Edition 2012 #10 - 3rd Grade Interview

by Chanel B

Mrs. Leonard Interview

Q; How was the experience with having Sister Theresa here with you?
A: Working with Sister Theresa has been a great experience. She has passion and love for children that makes learning exciting.

Q: What new thing did you learn from working with Sister Theresa?
A: She introduced me to a book about teaching that I have read front-to-back that would be useful to my classroom. She has also inspired me to reflect about my catholic faith.

Q: How did your 3rd graders adapt to having Sister Theresa as their teacher for 1 month?
A: Third graders are awesome kids. Whenever we have guests in our classroom they always welcome them. Our students have grown attached to her in a short time and will miss her!

Q:What was your reaction when you saw Sister Theresa?
A: I  wanted to learn about why she wanted to become a teacher and how I could help her. I am always excited when people have a calling for teaching. I felt very privileged to be chosen  as her co-teacher. She has been a great asset to the classroom.

Sister Theresa Interview

Q: How long were you here teaching at St.Ethelreda?
A: I have been teaching here for 1 month.

Q: If you had to come back to St.Ehelreda would you and why?
A: I would like to come back to St.Ethelreda because I like helping the students excel in their learning and the principal, staff, and students are very welcoming and friendly.

Q: What were your reactions when you walked into 3rd grade room?
A: A positive reaction. The students were friendly too.

Some Question from the Students

Q: How did you all react to Sister Theresa teaching in religion?
Noadiyah J: I was happy because she explained it in a nice way so I reacted very claimly.
Ryan R: I felt happy to learn more about God.
Arion R-I felt happy because I never have read to her before.
Juquentin T- Happy cause I was kind of lost sometimes when I dont understand Mrs.Leonard help.

A special Thank You to Mrs. Leonard, Sister Theresa, and 3rd grade for letting me use their time on the interview. Thank You so much!!!!!!!!

Edition 2012 #7 - 1st Grade Learning Centers

by William K.

Below is a picture of Sister Mary and her first grade class.
This is a wonderful, fun group of young students!

On many school days, Sister Mary organizes Learning Center times for her class. This is something new this year for 1st grade. The Learning Centers are educational, and the kids love them. Here's a clever example... math fishing:

Most learning centers support focused activities for 3-4 students. Examples are:

• The Math Fish (above) - Students fish out a math problem from the table and then solve it.

• SuperKids reading - Students read stories on the computer, and the SuperKids website tracks their progress.

• Microscope - Students look at magnified versions of bugs and sticks and, well, everything.

• Book reading - Students read from their favorite books.

• Shapes building - Student build designs or structures using foam/plastic shapes.

• And more! Including: Word search puzzles, Magnet games, puzzles, and rubber band shapes.

Here's an accomplished SuperKids reader:

This is Sister Mary's 5th year teaching 1st grade at St. Ethelreda. She does a wonderful job and her students love her.

Thank you to our first grade student and to Sister Mary for the wonderful story and visit! We learned a lot.

There are many more fun photos of 1st grade students at work in the complete photo set from our Eagle Way visit:

www.flickr.com/photos/stethelreda/sets/72157629553714079/

Edition 2011, #15 - A Late Easter Break

A Late Easter Break

by Khadijah J

We at the Eagle Way wondered why Spring break was so late this year.

Kh: "Mrs.Spells. Why is spring break so late this year?"

Principal Spells: "Catholic schools take Easter week off. It begins with the Monday after Easter. Instead of spring break we call it Easter break. Public schools call it spring break. Catholic schools call it Easter week because it always begins the day after Easter."

One of the minuses about late Spring break is that some children in public schools might already be back in school. We students at St. Ethelreda won't, and we may not be able to go out with our friends. The pluses about late Spring break are that we can get more rest and get more things done around the house. I am happy when Spring break comes. I won't have to wake up to go to school, and it gives me time to do fun things.

Thank you, Principal Spells, for allowing me to interview you and take up your time.

Photo by Rayan B.

Edition 2011, #4 - Bathrooms with pants

Bathroom, bathrooms, bathrooms

By Terrance R

Bathrooms, bathrooms, bathrooms!!! You have to keep them clean, both girls and boys. When people walk in, they may expect the bathrooms to not look so good. But if we all come together to keep it clean, they will know that we care about our school. Plus, you should keep it clean at all times by doing some of the following:

• not wasting soap all on the ground,
• not scraping the clean floor, and
• putting all paper towels, tissue, and other trash in the garbage.

There are many more ways to keep the bathroom clean. If you care about your school, if you want to live a clean life, if you want to be known for your cleanliness, then join me, and together, we will keep our bathrooms clean.
I want each and everyone of you to think for a moment. Ask yourself this question, “ Do I want somebody to judge me on my cleanliness, or do I want somebody to acknowledge my character and say that he/she really cares about his/her surroundings.” I want everyone to join me in keeping our bathrooms clean, our surroundings clean, and, more importantly, our school clean.
This is Terrance R, and I'm encouraging you to stand up for St. Ethelreda School.

Girls With Pants 2

by Chanel B

I wanted to get Principal Spells' opinion on my Girls With Pants story.
Do you read the blog?
Yes, I read the student blog whenever there is a new posting. I have thought about putting this in the monthly newsletter to make the parents more aware of the student blog. This will give them the opportunity to read about the school from the students' point of view and also see their child's writing. They will also find out more of what's happening in school on a day-to-day basis as well. Then they can share this with co-workers, family and friends and get others interested in coming to St. Ethelreda School. What do you think about this idea?
Do you like the blog?
I absolutely enjoy reading the student blog. It gives me the opportunity to hear and to read what the students are thinking about our school. Reading stories and poems written by the younger students is enjoyable. I don't always see the good things going on in the classrooms all the time even though I try hard to visit each classroom every day. The blog helps to keep me aware of everything, especially the good that takes place in our school. It also highlights the great work that our students are accomplishing.
What do you think about girl wearing pants?
The school uniforms for the girls are a jumper/skirt with navy knee socks. On cold days, all girls are encouraged to wear pants under their skirt/jumper, navy tights or navy leggings under the uniform. On Tuesdays and Thursdays everyone wears jogging suits to school. I try hard to keep the building at a comfortable temperature so no one will be cold. With all of these options to keep your legs warm, I don't see us changing the uniform in the near future. If it is exceptionally cold in the building, I will quickly tell the girls to keep their pants on. In the meantime, wearing your skirts makes you carry yourselves in such a refined way and you are in uniform. Remember, girls, wear those tights or leggings (navy blue).

Edition 9: Interviews

6th Grader Interview
by Brandice W.

Interviewer: “What made you come up with the haiku?”

Angela W. “I walked outside and I saw a dandelion. Dandelions make me think about life and make me feel curious.”

Here is Angela W. haiku:

I grow in your grass

People say I am a weed

Blow me and seeds fly

Interview With Student Teacher
by Symone J., Teron R., and Aubrey S.

Recently we interviewed the student teacher Julie Banta. We asked her a few questions.

What have you learned so far about teacher here?

"I've learned how to teach reading and how to incorporate it with science."

Why do you enjoy being here?

"It is a positive environment. I also enjoy watching students learn. I think reading is really important"

Second Grade Poem
by Briana L.

I have seen the trees are green.
I also knew the sky is blue.
The leaves fall down upon the ground,
The water is light and very bright,
The flowers are beautiful, this is true.
And the plants are pretty too.

Lets Go Green
by Aubrey S.


"Earth Day" by Teron R.

Early Years are Learning Years At St.Ethelreda

Earth Day started on April 22, 1970. Earth Day helps people understand the extra use of electricity and water is not necessary. Some people join together and clean and plant flowers in their environment.

Kindergarten – 2nd grade and a few 8th graders cleaned around the school. They pick up trash, raked the grass, and planted flowers.

Spirit Day


Spirit Day

Edition 2 - Our Name Vote

Edition 2 - Nov 19, 2009

This edition includes 3 articles:

1. Name Vote
   
2. Interview with Coach Moore
   
3. Reviews from the opera
   

1. Name Vote
by Symone J, Senior Editor

Hello St. Ethelreda students and staff. In this addition of our blog we are choosing a name for the blog. So far our choices are:

• The Eagle Way
• The Eagleville Word

If you have anymore suggestions, please leave a comment or email the senior editor at sr_editor@stethelreda.org, also if you would also like to vote, leave a comment and we will add it
to our list and eventually choose a name. Please be on the lookout for more name suggestions.

We will also be coming to your classrooms to vote on the names. We would love to have one of your own thoughts in our blog. We would also love to hear from our students on other ideas, but for now let’s stick to the names.

Remember, if you have any ideas about what we can add to the blog please email the senior editor at sr_editor@stethelreda.org.

THANKS A BUNCH!!!!


2. Interview with Coach Moore
by Terrance R & Brandice W

This rather brief interview with Coach Moore was done on November 13, 2009. Coach Moore is a busy man and has little time to talk, so we tried to make the most out of his BRIEF statements. Coach Moore coaches at St. Elizabeth, St. Ethelreda and Ada Park. He is also a coach for tumbling, gymnastics, basketball, tackle football, softball, flag football and volleyball.

Terrance R: How do you expect the season to turn out?
"Great"

Brandice W: What is your BIGGEST accomplishment with a sport or team?
"2007... k-2nd grade division basketball team championship."

Terrance R: What grade do you think will go the farthest?
"K-2nd"

Brandice W: What sport do you expect to succeed the most?
"Track because they will reap all the benefits of hard work. The runners are disciplined and they know when to focus."

Brandice W: What is your favorite sport and why?
"Football... it gives gratification... giving you the satisfaction of hitting someone physically... it releases tension and it requires strength."

Terrance R: What was the first sport you coached?
"Basketball"

Brandice W: Why are you a coach?
"I LOVE KIDS...because I had excellent coaches and father figures when I was growing up. They showed me tremendous guidance. My coaches told me one thing is to give back to the kids. Once you start coaching, you get hooked. I've been coaching for 29 years. I get really emotional when I see 'my kids' graduate. I want to get kids off the street and get their heads together. My goal is to re-shape them to be something better."

A big thanks to Coach Moore for giving us 19 minutes of his time. Coach Moore is a man of his word, and as some people would say, he "LOVES THE KIDS." God bless you and have a nice day.


3. Review from the opera
by Aubrey S.

Recently, the 3rd through 8th grade went to Simeon Academy High School to see “The Elixir of Love” Opera. The opera took place in Italy during the 1800’s. It was about a young peasant named Nemorino that was in love with a wealthy young lady named Adina. There was also a sergeant named Belcore that wanted to marry Adina. She really didn’t like him but since he asked her to marry him she agreed although she was in love with Nemorino. Then Nemorino bought a love elixir from a quack doctor named Doctor Dulcamara that would make her fall in love with him. At the end ,the Adina married Nemorino,and they were very happy together.

The characters were:

• Adina - a young wealthy lady/farmer
• Nemorino – a poor, literate peasant who loves Adina
• Belcore – a sergeant in charge of the local military
• Doctor Dulcamara – a traveling salesman (or quack)

Here is what some teachers and students had to say about "The Elixir of Love"

The Reviews of “The Elixir of Love” Opera:

"The opera was educational and encouraging.”
- Sr.Bruno, 6th grade homeroom teacher

“The Elixir of Love was excellent! It gave students an experience of a professional opera performance”
- Ms.Finn ,7th grade homeroom teacher

“I enjoyed the opera it was funny and interesting”
- Symone J.,8th grade student

Our First Edition

Edition 1.00 - Nov 3, 2009

Our first edition includes 3 articles:

1. Welcome
2. Interview with Principal Spells
3. Selecting our Name
   

1. Welcome

Welcome to the premier edition of the St. Ethelreda student blog. The goal of our blog is to showcase the talents and ideas of the students and faculty of St. Ethelreda for all to see on the web.

We are still defining our blog. We don’t even have a name yet! But we’re working to fix that and grow this blog into a great resource for our school and the community.
Our team so far is:

• Publishers – Ms. Finn, teacher & William K, webmaster
• Sr. Editor – Symone J
• Jr. Editor – Brandice W
• Reporters – Terrence R, Aubrey S , Gianna G

Thank you for reading.

2. Interview with Principal Spells
by Symone J and Aubrey S

Principal Spells was interview by Symone J and Aubrey S on Wednesday Oct 28, 2009:

1. Are you from a family of educators?

“No. I am the only member on my mother and father side that went to college.”

2. What inspires you everyday when you get up to come to St. Ethelreda?

“The students, because they have great potential and are very intelligent.”

3. What do you enjoy about being here at St.Ethelreda?

“The seniority, honesty, staff, and the love from the students.”

4. What inspired you to be a principal?

“Well, at first I wanted to be a nun. Then I wanted to teach at catholic school .After that, I wanted to do more than just teaching. So I became assistant principal. Then I wanted to be a principal at my own school.”

5. How do you feel about being principal?

“It is a challenge. I have plan A and plan B and God always give me plan C.”

6. What made you become principal at catholic school?

“Well I attended a catholic grammar school and high school, and when I taught at public school I missed praying at school. She accepted an opportunity to teach at a catholic school.”

7. How do you feel about the webmaster program?

“I think it’s fantastic, because it gives the children the advantage to take over and show creativity.”

Principal Spells with Symone J and Aubrey S

3. Selecting Our Name
We haven't selected our name yet. We would like to get our school's input on making this choice.

We currently have two candidates:

1. The Blue & Gold Word
2. Eagle News

If you have an idea for the name of our blog, please leave a comment on our blog or you can email our Sr. Editor Symone at sr_editor@stethelreda.org.

In our next edition, we'll announce a school-wide vote to choose our name.