Saint Ann School News

Week of January 23 thru 27 Fifth Grade Newsletter

Dear parents and students,

I am sure that your child has told you about their special project last week. With the help of Victor’s grandmother, Susie Jensen, the children made a prayer blanket for Mrs. McMahon. The prayer blankets ministry is a way for people to let others know that they are covered in prayer through illnesses. It was a real treat to watch them sew and decorate this lovely blanket. Father Paul then came to the classroom to bless the blanket. He blessed the blanket with holy water from Lourdes, France!

Language Arts: We will read “The Mystery of Mars.” This expository text is an introduction to the Pathfinder and Viking voyages to the Red Planet. Students will work on summarization skills.

Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics:
This week the class will review words with the prefix inter- and the suffixes –ly and -sion. They will finish formatting a persuasive business letter. The emphasis will be placed on the vocabulary associated with our story and using the words appropriately when speaking and writing. Encourage your kids to use their vocabulary and spelling words to expand their own vocabulary and learn the power of words. The students will work on a special writing assignment for Catholic Schools Week.

Math: Last week we reviewed writing fractions, showing equivalent fractions and writing fractions in their lowest terms. This week we will work on comparing, adding and subtracting fractions with like denominators and mixed numbers. We will also add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators.

Social Studies/Geography: Unit 6, Lesson 3
In lesson 3 students will identify the different roles women played during the American Revolution.

Science: This week we will continue studying the Solar System, to coincide with our new reading unit “Our Corner of the Universe.”

Religion: Unit 2 “We Worship”
We will complete chapter 13 on Pentecost. Students will be learning about the first Pentecost and missionaries.

God bless,
Mrs. McDonald (for Mrs. McMahon)

January 23, 2012 Middle School Newsletter

Dear Middle School Parents and Guardians,

• Reports cards for second quarter are enclosed in today’s Monday envelope. Please call if you have any questions or concerns.

• Box Tops…make sure to keep clipping these out and sending them in. The Box Top contest for the school is ending on January 31. The class with the most Box Tops points collected will win an ice cream party.

• 7th Grade is in charge of Mass this Friday. Please join us!

• On Monday, Traveling Mary will be sent home with a 7th grade student to visit the student’s family for an entire week (Monday through the following Monday). Mary comes with prayers, a candle and a doily. Please place Mary in a predominant place in your home. This is a wonderful opportunity for families to gather in prayer and honor our Blessed Mother. (The 6th and 8th grade classrooms will be sending their Traveling Marys home with students soon.)

• 7th Grade is going on a field trip to see the IWV Concert (Moscow Nights and Golden Lites) at BHS Performing Arts Center. The trip will take place on Friday, February 3, from 9:30 - 11:30AM. We will need approximately five drivers to transport all 18 students. Please notify Mrs. Wadley if you will be able to drive/chaperone (remember all Safe Environment and driver paperwork must be up to date and on file in the school office).

Science Camp Items:

• Thank you to all of the parents and families that made our Roast Beef Dinner on Saturday a great success! The dinner raised about $1,100.00! Be sure to log all of your family’s volunteer hours in the school office.

• Make sure you log any and all hours worked for our Science Camp. The logbook is located in the School Office on the front counter.

• We are in need of more male volunteers to serve as chaperones. Volunteers must be able to hike and spend the majority of the day with the students as they explore their environment. As with all the chaperones, if we have more volunteers than we need, final selection will be done by lottery. Volunteers must have their Safe Environment clearances.

• Basketball News:

o Girls will be excused at 2:25PM this Tuesday (vs. Wallace) and Wednesday (vs. Edwards). We will have a clipboard at the Middle School gate so an adult can sign out a player.

o Boys will be dismissed at the regular time (2:40 PM). If parents choose to pick up their child prior to regular dismissal on game days, the player will need to be signed out at the School Office (and will be counted as a partial “Absence”).

o Note – Any siblings who will be leaving prior to regular dismissal on game days will need to be signed out at the School Office (and will be counted as a partial “Absence”).

o Wallace Directions: Per MapQuest, driving time is 1 hour 21 minutes. Take CA-178 W - go 43 miles. Take exit #43/LAKE ISABELLA/WOFFORD HEIGHTS - go 0.1 mi. Turn Left on KERNVILLE RD (CA-155 E) - go 0.3 mi. Turn Right on LAKE ISABELLA BLVD - go 0.8 mi. Turn Left on ERSKINE CREEK RD - go 0.9 mi. The school is on the right. The big brand new gym is one of the first buildings as you approach the campus.

o Edwards Directions: Will be e-mailed to you as soon as the venue is confirmed.

o El Tejon Tournament (Girls): Will be e-mailed to you as soon as we receive details. The location will be at the Frazier Mountain High School gym.

Have a great week!
Mrs. Sherrick, Mrs. Wadley and Mrs. Duck

6th Grade
Language Arts: Spelling workbooks are due on Thursday, and the Spelling Unit 20 test is Friday. AR Quiz #1 needs to be taken by Monday, February 6. In the literature textbook we will read Ghost of the Lagoon; from this story we will cover vocabulary, predicting and internal and external conflicts in stories. Students will take a quiz over this literature selection on Thursday.

Social Studies: Students will continue studying Egypt. They will be working on their Glogster projects at home this week. If anyone has any technical difficulty or concerns with internet accessibility, please contact me to arrange for an alternative visual aid if the virtual Glogster poster isn’t a possibility at home. I will work with anyone who needs to create a traditional poster. If using Glogster, make sure that the web site address is correct: edu.glogster.com. If students just enter glogster.com, it will not work. The Chinese potluck has been postponed until this Wednesday during social studies class this week at 1:50. Grade six has signed up for fortune cookies, soy sauce, napkins and cups. Items still needed are Jasmine tea, jasmine rice, plasticware, rice cooker and whatever parents would like to bring. Students will also enjoy watching the movie Mulan. (* Please note: all student work that is graded and returned is to be kept in students’ binders which they may take home. No work is required to remain in the classroom).

Religion: We will finish Chapter 9 (Mary, Mother of the Church), and the Ch 9 Test will be Wednesday. We will be working later this week and next week to adorn the box for the Traveling Mary. If you have some spare fabric or crafting supplies for this project, please email me (sixthgrade@parishofsaintann.org).

Earth Science: Students will identify and describe the layers of the earth by composition and appearance and will define tectonic plate. (* Please note: all student work that is graded and returned is to be kept in students’ binders which they may take home. No work is required to remain in the classroom).

Math: Concepts & Applications: Students will learn how to multiply and divide fractions and mixed numbers. In addition, they will learn how to solve equations that contain fractions. There will be a quiz on Chapter 6 (Sections 4-6) on Friday. Reminder: POW is due Friday (remember the Problem of the Week will be available on Gradelink).

7th Grade
Language Arts: Spelling workbooks are due on Thursday, and the Spelling Unit 20 test is Friday. AR Quiz #1 needs to be taken by Monday, February 6. In the literature textbook, students will read Immigrant Kids, and we will work on discussing vocabulary. In grammar we will continue working on diagramming direct objects. Students will take a quiz over Immigrant Kids on Thursday.

Social Studies: Students will continue to study Islam learning about the life of Muhammad and the teachings of Islam. Chapter 9 vocabulary terms are due tomorrow. The Chinese potluck has been postponed until this Wednesday during social studies at 10:30AM. Grade 7 has signed up for frozen vegetables, napkins, cups, plates, carton of eggs and jasmine rice. Items still needed are Jasmine tea, plasticware, soy sauce, rice cooker and whatever parents would like to bring. Students will also enjoy watching the movie Mulan. (* Please note: all student work that is graded and returned is to be kept in students’ binders which they may take home. No work is required to remain in the classroom).

Religion: Students will begin Chapter 7 (The Letter to the Romans). Students will learn that Saint Paul uses rhetoric to persuade others. They will write their own speeches, convincing others to respect the sanctity of life. In addition, students will learn about God’s gift of grace. Reminder: Blessing Books will be collected Friday for the dates of 1/20 through 1/26.

Life Science: Students will review the cell cycle and the importance of mitosis. They will differentiate cell division of plants and of animals. Homework this week is: P122-123 #1-15 due 1/24. P123 #16-23 due 1/25. The quiz is on Friday. (* Please note: all student work that is graded and returned is to be kept in students’ binders which they may take home. No work is required to remain in the classroom).

Pre-Algebra: Students will learn how to multiply and divide fractions and mixed numbers. There will be a quiz on Chapter 5 (Sections 4-5) on Wednesday. Students will also review how to add and subtract like fractions and determine the least common multiple of a set of numbers. Reminder: POW is due Friday (remember the Problem of the Week will be available on Gradelink).

8th Grade
Language Arts: Spelling workbooks are due on Thursday, and the Spelling Unit 20 test is Friday. AR Quiz #1 needs to be taken by Monday, February 6. In the literature textbook, we will read The Horned Toad; from this story we will cover vocabulary. Students will take a quiz over this literature selection on Thursday.

Social Studies: We have finished studying Chapter 7 (People of a New Nation); students will take the Ch 7 Vocabulary Quiz on Tuesday, and the Ch 7 Test will be on Wednesday. We will then begin Ch 8 (The West) which will focus on how the United States expanded westward beyond the Mississippi.

Religion: Students will review Chapter 6 and take the Chapter 6 Test on Tuesday. On Wednesday, student will begin their Unit One writing assignment. Students will discuss the events that have influenced and shaped the Catholic Church from the Apostolic Age to A.D. 1500. Writing assignments will be due Monday, January 30. Reminder: Blessing Books will be collected Friday for the dates of 1/20 through 1/26.

Physical Science: Students will continue working on their assigned research project due 1/27. Students may select a PowerPoint or traditional poster project if they desire. Students will begin learning about elements, compounds and mixtures this week. Chapter highlight notes on page 98 and 99 are due 1/27; Vocabulary and definitions from terms listed in bold print on page 98 and 99 are due 1/24; P85 and p89 review #1-2 due 1/25 and p92 #1-2 Review due 1/27. (* Please note: all student work that is graded and returned is to be kept in students’ binders which they may take home. No work is required to remain in the classroom).

Algebra: Students will continue to solve compound inequalities and open sentences involving absolute value. They will also learn how to graph inequalities with two variables on the coordinate plane. There will a Chapter 6 (Sections 1-6) Test on Thursday. On Friday, students will prepare for Chapter 7 (Solving Systems of Linear Equations and Inequalities). Reminder: POW is due Friday (remember the Problem of the Week will be available on Gradelink).

PE – We will continue our volleyball unit focusing on the rules of the game, controlling the ball and playing games.

• Catholic Schools Week is next week. The theme this year is “Catholic Schools – Faith. Academics. Service.” A schedule of events was on the reverse of my last two newsletters (it is posted under School News on our website). I would like to highlight a few items…

 Many of our students will be involved in the Saturday/Sunday Masses this week as musicians, lectors, altar servers, gift bearers, etc. If your child has been given such a responsibility, please make sure he/she is wearing the complete school uniform (following our guidelines on socks, shoes, hairbands, make-up, etc.) and is at Mass 15 minutes early. Show your child where you are sitting (preferably near the front on the inside aisle). Then accompany your child to the sacristy where a teacher will help oversee your child’s involvement. You will get an e-mail via GradeLink (by tomorrow at the latest) stating your child’s responsibility.

 Our school week will begin with a prayer service in the church on Monday at 8:05 AM. Please join us!

 Remember to invite friends and family to the Open House at 6:30 PM on Thursday, Feb. 2. Our Open House is an opportunity to let the public experience what Saint Ann School has to offer. We are enclosing an invitation for you to post at your place of business or to give to an acquaintance (additional copies are available at your request). Remember – if you refer a new family who subsequently enrolls, you will receive a $100.00 H.E.A.R.T. card.

 Please note on the schedule the special dress code items for Catholic Schools Week.

 Remember – the Family Art Project is due on Tuesday, Jan. 31, or sooner. Although this project is optional for most of you (some classes do make it an assignment), we would like to display all submitted projects in the School Office. Reflections/Poems Writing projects are due on Monday, Jan. 30.

 This Sunday (Jan. 29) we will have an information booth set up to promote Saint Ann School after the 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM Masses. If you are willing to help pass out information sheets and talk about the school with interested parishioners, please contact me at the School Office. This is a great way to earn parent hours by talking about our wonderful school! Once again we encourage all Saint Ann School students to wear their uniforms to Mass (and parents to wear Saint Ann Spiritwear).

• Report cards for the 1st Semester are enclosed in this Monday Envelope.

• Car Raffle tickets are available for sale in the School Office. Also, the sign-up sheet for selling tickets after weekend Masses is available in the School Office. Remember, every family must buy or sell one Raffle ticket by January 31 or you will be charged $250.00 on your tuition account. We still have 127 un-sold tickets!

• Box Top contest – Thank you to Mrs. Muhle for organizing the Box Tops for Education contest this semester. Please be prepared to send in your collection sheets by the contest deadline (next Tuesday, January 31). We earned $572.90 last semester for the school!

• We are looking for some extra help in the School Library this Wednesday because Mrs. Duff will be out of town. Mrs. Johnson (Sammy’s mother) has agreed to be in charge, but she could use some help particularly in the morning. Please contact the School Office if you can help out. Library helpers need to have our Safe Environment clearance.

• Attention Dads – If you want to spend some special time with your daughter, please save the date of February 10 for the Father-Daughter Dance. More information will follow about this fundraiser for sending our Middle School to Science Camp.

• Thank you to everyone who supported last Saturday’s Pot Roast Dinner Fundraiser for Science Camp. Preliminary numbers show a profit around $1,100.00!

• Thank you to Pizza Factory and Irma Ponce for the donations of hot lunch paper supplies!

• Good luck to the Middle School girls at their basketball tournament in El Tejon/Frazier Park this weekend!

• The January meeting of the School Advisory Council is tonight at 7:00 PM in the School Library (to avoid conflict with Catholic Schools week). The February PTG meeting will be on Monday, Feb. 13 (meetings were switched from the second Tuesday to the second Monday of the month).

• H.E.A.R.T. Cards – We will no longer be ordering gift cards from Community Connection. This includes Costco, Fred Meyers and Bev Mo, to name a few. The company has been unreliable with their deliveries.

Upcoming Events:

Mon., Jan. 23
School Advisory Council meeting, 7:00 PM, School Library

Tues., Jan. 24
Basketball Game @ Edwards AFB; Girls 5:00 PM, Boys 6:00 PM

Wed., Jan. 25
Basketball Game @ Wallace; Girls 4:30 PM, Boys 5:30 PM

Sat., Jan 28
El Tejon Basketball Tournament in Frazier Park, Girls only

Jan. 28 – Feb. 4
Catholic Schools Week (see schedule online)

Thurs., Feb. 2
Open House, 6:30 PM, Parish Center

“I came to bring truth to the world. All who love the truth are My followers.” John 18:37

Jan. 23, 2012
Spelling List
This week we are reviewing spelling rules from this past unit so there is no list to work on this week.

Calendar of Events
First Reconciliation - Feb. 10, 2012 – 9:15am
Church Search – Feb. 21, 2012 – 5:30pm
First Holy Communion Retreat – Apr. 28, 2012 – 9am-11:30am
FHC Practices- May 8, and May 11 – 5:30pm
First Holy Communion Mass – May 12 – 10am
*These are events that you and your child will need to attend in the coming months. Please put these dates on your home calendar. More information for each event will be available as the event gets closer.

Here’s What We Are Learning This Week
Every week I highlight what I am covering in class. This will give you an opportunity to talk with your child about specific subjects that we are covering. Not all topics are covered every day. Be sure to always check to see what we are doing in 2nd Grade!
Reading –We are reviewing all stories from Unit 3.
Phonics – Reviewing long /i/, /o/, and /u/.
Writing – We are finishing our persuasive letters.
Grammar – Reviewing lessons from Unit 3.
Health – Learning about breakfast.
Math –We are working on subtraction.
Spelling – Reviewing spelling rules from Unit 3.
Religion – We are continuing our preparation for the sacrament of Reconciliation. This week we are talking about making wise choices.

Catholic Schools Week: Jan. 28 – Feb 3, 2012

All Week:

Reflection or Poetry Writing (Optional):
5th-8th Graders’ topic (choose one) – How are Faith, Academics and Service all important parts of a Catholic education? –or– How does Saint Ann School help you in the areas of Faith, Academics and Service? Due Monday, Jan. 29

Family Art Project: Using the Catholic Schools Week logo (seen on my newsletter), create a family art project. Use your creativity in presenting the theme any way you’d like (for example – drawing, mobile, collage, sewing, sculpture). Due Tuesday, Jan. 31.

Lunchtime Activities: Coordinated by Middle School students and Student Council Members – parachute game, mummy wrap, limbo, faculty/staff pie-eating contest.

Service: Bring donations for Saint Ann Outreach every day.

Sat./Sun, Jan. 28/29
Saint Ann Students and Staff are People of Faith — Catholic schools encourage students to take an active role in their parish community.
• Saint Ann students wear their uniforms to Mass.
• Fr. Paul thanks parishioners for their support of Saint Ann School.
• Saint Ann students are greeters, lectors and carry banners at Mass.
• Saint Ann students provide music for the 10:30 AM Mass.
• Saint Ann students read thank-you letter to both parishes at Mass.

Monday, Jan. 30
Saint Ann Students and Staff are People of Faith – Teaching the Faith is the primary mission of Saint Ann School.
• All classes gather for prayer service at 8:05 AM in church; parents/guardians are invited.

Tuesday, Jan. 31
Saint Ann Students and Staff are People of Service — “Giving back to the community” and “helping others” are values instilled in every Catholic school student.
• CRAZY HAIR DAY: Dress up your hair with red accessories and/or create an interesting hairdo (“crazy” hair must return to normal the next school day).
• Students take part in a variety of service projects.

Wednesday, Feb. 1
Saint Ann Students and Staff have Spirit!
• SPIRIT DAY: Wear RED (red shirts, bows, tights, etc.) with uniform pants, shorts, skorts.
• Students serve as staff (Principal, Secretary, etc.).
• Students teach art to other students during the week.

Thursday, Feb. 2
Saint Ann Students and Staff are Life-Long Learners – Staff Appreciation Day – recognize all those who give so much to this school (don’t forget our very supportive parish staff!).
• CRAZY HAT DAY
• OPEN HOUSE at 6:30 PM in the Parish Center. School band will perform a few numbers. Invite your friends, relatives and neighbors to attend.
• Know Your Faith Quiz Show with students and faculty

Friday, Feb. 3
Saint Ann Families Pray and Have Fun Together – We would not be here without your sacrifices in time and treasure.
• Families are invited to attend School Mass at 8:15 AM in the church.
• Faculty vs. students volleyball game.

Third Grade News

January 17, 2012

Dear Families,

The Second Semester begins today! Please don’t forget to sign/initial the homework sheet in their take-home folder (goldenrod on the left side) everyday that they have homework. Also, please notice the Catholic Schools Week Mass Participation interest survey.

Notes and Reminders:

Monday, 1-16 Second semester starts
Thursday, 1-19 3rd Grade hosts hot lunch. Please call Nicki Tharp if you can help!
Saturday, 1-21 Pot Roast Dinner hosted by Middle School – fundraiser for science camp
Monday, 1-23 Report Cards will come home in the Monday Envelope.

Week Agenda

Religion: We will continue to discuss the Ten Commandments. We will learn that the first three Commandments help us show our love for God and ways we can demonstrate our understanding of them. Some good examples of this is attending Mass on Sunday, using God’s name with respect, spending time with our family and loving God above all things.

Language Arts: We will read “The Moon Seems to Change” (Genre: Expository Text)…practicing to improve phonics, fluency and accuracy. We will learn and use new vocabulary words and use our knowledge of prefixes, suffixes and other spelling patterns to say and define words. Our spelling words will focus on
suffixes –ity, -less, -sion

Spelling Words: Notice in their homework folder activity sheet pg.55. The words are:

weakness tension sleepless rarity endless sanity fitness
priceless purity erosion blindness electricity fairness division
careless breathless explosion

We will take a spelling pretest on Tuesday … 100% on the pretest = NO TEST ON Friday!! They can show you their pretest. I put it in their take home folder.

Math: We are working on multiplication and learning the relationship to division … working on factors of 2, 3 and 4. We will learn to use a standard ruler to the quarter inch. We will continue adding and subtracting larger numbers (up to the ten thousands place), continue to drill on telling time to the minute (using expressions like quarter after and half past), review values of coins and bills (adding up and subtracting coins/bills) and review place value and rounding/estimating.

Science: We will read about Spacesuits used on the Moon and how astronauts get around.

KINDERGARTEN NEWS
JANUARY 17-20, 2012

Dear Kindergarten Families,

Big THANK YOUS go out to Kelly Houck, Temple Kelly, Caroline Eisenbraun, Lisa Williams and Jim Caporale for helping with our kindergarten hot lunch!!! Another HUGE THANK YOU goes out to Mrs. West Bruna and Mr. Haycraft for taking the time to make our Smartboard SMART J! Can’t wait to use it with the kiddos!
There is a Greg and Steve Concert on March 21 that I would love to take the students to. The concert will be in Bakersfield. I will need parent drivers for this. A sign up sheet will be posted on the door. Please sign up by January 20 because I need a head count in advance in order to purchase tickets.
In religion, we will be discussing how families are a sign of God’s love. For this I would like children to bring in a family picture to class. These pictures will be displayed in the classroom so PLEASE bring pictures by Thursday, January 19. Pictures will be kept for the remainder of the year.
I have started returning graded homework on the left side of the homework folders. Please take it out to review and keep.
Due to Friday being so busy, I am sending last week’s in-class work packet in the Monday Envelope. If your child misses class, all homework missed will be added to the front portion of the in-class work packet. Please have your child complete all work and return for credit. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask!
Scholastic Book orders are due by this Friday, January 20!

Have a wonderful week and God Bless !

Belia Chávez

Catholic Schools Week
January 30 through February 3 is Catholic Schools Week. To start off the week we share our talents at Mass on Saturday, Jan. 29 and Sunday, Jan. 30. We are in need of readers, banner carriers, and people to bring up the gifts. Please talk to your child and let me know if they would be willing and able to do one of these tasks at the mass you attend.

Detach and return bottom portion
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Yes my child, _________________, can help read_______, carry a banner_______, or bring up the gifts_________(please mark the one they want). We plan to attend Mass on that weekend.
At St. Ann:
Saturday, January 28 @ 5:30p.m. ____
Sunday, January 29 @ 8:00a.m. _____ or 10:30a.m. _____
On base:
Saturday, January 28 @ 4:00p.m. ____
Sunday, January 29 @ 9:00a.m. _____

This is what we’re working on this week:

Language Arts: We will work on Open Court activities which include phonemic awareness activities such as word blending and rhyming. Students will also listen for first, middle and last sounds and words in a sentence and linking a sound to the letter. Students will complete simple writing activities in their journals. We will complete pages in our Open Court workbook. The focus of unit study in Open Court is Stick to It. We will review sounds /b/, /k/, /o/, /r/, and /g/. Our new High Frequency Words are: did and girl. Our Decodeable Book 7: Glad Pam.

Religion: Our faith focus this week will be that our families are a sign of God’s love. Our family helps us live as children of God. Please make sure to send a picture of your family to school.

Math: Students will work with time using a digital clock and an analog clock.

Social Studies: We will begin learning about Chinese New Year. Chinese New Year begins January 23. It is the year of the dragon.

Science: We will look at the daytime moon and keep a moon log. We will identify the shapes of the moon. We will also look at the 4 seasons and brainstorm what we see during each season.

P.E.: We will play with beanbags, practicing throwing and catching them. We will work on coordination, teamwork, and good sportsmanship. We will also run and do some cardio!

MISC: We will complete winter activities. We will also do a cooking activity with 5th grade on Friday and we will make snowmen on a stick.

Our Student of the Week is: S K
S is 5 years old.
Her favorite colors are pink and purple.
She also likes dogs, ice cream, a princess book and soccer.
Some super cool facts about S include: she can run, ride a bike and share!
She is a STAR because she is nice!
S would like to be a mommy when she grows up!

January 17, 2012 Middle School Newsletter

Dear Middle School Parents and Guardians,

• Today marks the beginning of the third quarter of school. Report cards will be sent out in next week’s Monday Envelope.

• Make sure you log any and all hours worked for our Science Camp in April. The logbook will be located in the School Office on the front counter.

• If you have not turned in your money from the Arby’s coupon booklet fundraiser, please turn in to Mrs. Wadley by this Friday, January 20.

• 8th Grade is in charge of Mass on Friday. Please join us!

• Catholic Schools Week – January 28 through February 3 is Catholic Schools Week. To start off the week we share our talents at Mass on Saturday, Jan. 28 and Sunday, Jan. 29. We are in need of readers, banner carriers and people to bring up the gifts. Please talk to your child and let us know if he/she would be willing to do one of these tasks at the mass you attend. Please fill out the slip below and return in the Monday Envelope. Thank you!

• Basketball News: For our game vs. ICS at Kerr-McGee this Friday –
o Girls will be excused from PE and dismissed at 1:45PM. We will have a clipboard at the Middle School gate so an adult can sign out a player.
o Boys will be dismissed at the regular time (2:40 PM). If parents choose to pick up their child prior to regular dismissal on game days, the player will need to be signed out at the School Office (and will be counted as a partial “Absence”).
o Note – Any siblings who will be leaving prior to regular dismissal on game days will need to be signed out at the School Office (and will be counted as a partial “Absence”).

Have a great week!

Mrs. Sherrick, Mrs. Wadley and Mrs. Duck

Classes 6th 7th 8th

Please detach and return the slip below:

We plan on attending the _________ Mass on that weekend. We would also be available to attend the _____________ Mass, if necessary.

Yes, my child, ______________________________, is interested in:

____ serving as lector (first or second reading)
____ reading Prayers of the Faithful
____ reading the “Thank You” letter
____ carrying the banner
____ serving as greeter
____ presenting the gifts

6th Grade
Language Arts: Spelling workbooks are due on Thursday, and the Spelling Unit 19 test is Friday. AR Quiz #1 needs to be taken by Monday, February 6. In the literature textbook, we will read Nadia the Willful; from this story we will cover indentifying the theme of a story. Students will take a quiz over this literature selection on Friday.

Social Studies: Students will continue studying Egypt. They will be working on their Glogster projects at home this week. If anyone has any technical difficulty or concerns with internet accessibility, please contact me to arrange for an alternative visual aid if the virtual Glogster poster isn’t a possibility at home. I will work with anyone who needs to create a traditional poster. The study on Ancient Asia will begin in two weeks; however, students will enjoy celebrating Chinese New Year next Monday. I encourage parents to sign up for a pot luck dish or material to contribute to our celebration. Students will have Jasmine steamed rice, fried rice and warm tea. Please review the sign up insert for more information.

Religion: We will begin Chapter 9 (Mary, Mother of the Church) this week. This chapter will help students explain why the Church honors and loves Mary. The test for this chapter will be taken next week.

Earth Science: Students will be reviewing the rock cycle and will work in groups to create concept maps. A test is scheduled Thursday, January 19. Students will begin learning about natural resources and fossil fuels the rest of the week.

Math: Concepts & Applications: Students will begin Chapter 6 (Applying Fractions). They will review how to add and subtract unlike fractions and mixed numbers. There will be a quiz on Chapter 6 (Sections 2-3) on Friday. Reminder: POW is due Friday (remember the Problem of the Week will be available on Gradelink).

7th Grade
Language Arts: Spelling workbooks are due on Thursday, and the Spelling Unit 19 test is Friday. AR Quiz #1 needs to be taken by Monday, February 6. In the literature textbook, students will read Last Cover, and we will work on discussing character traits. In grammar we will begin working on diagramming direct objects. Students will take a quiz over Last Cover on Friday.

Social Studies: Students will continue their study of Islam this week. They will look at the geography of the Arabian Peninsula and begin learning about the life of Muhammad and the teachings of Islam. Students will enjoy celebrating Chinese New Year next Monday. I encourage parents to sign up for a pot luck dish or material to contribute to our celebration. Students will have Jasmine steamed rice, fried rice and warm tea. Please review the sign up insert for more information.

Religion: Students will create a Gospel Placemat that illustrates (with words and pictures) the differences between the four books in the Gospel. They will also review Chapters 1 through 6 to prepare for the Unit One test on Thursday. Reminder: Blessing Books will be collected Friday for the dates of 1/13 through 1/19.

Life Science: Students will describe the processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration, compare and contrast cellular respiration and fermentation and discuss the importance of mitosis.

Pre-Algebra: Students will continue to practice writing fractions as decimals and decimals as fractions. On Wednesday, students will create a booklet that explains and gives examples of how to convert between fractions and decimals. This booklet will be worth a quiz grade and is due Thursday, January 19. Students will also learn how to multiply and divide fractions and identify the similarities between these two operations. Reminder: POW is due Friday (remember the Problem of the Week will be available on Gradelink).

8th Grade
Language Arts: Spelling workbooks are due on Thursday, and the Spelling Unit 19 test is Friday. AR Quiz #1 needs to be taken by Monday, February 6. In the literature textbook, we will read The Clown; from this story we will cover making judgments as well as the use of exaggeration in stories. Students will take a quiz over this literature selection on Thursday.

Social Studies: We will continue reading Chapter 7 (People of a New Nation), which will show the importance of ordinary people in the development of the frontier and the already established cities of the United States. A vocabulary quiz and chapter test will be taken next week.

Religion: Students will review Chapter 6 and solve the crossword puzzles the class created last week. Students will also be taking the ACRE (Assessment of Catechist/Religious Education) this week. Reminder: Blessing Books will be collected Friday for the dates of 1/13 through 1/19.

Physical Science: Students will begin painting their planets with Mrs. Black’s assistance. Students will be given a handout outlining specific expectations for their individual research project. Each student has been assigned a planet to research. They have the option of doing a Golgster virtual poster, a PowerPoint presentation or a research project with a visual aid. Glogster accounts have been created for students to utilize to complete virtual poster project rather than traditional visual aids and research papers. Project rough drafts and progress will be evaluated this Friday. Final projects are due January 26, 2012.

Algebra: Students will solve compound inequalities and open sentences involving absolute value. They will also learn how to graph inequalities with two variables on the coordinate plane. There will be no test or quiz this week. Reminder: POW is due Friday (remember the Problem of the Week will be available on Gradelink).

PE – We will continue our volleyball unit focusing on the rules of the game, controlling the ball and playing games.

Week of January 17 thru 20 Fifth Grade Newsletter

Dear parents and students,

I would like to let you know that it has been an honor to be Mrs. McMahon’s substitute teacher. Your students have been helpful and hard-working. You can certainly be proud of your child’s accomplishments and work ethic. Mrs. McMahon has asked me to let you know that she will visit the doctor soon and get an update of the healing in her foot. I plan to be teaching in 5th grade this week and hope to let you know soon when Mrs. McMahon is able to return.

Class Events:

Thursday: Students will take the ACRE religion assessment which tests the students’ knowledge of their faith. Please avoid setting up off-campus appointments for this day.
Friday: Fifth graders will plan a “planetary” activity for their kindergarten prayer pals. Please send flashlights!

Language Arts: We will read “Circles, Squares and Daggers: How Native Americans Watched the Skies.” The focus of this expository text is an instruction to the field of achaeoastronomy as it describes the workings of sophisticated early observatories made by Native Americans to help them track the passing of time and changing of seasons.

Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics: This week the class will review multiple-meaning words and the suffix –tion/-ion. They will also practice comparing and contrasting which will lead to developing a subject for writing and properly formatting a persuasive business letter. The emphasis will be placed on the vocabulary associated with our story and using the words appropriately when speaking and writing. Encourage your kids to use their vocabulary words to expand their own vocabulary and learn the power of words.

Math: The students have been working hard at finding the greatest common factors and least common multiples of numbers. This hard work will help in this month’s focus on fractions and make sure the students have a firm understanding of adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing, and solving word problems using fractions. Please reinforce at home how we use fractions daily, and their relationship to decimals and percentages. This week we will review writing fractions, showing equivalent fractions and writing fractions in their lowest terms.

Social Studies/Geography: Unit 6, Lesson 2
Lesson two is about how other nations helped the Patriots, and why they chose to do so? What countries were our allies?

Science: This week we will begin studying the Solar System, to coincide with our new reading unit “Our Corner of the Universe.” The first chapter that we will study is called, “Exploring the Night Sky.”

Religion: Unit 2 “We Worship”
The following weeks we will be studying how we worship. We will be discussing why we celebrate the liturgy, how the Church celebrates the liturgical year, and why the church celebrates sacraments. We will complete Chapter 12 on Baptism and Confirmation and begin Chapter 13 on Pentecost. Students will be learning about the first Pentecost and missionaries.

Girls Basketball Practices:
Coach O’Neil has scheduled the following lunchtime practices for the Girls 5th Gr/4th Gr Basketball players. Students will eat at the lunch tables, then their coach will walk them up to the Parish Center. Remember to wear properly-laced sneakers on these days. Only students who have turned in permission slips may attend practices. So far, we have permission slips from: Emily Aralar, Erica Arlow, Enyssa Armendariz, Madelynn Clark, Delaney Glen, Jada Hodgson, Emily Ommen, Sara Ostermann, Annie Ostrom, Caroline Pillers, Victoria Pillers, Aileen Ponce, Vanessa Sepulveda, Melissa Villegas, Mariela Zych, Amelie Zubia.

Girls Lunchtime Practices on 1/19, 1/23, 1/25, 1/30, 2/1, 2/6, 2/8, 2/13, 2/15, 2/22, 2/27, 2/29.

Fish Fry Hosting: Mark your calendar for March 30. Our class will be in charge of hosting the Fish Fry that day.

God bless,
Mrs. McDonald (for Mrs. McMahon)

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Parent ___________________________________________________Phone________________________
January 28 through February 3 is Catholic Schools Week. To start off the week we share our talents at Mass on Saturday, Jan. 28 and Sunday, Jan. 29. We are in need of readers, banner carriers, and people to bring up the gifts. Please talk to your child and let me know if they would be willing and able to do one of these tasks at the mass you attend.

Yes my child, ______________, can help read____, carry a banner_____, or bring up the gifts_____ (please mark the one they want). We plan to attend the ____________ Mass on that weekend at _____ St. Ann _____ All Faith Chapel

• Welcome to the Witherell family who recently arrived from Maryland! Their daughter has joined our 6th Grade class.

• Middle School basketball teams have had some exciting games – especially at the boys tournament in El Tejon last Saturday! See this week’s schedule below for their game times.

• Late Fee for Tuition Payments: Just a forewarning that we have a new bookkeeper who will be automatically adding a $20 late fee to any family’s tuition account who does not make their monthly tuition payment by the 10th of each month.

• Remember that the Middle School will be hosting a Pot Roast Dinner fundraiser this Saturday, January 21, 5:00 PM – 9:30 PM. There will be door prizes and music/dancing! Funds raised will help pay for the Science Camp/Retreat in April. Please purchase your dinner tickets from a Middle School student or at the school office.

• The Saint Ann School Science Fair was last Tuesday, January 10. Thank you, parents/guardians, for supporting your child in learning about the scientific process. Thank you to our judges for their time in evaluating projects and interviewing students – and their valuable input to improve the Science Fair. This year’s winners are:
4th Grade Winners: 1st Place – Zeneve Jacotin, 2nd Place – Brianna Murphy, 3rd Place (Tie) – Erica Arlow & Ryan Byrne, Honorable Mention – Emily Ommen.
5th Grade Winners: 1st Place – Sara O., 2nd Place – Annie O., 3rd Place – Victoria P.
6th Grade Winners: 1st Place – Ryan A., 2nd Place – Rachel M., 3rd Place – Rebekah B.
7th Grade Winners: 1st Place – Andrew O., 2nd Place (Tie) – Amanda C. & Nicole P., 3rd Place (Tie) – Josh M. & Ben S.
8th Grade Winners: 1st Place – Daniel H., 2nd Place – Christopher W., 3rd Place – Trey S.

• There are a few Spiritwear items available for sale. Please see the hardcopy of this newsletter and contact Laurie Ostermann at 375-8297 if you are interested in purchasing any of the items:

• Catholic Schools Week News:
 The schedule of activities is on the reverse of the hardcopy.
 We are looking for students to fill positions for the Masses at both parishes the weekend of Jan. 28/29. We need greeters, lectors, students to bring up the gifts, carry the banner, hand out ribbon pins, etc. Please contact your child’s teacher to sign your child up for a responsibility. This is our best opportunity to showcase Saint Ann students and to help the parishioners realize what a vital role the school plays in the mission of our parish.
 Please note the family project listed on the reverse of the hardcopy. We look forward to displaying all projects in the school office.

• Car Raffle News:
 Please see the Car Raffle flier. There is one for you to keep and one to share with friends or business colleagues. This is the largest fundraiser for the school, and it is crucial that it be a success.
 Please remember that each Saint Ann School family is responsible for buying or selling one Car Raffle ticket. If you do not want to purchase your ticket, you may sign up to sell tickets after the Sunday Masses (sign-up sheet is in the School Office). The first ticket you sell will be your own. If your family has not bought or sold your ticket by January 31, we will sell your ticket to someone else, and your family will be billed for the cost of the ticket. Please support quality Christian education in Ridgecrest!
 There will be a silent auction for desserts at the Car Raffle. The thought is that tables can go together to bid on a special dessert—rather than have a standard sheet cake. We are trying to make up the money that will not be earned by the 50/50 Raffle (which we found did not follow the approved process for raffles run by charitable organizations). We are looking for donations of yummy desserts. A dessert donation may be logged as one parent hour. Please contact Mandy Patin at 371-4634 if you are willing to make a dessert.

• H.E.A.R.T. Cards News:
 The gas station at the Albertson’s on South China Lake Blvd. is no longer owned by Albertson’s, and you can no longer use Albertson’s H.E.A.R.T. cards there.

• Our chess group will be meeting in the Parish Center main hall during our Spaghetti Lunch this Friday – feel free to take a peek or to join the play! Chess results from yesterday’s local tournament at Richmond: 4th-5th Grade - 4th place team award for St. Ann; Tyler C. - 12th place (tie), James S. - 12th place (tie), Charles C. - 20th place (tie), Sammy J. - 20th place (tie). 6th-8th Grade - 4th place team award for St. Ann; Trey S. - 10th place (tie), Daniel H. - 10th place (tie).

Upcoming Events:

Fri., Jan. 20
School Mass, 8:15 AM, 8th Grade
Basketball Game vs ICS @ Kerr-McGee Ctr; Girls 2:30 PM, Boys 3:30 PM

at., Jan. 21
Pot Roast Dinner, Parish Center, Doors Open at 5:00 PM, Dinner 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM, Dancing until 9:30 PM

Jan. 21-22
Wear your school uniform to Mass!

Jan. 29 – Feb. 3
Catholic Schools Week

Thurs., Feb. 2
Open House, 6:30 PM, Parish Center