Hillcrest Primary School
This past month the LEADS kindergarten class has been busy learning all about the Arctic. The children have discovered many interesting connections between the habitat, weather and animals. This week the kids have done experiments to help them understand how Arctic animals adapt to survive in such cold weather. Mother Nature from Wisconsin cooperated with a real live Arctic blast to help them understand firsthand about how cold it really is at the North Pole.
The students in Gina Monfils’ kindergarten class are busy working on a friendship quilt in preparation for the 10th annual Martin Luther King Community Celebration. We have been learning more about respect for others, forgiveness and peace through biographies of brave individuals such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Ruby Bridges and Rosa Parks. Together, as a class, we performed several random acts of kindness, practiced using words to fix our problems, and strengthened our classroom community through our show of respect for each other.
Sacred Heart Catholic School
It has been busy this cold, cold January at Sacred Heart Catholic School. After resting in the warmth of our homes for two days, we came back to many exciting things happening in our classrooms.
Grades 3 and 4 worked hard on research projects about volcanoes. They had to research, write a report, make a visual guide poster and create a model. Some of the models exploded! One model was even edible! They shared their creations and information with our younger students, too.
The students in 4K through second grade are learning about healthy teeth. They took a short walk to Midwest Dental to learn how dentists help them keep their teeth healthy. They learned what they need to do at home to ensure a long life with a bright smile. The second-graders enjoyed a special “tooth talk” in school to finish up the healthy teeth unit. Thanks to Midwest Dental for sharing your time with our students.
Our big school event to talk about is the Early Childhood open house that we hosted on Jan. 11. We were excited to meet many new little friends who brought smiles and laughter while having fun participating in the many activities planned just for them. Families were able to meet staff and learn what our school has to offer for the 2014-2015 school year in our early childhood classes. We are taking registration for next year in 4K through grade 8. We are also taking family interests for our 3K program. We hope to offer 3K, based on enrollment interest.
All families, parishioners and community members are welcome to join us for Winter Wonderland on Jan. 26, following Mass. A spaghetti luncheon will be served in the cafeteria by Home and School from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for a freewill offering. The staff will be hosting Winter Wonderland activities in the school from 12-2 p.m. Some activities include winter sensory, Smartboard learning, basketball shootout and more. We hope to have you join us and enjoy God’s blessing of winter and all the wonder it has to offer.
If you would like additional information about our Early Childhood classes, Winter Wonderland or registration, please call the school office at 715-526-5328 or email Carolyn Reuter, admissions director, at admissions@shcscardinals.org.
Olga Brener Intermediate School
The Hawk Way trait for the month of December was “Caring.” The third-graders really demonstrated that Olga Brener students really do care. The third-grade students, together with their teachers, picked a charity they’d like to raise money for and chose the Red River Riders, a nonprofit organization that provides therapy through horseback riding. The students brainstormed and came up with some ideas on how to raise money. Each classroom was responsible for different items that would be sold during the lunch hours for one week. Items that were sold were bottles of Gatorade, hand-made candy sleighs, reindeer candy canes, mini candy bars, candy canes, taffy and hand-painted ornaments. The students ran their store in the cafeteria during the lunch hours, where they practiced their math skills and found out what it was like to run a business. The students raised a whopping $1,613. Way to go!
Upcoming: Thursday, Family Book Club; Friday, half day; Monday, no school; Jan. 24, PTO Family Hoedown.
Gresham Schools
In the last few weeks, many classes made or brought in holiday treats to celebrate Christmas together before the holiday break began. There was also time taken out of the day for a caring community lesson that happens every month.
The elementary students gathered together in the library to watch the classic movie “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” With the film as a teaching tool, the students discussed the rights and wrongs on how to treat people.
On Saturday, Gresham Junior High’s boys basketball team played in a tournament in Almond and came out in fourth place. Everyone played great and tried their very best.