Dear Families,

     Welcome to December! The Advent season is upon us as we prepare
 our hearts for Christmas. I hope to see many of you at the Christmas
 Program on Dec.17.

     A few highlights in Math and Science for December.
 
 Math
     6th Grade - Our studies continue with dividing fractions with whole
           numbers and mixed fractions. We will be solving multistep
           problems with fractions and mixed numbers. Then, we will move
           on to operations with decimals.
    7th - We are learning unit rates. We will also study constant rates of
           change and proportional relationships.
    8th - This month we will spend some time to review in preparation for
           High School Placement Test in January. We will be finishing up the
           last lesson on Module 3 which is interpreting the unit rate as
           slope. Then, we will move on to Module 4.

 Science
     6th Grade - This month our studies continue with rocks and
          weathering, soil, and soil conservation.
     7th Grade - We are learning the structure of the eye and how an image
          is formed in the eye as we move on to optical tools.
    8th Grade - We are learning laboratory safety rules and symbols as
         well as the different lab equipment. Then, we will move on to the
         nature of matter.

    Please consider these important dates for December.
        Dec. 6 --- St. Joachim Dance, 7-9pm
        Dec. 8 --- Pancake Breakfast  8am-12pm, Gym
        Dec.10 --- PTG/Faculty Christmas Party, 6:30pm
        Dec.11 --- Culture Project
        Dec.12 --- School Mass, 12:15pm
        Dec.13 --- Parents Night Out, 6-9pm
        Dec.17 --- Christmas Program, 7:00pm
        Dec.19 --- Evacuation Disaster Drill
        Dec.20-Jan.5 --- Christmas Break
        Jan.6 ---   School Resumes

   If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at
   scollins@csdo.org.

   A joyous Christmas to all!

   Sincerely,
   Mrs. Collins