The office is in the process of collecting names of prospective students for Early Childhood and Kindergarten for next year. We only have names of children baptized in one of the five parishes. If you know of child(ren) who were baptized in another parish or who have moved into our communities, please call the office to have a packet sent to them.
Are you registered in a parish? Registered parishioners currently in the three-year-old program have priority before January 4, 2008, for the four-year-old program. After that time the program is open to everyone. First priority for Den are the Kindergarten Prep students followed by four-year-old pre-schoolers. The date and time we receive applications will be charted on your registration.
The three-year-old Tuesday/Thursday Preschool is available half days (mornings) or all day to include afternoons. The four-year-old preschool is available half day or all day Monday-Wednesday-Friday, with Den available Tuesday-Thursday all day. Materials will be sent from the office to prospective families that we know about the first week of January.
Our family life program, Growing in Love, will begin the first full week of January. It is offered to grades K-8 and is taught during the religion period. There is a parent book for each grade that will be sent home and needs to be returned with each child at the end of the seven weeks. Students will bring their student books home each week. We ask that you take time to look over the program each week with your child.
At the end of the seven weeks, please return the parent books. When the books aren't returned, there aren't enough for the next year. Last year 61 books were not returned. The year before 40 books were not returned. These are expenses that we have not budgeted for as the parent books are designed to be used over again. Please pay for the books that you do not return at the end of the program.
The basketball season is in full swing. Students and parents are welcomed and encouraged to attend games and cheer on the Bears. Please go over the following guidelines with your students. There are no new guidelines, yet the last few games have been a challenge.
For the safety of players, referees, and fans, all students are expected to SIT and WATCH the ball game. Grades 1- 8 (kindergartners and younger are too young) may sit on the stage with their friends or they may SIT in the stands WITH their parents. Students are not allowed to play inside or outside the building. For the enjoyment of all spectators, restroom or concession breaks are limited to quarter breaks and between games, whether in the stands or on the stage.
Fans Show Respect By:
Students are far more comfortable when they know what will happen for them at the end of their day and when they have a routine. Students are beginning to show up quite regularly again not seeming to know what they are to do at the end of the day. Whenever possible, please send notes with your child in the morning. A phone message to a child about dismissal should be the exception rather than the rule.
Christmas break is a good time to take a look at your child(ren)'s school uniform. Many children have grown taller. Check to see that shorts are walking length (some of the middle school uniform shorts, athletic and gym shorts need to be looked at and measured by this guideline), shirts are long enough to be tucked in comfortably, and slacks have not been cut at the bottom. No intentionally ripped or torn clothing is worn at Seton. Only white shirts are worn underneath uniform shirts. After the Christmas break, out of uniform clothing will result in the loss of pride club marks.
Vocation Awareness Week is scheduled for January 13 - 18, 2008. Students will be focusing on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which marks Jesus' initiation into public ministry. Students in grades K - 8 will focus on recommitting themselves to follow in the footsteps of Jesus as the Beloved of God.
This year the diocese will forego the creativity contest. Students will be encouraged to have a letter writing campaign to the current seminarians in our diocese, acknowledging their commitment and personal thoughts on vocations. The idea is to help students look at vocations from the perspective of someone actually going through the religious process; and secondly, to help the seminarians feel connected to the diocese.
Just a reminder that as the real winter weather has arrived, PreK-8 students are required to wear hats, glove/mittens, and coats. PreK-6 students all wear boots. Snow pants are required PreK-4. Others may choose to wear snow pants or boots if they wish. Winter attire is required every day until the threat of cold/snow is over in the spring.
Please listen to KLGA for weather announcements. The news of late starts and/or cancellations is usually on around 6:00am.
Pages 2 and 6-7 of the Annual Progress Report are included with this newsletter. On page 2, you will find a report of our proficiency rate, year-to-year progress on the ITBS/ITEDs, and the reading goals for the system.
Pages 6-7 include a report on the required multiple assessment in the area of reading. Note that 100% of the first grade students achieved "established reader" status, and that 90.5% of the eleventh grade students were proficient in the ASSET test.
Sarah Shey, New York author and former Bishop Garrigan student, recently took time to read her books to the Seton third, fourth, and fifth grade students. While in the fifth grade, Sarah read Sky All Around and Blue Lake Days. Hopefully Sarah will return to Algona in a few weeks and read to other classrooms.
At the end of November the 5th and 6th grade students enjoyed a nice Thanksgiving feast for their Pride Club event. A special thank-you to the mothers that provided salads and helped serve the meal. The students definitely enjoyed it.
- Mrs. Kara Birkey
The diocese sent schools information on a new Google feature which enables you to type in a telephone number in the search bar, hit enter, and find the person's name and address. Then hit "map", and you will get a map to the person's house.
If a child gives out his/her phone number, anyone can look it up to find out where he/she lives. Safety issues are obvious. To test whether your phone number is mapped, go to Google, http://www.google.com. Type your phone number in the search bar, and hit enter. If you want to block Google from divulging your private information, simply click on your phone number, then click the removal form. Removal takes 48 hours.
Four Thursdays, beginning January 3, 2008, there will be an opportunity for parents of all age students to participate in Love and Logic parent training sessions. This is a wonderful opportunity! I have never seen the training come so close to us. It is usually in large cities like Minneapolis, Omaha, etc.
What is it? It is a program focusing on how to become a firm but loving parent. The program teaches parents how to avoid power struggles, be an effective listener, set positive parameters, raise responsible children, and take care of themselves. Note that there is free child care available. See the enclosed flier. We strongly recommend the program.
On December 12, the students in Mr. Stillman's classes spent time taking a special look at Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas and of the Sioux City Diocese. The classes learned that the Blessed Mother appeared at Tepeyac, and they found where this spot was on the northwest side of Mexico City. The classes also learned of Juan Diego to whom Our Lady appeared, and of Juan Diego's tilma on which was imprinted the image of Mary. This tilma is today encased in glass and hangs above the main altar of the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City.
- Mr. Chuck Stillman
The third grade class is busy working on multiplication. The students have used a variety of strategies to learn their multiplication facts. Some of their favorites are the flashcards they made, team games and computer programs. Songs, poems, and different sayings also help students learn different facts. The students are often found during their free time practicing their facts using different multiplication games in the classroom. One of the most important things that they have learned is that math is fun!
- Mrs. Kathleen Plathe
- Mrs Kay Kinseth
The Education Fair this year is scheduled for Thursday, January 31, 2008, and the Fair is open to the public from 6:00 - 7:30pm that evening. There is a parent letter that students were given to take home before Christmas break. In it there is a time schedule for the day as well as student guidelines. Your student probably has it in a book bag, but if you need another copy, please ask the homebase teacher.