website  watertownhistory.org

    ebook  History of Watertown, Wisconsin

     Set of weekly School Newsletters

 

 

 

 

 

St. Henry School Newsletter

 

May 16, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

“All you peoples clap your hands; shout to God with cries of gladness

              for the Lord, the most high, the awesome,

    is the great king over all the earth.”

  Psalm 47: 2-3 

 

Happy Ascension!  The Church is now celebrating this on the weekend since it is so difficult for people to get to church on Thursday.  We are so blessed to be able to worship together and receive Eucharist as a community, aren’t we?

 

The second grade First Communicants did a lovely job at Mass this past Wednesday.  They wore their finery and then participated in an almost two-decade long tradition now at school of having a May crowning outside after a school Mass in May.  The volunteer parish gardeners (bless them!) had the courtyard flowers planted and the rains stayed away so it was a beautiful ceremony.  The Blessed Mother must have enjoyed it.  We sang my Mom’s favorite song, the Lourdes hymn, with the “Ave, Ave, Ave, Maria” refrain.  (You remember that song, don’t you?)

 

Speaking of my Mom, thank you so much for your many expressions of sympathy.  Her passing was relatively painless; her family was gathered around her in her last hours, and we were able to thank her for being such a great mother and to pray and sing her into heaven.  We knew my Dad and her two deceased sons were eager for her arrival.  She and my Dad knew and liked each other since they were nine-years-old and had been married for almost sixty-five years so it had to have been a pretty happy homecoming.  Thank you again.

 

Some of you were curious about the number who attended last weekend’s St. Henry School Families Annual Gathering in the Dells.  It was our fourth, and according to the Treasure Island reservation lady I talked to the other day there were 58 families who availed themselves of the opportunity.  I did write Monte Mattai a thank you note for giving us such reasonable prices on the rooms. I hear some of you are already looking forward to next year!  I’m glad you had a great time.  So did the eighth grade safety patrols on their Dells trip last Friday.

 

We are in need of some volleyball coaches (and assistants) for next year’s girls’ volleyball teams. If you have any inclination or want to ask some questions about what’s involved, please call the St. Henry Athletic Association’s Volleyball Director, Melinda Kamrath, very soon at 206-8809.  And don’t forget, parents of athletes – especially those with girls signed up for volleyball – about the mandatory meeting on Monday, June 5th.  You put that on the calendar, right?

 

With this packet, you will find the contract for next year.  Please look it over, sign on both pages three and four, and send it back next week.  We’ll make a copy and put it in next week’s packet.  THANKS so much.  God bless, All!

 

GRADE FIVE NEWS

 

“Measure twice, cut once.” One of the most practical math skills is measurement.  Recently fifth graders delved into the customary and metric systems of measurement.  They calculated conversions involving mass, capacity, length, and temperature.  Students drew lines of various lengths, found the mass of various objects using gram weights and balances, and participated in other hands-on activities to understand these concepts.  Active learning greatly facilitates the learning process and besides, it’s FUN!

 

Sixth grade math students are on the fast track in math.  After learning the computation of integers using all four mathematical operations, students graphed linear equations using the four quadrants.  Currently, sixth graders are quickly grasping the concepts involving geometry.  We are also getting some introductory experience with ratios, proportions, and probability.  The math curriculums are extensive, but the probability of reaping the benefits from establishing a solid foundation in math for future years in education is 100%.

 

Have a safe, fun, and relaxing summer!

 

Mrs. Lemminger

 

ART HIGHLIGHTS

 

The first grade assembled a college called “Alligators in the Bayou”.  They really put in all their creative energy, and they turned out very “swampy”.  They are displayed in the front hallway.  The second grade made beautiful bouquets of flowers inspired by Picasso.  Third grade studied the great expressions of Norman Rockwell as well as his life and how he found real people and animals from his hometown for his artwork.  We viewed Rockwell’s painting called “The Dugout” and made our own baseball team and cards.  The kids had a wonderful time deciding their positions and more importantly their uniforms!  The fourth grade finally finished their versions of Grant Wood’s “American Gothic.”  They too are hung in the front hallway.  The fifth grade practiced the art of knot tying.  They tied their knot, drew it, then recreated the knot out of clay and then they will glaze their knot.  Cool huh?  These will be displayed in the cafeteria after Memorial Day.  The sixth grade has been working hard on weaving.  They created some pretty cool color combinations!  Their next project will have us looking at the artist Wayne Thiebou and his famous cakes!  The seventh grade just finished a program booklet on a mock Shakespearean play “A Midwinter Daydream”.  This lesson was to convey how great literature can “literally” inspire art.  And finally the eighth grade.  They are busy with making their memory pillows. (I think they are getting a bit sentimental!) 

 

Have a super summer!

 

Mrs. Kemp

 

Dates to Mark on Your Calendar

 

MAY                                

Friday      16    St. Henry Families Dells Weekend begins today!

Sunday      18    Confirmation during 4:30 Mass today

Tuesday     20    Obligatory workshop for Communion Ministers; St. Henry Church, 7 pm

Wednesday   21    Grade Two fills liturgical roles; Crowning of Mary in Courtyard following Mass

Thursday    22    Grades 2-8 go to St. Bernard’s for “dress rehearsal” for this evening’s concert

St. Henry/St. Bernard Band and Choir Concert at St. Bernard Church, 6:30 pm

Friday      23    Student Council “Career Day”

Grades 4 and 6 to Buckskinner Rendezvous in Fort Atkinson

APPLICATIONS for TUITION ASSISTANCE due into school office today

Sunday      25    Feast of Corpus Christi, Mass at St. Bernard’s at 10:15 followed by

procession to St. Henry, Benediction, and lunch

Monday      26    NO SCHOOL, Memorial Day,  8:15 Mass at cemetery, weather permitting

Tuesday     27    Preschool goes to library for field trip

Wednesday   28    Grade Seven fills liturgical roles at 8:15 Mass

Mandatory meeting for NEW Athletic Association families — those who will

be participating for the first time during school year 2008-2009

Thursday    29    Grade Four on field day to Old World Wisconsin

Friday      30    Preschool goes again to library for field trip (different group)

 

JUNE

Monday      02    Grade Six on field trip to Cave of the Mounds

                  Grades One and Two on field trip to Madison and the Zoo.

Monday      09    Joint “Olympic” field day in the afternoon at Lincoln Park

with St. Bernard School, grades 1-8

Tuesday     10    6:30 pm Graduation Mass & Reception – Children’s Cantor

Choir leads congregation

Wednesday   11    11: 30 Dismissal, last day of school for 2007-2008!

 

Memory verse for week of May 12-16

 

 “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ?”

                 I Corinthians 10: 16a