🖥️✨ May Edition ✨🖥️

As we wrap up an amazing year in technology class, I wanted to share some important updates and celebrate all the hard work our students have accomplished! 🎉

⌨️ 4th - 7th: Final Typing Test Coming Up!
Students will complete their final typing test to show how much they’ve improved this year. Speed ⏱️ and accuracy 🎯 both count, so encourage a little practice at home!

💻 End-of-Year Activities
We’ll be finishing the year with some fun and engaging tech activities, including:

• Creative coding challenges 🧩
• Digital projects 🎨
• Technology-based games 🎮

These are a great way for students to apply everything they’ve learned while having fun!

🙏 Thank You for Your Support
I truly appreciate all the support from parents and guardians throughout the year. Your encouragement makes a big difference in your child’s success! 💙

Have a safe, fun, and tech-smart summer! 😎🌴

🌸 April Technology Update 💻✨

Happy April! As we move into spring, we’re excited to continue building our technology skills. 🌷🌱

🐣 Happy Easter! Wishing all of our students and families a joyful and relaxing holiday! 🐰🌼

💡 What We’re Working On:

• ⌨️ 4th–7th Grade: Students are focusing on typing skills and practicing to prepare for the end-of-year final test. Accuracy and speed are improving every day—keep up the great work! 🚀

📅 Reminders:

• 👍 Continue practicing good digital citizenship

☀️ Summer Camp Opportunity!

• 📆 Dates: June 1–3
• 💲 Cost: $80
• 🎲 Activities: Board games, outdoor games, and card games—lots of fun planned!
• 📧 Sign Up: Email to reserve your spot

🌟 Thank you for your continued support—we’re looking forward to a strong finish to the school year! 💙

❄️💖 February Technology Highlights

👶 Kindergarten
Students are learning to sign in independently using their own usernames and passwords 🔐💻, building confidence, responsibility, and safe technology habits.

🧩 Grades 1–5
Students are exploring computer programming and coding on Code.org 🤖🖱️, developing problem-solving skills, creativity 🎨, and perseverance through hands-on challenges.

⌨️ Grades 4–7
Students are continuing to practice keyboarding skills ⌨️📈 in preparation for the end-of-year typing assessment, focusing on speed, accuracy, and proper technique 💪.

✝️ Special Projects – Lenten Season
As Lent approaches, students will complete technology-based reflection projects 🌿💜 focused on sacrifice, self-discipline, and preparing our hearts for Easter 🕊️🐣.

Thank you for your continued support as students grow their skills and confidence with technology this winter! ❄️💻✨

Happy New Year! I hope you and your loved ones had a refreshing break and are settling into the new semester. We are grateful for the ongoing partnership between our school and families — your support makes a real difference for our students every day.

Important Announcements

• Catholic Schools Week — Coming later this month

• New Unit: Computer Programming & Coding (Grades 1–5)

  • Students will begin a hands-on unit introducing basic coding concepts and problem solving. Activities are age-appropriate and emphasize creativity and collaboration.
  • Action: Encourage your child to share what they learn at home; devices will be used in class as necessary.

• Kindergarten: Logging In Independently

  • Kindergarten students will practice logging into classroom devices on their own as part of digital citizenship and independence skills. Teachers will support each child step-by-step.
  • Action: You can reinforce this at home by practicing simple username/password routines (if appropriate) and celebrating their progress.

• Middle School Vision Boards & Goal Setting

  • Middle school students will create personal vision boards for the new year, reflecting on strengths and setting academic and personal goals. This supports growth mindset and planning skills.
  • Action: Talk with your child about one or two goals they’d like to pursue this semester and how you can support them.

• 6th Grade Kansas Day Research Project

  • To celebrate Kansas Day, 6th graders will research and present on a famous Kansan. Projects will include short presentations and displays.
  • Action: Families can support research at home by visiting the library or online resources together and encouraging students to practice their presentations.

We are grateful for the joyful energy students brought back to school — it truly set a positive tone for the weeks ahead!

Season's greetings to each of you — I hope this message finds your family healthy, rested, and ready for the joyful season ahead. I am grateful for your partnership and the many ways you support our students each day. Thank you for your ongoing support in helping our classroom community thrive.

Important Announcements

• 2nd - 5th Grade Advent activities 🎄✨
  • Students will create digital Advent wreaths using Google Drawings to practice sequencing and reflection.
  • Students will build a collaborative digital nativity scene in Google Drawings to celebrate the story and encourage creativity.
  • Advent Calendar of Kindness: students will design a day on the calendar with a simple act of kindness to complete and record in their class Google Drawing calendar.
• Special extra credit opportunity — 7th grade only 🏅
  • Students in 7th grade may display their nativity scenes and submit a typed paragraph explaining their design for extra credit.
  • Submission day: Friday, December 5.

Celebrations from the Week

• First Sunday of Advent 🌟
  • We celebrated the start of Advent in class by discussing hope and community.
  • We are grateful for the respectful and engaged way students approached these activities; their compassion shines through!

Looking forward to the rest of the month filled with joy and anticipation... O Come, O Come Emmanuel!

• Second Quarter is Underway!
  We are excited to kick off the second quarter with many enriching activities in technology.

• Upcoming Presentations:

  • 5th Grade: Saint Museum Presentations
  • 4th Grade: Saint Presentations (basic introduction to prepare for 5th grades' more in-depth presentation)
  • 3rd Grade: Seven Sacraments Presentations (classwork, working on this collectively)
  • 6th Grade: Veterans Day Websites
  • Celebrating All Saints: This is an exciting month for all as we celebrate All Saints. Let's be saints together!

Please mark your calendars and encourage your children to prepare for these special presentations!

Celebrations

As we reflect upon the completion of the first quarter, we are thrilled to celebrate our students' hard work and achievements. Their dedication and enthusiasm have truly shone through:

• PERSEVERANCE: Many students have made significant strides in their learning and persevering through challenges in the classroom. Thank you for encouraging and celebrating these achievements at home!

• Cybersecurity Awareness Month: October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month! We will be engaging students in projects that focus on this crucial topic, helping them understand how to stay safe online.

• 5th Grade Saint Museum Projects: Our 5th graders are beginning their Saint Museum projects. This hands-on activity will allow them to explore the lives of saints and share their findings with peers.

• Homework Help/Tutoring: I am available for tutoring or homework help! If your student needs extra assistance, please feel free to reach out. I offer sessions on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday after school.

  • Contact: Email me for availability at cwhitehead@magdalenwichita.com.
  • Cost: $15 for a 30-minute session.
  • Who: Open to students in grades K-4.

Celebrations from the Month

We are thrilled to celebrate that Saint Carlo Acutis was canonized last month! This milestone serves as an inspiration to our students, highlighting the importance of faith, dedication, and service to others.

🎉 Hello and Welcome!
Welcome to a brand-new school year! I’m Chelsea Whitehead, and I’m excited to be your child’s Technology teacher this year. Our class will explore a wide range of digital tools, creative projects, and foundational tech skills that prepare students for both academic and real-world success.

💻 What We'll Be Learning
Depending on the grade level, students will explore topics like:

• Digital citizenship & internet safety

• Keyboarding & productivity tools (Google Docs, Slides, etc.)

• Basic coding with (Code.org/other)

• Graphic design & multimedia creation

• Responsible use of AI and emerging technologies

📅 Important Dates & Info

• First Day of Class: Monday, August 18

• Tech Access: Students will use computers provided by the school. Please make sure to sign the tech agreement! 

👩‍🏫 About Me
This is my 5th year teaching technology at MCS, and I’m passionate about helping students become confident, creative, and responsible users of technology. I look forward to an amazing year of learning and innovation!

📬 Stay in Touch

• Email: cwhitehead@magdalenwichita.com

• Class Wishlist: Technology Wishlist

🧠 Pro Tip for Success
Encourage students to ask questions, explore new tools, and not be afraid to make mistakes — tech learning thrives on curiosity and experimentation!