Lower School News Jan. 2016

J A N U A R Y

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ST. CATHERINE’S SCHOOL

LS NEWS

Welcome back!

Getting into the school routine has been a challenge with all the snow, but we are excited for a new year!

Junior Kindergarteners are excited to be in their new space!

UPCOMING EVENTS February 11, 2016 February 15, 2016 Parent coffee with Mrs. Sterling and Mrs. Blanton 8:159:00 a.m. in the LSAR

Presidents’ Day Student Holiday

February 27, 2016 Snowball Dance 6:00-7:30 p.m. in the LSAR Grades 2-4

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THE LOREM IPSUMS Lower School News

WINTER 2016 January 2016

Junior Kindergarten On the first day back to school in January, in our new Center For Early Childhood Education, the JK girls began an investigation to lure cardinals into the front yard so that they can see them and study them. They have put out feeders and bird bath; are making a "hiding tree" so that they can hide so as not to frighten the cardinals when they come; have painted rocks with pictures of cardinals so the cardinals will think the feeder is a good place for them; have considered how to communicate with the birds, since they don't speak our language (one theory: when signing your name on a note to birds, you must write "Cheep" or "Tweet" as many times as your name has syllables); and have made costumes of cardinals, trees and rocks to disguise themselves as non-threatening observers.

Through all this, the children have engaged in dialogue, argued their points (amiably) and represented their ideas in multiple languages. They have been rewarded by multiple sightings of cardinals already.

Kindergarten The kindergarten girls have been busy planning and creating a “winter themed” project with the play stands in our classrooms. It takes a lot of collaboration and preparation to make this happen.

We have winter “activities” from sledding to skiing.

They have included animals that enjoy the cold weather and the many forms of winter precipitation.

All of this was going on in our classrooms before the big snow!

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THE LOREM IPSUMS Lower School News

JanuaryWINTER 2016 2016

First Grade This past month has been so exciting! We learned about the water cycle just in time for our big winter storm. We discussed why sometimes it snows and sometimes it rains. Ask your daughters to tell you all about it. We are now beginning a unit using map skills. The girls are learning about the city we live in, our state, country, and the continent we live on. We have studied the oceans that surround our country and about using compass roses. We even drew a birds-eye view of our classroom. At the end of this unit, we will be working with Mrs. Hamilton-Dixon using Legos to build a park with moving parts!

Second Grade The second grade is studying African American heroes and is busy building in the Imagination Station and studying the planets.

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THE LOREM IPSUMS Lower School News

JanuaryWINTER 2016 2016

Third Grade

January is a month of progress and maturity. We’ve passed the halfway point and now the students are beginning to show the growth, independence, and self-reliance that will be needed for fourth grade. Students are more responsible for reviewing their own work as they edit paragraphs and check spelling. We use our number sense skills to dive deep into the pool of multiplication facts.

These challenges help our girls build confidence so that they can finish third grade proudly. Ms. Hapala’s and Mr. Tullner’s classes returned from the winter break ready to lead inspiring chapels, and Mrs. Curry’s and Mrs. Miller’s classes are gearing up to do the same soon. The American Revolution has been introduced, and we’ll be studying it until spring break. During Library/Tech time, Mrs. Irving and Mrs. Hamilton-Dixon help students navigate 8 stations about this important time in our nation’s history, as well as apply dictionary, multimedia, Internet, data analysis, and opinion writing skills. Third-grade students were challenged not just to visit, but also to thoughtfully question and consider all of the amazing countries presented at 6 th grade’s World Experts Fair.

Fourth Grade The fourth grade girls have had “big fun” in math, working on millions and billions, exponential notation, and lattice math multiplication.

Students created Peace Doves using pointillism and adding geometric shapes for the background. They also wrote meaningful New Year’s Resolutions and good wishes for the world.

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Lower School News THE LOREM IPSUMS

JanuaryWINTER 2016 2016

Science

Art

Chinese

This is a photo of Mrs. Minarik delivering student artwork to a nursing home in Georgia during her sabbatical. She is proud of our girls for living out our school motto!

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Kindergarten girls celebrated the Chinese New Year and made their own Hong Bao (lucky money envelope).

Lower School News

January 2016

As report cards have just been released, it is important to remember several things: • • • • • •

Our report card gives you a road map of the skills and concepts your daughter is working on at each grade level.

It gives you an opportunity to look closely at your child’s journey towards doing independent work. Remember that learning is a journey not a race.

Our teachers meet each student where she is at in her learning and move her along accordingly.

The purpose of the report card is to see what your child is learning and then to support and teach her in the areas she needs further assistance.

It is a meaningful snapshot of how your daughter is doing during a certain period of time.

It is also intended to create dialogue between you and your child’s teacher. If you wish to discuss your daughter’s report card further, please contact your child’s teacher.

Communication between you and your child’s teacher is imperative to ensure success.

Upcoming Dates….

February 1-12, 2016 – Wilbur - 2, swimming on T/W/F 8-8:45 a.m.

February 11, 2016 – Parent information session with Mrs. Sterling and Mrs. Blanton: “Peer Relationships” 8:15-9 a.m. in the LSAR February 15, 2016 – Presidents’ Day – Student Holiday February 18, 2016 – Grade 3 dance show for parents, 8:30-9:15 a.m. in McVey Dance Studio.

February 15 - 26, 2016 – Crook - 2, swimming on T/W/F, 8:00-8:45 a.m.

February 26, 2016 – Grade 1 show for parents, 8:30 – 9 a.m. in the LSAR. February 27, 2016 – Snowball Dance for grades 2-4, 6-7:30 p.m. in the LSAR. March 4, 2016 –

Spring Break begins with early dismissals: JK-2 at 11:30 a.m. and grades 3 & 4 at 12:00 noon.