website watertownhistory.org
ebook History of Watertown, Wisconsin
Set of weekly School Newsletters
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St. Henry School Newsletter
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St. Henry School’s Core Values
. . . joy, prayer, honest effort,
ongoing achievement, cooperation, and service.
Some
important dates coming up this week that I want to bring to the forefront.
TONIGHT
This
coming Wednesday the 26th
Picture Day – morning would be more accurate. Each child should have his/her own
order envelope with separate check made out to Life Touch. If a child is absent that day, there will be
a second opportunity for school pictures (and retakes) on Tuesday, November 6.
This
coming Friday, the 28th. NO
SCHOOL This applies to
diocesan Catholic schools only.
There. I feel better now, knowing I brought that all
to your attention. Isn’t “bolding”
wonderful?
New
parents will notice an addition to the bottom of the ongoing calendar on the
other side, the “Memory Verse.” A little
explanation about that. For the last
three years we have been sharing Scripture to be memorized with our children in
the hopes that it will be getting “into their bones,” into their deepest hearts
so that some will be readily retrievable as prayer or inspiration
throughout their lives. Most memory
verses will ring in their ears when they attend the upcoming weekend Mass since
the majority of the verses come from that Mass.
The first graders start a little later on this task since Mrs. Fortlage first spends time at the beginning of the year
reviewing the “Sign of the Cross,” the “Our Father,” the “Hail Mary,” and the
traditional Catholic before meals prayer, “Bless us, O Lord.” She also teaches formally, for the first time
here, the “Glory Be.” She’ll let moms
and dads know when her students will begin memorizing the Scripture choice for
the week. Sometimes, the primary
teachers will shorten up what is to be learned, depending on the length and
complexity of the verse. The older
children, on the other hand, are usually asked to know the source of the verses
so they become more familiar with where these treasures can be found in the
Bible.
Teachers
do “test” the children on the verses to encourage accountability – and to let
children (and parents) understand that learning these is not an option. Knowing them certainly contributes to a
healthier religion grade. However, the
teachers make passing these tests VERY easy and use the verse all week in their
daily prayers before the testing.
Familiarity breeds NOT contempt, but hopefully, a comfortability and
gradual understanding of their depth.
Teachers, of course, certainly spend some time each week in explaining
both the meaning and the relevancy to the particular age group when they first
introduce the verse. The importance of
making the Word of God part of who we are as a people cannot be overestimated.
Speaking
of who we are as a people. We
Catholics are people of the Word and people of the Eucharist, both aspects
of which make Mass what it is. I assume
you all read Father Bernie’s last paragraph of his article in the recent Bellringer
that you received in the mail. If you
haven’t, please do soon. It’s SO
important. God bless! Have a nice weekend. Give at least an hour of it to God. Why?
HE said so. ‘Nough
said.
LET’S WORK TOGETHER
An important aspect of
school is socialization. It is essential that children learn how to
cooperate and develop friendships. The fifth grade has already begun to
practice several strategies to improve these skills. In the program Steps
to Respect, students learn how to deal with conflicts and bullying more
effectively. In the first few lessons of the program, students learn the
difference between bullying and conflict. Fifth graders discussed the
importance of thinking about a situation before they react emotionally to
it. Other lessons include topics on bullying and how to safely report
bullying.
Is sand or yeast a living
organism? How do you color a white carnation? What color works the
best? Although these questions shouldn’t be of such great significance
that they keep you awake all night, they did form the “P” in PHEOC. PHEOC
is an acronym for the steps in the scientific method that fifth graders follow
on their scientific quests. Hands-on science activities and experiments
not only put the WOW in science, but they also provide wonderful
opportunities to work together in groups to sharpen those socialization and
cooperation skills.
Mrs. Lemminger
SIXTH GRADE NEWS
All of the students in last
night’s music program did such a fantastic job! It was wonderful to hear them
share some great American songs with us. The sixth graders were very
excited to have the opportunity to introduce the program with the drums.
They worked very hard to put together their piece.
Sixth graders have also
been working hard in other subjects. In science they are learning about
the theory of continental drift and what scientists believe our planet used to
look like. The students are working to understand these sometimes
difficult concepts. Next they’ll move into earthquakes and volcanoes --
more ways the Earth changes over time.
Religion classes in both
sixth and eighth grades have been filled with phenomenal discussions.
Students in sixth grade are beginning their journey into the Old Testament
while eighth graders are learning about the history of the Catholic
faith. However, both groups are also asking questions about some of the
deeper aspects of our faith. Walking into the classroom, you can hear
discussions on topics ranging from the mysteries of the Incarnation and Blessed
Trinity to what humans know (and don’t know) about Heaven, Hell, and
Purgatory. How truly blessed we are to be in a school environment where
we can freely examine these thought-provoking subjects.
Miss Boettcher
Dates to Mark on Your
Calendar
SEPTEMBER
Friday 21 Home
and School All School Dance, Parish Center,
Monday 24 Protecting
God’s Children workshop for volunteers,
Sacred Hearts, Sun Prairie,
Wednesday 26 Picture
Day; no Mass – Father gone for diocesan
priests meeting
Friday 28 NO SCHOOL for Catholic
School Kids –Meetings for
Catholic School Teachers
OCTOBER
Wednesday 03 Eighth
Grade fills liturgical roles at
Little Ones Play Group in PC,
Athletic Assn. mtg.,
Blessing of Pets in honor of
St. Francis of Assisi,
Thursday 04 Grade
7 field trip to Horicon Marsh
Friday 05 Preschool
visits the Fire Station
First AR points due (grades 4-8)
Mid-quarter reports go home.
Market Day
Monday 08 Grade
1 field trip to Glacier Rock, etc.
ITBS testing begins; usually
one or two tests a
day over next two weeks
Home and School Association
meeting,
Tuesday 09 Education
Commission meeting,
Wednesday 10 MANDATORY
basketball coaches’ meeting,
Thursday 11 Preschool
class to Fire Station
Friday 12 Preschool
class to Kraemer’s for pumpkins
Saturday 13 Parish
youth (grades 6-12) bonfire event
Saturday 20 Home and
St. Henry host volleyball
league tournament at the high school
Thur-Fri 25-26
NO SCHOOL
NOVEMBER
Thur-Fri 1-2 Accreditation Visiting Team here.
Memory verse for week of
September 24:
“Blessed is he who keeps
faith forever, secures justice for the oppressed, gives food to the hungry.”
Psalm 146: 7