SMS After School VR program
I am happy to announce that beginning in March we will be offering an after school virtual reality club. This will be open for students grades 5-8 and be on ONE of the following days (Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays after school until 4pm in the Science Room). Through some COVID funding SMS was able to acquire 5 VR headsets that we have used for a few enrichment groups, but this will be open to ALL SMS students 5-8. We will be using this technology to explore locations and programs that bring the education they receive at SMS to life. We have many programs available and it will involve both work assignments as well as headset time (about 25 minutes each ). My plan is to run this about 8-10 weeks (depending on number of students). Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions and or concerns.
Good afternoon, SMS Families,
It doesn't look like conditions are going to improve for tomorrow. In fact, it looks worse. Due to extreme cold, SMS will be closed Wednesday, January 22.
Join us for Open House!
Good evening, SMS Families,
Due to extreme cold weather and the fact that we have to be outside several times throughout the course of a day, we are going to go ahead and close tomorrow. I just dont think a delay will make much difference.I apologize for the late notice. Have a good evening.
Please click the link to read this week's newsletter.
https://www.stmichaelripley.com/article/1969470
Good evening, SMS Families,
We will be in school as usual tomorrow, Monday, January 13. To my knowledge, all buses will run on schedule as well. If you pick up or drop off tomorrow, please be mindful that there could still be some slick spots on the hill with any refreezing tonight. There also is not as much street parking as usual due to snow/ice piles. I have had a few parents reach out to say they were still having trouble with their driveways. Of course, if you are experiencing these issues, absences will be excused. We are looking forward to getting back to it!
Good afternoon, SMS Families,
Due to multiple weather-related factors, St Michael School will be closed on Friday, January 10. We hope to get back to school on Monday. Have a good weekend.
Good afternoon, SMS Families,
Due to poor road conditions, SMS will be closed on Wednesday, January 8.
Have a good evening.
Conditions have gotten worse on the hill. SMS will be closed Tuesday, January 7.
I hope everyone enjoys their snow day!
Congratulations to SMS 3rd Grade student Elliana Black, winner of this year's Spelling Bee! Elliana will go on to compete in the Scripps Spelling Bee later in the year. Congratulations also to 6th Grade student Emma Wireman, who came in 2nd place and will compete in the Brown County Spelling Bee later in the year! Congratulations to all our finalists who competed!
We have an addition to this week's newsletter regarding students performing this weekend:
From Mrs. K: This Friday and Saturday, dulcimer students from St. Michael School will be performing as part of Ripley River Village Christmas. On Friday night at 5:30pm, dulcimer students will perform at the tree lighting at the Ripley Library. On Saturday night, another group of dulcimer students will perform at the Ripley River Village Community Concert at Centernary Methodist Church. The Saturday night program begins at 6:30pm. Both events are open to the public.
SMS will be running on a two hour delay tomorrow, Thursday, December 5.
St. Nicholas will be at St. Mary's in Arnheim following Benediction around 7:15 pm!
First Grade Thanksgiving Preparations:
in Mrs. Pedigo's First Graders have been working on memorization of an autumn themed poem: Autumn Fires by Robert Louis Stevenson. Memorization is an excellent way for children to identify the key components of rhyme and rhythm. Each child presented their oral recitation to all 24 First Graders and afterwards illustrated a placemat and wrote the first stanza of the poem. The laminated copy will be sent home.
The children also participated in the “Disguise a Turkey” challenge and we have included a group photo of our fabulously decorated turkeys. Thank you parents for your creative support! After presenting their disguised turkeys, students read The Great Turkey Race. The children worked in teams to make a turkey trap and learned so much team cooperation!
Lastly, the children rolled out a salt dough ornaments as a decoration for your Thanksgiving table. May you all have a blessed holiday season!
First Grade Biographers
Our students read a biography on Dr. Seuss this past week. In order to more thoroughly understand the “biography” genre each child was assigned to write a biography of a favorite person or celebrity. Each student had the opportunity to present a reading of their biography to the First Grade class. A ribbon of excellence will be sent home with our wonderful First Grade authors. Many thanks to the parents that worked alongside their child on this project!
In Mrs. Earhart's social studies classes, we have been exploring the topic of "The First Thanksgiving," focusing on the interactions between Native Americans and Pilgrims. Today, we concluded our lesson with a hands-on activity where students learned how to make butter! This engaging experience not only reinforced our learning but also connected us to the traditions of that historic event.
I was able to get around to some classes today to see some fun, hands-on, meaningful educational opportunities today!
I started in kindergarten where Mrs. Miller and Mrs. Craig were working with the children on a cross-curricular activity practicing patterns, while putting together necklaces made out of pasta, beads, straws, and string. These will be worn as part of the kindergarten's Thanksgiving celebration.
Next, I was invited to the preschool as Mrs.Bradley and Mrs. Betty helped our preschool friends gain a natural curiosity about science by demonstrating an exothermic reaction, which had everyone's attention.
Finally, I stopped in 2nd grade as Mrs. Teegarden and my 2nd grade friends finished up their Thanksgiving Trees, which they will be bringing home today. (Special thanks to Mrs. Craig for helping!) We stress the importance of gratitude at SMS, and this project was designed to be a fun and creative way to reflect on all the people and other things, for which we have to be thankful. A great way to prepare for Thanksgiving.
This is just a snapshot of all the great things happening every day at SMS!
I was able to get around to some classes today to see some fun, hands-on, meaningful educational opportunities today!
I started in kindergarten where Mrs. Miller and Mrs. Craig were working with the children on a cross-curricular activity practicing patterns, while putting together necklaces made out of pasta, beads, straws, and string. These will be worn as part of the kindergarten's Thanksgiving celebration.
Next, I was invited to the preschool as Mrs.Bradley and Mrs. Betty helped our preschool friends gain a natural curiosity about science by demonstrating an exothermic reaction, which had everyone's attention.
Finally, I stopped in 2nd grade as Mrs. Teegarden and my 2nd grade friends finished up their Thanksgiving Trees, which they will be bringing home today. (Special thanks to Mrs. Craig for helping!) We stress the importance of gratitude at SMS, and this project was designed to be a fun and creative way to reflect on all the people and other things, for which we have to be thankful. A great way to prepare for Thanksgiving.
This is just a snapshot of all the great things happening every day at SMS!
Newsletter for the Week of November 18-22, 2024
https://www.stmichaelripley.com/article/1878525
Huge thank you to the Hayswood Foundation, who awarded SMS with a $10,000 grant today to help pay for our greatly needed new roof project at the school! Thank you for your tireless generosity in our community!