We are thankful for our buddies! This week, the eighth grade students spent time with their buddies from Ms. O'Donnell's PreK class. First, they made thankful turkeys. The eighth graders helped with the writing, but the PreK students assembled the turkeys! Next, they gathered on the rug for stories before heading outside to enjoy the unseasonably warm November weather.
The seventh grade students took to their soapboxes in a debate over how the United States should handle the Syrian refugee crisis. Both sides conducted extensive research and displayed exemplary teamwork skills in the preparation leading up to the debate. Keep an eye out for these future lawmakers in Congress... or the White House!
Whether you are a Chicago native or a recent transplant to the city, you have to admit that Chicago is a city made up of distinct neighborhoods. The eighth grade students selected and investigated a neighborhood, charting patterns of gentrification and decline. They used their mad math skills (i.e. equations, percents, and proportions) to analyze data, specifically population trends and socioeconomic changes.
In a rather timely assessment, the seventh grade class wrote their own immigration policies for the United States. After delving into their family history and reviewing the experiences of various immigration groups studied in class, they synthesized this material into their dream for the future. We'd be proud to vote for any of the seventh grade students based on their innovative and thoughtful policies!
The Christmas Pageant is fast approaching and the middle school students have been working very hard designing sets and costumes, as well as learning all the songs! This year, the Pageant is "Once Upon a Christmas Light". Think: American Idol for STARS! The prize is the honor of leading the way to the manger to see the holy family on Christmas Day! This year, the Pageant is Sunday, December 18th at 1:30 P.M. in St. Matthias Church. For all middle school students, this is a mandatory event. It fulfills part of the performing arts requirement for the IB Middle Year Programme. Permission slips for attendance will be sent home early next week.
On Wednesday, the junior high students, several parents, and seven MYP teachers journeyed out to Libertyville for our third trip to Feed My Starving Children. After laughing at the sight of themselves (and their teachers!) in hairnets, the kids got down to business and packed nutrient-rich meals for people in Haiti who are recovering from the effects of Hurricane Matthew. In all, we packed 130 boxes* (28,080 meals) and provided food for 77 children for an entire year!
*26 of those boxes were packed by Tha Winnerz, Team Takis, and Ms. Denten... Not that it's a competition, but...
-Come cheer on our SMS Mustangs to victory this weekend games:
8th grade boys - Friday 6:15 PM and 7:15 PM @ Amundsen
6th grade boys - Saturday 9:00 AM @ SMS
6th grade girls - Saturday 12:00 PM @ SMS
-Report cards are sent home on Monday (11/21). Please sign and return the envelope by Wednesday (11/30).
-Drop off junior high students at the main campus on Tuesday (11/22) for Mass
-There is no school on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday due to the Thanksgiving holiday
Gobble Gobble!
Ms. Denten & Ms. Scheiber