4/21/2008

Dear Families,

The Play week is upon us; in two weeks we will be at Mt. St. Helens. We’ll blink a few times and be throwing water balloons at the carnival and then find ourselves eating cake at the graduation reception! My warning at the beginning of the year, of its speediness, is for us both – it is hard to believe this year drawing to a close.

Term papers are being returned but more slowly than I had planned. A few papers have required some extra bibliography checking, etc. so I have not maintained my schedule. Nonetheless, all of the papers should be returned by this Friday, 4/25. Again I am impressed with your kids’ effort and dedication to such a demanding project.

Permission slips for the St. Helens trip went home Monday. The cost per participant is $45. The cost increase is a feeble attempt to give our drivers more gas money. If the cost is a hardship for you please let me know. Please have your completed permission forms returned by Friday 4/25.

� ACADEMICS

HISTORY

We are spending our history time preparing for the field trip. Please help me remind the kids that there are several field trip related tests and assignments. Yes, the trip is fun but it is also an important part of our 8^th grade curriculum.

RELIGION

The students need to memorize three prayers: Act of Faith, Act of Hope and Act of Love. Students need to be able to recite these prayers by May 19^th.

LANGUAGE ARTS

Spelling Test - Lesson 26 – Review. I assigned just one workbook section. We will have a regular test as well as a Mastery Review test, Friday 4/25.

LITERATURE

We have finished our short story unit and have moved on to non-fiction. Our first stop is comedy. Humor is the most difficult form of writing to teach and to write. The students will write one humorous paragraph and we will move on to other types of non-fiction.

Another reminder: the second and final book review of the year is due Friday, May 16, 2008.

MATH

Mrs. Reilly is out today.

SCIENCE

Updates about Science are posted in the Science section of school web page.

COMMUNITY UPDATE

The Class of 2008 has a Coat of Arms! The winning artist is Andrea. She will work to create the final shield for the wall and to paint the mascot on the outside wall. Here are the details:

Mascot: fox

Colors: silver and purple

Motto: “If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.”

I am doing my best to give no homework this week. However, if kids choose to NOT use the time I give them in class, then they will end up with work to do after school.

I look forward with great anticipation to this weekend’s play!

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!!

Ann Christianson

annc@saintbrendan.org