Spring Clean-up

If the weather cooperates, the entire school will be "cleaning up" the school grounds on Friday, April 21.  The first graders will be in charge of picking up the trash and sticks on the west grounds and all around the house on the corner.  Your child may bring a pair of work gloves (not required!).    

Dates to Remember

Friday, April 26 - Annual Clean-up Day

(weather permitting/bring workgloves to pick up trash/sticks)

Friday, May 2 - Spirit Day

$1 to wear sweatpants

Thursday, May 8 - Lapathon

Wednesday, May 14 - 1st grade mass

(more info. to come)

Friday, May 16 - Spirit Day

$1 to wear sweatpants

Wednesday, May 21 - Spring Concert

6 p.m. at Creston High School

Friday, May 30 - Last day of school

(early dismissal)

 Spring Clean-up

The entire school will be "cleaning up" the school grounds on Friday, April 25.  The first graders will be in charge of picking up the trash and sticks on the west grounds and all around the house on the corner.  Your child may bring a pair of work gloves (not required!).  Of course, this all depends on the weather!! 

Dates to Remember

Friday, April 18 - Spirit Day

pay $1 to wear sweatpants

Sunday, April 20 - Happy Easter!

Monday, April 21 - No School

PD for teachers

Friday, April 26 - Annual Clean-up Day

(weather permitting/bring workgloves to pick up trash/sticks)

Holy Week

✝ Holy Week ✝

Next week is Holy Week.  On Thursday, April 17, the first graders are encouraged to wear a white shirt/t-shirt for a very special picture that will be taken at Holy Spirit Church.  The first graders will pair up with their Lenten angel and walk the "Cross Walk" (walking the steps that Jesus took).  Please complete and return the (green) permission form in today's take-home folder so your child can attend.  All of this depends on the weather, so please "stay tuned" for any changes to this schedule!!

Also, your child needs to bring a sack lunch on Thursday, April 17 (milk will be provided).  All students will participate in the Seder Meal followed by the eating of sack lunches at their tables.

Any questions or concerns, please call the office (782-7125).

Dates to Remember

Thursday, April 17 - Seder Meal and Cross Walk

REMEMBER TO BRING A SACK LUNCH!!!

(Milk will be provided.)

Friday, April 18 - Spirit Day

pay $1 to wear sweatpants

Sunday, April 20 - Happy Easter!

Monday, April 21 - No School

PD for teachers

Friday, April 25 - Annual Clean-up Day

(more info. to come/weather permitting)

 Animal Project  

It's animal project time in the first grade!  PLEASE look for the letter of explanation, choice board, and rubric in your child's take-home folder today.  If you have any questions, please call or email me.  

The due date for this project is Monday, April 14.

Dates to Remember

Friday, April 4 - Spirit Day

pay $1 to wear sweatpants

Thursday, April 17 - Seder Meal

Friday, April 18 - Spirit Day

pay $1 to wear sweatpants

Monday, April 21 - No School

PD for teachers

Friday, April 25 - Annual Clean-up Day

(more info. to come/weather permitting)

Des Moines Field Trip

Our entire school will be going on field trips during the week of March 31 in Des Moines.  We will be viewing art at The Des Moines Art Center and watching glass blowing at J.J. Gaffers.  Since a grant was written for the expense of the field trips, there will be no charge!

The Kindergarten and First Grade (along with the Preschool and PreKindergarten) will be going on Tuesday, April 1.  The plan is to arrive at the Art Center, tour the facility, eat lunch, and then go to the glass blower.

Please complete and sign the field trip permission form so your child can attend (Which most of you have already done!! Thank you!!).  We would like these forms back by Friday, March 28. 

Since we will be away from the school during lunchtime, all children need to bring a sack lunch with a drink (12 oz. or less/no carbonated beverages,please).  Also, your child may bring a fully charged electronic device to play on the bus (their responsibility!)  And, please have your child wear their class shirt (with the coral) or St. Malachy t-shirt.  That will make it so easy for us to stay together on this fun day!!

Dates to Remember

Tuesday, April 1 - Field Trip to Des Moines

Be sure to wear our class T-shirt!!

(For more information, see above.)

Friday, April 4 - Spirit Day

pay $1 to wear sweatpants

Friday, April 18 - Spirit Day

pay $1 to wear sweatpants

Monday, April 21 - No School

PD for teachers

 Lenten Activities

Your child is participating in special activities throughout the season of Lent. It is our hope that these activities deepen your child's understanding of this time of year.

• Your child made a Lenten promise that is posted in our classroom.  Encourage your child to keep their Lenten promise during this season of Lent. 
• Your child will work with their "Lenten partner" (Advent Angel) 4 times during Lent to complete some Lenten activities together. 
• There will be a Noisy Change collection on Wednesday, March 19 and 26  during mass.  Money donated will go to the Mark O'Riley Food Shelf.
• On Thursday, April 17, your child will be participating in a "Seder Meal" at school.  More information will be coming home about this event.  
• We will be going on a "Cross Walk" to Holy Spirit Church and then, pray the Stations of the Cross once we arrive at the church. This is happening on Thursday, April 17 (weather permitting). More information will be coming home about this event.
• On Friday, April 18, (Good Friday) the middle school will present a Reader's Theater in the gym.

Dates to Remember

Friday, March 21 - Spirit Day

pay $1 to wear sweatpants

Friday, April 4 - Spirit Day

pay $1 to wear sweatpants

Friday, April 18 - Spirit Day

pay $1 to wear sweatpants

Monday, April 21 - No School

PD for teachers

Conference week

Conference Week

There will be NO spelling next week.  Also, I will not be sending home the take-home folder with your child next week.  I will give you their papers/information at your conference in a special folder made by your first grader.  That way you do not need to worry about the folder during spring break.  

And no blog post from me because of conferences/spring break!!

Dates to Remember

Friday, February 28 

Spirit Day

pay $1 to wear sweatpants

Wednesday, March 5 

Ash Wednesday

All School mass (a few students from each grade will be planning/participating)

Monday, March 3 - Thursday, March 6 

Conferences

Thursday, March 6

No School

Friday, March 7 - Sunday, March 16

Spring Break

No School

Classes resume on Monday, March 17

Have a safe, relaxing Spring Break!!

School resumes on Monday, March 17 

😊Thank you to the first grade parents/guardians who have signed up for a conference time.  If you have not, please go to your JMC account and sign up for a time that works for you.

Dates to Remember

Friday, February 28 

Spirit Day

pay $1 to wear sweatpants

Wednesday, March 5 

Ash Wednesday

All School mass (a few students from each grade will be planning/participating)

Monday, March 3 - Thursday, March 6 

Conferences

Thursday, March 6

No School

Friday, March 7 - Sunday, March 16

Spring Break

No School

Classes resume on Monday, March 17

☃Well, we finally received snow!!  Please remember to send boots and proper winter gear so your child can enjoy their time in the snow.⛄

 Mass

Also, I am very sorry about mass this past Wednesday that the first graders were prepared for.  The class and I visited about the possibility of no school happening and that the mass would be canceled.  I told them that we can't control the weather and they all seemed to understand.  Thank you for your support ensuring that your child was ready for this mass.  We still have one more mass in May that the first graders will plan and participate in.  The weather just can't affect that one!!🙏

 Dates to Remember

Friday, February 14 

 Spirit Day (pay $1 to wear sweatpants)

Valentine Opening!!

Monday, February 17

  No School

Professional Development

Friday, February 28 

Spirit Day (pay $1 to wear sweatpants)

Social Studies/African Americans

Mass of Wednesday, Feb. 12

The first graders will be planning/reading/participating in next week's school mass.  I sent their parts in this week's take-home folder.  Please look for these parts in today's take-home folder and please practice at home.

Valentine Exchange

Your child may begin bringing their Valentines to school on Monday, February 10, and no later than Friday, February 14.  A small candy treat may be included.

Social Studies

Since this has been Black History month, the first graders have been learning about a lot of famous African Americans.  During this unit of study, your child will learn about:

•  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.                                                                                         
•  Phillis Wheatley
•  George Washington Carver                                                                                       
•  Daniel Hale Williams
•  Harriet Tubman                                                                                                          
•  Booker T. Washington
•  Jackie Robinson                                                                                                          
•  Effie Lee Newsome
•  Wilma Rudolph                                                                                                 
•  Mary McLeod Bethune

Ask your child what they remember about these famous people.  We made a large envelope to keep all of our papers in as we study these individuals.  Our plan is to be finished by conference time so you can take the envelope home.  We will also learn about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.

Dates to Remember

Wednesday, February 12

 1st grade plans/participates in the weekly liturgy

Friday, February 14 

 Spirit Day (pay $1 to wear sweatpants)

Valentine Exchange!

Monday, February 17

  No School

Professional Development

Friday, February 28 

Spirit Day (pay $1 to wear sweatpants)

Valentine exchange

Valentine Exchange

I sent a note about your child making a Valentine container at school.  Please remember to send a clean, dry 1 gallon plastic milk jug by Wednesday, February 5.  (If you can send more than 1, that would be great!)

On Friday, February 14, the first graders will exchange Valentines. I encourage the students to write their own Valentine messages. I have sent a list of the first graders in today's take-home folder.

Your child may begin bringing their Valentines to school on Monday, February 10, and no later than Friday, February 14.  A small candy treat may be included. Any questions, please contact me (Mrs. Levine).

Dates to Remember

Wednesday, February 12 - 1st grade plans/participates in the weekly liturgy

(more info. to come)

Friday, February 14 - Spirit Day (pay $1 to wear sweatpants)

Valentine Exchange!

Monday, February 17 - No School

Professional Development

Friday, February 28 - Spirit Day (pay $1 to wear sweatpants)

Catholic school's week schedule

Next week is Catholic School’s Week. 

 

Please read this information carefully to inform yourself of the many plans and activities.

(I am also sending a hard copy of these plans in your child's take-home folder today!!)

Sunday – Special Liturgy – There will be a special Catholic School’s Week liturgy at Holy Spirit Church at the 9 a.m. mass.  Students from the school will be participating.  

Monday – Faculty/Staff Appreciation Day – Students are to bring a sack lunch (milk will be provided) to eat with their Angel on this day.  Also, no refrigeration is available, so plan accordingly. Faculty/staff will enjoy a catered lunch. The dress theme for today is: Spirit Day (wear your St. Malachy gear/blue/yellow).  

Tuesday – School Appreciation Day – "Build a Snowman" with Angel partners. The dress theme for today is:  Polar Paradise/wear snowman/white clothing.  

Wednesday – Vocation/Community Appreciation Day –  Writing thank you letters to parents by students. Also, writing thank you postcards (with their Angel partners) to retired priests/nuns. The dress theme for today is: Disney Day.

Thursday – Student Appreciation Day – Field trip to go bowling at the Family Fun Center. Remember: green field trip permission form, $6, and "sticky socks". The dress theme for today is:  Dress in a decade (i.e.: the 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, any of your choosing).

Friday – Grandparents/Special Guest Day –  School will be dismissed at 1 p.m..  The grandparent/special guest will pick up the first grader at school and go to Holy Spirit Church for mass at 1:30 p.m..  The grandparent/special guest will be responsible for taking the first grader home after mass.  The dress theme for today is:  Dress up Day  (dress nicely for mass).

Post this letter in a convenient place at home so you will be able to participate in all of the special events during this very special week!

😀A BIG THANK YOU to all who have donated glue sticks to our classroom.  We now have plenty (I believe) to get us through the rest of the school year.😁

Take-Home Folder Items

Please look closely at your child's take-home folder.  There have been many informative papers about upcoming events (especially during Catholic School's Week).

• Special guest/grandparent's day mass
• Field trip to Fun Center
• $1 donation for auction basket (thank you to those who have already donated)

If you need another copy, please let me know.  Or call the office for information.

 Dates to Remember

Friday, January 24 - Spirit Day (pay $1 to wear sweatpants)

Sunday, January 26 - Saturday, February 1

Catholic School's Week

(more information to come!)

Newsletter Jan. 2025

Happy New Year 2025

I hope everyone had a relaxing, fun break!  Please note:  I sent an email to all for a much needed school supply for first grade.  WE NEED GLUE STICKS!!  (0.77 oz./22 g. size)  Here is a link to order from:

https://shorturl.at/8FHmz

Grandparent/Special Guest Mass

Catholic School’s Week is fast approaching.  One of the special days during that week is Grandparent/Special guest day.  It is currently scheduled for Friday, January 31 and will be at Holy Spirit Church.  Help your child invite an adult to join them at mass. It really is meaningful for all if your child has a special guest on that day.  And yes, we are expecting the grandparent/special guest to pick up your child from school for the mass and take the child home after the mass.  There will be a note for your child to return about who is coming on this special day in their take-home folder soon.

All School Auction Basket

The St. Malachy School Gala and Auction is Saturday, March 1.  This year, the entire school will be responsible for one basket to be auctioned off.  Miss Surma (5th grade teacher) is in charge of collecting the money and purchasing items for the basket.  She is asking for a donation of $1 from every student in the school by Friday, January 31.

Dates to Remember

Friday, January 10 - Spirit Day (pay $1 to wear sweatpants)

Wednesday, January 15 - PTO 6 p.m.

Friday, January 24 - Spirit Day (pay $1 to wear sweatpants)

Sunday, January 26 - Saturday, February 1

Catholic School's Week

(more information to come!)