End of the School Year Wrap-Up

Totally forgot to update the end of the girl's school year!  We had so many things going on in May, it's all really a blur.  It'll be a miracle if I remember to recap everything!

Rachel had many field trips and fun activities planned for the end of the school year.  They went to the Police Station, Fire Station and Mill Pond fishing with their 6th grade buddies.  They also celebrated their 6th grade buddies with a 6th grade graduation mass and reception (which I was head of but don't remember signing up for :))  It all went off without a hitch and alot of fun was had.  I was able to chaperon the Police Station and Fire Station trips and remembered my camera only for the Fire Station.  My friend, JoAnna, took pictures of the Police Station but I haven't gotten them yet.  Brian helped with the fishing, which all Dad's should do!  The kids also celebrated their love, Miss Eichler's, golden birthday.  (25 yrs young)  Kindergarten definitely had it's ups and downs, mostly ups, with only 9 kids you'd have thunk it would've been a breeze.  BUT....lots of different personalities bring out lots of different situations. :)  Rachel thoroughly enjoyed Kindergarten and was sad to leave Miss Eichler.  At least she'll see her in the halls next year!  Rachel was the only kindergarten with perfect attendance for the year.  She and only 3 other students school wide received recognition at awards day.  She was pretty proud!  So was Brian! (he also never missed a day of school)  Another exciting award Rachel received was the National Presidential Fitness Award.  She again was the only Kindergartner to receive this award.  

Perfect Attendance Ladies (Nicole, Abby, Rachel & Ellie)

Presidential Fitness Awards (Caitlin & Rachel with  the Blue Patch & Emily with the Red)

Some of the Kindergarten Class

Rachel's FAVORITE teacher, Miss Eichler!  (I loved her too)

Emily had an interesting 3rd grade year.  Let's just say this...both her and I are happy it's over!  Lots of stress, anxiety, organization, structure, discipline, homework, etc.  This is the transition year and it's down to business and not alot of playtime.  She learned alot: multiplying, dividing, writing reports, presenting reports, researching, states and capitals, presidents, and last but not least, writing in cursive!  She has a big class (19 in all) and the boys were definitely being boys.  There was some inappropriate behavior that I wasn't quite expecting from 8-9yr olds.  Topics I wasn't wishing to discuss just yet, but was basically forced into sitting down and having "the talk".  :-)  She received the Red Patch in Physical Fitness but knows she could've gotten the Blue if she'd had at least tried to run the mile.  She now knows she should have.  A learning moment for sure.  She also received Top Reader award in her class and did very well on her AR tests.  We are very proud of her as we know it was a difficult year.

Mrs. Lynch & Emily

Emily rocking the hurdles!

Emily at Field Day

The 3rd Grade goofs

Caitlin had a fabulous 5th grade year.  Every year she says, "this is the best year of my life!"  Gotta like a kid who likes school and can roll with the punches.  It's strange to think she has one more year at JI and then off to the high school.  She's growing up WAY too quickly!  She also had some fun field trips this year.  The State Capital, History Fest and Science Museum.  She took it all in and loved every moment!  In 5th grade they also Adopt-A-Grand Parent at one of the nursing homes here in town and monthly they go visit and play games with their grand parent.  Caitlin's grandparent is named Karl.  I think this is great for the kids to have a connection to the older generation and the older folks loved seeing and hearing the energy arrive at the door!  Caitlin LOVED her teacher, Mr. Reuter.  She loved how he made everything fun even while they learned.  He's alot like Brian so maybe that's why we all loved him!  He also has 4 kids!  Caitlin received the National Presidential award and got on Mr. Reuter's 100pt club for reading.  Good incentive for the kids to push themselves to reading alot or reading more challenging (larger) books.  She enjoys any challenge whether its physical or mental.  She is very prize driven!  We teased her when we got her report card-all A's, every quarter.  How boring!! :)  We are very proud of her!

Caitlin and Ken drag racing with cinder blocks!

The 5th Grade Class

Mr. Reuter

 Field Day Pic's

Natalie trying out the Long Jump

Mrs. Lager giving out strict instructions before the wild water balloon fight!

Mass chaos during the water balloon fight.  We love Mrs. Lager too-she totally gets into it and lets the kids drench her!

The winning Field Day team-Team Red (caitlin, prize driven, was very excited to be the winner)

So Special and only at a parochial school
The staff giving the kids a final blessing before
sending them off.  It usually makes us all tear up.

This special lady, our Principal, Sr. Therese
She retired after 50 years of being in education
She was Brian's principal in Wabasso when he
was Emily's age.  How ironic!  She will be missed!