Newsletter - March 28, 2011

Dear Parents and Students:

The Spring Concordia meeting is scheduled for today at 6:00 P.M.  Please be in attendance to finalize items for the trip such as trip balance payments and signing insurance forms (bring medical insurance numbers).  We look forward to seeing you there!

Softball games are on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  The first game is scheduled on Tuesday, March 29.  Let's go Eagles!

Please let me know about your child's plans for school next year.  I enjoy hearing about acceptance to schools such as IB.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

Please send several pictures to Mr. Jim Schmidt by the end of April so we can prepare a slide show for graduation night.  Either drop off at the office or e-mail busmgr@stpaulmcallen.org

Springs for Living Water is our chapel offering for March.  We are sending the offerings with Steven Obst for his ministry in China.

Upcoming Events
Concordia Meeting - Mon., 3/28
Softball Game - Tues., 3/29
PSIA Competition - Sat., 4/2
Concordia Trip - 4/7-4/9

In His Name,

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

Newsletter - March 21, 2011

Dear Parents and Students:

I hope everyone had a fun and restful Spring Break!  We welcome the final quarter of the school year this week and there are many significant events ahead for eighth grade.  The students should be looking forward to Concordia Field Day in Austin, TX in three weeks, their Washington D.C. field trip, and graduation.

The Spring Concordia meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 28.  Please be in attendance to finalize items for the trip such as trip balance payments and signing insurance forms.  We look forward to seeing you there!

Report cards will be issued on Wednesday.  We will be recognizing third-quarter student achievements on Friday at 2:00 P.M.  On Friday students may wear their activity shirt and jeans in celebration of Spirit Day.

Please let me know about your child's plans for school next year.  I enjoy hearing about acceptance to schools such as IB.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

Springs for Living Water is our chapel offering for March.  We are sending the offerings with Steven Obst for his ministry in China.

Upcoming Events
Report Cards issued - Wed., 3/23
Spirit Day - Fri., 3/25
Awards Assembly - Fri., 3/25, 2 P.M.
Concordia Meeting - Mon., 3/28
PSIA Competition - Sat., 4/2

In His Name,

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

Newsletter - March 7, 2011

Dear Parents and Students:


National Lutheran School's Week begins today.  We have plenty of fun, Christ-centered activities planned for the children.  There will be dress up days and competitions during lunch.  The full schedule is available in the classroom so that students can follow each day's events.

The Walk-A-Thon was great!  Thank you to everyone for participating in this event.  What a healthy and fun way to earn money towards the trip!

On Ash Wednesday March 9, the middle school has the opportunity to host the St. Paul evening Lenten meal before the 7 P.M. worship service.  We will receive the proceeds from the dinner to use for the eighth grade class trip to Washington D.C.  If you are able to HELP, please sign up (form on middle school grid) and return the slip as soon as possible.  We are including Grades 6 and 7, as they will be taking this trip in the future and we will try to sponsor this event each year to raise funds.  We will need at least 12 people (students and/or parents) to make this successful.  You and your family can eat the dinner as well – it is a freewill offering – and you are also invited to worship with us at 7 P.M.  Thank you!

Our eighth grade class finished 16th!  Thank you to everyone for reading and testing.  The status of our Accelerated Reader competition with other schools across the nation can be viewed at: http://www.stpaulsjanesville.com/School/2011NationalAcceleratedReaderChallenge/tabid/392/Default.aspx

Springs for Living Water is our chapel offering for March.  We are sending the offerings with Steven Obst for his ministry in China.

Upcoming Events
Lenten Meal - Wed., 3/9, Cafeteria
Open House (Learning Fair) - Thurs., 3/10, 5 - 7 P.M.
Early Dismissal - Fri., 3/11, 11 A.M.

In His Name,

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

Newsletter - February 28, 2011

Dear Parents and Students:

Our Toast to Texas Day is Wednesday, March 2.  This day marks Texas Independence Day which dates back to 1836.  Many institutions across Texas will be celebrating this day in a variety of ways especially because this will be the 175th Texas Independence Day (for more information:  http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/texas-independence-day).  Eighth grade will be assisting in the event by passing out juice so that students can "toast" to Texas.  Camila and Joseph will be managing the PowerPoint presentation throughout the event.  Eighth grade continues to model great leadership in school events!

The Walk-A-Thon is scheduled for Saturday, March 5.  Forms went home on Friday that indicate we need adult volunteers and items such as Gatorade for the event.  Any help you can provide would be very much appreciated!

On Ash Wednesday March 9, the middle school has the opportunity to host the St. Paul evening Lenten meal before the 7 P.M. worship service.  We will receive the proceeds from the dinner to use for the eighth grade class trip to Washington D.C.  If you are able to HELP, please sign up (form on middle school grid) and return the slip as soon as possible.  We are including Grades 6 and 7, as they will be taking this trip in the future and we will try to sponsor this event each year to raise funds.  We will need at least 12 people (students and/or parents) to make this successful.  You and your family can eat the dinner as well – it is a freewill offering – and you are also invited to worship with us at 7 P.M.  Thank you!

Our eighth grade class continues to climb the ranks and we are currently 12th (as of Feb. 22)!  Keep reading and testing!  The status of our Accelerated Reader competition with other schools across the nation can be viewed at: http://www.stpaulsjanesville.com/School/2011NationalAcceleratedReaderChallenge/tabid/392/Default.aspx

Springs for Living Water is our chapel offering for March.  We are sending the offerings with Steven Obst for his ministry in China.

Upcoming Events
CFD Music Auditions - Mon., 2/28, 6 P.M., Cafeteria
Toast to Texas - Wed., 3/2, Gym
Walk-A-Thon - Sat., 3/5, 8 A.M. - 12 P.M., St. Paul grounds
Lenten Meal - Wed., 3/9, Cafeteria

In His Name,

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

Newsletter - February 22, 2011

Dear Parents and Students:

Thank you for helping to make our first annual Winterfest a blast!  We truly appreciate your donations towards the basket, vases, candles, and for volunteering during the shifts for our canister activity.  The strong parental support you continue to display is just one of the many components that make St. Paul Lutheran School successful.

Please join us on Wednesday at 7:00 P.M. for the Tangled Blue concert.  Students that attend with their parent(s) are eligible to register for "Skip School with Mr. Pool."  It should be a fun night of worship!

The status of our Accelerated Reader competition with other schools across the nation can be viewed at:  http://www.stpaulsjanesville.com/School/2011NationalAcceleratedReaderChallenge/tabid/392/Default.aspx  Our eighth grade class continues to climb the ranks and we are currently 18th (as of Feb. 15)!  Keep reading and testing!

Springs for Living Water is our chapel offering for February and March.  We are sending the offerings with Steven Obst for his ministry in China.

Upcoming Events
Soccer Game (home) - Tues., 2/22
Soccer Game (home) - Thurs., 2/24
CFD Music Auditions - Mon., 2/28, 6 P.M., Cafeteria
Walk-A-Thon - Sat., 3/5, 8 A.M. - 12 P.M., St. Paul grounds

In His Name,

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

Newsletter - February 14, 2011

Dear Parents and Students:

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

The Winterfest schedule is as follows:

Set Up 11 A.M. - 12 P.M. Steffy & Mrs. Carrillo

12 P.M. - 1 P.M. Steffy & Mrs. Carrillo
1 P.M. - 2 P.M. Camila & Mrs. Savinon
2 P.M. - 3 P.M. Avery & Mrs. Rosalez
3 P.M. - 4 P.M. Joseph Schmidt & Mrs. Schmidt
4 P.M. - 5 P.M. Ricardo Carrera & Mr. Carrera
5 P.M. - 6 P.M. Daniel Carrera & Mrs. Carrera
Clean Up 6 P.M. - 7 P.M.  Carrera Family

We appreciate your donations towards the art/artist basket and for volunteering your time.

The status of our Accelerated Reader competition with other schools across the nation can be viewed at:  http://www.stpaulsjanesville.com/School/2011NationalAcceleratedReaderChallenge/tabid/392/Default.aspx

Springs for Living Water is our chapel offering for February and March.  We are sending the offerings with Steven Obst for his ministry in China.

Upcoming Events
Parent Meeting for Winterfest - Mon., 2/14, 2 P.M., Library
Soccer Season Begins - Thurs., 2/17
No School - Mon., 2/21
CFD Music Auditions - Mon., 2/28, 6 P.M., Cafeteria
Walk-A-Thon - Sat., 3/5, 8 A.M. - 12 P.M., St. Paul grounds

In His Name,

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

Newsletter - February 7, 2011

Dear Parents and Students:

Please bring money for the book fair this week.  We have a special guest during book fair week!  Author Tom Couser will be at St. Paul on February 9 at 7 P.M.  He will be covering various topics that relate to parenting and peer relationships among children.  I am offering extra credit (replace lowest daily grade in algebra and science with 100%) for parent AND student attendance!  You may read more about him on his blog: http://www.tomcouser.blogspot.com/

Winterfest is scheduled for Saturday, February 19, 12:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M.  We are joining seventh grade in the theme basket which is an art basket.  Our game/activity will be creating drink holders with children.  They are clear cylinders in which a paper can be inserted which will serve as decoration.  Mrs. Drefs can use parent volunteers for the construction of the candles and vases.  Please contact us if you are available.

Please turn in another $100 by the end of February for the class trip, and final reservations MUST be made by March 1, as we cannot guarantee airline reservations and hotel space after that date.  There is an excellent opportunity to earn some funds for the D.C. trip by serving a meal at St. Paul before the Ash Wednesday (March 9) Lenten worship service.  Help is needed from 4 - 7 P.M. from students and parents (anyone else you might recruit to help).  We will cook and serve about 150 meals (food will be provided).  Please make a note of this and whether you would be able to volunteer.

Soccer Update
Practices - Monday through Thursday after school until 5:15 P.M.  The student must be picked up by 5:15 P.M.
Games - We hope to have a schedule by next Monday.  They will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Girls will always play first starting at 4:30 P.M.  We could have our first game on February 17.
Other information - Please make sure your child comes to practice with shin guards, long socks, and a water bottle.  Please watch the weather and dress as needed.  You will be getting billed the sport fee of $35.  You may turn that into the office.  The fee must be turned in before the first game is played.  Also please review the sheet on grade requirements and make sure your child is academically able to compete.  If there are any questions please call Mrs. Romero at 361-815-5125.  Drivers are needed for away games!

Upcoming Events
Parent Meeting for Winterfest - Mon., 2/14, 2 P.M., Library
Soccer Season Begins - Thurs., 2/17
CFD Music Auditions - Mon., 2/28, 6 P.M., Cafeteria
Walk-A-Thon - Sat., 3/5, 8 A.M. - 12 P.M., St. Paul grounds


In His Name,

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