Seasonal Shift

We are feeling the seasonal shift as temperatures become cooler, daylight decreases, leaves are turning, and the momentum for the Apple Festival is building. Even the highway workers are going full steam to open two lanes (one each way) for the volume of traffic expected up this way over the weekend. We are also on the fast-track now to the election in November as conscientious voters strive to be open to the candidates and their commitment to the American people. There is also a shift in the Muslim world. The season of fasting (Ramadan) closes this week as the first sightings of the new moon are observed. How wonderful that we belong to the global-God of all seasons. Who does not withhold his grace, but rather heaps on great goodness and uncondictional love in all seasons to those who seek His Son Jesus. We are called, we are equipped, and we are on the journey of faith. Let us bear this good news to those around on the fast-track, to those around us trying to win favor with God, to those desiring an open heart. Enjoy the beauty of autumn in northern Wisconsin. Even nature proclaims His goodness.

Spelling lists will be given to Grades 6/7 and 8 today. Grade 6 work is due on Thursday. Grade 7 and 8 on Friday.
Grades 7 and 8 will give book talks or hand in a written book report on Wednesday. This is a response to the book they have read "outside" of class.
Geography 7/8 students will present state brochures on Friday. Also this week in class we will be doing a USA map activity, an overview of Canada, and work towards a unit study of the USA election process.

Other info: Prewrite essay drawing is due TODAY. Magazine sales are due tomorrow. Thursday is picture day. Open gym on Wednesday. And please daily check student assignment books. Thank you to those who have made this check-in part of the family routine. The academic rhythm is set for a steady pace that requires a daily commitment by students. Thank you for all your support.

Be Not Afraid

Can't help but think of the story of Jesus in the boat when the storm was raging and he was fast asleep. The disciples were alarmed and called out for help. Jesus awoke and rebuked the wind and said, "Peace! Be still! " He questioned his disciples about their faith.

Is this us today? As a financial storm whirls around us, news of terrorists... and so much more, let us ride this boat of faith and believe that Jesus is in charge. Storms can be faith-growth opportunities. Let us hang close to the Master of the winds and rains.

As a junior high teacher, I must add that junior high students are packages of hope. They thrive with opportunities and challenges. Most days we even like the challenge of "how to cross the highway." What a great bunch of God's people to be working with each day. Thank you God.

Today is Friday. Yesterday Grade 6 turned in vocab. and did their spelling test. Grades 7 and 8 will do likewise today. Also on Monday all three grades will turn in their prewrite drawings. Next Wednesday Grades 7 and 8 will turn in book reports (written) or give a book talk in class. Friday October 3rd, students will present geography brochures. So the pace is not overwhelming, but steady. Help your student to do his/her best work and earn the joy of good work.

We are not afraid... for underneath all the challenges of the earth, is the steady hand of a loving God. May we seek shelter in Him.

Shelter

Quick update:
Students Grades 6, 7, and 8 were given instruction today regarding their contest essays for the Chequamegon Humane Association to answer the question: Why we need an animal shelter?
I walked students through the purpose, audience, voice, emphasis, support and organization of this essay and then drew two examples on the boards of how to "draw" their ideas for this essay. A drawing could be a bubble web with details about what they want to talk about. A drawing could be three (or more) boxes with opening paragraph (characters), middle paragraph (problem), and final (resolution... in this case the animal shelter is the solution). This step in the writing process is called prewriting. The purpose of prewriting is for students to explore their own ideas and put together a "plan ." I believe that students need time and space to write well and this stage is an invitation to start listening and paying attention to their own thoughts about this topic. Please talk to your students about the purpose of an animal shelter and why we need this facility to care for animals. Conversations helps to stimulate ideas and provide vocabulary words. The prewriting drawing is due on Monday, September 29th. Ask to see the instruction sheet that we did together in class; this will serve as a support to meaningful conversation. Thank you, Mrs. Ellis

p.s. Also students in Grades 7 and 8 will present oral or written reports on their outside reading book next Wednesday, October 1st. Yes, the pace is picking up... but with focus and good time management most work can be completed at school.

Justice?

Justice is a slippery word. We believe in it, but then we see many cases of injustice. The nice person gets sick and die, the good driver is in a car accident, the best athlete is not picked for the team. In Matthew 20 Jesus talks about the workers in the vineyard and how the ones who worked all day got the same pay as the ones who were hired the "eleventh hour." The punchline is the last shall be first and the first shall be last. Yes, God's grace surpasses our understanding of justice. His generosity rises above the human net that holds us down and puts labels on us. Let us live in that generosity and grace each day. As a teacher at OLL. I hope that I can remember to offer generosity and great grace each day to our students.

Spelling words for Grades 6, 7 and 8 will be given out today. Be sure to ask to see the list so all week you can be discussing this assignment and using these words. I find it is in the use of a word where students experience learning that sticks.

Geography students are now working on their state brochures. Research is designed around the 5 themes of geography and the brochure should reflect this work as well as invite people to visit their state. Color, good facts and good presentation help to make this happen.

Students also this week will be doing some prewriting to explore thoughts and ideas about the Chequamegon Humane Assoc. essay contest. The key question is: Why do we NEED an animal shelter? Also I will be handing out book report expectations for outside reading.

Yes, the pace is picking up as we are back on the highway of learning. Like the road construction on Highway 2, we hit roadblocks, bumpy stretches, etc., but the construction process opens a corridor for new learning. Thanks for holding the signposts of direction and encouragement for your student.

p.s. Too bad about the Packer loss last night, but my heart was warmed when we heard that Aaron Rogers' favorite poet is Robert Frost. Uhmm.... helps me believe that poetry is good for everyone. You can bet Aaron is on the hunt for a fresh poem to heal the loss from last night. Go Packers and poetry!

Rocks

There are many Biblical references to rocks: Upon this rock, I will build my church. Jesus is our cornerstone. Even the rocks would cry out....

Tomorrow Junior High students are going to Little Girl's Point to collect rocks for painting. Be sure your student has completed and signed permission slip. Check too with Mrs. Marita and/or Ms. Shields to see if my drivers are needed. Each student needs to bring a lunch. And we should have a great day enjoying the beauty of this place on the shores of Lake Superior and the company of each other. We leave OLL at 9:45 am and plan to be back by 2:45 p.m.

Let us learn more about our beautiful world and our creative God as we consider the beauty and possibility of rocks.

P.S. Refer to blogs from earlier this week regarding assignments due on Friday. Thanks.

God of Sunshine

What a beautiful fall day with sunshine and fresh clear skies. The highway construction continues at full speed and I am proud of our junior high students' positive attitude about the many different routes we take to cross the highway. We are amazed to see the many steps it takes to build a new highway.

Welcome back Mary. She was gone to the state fair to show her horse; congratulations.
In English 8, students did a journal write and then we read The Giver. We are already starting to see the problems in this fictional culture where everyone is defined by his/her number... and age. There is no room for individual creativity. Students should continue to read outside of class. First book report is scheduled for Oct. 1.

English 7 students did a journal write and then we read Walk Two Moons. The main character Salamanca has laid the groundwork for the story she will tell while she travels with her grandparents to Idaho. Students should continue to read outside of class. First book report is scheduled for Oct. 1.

Geography students will complete layers of the earth and continent posters.

English 6 students will write in journals and look do a read-draw-write response to a short story.

Looking ahead: Tim Mika will talk to students tomorrow about the NET retreat coming up. Thursday we hope to go to Little Girls' Point to get rocks; we are waiting to hear that the road is open for sure.

Please support our magazine sales fundraiser. The prices are a bargain and the rewards are many for our school. Also there are some great prizes for student salesmanship.

Thank you parents and students for coming to open house last evening. We are grateful for your student and your support for our school. Please know that we are here for your child... and available to meet with you when you have concerns. Thank you again for showing up last night.

Serving Others

Jesus left us a model of serving others. Even on the cross in a time of distress, he reached out to others. He offered John to his mother as a new son. He forgave those who killed him. The theme of this school year is to celebrate service. We will be considering what this means and what this looks like throughout the year. Jesus walked and talked the path of service. Let us become His hands and feet to others.

Regarding Grade 6, 7, and 8 spelling: It is somewhat difficult for me to post 3 spelling lists each week, but I will try to do it these first weeks. Part of junior high is that students need to learn how to be organized and responsible. Each student is given a spelling list on Monday and is expected to complete work on time. For some students they need to take this work home. Parents, ask about this work, but don't feel that you need to "find" the words for them. We are preparing students for high school and beyond. Step-by-step opportunities to take on responsibility are part of the growth process to adulthood. In times of illness, allowances are made and work may be sent home upon request. Thanks for your encouragement and support in this process.

Grade 6 words: critical, camouflage, stricken, ancikent, manacle, mandate, principle, principal, lawyer, chief, conspire, context, accurate, exaggerate, expression, clarity. Students have a list of these words with instructions.

Grade 7 words: brochure, demographics, population, describe, occupation, import, export, crops, industry, recreation, market, tourism, gender, wisdom, cadaver, allergies, distress, diabolic, ordinary, enormous. Students have a list of these words with instructions.

Grade 8 words: brochure, deographics, population, describe, occupation, import, export, crops, indsutry, recreation, market, tourism, gender, wisdom, value, vision, strict, individual, ceremony, ordinary. Students have a list of these words with instructions.

Vocabulary words are selected weekly based on what students will be doing in class and what words they will hear and use.

Jr. High OPEN HOUSE tonight! Please join us to celebrate the wonderful building improvements... and hear about curriculum and instruction. Treats will be served.

Thursday: Junior High students are traveling to Little Girl's Point to get rocks to paint for the winter bazaar. Students need to bring a sack lunch... and any medicines, etc. We will leave OLL at 9:45 a.m. and return by 2:45 p.m. It should be a great day on the beach. Please offer to drive and join us.

9/11: Seven Years Later

Today is 9/11. A date that will stick in our minds for our entire lives. We were there, we felt the pain of attack on our country, we watched with horror as huge earthly structures fell and many were killed. For most students in our junior high, this event has mostly been learned through second hand knowledge. They were 4 and 5 years old and have few memories for they were sheltered from this tragedy. We need to tell others this story for this is much to remember and much to learn and relearn. We remember the families of all those killed. Families who sent off their loved ones to work or travel with no sense this was a final good-bye. We need to learn and relearn the value of life and how precious it is. How to seize the time we have and make it useful to care for others and show love. We need to learn and relearn that God is not a good-time God only, but He is present in fear, chaos and death. Jesus on the cross felt abandonment and Jesus knew the pain of death. He saw the fear in the eyes of those standing by with him... and He saw the hate of those who killed him. He pronounced forgiveness and His death became the resurrected vessel of hope. May 9/11 also helps us learn forgiveness and the importance of hope. It has only been 7 years since this great tragedy... and about 2000 since the death of Christ. These stories happened and we are called to tell others that we may learn and relearn together.

Assignments due today:
Grade 6: Spelling test and vocabulary. Also students are working on "sensory" essays.

Assignments due on Friday:

Grade 8: spelling test, vocabulary, bring a library book, and start on I Am... poems.
Grade 7: spelling test, vocabulary, bring a library book, and show rough draft of I Am... poems.

Geography students (grades 7/8) are constructing a model of the layers of the earth: crust, mantle, outer and inner core. Also a flat map that shows location of continents. We will work on this tomorrow too.

Parents/students and others: Monday night is open house in the junior high to see the building improvements and learn about academic and behavior expectations for this school year. Please come: 6:30 to 7: 30 p.m.

Exciting Stuff

Today Father Henry came and talked to students about the 150th Franciscan jubilee celebration of the Sacred Heart Province. Included in Father's Henry presentation was the history of Franciscans work that began in Germany and flowed to many parts of the world. In fact today many Franciscan missionaries continue to bring the gospel to many places. Please join Father Henry and other Franciscans in prayer for this celebration and thanks to God for the work that has been accomplished by His servants. This is exciting holy stuff.

Grade 8 today began to read The Giver. How poignant the first chapter is with our first-hand experience with 9/11. We will honor and remember this day on Thursday.

Grade 7 began reading Walk Two Moons today. We looked at the epigraph and read together the first chapter. I pointed our similes to students as on Friday students will share similes.

Assignments due: Spelling test and vocabulary due on Friday. Thank you letters to MMC due on Thursday...also for Grade 6 students.

In Geography today we will learn the 5 themes of geography and then try them out using examples from our textbook.

Grade 6 students will begin looking at "sensory" writing. They will be brainstorming words to construct a sensory essay.

LOOKING AHEAD: Monday Sept. 15th is a junior high open house night for parents and students from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. to celebrate our new look and provide information about academic and behavior expectations for this school year. Please come!

Mary said "yes" to God

Today we talked about Mary's response to God's offer to be the mother of Jesus. Can you imagine the shame.... the fear.... the questions? Her response did not show these obvious reactions, but rather she said "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." (Luke 1:38). Let us be instructed and blessed by Mary's example.

Grades 6,7, and 8 English students will get vocabulary words for this week. Refer to your student's sheet to see what words students need to spell and complete by Friday (Thursday for Grade 6).

World Geography students will focus on the 5 themes of geography and locate examples in their textbook. Soon they will be working on a state brochure focused on the 5 themes.

Students are also finishing up thank you letter to MMC for their financial gift that made it possible for us to attend Big Top last week. Thank you again generous donors.

Other events:
Open gym on Wednesday: students will have a permission slip tomorrow.
Book Order due to me or Ms. Shields by Sept. 24th.
September 15: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Open House in Junior High.
Father Henry will speak to students tomorrow ( at 8:30 a.m.) about the Year of the Jubilee.
Grades 7 and 8 need to show them their silent reading books on Friday.

Let us say "yes" to God-opportunities this week. Blessings will follow.

YoHo Buffalo

Yesterday many of our OLL students and parents were able to attend the YoHo Buffalo Big Top show. What a great program... and what a great day. The program included many facts about buffalo and other creatures. Our learning was supported with great slides and fabulous songs. This opportunity was funded by Memorial Medical Center. Thank you so much. After the show, we went to Thompson Park in Washburn for sack lunches and play. We left the park with a feeling of great gratitude for the events of this school day. Jr. High students are writing thank-you letters to MMC in English class.

As our first week back comes to a close, I realize that we have a solid start in junior high. The students are upbeat, our building face-lift is amazing, and our new Principal is our good (cheer) leader and helpmate. Thank you parents, students, colleagues and Mr. Bell for everything you have all done to launch us into this new school year.

Parents: please be checking assignment planners daily. We are eager to better communicate and create conversation about what students are doing in class. We need your support.

Next week:
Grade 8 needs to show me on Monday a 3-ring binder and dictionary.
Grade 7 needs to show me on Monday a 3-ring binder, a dictionary and a journal.
Both of these grades need to have an outside reading book that they will show me next Friday.
Grade 6 will show me on Tuesday a 3-ring binder, dictionary, and journal.

We will begin spelling on a weekly basis on Monday. Grade 7 and Grade 8 will begin in-class novels and write "I Am...." poems. Grade 6 will be working on "sensory" short essays.

For World Geography (grades 7 and 8), students will today share A-Z geography words. Next week, we begin the 5-themes of Geography and then start working on state brochures.

Along with our academic studies, we continue to tune our hearts to the presence of God in our classrooms and in our lives. He transforms ordinary daily events into extraordinary eternal opportunities. We EXPECT this school year to be extraordinary. Thank you everyone for your support to our school and students.

p.s. Junior High is working on a date for an open-house... stay tuned!

All Are Welcome

Today we began our first school year with All are Welcome. Beautiful words to remind us the invitation to worship is for everyone: All are Welcome. Father Henry pointed out that verse three talks about... "Let us build a house where love is found...." Please join our school on Wednesdays for Mass... everyone is welcome.

I thought it was rather poignant that as we were talking about building a house of love, we could hear the gravel trucks, the cement mixer, the bulldozer, etc. as busybee workers construct Highway 2. We are grateful for their consideration of our junior high students as we cross to and fro several times each day.

Don't forget, we are off to Big Top tomorrow. Every student needs to turn in a completed parental permission slip and bring a sack lunch. Dress appropriately for comfort and perhaps cool temps.

Assignment expectations: Be sure to check your student's assignment books and sign them daily. Geography 7/8 are expected to turn in A-Z taxonomies on Friday. Monday I will check for journals, 3-ring binders, and dictionaries in English classes. Also Grades 7 and 8 should be reading a book outside class to complete the two books for each quarter expectations. Spelling begins next Monday.

Thanks Mr. Bell for your good leadership and support as we set our course for a school year of success and growth. What a privilege and blessing to be part of a school where we can claim and proclaim the presence of Jesus in our classrooms and in our lives. All are welcome to know Him.

Stewards of the Earth

Today was day one for this school year. Fortunately we had rain in the afternoon to start a predicted cool-down as it sure did not feel like summer was over today.

Mr. Bell came around today and introduced himself and the new honor system. Students have an opportunity to earn special privileges by not losing points. The system is transparent in that students understand the new expectations and sign when a point a lost.

Welcome back Ms. Shields into the junior high. She even added the bonus of bringing her daughter Brittany to help us out. I believe that the Ms. Shields, Mrs. Marita and I are a good team to create well-rounded scholars.

Our class lists are set and we have a nice group of junior high students. Along with regular core classes, some students will have health, Spanish, art... and PE with Ms. Shields. Yes, we miss Brother Tom, but we are grateful for new staff to fill in these gaps.

Today we went over assignment books. Students will record the expectations for each class and teachers will review and sign books at 2:45 p.m. Students are to bring them back in the morning with a parent's signature. This is all part of a plan to keep a strong communication line between home and school.

Also junior high students were given permission slips for Big Top on Thursday. We will leave the school about 9 a.m. and each student needs to bring a sack lunch from HOME. We will stop at Thompson Park (in Washburn) on the way back after the show.

Students in my class filled out address cards, did a survey, and made "hands and feet" of Jesus posters. We want this year to have a strong focus on community service to teach citizenship and our responsibility as people of faith. In Geography we referred to the Garden of Eden story where God commissioned Adam and Eve to care for the earth. We cannot separate our learning from our call to be good stewards of the earth and all creatures great and small.

Thank you parents for helping your students show up today with cheerful faces and a willingness to take on the challenges of learning this new school year. Please check your student's assignment log, and keep checking our blogs for information and updates. Be sure it is clear each morning on HOW your student will get home each day. We are not free to "change plans" unless students carry a signed note from you. Don't forget, School Mass tomorrow morning. May God bless and keep our school, staff and students.