The Bulldog Barks
June 7, 2010
Principal – Mr. Tush
Our last day of school will be Friday, June 11th. School will begin at 8:00 a.m. as usual. There will not be bus service on June 11th. We will have a prayer service at 8:30, come back to our classrooms afterwards, and then begin our awards ceremony at 10:00. Students are dismissed after the awards ceremony (approximately 11:00). Please make sure to let us know if someone else is picking up your child at 11:00 on Friday by sending a note. We will not have after-school care on Friday, June 11th.
In the past few weeks I have received much information to be proud of. Tom Berry, father of St. Mary Alumni T.J. and Brian Berry, stopped in to let us know how well Brian was doing at one of the premier college prep academies in the nation, located just north of Chicago. He informed me that Brian had earned a 92% on his placement exam, one of the highest scores recorded, and how appreciative he felt about how well Brian had been educated and influenced by St. Mary’s staff. We also received information about the Oldenburg Academy awards ceremony that was chalk full of St. Mary Alumni. This information included that a St. Mary Alum, Jason Strasemeier, earned the honor of Salutatorian. This is on top of all the compliments I receive from both Oldenburg and South Dearborn educators about the leadership skills and Christian attitudes of our former students.
Nothing makes us happier than to hear how well our students are doing in their lives after graduating from little old St. Mary’s. With our limited resources, this is truly an extraordinary feat. Our staff goes above and beyond what is expected of them every day not only to educate beyond what most schools do, but also to try to make a positive difference in all of our students’ lives.
To add to our successes, Our 2010 ISTEP+ scores are higher this year than they have been in recent years, once again ranking St. Mary's School as one of the best in the state. We also received our Faith 2000 standardized test scores and found out that our 3rd, 6th, and 8th graders averaged higher scores, in all categories, than the 3rd, 6th, and 8th graders in the entire Archdiocese of Indianapolis.
These accomplishments would not be possible without parent and parishioner support. As I said my first day at St. Mary's School, our school will only be as good as we make it. Without dedicated parents and staff, we would only be mediocre at best. Thank you for your support.
Have a great summer!
Kindergarten – Mrs. Denning
We are finished with our evaluations. The class has done a wonderful job. They are a terrific group of readers. Mrs. Hurst will be very impressed next year!
Don't forget to practice phonics and reading skills over the summer. The children will need to be able to blend sounds, read sight words, color words, and number words at the beginning of first grade.
Please remember that Kindergarten's last school day is Thursday, June 10. We will have our end of year celebration party and play day at Mary Stratton Park, from 1:00-2:00. Parents are welcome to come join us.
Make sure your child brings his/her book bag the last day. The children will have many things to take home.
Have a fabulous, safe summer vacation!
Grade 1 – Mrs. Hurst
During these last 5 days of school we are going to try really hard to stay on task while doing our school work. Parents, we do have homework this week, so please continue to check homework folders every night!
In Phonics this week the students will learn the two sounds of digraph ew (as in cashew and few), and the sound of digraph ou (as in soup). The students also will learn prefixes pre- and dis-.
I would like to thank all of the 1st grade parents for their help and support this school year. I hope everyone has a safe and fun summer break. Don't forget to READ!
Grade 2 – Mrs. Grove
The Reds game was lovely. Thank you to Linda Rechtin, all the 5th, 6th, 7th, & 8th grade students and parents for making it possible.
We have been discussing states of matter in Science class. The kids can demonstrate our experiment with an empty glass, napkin, and deep bowl of water.
We have been working on division in Math. But we still need practice telling time to the minute and counting change. Many students are still having a difficult time recognizing and knowing the value of nickels.
Have a wonderful summer and can’t wait to see you all in August!
Grade 3 – Mrs. Rector
We have been busy wrapping up the school year. We participated in an Aurora in Bloom Project, saw a presentation from the library, and got to learn about many famous Hoosiers thanks to the Fourth Graders. The students have also enjoyed sharing their book projects with each other. Hopefully they have some new ideas of what to read over the summer. Don't forget about the summer reading programs at the Aurora Public Library. They are fun and free!
It is amazing to me how much the students have grown over the past year. They are certainly ready to move on up to the fourth grade. I want to thank them for all their hard work and all the parents for the support you have given throughout the year. Have a great summer!
Grade 4 – Mrs. Meyer
Thanks to all the family members who came to our Famous Hoosier Wax Museum last week. The students had a great time researching and dressing up as their famous Hoosier.
I had a wonderful school year with this group of students. They were always so eager to learn and so excited to do all the projects I had planned. I know they will all do great next year in fifth grade. I hope everyone has a wonderful, relaxing summer!
Grade 5 – Mrs. Baker
I am very proud of how hard the fifth graders worked on their space projects in science. We had some excellent posters and very creative models!
It has been a wonderful school year. This 5th grade class is always thinking and always wanting to know more. I will definitely miss this group of students! Come back and visit me next year! Good luck to all of you in 6th grade, I know you will do an excellent job! Have a wonderful summer break!
Grade 6 – Mrs. Rice
The results for the Algebra ECA probably won’t be available until after June 11. When the results are available, I’ll email and/or mail the results to the student’s home.
Wednesday is our movie/snack afternoon. Be sure you bring in your snacks and permission slips for the movie and bowling on Thursday. Please remember your lunch money for Thursday after bowling, too. Awards are at 10:00 on Friday. Students are dismissed after awards.
Grade 7 – Mrs. Powell
We will be going bowling on Thursday. Please turn in money and permission slips by Tuesday. Students will need to bring lunch money that day for McDonald’s.
Have a great and safe summer!!!
Grade 8 – Mrs. Birkholtz
Have a safe and wonderful summer! Thanks to all of the parents, volunteers, and students for a great and successful year!
Vacation Bible School – Mrs. Meyer
VBS begins June 21, 2010. If you would be willing to help get supplies together and/or help set up the activity center, please call Carolyn Meyer at 926-0060. We hope to make this a fun filled time of learning for the youth of our parish, but we can’t do it without you.
BoxTops - Cathy Hill
Congratulations to Mrs. Rector and her 3rd graders for being the overall BoxTop winner. They were treated to a pizza party last Monday. Thank you to all my BoxTop buddies for doing such a great job, collecting, clipping and counting those coupons. I hope they too, enjoyed their pizza. Keep clipping over the summer. A new BoxTop contest will begin in the fall.
Cafeteria Volunteers
6/8 – Laurie Gray, 6/9 – Marge Waldon, 6/10 – Tina Weber
Playground Volunteers
6/8 – Marianne Weir, 6/9 – Kristy Murray, 6/10 – Amber Probst