Happy Tuesday!

I hope everyone had a very enjoyable long weekend with their families!  

After returning from the long weekend, the students started off the day by working on their spelling.  Students copied down their new weekly spelling words and worked on reinforcing them in their Spelling Workbooks,  This week's words focus on words where suffixes have been added on to root words.  During language today we also moved on with our novel study with the students having a work period to complete their comprehension section all about 'sugar snow' (a pioneer treat of maple syrup on snow), and wrote out directions for their ow favourite sweet treat!

During our UOI today the students had a lot of fun learning more about pioneers.  We started off the period with a mid-way check about the important concepts that have been learned to date.  Some of the interesting items the groups came up with were the differences in school rules, the differences in bathing habits, and the differences in the ways we build and use our homes today.  This check showed that great learning has been done and absorbed by the students!  In today's class the students moved on and inquired into the pioneer process of milling crops and making flour.  Students learned about important people such as millers and flairers, and learned about important tools such as sickles, scythes, hominy blocks and millstones.  Ask your child tonight what they learned!

During math today the students had their final review period with the measurement unit.  The math unit test will be taking place tomorrow!  All students have a review package for the unit that they have been able to study in the days approaching the test.  I am sure that with the at-home study sessions, combined with the in-class review periods, all students will show great success on the test tomorrow!  Find some pictures of the students in their study sessions at the end of this posting. 

Students also went to Art and French classes today.

Homework: Read for 20 minutes and record in the reading log, practice weekly spelling words, Spelling Workbook pages 94 - 96, and complete math review package for tomorrow's math unit test.

Important Information: Re-registration packages were due last week to ensure a spot for next year.  Registration has now been opened up to the public.  If you have not yet returned your re-registration package for next year please do that quickly so that your child doesn't miss a spot!

The in-class oral competition will be taking place this Thursday.  On this day the students will compete to find the 3 students that will enter into the final competition being held on Thursday, February 27th at 9am.  Parents are welcome to attend this final competition!  Please see the rubric for the oral competition attached below.  This is the rubric that will be used to find the 3 students to compete in the finals.

	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	Level 4
Preparedness	Student does not seem at all prepared to present.  Poem is partially memorised.	Student is somewhat prepared, but it is clear that rehearsal was lacking.  Poem is mostly memorised.	Student seems fairly prepared, but might have needed a couple more rehearsals.  Poem is memorised.	Student is completely prepared and has obviously rehearsed.  Poem is confidently memorised.
Speaks Clearly	Often mumbles or cannot be understood or mispronounces more than one word.	Speaks clearly and distinctly most of the time. Mispronounces no more than one word.	Speaks clearly and distinctly all the time, but mispronounces one word.	Speaks clearly and distinctly all the time, and does not mispronounce any words.
Volume	Volume often too soft to be heard by all audience members.	Volume is loud enough to be heard by all audience members at least 80% of the time.	Volume is loud enough to be heard by all audience members at least 90% of the time.	Volume is loud enough to be heard by all audience members throughout the presentation.
Enthusiasm	Very little use of facial expressions or body language.  Did not generate much interest in topic being presented.	Facial expressions and body language are used to try to generate enthusiasm, but seem somewhat mimicked.	Facial expressions and body language sometimes generate a strong interest and enthusiasm about the topic in others.	Facial expressions and body language generate a strong interest and enthusiasm about the topic in others.

St. Jude's Academy's Annual Gala Dinner is approaching and it is sure to be an evening of fun and entertainment for friends and families alike!  Mark your calenders for this event which takes place on February 22nd at 6:00pm at the Sagan Banquet Hall.  The theme for this year's Gala is 'Legends of the World' which will be reflected in the buffet diner, and the short musical performance by St. Jude's students.  A silent action, raffle tickets and a 50/50 draw will also help add to the excitement of the night. Tickets for the event are $75 for adults and $10 for children. 

For more information about the Gala Dinner please contact Presy Malan at pmalan@stjudesacademy.com.  To donate items for the silent auction please contact Charmaine Tavares at lomaine@sympatico.ca  or Sudan Cashin at cashins@cashingroup.com.

Best regards,

Mrs. Nelson