun Halloween from the comfort of your vehicle.
All vehicles must enter the drive through via Old US27/ N. Clinton Ave. and proceed South toward the courthouse. Exit the cruise East Or West on M-21/ State St. This is a FREE event.
Community Thanksgiving Take-out Dinner is November 26
The annual Clinton Community Thanksgiving Celebration and Dinner is a celebration of all that is good about community life in the Mid-Michigan Region. They are an interfaith endeavor put on by volunteers for all people of the area at Columbian Hall, the Knights Of Columbus Hall, 1108 N. US 27 in St. Johns.
The dinner will be available from 12:00-2:00 p.m. This is an inclusive event where everyone is invited to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving dinner at no cost
To order call (989) 292-0972 or CCThanksgiving.org.
Get your courthouse puzzle before they’re gone – Only 5 left
The Clinton County Historical Society is promoting the sale of the beginnings of our local history in the form of a 500 piece (18″ x 24″) puzzle. With some extra time on our hands you can have some fun putting together a great picture of our 1890 Clinton County Court House.
To order:
Please send the following information and include a check for $35 (if you want to pick up in St. Johns) or
$40 (if you want it shipped) to:
CCHS, P.O. Box 174, St. Johns, MI 48879
Please include: Your name, Your address and Phone or email to notify you of arrival.
Pick up will be at 503 N. Lansing St., St. Johns, MI 48879. For more information call Julie Peters: 989-501-0599 or email petersj@msu.edu.
If you or someone you know is physically challenged and unable to rake their leaves in the city limits, please contact the City of St. Johns at (989) 224-8944, ext. 282 by October 28th. The St. Johns Public School students are volunteering their time to rake leaves for residents that are unable to do so. There will be a limit of 10 residents this year for raking, so please call early to get added to the list.
TCOA Dinner Auction Virtual Gala is November 5
Sponsors and guests are invited to join TCOA’s 35th Annual Dinner and Auction Virtual Gala from anywhere to raise funds for in-home supports for seniors and adults with disabilities in Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties. Special thank you to Event Sponsor, Jackson National Life Insurance Company.
You will learn more about TCOA’s work, and hear from TCOA clients and leaders about what your support means for local older adults and adults with disabilities. You will also be invited to participate in the mobile silent auction, opening by November 1.
The one-hour livestream will begin on Thursday, November 5 at 6:00 p.m. at www.tcoa.org/tcoa-events.
During this challenging year, TCOA has seen an increase in requests for assistance. The funds from this event are more important than ever in helping TCOA meet the growing needs in the community. We truly appreciate your support!
If you have any questions about this year’s event, please contact Casey at CooperC@tcoa.org or 517-887-1377.
Swiss Steak Fundraiser Dinner is Saturday, November 7
On Saturday, November 7 American Legion Post 153 110 E. Walker St. St. Johns is hosting a public Swiss steak dinner that includes potatoes, salad, vegetables, rolls/butter, and dessert (beverage not included) from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm or all is gone.
Tickets are $10.00 per ticket with a 50/50 raffle drawing at 7:00 p.m. The Lounge opens at 3:30 p.m.
Social distancing and mask protocols will be in place. Call (989) 224-7282 for take-out orders.
Beverages purchased will benefit the lounge. Dinner proceeds to benefit the ALA 8th District Leadership Development Fund.