BUILDING FELLOWSHIP, FAITH, WISDOM
QUARTER TWO FOCUS: RIGHT ACTIONS
(reflecting Jesus through what I do)
DR. KOBERLEIN
2008 Archdiocesan Distinguished Elementary Principal
ADVENT PRAYER SERVICE
We started Advent with an All School Prayer Service in the gym at 8:00am on Monday, December 1. All students, wearing jeans and green, formed a living Advent wreath. All were reminded that we are the prophets and saints of today. It is through our voice, hands, and heart that the presence of Jesus can be felt by those we meet.
SPANISH MASS - FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12
All of you are invited to join with us in prayer on December 12, 2008, at the 8:00am Mass. The Mass will be in Spanish since we honor Our Lady of Guadalupe on that day. She is the patron saint of the Americas, and this is one way we can teach the universality of our Catholic Church.
BREAKFAST WITH DR. KOBERLEIN
Please join Dr. Koberlein and fellow parents for breakfast in Meeting Rooms A & B. Bring any comments and questions on current program development and ideas for future activities. Come learn from other parents’ ideas, listen to what Dr. Koberlein has to share with us, and let’s learn more about our children’s education together.
K-4 GRADE PARENTS
Wednesday, December 3 (7:45-8:45am)
5-8 GRADE PARENTS
Thursday, December 11 (7:45-8:45am)
TOY DRIVE FOR BRADLEY HALL
There are never enough toys, clothes, or shoes for the children of families that are serviced at Bradley Hall since all efforts must go to providing necessities. The eighth graders are sponsoring a TOY DRIVE for families who “shop” there. Students will be loading boxes, carrying food to cars, and distributing new and gently used toys, clothing, and shoes to clients at Bradley Hall on December 15 and 16. Please send any gifts to school prior to December 15 so the students can deliver them when they volunteer their services. Thank you for your generosity.
WEATHER CHANGE
Once again we are facing that time of year when the weather and temperature can change drastically over the period of a school day. Students do go outside for recess and P.E. The playground monitors and Mrs. Kaiman have asked that the students come to school with a coat, hat, and gloves to be prepared for those changes. Parents may want to send a pair of those small, inexpensive, stretchy gloves to keep in your child’s book bag or locker.
INCLEMENT WEATHER
If it becomes necessary to close school or start later due to inclement weather, announcements will be broadcast on KSDK and KMOV television stations.
If the announcement indicates "snow schedule", doors to school will open at 9:15 a.m., classes will begin at 9:30 a.m.
Once school is in session, there will be no early dismissal for inclement weather. If you choose to pick your child up early if weather begins to deteriorate, you must come to the school office and sign your child out. No other carpool children will be allowed to leave with you unless those children’s parents have called the school office prior to your arrival and given permission for that to occur.
Please do not call teachers, the school office, parish office, or rectory.
LUNCH NOTES FROM NICKY HOGG
The January lunch menu has came home Friday, December 5. Our lunch numbers are rising, and this is a really great thing! The kids are enjoying lunch; they are getting a healthy meal. Sylvia, our parent workers, and the staff are making lunch time work very efficiently.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Please take special note that our lunch order form has changed slightly. The space to fill in your child's name and grade is now boxed in and seems to be a little harder to see. This month the name and grade are bolded and italicized. PLEASE MAKE SURE NAME AND GRADE IS FILLED OUT ON YOUR CHILD'S LUNCH ORDER FORM. Also, another friendly reminder to make sure you are using the correct form for the age of your child: K-4 or 5-8.
One last reminder-with the increase in lunch numbers, it is imperative that all workers arrive for their shift and arrive on time. If you are unable to make your day and have switched with someone or have a substitute, let me or the office know of your switch. This way we can track down who is supposed to be in the lunch room and ensure we will have 4 workers per day.
Again, I appreciate everything you do to make this lunch program a success!
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH SPELLING BEE
Our school has again been invited to take part in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Spelling Bee that is sponsored and hosted by Maryville University.
The school spelling bee is open to all students in grades 3-8. It will be held on Friday, January 9, 2009, at 9:00a.m. and will be broadcast on KSGM. There will be a total of 30 finalists competing. These 30 finalists will be the winners of grade level spelling bees, 5 winners from each grade. These grade level bees will be held during the first two weeks of January. Participation is optional, but those wishing to take part can go to www.myspellit.com for a complete list of words from which to study.
The school winner will move on to the Post-Dispatch written semi-final bee on Saturday, March 7, 2009, at Maryville University (no audience). Winners from the written semi-finals will compete in the oral spelling bee finals on Saturday, March 14, 2009, in the Maryville University Auditorium.
A MESSAGE FROM JOYCE BRYAN
SOMETHING NEW IS COMING
ART FOR EDUCATION FUNDRAISER
This Spring we will be trying a new fundraiser called Art for Education. Your child will make a picture and then it will be turned into notecards for you and your family to purchase with profits going to SGM! This will be fun, but first we need to get permission to put your child’s art work into a brochure. You will receive this very soon and must return it right away or your child can’t have their work reproduced. NO OBLIGATION to buy at this time at all. More info will be coming. I’m looking for some parents to help put stickers on the art work when we do that part.
Please sign and return the permission slip ASAP for our new fundraiser. If we don’t have your permission slip for each child, then their work will be excluded from the sale. Any questions, call Joyce Bryan.
LOST AND FOUND
The lost and found is overflowing. The items have been set out on tables in the Gold Room. All items not claimed by Tuesday, Dec. 9, will be donated to the poor. Just a reminder, please label everything. There are coats, SGM sweaters and sweatshirts, gym uniforms and much, much more without any names. You can write your last name in the grey rectangle on the front of the PE shorts and shirts.
THANK YOU SIXTH GRADE PARENTS
The faculty and staff would like to thank the sixth grade parents for the delicious breakfast they prepared for us. The egg-and-sausage casseroles and sweet treats were just the thing to warm us up on a cold morning. We appreciate your thoughtfulness.
MRS. BRASHER'S LEARNING/STUDY TIPS...
Our annual standardized test, The Iowa Test of Basic Skills, has been taken and scored. Everyone has received their results, and as a whole, St. Gerard Majella students did a great job. I have had many parents ask me for ideas of things they can do to help their child build their skills in specific areas. Here are a few ideas that I have been sharing:
Reading: While you are reading a book or watching a movie, ask your child to retell the story, identify the plot, identify the characters, and the setting. Ask them questions about what happened and what might happen next. Have them identify why things turned out the way they did. Work on increasing vocabulary by playing games that rely on talking and describing.
Language Arts: The main objective in the language arts section is spotting errors in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and word usage. Mistakes are found in newspapers and in many books that we read. Make a game out of finding errors in the newspaper. Write stories for each other and see who can find and fix them all.
Math: Computation is a big part of math, but spatial skills, patterns, and sequencing are also included on the tests. Create graphs and charts based on family activities. Practice time and money concepts.
This is a great time of year to look at the board games available. Choose a couple family friendly ones to add to your family game night menu.
MRS. KAIMAN'S HEALTH TIPS...
‘TIS THE SEASON TO BE FREEZIN’
Don’t let winter stall your children’s outdoor fun. Winter is a good a time as any to be active outdoors – as long as you stay warm. Overexposure to the cold can cause serious problems such as frostbite and hypothermia. Frostbite occurs when ice crystals form in the skin – usually on the ears, nose, hands, or feet. To treat mild cases, slowly warm the skin in lukewarm water.
Parents can protect their children by following these precautions:
*** Dress children warmly. Several thin layers will help children stay dry as well as warm. Clothing should consist of thermal underwear, turtlenecks, one or two shirts, pants, sweater, coat, warm socks, boots, gloves or mittens, and a hat.
*** Set reasonable time limits on outdoor play. Call children in periodically to warm up with drinks such a hot chocolate.
A MESSAGE FROM LISA VIENHAGE:
PARENT ROSARY
While preparing for Christmas and the birth of God's Son, consider praying the rosary with other SGM school moms as one way to "spiritually" prepare yourself for this Holy Season. Joyce Bryan has so graciously opened her home for us during this busy month to pray with each other on Thursday mornings, gathering at 8:45am (spending 25 minutes or so in prayer). We invite those present to lift up intentions for loved ones or anyone needing God's special care. You are encouraged to bring intentions of other family and friends not present, or you may call Joyce with a prayer request if need be.
Mark your bustling calendar with the first three Thursdays in December, the 4th, 11th, and 18th, and think about inviting a friend. It is a powerful witness when there is a shared presence of mothers calling upon God together. "Wherever two or more are gathered in my Name...."
Hope to see some new faces there!!!
SERVICE PROJECTS
Our faith teaches us that we all have a responsibility to serve one another. As part of that teaching, each grade will have the opportunity to organize a service project during the school year. The projects will vary and be age appropriate.
The seventh grade will help prepare bags of personal items to be delivered to those in need during the entire year. Please send in any unopened personal-sized soap, shampoo, lotion, etc., at any time.
RECYCLE! RECYCLE! RECYCLE!
All money generated from the paper recycling program will be used to help those in need. Please continue your efforts.
BOXTOPS
Thanks to all who faithfully shop, clip, and send in boxtops.
This is free money to the school, so PLEASE take the extra time to cut and send in!
MONTHLY PRAYER
During the month of December, we will pray the following on KSGM each morning:
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
