St. Marys School; February Newsletter

The weather certainly has been the center of attention lately. I believe I opened last month’s column with a comment on the weather. So far all of January and the beginning of February are just as noteworthy. My lesson plans are a tangle of notes and arrows. We have had so many two-hour delays lately that when we do start on schedule, we all feel as if we are up and about extra early.

The final week of January was Catholic Schools Week. We were supposed to open the week with students participating in the weekend Masses and refreshments after the Masses. The week was supposed to have many exciting activities and events celebrating Catholic schools. Note the operative words “were supposed to”. Unfortunately the events for the weekend, Monday, and Tuesday were cancelled due to the Level 2 road conditions and the frigid temperatures. We returned to school on Wednesday with a two-hour delay. Even though the week was abbreviated, we did manage to celebrate Catholic schools. On Wednesday, my first and second graders led the school in a special prayer. I have to pause and do a bit of modest bragging about my students. Each day, different classes were to lead the school in prayer. I had requested Wednesday in order to give me a couple of days to practice the prayer with the children. Well, we didn’t have school until Wednesday. We had about a half hour before the service. We read through the prayer together several times, started on our morning work, read it once before we left the classroom to lead the prayer. I have to say they did a marvelous job. But then, I never doubted that they would. Mayor Bowers stopped in and read the official proclamation of Catholic Schools Week in Greenville. The kick-off for the Mathathon to raise money for St. Jude’s hospital was also held. Later in the day, the students played Bingo with their buddies. Everyone had a great time.

On Thursday we dressed up as our favorite super hero or cartoon character. Throughout the day, the eighth graders posed trivia questions about the Olympics. There were two parent luncheons scheduled. Parents, grandparents, and siblings ate together on Thursday. Because we were not in session on Monday, January 27, the first scheduled parent luncheon was held the following Monday, February 3. After eating the families decorated cut-outs to represent themselves. Some of them were really good, in that I recognized certain people before reading the names! On Thursday afternoon the big and little buddies got together and shared books.

On Friday after Mass, the buddies again reunited to make valentines for veterans. There were some pretty creative valentines. I am sure the veterans enjoyed them. For lunch the students and staff were treated to pizza, chips and homemade goodies provided by the student

council. The traditional Catholic Schools Week dance was held after lunch. The younger students enjoyed dancing with the older students, until their tired teachers decided it was time for movies! After dancing the younger students returned to their classrooms for movie time. All in all, we did manage to pack a lot of fun into a few days.

We have already made up the missed days on Martin Luther King Day. We will be in session on this Monday, Presidents’ Day, in order to make up another day.

Friday was Valentine’s Day. In the afternoon the students enjoyed exchanging valentines and the classroom parties. I don’t know if this was exactly in keeping with the loving aspect of the holiday, but interim reports also went out.

Speaking of the reports, we at St. Mary’s, following the example of St. Francis of Assisi; try to be good stewards of the earth. Our interim reports are now online, thus saving a lot of paper. Of course any parent who wishes a paper report is welcome to contact the school and one will be sent. This is just one of the ways that we are mindful of the gift of God’s good earth.

Hopefully the weather will turn milder and we will be able to get back into the groove of our regular routine. Usually I feel that we never get enough snow in the winter. Well I’m good now. Spring is welcome anytime soon! Take care and hang in there.