SJA-EClass-G6

Math Pentathlon

2010-04-28T08:45:00.001-07:00

Math Pentathlon

Four middle school students competed in the National Math Pentathlon Tournament last Saturday at St. Jude Catholic School. They each played five very challenging games involving many mathematics concepts, critical thinking skills and lots of strategy. Jalil Burnett-Fields and Rosemary Bickel received Math Pentathlete certificates and ribbons. Jarrod Hutchings received an honorable mention and Clark Hutchings was awarded a bronze medal. Congratulations to all! Also many thanks to Sarah Batt & Kim Burrell for monitoring games throughout the day.

Chicago Field Trip!:)

2010-04-16T05:43:00.001-07:00

Our big Chicago field trip is coming up March 14th! This field trip is a new privilege for our middle school students. We will be having a brief meeting before school on Monday, May 3, for parents to learn about the Chicago trip. The meeting will begin at 7:30am in Room 23. We hope to see you there!

Thanks, Mrs. Powroznik

Oz Production at Bishop Chatard

2010-04-14T08:08:00.001-07:00

The Middle School students will be attending the "Oz" production at Bishop Chatard High School on Thursday, April 22nd. Earlier in the school year, we had our own production of "Oz", so it will be an excellent experience for the students to compare the two performances!

6th Grade Science

2010-03-28T14:01:00.000-07:00

In science in 6th grade, we have just finished up learning about bacteria, protists, and fungi, and boy, was it fun..guys! Now, we are moving on to the Animal Kingdom and taking a closer look at vertebrates and invertebrates. Hopefully in a few weeks we will be doing a dissection!

Students will be finishing up their Bacteria labs this week and next week. The students went around the school to different locations and swabbed "specimens" to plate on freshly-prepared agar plates. After plating the bacteria, the students then added a square (on one side of the plate) covered in anti-bacterial hand sanitizer to see if the sanitizer was truly helping us or if it may just be a waste of time. The result? Some groups had an enormous amount of growth, meaning a lot of bacteria, while other groups barely saw a few colonies and some fungus growth (meaning the bacteria was inhibited by the hand sanitizer!). The students will share their results with one another, graph the data, and their analyze the information. They will be given class time to type up their responses and then submit their first real lab report! This is to prepare them for the following years of middle and high school.

Hope you had a great spring break!

Ms. Klee

Spring Break

2010-03-15T06:55:00.001-07:00

Have you seen the signs of Spring? Tulips are beginning to pop out from the ground and the birds are back! The students Spring Break will start March 22nd and they will return to school on March 29th. This will give everyone a chance for some rest and relaxation. Enjoy!:)

Middle School Spring Flower Sale

2010-03-15T06:53:00.001-07:00

Ready to plant some spring flowers? You're in luck! It's that time of year again - the Annual Middle School Flower Sale!

Please help our middle school students at St. Joan of Arc raise money to attend the end of the year trip to Chicago! All proceeds from the sale will support the trip.

We have a wide variety of flowers and plants this year to fit all budgets. Order forms have been sent home with all middle school students; however, extra forms are available in the school office. All orders must be in by Friday, April 23rd. Plants may be picked up on Thursday, April 29th from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. All orders must be prepaid. Please make checks payable to St. Joan of Arc School. Thank you in advance for your support!

Mrs. Jeatran and Mrs. Funk

Living Stations of the Cross

2010-03-15T06:47:00.001-07:00

The 6th grade class is very excited to present the Living Stations of the Cross for the Good Friday mass on April 2nd. The mass will be at 8:45am. Please join us that day! Also, that will be an early dismissal day (1:00pm). The students will celebrate with Easter break and return to school on Tuesday, April 6th. Thanks!

Quarter 3 AR Goals are due Friday, March 19th!

2010-03-15T06:41:00.001-07:00

The end of the third quarter is quickly approaching. Just a reminder that all AR goals must be met by the end of the school day Friday, March 19th. Two test grades will be entered into students' Reading grades -- the first grade is the percentage to goal, and the second grade is the AR test average for the quarter. These test grades have the ability to change students' Reading grades dramatically, so please be sure to encourage your student to get that reading done! Thank you!

Mrs. Funk

Science Blog

2010-03-14T20:02:00.001-07:00

Apparently no one has been visiting my blog because of some technical difficulties on the website. If you would like to, here is the address:

http://sja-eclass-sci.blogspot.com/

Thanks!

Ms. Klee

Science Blog

2010-03-14T20:01:00.001-07:00

Apparently no one has been visiting my blog because of some technical difficulties on the website. If you would like to, here is the address:

http://sja-eclass-sci.blogspot.com/

Thanks!

Ms. Klee

ISTEP

2010-02-26T05:32:00.000-08:00

ISTEP

Students will begin taking ISTEP testing next week on Tuesday, March 2nd. The 6th grade students will be tested in Language Arts, Math, and Science. Please make sure your child is getting to be early and eating a healthy breakfast! Thanks, Mrs. Powroznik

6th grade Social Studies

2010-02-17T10:22:00.001-08:00

Currently in Social Studies, the 6th grade is studying the time period of the Middle Ages in Western Europe. We are taking a close look at how Europe changed after the fall of the Roman Empire. Previously, we examined Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. Students completed a Greek Myth storyboard that depicted in their own words and illustrations a Greek myth of their choice. They enjoyed retelling their myths to the class. We also had the opportunity to conduct an interview with a partner about the lives of the Roman Gladiators. Students were able to create names and historical situations in which they were Gladiators.We will have our Chapter 10 test this Friday on Western Europe: It's Land and Early History. Mrs. Powroznik :)

What is Ash Wednesday?

2010-02-17T10:10:00.001-08:00

Ash Wednesday

The Origins of the First Day of Lent

Ash Wednesday is the first day of the season of Lent. Ash Wednesday is one of the principal holy days for the Western Church. Most commonly observed by Catholics, Anglicans, Episcopalians, and Lutherans, Ash Wednesday falls on the seventh Wednesday before Easter (usually around February 9). Ash Wednesday begins a season of fasting and repentance (commonly known as Lent) in preparation for the Easter celebration.

Catholic Schools Week

2010-01-29T10:48:00.000-08:00

“Catholic Schools: Dividends for Life; Faith, Knowledge, Discipline and Morals”

We have great activities planned for this year’s Catholic Schools Week. We are going to raise money for 2 different causes. One is local and one is in Kenya. We are going to have piggy banks for each teacher in the main hall starting on Sunday at the Open House. The class that has the most money in their bank will have a class party at Pin Heads Bowling Alley.

To have the fun of being out of uniform for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday the students must pay $1.00 on Monday, January, 26^th.

The Fun Wednesday Lunch Form and the Wrist Band Form will be going out on Wednesday, January 27^th. Please let your students know that these forms need to be back in the office by Monday, February 1^st.

There wil be St. Joan of Arc Trivia each morning during the Announcements.

Monday:

PAJAMA DAY: Students may come dressed in their favorite pajamas.
Spell Bowl practice immediately following 4-8 lunch in the gym. Grades K-3 may join to watch.(1:00)
All School Rosary in the Gym at 2:15

Tuesday:

MIX-MATCH DAY: students may wear mix-matching clothing to school.
Bake Sale at lunch
1^st -8^th Grade Jeopardy in the Gym at 2:00

Wednesday:

Student Appreciation Day.

SPIRIT DAY: Students may wear jeans along with spirit clothing (red and white).
5^th Grade Mass at St. Lawerence
8^th grade vs. teachers Volleyball game at 9:45 in the Gym.
Special Lunch in the cafeteria. Pre-K through 3^rd Grade at 11:00-11:30 and 4^th Grade through 8^th Grade at 11:35-12:05
All School Carnival is going to be from 12:30-2:30. This year we will start the carnival with Pre-K- 1 coming in from 12:30-1:00(please have a parent set up your game and manage it until you are able to come. At that time, the parent can continue to manage it or you can take over) they will then be joined by the rest of the school at 1:00

Thursday:

Catholic School Appreciation Day.

ST. JOAN OF ARC DAY: Students must be in school uniform
All School Mass
Open House with tours running throughout the day.
North Deanery Spell Bowl at Chatard at 6:00pm

Friday:

Staff Appreciation Day.

COLTS BLUE DAY: Students may show their spirit for the Superbowl bound Colts by wearing blue.
Teacher Trivia will be played throughout the day over the PA. Each class will have an answer sheet and the winning class will receive a class
Dress Rehearsal for “Oz” in the Gym at 1:30. Concessions will be available for purchase prior to the show.

All money raised will be split between Tatum’s Bags of Fun and an orphanage in Kenya.

Upcoming Events for 6th grade

2010-01-11T07:15:00.000-08:00

Here is a calendar of important upcoming dates:

Jan.14th- Middle school will be attending an MLK celebration at the Indiana State Museum

Jan.15th - end of 2nd quarter

Jan.18th- Martin Luther King Day (no school)

Jan.20th- Report cards issued

Jan.21st- Honor Roll Ceremony after Mass

Jan.30th-Feb.5th- Catholic Schools Week

Feb.5th- CSW Carnival

Feb.6-7th- School Musical "OZ"

National Geographic Geography Bee

2010-01-07T12:18:00.000-08:00

The students in 6th grade had their classroom competition answering questions on geography for the National Geographic Geography Bee. The top two students from our class, Chad and Aleise, will be moving onto the school competition that will be held at 12:45pm in the gym on Tuesday, January 12. Their will be two representatives form grades 4th-8th competing against one another. The winner of the school bee will take a written qualifying test to move onto the state National Geographic Bee.

Good luck to Chad and Aleise! Mrs. Powroznik:)

AR GOALS DUE BY 1/14/10

2010-01-06T10:42:00.000-08:00

Just a reminder that all AR goals need to be met by next Thursday, January 14th. The 2nd quarter ends the following day (1/15/10). Two test grades will be entered in all students' Reading grade. The first grade is the percent of goal achieved, and the second grade is the average percent correct on AR tests. There are still many students who have much work to do, so please encourage your children to keep on reading!

Thank you!

Mrs. Funk

Progress Reports!

2009-11-30T08:40:00.000-08:00

Progress reports go home this Wednesday! Please sign and return! Thanks, Mrs. Powroznik

Storytelling Arts of Indiana Festival

2009-11-30T07:03:00.000-08:00

This Friday, the 6th grade students will be attending the Storytelling Festival at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center. The students will be entertained with multicultural storytelling sessions that will be filled with music, laughter, and learning. Permission slips will be going home today! Thanks, Mrs. Powroznik

Santa's Book Shop

2009-11-30T06:45:00.000-08:00

It's that time already! Santa's Book Shop will be held this Thursday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Last year, students were able to look for books and make purchases during the school day for their friends and family members. Again, we will have valet giftwrapping available. The book shop will be open that afternoon and evening so students can return and shop with their families, too. There will be a special boutique section with some fun games donated by Mrs. Schneider! Donations are still being accepted in the library!

In Science...

2009-11-15T18:53:00.000-08:00

Students have just finished learning about the Earth's Atmosphere and Weather. We are now moving into a chapter regarding Water and Oceans. Feel free to drop by and look in at our Solar System Model, which is hanging from the ceiling, or our Planets Brochures, which are decorating the walls outside the classroom!

Ms. Klee

Colt's Blue Day!

2009-11-12T07:52:00.000-08:00

Reminder:

Next Friday, November 20th, students will be allowed to wear jeans and a Colts jersey or t-shirt if they bring in $1.00. The proceeds will be going to FSF. Let's show are pride for our awesome Colts!

Upcoming Events!

2009-11-11T06:04:00.000-08:00

November-

11/16- Yearbook Activity Day (sports, Student Council & activity groups photographed)

11/25 - Special Person's Day! 1:00pm dismissal

11/26 & 11/27 Thanksgiving Break!:)

Canned Food Drive!

2009-11-09T16:46:00.000-08:00

Please being in canned foods this week to help the hungry! The student council is sponsoring a canned food drive this Tuesday, Nov.10th-Friday, Nov.13th. We are partnering with Cathedral High School to help collect canned food items to help stock local food pantries. Every little donation counts! Let's work together to help the less fortunate!:) Thanks, Mrs. Powroznik

In Reading this Week . . .

2009-11-02T10:02:00.000-08:00

The 6th grade will continue working on their short story unit. We will read two stories this week: "La Puerta" and "War." This week we will focus on literary skills such as conflict and mood and work on applying them to the stories.

No School Friday

2009-11-02T09:56:00.000-08:00

Dear Middle School Parents,

This is just a reminder that there will be no school this Friday, November 6^th for all 6^th, 7^th and 8^th grade students. The Superintendent of Indianapolis Schools has issued a waiver for all middle school students to miss school on 11/6/2009 so that all middle school teachers may attend the National Middle School Teachers Conference downtown. This day will not need to be made up by our students.

Thank you,

The Middle School Teachers

Conferences

2009-10-19T08:18:00.000-07:00

Student-led Conferences
Reminder: Student-led conferences will be held on October 26th and 27th for all middle school students. Students will be dismissed at 1:00 p.m. on October 27th and October 28th. Fall break is October 29-30. Please remember to return your child's conference reminder form to school if you have not yet done so. Thank you. Mrs. Powroznik

St. Joan of Arc Community Garden

2009-10-13T10:25:00.000-07:00

The 6th grade students will be working on the SJOA community garden this Friday afternoon from 1:30pm-2:50pm. This is a project that we began last year with the help of Eli Lily employees on their "Lily Day of Service" and Keep Indianapolis Beautiful. If you are a family member interested in helping us to finish this garden, please come on Friday. There's plenty to do! We hope to make this garden a place where everyone from the community can relax, reflect, plant, and enjoy! The students can wear jeans on Friday. We will provide them with gloves and tools. Thanks! Mrs.Powroznik

6th Grade Social Studies Update!

2009-10-08T14:05:00.001-07:00

Currently, in Social Studies the students are studying the government, history, economics, traditions, and people of Mexico. The students will be doing a project on a famous historical or present day figure from Mexico or Mexican American. The class will be choosing an individual they would like to research and create an informational portrait of that person. The portraits will be posted in our hallway so we create a gallery. The students will become an expert on that individual and present a 3-5 minute oral presentation on that person's life and contributions.

Conferences

2009-10-08T13:58:00.001-07:00

Conference forms went home in your child's Thursday folder today. Please check the date and time scheduled for your conference and let us know if this works for you. If not, please let us know of alternative times and dates. Please return the form asap with your child, so we can secure the time and date. We are looking forward to meeting with you to discuss your child's academic progress. Thanks, Mrs. Powroznik

Student Council Representatives (6th)

2009-10-08T09:09:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to our 6th grade elected student council representatives for the 2009-2010 school year!

Our main representative is Shabreea Gaines and our alternate is Rosemary Bickel.

We are looking forward to a wonderful school year! :) Mrs. Powroznik

Heartland Film Festival Ticket Raffle

2009-10-07T10:21:00.000-07:00

Dear Parents,

We wanted to inform you about a wonderful opportunity for 25 lucky 4th through 8th grade students. Heartland Truly Moving Pictures, Duke Energy, and B-Side Entertainment have donated tickets for our students and their parents to attend movies showcased at the Heartland Film Festival.

Fourteen students will be awarded vouchers that may be redeemed for general film screenings during the Festival at AMC Greenwood and AMC Castleton.

October 16th -- AMC Castleton ONLY
October 17th - 24th -- AMC Castleton and AMC Greenwood Park Mall.

Eight students will be awarded Opening Night Event Screening Tickets for Thursday, October 15th at the Murat Center. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The screening is at 7:30 p.m. and they film showing is Hachi, A Dog's Tale.

Finally, three students will be awarded tickets to the Family Movie Event on Sunday, October 18th at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center. The doors open at 1:00 p.m. and the screening begins at 2:00 p.m. The film is The Perfect Game.

This Friday, October 9th, during morning prayer, we will draw names of students in grades 4 through 8 who have met their quarter AR goal or who are within 5 points of reaching their AR goal AND have a 90% or above average on AR tests. This is a wonderful opportunity presented to us by Michael O'Brien and Grace Crowell to reward our good readers here at St. Joan of Arc. We thank them, as well as the ticket sponsors, for their generosity.

Thank you!

Mrs. Jeatran and Mrs. Funk, Middle School Language Arts Teachers

In Reading this Week . . .

2009-10-05T08:41:00.000-07:00

The 6th grade has finished reading Where the Red Fern Grows, and this week they will get to see the movie version. We will begin the movie Monday and finish up Wednesday or Friday in class. We will then move on to a formal writing assignment. The students will be asked to write an obituary for one of the dogs from novel. Students will have to characterize the dogs as well as practice writing informatively. Everyone seemed to really love the book, so I think they'll enjoy this writing assignment.

Also, this week, I am meeting with a few students who are struggling with meeting their AR goals. I specified on each student's progress report what his or her current AR progress was. We still have a few students who are nowhere near reaching that goal. Just a reminder: the percentage that a student reaches will be entered as a test grade in Reading class. So, if a student has met 100% of his goal, he would receive a 100% test grade in reading; however, if a student only meets 70% of his goal, he would receive a 70% test grade in Reading. Please continue to encourage your children to read at home in addition to the time they are allowed here at school. Thank you for your help.

Progress Reports!

2009-09-24T05:31:00.000-07:00

Progress reports went home yesterday. Please review them with your child, sign and return them to me asap. If you are interested in having a conference, please indicate that on the progress report. Thanks so much! ~Mrs.Powroznik

In Reading this Week . . .

2009-09-21T10:46:00.000-07:00

This week, we will finish reading Where the Red Fern Grows. Students will be listening to the book on CD as well as reading independently at home. We will be discussing the themes of the novel in the later half of the week as well as applying them directly to the text. Students will be asked to find "textual evidence" of the theme in the novel. On Friday, we will begin reviewing the novel and students will be given a study guide to complete for Monday (this will count as extra credit). The test will be on Wednesday, September 30th. Since that day is a 1:00 dismissal day, the kids will begin their test during SLT time that morning, and continue it during 1st period Reading class. I would have postponed the test until Friday (10/2), but cannot due to the King Tut field trip.

Several students continue to forget to bring their copies of Where the Red Fern Grows to Reading class. These children cannot follow along in the book if this is the case because we have no extra copies. Please remind your students to have their novels with them on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Really, they should just keep them in their backpacks. Thank you for your help!

Middle School Social Studies Field Trip!

2009-09-21T05:56:00.000-07:00

I am very excited to provide the middle school students with the opportunity on Friday, October 2nd to attend the special exhibit of King Tutankhaten at the Children's Museum. This exhibit allows students to take a journey back in time to Ancient Egypt to explore what life was like during the time of the great Pharaohs of Egypt.

The exhibition includes artifacts representing the life of the kings and queens and illustrates the importance of kingship to the Egyptian people. The exhibit has spectacular jewelry, pottery, a replica of King Tut's burial chambers, Egyptian currency, and an Egyptian marketplace. This is a unique experience for the students to get a deeper understanding of a different culture and see how advanced some ancient civilizations really were.

~Mrs. Powroznik

No Help Session 24th

2009-09-20T18:37:00.000-07:00

There will be no help session this Thursday, September 24th. I have a check-up after school because of an injury I acquired this weekend. I will remind the students, and I also sent out a homework watcher.

Thanks,

Ms. Klee

In Reading this week . . .

2009-09-15T17:38:00.000-07:00

The 6th grade will continue reading Where the Red Fern Grows. We have been enjoying listening to the book on CD in class. This week, we are focusing on the author's use of imagery in the text. Students have done various activities with visualization where they have had to select a passage from the novel that demonstrates strong imagery and sketch it based on what picture it paints for them. They've done an excellent job with this so far. On Friday, we will have a quiz on chapters 6-15.

I reminded the kids that next week, progress reports will be sent home. This means we are half way through the first quarter. I told the kids that at this point, they should have achieved 50 percent of their AR point goal. I want to be sure everyone is successful at the end of the quarter, as AR will count for approximately 20 percent of their final Reading grade. Thanks for continuing to encourage your kids to read!

Mrs. Funk

Science

2009-09-11T20:02:00.000-07:00

In Science, we have been finishing up discussion concerning the nature of science, which is mostly Chapter 1 in the students' books. We have also been using our ISTEP books in preparation for the science ISTEP in March.

6th grade will be having a test next Friday, the 18th, over Chapter 1 in their books, as well as measurement and graphing notes, which we will discuss on Monday. We will review in class on Thursday. If your child is struggling with a concept, please have him/her sign up to attend the review session, as well as send in a permission slip form. If you would rather email me directly, that is fine, as long as I know how your child is getting home from the help session (walker, car rider, NYO). As a reminder, these help sessions end promptly at 4:30 P.M.

6th grade is also having a quiz over Chapter 1 vocabulary on Tuesday, the 15th.

Ms. Klee

School Lunch Program

2009-09-08T10:14:00.000-07:00

Hello Families-

We would like to remind you to please have your lunch order forms and payment turned into the office or to your child's teacher with your request for hot lunch or deli lunch for your child. It is very important that we get these on time and that your child understands what they are supposed to be eating. Please let them know if they are hot lunch or deli for the week. There are some students that are switching their orders and we need to have them adhere to what you have requested. Mrs. Burnside orders only enough hot lunch for the families that have requested it and we don't want to run out. If you have not ordered and paid for a hot/deli lunch, you must have a sack lunch sent to school with your child.

Thanks! Mrs. Powroznik

REMINDER: CAMP PERMISSION SLIPS ARE DUE BY WEDNESDAY!

2009-08-31T12:15:00.000-07:00

In 6th Grade Reading this week . . .

2009-08-31T12:12:00.000-07:00

In Reading class this week, students will recieve their AR point goals for Quarter 1. It is imperative that students reach their goals by the end of the 9 weeks; otherwise, the percentage they have towards their goal will be transferred as a test grade in Reading class. For example, if students are 60% of the way to their goal, that would transfer as a 60% (F). Other AR grades will also be factored in. This week in Reading, we will continue with Where the Red Fern Grows. Students took a quiz on chapters 1-5 today. Because this week and next are short school weeks (because of CYO camp, Labor Day and French Market set up), students may have more at-home reading to complete for homework. The kids are really liking the novel so far; today they asked me if I would assign MORE chapters for homework! Again, I think this is a great quality of the 6th grade class!

6th grade Social Studies-How to access your child's grades?

2009-08-31T06:52:00.000-07:00

Hello Families-
I am using a special online gradebook to keep all of the students social studies grades available to you at anytime to view. The online grading program is called Engrade. Your child will be given a flyer with a unique password (Access Code) to enter on the website to access their grades and any other posted information.

With the flyer, students will go to http://www.engrade.com/students, enter their Access Code(s), and choose a username/password combination. Students can then use their username and password to log in anytime and see their up-to-the-minute classroom information on Engrade.

Please remind your child that these usernames/passwords should be kept confidential and only should be given to you! I will also be printing your child's grades to put in their Thursday folders each week. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks so much, Mrs. Powroznik

6th Grade Science

2009-08-29T18:45:00.000-07:00

Hello! This year in science we will be following the 6th grade Indiana Science standards. The 6th graders will also have an ISTEP prep book in order to prepare them for their science ISTEP next March. So far, we have been discussing steps of the Scientific Method and Scientific Inquiry. On Friday, the 6th grade used internet and book resources to figure out what certain scientists studied, how they studied it, and the processes they used to study it. They will be sharing their results with their classmates on Monday.

Also--

Help Sessions:
I sent home a letter in your Thursday folders explaining information regarding my help sessions on Thursdays. I got a bunch back that were signed; however, the permission slip is the blue sheet of paper your child should have in his/her science folder. I need a permission slip every time your child attends my help session. This is for everyone's safety, so that I know that you as parents/guardians know where your child is. If your child has signed up to attend my help session, but will no longer be attending it, I need an email, phone call, or written letter stating so.
I need to know that you know that your child will not be at SJOA attending the help session.

On that note, my help sessions end at 4:30 PM. I will be bringing students down at 4:25 to NYO, to walk, or to be picked up. If your child is being picked up late, please call/email me and let me know. If your child is picked up late more than twice, I will have to ask that he/she no longer attends the help sessions. (For me, late constitutes after 4:35 PM.) If your child is a hindrance or disruptive to the help session, I will have to ask that he/she no longer attends the help sessions.

Ms. Klee

Homework Watcher

2009-08-28T11:05:00.000-07:00

Attention!

Each night you will be sent an email that states what your child's homework is for that evening through an email system called Homework Watcher. If you have changed your email address and need to update it with our system or if you are new to Homework Watcher please let me or the office know. I have been sending updates home each night, so if you are not receiving them, it may be that we do not have your email address on file. Homework Watcher is not a substitute for you child to be excused from writing their assignments down in their assignment notebooks, but a way for you to double check their assignments. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks! Mrs. Powroznik :)

6th grade Social Studies

2009-08-26T08:42:00.000-07:00

The main content in 6th grade Social Studies that we focus on is Europe and the America's.

Currently, the 6th grade is studying Latin America. We have started to look at the geography of Latin America and will move into the ancient people of Latin America which includes the lives of the Inca, Aztec, and Mayan civilizations.

Below is a link to view the Indiana 6th grade Social Studies standards. Please take a moment to check them out.

Directions:

Click on the link below and then go to "Academic Standards" on the left hand side under "Helpful Links." Click on "Standards" underneath "Indiana Standards and Resources." Then checkmark 6th grade and Social Studies. You may also use this link to view the other standards in their classes such as math, reading, and science.

http://www.doe.in.gov/

6th Grade Reading

2009-08-26T08:04:00.000-07:00

This week in Reading class, we have started reading our first class novel, Where the Red Fern Grows. The kids seem to love it already and we're only 5 chapters in! They practically beg me to read, read, read! (This is a good thing!) In addition to the reading, we are also on focusing on the novel Vocabulary for chapters 1 through 5 as well as completing discussion questions for the chapters. On Monday, students will be given a short quiz on chapters 1-5. The 6th grade is off to a great start, and they are really GOOD readers! Our school librarian should be proud!

Mrs. Funk

CYO Camp Information

2009-08-26T06:56:00.000-07:00

Hello parents!

Here is some updated information regarding our Middle School Retreat to Camp Rancho Framasa Sept. 3rd and 4th. Please review and let us know if you have any questions! Thank you.

CYO Camp Rancho Framasa
September 3-4, 2009

This school year, we have a wonderful opportunity to take our entire middle school to Camp Rancho Framasa for a leadership and service retreat. The leadership program’s objectives are the following:
To practice leadership and teamwork skills for life
To recognize students’ roles as leaders in their community
To develop leadership skills
To understand a Christian’s call to be a servant leader as Christ and to learn to live that calling
This is an overnight trip. We have more than enough chaperones, and your children will be in good hands. The 6th, 7th and 8th grade boys will stay together in one cabin, and the girls will be in another. The male chaperones (parent volunteers) will be staying in the same cabin as the boys, and the female teachers will be staying with the girls, as this is the camp’s policy.

During our stay, we will be participating in the following activities:

Teambuilding Games
Low Challenge course (**this is NOT the high ropes course)
Hikes
Canoeing
Lanyard Making
Campfire Activities
Survival Techniques
Affirmations
Leadership
Climbing Wall
Mass led by Fr. Guy

We know this will be a powerful experience for your children, and it will be a great way to kick off our new school year at St. Joan of Arc. Please let us know if you have any concerns or other questions, and we’d be happy to discuss them with you.

News update!

2009-08-18T16:28:00.000-07:00

If your child is interested in becoming a server for school masses or is already a server, he or she should attend the Server Training Meeting on August 30th after the 10:30 mass. A parent is asked to attend with his or her child.
The activity fee for the 2009-2010 school year is $50.00. This fee will be used for a 2-day Leadership Retreat held at Camp Rancho Framasa on Sept. 3rd and 4th. Please check Thursday folders for more information. It will also be used for 2 field trips to IRT and the end of the year trip to Chicago. These events will be discussed at Back to School Night. The activity fee must be paid by September 15th.
We have a new lunch program. There is a hot lunch option or a deli bar option (cold cuts and the trimmings) If you have not enrolled your student in this program please do so immediately or make sure he or she brings his or her own lunch to school.

Welcome to 6th grade!

2009-08-18T15:24:00.001-07:00

Hello 6th graders!

I am so excited for you to be in my homeroom this year! We will have a fantastic time together. Most of you know me as Miss Tollefson, but I was recently married over the summer and I am now Mrs. Powroznik! I will also be your teacher for Social Studies and this year you will be learning about Europe, South America, and Central America.

Here is a little information about me.....

I have lived in Minnesota, Florida, Illinois, and Indiana. I graduated from Ball State University with my Bachelor's degree in history. I then continued my studies to receive my Masters degree in Elementary Education and Language Arts from Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago. I have been teaching for four years.

I love to read, play golf, spend time with my friends & family, and take my darling pug to the dog park. Isn't she cute?

We will be doing a variety of educational field trips, activities, and have community guest presentations. Unique to 6th grade is the online Newsbowl Current Events League. 6th graders will be placed in teams to answer challenging current events questions to compete against other 6th graders around the country.

I will be frequently posting updates on events and information you need to know. Please do not hesitate to email or call me with any questions or concerns. I am looking forward to an incredible year with the 6th grade! Thank you, Mrs. Elizabeth Powroznik

Welcome to your SJA eClassroom

2008-08-07T08:49:00.001-07:00

Your eClassroom is a new tool to enhance the educational experience for you, your students and their families

An eClassroom is Essentially a Blog
Perhaps one of the most fascinating tools that has emerged from the Internet cloud in recent years is the Blog. A shortening of the term Web log, the Blog is an online publishing tool that enables people to easily publish their loves, passions, dislikes, peeves, discoveries, and insights.

Blogging is also showing up in schools, where teachers have known for a long time that students develop better communication skills when they are authentically communicating. A number of educators are helping their students developing their writing skills by having them publish their work as blogs, and then invite comments from people in the outside.

There are many freely available tools that facilitate blogging, but none seem especially suited for the classroom. That is the reason for developing the eClassroom for SJA. This online blogging tool is explicitly designed with teachers and students in mind, where the teacher can evaluate, comment on, and finally publish students' blog articles in a controlled environment. It is and will be constantly in development. We need your input to refine the look, content, layout of the eClassroom.

There are many options available to teachers who utilize web journals (blogs) to enhance the learning experience. Teaching in a participatory culture can be challenging, but rewarding. Today, teachers have to learn to communicate in the language and style of their students—who some call digital natives (inhabitants of the Web 2.0 world).

Assignments, etc.
For students in grades 4—8, the eClassroom will be the source point for classroom activites, supplemental learning resources, assignments, long-tern projects, links to relevant sites, field trips, etc. How you integrate your eClassroom may vary from other teachers, but understand that with regular use, this tool will become a vital part of your curriculum and teaching style.