Hi Everyone! I hope you all had a good week. I sure did. It was my second week as an undercover reporter at school.

Where to begin with all the exciting things I saw and learned…

Since it’s fresh in my mind, I’ll start with today.

There was a special performance by the Windy City Players this morning in the gym. Three professional actors came all the way from Chicago and put on a unique performance of Cinderella. They were very entertaining. I even saw a man in a big blond wig…the students seemed fascinated and were very polite when it came time to volunteer or suggest some ideas.

On Wednesday, the Student Council members were inducted. I was so proud to see them take on this new leadership role. I remember when some of them were in kindergarten! At mass, it was really nice to see the prayer partners sitting together (I even got my hands on a picture).

I saw the third graders having a blast during gym class. They were doing a Halloween scavenger hunt and getting super excited about finding the items they needed. Mrs. Wallace does some very fun activities that gets the kids moving. She makes exercise fun.

One day, the Pre-K 4 classes were in their pajamas. I thought they were getting ready to hibernate, but found out it was to celebrate the letter “P” this week. Even the teachers were in their PJs.

The older grades aren’t lucky enough to dress so casual. But, they are doing some very interesting work. In 7th grade, Mrs. Tsakiris is Skyping with a teacher at St. Maria Goretti School in Canada.

The St. Maria Goretti 7^th grade students are writing short stories, narrating the story, and making it into a podcast. They will load the stories onto a blog page so our 7^th graders can give them feedback. Our 7^th grade students will write Tour Guide speeches, record them for a podcast and then load them onto a blog page so the 7^th grade students from Canada can give them feedback. I love the cross-continental collaboration, eh.

Remember last week I learned about dismissal? Well, this week I got to see how the school day starts (I know, a little backwards, but I’m a bear. I don’t follow the norm.) The children arrive between 7:50 and 8:00. Some walk, some take the bus, some are dropped off. Some come even earlier and are taken care of by the CARES team. There was some playing in the school yard before it was time to line up to go inside. These kids are great listeners. Once they get settled in their classrooms, they are all very attentive for the morning prayers and announcements.

Guess what – the morning announcements are on TV! The 8^th graders are like real news reporter. They sit behind a desk in the studio and lead the school in prayer, give out birthday wishes, and recite the mission of the school. They have a weather map and all. David Murphy better watch out!

Next week is going to be another fun-filled one. A team of Middle States guests will visit Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Principal Glennon asked me to remind the students to wear their uniforms – no nut passes – which I’ve learned is a pass students can earn so they have a dress-down day. The Harvest Fest is happening. It is a short week, though. No school on Friday.

I bet I won’t be the only one using that time for a short hibernation.

Have a great weekend!
Your friend,
Bernie