Elementary 4-6 Campus Newsletter
May 2011
“The purpose of life on earth is that the soul should grow -- so grow! By doing what is right."
-Zelda Fitzgerald, American novelist
NCEA ACRE Results
In February, all fifth grade students took the National Catholic Education Association’s Assessment of Catechesis/Religious Education (NCEA ACRE). This summary provided by the ACRE program reveals the strengths and weaknesses of the students’ comprehension of various religious and catechetical topics. The topics fall under four major divisions of Catechism: Part 1: Profession of Faith, Part 2: The Celebration of the Christian Mystery, Part 3: Life in Christ, and Part 4: Christian Prayer.
We are pleased to report that once again our students scored above the established national average in all categories. This is great news for our students, parents, teachers and parish priests.
Grandparent’s Mass
The 4-6 Campus will honor Grandparents on May 5th. We ask you to put this date on your calendar and invite grandparents to the 9AM Liturgy and reception. Last week we sent home the invitation for the students to give the grandparents. Please let us know if you need any additional copies. Students will return to their classrooms after the reception to finish the school day.
Iowa Tests of Basic Skills
The students will continue testing through May 6th. Please make sure your child gets plenty of rest. The students will need to bring a nutritious snack and #2 pencils. It would be great if outside appointments could be avoided during this week.
AR Picnic/Field Day
We are in the process of planning our AR Picnic and Field Day and need parent volunteers to assist with the day. We will be going to Panther Creek Park on June 1, from 9:00-1:00. If you could help us, please call the school office at 683-6989.
Summer Bridge Books for Summer
Research shows that on average children can lose 2.6 months of grade level skills over the summer. The Summer Bridge Books are teacher-created and are wonderful resources to use with your children to review and prepare for the next school year. These books sale for $14.95 each. If you would like to order one of these books for your child, please fill out the form and return to school by May 6th. The forms were sent home on Monday of this week. Go to TheTeachersAid.us and click on Summer Bridge Video for more information.
First Annual PTO Volunteer Appreciation Brunch
The OCES PTO and its officers would like to take an opportunity to thank all those individuals who take time out of their schedules to volunteer at our schools! You are the reason our PTO is so successful! You are the reason we are able to make our schools the best they can be! Come have brunch with us and allow us to say thanks for all you do! If you have volunteered in any way at school this year, please RSVP your attendance to brunch by returning the form to school. Forms went home with the students last week. The brunch will be Saturday, May 7, at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Hall at 10:30 AM.
Gasper River Camp Information
Please visit their website, www.gasperriverretreatcenter.org for additional information on each camp and for all the forms you will need to register. Grade indicates the class the camper will enter in the fall of 2011. Financial aid is available. Please contact their office at 270-781-2466 if you have additional questions.
Our closing Mass and sixth grade recognition ceremony will be held Thursday, June 2nd at 9:00 AM. Please join us to help celebrate our school year and say “farewell” to our sixth grade students.