We are All Gifted

As a teacher, it is my philosophy that all students are gifted. We are partners in learning about our gifts and using them for good. Thanksgiving is an invitation to say thank you to each other and to God for ALL the gifts that comprise our lives. These talents can be experienced in small way like a simple thank-you or in big ways, like a group of volunteers fixing up our junior high building. Thank you OLL family for many ways that you bless me and others. I am thankful for all of you.

As we finish up this week, these assignments are due before the break:
Grade 6: spelling test, vocabulary sheet, and pre-write phrases and words for the Hope and Trust in Life essay.
Grade 7: spelling test, vocabulary sheet, pre-write phrases/words, and rainforest bug visual and report to be given on Friday for Geography.
Grade 8: spelling test. vocab. sheet, pre-write, and bug visuaul and report to be given on Friday.
If these assignments are completed, students will have NO homework from me over the Thanksgiving break other than read a library book.

Tomorrow: We have our combined school Thanksgiving dinner. This meal is always a celebration of great food and great fellowship.

Dear Students and families, may all of you enjoy a safe and blessed Thanksgiving week. Living a life of gratitude is a responsibility and privilege. Let us welcome opportunities to say "thank you" to each other and to God.

Our shared Partnership

We had a good ending to this past busy week. I especially want to thank volunteer drivers and the Hagen family for hosting us on Wednesday for baking cookies and doing bazaar crafts. Every junior high student had a great day "at the farm." Also thank you Faye G., Chuckie N., and Donna C. for helping our 8th grade students make Christmas cards to sell at the bazaar. I hope many of you were able to attend the bazaar and start your Christmas shopping. There are some great bakery goods and gifts available on Sunday.

Please keep encouraging your junior high student to read a library book outside of school. Time and time again, I see that students who are readers have a deeper vocabulary and better writing skills. We continue to do weekly vocabulary with a spelling test on Thursday (grade 6) and Friday (Grades 7 and 8).

This coming Tuesday night is pack the gym for our basketball team. Please come and cheer on our OLL high energy team. We can be proud of our students and be thankful for their good coaches, Coach Bloss and Coach Masterson.


Congratulations to Mackenzie Klemek on her winning essay for the Chequamegon Humane Society. Her essay was published in the Wednesday Daily Press.

Thank you Rachel, Aaron, Jacob, Nick, Breanna, Josh, choir, band, Ms. Betzold, veterans and many others who made our OLL Veterans Day program a meaningful remembrance of those who have served our country.


Yes, daily we live a full schedule in junior high and we are grateful for many volunteers that partner with us in the journey of learning with our students. Thank you.

p.s. Apologies to Father Henry... he just turned a young 59 (not 60). I sure am glad we belong to a faith community that offers forgiveness. Thanks Father Henry.

Busy Can be Good

Dear Students and Families,
We are moving into the busy time of our school year. Our thoughts are forming regarding the celebration of Thanksgiving and the soon-to-arrive Advent season. Along with the outer trappings of life, we are also called to groom our inner-selves. This can also call for a busy schedule of reflection, remembrance, and renewal. I would encourage all of us (and me) to be sure to take "inner" time. In Christ, our inner and outer selves are welded to Him and the busy things of our days can be used for His good. Busy can be God-Good!

Grades 6, 7, and 8 were given new vocabulary lists today. These are due: Grade 6 Thursday and Grades 7 and 8 on Friday. Please aim for quality work that includes accuracy and thoughtfulness.

Grades 7 and 8 should be reading a book outside of class too. We will be doing another book report in about 3 weeks.

In Geography, we are back to the study of the rainforest. We finished the Planet Earth DVD on the rainforest today and students made "poacher" wanted posters to help us remember that humans often have no regard for this fragile ecosystem. It is our responsibility to be good stewards of the earth.

Thank you parents for your report card conference time with me. I am happy to announce that all 8th graders made the honor roll. I am proud of their good work and good manners this school year.

On the schedule:
Mrs. Faye Grittner is coming to make bazaar cards with us in the morning. Later tomorrow, we are having our Veterans Day tribute. 6 junior high students will be reading their essays at the program.
Wednesday after Mass the junior high will go to the Hagen/Hicks residence for working on crafts for the bazaar. Please ask your student what he/she can bring. Also we need permission slips for all students that are going.
Thursday the AHS band will perform from 9:30 to 10 a.m. in the gym.
This weekend is the holiday bazaar. We are willing to accept supplies for crafts and cookie dough for baking on Wednesday. Please support our school and efforts to serve the community.

Lots to do... and lots to be thankful for. Enjoy the goodness of each day.

Thanks, Mrs. Ellis

Students of Faith

This has been a full week of instruction. In religion class, we had the benefit and blessing of a class taught by Father Henry on the symbolism of numbers in the Bible. We have also been viewing the video tapes received from the Drug and Alcohol Center in Ashland to discuss the danger of drugs during Red Ribbon Week. Students have been busy educating others about the danger of drugs through signs and artwork on grocery bags. Today at Mass, Father Henry taught us about St. Paul and his ministry. Franciscans have set aside this year for the celebration of St. Paul- 2000 years after his birth.

We have been busy with our regular academic activities.
Grades 6 and 7 will do spelling test on Thursday; also vocabulary sheets are due. Grade 8 will finish up vocabulary Friday morning. We continue to read our in-class novels: Walk Two Moons in Grade 7 and The Giver in Grade 8.

Grade 6 completed Veteran's Day tributes. Grades 7 and 8 rough drafts are due tomorrow Thursday.

Yesterday we did an all-school presidential election and a junior high only one. Barack Obama won the all-school, and John McCain won the junior high. Our students had a first-hand experience of a vote is our voice. I believe students understood better the electoral college process after our studies of this system. Let us remember to pray for our leaders-elect. We are placed in this important of history for a purpose.

Looking ahead:
Grandma Faye will come in next Tuesday to do bazaar card-making with 8th graders. Next Wednesday, the junior high will travel to the Hagen farm to do crafts for the bazaar. Be watching for permission slips later this week.

I will be meeting with 8th grade parents Thurs. afternoon and Friday early afternoon. Other teacher conferences are set up for Monday night. Report cards will be given out at those times. Be sure to find out your "assigned" time.

Thank you parents for all your help this busy school year. We are moving at a steady academic pace. Our basketball team is up and running and once again they are thriving under two great coaches- Coach Bloss and Coach Mike. Please support these hard-working teams. Also thank you to Mrs. Marita and junior high students for leading our Mass today. A bonus to our worship experience was Mr. Bell's piano prelude and Ms. Betzold's clarinet playing. Thank you so much.

Don't forget students are done at noon this Friday. Teachers will be finishing up report cards and meeting together. Blessings