School News 9-22-14

THIS WEEK

Monday: Magazine/Gift Sale continues this week

Tuesday: Music Classes on Tuesday and Thursday with Mrs. Lyford

Wednesday: P.E. all grades and Art 2-6

Thursday: No Mass this week. Priests at Fall Institute in Cheyenne /Adam’s Team 3:10

Friday : P.E. all grades. Music Lessons for grades 3-6 Bring your instruments and books. Art for K and PreK grades

Saturday: National Day of Prayer (See below)

Sunday: Sing at the Sunday 5:30 Liturgy

ST. LAURENCE MAGAZINE SALE

It’s September and that means it’s time for the St. Laurence School Fall Magazine Fundraiser. The sale started last week. Did you receive a packet? We do have other products besides magazines for sale. There are three pages stapled together that give prize information, a hard copy of the online sales, and your “Bear coupons “ that you turn in as your children sell 3 orders. The sale goes until the end of the month. Each family is obligated to sell or buy 7 items. Checks will not be cashed until the first week in October. If you want to try to sell after a Mass let me know so I don’t double book and the priests can announce to the congregation that you will be selling. Our goal is 300 orders and we have 50 committed right now. As soon as you get 3 sales commitments either online or over the phone, turn in your bear coupon so the kids can be rewarded with a toy bear for their sales. Our online school number is 3589454.

TETON SCIENCE SCHOOL

The 4-6 grades will be heading to Jackson Hole for the week starting on Monday January 12. A letter went home with the students today.

ADAM’S TEAM ON THURSDAY

Our school running club, Adam’s Team, will meet Thursdays in September and October. The club meets after school and runs at Undine Park from about 3:30 till 4:30. The club is open to students in K-6^th. Pre-Kindergarten students can join if a parent/grandparent accompanies them. We had a great turnout last Thursday! Keep on running!

POSITIVE PARENTING CLASS

Cathedral Home for Children is offering a Positive Parenting Class for all families in Laramie. Classes start September 23 at 6:00 PM at 704 S 3^rd Street. For more information call 307-742-3302. This is a great opportunity for families to learn new skills and just trade ideas and concerns with other parents.

CANS FOR THE CAUSE

Do you have aluminum cans at your house? Bring them to St. Laurence School where we turn cans into money. The money goes into a fund for a variety of worthy classroom projects from field trips to classroom rewards. Bring in your cans and place them in the barrels on the south side of the building by the art room. The more cans we collect, the more positive ways the teachers can support your kids.

HOME AND SCHOOL MEETING

The group discussed holding a costume dance party on October 24^th. In the works are a family movie night and a family game night. No dates have been set for those nights yet. Please join us for the next meeting on October 2^nd at 3:10.

SINGING AT THE 5:30 LITURGY

The students from the school have the ministry of singing at the 5:30 Mass at St. Laurence Church coming up on Sunday September 28^th. Dress nice and come sit up front on the left side by the lectern. We hope to see lots of you for singing. When planning your monthly calendar, reserve that last Sunday of the month for 5:30 mass at St. Laurence Church.

SAFEWAY CARDS

We have for sale Reloadable Safeway Gift Cards. The cards come with $10 pre-loaded on them so we sell them for $10. Then you can reload them as many times as you wish at the checkout and use them to buy groceries, gas, or prescriptions. The great thing is that you are giving 5% to the school every time you reload. If you’re a Safeway shopper, stop by and purchase your reloadable card. It costs you nothing

extra. The card will work at any Safeway throughout the West. Send one to Grandma and Grandpa who shop at Safeway in other towns and the school will still get the 5%.

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER

A Laramie city wide prayer gathering, sponsored by the National Day of Prayer of Wyoming, will be held Saturday, September 27 beginning at 10:00 at Washington Park. Teams will be sent to individual schools in Laramie with lunch following at the park. For more information please contact Claudette at 742-2400. All of the teachers will be at the Literacy Conference at the Hilton. Is there anyone who would like to head up the St. Laurence School Team? Please let us know.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Sept. 28

St. Laurence School sings at the 5:30 Mass

Sept. 29

No School Inservice for Teachers

Sept. 30

Last day to turn in orders for Gift/Magazine Sale

Oct. 2

Home and School Meeting 3:10

Oct. 17

No School Parent Teacher Conferences

School News 9-15-14

THIS WEEK

Monday: Magazine Kickoff (Did you receive a packet?)

Tuesday: Turn in Reachout E-Mail booklet for Magazine Drive

Wednesday: Picture Day / P.E. all grades and Art 2-6

Thursday: Mass at 8:30 / Adam’s Team 3:10 / Safe Environment

Training 7:00 PM Rm. 2

Friday : Music Lessons for grades 3-6

ST. LAURENCE MAGAZINE SALE

It’s September and that means it’s time for the St. Laurence School Fall Magazine Fundraiser. The sale kicks off today! We do have other products besides magazines for sale. A packet with all the details is going home with your oldest child today. There are three pages stapled together that give prize information, a hard copy of the online sales, and your “Bear coupons “ that you turn in as your children sell 3 orders. The sale goes until the end of the month. Each family is obligated to sell or buy 7 items. If you want to try to sell after a Mass let me know so I don’t double book and the priests can announce to the congregation that you will be selling.

SAFE ENVIRONMENT

This Thursday will be your opportunity to take the Safe Environment Class at 7:00 in the evening here at the school in Room 2. The class is required for all parents and grandparents who want to volunteer, chaperone and/or drive children on field trips. You don’t need to sign up beforehand. If you have taken the class already, you do not need to take it again.

RUMORS

I hear there is a rumor making the rounds that next year the school is closing and that I am retiring. I am here to tell you that this is news to me! First, I have not heard one word from Father James suggesting that St. Laurence School is closing. We are concerned that the enrollment is declining somewhat. We are working this year to try to reverse that trend. No one with any authority from the Bishop to the Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese to Father James has mentioned to me that the school will be closing. Put that rumor to rest and do everything you can to promote the school to families in Laramie. As for my retirement, while I turn 66 next year, I have not decided upon retirement. I will let you know before it happens. Right now I am in the discernment phase. I will make a decision early in 2015.

ADAM’S TEAM ON THURSDAY

Our school running club Adam’s Team will meet Thursdays in September and October. The club meets after school and runs at Undine Park from about 3:30 till 4:30. The club is open to students in K-6^th. Pre-Kindergarten students can join if a parent/grandparent accompanies them. We had a great turnout last Thursday! Keep on running!

POSITIVE PARENTING CLASS

Cathedral Home for Children is offering a Positive Parenting Class for all families in Laramie. Classes start September 23 at 6:00 PM at 704 S 3^rd Street. For more information call 307-742-3302. This is a great opportunity for families to learn new skills and just trade ideas and concerns with other parents.

HOME AND SCHOOL MEETING

The Home and School Association met last Thursday at 3:10 in the Art Room. That will be our usual meeting place and time (the first Thursday of the month). We discussed goals for the year. The group discussed holding a costume dance party on October 24^th. In the works are a family movie night and a family game night. No dates have been set for those nights yet. The group is working to come up with more family events throughout the year. The next meeting will be October 2^nd at 3:10.

ST. LAURENCE T-SHIRT ORDER

The T-Shirts will be in next week. Thanks to those who ordered.

CASINO NIGHT

The Casino night brought in about $780. That was about half what was brought in from last January. The Home and School did a lot of work getting this event off the ground. Hats off to them for making it happen. We were a little disappointed that more people didn’t show, but there was a lot going on in town and good weather for outdoor activities. Thanks to our sponsors who covered the cost of the tables.

SINGING AT THE 5:30 LITURGY

The students from the school have the ministry of singing at the 5:30 Mass at St. Laurence Church coming up on Sunday September 28^th. Dress nice and come sit up front on the left side by the lectern. We hope to see lots of you for singing. Reserve that last Sunday of the month for 5:30 mass at St. Laurence Church throughout the school year for the St. Laurence students to sing.

SAFEWAY CARDS

We have for sale Reloadable Safeway Gift Cards. The cards come with $10 pre-loaded on them so we sell them for $10. Then you can reload them as many times as you wish at the checkout and use them to buy groceries, gas, or prescriptions. The great thing is that you are giving 5% to the school every time you reload. If you’re a Safeway shopper, stop by and purchase your reloadable card. It costs you nothing

extra. The card will work at any Safeway throughout the West. Send one to Grandma and Grandpa who shop at Safeway in other towns and the school will still get the 5%.

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER

A Laramie city wide prayer gathering, sponsored by the National Day of Prayer of Wyoming, will be held Saturday, September 27 beginning at 10:00 at Washington Park. Teams will be sent to individual schools with lunch following at the park. For more information please contact Claudette at 742-2400.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Sept. 15 Magazine Kickoff 2:40 in Gym

Sept. 17 Individual School Pictures in Room 4

Sept. 18 Safe Environment Training for Parents at 7:00 if you

would like to volunteer or chaperone at the school

Sept. 20 Alter server training. Contact the Rectory for info. 745-3115

Sept. 28 St. Laurence School sings at the 5:30 Mass

Sept. 29 No School Inservice for Teachers

Sept. 30 Last day to turn in orders for Gift/Magazine Sale

Grade 1-2 News 9-15-14

Lovely Autumn Days, Happy Learning Times

Grade One/Two September 15-19, 2014

Greetings on a sunny fall day! The weather this week predicts warm, dry days, so a-walking we will go to two downtown locations! We are relating our visits this week to eating establishments downtown since our stories are about hungry animals and people. J In reading/language, we will talk more about short e, introduce initial r and l blends, discuss plural nouns, and write thank you notes to downtown merchants.

We spend the first part of each math time in review to refine and keep skills sharp. This week we’ll learn about 2 as an addend and 2 as a subtrahend (subtracting 2).

We continue our science unit on animals in habitats and body parts which help them survive. Our hall project is a lovely work in progress.

We will talk about Moses in religion and emphasize that God is our holy and loving Father. J We will learn about the reason for genuflecting and other appropriate behaviors in church.

Homework

Monday: spelling sort, please write words neatly and correctly in the spaces provided

Tuesday: math

Wednesday: Your child will bring home VIP buttons. Please talk with your child about who are loving, caring, and forgiving people for your family. Share the VIP buttons with those persons!

Thursday: practice page 32

Spelling words

pet met beg leg best nest rest

neck

Additional second grade words

chest guest check peck

School News 9-8-14

THIS WEEK

Wednesday: P.E. all grades and Art 2-6

Thursday: Mass at 8:30 Fr. Rob from the Newman Center will be our Celebrant Adam’s Team 3:10 Dessert Social / Open House 7:00

Friday : Music Lessons for grades 3-6

DESSERT SOCIAL / OPEN HOUSE

There will be an Open House/Dessert Social this Thursday starting at 7:00. Bring something to share (plates & drinks provided) and dessert will start at 7:00 then we’ll move to the classrooms around 7:30. There will be a Title I Parent Meeting before the event starting at 6:30 in Room 6. Since there is school the next day we hope to wrap up by 8:00.

ADAM’S TEAM STARTS THURSDAY

Our school running club Adam’s Team will start Thursday, September 11^th. The club meets after school and runs at Undine Park from about 3:30 till 4:30. The club is open to students in K-6^th. Pre-Kindergarten students can join if a parent/grandparent accompanies them.

SAFEWAY CARDS

We have for sale Reloadable Safeway Gift Cards. The cards come with $10 pre-loaded on them so we sell them for $10. Then you can reload them as many times as you wish at the checkout and use them to buy groceries, gas, or prescriptions. The great thing is that you are giving 5% to the school every time you reload. If you’re a Safeway shopper, stop by and purchase your reloadable card. It costs you nothing extra.

UPBOUND

I took a big leap of faith last month and decided that the school could sponsor a child from Madagascar. Tahiana is 5 years old and needs our financial help so he can go to school. The mother is sick and still needs medicine and so they cannot afford to send Tahiana to school. The cost is $30 per month. His picture and some more information is on the bulletin board near the front offices. I will be placing a 5 gallon water jug on the table with a reminder to give generously. With each family giving just a dollar a month we can provide for Tahiana to go to school. Any extra money will be put toward the summer months. Any money beyond that will go to Interfaith Good Samaritan and the Laramie Soup Kitchen.

ST. LAURENCE T-SHIRT ORDER

TODAY will be the last chance to order St. Laurence T-shirts for your children. The price is $10. Spirit Day is Tuesday at the school when we invite all the children to wear green or their St. Laurence T-Shirt.

HANDBOOK

This week is your last chance to go over the handbook with your children. Once you have done that, sign and return the last page. Thank you.

St. Laurence School participates in the Fresh Fruit and Veggie Program and provides fresh produce to students every school day.

HOME AND SCHOOL MEETING

The Home and School Association met last Thursday at 3:10 in the Art Room. That will be our usual meeting place and time, the first Thursday of the month. Indeed we did discuss the upcoming Casino Night. The summary of that discussion can be found below. We also discussed goals for the year. The group discussed holding a costume dance party on October 24^th. In the works are a family movie night and a family game night. The group is working to come up with more family events throughout the year.

ST. LAURENCE MAGAZINE SALE

It’s September and that means it’s nearly time for the St. Laurence School Fall Magazine Fundraiser. The sale kicks off on Monday the 15^th so we do have some time. I will spell out the details in the coming weeks. We do have other products besides magazines for sale. For now don’t renew that subscription until you get the catalog in a couple of weeks. I will be meeting with our representative tomorrow and will be passing along more details on the sale.

CASINO NIGHT THIS SATURDAY

The St. Laurence Home and School Association is sponsoring another Casino Night (the first was last January) on Saturday evening September 13^th in the St. Laurence School Gym. Tickets can be purchased at the door. So talk it up with your friends who are card players. There will be a Roulette Table, Blackjack and Texas Holdum’. All the proceeds go to support student activities throughout the year. The $40 price includes food, drinks, and gaming. The doors open at 6:30 so you can grab some food and drink before the games start at 7:00. We do have tickets here at school if you would like to try to sell some before Saturday.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Sept. 10 Last day to return Agreement Page on back of Parent-

Student Handbook

Sept. 11 Adam’ s Team 3:10 (details will go out next week.) Back to

School Dessert Social and Open House 7:00

Sept. 13 Casino Night 6:30- 10:00 $40 per person

Sept. 15 Magazine Kickoff 2:40 in Gym

Sept. 17 Individual School Pictures

Sept. 18 Safe Environment Training for Parents at 7:00 if you

would like to volunteer or chaperone for the school

Sept. 27 City-Wide Prayer Gathering. Washington Park

10:00 – Noon. Lunch provided

Sept 28 St. Laurence students sing at the 5:30 mass at St. Laurence

Church

Sept. 29 No School Inservice for Teachers

School News 9-8-14

THIS WEEK
Wednesday: P.E. all grades and Art 2-6
Thursday: Mass at 8:30 Fr. Rob from the Newman Center will be our Celebrant Adam’s Team 3:10 Dessert Social / Open House 7:00
Friday : Music Lessons for grades 3-6
DESSERT SOCIAL / OPEN HOUSE
There will be an Open House/Dessert Social this Thursday starting at 7:00. Bring something to share (plates & drinks provided) and dessert will start at 7:00 then we’ll move to the classrooms around 7:30. There will be a Title I Parent Meeting before the event starting at 6:30 in Room 6. Since there is school the next day we hope to wrap up by 8:00.
ADAM’S TEAM STARTS THURSDAY
Our school running club Adam’s Team will start Thursday, September 11th. The club meets after school and runs at Undine Park from about 3:30 till 4:30. The club is open to students in K-6th. Pre-Kindergarten students can join if a parent/grandparent accompanies them.
SAFEWAY CARDS
We have for sale Reloadable Safeway Gift Cards. The cards come with $10 pre-loaded on them so we sell them for $10. Then you can reload them as many times as you wish at the checkout and use them to buy groceries, gas, or prescriptions. The great thing is that you are giving 5% to the school every time you reload. If you’re a Safeway shopper, stop by and purchase your reloadable card. It costs you nothing extra.
UPBOUND
I took a big leap of faith last month and decided that the school could sponsor a child from Madagascar. Tahiana is 5 years old and needs our financial help so he can go to school. The mother is sick and still needs medicine and so they cannot afford to send Tahiana to school. The cost is $30 per month. His picture and some more information is on the bulletin board near the front offices. I will be placing a 5 gallon water jug on the table with a reminder to give generously. With each family giving just a dollar a month we can provide for Tahiana to go to school. Any extra money will be put toward the summer months. Any money beyond that will go to Interfaith Good Samaritan and the Laramie Soup Kitchen.
ST. LAURENCE T-SHIRT ORDER
TODAY will be the last chance to order St. Laurence T-shirts for your children. The price is $10. Spirit Day is Tuesday at the school when we invite all the children to wear green or their St. Laurence T-Shirt.
HANDBOOK
This week is your last chance to go over the handbook with your children. Once you have done that, sign and return the last page. Thank you.
St. Laurence School participates in the Fresh Fruit and Veggie Program and provides fresh produce to students every school day.
St. Laurence School
608 S 4th Street
Laramie, WY 82070
742-6363
www.stlos.com
Sept. 8, 2014
HOME AND SCHOOL MEETING
The Home and School Association met last Thursday at 3:10 in the Art Room. That will be our usual meeting place and time, the first Thursday of the month. Indeed we did discuss the upcoming Casino Night. The summary of that discussion can be found below. We also discussed goals for the year. The group discussed holding a costume dance party on October 24th. In the works are a family movie night and a family game night. The group is working to come up with more family events throughout the year.
ST. LAURENCE MAGAZINE SALE
It’s September and that means it’s nearly time for the St. Laurence School Fall Magazine Fundraiser. The sale kicks off on Monday the 15th so we do have some time. I will spell out the details in the coming weeks. We do have other products besides magazines for sale. For now don’t renew that subscription until you get the catalog in a couple of weeks. I will be meeting with our representative tomorrow and will be passing along more details on the sale.
CASINO NIGHT THIS SATURDAY
The St. Laurence Home and School Association is sponsoring another Casino Night (the first was last January) on Saturday evening September 13th in the St. Laurence School Gym. Tickets can be purchased at the door. So talk it up with your friends who are card players. There will be a Roulette Table, Blackjack and Texas Holdum’. All the proceeds go to support student activities throughout the year. The $40 price includes food, drinks, and gaming. The doors open at 6:30 so you can grab some food and drink before the games start at 7:00. We do have tickets here at school if you would like to try to sell some before Saturday.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Sept. 10 Last day to return Agreement Page on back of Parent-
Student Handbook
Sept. 11 Adam’ s Team 3:10 (details will go out next week.) Back to
School Dessert Social and Open House 7:00
Sept. 13 Casino Night 6:30- 10:00 $40 per person
Sept. 15 Magazine Kickoff 2:40 in Gym
Sept. 17 Individual School Pictures
Sept. 18 Safe Environment Training for Parents at 7:00 if you
would like to volunteer or chaperone for the school
Sept. 27 City-Wide Prayer Gathering. Washington Park
10:00 – Noon. Lunch provided
Sept 28 St. Laurence students sing at the 5:30 mass at St. Laurence
Church
Sept. 29 No School Inservice for Teachers

Grade 1-2 News 9-2-14

The Heavens are Singing the Glory of God and all Creation is shouting for Joy!

Grade one/two September 2-5, 2014

Happy day after Labor Day! We had a busy first week of school! This week we will begin guided reading groups and we will work into a more reliable routine.

In reading/language, we will think about families, particularly grandparents as we will celebrate Grandparent’s Day next Sunday, Sept. 7. Our stories reflect that theme. Our goals are thinking about same and different, characters in stories, and the sound of short e.

In math we continue to learn the meaning of addition and subtraction and terms associated with those operations. Seconds will be adding to 20 and firsts to 10.

In science we will talk about animals and how body parts help them survive in their environments. We will discuss downtown Laramie in social studies and how it helps people of Laramie have a better life.

In religion we will review the sign of the cross and begin a discussion on Creation. As you may have noted, we have school Mass twice next week, the first time on Monday as it is the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the second on our regular day, Thursday. We will talk this week about Mary’s birthday as we prepare for next Monday’s Mass.

You may have noticed in the letter sent you before school began that I am pretty strict about homework. Unless otherwise noted, homework is due the day after it is assigned. I don’t give much homework but what I do give has purpose and is important. Thanks for your help with this.

Homework

Tuesday: spelling sort (write each word neatly and correctly in the space provided. First graders have only the en, et chunk words. )

Wednesday: religion home journal: please discuss with your family how you care for God’s creation and write about it. No need to return the journal to school, please keep it at home.

Thursday: unsure, perhaps spelling

Spelling words

Firsts: Seconds have first grade words and these:

yet pen check

set hen checkers

wet ten went

let men every

Grade 1-2 News 8-25-14

Welcome, One’s and Two’s to our New, Amazing School Year!

August 25-29, 2014

Greetings! First, allow me to thank you for allowing me to share this year with your precious child. I am truly blessed and the luckiest teacher in town. J

You will receive a newsletter like this every Monday as the school week begins. I will quickly mention our goals for the week in literacy, math, science or social studies and religion. You’ll get notification of special events. You’ll also see the spelling words for the week listed; this is the only list I send home, so please do not discard this note until Friday after school. Our sound this week is short a. Thanks.

In reading/literacy, we will read and talk about “First Day Jitters,” using a delightful book of that name. There are some fun and meaningful activities to go along with it. We will also read “Duck on a Bike” and I hope to create a reader’s theatre out of it. Our primary teachers attended a wonderful training on Thursday on a well-researched program called “Story Champs.” We will be working this into our reading and writing activities and I look for great success with our students!

In math, we begin with number concept and math vocabulary, since often math teachers in higher grades lament the fact that students lack proper vocabulary and are unable to progress. Seconds will also review number operations of addition and subtraction and concepts of before, between and after.

In social studies, we will talk about downtown Laramie and how we can do a fun and significant project on this special place this fall.

Religion focuses on Jesus loving children, the Holy Trinity, prayer and our first prayer, the Sign of the Cross.

Much time is spent the first week with outlining expectations for behavior. I use a well-researched program called “Time to Teach.” We will together discuss what makes a happy, well-functioning classroom and how to achieve it.

Spelling words

First and Second graders Seconds only

cat fat hat sat mat plan than scan *animal

Homework

Tuesday: none

Wednesday: spelling sort

Thursday: study spelling words