February 1, 2024

Dear Parents,

Happy Thursday! Here we are again, it is Thursday already. It is a new month though. January went quickly in a literal blizzard of sorts. This week will be the first full week of school since the week of December 18-22! Now that is hard to believe. I am worn out this week for sure. The weather has been much better though, we definitely can't complain.

Language Arts

We are working on a story called Let's Dance Around the World. This was a short informational text on dancing and how there are many different styles of dancing. There are also many kinds of dances from all around the world. They learned some new words along with myself. I had to pronounce an Italian dance name and a Spanish Dance name. I may have butchered them but I tried. I showed them videos of each style of dance as we came upon them in the reading. We talked about the ones we liked and enjoyed watching and the ones we didn't enjoy and found boring. They are working on text structure focusing on main idea and supporting details. We also are focusing on Text / Graphic features. In grammar we are learning present participle, past participles and participle phrases. In spelling we are working on the Final /e/ sound in a word. They worked on sorting the words by how the ending was spelled. We will finish this story up next Tuesday with a spelling post test and end of the week test.

Math

We have dug into Topic 4. This Topic is centered on double-digit multiplication. We will do the same strategies we learned in topic 3 just with double-digits. It will be a little harder but since they know how the strategy works they will catch on pretty quickly. If they don't I will slow down and we will practice it until we do. I don't like to move on until I feel comfortable that everyone has an understanding of the content.

Social Studies

We got a test taken today. They will make corrections and we will begin the next chapter tomorrow. It is another chapter on the Southeast states. We will add the capitals to their maps and have a test on locating states and capitals.

Valentine's Day

Just a reminder that Valentine's Day is also Ash Wednesday so we are celebrating Valentine's Day on Friday, February 9th. Students have been working on Valentine bags here at school. They will just need to bring their Valentine's to school on Friday the 9th. I can't remember who signed up for what, but did I have a parent sign up for Valentine's Day? I usually have a drink and treat for them to eat during the party. I do not allow them to eat any candy from the other kids until they get home. Let me know if you were signed up or if you are interested in providing the drink or treat.

Noisy Change Collections

We will be having a noisy change collection next Wednesday, February 7th. We are collecting money for some of our teachers who are facing medical challenges right now. We will have another collection in February also.

Lenten Night Activity

On Wednesday, February 7th, St. Malachy is hosting a Lenten Activity Night. This is for all families. There will be several activities for you to go around and do with your children. There will be Dancing with the Saints, a craft room to paint Easter Eggs, Lenten Bingo, and a Lenten snack to put together. Please come join in the fun. It is from 6 - 7 PM at St. Malachy School.

This has been a wonderfully busy week! We always love Catholic Schools Week. The dress up days are super fun. Most of the students have done a good job participating. Next week we are back to a normal week and another FULL week. This makes me so happy. If I have forgotten something please let me know.

God Bless,

Mrs. Sickels