Good afternoon, SMS Families,
Due to poor road conditions, SMS will be closed on Wednesday, January 8.
Have a good evening.
Conditions have gotten worse on the hill. SMS will be closed Tuesday, January 7.
I hope everyone enjoys their snow day!
Congratulations to SMS 3rd Grade student Elliana Black, winner of this year's Spelling Bee! Elliana will go on to compete in the Scripps Spelling Bee later in the year. Congratulations also to 6th Grade student Emma Wireman, who came in 2nd place and will compete in the Brown County Spelling Bee later in the year! Congratulations to all our finalists who competed!
We have an addition to this week's newsletter regarding students performing this weekend:
From Mrs. K: This Friday and Saturday, dulcimer students from St. Michael School will be performing as part of Ripley River Village Christmas. On Friday night at 5:30pm, dulcimer students will perform at the tree lighting at the Ripley Library. On Saturday night, another group of dulcimer students will perform at the Ripley River Village Community Concert at Centernary Methodist Church. The Saturday night program begins at 6:30pm. Both events are open to the public.
SMS will be running on a two hour delay tomorrow, Thursday, December 5.
St. Nicholas will be at St. Mary's in Arnheim following Benediction around 7:15 pm!
First Grade Thanksgiving Preparations:
in Mrs. Pedigo's First Graders have been working on memorization of an autumn themed poem: Autumn Fires by Robert Louis Stevenson. Memorization is an excellent way for children to identify the key components of rhyme and rhythm. Each child presented their oral recitation to all 24 First Graders and afterwards illustrated a placemat and wrote the first stanza of the poem. The laminated copy will be sent home.
The children also participated in the “Disguise a Turkey” challenge and we have included a group photo of our fabulously decorated turkeys. Thank you parents for your creative support! After presenting their disguised turkeys, students read The Great Turkey Race. The children worked in teams to make a turkey trap and learned so much team cooperation!
Lastly, the children rolled out a salt dough ornaments as a decoration for your Thanksgiving table. May you all have a blessed holiday season!
First Grade Biographers
Our students read a biography on Dr. Seuss this past week. In order to more thoroughly understand the “biography” genre each child was assigned to write a biography of a favorite person or celebrity. Each student had the opportunity to present a reading of their biography to the First Grade class. A ribbon of excellence will be sent home with our wonderful First Grade authors. Many thanks to the parents that worked alongside their child on this project!
In Mrs. Earhart's social studies classes, we have been exploring the topic of "The First Thanksgiving," focusing on the interactions between Native Americans and Pilgrims. Today, we concluded our lesson with a hands-on activity where students learned how to make butter! This engaging experience not only reinforced our learning but also connected us to the traditions of that historic event.
I was able to get around to some classes today to see some fun, hands-on, meaningful educational opportunities today!
I started in kindergarten where Mrs. Miller and Mrs. Craig were working with the children on a cross-curricular activity practicing patterns, while putting together necklaces made out of pasta, beads, straws, and string. These will be worn as part of the kindergarten's Thanksgiving celebration.
Next, I was invited to the preschool as Mrs.Bradley and Mrs. Betty helped our preschool friends gain a natural curiosity about science by demonstrating an exothermic reaction, which had everyone's attention.
Finally, I stopped in 2nd grade as Mrs. Teegarden and my 2nd grade friends finished up their Thanksgiving Trees, which they will be bringing home today. (Special thanks to Mrs. Craig for helping!) We stress the importance of gratitude at SMS, and this project was designed to be a fun and creative way to reflect on all the people and other things, for which we have to be thankful. A great way to prepare for Thanksgiving.
This is just a snapshot of all the great things happening every day at SMS!
I was able to get around to some classes today to see some fun, hands-on, meaningful educational opportunities today!
I started in kindergarten where Mrs. Miller and Mrs. Craig were working with the children on a cross-curricular activity practicing patterns, while putting together necklaces made out of pasta, beads, straws, and string. These will be worn as part of the kindergarten's Thanksgiving celebration.
Next, I was invited to the preschool as Mrs.Bradley and Mrs. Betty helped our preschool friends gain a natural curiosity about science by demonstrating an exothermic reaction, which had everyone's attention.
Finally, I stopped in 2nd grade as Mrs. Teegarden and my 2nd grade friends finished up their Thanksgiving Trees, which they will be bringing home today. (Special thanks to Mrs. Craig for helping!) We stress the importance of gratitude at SMS, and this project was designed to be a fun and creative way to reflect on all the people and other things, for which we have to be thankful. A great way to prepare for Thanksgiving.
This is just a snapshot of all the great things happening every day at SMS!
Newsletter for the Week of November 18-22, 2024
https://www.stmichaelripley.com/article/1878525
Huge thank you to the Hayswood Foundation, who awarded SMS with a $10,000 grant today to help pay for our greatly needed new roof project at the school! Thank you for your tireless generosity in our community!
All Saints Day and Fall Celebrations
This past week was extremely busy!Wednesday was a fun day as children dressed in their Halloween costumes. First Grade and Mrs. Moon’s Third Grade tied for the best decorated pumpkin-see the attached pictures.
It was certainly a busy week as Halloween was followed by an All Saints Day observation. Friday was a wonderful way to learn about the saints that have lived their lives for Christ. We had several children participating and we appreciate your help in dressing your children.
First grade also concluded reading story 8 “A Musical Day” by learning about various instruments, including the banjo. We have attached some of the photos from last week.
SMS Honors Our Veterans
Students Experience the Story of Fatima with Visit from Iconic Pilgrim Statue
Today, October 25, students at St. Michael’s had the unique opportunity to learn about the story of Fatima from a guest speaker and to witness the world-renowned International Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Fatima.
Sculpted by Portugal’s Jose Thedim, often called “the Michelangelo of Portugal,” the statue began its travels in 1947 after being blessed by the Bishop of Leiria-Fatima. In front of 200,000 pilgrims in Fatima, the bishop prayed for Mary’s presence to accompany the statue wherever it journeyed. Following its arrival in America, it was crowned in Ottawa and embarked on a two-year tour of North America. Since then, it has traveled to over 100 countries, spreading the message of Fatima’s blessings and urgent call for peace.
If you would like to help with the Halloween Party on October 25, here is the sign up.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094FADA929ABF9C16-52018508-smshalloween#/
Chess Club Signup Reminder - Please return signup sheets to Mr. Hyde prior to October 25th for this year's chess club. Also it is important to notate which day (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) is preferred and what the best alternate date. We do the best we can to fit everyone in where requested, but some days fill up quickly, so alternate days may have to be used.
A special thank you to SgtMaj Kokensparger, Mr. Hyde, and EMT Josh Malott for hosting a bushcraft event for our boys in 5-8th grade! Students learned about fire making, orienteering, geocaching, and basic first aid. We're lucky to have such a great staff and wonderful volunteers!
Tomorrow , pizza will be provided for our P-4 grade students by the Smith family! Students will not be charged for lunch. Thank you Smith family!
Also, girls in grades 5-8 should remember to pack their lunches for the field trip.
The 5-8 boys will have lunch provided.