Our First Day!

Our First Day!
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Friday, April 17, 2015

Dear Parents,

     Students have been learning about the periodic table of elements in science class and were able to conduct tests to see if a variety of liquids were bases or acids and their strength. They grew crystals using charcoal for a substrate and mixed a solution of salt, bluing, ammonia, and water to make them grow. It was exciting to see God's hand in the creation of even the smallest particle. Coming up for us next in science is a study of mining and caves in Missouri. We will be visited by a miner on April 28th. I was fortunate to hear him speak at a Missouri Mining Seminar for teachers that I attended last summer. His company is reopening the old LaFarge mine near Dresden and we will visit that surface mine in the afternoon. They have an asphalt plant one site that we will visit as well.
     Students will learn about cave safety, formation, speleothems, and creatures. They will learn about the layers of a cave and create a "cave" with formations and creatures on the darkened stage. They will give "cave tours" by flashlight for the rest of the school. We will be going to tour Jacob's Cave near Versailles in May.
     We are finishing a study of ancient Persia and will begin learning about ancient Greece. Our textbook does a wonderful job of showing how historical events and Bible truths go hand in hand.
     Students have been learning about the literary elements of allusion, hyperbole, and imagery in reading. We finished reading The Midwife's Apprentice together and have begun probably our last novel of the school year, Milkweed. The Midwife's Apprentice's setting is during the middle ages. A young orphan girl who has no self worth becomes an apprentice to a midwife who ends up teaching her a skill and helps her see her value in the world. Milkweed is a fictional account of the beginning of the holocaust in Europe from the perspective of a young orphan who lives on the streets and doesn't remember his parents. The book report for April is a mystery. Students will be developing a "Power Point" report.
      In religion class students are learning about Pentecost and the beginnings of the early church. If you don't have a church home, or would just like to visit, you are always welcome to attend services here at St. Paul's. Saturday night services are at 5:30. Sunday morning services are at 9:00 followed by Bible Study for adults and Sunday School for children. You are also welcome to attend our Wednesday chapel services at 9:00. You will find St. Paul's to be a welcoming and friendly church family.

God's blessings,
Rhonda Tull

Friday, April 10, 2015


Dear parents,

Spring finds us with many activities being planned. Below are some important dates:

April 17- Grades 3-8 will go to Heit's Point for the day. Your child has been given a permission form to have signed. I need some parents to help drive and help Mrs. Sprinkle as I won't be able to go with the students that day. I'm serving on Cole Camp's accreditation team and Mrs. Sprinkle will substitute for me. Lunch will be provided by Heit's Point. We have no control over what is being served, so if your child has special dietary needs, send a lunch with him/her.

April 21: 9:30 in the gym. St. Paul High School Band will give a performance and our band will be able to play a song with them. Parents are very welcome to attend as well.

April 24: Book report project due. They are reading a mystery and doing a power point presentation.

April 28: Presentation on mining in our classroom. At 1:00 students will go on a surface mine and asphalt plant tour near Dresden. They will need to ride a bus so I don't need drivers. If you are interested and would like to attend, let me know.

April 30: Talent show and Meal. Food is served at 5:30 and the show starts at 6:30. Band and choir members are expected to attend.

May 1: Walk for Senior Citizens. Watch for information about collecting money for the senior center. We will leave school at 10:00 and walk to Katy Park where students will be served a hot dog lunch. We have no control over the menu so send a lunch if your child cannot eat this. We will be back to school by dismissal time.

May 4- 8: Standardized Testing- Please make sure your child is in attendance and well rested.

May 7: PTL Meeting

May 15: Class field trip to Jacob's Cave and possibly the museum in Versailles. We will leave school at 8:00 and eat lunch at the park in Versailles. Watch for a permission form. We need help with drivers. I'll need to know if you can drive in advance because there is a cost involved for students and adults which I'll have to arrange ahead of time. This is a wonderful cave tour if you're interested.

May 22: Last day of school.

Students have enjoyed growing crystals this week as we study about atoms and chemical compounds in science class. We will be working with rocks over the next couple of weeks and will do a study of caves. The class will create a “cave” on the stage and will be giving flashlight tours to the rest of the school before our cave trip.

Mr. Rehmer gave a wonderful presentation about his mission trip to India for our class and the 7th and 8th graders. Mrs. Brandt's sister-in-law also gave a presentation about her many mission trips to Haiti. We continue in history studying about ancient Persia.

Both grades are studying pronouns in English. We read excerpts from Tom Sawyer this week in reading. We studied irony this week as well. The class is finishing reading The Midwife's Apprentice. I'm hoping we can finish another novel before the end of the year.

Your family is always invited to attend St. Paul's Lutheran Church whether you are looking for a church home or would just like to visit. You will find it a very welcoming and friendly experience. Saturday night services are at 5:30 in the gym. Sunday service is at 9:00. There is a short fellowship time after church followed by Bible Study for adults and Sunday School for children. You are always welcome to attend Wednesday chapel services at 9:00.

As always, please feel free to contact me with questions, ideas, or concerns.

God's blessings!

Rhonda Tull