PAWS for Reading Top Three (as of 12.02.12):

1. Lathan H.
2. Brandon B.
3. D’Andre B.

There are two weeks left in the PAWS contest! Who will our top reader be?
Find out when the program ends on December 14, 2012!

Homework for week of December 3, 2012:

Monday, 3rd:

• SuperKids #42
• Math pg. 27
• Spelling, words 1-5, 4x each and write one sentence with one word
• Keep logging in your minutes on scholastic.com/paws
• Dress down day tomorrow - bring in $1

Tuesday, 4th:

• SuperKids #43
• Math pg. 28
• Spelling, words 6-10, 4x each and write one sentence with one word
• Keep logging in your minutes on scholastic.com/paws

Wednesday, 5th:

• SuperKids #45
• Math pg. 29
• Spelling, Challenge words, 4x each and write one sentence with one word
• Keep logging in your minutes on scholastic.com/paws
• Dress down day tomorrow - bring in $1

Thursday, 6th:

• SuperKids #46
• Math pg. 30
• Write three sentences with any three words
• Keep logging in your minutes on scholastic.com/paws

Please note: Friday is a half day — children will be dismissed at 11:45 am.

Dear Parents,

I hope everyone has had an enjoyable Thanksgiving weekend! It’s time to start bundling up, because cold temperatures and winter are just around the corner. December is going to fly by!

Here are some reminders for the week:

• Tuesday and Friday are both dress down days. Jeans and sneakers are fine on dress down days. Your child must bring in $1.00 if they dress down, though. This is not optional, and sending your child in without the dollar causes unnecessary work for the main office.
• Thursday is the last day to turn in candy sale money. Please send this in with your child, or drop the money off at the main office. Thanks for all your great efforts in this fundraiser!

Going forward: If you want to meet with me for any reason, please let me know in writing, along with times/dates that you are available. I am always willing to meet with you, because we have the same goals for your child (a great education, a safe space for them to learn, etc.), but it is hard to keep track of issues/concerns/parent meetings when I am approached in the morning or afternoon when my top priority is to supervise the children. I understand that parents have concerns, and I am sensitive to these concerns, but if I am to properly address them, I ask that you set up an official meeting with me. I appreciate your cooperation with this.

Sincerely,
Ms. Lobelle

Homework for the week of November 25, 2012:

Students should still be logging in their minutes on scholastic.com/paws! There are still three students who have not logged in minutes online, and this will be reflected in the homework grade for this trimester. Please let me know if there is a reason that this was unable to be done online.

PAWS FOR READING UPDATE: As of right now, Lathan is our “top dog” as he has logged in a whopping 1,036 minutes on the Dog team. Gabrielle is leading the Cat team, with 615 minutes logged in. Since there are so few teammates on the Cat team, prizes will be awarded to the top two readers in our class! Please keep logging in those minutes! Over 300 books have been donated thus far, all because of your reading efforts!

Monday:

• Spelling words #1 - #5, 4x each, and write one sentence for one word
• Math pg. 23
• Collect TEN pictures EACH of living and non-living things (from magazines, newspapers, etc.) These will be due on Friday. Send them in Ziploc bags or envelopes, please!
• Math quiz on Friday on addition

Tuesday:

• Spelling words, #6 - #10, 4x each, and write one sentence for one word
• SuperKids Page #40 (requires scissors and glue)
• Math pg. 24
• Living/Non-Living Things Science worksheet
• Collect pictures of living and non-living things (from magazines, newspapers, etc.) These will be due on Friday. Send them in Ziploc bags or envelopes, please!
• Math quiz on Friday

Wednesday:

• Spelling words, Challenge words, 4x each, and write one sentence for one word
• Math pg. 25
• Living/Non-Living Things Science worksheet
• Collect pictures of living and non-living things (from magazines, newspapers, etc.) These will be due on Friday. Send them in Ziploc bags or envelopes, please!
• Math quiz on Friday

Thursday:

• SuperKids #71
• Math pg. 26
• Write any three sentences for any three spelling words
• Pictures of living/non-living things due tomorrow - no exceptions
• Math quiz tomorrow

 

Our own Lathan Hudson will be appearing in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade tomorrow! He will be on the Gibson Guitar float with Jimmy Fallon and The Roots!

Dear Parents,

It has been quite the hectic month. A hurricane and a nor’easter certainly provided quite the deviation from normalcy! However, these provided teachable moments, and hopefully children have seen the positive of people coming together in times of tragedy.

On Friday, the 16th, our class celebrated Diwali. We read about Diwali, and learned about when and why it is celebrated around the world, most especially in India. We talked about the traditions associated with it, and how they tie into many other holidays celebrated around the world. Children enjoyed sweets (mithai) that are eaten during Diwali. We listened to music typically heard during Diwali, and students got to see various diyas (candles lit during Diwali). Thanks to the Persaud family (Nicole), for providing the CD and diyas! Ask your child what they learned about Diwali!

On Monday, the 19th, we will have our annual Thanksgiving luncheon. Children are encouraged to dress up for the occasion. Please remember: Jeans and/or sneakers are NOT dress up attire! You should be dressing up from the uniform!

Children will be allowed to dress down on Tuesday for $1. Dress down is more casual attire. This is when jeans and sneakers are acceptable.

Wednesday is a half day, and there will be no after school program on this day. Please be mindful of this fact, and pick up your child promptly at 11:45 am.

For all those who ordered Scholastic books, the order has shipped! Your child will be sent home with their books as soon as I receive them!

In closing, I wish all of you a blessed Thanksgiving, and hope that you have time to reflect on all that you are thankful for. I am thankful to be a part of OLCA, and I’m even more thankful that I can teach each and every one of your children. Coming to OLCA and hearing the dull roar of children’s laughter and chatter throughout the building is one thing that truly puts a smile on my face every day.

Homework for the week of November 18, 2012:

Monday:

• SuperKids #35 and #37
• Math pg. 22
• No Spelling Challenge this week
• Dress down tomorrow for $1.00

Tuesday:

• SuperKids #39
• Half day tomorrow - no afterschool

Wednesday:

No homework for the long weekend - enjoy your Thanksgiving!

Note to Parents: Orders for Scholastic Books for the month of November have been ordered. Thanks for fostering your child’s love for reading in this way!

Homework for week of November 13, 2012:

Tuesday:

• Math test that was previously scheduled (and postponed due to the hurricane and snowstorm) will be administered today (Chapter 1)
• SuperKids #32
• Spelling words #1 - #5, 4x each, and one sentence
• Math pg. 19
• SuperKids Progress Test on Friday on Units 1 & 2 (workbook will be completed by Wednesday to be sent home)
• Math quiz on Thursday on lessons 1 - 7 (addition sentences, sums through 12)

Wednesday:

• Math pg. 20 and 21
• Spelling words, #6 - #10, 4x each, and one sentence
• SuperKids Progress Test on Friday
• Math quiz tomorrow

Thursday:

• SuperKids Progress Test tomorrow
• Math quiz today on Lessons 1-7
• Spelling words, write three sentences with any three words, and write the challenge words 4x each

Dearest Parents & Guardians,

I was so glad to see so many students back in school today! Today, as part of our transition back into school routines, we discussed the hurricane at length. Most importantly, we sorted out all the conflicting emotions that come with a natural disaster. The children were very aware of the hurricane’s effect on our community, and displayed an impressive amount of maturity in the face of something that is very frightening, even for adults. It is my hope that they will see school as a safe place for them to come to, despite the chaos ensuing around us. Things will return to normal before long!

Regarding their work for this week, their spelling words were hand written in their notebooks today — homework will be as it always is, however. All other homework is posted here on the website. The Spelling Challenge will take place on Friday morning. They will also have the second part to their Chapter 1 math test this coming Thursday.

Lunch orders for this week are due back immediately — tomorrow, the 6th — so that orders can be placed quickly by the diligent office staff. All forms are in your child’s folder, so please fill them out and return them with payment. If you ordered any lunch for last week, that will be honored this week.

The gym uniform may be worn for the rest of the week. However, in honor of Election Day, children are allowed to dress up in patriotic colors tomorrow - red, white and/or blue! They can also dress down on Thursday for $1.00. Please make sure to refer to all dress up/dress down specifications in the handbook.

As you might have read in Mr. Coyne’s letter this evening, the boiler at 128th Street is being repaired. It is hoped that it will be up and running tomorrow, as the temperatures have dipped dramatically. However, if you would like to err on the side of caution, feel free to send your child in with any extra layers that you deem appropriate. Their comfort is our main concern.

Halloween will go on as planned and festivities will take place on Friday, the 9th. Treats of any kind are still welcome, because there does not need to be an excuse to eat candy, cake and/or cupcakes!

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask! My thoughts and prayers continue to be with all of you, as we all struggle together in varying degrees of hardship after the hurricane.

Sincerely,
Ms. Doreen Lobelle

Note: If you are a 5th grader at Rockaway Boulevard who signed up for my PDHP group, meetings are postponed until further notice!

Homework for the week of November 5, 2012:

Monday, the 5th:

• Log in minutes on Scholastic.com/paws (we have donated over 100 books thus far!)
• SuperKids Page #27
• Math workbook pg. 15
• Spelling Challenge words #1 - #5, 4 times each, and write one sentence with any of those words

Tuesday, the 6th:

• Log in minutes on Scholastic.com/paws
• SuperKids Page #28
• Math workbook pg. 16
• Spelling words #6 - #10, 4 times each, and write one sentence

Wednesday, the 7th:

• Log in minutes on Scholastic.com/paws
• SuperKids Page #30
• Math workbook pg. 17
• Spelling words - challenge words - 4 times each and one sentence

Thursday, the 8th:

• Log in minutes on Scholastic.com/paws
• SuperKids Page #31
• Math workbook pg. 18
• Write three sentences with any three spelling words of your choice — spelling challenge is tomorrow!

Halloween information — festivities will be rescheduled to Friday, the 9th: Children will receive a small treat bag from me! However, parents are more than welcome to send in treats for Halloween, and these can be sent in starting on Monday. Candy, healthy snacks, baked goods, juice, etc. are all more than welcome, as we will have a little Halloween party in our classroom before heading downstairs for the day’s activities. Costumes are highly encouraged, but please — no masks, no weapons, and nothing too scary! First graders should bring a trick-or-treat bag to school. They typically visit the junior high classrooms to get a few treats! One last thing — please send in $1 and the permission slip if you would like your child to walk through the haunted house. If you would prefer them not to walk through, you may decline on that same permission slip.

Scholastic Book Order Note: The deadline for Scholastic books has been moved a bit earlier, to Friday, November 9th. Monday, the 12th, is a holiday, so we will not be in school. In hopes that books can be received by Thanksgiving, I am changing the due date to the 9th. Remember, you can order online — it’s quick and easy! Checks can be made payable to Doreen Lobelle, or you can also send in cash. You can also choose books from any flyer on the Scholastic website.

Scholastic Paws For Reading Update: 109 books have been donated to children in need thus far, just because you, the students, have been reading so much! The dog team is currently in the lead, but more than half the class signed up for the dog team, so the results are skewed! Thanks to all students who are consistently logging in their reading minutes! We will keep doing this for a while, as it is for a very good cause!

Reminders:

We will attend Mass at 10 am on Tuesday. Please make sure children are in full, proper uniform. We will be going to church right next door! Parents are always welcome to join us!

Children will be allowed to dress up for free on Wednesday, the 24th, for our first ever United Nations Assembly at 128th Street. This is a wonderful event and parents are encouraged to attend!

Homework for week of October 22, 2012:

Monday:

• SuperKids Page #25
• Math workbook pg. 12
• Math quiz on Wednesday (Lessons 12-15), exam on Friday (Chapter 1)
• Scholastic reading log
• Spelling words #1 - #5, 4 times each, and write one sentence
• Religion test tomorrow on Chapter 1

Tuesday: MASS TODAY AT 10 AM

• Math workbook pg. 13
• Math quiz on Wednesday (Lessons 12-15), exam on Friday (Chapter 1)
• Scholastic reading log
• Spelling words #6 - #10, 4 times each, and write one sentence

Wednesday:UNITED NATIONS ASSEMBLY TODAY AT 1:00 PM

• Math quiz today
• Math workbook pg. 14
• Scholastic reading log
• Challenge words, 4 times each, and write one sentence

Thursday:

• SuperKids Page #26
• Math exam tomorrow on Chapter 1
• Write three sentences with any three spelling words
• Scholastic reading log

IMPORTANT:

• All refunds for the canceled trip have been sent home in your child’s folder. Please be sure to check for this!
• Many very important forms and notices were sent home in your child’s folder today. Please make sure to check your child’s folder ASAP as it is all time sensitive information.
• Mass next Tuesday at 10 am; UN Assembly next Wednesday at 1 pm

Reminders & Updates:

• Our trip to Green Meadows Farm is this Friday, the 19th! We will be joining the first graders from OLCA Rockaway Boulevard, so this should be a fun time for the children to meet each other, all while picking pumpkins and seeing the farm animals. The weather looks to be about 65 degrees at the moment, with a very slight chance of rain showers. Thanks to all those who have sent in permission slips thus far, and thanks to those who have signed up to be chaperones. Please send in the form/trip fee ASAP, preferably by the day before the trip, so we have an accurate count for the bus. Also, if children do not attend the trip, they are expected to attend school. If they are absent, it will be considered an illegal absence.

• Keep selling that candy! Some children have already purchased additional boxes! It’s a great way to raise money — and the prizes for top sellers are fantastic!

• If you still have not turned in the form for United Nations Day, please do so tomorrow! The $5 donation is not mandatory, but is certainly appreciated! We want everyone included in this very special event at OLCA!
• Permission slips are being sent home today for a field trip on Friday, October 19. We will be going to Green Meadows Farm to pick pumpkins, go on a hayride, and visit the petting farm. Chaperones are welcome, as long as they are Virtus trained! The trip fee is $8 per student and chaperone. Send in the money and slip ASAP, so that we have a fairly accurate idea of how many students and adults will be attending.
• Progress reports are going home next week. This will give you an idea of how your child is doing thus far.
• We will be making our reading log minutes more exciting this month — more information to come!

Homework for week of October 8-12, 2012:

Tuesday:

1. Reading log (in folder) – at least 15 minutes of reading, initial this every night and return to school on Friday
2. Math worksheet (in folder)
3. Spelling words #1 – #5 – write these words four times each in the spelling notebook
4. Write one complete sentence using one of the first five words

Wednesday:

1. Reading log – at least 15 minutes of reading
2. Math worksheet
3. Spelling words #6 – #10 – write these words four times each in notebook
4. Write one complete sentence using one of the last five words
5. Wear gym uniform today

Thursday:

1. Reading log – at least 15 minutes of reading
2. Math worksheet
3. Spelling words – Challenge words #1, #2, #3 – write these words four times each in notebook
4. Write one complete sentence using one of the challenge words

Friday:

1. Spelling Challenge today
2. Full day of school today

 

Quick Notes for 10/05/12:

• The candy sale has begun! Children were sent home with boxes of chocolate today. If they did not receive all three, you may pick up all remaining boxes from the main office.
• If your child did not bring in a form indicating candy preference, you will receive three boxes at random tomorrow.
• Forms for the UN Assembly must be turned in by Friday, October 12. Turning in this form ensures that all countries in the backgrounds of every student, teacher, and staff member are represented in our school!

Dear Parents,

We’re in a new month — how quickly time has flown already! Wall of Fame began today for the month of October, and children are beginning to understand the importance of preparedness, patience, and perseverance. In even more exciting news, they are now receiving the following special classes:

• Music with Mr. K
• Spanish/Art with Ms. Zamora
• Technology with Mr. Tracy
• Gym with Mr. B (Coach)

At the same time, they are getting reacquainted with the SuperKids! Every day, we reunite with another SuperKid, all while reviewing crucial skills learned in kindergarten. It has been an absolute joy to see how much they love the SuperKids. They even still remember the words to all the songs!

As you might have seen in your child’s folder, Wednesday, the 3rd, has been designated as a free dress down day. Please be sure to read over the dress down day expectations. The children still have gym on Wednesday, so sneakers are highly recommended!

The candy sale is expected to begin on Friday, the 5th, which is a half day. All information will be sent home regarding this, and all other school events, including OLCA’s Halloween plans and costume restrictions. As soon as I know any details, they will get passed on to you, the parents!

Don’t forget — school will be closed on Monday, October 8th, in observance of the day that Columbus set foot in the Americas (October 12, 1492)!

 

Thanks for your continued support!

Sincerely,
Ms. Doreen Lobelle

Homework for week of October 1-5, 2012:

Monday:

1. Reading log (in folder) – at least 15 minutes of reading, initial this every night and return to school on Friday
2. Math worksheet (in folder)
3. Spelling words #1 – #5 – write these words four times each in the spelling notebook
4. Write one complete sentence using one of the first five words

Tuesday:

1. Reading log – at least 15 minutes of reading
2. Math worksheet
3. Spelling words #6 – #10 – write these words four times each in notebook
4. Write one complete sentence using one of the last five words

Wednesday:

1. Reading log – at least 15 minutes of reading
2. Math worksheet
3. Spelling words – Challenge words #1, #2, #3 – write these words four times each in notebook
4. Write one complete sentence using one of the challenge words

Thursday:

1. Reading log – at least 15 minutes of reading – completed log due back tomorrow
2. Spelling words – write three sentences with any three words that you have not used for sentences thus far
3. Math worksheet
4. Math quiz today (this will cover basic counting skills from zero to twelve)

Friday:

1. Candy sale begins today
2. Spelling Challenge today
3. Half day dismissal

 

Note: Scholastic orders were placed this afternoon. Thanks to all the parents who ordered! Your books should be on their way shortly!

Homework for the week of 9/24/12 is below — but first, a few reminders/notices for everyone!

• All homework should be signed by a parent or guardian.
• Please check your child’s folder and red journal every single day. They write their homework in their journal and are therefore responsible for completing all homework. This includes worksheets that are put into their folders.
• Spelling notebooks and red journals must be returned to school every day.
• Please send your children in with at least two sharpened pencils (perhaps four or five?), as well as some erasers. Too many students are having to get up during instructional time to sharpen their pencils.
• Starting in October, each classroom teacher will compile a list of students for the Wall of Fame, which is celebrated every month. Preparedness is the number one reason (especially in first grade!) for missing out on this monthly honor! This is their month to learn the basics of being prepared for class!

Thanks again for being so wonderful these past few weeks! The children are adjusting well to first grade!

Sincerely,
Ms. Doreen Lobelle
dlobelle@olcacademy.net

Monday:

1. Reading log (in folder) – at least 15 minutes of reading, initial this every night and return to school on Friday
2. Math worksheet (in folder)
3. Spelling words #1 – #5 – write these words four times each in the spelling notebook

Tuesday:

1. Reading log – at least 15 minutes of reading
2. Math worksheet
3. Spelling words #6 – #10 – write these words four times each in notebook

Wednesday:

1. Reading log – at least 15 minutes of reading
2. Math worksheet
3. Spelling words – Challenge words #1, #2, #3 – write these words four times each in notebook

Thursday:

1. Reading log – at least 15 minutes of reading – completed log due back tomorrow
2. Spelling words – write three sentences with any three words
3. Math worksheet
4. Full uniform for Mass at 10am
5. Book orders due this morning

Friday is a half day — 11:45 am dismissal! No homework for the weekend.

Dear Parents,

I can now be reached in the digital world at dlobelle@olcacademy.net. Please allow 24 hours for a response. Rest assured you can also speak to me in person at the school, or can call the main office and leave me a message. Just another way that parents and teachers can stay in touch!

Enjoy your weekend!
Ms. Lobelle
A few reminders, 9/19/12:

• Children should have at least two sharpened pencils every day for class. This preparedness saves time for everyone in the classroom! Thanks in advance for your help with this!
• The OLCA blue folder, red journal, and green spelling book all go home and come back to school every day. The children write their homework assignments in their red journal. Any worksheets will be placed in their folders, in the Return to School portion. Their spelling homework can be done in their spelling notebooks for now.
• I have sent home three Scholastic book order forms for you to browse and order from — See Saw for September and October, as well as Club Leo, Scholastic’s Spanish language book club. We have an online class code as well, should you decide to order that way. It is LFTH7. When you order online, you get a free book pick, and our classroom gets a coupon that will go towards new library books for the classroom! All orders are due on Friday, September 28!
• Friday is a half day dismissal. After school will be available for those who need it!
• All lunch order money must be sent in on the Friday before the week you are ordering for. In other words, next week’s lunch order must be turned in this Friday, the 21st, as the office orders lunch every Friday. They are unable to place additional orders after the Friday cut-off date.
• Special classes have officially begun! Our schedule is as follows: Spanish/Art every other Monday, Technology on Tuesday, and Gym on Wednesday. Children should wear their gym uniform on Gym days only, with sneakers that are safely secured onto their feet!

Thank you!
Ms. Lobelle

Homework for the week of 9/17/12:

Children will need to know the OLCA Mission Statement, as this is recited after the prayers and pledge every morning. We have been practicing this since the first week of school. Please continue to practice this with your child this week, as I will have them recite the entire mission statement to me on Friday.They will receive a copy of the mission statement in school on Monday, as well as their reading logs and spelling words for the week.

Mission Statement

As did Our Lady in whose name we are founded,
the mission of Our Lady’s Catholic Academy is to
magnify, radiate, and educate
an inseparable love for God, each other, and learning
with our distinctive, diverse, urban community.

Monday:

1. Reading log – 15 minutes of reading
2. Math worksheet
3. Spelling words #1 – #5 – write these words four times each in your spelling notebook
4. Practice the OLCA Mission Statement

Tuesday:

1. Reading log – 15 minutes of reading
2. Math worksheet
3. Spelling words #6 – #10 – write these words four times each in your spelling notebook
4. Practice the OLCA Mission Statement

Wednesday:

1. Reading log – 15 minutes of reading
2. Math worksheet
3. Spelling words – Challenge words #1, #2, #3 – write these words four times each in your spelling notebook
4. Practice the OLCA Mission Statement

Thursday:

1. Reading log – 15 minutes of reading
2. Spelling words – write three sentences with any three spelling words
3. Practice the OLCA Mission Statement

Friday:

Today is a half day – no homework for the weekend! Please remember:

1. Reading log due
2. Spelling notebooks due back at school
3. Spelling Challenge is today!
4. Mission Statement test is today!

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Happy weekend! A few important notes:

• The blue Parent-Teacher Communicator folder must be returned to school EVERY single day of the week. This folder serves as the primary way of getting paperwork to each other. Anything and everything (absence notes, general letters, main office paperwork, lunch money, etc.) goes into this folder. Children will also bring their red journals home every day, as this is where they write their homework assignments. This needs to be brought back and forth every day. Children should have at least two sharpened pencils as well.

• Please send in your child’s emergency card as soon as possible! There are still a few missing for our class. For those who have turned in their card in already, thank you. I am also waiting on some parents/guardians to send in the tear-off signature form from the OLCA Family Handbook. Keep the handbook at home — just simply tear off the signature form at the end of each handbook and send that to me in the blue folder.

• Gym class will be held on Wednesdays. This is the ONLY day that children are allowed to wear the gym uniform. Gym uniforms are not allowed on half days. Special classes (Spanish/Art/Technology) are expected to begin the week of September 17th. The children are excited!

• Please make sure to send your child in with a snack every day. It should be a small snack that holds them over until lunch time.

Thank you!

Dear Parents,

It was wonderful meeting so many of you on Thursday during our Back to School Night! If you were unable to attend, I have sent the Back to School Night newsletter home in your child’s folder. If you have any questions or concerns about what you have read, please let me know. Otherwise, I am looking forward to a successful and smooth year at Our Lady’s Catholic Academy.

Warmly,
Ms. Doreen Lobelle