Roots of Our Faith

Happy Halloween to everyone... the eve of All Saint's Day. What a busy week this has been and I would like to mention a couple of highlights. Father Henry provided instruction in religion regarding our Judeo-Christian roots of faith. We were all challenged and blessed to realize that way back in the Old Testament, God was already laying the groundwork of our faith. We took a good look at the Passover and the fulfillment of this event in the modern day expression of our faith. Thank you Father Henry.

Also under Mrs. Marita's inspiration and good work by our students, our trick-or-treat for the Heifer project went over $380 today. This includes a very generous matching gift by the Knights of Columbus of $150. I am truly excited to think about what this money means for a Third World family in poverty. Thank you everyone.

Kudos to Ms. Worrall for the great FYI junior high newspaper student reporters put together with her help. Hope you get to read this newsy publication.

We had our honor Halloween party today in the gym. Thank you volunteers for your help and many good prizes. It was fun to see all grades playing games together and enjoying the creativity of their costumes.

We are also busy with academics. Grade 6 students finished their safety contest posters... and are working on Veteran's Day tributes. Grades 7 and 8 will be working on these tributes next week. Their final book reports (invitations) for this quarter are due on Monday. Also we will do a "red ribbon" awareness week in our school starting Monday. Ask your student about this.

Parents: be sure to check with your student regarding teacher conference time on Nov. 10th. I just realized tonight that this afternoon MAY be a conflict for me. IF it is, I will call 8th grade parents and rework the time if possible.

So OLL parents and supporters, these are busy days in our school. We continue to appreciate the good leadership and support of Mr. Bell. Ms. Sara in the office is a behind the scenes coordinator for many things. Thank you Sara. I am also proud of the spirit of service that our students display... especially 8th graders help for the Halloween party. Great work... including Nick's commitment to sweeping the gym after the party, Mary's help with the bowling game, and Vince and Thomas on the fish pond. We are proud of our 8th graders!

Looking ahead:
Nov. 3 Monday is the end of the first quarter.
Next Friday students are done at noon to give teachers time to grade.
November 11 is a Veteran's Day program in the afternoon.
November 12 junior high will be off campus (after Mass) for making crafts for the bazaar.
November 13 means that we still have time to stuff the truck. Please send non-perishable food items.
November 15 and 16 is the bazaar.

Blessings to all who read this as we set our clocks back and set our resolve forward to walk and talk the language of faith. In ancient times, God set the map of faith and even today He empowers us proclaim this Good News to others. By faith, we are plugged into something bigger than us and the things of this world.... thanks be to God.

Community of Learners

The past two weeks we have had the great privilege to learn from many adult mentors in our community. First Mr. Mike Masterson gave the students a banker's view on economics. Second we joined Jeremy Ellis at the Black Cat and learned about the profession of computer programming. Then we met with Mr. Gary LaPean at the Evergreen Shopper. He gave us a tour of his operation and reminded students about the importance of education. Yesterday we met with Mayor Monroe and heard about the highway project and other changes in our city. The Mayor was eager to answer student' questions. He reminded students about the importance of learning other languages. Today we traveled to the Bad River Reservation and Mr. Jim Mayotte gave us a tour of the Chief Blackbird Center. We were given information on many environmental concerns. Our 8th grade students heard many new words, saw new technology, and were presented with new challenges, and exciting opportunities for their future. Every mentor stressed education as a major key to unlocking new opportunities. Thank you members of our Ashland community for your honest answers to our students' concerns and your support for their learning.

Next week, most students will have completed the ITBS testing. We will return to the routine of assignments: weekly spelling, book reports, and geography.

Thank your Mrs. Marita and Mrs. Shields for all your hard work to guide students through the journey of testing. I feel so fortunate to work with such dedicated co-workers and members of the community who share a partnership with our students.

Be Prepared

Today in our class we looked at the Gospel lesson about the Second Coming of Christ. We talked about how our day MIGHT be different if Jesus was coming today... and we knew it. We realized that it is a gift to NOT know. This means that we can enjoy life to the fullest good, and trust that God always has our good in mind. Be prepared... for Jesus is coming again!

Yesterday Grade 8 was given a tour of the Evergreen Shopper by owner Gary LaPean. It was an excellent field trip that showcases how a business expands based on profits and the needs of the market. Mr. LaPean walked the students through the making of the weekly paper from the beginning to the delivery people. He also showed us the Printing Plus department and Screenline. This company is an example of entrepreneurship realized by hard work and the advancement of technology. Students are writing thank you notes and including their thanks for the desk calendars and notepads.

Tomorrow 8th grade students will be meeting with Mayor Monroe at the City Hall. We are using this week to get out into the community as other grades are busy with the ITBS testing.

Don't forget, science presentations (virus info) are due tomorrow.

Grade 6 and 7: No spelling/vocab. this week. Grade 8, spelling is due Friday.

Also, be sure to save change for the Heifer Project. The Knights of Columbus will match up to $150. This is awesome.

Thank you Mr. Bell and other colleagues for leading us in a special prayer service today. Blessings.

Season of Eternity

Already the colors of autumn are fading as leaves let go of trees to bed down for the winter. We are so fortunate in northern Wisconsin to understand a four-season life. With God, we have the advantage of even ONE MORE season.... and this season is eternity. As we move forward on the earthly calendar, we also operate on an eternal timetable. Enjoy the never fading seasonal beauty of God's landscape.

With Iowa Tests of Basic Skills starting tomorrow, the schedule for 8th graders will be different; 8th graders are not tested. We are hoping to use some of this "new" time to do some around the town field trips. Right now it is scheduled that we will walk to the Vaughn Library tomorrow to check out reading book; along the way, we will swing by the Bretting Center to see if there is a kitchen for future use. Tuesday we will go to the Evergreen Shopper for an on-site tour of the operations. We also hope to use some of our time to explore painting rocks for the School Bazaar.

8th graders will have vocabulary and spelling this week. Grades 6 and 7 will not. Also Geography classes mostly likely will not meet. But all grades should continue reading an outside library book. A quiet time for reading each night is good for the mind and academic growth.

Thanks students and parents for your understanding as we keep a new schedule for this week of testing.

Don't forget: Save loose change for the Heifer Project... and bring food items for Stuff the Truck. In these struggling economic times, it is even more urgent that we share with those who have less. God's math will multiply your generosity many times over.

Also an Honor's Level Halloween party will be October 31st. Encourage your son/daughter to not lose points. A flyer should be going out later this week with listed parent volunteers needed. Thanks for all you do to make OLL a success.

We are eager to welcome back Mr. Bell tomorrow. May God continue to bless and keep the Bell family.

Out of the Water

The story of Moses is nothing less than amazing. How God protected "his servant" for a greater purpose. Even his name tells the story. She named him Moses, for she said, "Because I drew him out of the water." Exodus 2:10. This is our story too, for in baptism we were washed and drawn out of the water. Today we remembered our baptism in our morning prayers.

In the mail: Grade 6, 7, and 8 animal shelter contest essays are in the mail. Be proud of many good essays written by our students on the topic: Why we need an animal shelter?

Grade 6 and 7 English today: Students will begin planning a fire safety poster. Drawing is another way to communicate a message. We will talk about what MIGHT be in this poster and the criteria for this poster contest. Don't forget vocabulary and spelling is due Thursday for Grade 6 and Friday for Grade 7 and 8.

Grade 8 English: We will read a short Halloween story and talk about the ending that students will write... or draw. Good writing needs to plant images in the mind of the reader.

Geography 7/8: Today Mr. Mike Masterson will be talking to students about economics and the impact of recent events on our country, world and the political scene. We are doing a presidential candidate study this week. I am encouraging students to approach this information with an open and objective mind. Yesterday we talked about the electoral college process and how it is possible to win the popular vote and still lose the election.

Coming up:
Basketball starts tonight. This program is top of the line at our school with lots of great coaching and play time. Along with the physical development, basketball teaches the power of strategies and teamwork.

Tomorrow: Grade 8 will go to the Black Cat at 2 p.m. and return to school by 2:55 p.m. Students need to turn in permission slips to go and money for a beverage. My son Jeremy will meet us there and give a presentation to students about what a computer programmer does. Jeremy is a programmer for a medical team in the Twin Cities.

Please remember Mr. Bell and his family in your prayers. Mr. Bell's beloved grandmother passed early Sunday morning. I can tell from what Mr. Bell has said that Grandma Bell was a special woman of deep faith.

Heifer Project: Junior High students are collecting loose change for the Heifer project. This money will be received on October 31st. We have a chance to bless a family with the gift of an animal that can change their lives. Please be generous and encourage your student to trick-or-treat for the Heifer Project.

Have a great week! The beauty of God's creative energy is spectacular this autumn.

Experience God

Yesterday we enjoyed a wonderful trip and Catholic Schools workshop in Rice Lake. The full church Mass was a moving worship experience and the keynote speaker was top of the line. Using research, he talked about "hunger for holiness." People are eager to experience God. We were challenged to consider what this looks like and how can we draw people into a community of faith. Students will write a journal response today about how they "experience" God.

Rough drafts for the humane society essay contest have been read aloud by their peers and corrections have been suggested by students and by me. Students NOW need to write their final (ink or typed). Each essay needs to include the full name of the student, grade level, school, and number of words. These are DUE on Monday. I did not give a lot of class time as most students do their best writing in a "quiet" place that invites them to think. GOOD writing is hard work!

Grade 6: Spelling test and vocab. due today.

Grades 7 and 8: We will read in our class novels today and spelling and vocab. is due tomorrow.

Geography: We are finishing up state brochure presentations today. Also I will go over the test that students did on Monday. Most students need PRACTICE on test taking- the importance of reading instructions and how to use the time wisely.

I am grateful for students' patience with my hearing problem. I had my ear checked out yesterday and finally am on the mend. What a gift it is to have full hearing again.

Thank you... thank you... Home and School for your generosity and ongoing support.

Have a good rest of the week as we pay attention to the presence of God in our lives. Even when we don't EXPERIENCE him, His promise to be with us always is for real.

St. Francis: a model for us

How timely that jr. high students are writing a responsive essay to: Why we need an animal shelter? St. Francis reminds us that God has created animals to teach responsibility and to bless us. Please be responsible stewards of His creation.

Quick update:
Grades 7 and 8: Vocabulary, spelling test and state brochure presentations today.

Monday: Grade 6, 7, and 8 rough draft for the Chequamegon Humane Society contest essay is due.

Also students should continue to be reading books "outside" of class. They will be doing ONE MORE book report before the end of this quarter.

Thank you again for helping your students to be successful and know the joy of good work in the classroom.

Be Blessed... and bless others including the birds of the air and the small squirrels scurrying along the ground.