ELA with

Mrs. Lastner

As we progress through this holy season of Lent, we will be participating in several special activities throughout the season to remain focused on the meaning and blessings of Lent.

We are completing this last week of the trimester, and only have a few more assignments to be graded for this marking period. Please encourage your student to make up any work missed due to absences in a timely manner. The middle school policy for making up late work is posted at the bottom of this page.

Picture day will occur on February 26th, so stay tuned for more information about that.

Grade-Level Academic Focus Areas

Sixth Grade:

We will be finishing up our novel, The Seventh Most Important Thing, this week and working on a small project to demonstrate knowledge of some of the book's main messages.

We are finishing our collaborative project to acknowledge and celebrate Black History Month. Students will be finishing and presenting their final projects this week, and I know they will be amazing!

We are working on Unit 9 in our vocabulary workbook, and that assessment will occur on February 28th, the next asynchronous day.

Please scroll down to the bottom of this page to read some information about what you need to do to have your 6th grader ready for 7th grade next year.

Seventh Grade:

We are continuing to read The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, and these students are working so hard and doing outstanding work! I am so very proud of them!

We are working on Unit 9 in our vocabulary workbook, and that assessment will occur on February 28th, the next asynchronous day.

Eighth Grade:

As we continue reading The Outsiders, we are doing a variety of activities to help ensure students are prepared for high school. I have been very impressed with the quality of effort students have been putting into our discussions and activities.

We are working on Unit 9 in our vocabulary workbook, and that assessment will occur on February 28th, the next asynchronous day.

Wishing you a meaningful and blessed Lenten season,

Mrs. Lastner

Reminder of Middle School Academic Policy for Late Work Submission

At the start of the second trimester, all middle school teachers implemented a standardized late work policy designed to promote responsibility and time management skills that are essential for academic success.

Homework and Practice Assignments

Students who fail to submit homework or practice assignments will receive a zero with no opportunity for makeup credit. This policy encourages consistent daily engagement with course material.

Content Area and Critical Thinking Assignments

Late submissions will be accepted within one calendar week of the original due date for a maximum of 50% credit. Students receive an "Unprepared for Class" slip documenting the final submission deadline. Work submitted after this date will receive a grade of zero. Students must notify teachers via email when submitting late work—Google Classroom messages do not fulfill this requirement.

Assessments and Evaluations

Missed quizzes and tests due to absence must be completed upon return or within one week for extended absences. It is the student’s responsibility to schedule makeup assessments.

IMPORTANT SJS and HOMEROOM (6A) INFORMATION:

Attention Current 6th Grade Parents

Upon your child entering 7th grade for the 2026-2027 school year, all current 6th grade students are required to submit an updated immunization record reflecting the following immunizations have been administered prior to entering 7th grade:

One (1) Tdap vaccination
One (1) Meningococcal vaccination

Please review this letter from Nurse Mary with more details.

All health forms & documents are available on our school's website. Please feel free to contact Nurse Mary with any questions or concerns you may have.

Key Dates for the 2025-2026 School Year

Please click here to see all of our key dates for the 2025-2026 school year. These are subject to change at any time.

Spirit Wear- The next day to show your school spirit is 2/25.

View all spirit wear dates and the recommended order date HERE. There are always new items, so check out the website soon!

Book Swap

In honor of National Reading Month, Mrs. Harman is hosting the SJS Book Swap again this year! Next week, students may bring in gently-used books to donate. Please make sure they are marked with the student's name, homeroom, and the number of books donated (up to 5). Students who donate will be able to return the week of March 2nd to shop our swap! Please review all rules here. Questions? Contact Mrs. Harman.

Aladdin Jr. Tickets On Sale

The St. Joseph School Drama Club presents Aladdin Jr. on Thursday, March 26th and Friday, March 27th at Archbishop Curley High School at 6:00 pm. Tickets are $10 per person and can be purchased HERE. Flowers and concessions will be available for sale. Don’t miss out on this amazing performance!

Homework Connection

The next session of dates for Homework Connection are available! Homework Connection is offered for both Elementary students (Gr 1-4) and Middle School students (Gr 5-8). Students may work on homework with the help of teachers on duty, if needed. A snack is provided.

Download the form for Gr 1-4 HERE. Questions about Elementary Homework Connection? Email Mrs. Bennett or Mrs. Meyer.

Download the form for Gr 5-8 HERE. Questions about Middle School Homework Connection? Email Ms. Westfall.

A little about me...

This is my third year at SJS. I have been a teacher for over 25 years and have taught both middle and high school English/Language Arts. I have a B.S. degree in Education from the University of Maryland and a Master's Degree in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment. I also have a Master's Certificate in Reading Instruction from Goucher College.

I am a proud veteran who served in the U.S. Army, and am passionate about using my variety of experiences and knowledge to enhance my teaching.

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