St. Marys School March Newsletter

I am sure that you are all aware that we have a new pope, Pope Francis I. Perhaps you saw the live broadcast as the people in St. Peter’s Square were awaiting the appearance of the new pope. You could see the intense excitement. Well, I wasn’t in St. Peter’s Square, but the excitement and energy in my classroom was right up there with that of the folks in Rome. We had gotten the news around 2:10 that a new pope had been chosen, so I immediately turned on the television. The children were so excited. Every time there was any action around the Vatican, the children were sure that the pope would soon appear. Unfortunately the bell rang before the pope came out to bless the people. I have never had so much trouble getting children to leave the classroom!

March, like its predecessor, has been extremely busy, especially in my second grade religion class. We are preparing for First Holy Communion which is next weekend. Although we had been counting the days until First Holy Communion as part of our morning math meeting, it wasn’t until last Friday when I took a good look at the calendar and realized I had eight religion classes left! Nothing like a little pressure! First Communion is on Saturday, March 23. The following Monday, as is our tradition at St. Mary’s, the first communicants, along with their classmates who although did not receive First Holy Communion helped them prepare, will be honored with a donuts and juice/milk reception.

The eighth grade sponsored a book fair from March 4th through the 10th. My students were very enthusiastic customers. Every day of the fair I had several children ready to make purchases. As a reading teacher, it is really encouraging to see the students so excited about books. On the final day of the book fair, the eighth graders also sponsored the annual St. Patrick’s Day Pancake Breakfast, featuring Chris Cakes. Proceeds from both events go toward the class trip to San Francisco in May.

Spring pictures were taken March 13. Along with the individual pictures, group pictures for the yearbook were taken. Among the groups represented were the student athletes and participants in the spelling and geography bees.

The IOWA tests will be given this week and next to grades 2 through 7. The eighth graders will take the Explore Test. The third quarter ends on March 22 and report cards will be sent home on March 28, which coincidently is the last day before Easter vacation.

The fifth through eighth graders will participate in a Seder Meal on Holy Thursday. The eighth graders will head the tables and lead the prayers. The experience helps the children understand the connection of the Jewish Passover to Jesus’ sacrifice for us.

All classes are participating in the fund raiser for the Pregnancy Help Center. Each class has a baby bottle that the students are filling with loose change from now until Mother’s Day. The center helps protect the unborn by offering practical aid to parents facing an unplanned pregnancy.

Although as I write the snowflakes are flying outside my window, spring is just around the corner and the school’s annual flower sale is underway. Orders are due, March 19. If you would like to order flowers and you don’t have a form, just call the school office at 548-2345 and we will be glad to help you.

You know the old saying about March coming in like a lion and leaving like a lamb?

Every year when March begins, the children and I decide whether March has come in like a lion or lamb. This year we decided March came in like a lion and should depart like a lamb. I am not too sure the saying is going to be proven true. However, this is Ohio and it could well be in the nineties any time now! So whether March leaves as a lion or lamb, spring will eventually come. Easter is just around the corner, so on behalf of the students and staff of St. Mary’s, I would like to wish you a Happy Easter!