2nd Grade Inventions

by Sister Sheena, 2nd Grade teacher

Our invention

Second grade did a project that was about inventions. It was in our reading program. The purpose of this project was to study how can we invent without any cost. The students made different models and demonstrated them in class. It was a lot of fun!

Some of the students and their inventions are shown below. We asked each student to describe their invention.

Dakarai - "An ocean. Everybody wants me to shake it up."

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Quentoria - "Pencil holder. You can put the pencils in and hang it up"

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Darren - "Bowling numbers. 

You roll up tin foil, and I made bottles with numbers on them. And then we roll it."

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Lineal - "A chocolate maker. You put the ingredients in the and it comes out from the top."

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Laila - "A doggy car seat and bed. That's my dog. My real dog is a Maltese."

Thank you 2nd grade and Sister Sheena.
Great job!

Embryology Experiment, Part 1

Mrs. Leonard's 3rd grade class has begun an embryology experiment. They are trying to hatch chicks in an incubator! This is the first post of a series, so that we can follow along with this fun experiment.

Here's Mrs. Leonard's 3rd grade class with the incubator box.

This is the goal! These are some chicks from a visit to the Palos Children's Farm.

The eggs have to be monitored a few times a day. Mrs. Leonard brought them home the first weekend. Below, her daughter, Superwoman Suzy, checks on the eggs.

The class candled all the eggs. The first one looks like it has an embryo.

Here's the hatching schedule and the whole incubator setup!

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Good luck 3rd grade!

13th Annual Lend a Shoulder Day

The long awaited 'Lend a Shoulder Day' celebration has come and gone, but the memories are still in the minds and hearts of the students, staff, and faculty members of our school.  Nine members of the Big Shoulders Organization who graced the occasion arrived at our school as early as 8.30am on Thursday, November 8, 2012.  The students and staff welcomed them with a heart-warming song, "My God is Awesome." 










To mark this 13th annual event, the Big Shoulders' members engaged in different activities with the students which included; writing, an art contest, working on science variables, addition and subtraction patterns, and organizing a grocery store with the preschoolers.  It was indeed an exciting and fascinating experience for all!











As we are all aware, the mission of the Big Shoulders Fund is to provide support to the Catholic Schools in the neediest areas of inner city Chicago.  They have offered scholarships to many students, donated instructional equipment and materials to needy schools, and also engaged in school facility improvements.

 
Oh! Our God is really awesome, for through the Big Shoulders Fund, He is moving the financial mountains and weaknesses of our disadvantaged students,  enabling them achieve their academic potentials.  THANK YOU, Big Shoulders, for being an instructment in the hands of our Awesome God!

Go Chess Team!

The St. Ethelreda Chess Coach, Mr. Luster, and his team have been quietly and patiently moving their way towards success this school year.  With a total of twenty students and ten official US Chess Federation members, this chess team has no shortage of competitions.

So far, the St. Ethelreda chess team has competed in several tournaments at several locations ranging from De La Salle, Whitney Young, and even at St. Ethelreda.  The chess team will be looking to place 1st  in at least one or more of the upcoming tournaments the remainder of this school year. The chess team would like to thank the parents, faculty, and students for their continued support.

 Chess Team Members: Taifa M., Amani M., Asia W., Sparkle W., Trelinique H, Javon G., Trevon G., Jaeden R., Elijah W., Zachary B., Markquail S., KyDele F., Torrance H., Chanelle H., Ryan J., Briana L., Tre N., Ariel R., Arion R., and Shaun T.

St. Ethelreda Chess team we are proud of you!

Go Chess Team, Go!!!

Noadiyah Wins 1st Place in Bud Billiken Essay Competition!

Congratulations to Noadiyah J., who took the top prize in the essay competition of the Bud Billiken King and Queen Contest.

Even though Noadiyah didn't become Bud Billiken Queen, she reigned supreme as the 1st place winner for her essay on growing vegetables. Noadiyah was presented her award at the King and Queen Coronation ceremony on August 7th at the Museum of Science and Industry in front of her proud family and Principal Spells.

This Saturday, Noadiyah will represent St. Ethelreda School on the Royal Court float in the 2011 Bud Billiken Parade. You can watch the parade on WLS-TV Channel 7 or WGN Channel 9 starting at 10:00 am.

St. Ethelreda will be watching!

Happy Grandparents Day!

It was a day of song and celebration for the beloved grandparents of St. Ethelreda students on May 20th. From a rousing country western line dance to a soulful serenade of “My Grandparents” to the tune of the Temptations' hit My Girl, the grandparents were treated to several loving tributes from their grandchildren.

After enjoying the rousing entertainment and spending quality time with their grandchildren, the grandparents were treated to a nice lunch and even nicer memories of a very special day planned in their honor.

Dr. Seuss Day Was A-OKAY!

The magical world of Dr. Seuss’ beloved classics came to life as students and teachers celebrated National Dr. Seuss Day on March 15th. Ms. Briana Holland led the charge to bring Dr. Seuss Day to St. Ethelreda for the first time.

From dressing up to reading stories to playing Green Eggs and Ham Tic-Tac-Toe, St. Ethelreda School was transformed into a page right out of a Dr. Seuss book:

Preschool
Mrs. Clair whipped up some delicious green eggs and ham for the four-year-olds…and they liked them!

Kindergarten
Thing 1 and Cat in the Hat, also known as Mrs. Griffin and Mrs. Boatman, kept the kindergarteners busy with many fun projects including a Grinch “Do Not Disturb” style sign and Green Eggs and Ham activity book.

First Grade
First graders adorned in Cat in the Hat hats listened intently while Ms. Holland read them Yertle the Turtle.

Second Grade
Sister Sheena and Mrs. Davis' second grade class made their own whimsical hats and read I Can Read With My Eyes Shut.




This year's Dr. Seuss Day was loads of fun for everyone!

Catholic Schools Week: Better Late Than Never!

This year’s Catholic Schools Week got off to great start but was cut short due to the blizzard of 2011. The celebration resumed a week later and fun was had by all!

The festivities began with a Bring Your Parent to School contest which gave the class with the most visitors a pizza party. Sixth grader Christopher’s mom Monica was one of our first visitors. Antiquetta, an alumna from the Class of 2005 who’s studying to become an elementary school teacher also liked observing her cousin's Jada's class and reflecting on her days as a St. Ethelreda student.

Some of the activities included Share a Day with Your Student, Spirit Day, “Are You Smarter Than Your First – Eighth Grader?” and more:

Bible Stories: First Grade
First graders chose a Bible story, memorized it and recited it to the entire class…and 16 visitors! The class also won the Bring Your Parent to School contest.

Story Time / Flash Card Game: Second Grade
Class of 2002 alum Danysha visited her cousin Shaun and read to his class and played a brainstorm game. “I really enjoyed it,” she said afterwards.

50 States in Rhyme Sing-a-Long / Sparkle Game: Third Grade Map Making Exercise: Fourth Grade
Mom Teyonye did double duty in two of daughter Heavyn’s classes. She also visited son Trayonne’s seventh grade room.

Are You Smarter Than Your Fifth Grader? / Penny for Your Thoughts: Fifth Grade
Fifth grader Danny’s Aunt Kimberly who’s also an alumna from the Class of 1980 took on the “Are You Smarter Than Your Fifth Grader?” challenge…and won!

Thank you to everybody who participated this year!

St. Ethelreda Cheerleaders Win Big in Competition!

Give me a V-I-C-T-O-R-Y!

Our cheerleaders are on a winning streak! They’ve been crowned National Champions, 6th Grade and Under Elementary in the Super Nationals of the Champion Spirit Group competition held on March 12th and 13th.

Not only that -- they recently won 1st Place, Pee Wee Division at the St. Rita Cheer Fest 2011 in February and 2nd Place, Pee Wee Division at the St. Columbanus Cheer It On 2011 competition in January.

Congratulations Cheerleaders! Way to go!

Kindergarten Marks 100th Day of School

Our kindergarten students reached a big milestone on February 8, 2011…the 100th day of school! Mrs. Griffin and Mrs. Boatman commemorated the occasion with a 100th themed celebration. Each student received a 100 day certificate and a birthday-style hat. Students also filled out a 100 number chart with Cheerios and made a wacky 100 wish.

The year started with the children tracking the days on a 100 wall chart which also taught them how to count to 100. All of the 100 day activities were compiled into a book that each student received as a keepsake of their special day.

St. Ethelreda hosts Teachers' Professional Development (TeachScape)

Professional development in general is a process whereby one continually progresses and refines ones skills, method, and approaches in ones given profesion for a positive outcome. Teachers' Professional Development therefore, is a process whereby teachers redefine and restructure their methods, skills, approaches and teaching strategies for effective impact on their students' performance and achievement.

On October 8, 2010, all roads led to St. Ethelreda School for this all important activity. Teachers and Principals from St. John De La Salle, St. Margaret of Scotland and St. Sabina, gathered at St. Ethelreda- the hosting school, for their October TeachScape with the theme 'Response to Intervention (RTI).

Response to Intervention, according to National Center on Response to Intervention," integrates assessment and intervention within a school-wide, multi-level prevention system to maximize student achievement and reduce behavior problems". The importance of Response to Intervention (RTI) includes;

a) School's identification of students at risk for poor learning outcomes

b) Monitoring of student's progress

c) Provision of evidence-based interventions

d) Adjustment of the intensity and nature of those interventions based on a student's responsiveness.

The program ended at about 3.00pm.

Thanks to the principal of St. Ethelreda who accepted hosting this month's TeachScape, to all the teachers that participated and all who contributed in making the whole exercise a success.

First Day of School!

August 23, 2010... The first day of a new school year.

Welcome back to all St Eth students and parents!

Below, Principal Spells enthusiastically rings the bell announcing the start of a new school year at St. Ethelreda!
Of course, there's a lot going on in our first week. Here are a couple of things available on the website to help you:

1. The August school calendar is now available on the Calendar page.
2. Principal Spells' first newsletter, "Aug 2010 A New School Year", is available at Principal Spells page.

Good luck to all for the entire school year!
Peace.