THANK YOU!

Thank you to everyone who gave me cards, food, gifts, gift certificates, and most of all the very kind notes. Many of the notes thanked me for driving the long distance to teach at "our small school." Actually, I am thankful for the experience of teaching at a wonderful school, supported by such giving parents and grandparents. What makes Good Shepherd such an outstanding school is Fr. Dennis, Dr. B., the teachers, the students, and especially the parents and families of the students. The countless hours by the volunteers is the heartbeat of this Body of Chirst.

I consider my trek to Hillsboro every morning a blessing. One old-time baseball player remarked that "if you love your job, you will never work a day in your life." Since August 1, 2007, I have not worked one day at Good Shepherd.

God willing, I hope to be with this wonderful faith community for a long time. Thanks again!

What Do We Give To Jesus At Christmas?

"In our service of love to the poor, we are called to give them what they need today. Today someone is hungry or thirsty; today someone is naked or homeless; today someone is sick or dying. Today someone is in need of warmth of a human hand, or in need of a human voice. It must be given today. We must love today. Tomorrow it may be too late." Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

Geography-Inclass project for a test grade.

Early dismissal on Wednesday. NO AFTERCARE!

Feast of Our Lady of Guadelupe

Report cards go home this Thursday, December 13. There were many students whose grades dropped from the previous quarter. Two reasons: failure to turn in homework and behavior.

There are now homework boards where students may check to see if they have homework missing. The boards list the names by classes and those who check will scan to the homework line. There are no grades posted. An X appears if the homework is in and a blank space, if there is homework due.

Gift Wrapping By Seventh and Eighth GradesThis Saturday, December 15 is the date for our gift wrap project. The money will go towards the 8th grade trip.

December 19 Dismissal @ 11:00 am: No aftercare!

7th & 8th grade Science work has been returnedEveryone has received his or her Science work back (with exception of 3). Most did a good job. Some waited until the very end and the resulting grade reflects the quick work.

New Quarter Begins

Students start the quarter with a day off! Report cards go out this Thursday, December 13.

It is always a good time to remind the students that getting in their homework is a key. Too often the same students either hand-in the homework late or not at all. Especially at the junior high level, the students must take more responsibility.

Geography Bee will begin this week. Fourth through eighth grades will begin the preliminary competition, resulting in 10 students (or so) competing in front of the school in early January. This is part of the National Geographic Competition.

Seventh & Eighth grade parents: 4 students did not turn in their Science work. Only one came to me ahead of time. This will result in an Incomplete on the report card and a loss of a grade (with exception of the one student).

Each student has a student whom they will make a Christmas card for.

Quarter Ending

Before I built a wall I'd ask to know What I was walling in or walling out, And to whom I was like to give offense. -Robert Frost

This Friday, December 7 marks the end of the second quarter. The students, at least some of them, are in the midst of trying to catch up on missing work.

Today, all classes are having Math tests with an additional twist: They may not ask me for help. A review was held for each class, and, as usual, those in most need of review were not paying attention. The test grade is weighed very heavily in the grading structure.

In 7th & 8th grades we will begin a new chapter in Social Studies, chapter 8.

The 5th & 6th grades will be finishing chapter 19 this week with a test soon after, possibly this Friday, December 7.

5th & 6th grade Science will be finishing chapter 2. There will not be a test for those who complete the solid, liquid, gas work and complete an activity (experiment). Chapter 3, though, will eventually have a test. This begins elements and the periodic table. Encourage your son or daughter to present a simple experiment, which provides them with a test-equivalent grade.