A note from 6th grade reading teacher, Mrs. Skold:

Many of you ask me for reading recommendations for your children.  I thought it might be helpful to get you a few titles before Christmas.  You might need stocking stuffers or you might just like to encourage some extra reading over the Holidays!   

This is, by no means, an exhaustive list.  I have included some new titles as well as some classics that you may not have considered before.  Obviously, your child's interest, ability, and maturity level should be considered when you are selecting books, but these are a few titles that I feel are worthwhile reads for young adults.

New Fiction
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
After Tupac & D Foster by Jacqueline Woodson
Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis
Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma by Trenton Lee Stewart
Flush by Carl Hiaasen
The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days by Jeff Kinney
Million-Dollar Throw by Mike Lupica

New Non-fiction
Dare To Dream!: 25 Extraordinary Lives by Sandra McLeod Humphrey
Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Phillip Hoose and Channie Waites

Classics
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne
The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien
Betsy and the Great World/Betsy's Wedding by Maud Hart Lovelace

On Stage
Did you know, HCS students volunteered to participate in the Ordway show, "Sister's Christmas Catechism?"  This ambitious group of students agreed to perform in at least six shows and were cast as a group of student singers.  Our HCS group included Allie and Isabella Kehoe, Eleanor Franklin, Rachel Countryman, Grace Pearson, Abby Turbenson, Emily Kinne,  and Zachary Perkl.  What a great experience!

Reminder: The Hive will not be open on January 4th.  Our return to school date.  If you did not order hot lunch, remember to pack that cold one!

Hi-lites week of Dec. 18th, 2009

Dear Parents and Guardians,

A very merry Christmas to you and your family!  There is nothing like the excitement of Advent in a Catholic School, as we prepare for the coming of the Christ Child.  I wouldn't trade places with anyone!

A few jottings:

• I have heard so many wonderful comments about our Christmas Program. I agree it was fabulous. Once again, a huge thank you to Ms. Rosie Romportl and Mrs. Ann Whiting for creating such a masterpiece. Scrooge, AKA 8th grader Brian Veensta, had to made a stop in both kindergarten classrooms on Thursday to greet his biggest fans. The kinders lined up to shake his hand and he treated them to a growly, "Bah Humbug." Priceless.

• Our 5th and 6th grade choir performed a lovely collection of carols and hosted a sing-a-long for the residents of Lee Square in Golden Valley. In turn, the seniors treated the students to treats and Christmas pencils! Loads of smiles all around.

• The beautiful Jesse Tree created by our fourth graders has been gracing the lower hallway. What a wonderful way to learn Bibles stories wrapped into creative expression. I fondly recall creating Jacob's Ladder with Tinkertoys spray painted gold in third grade at St. Bridget's.

• Thanks to the many families who have responded to my plea for donations to support our Endowment and Financial Hardship Fund. God bless you!

• Our fifth graders elected to transform their usual Secret Santa gift giving to classmates into a gift-giving to our soldiers. What an amazing gesture of support for our troops!

Enjoy this time with family and friends.  I can't really express how every tradition and minute of fellowship has been transformed for me this year.  I am loving each second of every day.  Thanks for being a blessing to me.  You have wonderful children.

Jane Schmidt
Principal

Calendar
January 4th - School resumes, No Hive.
January 5th - Hive resopens....yippee!
January 7th - Ski Club begins
January 9th -  School Fair - HCS will have a table!
January 11th - Parent Support Group 7 p.m.
January 13th - Grade 6 Family Mass at Noon