What's Happening at?St. John

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[On August 17, St. John Lutheran School open its doors for the 164th year of Christ-centered education with an "under new management "sign. After 41 years, former principal Christopher Urquhart has retired and Mrs. Brenda Owen has been hired to serve the St. John family as its new principal.

Mrs. Owen was born and raised in Chester, daughter or Roger and Betty Ohlau. She is a graduate of St. John and both of her children, Christopher and Curtis, also attended St. John. She attended Chester High School and the University of Illinois, and holds a masters degree in administration. Mrs. Owen is quoted as saying "she hopes to get to know all of the parents over the course of the year" and "I look forward to working together to continue improving St. John Lutheran School as a quality Christian and Learning environment."

Mrs. Owen is not the only new face at St. John this year. Other changes include the hiring of Ms. Rebecca Ruebke as 6th homeroom teacher and middle school math teacher. Mrs. Gretchen Weber has been hired as the new music teacher as well as Junior Choir director and Ms Kaela Powley has been hired as a new early childhood aide. Mrs. Meg Knop has moved from her sixth grade position to the fourth grade replacing Mrs. Janet Baldwin.

St. John concluded its first day of school with a block party/ open house attended by over 170 parent and students. The event gave the parents the opportunity to meet Mrs. Owen and the other new teachers and to learn more about the changes coming to St. John in the near future.