Hello All- I hope your week is going well. Last night Mrs. Sickels, Mrs. Ramsey and myself went to Des Moines to hear Father Mike speak. If you ever get the chance- check him out on YouTube. He does masses every Sunday in Duluth. He is the priest on their college campus. He is also on the Hallow app and on Ascension. He is worth a listen to! I've always wanted to be able to listen to him in person. Last night didn't disappoint! 

Calendar Dates:

Apr. 4- Field Trip to Des Moines/ Spirit Day

Apr. 9- 5th grade mass

Apr. 7-11- ISASP Testing

Apr. 17- Seder Meal/Cross Walk

Apr. 18- Good Friday/Spirit Day

Apr. 21- No School/ PD Day

Apr. 24- Field Trip to MO

Reading- I am still getting my sick kids to be caught up with the module test. Those scores should go home next week! I am so happy with the weekly reading test scores! Our next unit has begun, but it will be really broken up with ISASP testing next week. This unit is nonfiction. It will be stories about taking care of the planet. 

Dollars for Scholars- Soon they will be writing their essays for this contest. 

Book Report- I do plan on assigning the final book report next week. This is the biography. This one they will read and take notes on their person as they go. Once your child has picked their person, you will need to help them start thinking of the costume they will wear the day they present. 

Math- We are working our way through division, but I am also working on some fractions with them. They now know how to check their work by multiplying! They don't always like that extra work, but in the long run it helps them and me! 

Poster Contest- In their free time, they are creating posters for Northwest Bank's poster contest. 

Field Trip- Just a few reminders: they can wear jeans or shorts tomorrow. If they have a STM shirt or sweatshirt- that would be great, but not required. I told them to be ready to go outside at some point. It might be chilly. The high of the day is supposed to be 50.  They can take electronics for the bus ride. They will stay on the bus. I talked to them about the art museum expectations as well. No touching! No messing around,etc. I don't really have that concern. They will need a sack lunch and drink! We will be back in time for the bus and trolley. 

ISASP- They will have one test each day next week, except for Friday. I always tell them it is important that they get a good night's sleep! If they are breakfast people- eat! It wouldn't hurt to have a water bottle. Water can keep headaches away! They will also need to have a chapter book for after testing. 

I hope everyone has a great weekend! 

God Bless,

Miss Surma

 Hello Parents, I hope you are having a good week! This weather is beautiful! Bring on spring!!! 

Calendar Dates:

Apr. 4- Field Trip to Des Moines/ Spirit Day

Apr. 9- 5th grade mass

Apr. 7-11- ISASP Testing

Apr. 17- Seder Meal/Cross Walk

Apr. 18- Good Friday/Spirit Day

Apr. 21- No School/ PD Day

Reading- We are finishing our Pioneer Sampler story this week. They will test over it this week, and they will take the weekly module test.  On Monday, they will take the Module/Unit test. We will start our next module on Tuesday.  

I am planning on assigning the next book report next week. This is the biography I told you about at conferences. If they can't find a book they like at school, they are welcome to check out the library, a book store, or get one online. Just let me know.  Remember the project will be a Google slides presentation- which they will most likely do at school. If you have a computer at home, they should be able to access it there as well.  That will be a bit down the road. They first need to read the book and take notes. 

Math- They are doing really well dividing two digits into three digits. That will soon bump up to dividing into the thousands. This usually gets a little trickier.  I am also going to teach them to check by multiplying. That way they know if they "did it right". 

Religion- We have been focusing on a chapter dealing with Lent.  As part of their Lenten promises- we  all agreed we would go to the chapel once a week to say the Rosary. We started  that last week. We will go again this week. 

Thank you for the Noisy Change Collection money!  I gave the money to Mark O'Riley on Wednesday evening. We gave him over $600. That should help him purchase some food for the Food Shelf that he runs. He was very appreciative! 

Field Trip- The 5th graders will head to Des Moines next Friday- April 4. We leave around 8:30. We will be back in time for the bus that day. They will need a sack lunch and drink that day. 

Mass- The 5th graders will be in charge of mass on April 9. I will hand out parts next week. Please join us for mass that day if you're available. 

ISASP- The standardized testing will begin on April 7. Next week I will be doing some practice testing with them so they know what to expect that week. 

I hope everyone has a great weekend! 

God Bless,

Miss Surma

 Hello Parents, I hope everyone was able to enjoy their spring break! I know I did. I didn't really do anything, but I got a lot of little chores done at home! I also made time to read some books! The weather was beautiful! 

Calendar Dates:

Mar. 21- Spirit Day

Mar. 24- Reconciliation

Mar. 26- Noisy Change Collection at Mass

Apr. 4- Field Trip to Des Moines

Apr. 9- 5th grade mass

Apr. 7-11- ISASP Testing

Substitute- I will have a sub on Friday afternoon. Mrs. Weight will be here with the kids. I am taking some time to clean and hang out with my siblings. Some are coming to Creston on Friday to celebrate my birthday with me. 

Reading- This week we are reading a story about a pioneer family and about their life. We learned about how they harvested their hay. We looked up pictures of the tools they used online. They also talked about how they watched the weather by watching animals in nature and the moon.  On Wednesday, I showed them a couple of videos. One was a man showing how they thatch a roof...that was something they talked about in the story. The other was a short video giving us a tour of what a cabin in the 1850s would have looked like. We also talked about how life was so different. We talked about our modern conveniences today.

Grammar is covering the different tenses of verbs. We talked about past and present tense on Tuesday. On Wednesday, we worked on future tense verbs. They also had to write them with contractions. 

I have it mapped out so that they will take their spelling test next week as well as our weekly test. This is the last story in the module. That means they will be taking a module test too. 

Religion- We are working on a Lent chapter right now. They did take the ACRE test on Tuesday.

Reconciliation is on Monday with Father Patrick and Father John.  The kids made cards for Father's birthday! They gave them to him after mass. He was thrilled!  Some of the kids were excited to hear that Lionel Messi is his favorite soccer player!  

Noisy Change Collection at mass next Wednesday! The money goes to Mark O'Riley and his Food Shelf. 

Math- we started working on division on Monday. We will get back at it on Thursday and Friday.  They did a pretty good job on Monday! 

Field Trip- There is a permission slip in their Take Home Folder for our trip to Des Moines on April 4. Please fill out and return ASAP. Thank you! 

Spirit Day on Friday! They can wear sweats and/or hat for $1!!! 

I hope everyone has a great weekend! My sister Mary and I are going to the Book Fest in Des Moines on Saturday. One of our favorite authors - C J Box is going to be there! We are excited to hear him talk about his books! 

God Bless, 

Miss Surma

 Hello Families! I hope everyone is having a good week! Thank you for signing up for conferences next week. 

Calendar Dates:

Feb. 28- Last Day for Coin Wars

Feb. 28- Book Reports Due

Mar. 1- STM Gala/Auction

Mar. 5- Ash Wednesday ( Lent Begins)

Mar. 3-6 Parent Teacher Conferences

Mar. 7-16 Spring Break

Mar. 17- St. Patrick's Day/ Classes Resume

Reading- This week our story is really short. It is about the Transcontinental Railroad being built. It really shows how the Chinese people worked extremely hard, but were discriminated against and didn't get any of the recognition. By the end of the construction, there were 12,000 Chinese workers. They showed how they were willing to work in poor conditions and risk their lives to see it built.  My plan is to get this story and work completed before break. They will take the selection quiz over this one, but I don't know if I will have time for the module weekly test. They will have their posttest in spelling next week too. Their list is harder this week. They are working with words that have a VCCCV pattern in them. In grammar they are working with subject and object pronouns. 

Book Reports are due on Friday! They will share that day. I hope to get some checked over the weekend! 

Math- We started our division chapter. On Tuesday, I taught them about estimating with division. They don't just round because there is a good chance they would still end up with a remainder.  They have to find compatible numbers. That way they can use their multiplication table if necessary and mentally divide (or multiply) to find the quotient. It is tricky. 

I will be practicing division with them for a couple of days to remind them how to divide. We will use a single digit divisor. Then I will jump in with dividing by two digits. 

Religion- They shared their saint slides this week. They were good! This was good practice for their last book report project. This week we also read the story called The Woman at the Well. One of my favorites from the Bible. Jesus told her that following him would bring her eternal life. We also talked about how the Jews and Samaritans didn't get along. 

Lent begins next week. The kids will make their Lenten promises on Tuesday. Ash Wednesday mass is on Wednesday. We have an all school mass. Some of your kids have a part. I gave it to them on Monday. You're welcome to join us on Wednesday. 

Thank you to Melodie Winkler for creating the 5th grade quilt for the auction. It turned out so great! I know the kids loved it! Whoever get that at the auction will be wrapped up in lots of LOVE! 

As of Monday, they can wear shorts again. I always tell them that just because they can, doesn't mean they should. They should at least have a sweatshirt for recess. I saw a few kids without on Wednesday and it felt like it was in the 30s. 

Coin Wars ends on Friday! 1st place is a pizza party. 2nd place is a cupcake party. 3rd place is candy. 

Spirit Day on Friday!!! 

I hope everyone has a good weekend! If you're going to the auction, I will see you there!

God Bless,

Miss Surma

 Hello Families, Okay, I am over this cold weather and snow! I see 40s in the forecast for next week! I am thinking positive thoughts! I become a great aunt again on Valentine's Day. I have another great niece- Isabella Mae. She is so sweet with lots of hair! I can't wait to meet her in person! 

Calendar Dates:

Feb. 21- End of Trimester 2

Feb. 28- Book Reports Due

Mar. 1- STM Gala/Auction

Mar. 5- Ash Wednesday ( Lent Begins)

Mar. 3-6 Parent Teacher Conferences

Mar. 7-14 Spring Break

Reading- They will have their post test in spelling on Thursday. They will also have their selection quiz over the story that day. On Friday they will take their weekly test. That means next week we will start a new story and have a spelling pretest! 

Book Reports- The projects are due on Friday, February 28! I am planning on having them share them that day as well. 

Religion- They have been busy working on their saint projects. They had to choose a saint and do research on their life and take notes on that. Now they are creating a Google Slides presentation on them. They are having fun with that one! 

Math- I am working with kids now on correcting their tests. Once all have been corrected, I will send them home for you to see. The weather days have slowed me down on this one! Our next chapter is division! I may have to do some work on reminding them how to divide first. This chapter is all about dividing by 2-digit numbers. 

Conferences- Don't forget to schedule your conference time with me! 

Substitute- I will be gone on Thursday afternoon so there will be a sub here. I believe it is Mrs. Weight! I am going to move reading to the afternoon that day so I can take care of math. 

Clorox Wipes- We could use some more! Thank you to those who gave them to me as a Christmas present! They are much appreciated! 

I hope everyone has a great weekend! I plan on working on report cards, but maybe go to a movie too! 

God Bless,

Miss Surma

 Hello Families! I hope everyone enjoyed the snow day as much as they could! I realize some of you still had to go to work.  I got some stuff done at home and some shoveling. I am good with the snow. It can be done now. 😁

Calendar Dates:

Feb. 14- Spirit Day and Valentine's Day

Feb. 17- No School/PD Day

Feb.19- Kindergarten Mass with help from 5th grade

Feb. 19- Field Trip to Carlos Acutis Veneration

Feb. 21- End of Trimester 2

Feb. 28- Book Reports Due

Mar. 1- STM Gala/ Auction

Field Trip- I have enough drivers now! Thank you! I am still missing some permission slips. Please return by Monday.  

Reading- This week's story is kind of lengthy, but also allows for great discussion. It is an informational story about the expansion west in the United States, but the way it is written is more like a cartoon/realistic fiction. We talked about the reasons why people moved west in the 1800s- free land and the gold rush being a couple of them. I showed them pictures of Independence Rock. This was a place people stopped and etched their name and the date of being there. We looked at photos online of the ruts that were in the ground due to the wagons and muddy trails. We focused on some of the hardships they faced on the trail...like diseases, bad weather, running out of food and/ or water. I do wish they had talked to them about the clothing they had to wear back then. Many of them traveled over 50o miles and walking beside the wagon was a big part of that. 

Grammar- We are working on quotation marks and the appropriate ways to punctuate direct quotes or phrases. 

Book Reports- Projects due on February 28! 

Religion- Our chapter focuses on joining the Catholic church  when you are older vs when you are a baby. It's great that I have Mary and Silas to ask questions to since they have joined in the past couple of years. On Tuesday, they each picked a saint to do some research on. They are taking notes on that saint's life. After that they are going to create some Google Slides on that person to share with the class. Picking a saint is part of the confirmation process. It gives them a specific saint to be their patron saint to pray to when they need help or guidance. 

Next Wednesday we will travel to St. Pius to see the first class relic of Blessed Carlos. He will be named a saint later this year in April. We will leave here at 10:45. They will need to pack a sack lunch and drink. We will eat up there before we return.  This day is offered to the Catholic schools to visit, but I believe it will be open to the public that weekend, if you're interested. 

Math- We are still finishing up the test with a few kids. This test is longer than the last ones have been. I did spend my snow day correcting those that finished already. We will begin division next week. This is usually a harder chapter with high frustration. I will do my best to lower or eliminate that frustration as best I can. 

Valentines- have your child bring their Valentines to school on Friday. We will celebrate it in the afternoon. 

Mass- next Wednesday the 5th graders will help the kindergarten class with mass. Please join us if you are able! 

Auction- I got the basket done for the auction- well almost. I will post a picture on my Facebook page when it is complete! Thank you for helping out! I am calling it A Cozy Night In Basket. It would great for any family to purchase! 

No School on Monday, Feb. 17. It is a professional development day! Enjoy the long weekend! 

Melodie Winkler got me our auction item. I will work on it next week with the kids. Thank you, Melodie! 

Ben Tracy- I hope you were able to listen to him on Wednesday night on the webinar! He was GREAT! It was extremely eye-opening on what social media is doing with kids and to kids.  They will be able to see him on Friday when he talks to them at school. 

I hope everyone has a great weekend! I am hoping to be able to go to the funeral of my sister-in-law's dad in Humboldt, but the weather doesn't look like it will let me. Maybe things will change! 🙏🙏

God Bless, 

Miss Surma

 Hello Families! I hope you're having a good week! I sure enjoyed the 50s while we had them! 

Calendar Dates:

Feb. 12- Ben Tracy 6pm Southern Prairie Arts Center

Feb. 14- Spirit Day and Valentine's Day

Feb. 17- No School/PD Day

Feb.19- Kindergarten Mass with help from 5th grade

Feb. 19- Field Trip to Carlos Acutis Veneration

Feb. 21- End of Trimester 2

Feb. 28- Book Reports Due

Mar. 1- STM Gala/ Auction

Reading- They took their module test on Monday. These stories weren't the easiest. I am pleasantly surprised to say that scores were better than I expected based on the difficulty of the stories! Go 5th graders!!! This doesn't mean to say that we don't have room for improvement. 

They also took their weekly test last Friday. Those scores will be in their Take Home Folders.   

Our next unit is based on history and the expansion of the United States and the railroad. I really like this unit. I learned a lot last year! I hope the kids like it too!  They took a spelling pretest on Tuesday! I had 6 perfect scores! That was a first for me! They won't have to take the posttest when we get to that.  Grammar will be focusing on quotation marks and interjections. We spent some time on Wednesday going over homographs- words that are spelled the same, but have different meanings (may also be pronounced differently)-like wound and wound.  We also talked about homophones- words that sound the same, but spelled differently- like my favorites- their, they're, and there. Your kids created quite a list! 

Book Reports are due at the end of the month. I am reminding them daily they need to keep reading their books in any free time. The 28th will be here before we know it. 

Book It- I told the kids this month is shorter and I increased their minutes on the calendar. This means they need to read near 30 minutes a day to make the 800 minutes. I also had to explain to them that Pizza Ranch is no longer doing the certificates. They will honor the ones I have given so far, but next month I won't be handing any more out. I am out of them. So I will reward them with a Ring Pop sucker. Mrs. Stoner got me boxes of them while shopping at Costco!  I did see that Pizza Ranch still offers a free meal for your child , but only on Tuesday nights and I believe an adult has to pay for a meal as well.  I know as time moves on things change, but I still want to promote reading! 

Permission Slip- In your child's folder is the permission slip to go to St. Pius on the 19th. Please sign and return as soon as possible.  I have 3 drivers so far for that day. I could use 1-2 more depending on car size. They will need to pack a sack lunch that day. 

Math- This week we are working on the practice test. I was hoping to give the real test on Friday, but our early out on Wednesday messed up those plans. So I am hoping that they can take the test on Monday. 

Religion- We finished up our chapter . It focused on the Baptism of Jesus as well what that sacrament does for us. We also talked about how the people are the Body of Christ here on earth. Our job is to do the work that he started here. They had to come up with things they could do to help out at home, at school, and at church. 

Mass- The 5th graders will be helping the kindergartners at their mass on February 19. You're welcome to join us! Not all the 5th graders have a job. 

Auction- Thank you for donating to the school's auction basket! I am ready to go shopping! 

Melodie Winkler is helping me with our silent auction item this year. The kids will be helping her create a tie blanket. There is more to it than that, but once we get it going- I will post pictures on my Facebook page. 

Valentines- We will celebrate on the 14th! The kids may bring in Valentines for the class,but it isn't required. ❤🍬🧸

I hope everyone has a great weekend! Stay safe if we get the weather I am hearing predicted for our area. 

God Bless,

Miss Surma