Hello Parents,

Next week is Catholic Schools Week! There are a lot of activities and dress up days planned! Please make sure you check them out on Mrs. Simmons' blog/email. 

Calendar Dates: 

Jan. 16-27 FAST Testing

Jan. 29-Feb. 3 Catholic Schools Week

Jan. 30- Sack Lunch Day

Sunday is our kickoff to Catholic Schools Week! We are having mass at Holy Spirit. I have some kids doing most of the jobs at mass. There is also a breakfast after mass in the basement provided by the Knights of Columbus. Later that afternoon we have an Open House at school for prospective families! If you know of anyone interested in sending their children, let them know! They can find out information and checkout the school! Check out the times in Mrs. Simmons' information! 

Monday- Blue and Gold Day or STM Gear Day! The kids will need a sack lunch that day! Milk will be provided. 

Tuesday- Dress up as your favorite Bible figure or Saint Day!!! I can't wait to see what everyone wears! Remember you can dress up as something your saint is a patron of. For example: Sebastian is a patron saint of athletes. Come dressed in your basketball or volleyball uniform. (Remember recess- plan to have your snow pants that day!) There is also supposed to be snowman building that afternoon-depending on temps and snow! Kids should have all the right gear for that activity! 

Wednesday- Pajama Day! Wear your jammies, robes, slippers! That is also the Talent Show Day! That is scheduled from 8:45-11 am.

Thursday- Nation Appreciation Day- Dress up as your hero or patriotic day! Red White and Blue

Friday- Dress up Day! Grandparents/Special Guest Mass. They pick up their student(s) at 1 pm. Mass will begin at 1:30. Parts are being sent home in folders today if your child has a job.

Reading- This week they have been taking their Unit test as well as finishing up our FAST tests. I am also assigning their next book report. This one they will be choosing a Newbery winner or honor book. I will go over possible choices for them. They should be able to find something from my shelf or the library.  Many times these are books they wouldn't normally choose on their own! 

Math- This week we are working on reviewing our chapter. They will test on Friday that is the goal anyway! 

Next week's schedule is going to be a little off and I don't have it mapped out just yet. 

Next week looks like it is going to be COLD!!! Make sure your kids pack their snow pants and boots for recess with our dress up days. Of course, there is a good chance it will be too cold to go out, but you never know! 

The coffee cart was a HUGE treat that we all enjoyed!!! Thank you STM Social Club! 

Have a great weekend! Hope to see you at mass on Sunday!

God Bless,

Miss Surma

 Hello Parents, Okay, your kids are rock stars!! ❤ They did an awesome job today with mass and the kindergarten class, plus we had some last minute changes with kids being gone! I was so so proud of them! They did say, "Miss Surma, watching those kids is hard work!"  YES, it is!!! 

Calendar Dates: 

Jan. 16-27 FAST Testing

Jan. 20- Spirit Day

Jan. 25- Coffee/ Tea Drink Day! 

Jan. 29-Feb. 3 Catholic Schools Week

Math- We are finishing up our chapter on multiplying decimals! They will test next week. I'm writing this on Wednesday afternoon and we had our early out. I will have to see what tomorrow brings as to scheduling things the rest of the week! On Tuesday, we did work on multiplication,but we also added solving for area. We talked about the proper equation we use to solve for it. I gave them the example of carpeting our classroom would be solving for  area. 

Religion- This week we are talking about confirmation and joining the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil. Part of the confirmation process in our church is choosing a saint's name. That saint becomes your patron saint, someone you can pray to for help or guidance. The 5th graders are using their religion time to research saints. They are finding out some basic information about their saint. They will share their reports when we are done. I told them this could be the saint the dress up as, if they want, for our Catholic Schools Week dress up day.

Reading- We are in our last story of this unit. In this story they are reading about two teenagers that played a role in the Revolutionary War. One was a young boy named Joseph that actually signed up for 6 months of service and fought in the war. The other was about a girl name Sybil. She didn't fight in the war. Her job was to ride on horseback and travel at night to gather more militiamen to go to another battle. Her ride was similar to Paul Revere's. 

Next week will be a unit test week. There won't be any spelling tests. 

FAST Testing- We have done some this week. I will continue to the more the rest of this week and then finish up next week. 

Spirit Day on Friday! Sweats for $1!!!

☕☕🧃🧃Our coffee/smoothie drink day was postponed until next week due to the weather. The kids were just happy that it was still happening! 

If you can help out the Monday of Catholic Schools Week while the teachers go to lunch here is the sign up! 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090d48adab29a5f49-parent?fbclid=IwAR1-_6_9jWxjdyGxH4q4funo4Nm9mRE53oW9laYJflKQ6xwdOmH97EBfRdY#/

Make sure to keep a lookout for the Catholic Schools Week information that Mrs. Simmons puts out! 

I hope everyone has a great weekend! 

God Bless,

Miss Surma

 Hello Parents!!! How is everyone doing??? I hope well! It is so good to be back! I know I keep saying that but it really is the truth! I really missed being here and your kids! We are definitely working at getting back into the groove of school and the expectations Miss Surma has for them. They are really having a difficult time listening to directions and there has been a need for repeating them multiple times. I told them on Tuesday, that the repeating will soon come to an end. They are closer to being in middle school now so they need to step up their game. So, I feel like we are back at square one a little bit and needing to relearn how things are done. 

Calendar Dates: 

Jan. 16-27 FAST Testing

Jan. 18- Mass

Jan. 20- Spirit Day

Jan. 29-Feb. 3 Catholic Schools Week

Math- We are still working on our multiplication of decimals. We had quite a few papers that needed correcting when I got back, but this week we are back in the book. They are working on multiplying decimals times decimals now. The trick is knowing where to put that decimal. It no longer works to drop it straight down! 

Religion- They will have a test on Thursday over chapter 5. Last week we did take some time to watch the funeral of Pope Benedict XVI. We didn't watch the entire funeral, but the kids were able to see the big crowd and the number of priests, bishops, and cardinals there. 

Reading- They read the story called James Forten today.  He was a freed slave that joined the military during the Revolutionary War. His job was to carry gunpowder to the top deck of the boat for the canons to use. We talked a lot about the fear for the free slaves was that they could get taken and sold back into slavery. His ship had to surrender to the British so he was very fearful that that would happen to him. It didn't. After the war he worked with abolitionists and getting women the right to vote. He also had a very successful business.  In grammar they are working on commas in a series as well as using semicolons in a series when commas are already in place. They will test over spelling words on Friday as well as our story. 

Mass- The 5th graders will be helping the kindergarten class with their mass next week on January 18. Some of the 5th graders will be holding the mic for them, while others will have a short speaking part. I will be giving them their reading parts to practice. The kindergarten kids have most of the work! The 5th graders are excited to help out! 

Catholic Schools Week- In your child's folder is a sign up for our kick off mass at Holy Spirit on January 29. If you child wants to participate, fill it out and return it to me. Please look at your weekend schedule before saying yes, but I really hope to see some 5th graders there! There will be a Grandparent/Special Guest mass on Friday, February 3 at church as well. If your child gets a part in either mass, we will be sending home information on that. 

FAST Testing will begin next week in reading and math. Scores will be sent home when everything is compiled! This week I have them doing a cold read to time them. The winter goal is 149 words in 1 minute. 

I hope everyone has a great weekend! I went to the new Tom Hanks movie last weekend with Mrs. Levine. I highly recommend! 

God Bless,

Miss Surma

 Hello Parents, I hope you're having a great week. This is a busy month for sure! 

Calendar Dates:

Dec. 8- Mass/ Noisy Change Collection

Dec. 9- Miss Surma's Surgery 

Dec. 15-22 Holiday Dress Up Days

Dec. 16- Spirit Day

Dec. 21- Bishop at mass

Dec. 22- Christmas Caroling @ 12:30/Sack lunch Day

Dec.23-Jan. 3- Christmas Break

Jan.4 - Classes Resume

Reading- This week they are reading a nonfiction story about King George. He was taxing the colonists with things like a stamp tax and a tea tax, which caused the Boston Tea Party to happen. King George also suffered from an illness that affected him mentally, but back then they didn't know how to diagnose it so they just thought he went mad. He thought he was showing how much he loved them by sending in battalions. Every time the colonists did something he disapproved of he would try some other tactic, but it just made them angrier. In grammar this week they are working on present,past, and future tense verbs. They also had to do some contractions writing with them...that seemed to confuse some of them! They will becoming they'll. I think we get so used to writing it or saying it that when we have to stop and think about it, it throws us off. 

They will test on Friday over the story and spelling words. Next week is the third week in our unit. That means they will have a cold read on their test on Friday. 

Math- They finished up chapter 3 with a test on Monday! The class did really well overall! Our next chapter is more multiplication, but with decimals. While I am gone they will work on this, but there will be a couple of lessons I am letting them use a calculator. It's a great way to see how the decimal moves. They will do some work with decimals and whole numbers. When I return in January, we will really get into multiplying decimals times decimals. 

Religion- This week we worked on our Advent chapter and finishing that up. They will be starting a new chapter next week. The 3-5th graders participated in my receiving the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick today. Father Patrick did this in the chapel with all of us. It was very nice even though I got a little teary-eyed. I was glad they were there with me. 

Adopt-A-Soldier gifts are due by Monday! 

Mass is tomorrow! Dress up! It is a Holy Day of Obligation. Noisy Change Collection at mass on Thursday! 

Mrs. Redd will be here on Friday and all of next week as my sub. Tiffany Ossian and Lisa Sawtelle will be here the final week before Christmas break. 

Any changes to your child's schedule or rides home...please notify the office. Don't email me, I don't know that I will see it in time to let my subs know. 

December 15- Holiday Dress Up Days begin! I sent home the list last week in their folders. 

Thank you for all the well wishes and prayers for my surgery on Friday. That means a lot. I am really going to miss the kids...it is hitting me a little harder these days. I pray that they do well while I am gone with the different subs. I am sure they will be just fine! Two of older sisters will be with me at the hospital and my younger brother is coming later to get me home. 

I hope you enjoy the concert tonight! It sounded great at practice! 

God Bless, 

Miss Surma

 Hello Parents, I hope you all enjoyed your Thanksgiving break! Did you get enough to eat?? I was in Waterloo at my brother's house. I got to spend some quality time with my nieces which was great! 

Calendar Dates:

Dec. 2- Spirit Day

Dec. 7- Christmas Concert

Dec. 8- Mass/ Noisy Change Collection

Dec. 9- Miss Surma's Surgery 

Dec. 16- Spirit Day

Dec. 21- Bishop at mass

Dec. 22- Christmas Caroling

Dec.23-Jan. 3- Christmas Break

Substitutes- Okay, they tried to get one person to be my sub for the two weeks I am gone,but that just didn't work out. So from Dec. 9-16 they will have Jennifer Redd. She has subbed here before.Tiffany Ossian will be here from Dec. 19-21. Lisa Sawtelle will be here on the 22nd. Of course, I know this could change. The 5th graders will have to adapt. 

Reading- This week we started my favorite unit! Every story is about someone who had to be involved in the Revolutionary War somehow. This week's story is fiction, but based on some truth. We heard about the adventure for John Adams and his son on their journey to France. John was sent there to see if he could get the French to help us during the war. By this point the war had been happening for 3 years. In grammar they are working with subject and object pronouns-- he,she, it, you, they, them, him, and her. Their spelling this week are words with a  VCCV pattern. That means there will be a vowel, followed by two consonants, and then another vowel. That might help them in practicing for their post test on Friday. 

Math-We are wrapping up our chapter this week. They will be testing early next week. It could be on Monday. Their next chapter will be more multiplication, but with decimals. This makes me happy because I thought it was division and I definitely want to be here for that chapter. 

Religion- We started our Advent chapter! They did a great job at mass today. We had to do some new stuff because Fr.Patrick was gone, but we made it through! The 5th graders also helped me by passing out our new song books to all the different classrooms! They also got their first time being the oldest partner with their Advent Angels! It sounds like their first time went pretty good! They had fun stories to share! 

Spirit Day is on Friday! $1 for sweats! 

No mass next Wednesday! It will be on Thursday because it is a holy day of obligation. 

Next Wednesday, we will be taking the kids to the high school to practice for the concert that night. Look for a permission form in their folder. 

Catholic Daughters Luncheon- The 5th graders always get invited to sing at Holy Spirit for the ladies! This year they are going on the 15th. Mrs. Warner, Mrs. Redd, and Mrs. Simmons will take them there. They will sing and then they get to eat with them! I told the kids they will love the meal because it's a great potluck of yummy food and desserts! I put a permission form in your child's folder for this as well! I'm bummed I will miss out! 

I hope everyone has a great weekend! I plan on doing lesson plans for when I am gone or at least getting a start on them. 

God Bless,

Miss Surma

 Hello Parents, I hope you're having a great week!  I posted lots of calendar dates...make sure you mark yours! 

Calendar Dates:

Nov. 18- Spirit Day

Nov.22- Iowa History Fair 2:15 pm

Nov. 23-28 -Thanksgiving Break

Nov. 30- 5th grade mass

Dec. 7- Christmas Concert

Dec. 8- Mass/ Holy Day of Obligation

Dec. 16- Spirit Day

Dec. 21- Bishop at mass

Dec. 22- Christmas Caroling

Dec.23-Jan. 3- Christmas Break

Reading- This week they are reading a nonfiction story called Cougars. It reads more like a science text filled with lots of information! I think we've all learned a lot! Grammar is a little more confusing this week because they are figuring out how to write sentences with quotation marks. The spelling this week has those tricky last two letters- or, ar, and er. This is our last story in this unit. I am going to go ahead and test them next week with a Unit test. I want to keep some kind of schedule going and I don't really want to wait until after our Thanksgiving break.  We will start Unit 3  after break. They are sharing their book reports this week! I have seen some really great projects! 

Religion- We are finishing up our chapter on the Beatitudes. They will test on Friday! That means we can start focusing on Advent next and it's just in time! Advent Angels will start the week we get back from Thanksgiving! I know the kids are excited! 

Math- They are still working on multiplication. On Wednesday we moved into multiplying with zeros in the factors. 

Social Studies- There is a handout/invite in your child's folder for the Iowa History Fair. It is next Tuesday, November 22 at 2:15. You are welcome to come and check out ALL the projects! Grandparents are invited to join you!  Ask the kids some questions! Mrs. Sickels has a schedule of when your children will give their presentation in her classroom. I also put that in your folder. She said the projects are to go home the day of the presentation. Make sure you check it out and make arrangements for getting it home with her. 

Friday, November 18- Spirit Day! Sweats for $1

5th grade mass on November 30th! Kids are getting their parts this week to practice at home! 

I hope everyone has a great weekend! 

God Bless,

Miss Surma

 Hello Parents, I hope everyone enjoyed that long weekend! It was good to see and chat with all of you at conferences! 

Calendar Dates:

Nov. 11- Veterans Day Program 2pm/ Spirit Day/ Iowa History Project Due

Nov. 23-28 -Thanksgiving Break

Nov. 30- 5th grade mass

Dec. 21- Bishop is at mass

Reading- This week we are reading a historical fiction story called Storm Warriors. The kids thought these men in the photo were soldier, but I explained their job was to save people from shipwrecks...kind of like our Coast Guard now. It is a good story about one boy who believes this is his future, but then when forced to watch it happen...isn't so sure he has the courage to go through it. During a rescue he does show he is braver than he thinks and is capable of helping others! The grammar this week focuses on subordinating conjunctions and complex sentences. Spelling this week was fun for me because it was compound words. Did you realize that light bulb, throughout, and up-to-date are all compound words???

Math- They are multiplying!!!! They actually grabbed on to the standard algorithm really easily!  I reminded them they could do the partial products way if they chose, but they didn't! It was funny, I was helping some 4th graders with their math- they were doing the partial products way and loving it!  We have been focusing on double digits x double digits! We will expand into hundreds and thousands. 

Religion- We are working on the Beatitudes. I am hoping your kids gave you a little coupon booklet this week! That was just one way to live them! We discuss them and come up with ways to live them out, but they will not need to memorize them. 

5th Grade Mass- we have our next mass the Wednesday after Thanksgiving. I will give them their parts before they go on break. 

Iowa History Projects should be brought in on Friday!!! 

Friday at 2:00 is the Veterans Day program. Bring some kleenex!  Some of the songs are tearjerkers! 😢 

Spirit Day- The kids can wear sweats for $1!!! The temperatures will be perfect for sweats, but if they'd like to wear some red, white, and blue for Veterans Day, that would be great too! 

Due to the temp change- make sure they have a coat on Friday! Sweatshirts aren't going to be enough for recess! Thank you!!! 

I hope everyone has a great weekend! 

God Bless,

Miss Surma