Newsletter - November 1, 2010

Dear Parents and Students:

Parent-Teacher Conferences were great!  Thank you for taking the time to meet with me to discuss the progress of your child.  Please contact me at any time to ensure that your eighth grader is meeting his academic potential.

Fall Festival was a blast!  Your continued support through volunteering and baked goods helped make this event a success.  As soon as everything is accounted for, credit value will be determined for the Concordia Field Trip.

We are looking for room representatives for the Spring Event (auction). If you are interested, you would need to meet with the planning committee on Wednesday, November 3 at 2:00 P.M. in the cafeteria. You would be in charge of helping our class prepare projects for the event.

Please join us for an Awards Assembly today at 2:30 P.M.  We will be recognizing students for various achievements such as Honor/Merit Roll, School Attendance, and Church Attendance.  The students have worked hard and they deserve to be honored.

Please join us for a Pep Rally on Friday, November 5 at 2:30 P.M.  We are concluding volleyball season and kicking off basketball season.  The teachers/staff will be playing the students in a volleyball game.  I hope the students take it easy on us!

Please support our chapel project for the month of November through raising funds for Casita Benjamin.

In His Name,

Jesus T. Pena, M.Ed.
Eighth Grade Teacher
8thgrade@stpaulmcallen.org

Baked Goods

Items for the bake sale/cake walk may be brought to school on Friday (most of the day) and may be placed in Mr. Pool's office.  You may also bring items on Saturday (10:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.) to the cafeteria.

Newsletter - October 25, 2010

Dear Parents and Students:

Parent-Teacher Conferences continue this week.  The meetings thus far have been a blessing.  I look forward to more meetings this week so that we can plan for continued success for your child throughout the year.

There is no school on Friday as it has been set aside for Parent-Teacher Conferences.

Please remember to bring your baked goods!

Eighth grade still needs volunteers to man the water sale, pizza sale, and karaoke booths for Fall Festival (Sunday, October 31).  This is the schedule so far:

Water Sale
3:30 - 4:30 - Daniel, Blythe, Mrs. Burke
4:30 - 5:30 - Hamilton, Steffy, Mrs. Burke
5:30 - 6:30 - Ricky, Dong, Mrs. Burke
6:30 - 7:30 - Karen, Runa, Mrs. Burke
7:30 - 8:30 - Hamilton, Javier, Mrs. Burke

Pizza Sale
3:30 - 4:30 - Camila, Steffy (1 adult needed)
4:30 - 5:30 - Camila, Daniel (1 adult needed)
5:30 - 6:30 - Catalina, Steffy, Mrs. Carrera
6:30 - 7:30 - Ricky, Abrehe, Mrs. Carrera
7:30 - 8:30 - Daniel, Abrehe, Mrs. Carrera

Karaoke
3:30 - 4:30 - Joseph, Hamilton, Mrs. Romero
4:30 - 5:30 - Avery, Joseph, Mrs. Rosalez
5:30 - 6:30 - Hamilton, Thomas, Vicar Burke (tentative - dunk tank)
6:30 - 7:30 - Thomas, Dong, Vicar Burke (tentative - dunk tank)
7:30 - 8:30 - Steffy, Catalina (1 adult needed)

Credits can be earned for the Concordia Field Trip that will minimize the cost of the trip for students.  Spaces not filled by the end of today will be made available to sixth and seventh grade students.

We are looking for room representatives for the Spring Event (auction).  If you are interested, you would need to meet with the planning committee on Wednesday, November 3 at 2:00 P.M. in the cafeteria.  You would be in charge of helping our class prepare projects for the event.

Please support our troops through raising funds for Bible Sticks.  The goal is to collect $300 to sponsor 12 soldiers.  This is a great opportunity to spread the Word and provide inspiration as the soldiers protect our freedom.  For more information please visit: http://www.faithcomesbyhearing.com/military/military-outreach

In His Name,

Jesus T. Pena, M.Ed.
Eighth Grade Teacher
8thgrade@stpaulmcallen.org

Spirit Day

Spirit Day is Friday, October 22.  Students may wear jeans and their St. Paul Lutheran School activity shirt.

Basketball

Come sign up for basketball! 
There will be a boys and girls team. 
Coach Romero is excited to get started.

Oct. 25 (Mon.) - parent meeting in gym at 4:15 P.M.
Oct. 26 (Tues.) - first practice

Newsletter - October 18, 2010

Dear Parents and Students:

We are looking for room representatives for the Spring Event (auction).  If you are interested, you would need to meet with the planning committee on Wednesday, November 3 at 2:00 P.M. in the cafeteria.  You would be in charge of helping our class prepare projects for the event.

The first quarter has ended and report cards will be issued on October 20.  Teachers will meet this afternoon to schedule parent-teacher conferences.  I look forward to meeting with you to discuss the progress of your child.

Eighth grade is in charge of manning the water sale, pizza sale, and karaoke booths for Fall Festival (Sunday, October 31).  We still have plenty of slots available to work.  The times begin at 3:30 P.M. and end at 8:30 P.M. and each lasts one hour.  Credits can be earned for the Concordia Field Trip that will minimize the cost of the trip for students.  Fall Festival is a great event for our students and children in the community!

Please support our troops through raising funds for Bible Sticks. The goal is to collect $300 to sponsor 12 soldiers. This is a great opportunity to spread the Word and provide inspiration as the soldiers protect our freedom. For more information please visit: http://www.faithcomesbyhearing.com/military/military-outreach

In His Name,

Jesus T. Pena, M.Ed.
Eighth Grade Teacher
8thgrade@stpaulmcallen.org

Fall Festival - pink sheet

We need your pink Fall Festival sheets returned as soon as possible.  The information obtained from the sheets will allow us to better plan for the event.  We want our children to have a great time at our annual Fall Festival!

Fall Meeting - Concordia Field Day

Quick Overview of Trip
Thursday, April 7 - Leave at 6:00 A.M.  The Witte Museum in San Antonio and IMAX in Austin.
Friday, April 8 - Concordia Field Day at Concordia University in Austin.  Rollerskating in the evening.
Saturday, April 9 - Fiesta Texas in San Antonio.  Return by 10:30 P.M.

Opportunities/Rewards/Benefits
Last year:  47 ribbons and 3 academic scholarship winners!

Fundraisers
We need adults to coordinate the Walk-A-Thon (in February) and Family Night (Chick-Fil-A, Chili's, etc.).  These are excellent opportunities to help reduce the cost of the trip.  If you have any other ideas, please submit them by Friday.

The Snack Committee and T-Shirt Committee need your assistance.  If you are able to help with snacks for the trip or organize the Concordia Field Day t-shirts, please let me know.

We need male and female chaperons for the trip.  Adult volunteers will be paid for as they will be responsible for three students during the entire trip.  Let me know if you are able to assist.

Eighth grade is responsible for 3 booths at Fall Festival on Sunday, October 31.  Shift times start at 3:30 P.M. and occur in1 hour intervals until 8:30 P.M.  We still need adults and students for the water sale, pizza sale, and karaoke room.  Please contact me if you are interested.

Newsletter - October 11, 2010

Dear Parents and Students:

The fall Concordia Field Day meeting is today at 6:30 P.M.  Please join us as we discuss the critical elements of the trip that will ensure an enjoyable experience for all.  Afterwards, please stay for a brief presentation regarding a possible eighth grade field trip to Washington, D.C.

The first quarter ends this week and report cards will be issued on October 20.  Students should earn the best grades possible as the week draws to an end.  Please make sure you have returned your parent-teacher conference form, so that I can schedule your conference.  I look forward to meeting with you to discuss the progress of your child.

Two forms (pink and green) went home recently with your child in reference to Fall Festival.  If you are able to volunteer or sponsor in some fashion please let us know.  This is a great event for our students and children in the community!

Please support our troops through raising funds for Bible Sticks.  The goal is to collect $300 to sponsor 12 soldiers.  This is a great opportunity to spread the Word and provide inspiration as the soldiers protect our freedom.  For more information please visit:  http://www.faithcomesbyhearing.com/military/military-outreach

In His Name,


Jesus T. Pena, M.Ed.
Eighth Grade Teacher
8thgrade@stpaulmcallen.org

October Chapel Project

Support the Troops

For the month of October we will be collecting money to support our men and women who serve our country in the military.  We will be purchasing audio bibles (Bible Sticks) for those soldiers and chaplains who request them.  Each Bible Stick is small enough to be carried with them wherever they go.  Each Bible Stick is $25 per soldier.  Our goal for the next four weeks is to collect $300 so we can sponsor 12 soldiers.  God's Word can help soldiers through the tough times.  Please consider giving this project!

Mrs. Leal's first grade class
Ms. Matasovsky's third grade class

Newsletter - October 4, 2010

Dear Parents and Students:

Picture orders are due today!  Treasure your child's last year at St. Paul Lutheran School by purchasing this wonderful keepsake.

We have scheduled the fall Concordia Field Day meeting for Monday, October 11 at 6:30 P.M. Please join us as we discuss the critical elements of the trip that will ensure an enjoyable experience for all.

The eighth grade class is still seeking donations for at least two classroom umbrellas. According to weather channel, we are expecting a beautiful week with little chance of precipitation.  Anything we can do to reduce the risk of our children becoming ill is well worth it.

Thank you for supporting the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley, Inc.  The school supplies collected will benefit young children as they learn to their fullest potential in the classroom.  It is a great feeling to know that our monetary donations will provide thousands of nutritional meals to families in our community.  Information about the October chapel project will be made available to you soon!

Upcoming Tests/Quizzes

History
Oct. 6 (Wed.) - Tests and notebooks due

Algebra
Oct. 5 (Tues.) - Quiz 7 (4.1-4.7)
Oct. 8 (Fri.) - Quiz 8 (4.8-4.12)

Science
Oct. 7 (Thurs.) - Quiz 6 (pages 148-159)

In His Name,
Jesus T. Pena, M.Ed.
Eighth Grade Teacher
8thgrade@stpaulmcallen.org

Sports Update

Volleyball Schedule

Oct. 4 (Mon.) - No volleyball practice.

Oct. 5 (Tues.) - Varsity home game against St. Luke at 4:30 P.M.  No JV game, but JV may stay and cheer on Varsity.

Oct. 6 (Wed.) - Varsity and JV practice until 5:15 P.M.
Oct. 7 (Thurs.) - Last away game for Varsity and JV against St. Paul Harlingen.  Team will leave at 3:15 P.M.  Drivers still needed - please contact Mrs. Romero (361-815-5125).  Bring money for Cici's pizza after game.  Home between 8:00 P.M. and 8:30 P.M.
Oct. 16 (Sat.) - Lasts about half of the day.  Drivers needed for this day.  More details soon!

Cross Country
Join the 5K run with Pastor Otten!  Parents are invited to participate!  Meeting for runners and parents is on Monday, October 4 at 4:15 P.M. in the gym.  Practice times and event information available at this meeting.  The 5K takes place on November 6.  This is a great opportunity to represent St. Paul Lutheran School in the community.