September 30, 2013

Dear Parents,

The class is currently suffering from LOTS of sniffling and coughing.  Some students say it is allergies and others just have a cold.  Be sure to remind them to wash their hands and cover their mouths.  We "live" in pretty tight corridors so it can be a germ's heaven if we let it.

The mitosis project begins Monday morning.  This is one of my most favorite projects the 7th graders complete.  They will have a choice to work alone or with a small group.  In the past performance types have included a cheerleading routine, a dance, skits, poetry reading, karate routine and much much more.  It is with great anticipation that I give this project to the 7th graders.  There are so many creative minds in this class, who knows what we might find!

We have families this week.  So far, I have heard nothing but great things about the 7th graders and how helpful they are in their family settings.  I know they will continue to help the 8th graders make it a great year.

BINGO is Thursday night.  It begins at 6:30 upstairs in the Parish Center.   Coming from a person who has worked almost every BINGO evening since it began, I can tell you that it is a very good night of fun, food and fellowship.  Please join us if you are able.

Next week is the beginning of ITBS testing.  The schedule looks like this:
Monday: 8:30-12:00
Tuesday:  8:30-10:30
Wednesday: 12:40-2:30
Thursday: 8:30-10:30
Friday:  9:40-11:10

PLEASE (I cannot stress this enough) try and have your child there every day (at least during the listed times).  It makes the whole process easier on everyone.  I hope giving you the schedule now will give you enough time to change any appointments that can be changed.  Heading to bed at an early hour and breakfast each morning are good ideas, as well.  If your child is sick, please keep them home.  We will make arrangements to make up the tests when he/she returns.

Many blessings on a wonderful fall week!
Kim

September 23, 2013

Dear Parents,

I hope that this post finds all of you enjoying the weather on the first day of Autumn!  This is one of my most favorite times of year, with FOOTBALL (sorry Packers), changing leaves and warm drinks like a chai tea latte!

The students will get their cell project grades back on Monday.  Overall, spectacular work!  I am very impressed with their creativity and quality making connections from cell organelle and a theme; we even had a Harry Potter theme!  Congrats to all of the students and know that I am proud of their hard work.  Our next topic is MITOSIS!  The students will work in groups or individually to create some type of performance to explain the process of cell reproduction.  With the awesomeness of the cell project, I anticipate some fantastic projects!

We have a prayer service on Wednesday morning, as the priests have an annual meeting in the Dells this week.  Please feel free to join us if you would like, same time and place!  (8:45 in the church)

We have careers on Wednesday afternoon.  I believe we will have a parent coming to talk to us about her job as a nurse on one of the medical helicopters in the area.  It should be a great opportunity to hear some insight to that side of a job.

Have a wonderful week!

Many blessings,
Kim

September 16, 2013

Dear Parents,

What a wonderful weekend!  The weather was sure beautiful on Saturday and Sunday was a perfect day to stay in and watch the Packer game or ANY football for that matter!

If your child forgot to turn in their magazine sales, they can bring them in on Monday.  Please be sure that they are turned in no later than lunch on Monday.  Thank you and hopefully this fundraiser will provide us with lots of funds to do fun things!

The cell projects, including their self assessments, are due at the end of class on Thursday.  I am so impressed by the projects I have seen.  There are a few students' projects I have not seen at all, I hope they are getting done at home and will be at school Thursday morning ready to hand in to me.

Please keep a close eye on your students' grades online.  It is mid-quarter... crazy, I know and the last part of the quarter will coming quickly!

Have a wonderful week!

Many blessings,
Kim

September 9, 2013

Dear Parents,

We are just about ready to start our 1st full week of school.  I am having a difficult time believing it is the 3rd week of school, already.  With that thought, comes grades...  I know that my cohorts and I are putting grades into mystudentsprogress.com on a regular basis.  Please make that website a regular place you visit.  It is a wonderful tool for you to help me keep up with your child's missing work!  It is also a place to find great things going on in your child's grades!  I am really proud of some of the kids who are starting off really, really well!!!!

This week is just a regular week.  Few reminders below:

*Great job with uniforms on Wednesday!  Keep that up!
*We have mass EVERY Wednesday now!  :)  It is at 8:45 and you are more than welcome to join us if you can.
*Families met for the first time last week.  I heard lots of great things from the 8th graders and how the 7th graders helped out a lot to make the time go better!
*The cell project is under way.  I am thinking the project and the self-assessment will be due at the end of class on Thursday, September 19th.

Please remember to email me asap with any questions or concerns!
Many blessings,
Kim

September 2

Dear Parents,

WE did it!  We made the first week one of great success!  I am so proud of these young people and their determination to succeed!  I appreciate their kindness and patience as I continue to heal.  They have been wonderful!

This week...

Tuesday:  "regular" day

Wednesday:  First day of full uniform!  We have church at 8:45 and have been asked that students, if they get cold in church, to put a long sleeve shirt under their uniform shirt (they can take it off after church) or they can wear the long sleeve St. Dennis uniform shirt.  They are no longer able to just throw on a sweatshirt or jacket.  We also have our first family gathering in the afternoon.  I know the 8th graders are excited and hope that the 7th graders jump in and become great helpers.

Thursday:  "regular" day; BINGO in the evening!

Friday:  We have our first "business education" class.  The whole middle school will be participating in a DECA type class that the middle school teachers are developing.  The 1st 6 weeks will be a Junior Achievement unit.  We are hoping that our final project at the end of the year will be for the students to have learned enough to create a type of business and have a showing of some of the prototypes of products.  It is a work in process and are very excited about its future.

Couple friendly reminders:

IF birthday treats must be shared they MUST be something that the student can hand out at the very end of the day as the students are leaving the room.  I really work to NOT eat in the lab and we really don't have a lot of time during the day to set aside for celebration.  (I am sorry if that sounds "party pooper"ish.)  

News articles have been assigned.  Their due date for 7 articles is mid-October.

Have a wonderful week!

Many blessings,

Kim