ALL THAT BLING!

8th grade basket items may be brought to 7B and I will make sure Maria Kozan gets them.  You may donate money or any 'bling, glitzy' items!  We want to dazzle the bidders at the auction with glamour, glitz, and bling!  Nothing is too outrageous or extravagant!!!   Thank you for your donations to make this year's 8th grade basket the best!!

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8th Graders . . . . . Culminating Dates to Remember

• Thursday, March 1---interview due
• Tuesday, March 6---10 bibliography cards due
• Friday, March 9---outline work day in class
  
• Tuesday, March 13---25 note cards due
• Friday, March 16---final outline due
• March 17-25  Spring Break
• Tuesday, March 27---rough draft write at school

Remember to get your 1 1/2 hours each week outside of school.  Follow this schedule, and you are sure to succeed!!

Welcome 2012!! During the second half of the school year, my grammar classes will focus on  ---  be aware, be of use, and be thankful.

It appears that January is already packed with possibilities --

• continue work with pronouns and adjectives
• TYFTC writing
• Thank you journaling
• Walk in Her Shoes activities
• Spelling Bee,Geography Bee, and Religion Bee
• Catholic Schools Week
• Culminating work--library visit and weekly sign-off

I am looking forward to this second semester and the chance to work with the 8th grade exploratory:  Fine Arts.  We will experience a group project; basic etiquette; sewing--the art of threading a needle, stitching a seam, sewing a button; knitting; and 'artesia' designing.  I experimented with these concepts last year, and I was pleased when they were enthusiastically received by both male and female!  Can't wait to get started . . . .

And finally, I would like to thank each of you for the 'Teacher Gift Fund' at Christmas.  The money gift was wonderful and I appreciate your abundant generosity!!

December will be busy with lots of activities to go along with the regular school schedule!!

To set the mood for the month, the TAs are hosting a Breakfast on Wed., Nov. 30----be sure to check the menu for Salo's Studious Star Sneetches:

Christian - Sunny D;  Lauren - fruit cups, Panera bagels;   Ashley K - blueberry muffins;  Ashley E - chocolate chip muffins;  James - drinking cups;  Sloane - toaster, Pop-tarts, Toaster Strudel;  Katie L - milk, donuts;  Andrew S - donuts;  Patrick - plates;  John - napkins;  Holly - chocolate chip pancakes.

Along with progressing in grammar and testing all grades over Verbs, the 8th grade will be starting work on culminating.  We have highlighted the booklet and have started to focus on January and the beginning of researching.

December 1 - the 8th grade will spend the morning at KMC as Future Crusaders

December 1 - STUCO sponsored Stuff the Bus

December 5 - the 6th grade will participate in Christmas Caring with Catholic Charities

December 6 - the 7th grade will also spend a day with Christmas Caring

December 14 - Advent Confession

December 15 - the Middle School Musical of Cinderella

December 20 - 8th grade Christmas Caroling

December 21 - Christmas Around the World--make China one of your 'ports of call'

December 21 - 8th grade volunteers at the Lord's Diner -- be there by 5:15 and pick up at 7:30.

As you can clearly see, the Spirit of Christmas will permeate the halls of the Middle School throughout the month of December!!

First quarter is going quickly!!

Without a doubt, Friday, October 7 is a very special day for the 8th graders.  They are anticipating the bus trip to OKC, touring the Memorial and Museum, going to Mass at St. Joseph's Cathedral, and lunch at Sonic Brickyard!!  More to come about this trip later!!

All 3 grades are working on Nouns and writing.  We are also polishing our cursive writing---I'm sure you are noticing the marked improvements!!

My personal life is exciting this month----Lauren, my 24 year-old daughter, will be married at Blessed Sacrament on Friday evening, October 21.  I will be taking several days off to be a full-time 'mother of the bride!'

Please be in touch if you have any questions or concerns---I am always here at 7 each morning.  You can also reach me through email---so, don't hesitate to contact me!

I would say that the year is off to a fast-moving pace already!!  6th, 7th, and 8th grades have all taken the Preposition quiz!  This information will help us throughout the entire year---so, it is great to have those little words in our memory banks!

8th grade is anticipating their upcoming OKC Memorial and Museum tour.  We will be spending time each week becoming familiar with the history of that fateful April 19, 1995.  Also, during September, we will tour the Lord's Diner on the 9th and be ready to volunteer as a group on Sept. 21.

Please remember that I am here early each day---by 7 a.m.--- to assist with your questions and/or concerns.

Featured below is my 8th grade TA, or more currently, known as:

Salo's Superior Star Sneeches