Weekly Information
Never lose your sense of Wonder! Dear Fourth graders (really 5th graders) and their parent(s), Well, here it is the end of the school year. We made it! It has been a real adventure for me and I am sure it has been for you all as well. I want to thank each of you for the great gift you were to the class. Each of you contributed so much. I loved watching you learn about “Wonder” and making the choice to be kind rather than right. That is so hard to do. We will each continue to live this more each and every day. I loved watching you grow educationally and spiritually. I loved our visit to the Blessed Sacrament. I wish we could have done that more often. Your participation during liturgy and during religion class was a real testament to me. I have quoted many of you in talks I give to adult Catholics. Thanks for teaching me. I want to give you some summer tips and suggestions. Yes, summer homework! It is good to have these things to do to keep our minds sharp and alert. For math I strongly suggest you drill those multiplication facts. On the I-ready test the area that always seemed to need work was the basic operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Use Prodigy because I know you like it but also use ixl. That site gives you practice in each skill. Pick different ones so you can just practice and remember how smart you are. There are a lot of on-line games that you can also access. Use them. But don’t forget to do work on paper as well. I am also sending the math homework book home with the unfinished pages. Please use it for practice as well. I didn’t want to just throw it in the garbage when they can use it. For reading, read. There is no better way to learn reading then to do it. Read many different kinds of books. Use your public library. Reread Wonder and then watch the movie with your family and friends. Here is a list of a number of other great books that you may enjoy: Wishtree by Katherine applegate, Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt, Ugly by Robert Hoge, Chasing Redbird by Sharon Creech, Holes by Louis Sachar, My Daniel by Pam Conrad, Number the Stars by Louis Lowry, The Warm Place by Nancy Farmer, Aliens Ate My Homework by Bruce Coville There are so many good books. Have fun! Please try to take your child to church during the summer. In order to understand the role of community they need to be a part of one. In order to have a relationship with Jesus and God, they need to visit with Him. You can grow as a family in faith and love. Your kids have been so open in their sharing of faith and the love for God. I have never had a class where most of them cheered when it was time for religion class. And they really liked the times we had the shared prayer with roles. Maybe there are some future priests and nuns in this group! Last of all. Thanks for teaching me to be a better teacher. I have learned so very much. It has indeed been my honor and privilege to serve you and your child. I made some mistakes for sure. I did a lot of things right though (I think). Let us all continue to help St. Stephen Martyr School become that wonderful educational and spiritual family that God wants us to become. It only happens when all parents work together for the greater good of all. Be safe, be holy, and be happy. Be of God! And have a most fantastic summer loving all. Sr. Karen Byerley, O.S.B. Always choose to be kind rather than right! |
|