Dear Parents:

Happy New Year to everyone!  I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas.  The school year is racing along.  We will be half way through the 2^nd marking period on the first week we are back from vacation.  School will reopen on Monday January the 5^th.

Social Calendar:

• There will be a bake sale on Thursday, January the 8^th.  It will be sponsored by the 6^th grade.   There will be a Dress Down Day on Friday, January the 9^th.  Interims for the second trimester will be available. 
• A basketball practice for the B-Team members is scheduled for Saturday, January the 10^th.  A-Team members are invited to participate. 
• Middle School exams will start on Monday, January the 12^th and will continue until Friday, January the 16^th. 
• There is an in-service day scheduled for the faculty on Wednesday, January the 14^th. There will be a 12:00 PM dismissal.
• A middle school social is scheduled for Friday, January the 16^th.  It will be planned by the 6^th grade and is scheduled to begin at 6:30 PM. 
• There is an open house scheduled for Friday, January the 23^rd for prospective families. 
• A parent open house is scheduled for the following Monday. 
• A school-wide Liturgy is scheduled for Tuesday, January the 27^th. Full uniforms are required. 
• Cultural Heritage Day will take place on Wednesday, January the 28^th. 
• A Faculty Professional Day is scheduled for Friday, January the 30^th. There will be no school for students.

Academic News:

Fourth grade students have just completed their story, Peter and the Starcatchers.  They are culminating the reading by creating a skit to reveal a new and original character. Students will perform the skits in front of the class. We will begin reading, The Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell. In Social Studies students will be studying the age of exploration. They will become part of an exploration expedition for one of the major exploring nations and prepare a proposal for their monarch. In Religion we will be studying more of the Commandments and the Beatitudes.

Fifth graders will culminate their reading of The Sea of Trolls by completing their research on Dragonology. They will create a diagram and a set of directions on how to tame one. In Social Studies students will be working on their explorer prospectus and will begin creating a portfolio of explorer accomplishments along with a graphic organizer that establishes the effect of each nation's efforts on the world.

Patriot Program:

Fifth grade students should be finished with the first requirement of the program on the Civil War.  They should have their Slavery Kiosk , the Underground Railroad Map and Diary completed. The second part of the program is a time line of events that led up to the Civil War. Directions and materials are ready and will be handed out when students return from the Christmas break. We have scheduled a field trip to Washington, D.C. in April. Students who participate in the Patriot Program will visit the new Visitor's Center at the Capitol and watch a play entitled, "The Civil War" at the Ford Theater. More details will be coming soon. Students will begin working on their Patriot Program Skits.  They are entitled, "Moses,"  "The Little Giant vs. Honest Abe,"  "John Brown," and "Captain, My Captain."  I think it would be great if the students had costumes for this. I know of some great costume companies. Parents are also encouraged to make your own. The Patriot Program is scheduled for May. Students who are participating should know their roles this week.  More information will be coming.

Hoop News:

The A and B basketball squads have been working very hard during the first month of the season. I have seen some improvement in the skill level and I am very pleased with player enthusiasm. The goal of the program this year is to generate an interest so that next year the Middle School may have enough players to field competitive teams. We will begin a fund raiser soon to cover the cost of the gym and equipment. We will be selling St. Joan of Arc hooded sweatshirts with the new St. Joan of Arc mascot on it. Any parents who would like to help with our fundraising please let me know.

Sincerely,

Mr. Brothers