Please remember to attend Mass on Christmas and New Years these are both holy days of obligation.

Have a very Merry Christmas and the best of holidays

Homework: Math: Fact Practice 62 B; Homework 62 B
                   Spelling: Study for tomorrow's test

Please do not send your child to school with cupcakes or cookies tomorrow.Our room mom is taking care of  this.

Early dismissal tomorrow at 1:20.

Enjoy your evening!!!

Homework: Math: Fact Practice 61B; Homework 61 B
                   Spelling: Study for test on Friday


Please take the holiday break to replenish crayons and color pencils as needed.

Early dismissal Friday 1:20

Have a nice and warm evening. Say a prayer that it does NOT snow over the weekend I need to finish my Christmas shopping.HO!HO!HO!

Homework: Math: Practice flashcards and counting dimes and pennies
                   Spelling: This week will be a review test. Study word lists from previous weeks

Remember if it is snowing be sure to send your child with a change of shoes.


Early dismissal Friday at 1:20

Have a great evening. Stay warm. Hopefully there won't be too much snow to shovel.

We're getting very talkative and easily distracted. I know the holidays are close, but there is still teaching going on. Please remember to remind your child of the necessity of following rules not only because it disturbs others when they don't but because it is the right thing to do.  It also keeps them from learning the things they need to learn. 

Please remember to attend Mass over the weekend.

Have a nice evening.

Homework: Math: Fact Practice 59B; Homework 59B
                   Spelling: Study for tomorrow's test


Staley Da Bear booklet due tomorrow

Today is the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Let's say an extra prayer to Mary on this special day to ask her to intercede for us in all our needs.

Remember tonight is BCA night at Wings and Rings. Please support BCA and enjoy a meal out.

Have a  nice evening and stay warm!!!

Homework: Math: Fact Homework 58; Homework 58B
                   Spelling: Study for test on Friday
                   Reading: Superkids bk. p.12 (poem: Super Duper Me)





Staley Da Bear materials due on Friday, December 13th.

Please remember when the weather is cold to be sure that your child has a hat, scarf, and mittens or gloves. If there is snow they should either wear boots or have a change of shoes.

Have a nice, warm evening!!!

Homework: Math: Fact Homework 57 Homework 57 B; Practice flashcards
                   Spelling: Study for test


Staley Da Bear Activity Book due this Friday, December 13th.

If there is snow on the ground and your child is not wearing boots, please send your child with an extra pair of shoes. The floors get slippery when wet and we don't want anyone slipping and getting hurt. Also, it isn't any fun to sit in wet shoes all day. Thanks for your cooperation.

Have a nice evening. Stay warm!

Homework: Math: Practice counting dimes and pennies; work with flashcards and telling time to the hour
                   Spelling: Study words for test on Friday


Staley Da Bear reading materials due this Friday, December 13th. I hope everyone participated.

Please remember to remind your children that there is no snow throwing in the school yard. They can have snowball fights when they get home.

Remember to send your child with an extra pair of shoes when there is snow on the ground.

Have a nice, warm evening!!!

Homework: Math: Fact Practice 56B; Homework 56B
                   Spelling: Study for tomorrow's test

Field trip money due tomorrow, December 6th.

Art work for the Student Voices is due tomorrow, December 6th. So far only two children have turned it in.so far.

Pizza Day is tomorrow.If you did not order pizza please send your child to school with a lunch. There are no hot lunches tomorrow.

Have a great evening!!!

Homework: Math: Fact Homework 55; Homework 55B: work on flashcards
                   Spelling: Study words for test on Friday
                   Family Life: p. 48 #'s 1,2,3


Field trip money due Friday, December 6th.

Pizza day this Friday. If you did  not order, please remember to send a lunch with your child.

Thanks to all who contributed to the Toy drive. You will have helped make someone's Christmas a little brighter

Have a nice evening!!!

Homework: Math: Fact Practice 54B: Homework 54B; Practice counting dimes and pennies; Work on
                   flashcards
                   Spelling: Study words for Friday's test


Please consider making a toy donation for the toy drive. It ends tomorrow. So far only one toy has been donated.

Pizza day is Friday. If you did not order pizza, remember to send your child with a lunch. There are no hot lunches on Friday.

Homework:  Math: Fact Homework 53; Homework: 53B; Practice counting dimes and pennies: Telling time
                              to the hour; work with flashcards
                    Spelling: Study for test on Friday


Toys for Tots toy drive ends on Wednesday. Please consider donating a small toy to help make someone else's holiday a little brighter.

Pizza Day is this Friday. If you did not order, please remember to send a lunch with your child.

Staley Da Bear reading materials are due soon. Check your booklet for due date.

Have a nice evening!!!

Toys for Tots toy drive continues until Monday.

Remember your money for Development Pizza Day

Thanks to everyone who contributed to the Treasure project. It appeared to be a success.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. May God continue to bless you not only on Thanksgiving but throughout your lives.

Homework: Math: Homework 52B; Fact Practice 52B

Toys for Tots toy drive continues until December 2nd. Please help make Christmas a little happier for someone less fortunate.

A big thank you to those who contributed to the Treasure Project. Many people will benefit from your generosity.

Remember: Tomorrow is early dismissal  PreK-Grade 4 dismissal is 10:15.

Have a nice evening. Enjoy the snowflakes.

The Treasure project ends this Monday, November 25th. Thanks to all who have donated. If you have not yet donated, but would like to, you have until this Monday.

The Toys for Tots  toy drive begins this Monday. Please consider donating a toy to help make someone else's Christmas a little happier.  It doesn't need to be anything large or extravagant. Sometimes the simplest toys are the ones most enjoyed.

Work on tying shoes. Many of the children still can't tie shoes.

As the weather gets colder please make sure your child has a hat or hood on his/her coat.

Have an enjoyable weekend and don't forget to attend Mass.

Homework: Math: Fact Practice 51B; Homework 51B; Practice flashcards, and counting dimes   and pennies
                   Spelling: Study for tomorrow's test


Please consider donating any gently used clothing to the Treasure project. You can drop these off at school until Monday.

Toys for Tots toy drive begins on Monday. Please help make the holidays a little brighter for those who are less fortunate. Even Santa needs a helping hand.

Parent/Teacher conferences next Tuesday. Early dismissal for first grade at 10:15. Please be on time to pick up your child. No lunches on this day.

The book fair continues tomorrow.

Have a nice evening!!!

Homework: Math: Fact Practice 49; Homework 49B; Practice flashcards.
                    Spelling: Study for test on Friday
                    Religion: Family Life: bottom of page 45


Please consider taking part in the Treasure Project. I am very proud to say that the idea was thought of by one of the first graders ( who wishes to remain anonymous). Please remember to send in gently used and clean items. These will be collected until the 25th of November.

Toys for Tots donations will be taken starting November 25th. Please send in toys in their original packaging.No used toys please. Let's make Christmas a little happier for those who may not get anything at all this year.

Continue to keep the people in the Phillipines and Coal City and Washington Illinois in your prayers.

Have a great evening!!!

Homework; Math: Fact Homework 50; Practice flashcards: Practice counting dimes and pennies
                    Spelling: Study for test on Friday

Officer Kruk will be here this evening to talk about cyberbullying. If you did not attend yesterday's meeting, at least one parent MUST attend today. THIS IS MANDATORY.

Development Pizza Day is December 6th. Place your orders now.

BCA day at Zebras is tomorrow. Treat yourself to a gourmet hotdog and benefit BCA at the same time.

Please remember the people in the Phillipines in your prayers as well as the people in Coal City and Washington. The pictures of the devastation are mind boggling. Thank God more people weren't hurt.

Have a nice evening!!!

Homework: Math: Handout Sheet: Adding 1; Work on flashcards
                   Spelling: Study words for test on Friday


Remember Detective Kruk will be here tonight and tomorrow to speak to the parents. IT IS MANDATORY that at least one parent attend the meeting either tonight or tomorrow.

Please remember the victims of the typhoon in the Phillipines and the people in Washington and Coal City  who were affected by yesterday's tornado in your prayers.

Have a good evening!!!

Spirit week was a big success. Thanks to everyone who made it so---Sports committee, Home/School and my apologies to anyone I may have left out.

Please remember to attend Mass over the weekend. Have a good one.

Homework: Math: Fact Practice 48B; Homework 48B; Work on flashcards
                   Spelling: Study for tomorrow's test



Please pay attention to the Fact Practice Homework. We are now adding AND subtracting numbers. It is important that the children pay attention to the + and -  signs.  If they were bankers, I would love to bank at the banks where some of them would work. I'd be rich!!! 


Tomorrow is Pizza Day. If you did not order pizza, please remember to send a lunch with your child as there are no hot lunches tomorrow.

Tomorrow is also the BCA Pep Rally. If your child is on a BCA sports team they may wear their uniform, if not, they may dress down in BCA attire.

Have a great evening!!!

Homework: Math: Fact Homework 47; Homework 47B; Practice flashcards
                   Spelling: Study for test on Friday


Tomorrow is Class Color Day. Our color is Black

Friday is pizza day. If you did not order pizza, send a lunch to school with your child. There will be no hot lunches on Friday.

Have a wonderful evening!!!

Homework: Math: Work with Addition flashcards.(yes, we need to memorize the basic facts)
                   Spelling: Study for Friday's test

Tomorrow is Wacky Hair Day and the children may dress down.

Thursday is Class Color Day. Our color is BLACK. Dress down in something black as part of your outfit.

Friday : Afternoon pep rally

Thank you to all who baked for the Mission Bake Sale. Your generosity is appreciated. Also thank you to those who supported it by buying the baked goods and taking part in the raffle.

Please keep those in the Philippines in your prayers.

Our condolences to Mrs. Herrera and her family on the passing of her father-in-law. Please keep them in your prayers.

Have a nice evening.

Homework: Math: Fact Practice 46B; Homework 46B; Work on flashcards
                   Spelling: Study for test on Friday


Tomorrow the students from IIT will be visiting our class to work on their project. If  you do not return the Gangplank release form tomorrow morning your chikl may not participate.

Happy Veteran's Day to ALL veterans. Thank you for your service to our country. While on the subject of veterans, Honor Flight Chicago is looking for WWII veterans. If you are not familiar with Honor Fligt Chicago they sponsor flights for WWII veterans to Washington to see the WWII Memorial. This is done free of charge. There is an application to be filled out. If you know of any WWII vet, please have them contact Honor Flight Chicago @ Honor Flight Chicago.org or call (773)227-2787. Their recognition is long overdue.

Have a wonderful evening.

Homework: Math: Fact Homework 45; Practice addition flashcards;
                   Spelling: Study for test tomorrow


Pizza orders due TOMORROW if you wish to order pizza

Scholastic orders due tomorrow if you are ordering books

Thank you to the parents who have offered to bake for the Mission Bake Sale next Tuesday. If you are planning on baking and have not turned in your slip, please turn it in tomorrow.

Letters to our farm friends are due Monday, November 11th.  I have seven so far. Please make sure the printing is  neatly done.

Have a good evening!!! REMEMBER TO PRACTICE TYING SHOES.

Homework: Math: Fact Practice 44B; Homework 44B
                   Spelling: Study for test on Friday
                   Religion: Family Life p. 38 (the page is torn out) #s 1,2,3,


Pizza Money due Friday, November 8th.

Scholastic orders due Friday, November 8th

Letters to our farmer pen pals due Monday, November 11.

Since no one has replied to tell me that they do not want their child's picture sent to their pen pals I will assume that there are no objections. We will send a group picture when we send our letters.

Please remind your child it is his/her responsiblility to pick up when something is dropped. Many parents are surprised when I have told them that their child needs new crayons, color pencils, etc. No matter how many times Mrs Herrera or myself have said to put these items in pencil cases, many of the children don't do it, or they drop their crayons or pencils and don't pick them up and these items get lost. They are old enough to take care of their things. It is a good habit to establish now. This should carry over at home, also. Our goal is to teach the children to grow up to be responsible human beings. This is a good time to start.

I hope everyone stays dry. Have a good evening!!!

Homework: Math: Fact Practice 44B; Homework 44B
                   Spelling: Study for test on Friday
                   Religion: Family Life p. 38 (the page is torn out) #s 1,2,3,


Pizza Money due Friday, November 8th.

Scholastic orders due Friday, November 8th

Letters to our farmer pen pals due Monday, November 11.

Since no one has replied to tell me that they do not want their child's picture sent to their pen pals I will assume that there are no objections. We will send a group picture when we send our letters.

Please remind your child it is his/her responsiblility to pick up when something is dropped. Many parents are surprised when I have told them that their child needs new crayons, color pencils, etc. No matter how many times Mrs Herrera or myself have said to put these items in pencil cases, many of the children don't do it, or they drop their crayons or pencils and don't pick them up and these items get lost. They are old enough to take care of their things. It is a good habit to establish now. This should carry over at home, also. Our goal is to teach the children to grow up to be responsible human beings. This is a good time to start.

I hope everyone stays dry. Have a good evening!!!

Homework: Math: Fact Practice 44B; Homework 44B
                   Spelling: Study for test on Friday
                   Religion: Family Life p. 38 (the page is torn out) #s 1,2,3,


Pizza Money due Friday, November 8th.

Scholastic orders due Friday, November 8th

Letters to our farmer pen pals due Monday, November 11.

Since no one has replied to tell me that they do not want their child's picture sent to their pen pals I will assume that there are no objections. We will send a group picture when we send our letters.

Please remind your child it is his/her responsiblility to pick up when something is dropped. Many parents are surprised when I have told them that their child needs new crayons, color pencils, etc. No matter how many times Mrs Herrera or myself have said to put these items in pencil cases, many of the children don't do it, or they drop their crayons or pencils and don't pick them up and these items get lost. They are old enough to take care of their things. It is a good habit to establish now. This should carry over at home, also. Our goal is to teach the children to grow up to be responsible human beings. This is a good time to start.

I hope everyone stays dry. Have a good evening!!!

Homework: Math: Fact Practice 43; Homework 43B; Work with addition flashcards.
                   Spelling: Study words for test on Friday
                   Science: Bring in eight pictures of  LIVING things from newspapers or magazine. ( i.e. trees, flowers, animals, people, etc.)  This is due on THURSDAY


Pizza orders due this Friday, November 8th

Scholastic orders due this Friday, November 8th


Have a great evening!!!!

Homework: Math: Fact Practice 42B; Homework 42B; Practice addition flashcards
                   Spelling: Study words for test on Friday


Pizza Orders due Friday, November 8th.

Scholastic Book orders due Friday, November 8th


Have a wonderful evening!!!

Lunch orders due Monday, November 4th

Tomorrow is All Souls Day. Please remember those who have passed before us in your prayers.

Have a nice evening!!!

Homework: Look to see how many witches are flying in the sky How many ghosts are haunting the houses? How many werewolves are howling at the moon? How many Jack-o-Lanterns are dancing in the candlelight?


Happy Halloween!!! Have a boootiful evening.

Homework: Math: Fact Practice 41B; Homework 41B; Work with addition flashcards
                   Spelling: Study for test on Friday


Lunch orders due Monday, November 4th.

Tomorrow is Halloween. Remember: Costumes have to be classroom and bathroom friendly. Leave any accessories that could be lost at home. I will not be responsible for items that are lost.
If you are bringing treats,remember they are to be individually wrapped and there needs to be enough for everyone. YOU ARE UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO BRING A TREAT. Please---no cupcakes. Our room mom has taken care of that.

Friday is All Saints Day. It is a Holy Day of Obligation.

Enjoy the evening!!!

Homework: Math: Fact Homework 40; Work with addition flashcards
                   Spelling: Study words for test on Friday



Some ideas for practicing spelling words: Play hangman; Play a sort of Wheel of Fortune game where you supply some of the missing letters and your child fills in the rest and has to read and spell it for you. Make a set of alpabet cards out of paper squares and use them to make the word. (We do this in class with the letter cards that we have.) I'm sure you can come up with some creative ideas of  your own.

There was an error on the letter I sent home regarding our farm family. The letter stated that the children's letters were due Wednesday, November 11th. This should have read MONDAY, November 11th. I apologize for the error.

Please return parent/teacher conference time  requests by this Friday, November 1st

Lunch orders due this Monday, November 4th.

This Friday, November 1st  is the All Saints Day, It is a Holy Day of Obligation.

Have a great evening!!!

Homework: Math: Fact Homework 39; Homework 38B
                   Spelling: Study words for test on Friday


Halloween is this Thursday (as if you needed a reminder) The children may come in costume, but please remember this needs  to be a costume that is functional as far as school is concerned. Your child has to be able to sit in a chair, and use the bathroom easily. Please see last week' s letter from Ms. Wiley and myself regarding the costumes.This is a school day and the morning will consist of the usual school work.
Remember you are under NO OBLIGATION to bring treats, no matter what your child may tell you, but if you decide to do so please make sure treats are individually wrapped and there is one for everyone. We have 29 children in the class.

This Friday is All Saints Day. It is a Holy Day of Obligation. Catholics are required to attend mass. Please check your parish bulletin for mass times. There is also an all school mass at 8:30 for those who would like to attend.

If you did not hand in your time request for parent/teacher conferences, these are due Friday, Nov. 1st.

Have a great evening!!!
Also a reminder you are under no obligation to bring treats, but if you decide to, please

Homework: Bricks due on Monday. No late assignments accepted.

No school tomorrow.Enjoy your day.

Please return slips for parent/teacher conferences as soon as possible.

Have a great weekend. Remember to attend mass.

Homework: Math: Fact Practice 37 B; Homework 37 B: Work with flashcards
                    Spelling: Study for test


"Brick" are due Monday, October 28th (This is the combined Art/Spanish activity.) NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS ACCEPTED.

Just a note about the brown bear facts:  When an assignment like that is given, I want the children to look it up. You may help, but don't do it for them. THEY need to write the facts, be able to READ them and ANSWER QUESTIONS that are asked of them. Many of the children couldn't answer the questions I asked of them. This should be a learning experience for them.


A letter is going home in folders tomorrow regarding Halloween Please read it carefully and adhere to the guidelines. Thank you in advance.

Remember, no school this Friday. October 25h.

Tonight is Ricobene's night from 5:00-8:00 p.m.  If you pick up, dine in , or have it delivered, bring in your receipt for a dress down day tomorrow.

Have a great evening!!!

Homework: Math: Fact Homework 36; Homework 36 B
                   Spelling: Study for test on Thursday


"Bricks" are due October 28th. No late ones accepted. (This is the combined Art and Spanish assignment that was given out weeks ago.

Practice tying shoes. Many of the children still can't do this. I know this is a motor skill, but if  you don't practice you'll never learn.

No school this Friday, October,25th.

Enjoy your evening. Stay warm!!!

Homework: Math: Fact Homework 35; Homework 35 B; Practice flashcards
                   Spelling: Study for test on THURSDAY



We had a fire drill today. On the whole, we could have done a whole lot better. The children know the rules for fire drills and are expected to follow them. Please impress upon them the importance of following rules, all rules, but particularly fire drills. This is something that has to be taken very seriously. The rules are meant to keep your child safe. Thanks for your help.

Thanks to alll the parents who helped out at Scarecrow Fest. We really appreciated it, and the kids had a great time.

No school, Friday, October 25th, due to a teacher religious inservice.

Have a great evening!!!

If your child received a sheet about parent/teacher conferences, please fill it out and return it as soon as possible. There are a limited number of time slots for each hour and they will be filled on a first come basis.

Remember, there is no school Friday, October 25th due to a teachers' religious in-service.

Homework: Math: Fact Practice 34B; Homework 34B; Practice counting pennies; Work with flashcards
                             Spelling: Study words for test tomorrow
                             Religion: Practice SAYING and MAKING the Sign of the Cross
                             Science: Using books or the internet find three facts about the brown bear, write it down, and return to school on TUESDAY, October 22nd.     The facts must be facts. Telling me "I like brown bears." is not a fact. It may be a fact that your child likes brown bears may be a fact for your child, but it is not a fact about the bear itself.

Taffy Apple orders are due tomorrow.

Scarecrow Fest is tomorrow. If you did not order a hotdog lunch for your child, please send a lunch to school.

Our condolences to Fr. Joe and his family on the passing of his father. Please keep them in your prayers.

Have a great (and hopefully dry) evening!!!

Homework: Math: Fact Practice 32 B; Homework 32B; Work with flashcards--Addition sums to 10
                   Spelling: Study for test on Friday
                   Reading: Work with word list (As explained at the open house, this is nightly as well as the Math  flashcards)


Taffy Apple orders due this Friday, October, 18th.

Scarecrow Fest is this Friday. If you did not order a hotdog lunch, remember to send a lunch with your child.

Have a great evening!!!!

Homework: Math: Fact Practice 33B; Homework 33B; Work with flashcards
                   Spelling: Study for test on Friday
                   Religion: Family Life p. 28 questions 1,2,and 3


Friday is Scarecrow Fest. If you did not order a hotdog lunch for your child, be sure to send a lunch to school.

Taffy Apple orders due Friday, October 18th

Homework: Math: Fact Practice 31B; Homework 31B; work on addition flashcards and counting pennies
                   Spelling: Study words for test on Friday
                    Religion: Practice Saying and Making the Sign of the Cross

Taffy apple orders due Friday, October 18th

Have a nice evening!!!

Taffy Apple orders due October 18th

Knights of Columbus spaghetti dinner tomorrow. Take a break from cooking and let someone else do it for you.

Remember to attend mass over the weekend.

Enjoy the beautiful weather and the weekend.

Oops!!! I goofed.  Math homework is only fact practice 30B  Sorry....

Homework: Math: Fact Practice 30B; Homework 30B; Flashcards
                    Spelling: Study for test tomorrow

Scarecrow Fest money due tomorrow

Scholastic book orders due tomorrow

Taffy Apple orders due October 18th

Please return signed progress reports by Monday.

Have a great evening!!!

Homework: Religion ; Say and Make the Sign of the Cross; Family Life p.24
                   Math: Homework 29B; Practice with addition flashcards facts to 10
                   Spelling: Study for test on Friday


Scarecrow Fest money due Friday, October 11th

Taffy Apple orders due October 18th

Book orders due October 11th. Please make sure names are on the order.

Have a great evening!!!

Homework: Math: Homework 27B; Flashcards sums to 10
                   Spelling: Study words for test on Friday
                   Religion: Practice Saying and Making the Sign of the Cross; I will test them on this next week


Scarecrow Fest money due Friday, October 11th

Taffy Apple orders due Friday, October 18th

If you are ordering children's books from Scholastic, please be sure to put your child's name on the order form so that I will know who to give the books to when they come in. Thank you.

Enjoy your evening !!!