Letting Go

We are in the last week for 8th graders. The mood is bittersweet. Sweet for these young scholars can see the finish line, bitter as we will soon miss their voices in our midst. Jesus also knew the pain of separation. Before His ascension, he tried to prepare the disciples. It was only later that his words started to make sense. We have worked hard through the years at OLL to prepare these eager students for the transition to high school. No doubt, some of the things we have said and done will only make sense later. But the good news is that God goes with them... and He will be present in their classrooms and in their lives. As we let go.... we also Let God. He is with us always.

Spelling Grade 6: environment, their, there, writing, describe, chariot, summarize, ancient, literacy, academic, vocabulary, excellence.
History: We will watch the infamous chariot race from BenHur today as we wrap up the study of Ancient Rome. The rest of this week will be used to summarize what we have covered this year and make meaning of the study of world history.

8th graders are doing a final vocab. sheet today (no spelling test). Also they are working on farewell speeches and program for graduation.

Announcements:
8th grade: You must turn in money and reservation by FRIDAY for the graduation dinner and program (after Mass). Also this Thursday we are going to Bro. Tom's cabin; I need permission slips and drivers. Please ask your student what food, etc. they should bring.

Ms. Jablonski will be on campus Thursday at 9 a.m. to discuss the summer reading program through Vaughn Library. One of the best ways to increase literacy skills is to read. Encourage your student to read this summer. Reading is a long term investment in their education.

All students: Please order yearbooks NOW- $10 each. The committee has put together a great record of our great school.

Thank you Niccolo and Nikki for representing our school at the Memorial Day service yesterday at AHS. It is good and appropriate to remember all those who sacrificed their lives for the well-being of our country... and for us.

Thank you families for your students. Please stay close to your students these days; transition can be difficult for some....and they need your support.

Food Flash: On Thursday at Bro. Tom's cabin, we will be doing burgers, hot dogs (buns, etc.), chips, fruit, soda, etc. It would be good for ALL students to contribute to this feast. Also, the cabin field trip is not a "video game" moment... but rather an invitation to get outside and enjoy God's creation. Fishing poles, life jackets, etc. are needed equipment. We will get back to OLL in time to catch buses. Thanks.

We find Our Rest in Jesus

Home... and happy. I arrived back last night about midnight after a weekend trip to Washington,D.C. The philosopher Seneca was right when he said that travel offers new vigor to the mind.... but he forgot to mention the jet lag factor... I am feeling a little tired today.

These are the spelling words for Grade 6: pumice, legend, surge, molten, magma, eruption, ashes, volcano, dynamic, veterna, memorial, remember, mosaic, etymology, artifacts.

Spelling words for Grades 7/8: dynamic, thunderous, concrete, abstract, significant, accomplishment, courteous, foreign, farewell, closure, favorite, erupt, trust, display, entertain, memorial, veterans, sacrifice, remembrance, graduation.

This week, we will be talking about Memorial Day... food price crisis in Grades 7 and 8. Grade 6 will be learning more about the lifestyle of people in ancient Rome.

Nine days left for eighth graders. It is hard to think about releasing another group on to high school. I am not quite as confident as some years that this group is ready... listening skills still need some fine-tuning. But life moves forward and we hover close with prayer and words of encouragement to this teen-scholars.

Hello from Georgetown

Dear Parents, Students and Colleagues,

I am at the Georgetown Library as our son Jeff is giving us a tour of the campus. There certainly is a festive mood in the air as we see many graduates and families gathering to celebrate. Our son's main ceremony is this evening: School of Masters of Science in Foreign Service. We had good flights, Starbucks coffee this morning... so we are thriving well. Tomorrow we intend to do a National Mall tour- WWII Memorial, Arlington Cemetery and a great kabob place that has authentic Pakistani food.

I am thinking about the Science Fair, Mrs. Marita. I pray it is a day of celebration and learning with students and many guests.

Thanks Dr. G. for covering my classes.

Bye from Washington, D.C.- the flowers and trees are in full bloom. It is overcast, but warm. I am thanking God for Jeff's good work that brought him to this day. Lord willing, see you back at OLL on Monday.

Beauty of Creation

This morning Grades 7 and 8 were able to travel to the Seldal home to enjoy a walk in the woods and the beauty of spring flowers. Thank you for offering us this opportunity to take in the spring beauty of creation Mary Beth and Kent. And thank you for the great brownies, cupcakes, beverages, and peanut butter cups. We are grateful.

Grade 6 spelling words this week: beauty, blurted, hectic, dream, awkward, promise, wisdom, island, weather, ferry, emotions, survival BONUS: atrophy, claborate, disparity. We will also work on Ancient Rome assignments and write a
3-paragraph essay about the island camp adventure.

Grade 7 and 8: no spelling words this week. Students are busy with special events and the Science Fair exhibition on Friday. Be sure to attend. Students will also be writing thank you notes to various people who have visited our class and provided transportion.

FYI:Greg Alexander will be here Tuesday for an art class with Grades 7 and 8. Thursday evening is the band/choir concert for Grades 5 - 8. Friday is the Science Fair; please come to learn and celebrate the good work of our science scholars. Tuesday night is the yearbook meeting; last chance for photos, etc. I am gone this Thursday and Friday to attend the graduation of our son Jeff at Georgetown; he has earned a Master's Degree. Dr. G. will cover my classes.

Last weeks of this school year: Yes, we are close to the end, but we are not there. Please encourage your student to have a strong finish. And please send pencils and pens. Many students show up daily with NO tools... and my pencil reserve is also dry. Thanks.

Thank you Sammy Hicks, Sue Eaton, Kathy Sande, and Brother Thinh for driving to various events. I am always blessed by the support of our students' parents.

God's Creation

God's creation has been awakened with the arrival of spring. Our trip to Omnimax tomorrow will show us another view of the beauty of our earth. We will be attending the Grand Canyon experience. After the show, students will shop around canal park and then for lunch at Culver's in Superior. It is ESSENTIAL that we leave OLL at 8:15 tomorrow morning and we will return by 2:45 p.m. Check to be sure your student turned in permission slip and $6.00 for the movie. They will also need money for lunch.

ANOTHER spring opportunity:
Monday (May 12) Grades 7 and 8 will go by car (9 a.m. and return 10:30 a.m.) to the Seldal residence to see the beautiful spring flower and have home-baked cookies. The permission slip is BLUE; I need that no later than Monday morning. No money is needed for this trip... a couple of drivers please!

Tuesday Greg Alexander will come at 9 a.m. and do a 90 minute art class with our students. Greg is a well-know local artist and I am blessed by his enthusiasm to teach students. Thanks Greg.

8th grade parents: Please be watching for the graduation letter regarding schedule and meals.

Also... science fair is next Friday (May 16th). Please help your students with last minute details so they can showcase their best work. Mrs. Marita works very hard and cheerfully to make this event for learning a success.

Off to Duluth in the morning... arrive early or ON TIME please !!

Earthly Time

Our time together at OLL with eighth graders is now down to the last month. It is hard to believe that soon Marco, Nikki, Dylan, Niccolo, Angela, Cody, Greg, Kourtney, Josh will join a long list of other graduates and move on to AHS. There are many stories about this class and their contributions to our school and to our lives. I pray that these last days will be good and a blessing to all. May we not grow weary of being kind to each other in word and deed. Thanks 8th graders for your hosting of school mass today.

Thursday: Vocabulary and spelling due for Grade 7/8.

Friday: We (Grades 7/8) need to leave OLL at 8:15 (be here NO later than 8:10) to travel to Duluth for the Omnimax Grand Canyon production. The cost of the movie is $6; I need this upfront. After the movie we will walk around Canal Park for one hour and then off to Culver's in Superior for lunch... and back to school by the end of the school day.

Thanks for drivers... and thank you to all who provided rides and support yesterday for our bowling time at Monks. I had a good time... and I think the students did too.

Lifting Up His Hands He Blessed Them

May 1 was the celebration of the ascension of our Lord. What a roller-coaster drama the last weeks have been in our journey of faith: Palm Sunday, Upper Room, trial, crucifixion, death, resurrection, and now Jesus' power over earthly gravity. Even in this event, Jesus is reaching out to us with words of instruction and hope and He blesses us. We are told to wait until we receive the power of the Holy Spirit and then go out with His transforming message of love. Be blessed... God is with us... and this same Jesus that has ascended will come again!

Grade 6 will do a vocabulary sheet today in class on 5 words related to their Island Camp experience; there will be no spelling test. We will also read a story using the "latin" root man/manu. As part of our study of ancient Rome, we will be talking about the influence of Latin on our English Language.

Grade 8 vocab. this week is due Thursday: gentle, consecrate, vigilant, guard, savage, complete, signs, wonders, destruction, sanctuary, ascension, Pentecost, tongue, rush, bewildered, geology, crust, habitat, canyon, tectonic.
For English 8, we will be reading about the Grand Canyon today as a preparation for our trip to Omnimax on Friday. Also I will be showing the Hamlet movie when we have classtime available.

FYI: Bowling tomorrow in the afternoon. Permission slips needed and $5.50 for two games. Friday is Omnimax. $6.00 is needed for the movie (pay upfront) and lunch money at Culver's.

We are in our last weeks of this school year and have several special trips/guests planned. Be checking the BLOG for updates. Let us be vigilant, Jesus will come again!

Prayer: An Invitation

Prayer is God's invitation to talk to him. To unload our cares, to listen to his advice, to sing His praises, to dwell in His presence... and so much more. God even gives us the words..."Our Father''' when we don't know what to say. He even hears our thoughts in the breath of our being and the groans of our heart. God is eager to host us.... say "yes" to prayer!

Today we joined other students and other members of the community for the National Day of Prayer service at Our Lady of the Lake. What a beautiful time of praying and singing together. Thank you everyone for our shared kinship in Jesus Christ.

Today Grades 7 and 8 did a poetry read at the Black Cat. I was blessed by the relevant subjects, and good reading. Many students chose a subject they care about, and this passion came through their words; a few need to work harder to access original ideas. Poetry provides a format that invites a person to give expressions to his/her own experiences. Trust yourself!

Grade 6 will write a journal response to the prayer service and work on book markers (due tomorrow) or a prayer poster for our bulletin board.

Dr. G. (sub yesterday) left a good note about the students. I so appreciate when both students and a substitute share a good day together.

FYI: Student were given permission slips for bowling next Tuesday. Please sign and return promptly; drivers are needed. May 9th, Grades 7 and 8 will go to Omnimax, Canal Park and Culvers for lunch. Also ask your students about the science fair coming up; projects should be well developed by now and data is being recorded. This process is a lifelong skill; ask students where they are at and IF you can help, please.

Thanks... let us practice our reputation as "people of prayer."