St. Mary’s School
January Newsletter
Did you know that there is some pretty powerful magic in first and
second grade art? I don’t know about you, but I found December’s
weather to be pretty dreary. There is nothing I hate more than winter
rain. It’s definitely not pretty and it soaks through multiple layers
of clothing. And I find it really irritating when I am standing out in
the aforementioned rain and someone cheerfully says to me, “At least it
isn’t snow.” Grrr! Suffice it to say, I have been suffering from a lack
of the fluffy white stuff, so I decided that if we weren’t going to
have snow outside, we could at least have some inside. I thought maybe
Mother Nature would take the hint. So for the first art class after
Christmas vacation, my students made paper snowflakes to hang from the
ceiling and snowmen to adorn the bulletin board. I love making
snowflakes with my students. I always have them fold the paper together
and then instruct them on making various cuts. After all the children
have finished, I have them open up their snowflakes at the same time.
“Ooohs” and “aaaahs” and “Look at mine!” erupt throughout the room. I
duly hung all the snowflakes and snowmen after school that Friday and,
well you know what happened this week! We not only got snow, but also a
significant blast of Arctic air which resulted in two delays and one
snow day. Wow! In the future, I plan to be a little more careful with
my art lessons!
Classes resumed on Monday, January 4. It is amazing how the class of
highly distracted students who left my classroom on December 22 came
back so focused after the break. Everyone seemed ready to get back to
the routine. Of course the routine lasted one week until the snow and
cold came to rearrange it.
On January 6 the second graders received the Sacrament of
Reconciliation for the first time. They had been formally preparing for
the sacrament since the end of October. This week, they began formal
preparation for First Holy Communion, which will be on March 19. First
Reconciliation was late this year due to the parish mission that was
held the first week of December. As I was planning the follow-up
lessons for First Reconciliation, I decided to count the weeks until
First Holy Communion and was shocked to learn that I needed to begin
formal preparation for First Communion. I don’t know if I am just
getting older or what, but it seems as if the school year flies by more
quickly each year. First semester ended last Friday, January 15. That
means the school year is half over.
Candid shots and group pictures for the yearbook will be taken on
January 20 and the Geography Bee will be held on January 27. The
science fair will be held on January 29. Students from grades five
through eight will participate. In the past the science fair was part
of our Spring Spectacular which featured the science fair, art fair,
and music. Last year, the judges were so impressed with the students’
science fair projects, that they suggested we hold
our science fair earlier in the year in order that the students would
be eligible to enter their projects in the District Science Fair which
is held at Edison College.
Catholic Schools Week will begin the weekend of January 30/31. Special
events and activities are being planned. Students will be participating
at the weekend Masses as readers and in the processions. The “Cherub
Choir” will sing at the 10:30 Mass.
On February 9, the school will host its annual Mardi Gras and Reverse
Raffle. Tickets are on sale now. If you would like to purchase a ticket
or two, just call the school office at 548- 2345. You need not be
present to win, but the evening is lots of fun. Since Mardi Gras means
Fat Tuesday, there will be a plethora of delicious desserts to enjoy.
I hope that everyone had a blessed and enjoyable Christmas and New
Year’s. If you like snow, enjoy the weather, if not, spring is just
around the corner!
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