GREETINGS!

Greetings,

We jumped right into March and still have so much more learning to go. Make sure you scroll through all of the pictures in this newsletter. The student pictures demonstrate the great teaching and learning happening throughout the school. Students are very busy in their classrooms as well as after school activities/Clubs and our recent field trips.

We are looking forward to the class level Spelling Bee on Monday, March 6. A big shout out to everyone studying this weekend. The second round is school wide on March 13 and the final round is at St. Catherine’s High School on March 22. We will update when we know who moves on to represent St. Rita's. Please encourage your child(ren) to study this weekend.

Our State Wide Student Assessment/Forward Exam is forthcoming on March 20. What is the Forward Exam? “During the 2015-16 school year, Wisconsin rolled out a new assessment called the Wisconsin Forward Exam. The Exam is designed to gauge how well students are doing in relation to the Wisconsin Academic Standards.  These standards outline what students should know and be able to do in order to be college and career ready. The Forward Exam is administered online in the spring of each school year at:

• Grades 3-8 in English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics,

• Grades 4 and 8 in Science and,

• Grades 4, 8, and 10 in Social Studies.

The Forward Exam is a high quality, research-based, and affordable online assessment that meets Wisconsin’s expectations. It is a customized assessment with innovative item types that includes test items reviewed and approved by Wisconsin educators. 

We are asking each family in grades 3-8 to write a note of encouragement for the start of the assessment. Please see the section noted in this newsletter for more details. 

Saint Patrick, who lived during the fifth century, is the patron saint of Ireland and its national apostle. Born in Roman Britain, he was kidnapped and brought to Ireland as a slave at 16. He later escaped, but returned to Ireland and was credited with bringing Christianity to its people. In the centuries following Patrick’s death (believed to have been on March 17, 461), the mythology surrounding his life became ever more ingrained in the Irish culture: Perhaps the most well-known legend of St. Patrick is that he explained the Holy Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) using the three leaves of a native Irish clover, the shamrock. Carnation Sales in recognition of St. Patrick’s Day! St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated annually on March 17, the anniversary of his death in the fifth century. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for over 1,000 years. On St. Patrick’s Day, which falls during the Christian season of Lent, Irish families would traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon. Lenten prohibitions against the consumption of meat were waived and people would dance, drink and feast on the traditional meal of Irish bacon and cabbage. 

We will have an OOU Day in honor of St. Patrick on March 15 (details forthcoming). As a reminder, there is no school for students on March 16 and 17.

Still wondering what Lent is about?  

Prayer, Fasting , and Almsgiving--Check out this 3 minute video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xo1mjuy1NA0

In closing, Pope Francis shared at his homily on Ash Wednesday during Mass, “The imposition of ashes at the beginning of Lent reminds people to "return to the truth about ourselves," which is that "the Lord alone is God, and we are the work of his hands.”

Blessings,

Dr. Sue

St. Rita's Mission

Living Loving and Learning Our Faith: Living as members of our Catholic Faith Community; Loving God and all of His creation; Learning for our future on Earth and Heaven.