December 11, 2025

Dear Parents,

Happy Thursday! Here we are again. The weeks seem to go by so quickly. I am finished with my Christmas shopping. YAY! The wrapping has not begun yet. We have had a good month so far. We are working hard up until our break. Most likely there will not be a blog next week since the only thing to announce is Christmas Vacation.

Language Arts

We are working on the Story "Catch Me if You Can". It is a drama (play) about a king who decides to marry off his daughter (who is stubborn). He decides to hold a race and whoever wins can marry her. She is running in the race and is very fast so thinks she will win and them no one will have to marry her. Ask the student how it ended. In grammar we are learning about present, past and future progressive tenses. This is not very hard but will they remember they are called progressives? That is the question. In spelling and decoding we are working on the /ou/ sound and the Schwa O sound. They are learning what spellings make up those sounds and working with words that have those sounds. Their spelling post test and end of the story test will be Tuesday the 16th. We will not move into the next story in the book, I plan on doing a fun Christmas writing project. That will end our week before break.

Math

We finished up Topic 3 and are beginning topic 4 this week. I plan to teach the first lesson in Topic 4 then pull out some Christmas Math I have for next week. It is a challenging way for the students to create a holiday picture. Most students seem to like it and choose to do many. I will assign one to the kids to turn in an then the 2nd one they get to choose which picture they do and I will not pick this one up. That will end our time through break. When we return we will pick back up with lesson 2 in Topic 4.

Social Studies

We have begun work in the next Unit in the Southeast States. They have made a list of the states in their notebooks and we have begun vocabulary words. In the first lesson we will focus on the make-up of the land. They will learn about the Coastal Plain, the Piedmont, and Appalachian Mountains. We will also talk about the beaches and waterfalls. They will learn about the Fall Line.

Reconciliation

We will have Reconciliation(confessions) tomorrow at 10:00 AM for our students. All student go to the chapel for small service held by Father Patrick. Then the kids will all meet with the priest separately to either go in for a blessing (non Catholics) or for confession (Catholics). All students are allowed to talk to the priest about something that might be bothering them no matter their denomination.

Dress-Up days for week of 15th

Monday, the 15th Dress as a Christmas Character

Tuesday, the 16th Wear Christmas Plaid

Wednesday, the 17th Sunday Christmas Best

Thursday, the 18th Wear something shining, festive, and bright.

Friday, the 19th Christmas Vacation Gear = The Griswalds, ugly sweaters, and pajamas may appear, helping all to spread Christmas Cheer.

Keep in mind these are just fun days the kids may participate in. They do not have to do any of these days. It is all just for fun. You can also pick and choose what you participate in and what you don't. All must be geared at Christmas, not just any old character or any sparkly thing we have. They all must revolve around the holiday.

Friday, December 19th

This day is usually a day of fun. We spend an hour in the morning finishing up any loose ends with classwork in any subject. At some point in the day we watch a Christmas Movie, and we have a Christmas Party where we play games with each other, enjoy a snack and a drink. The students have lunch with their Advent Angels that day, which needs to be a sack lunch ( milk will be provided), and we do our annual Christmas Caroling in the gym. This is my favorite activity!! I remember doing it at my school as a kid. The students are welcome to bring a board game from home to share with friends. Keep in mind if many bring a game not all games will get played. Also, it has to be a board game, no electronics. Unless it is an electronic battleship that two people can and it still involves a game board. Most likely the movie will be in the morning and the games in the afternoon.

Christmas Vacation is from December 20th to January 4, 2026.

This is definitely my favorite time of year. I am happy to spend the day enjoying the kids the last day. I want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I hope you all enjoy your time with family and friends over the break. Do something fun with your family.

God Bless,

Mrs. Sickels