ST AGNES CHURCH

Third Sunday of Easter

April 30, 2017

2314 Third Avenue, Scottsbluff, Nebraska 69361  (308)632‐2541 

Mailing address: PO Box 349, Scottsbluff, NE 69363‐0349 

Fax:  308‐632‐2146   Website: www.st‐agnes‐church.com 

Parish Office Hours: Tuesday‐Friday, 9am ‐ Noon & 1pm ‐ 4pm 

Rev. Vincent L. Parsons 

Pastor 

Rev. Michael E. Wetovick 

Associate Pastor 

Sr. Vera Meis, C.S.J. 

Pastoral Minister 

 

Mass Schedule: 

(October ‐ May)  

Saturday: 4:00 pm 

Sunday: 8:00 & 10:30 am  

(June ‐ September)  

 Saturday 6:00 pm  

Sunday: 8:00 & 10:00 am 

Monday, Tuesday, Friday  7 am 

Wednesday 8:15am 

 

Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturdays one hour prior to evening  

Mass or by appointment (632‐2541) 

Sacrament of Baptism Please call the Parish Office  

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Third Sunday of Easter

F or the first time in many years the Archbishop was coming to their little country parish. He was coming to confirm the children. Oh, the 

children were excited. All year long they had been preparing for confirmation. On confirmation day they dressed in their finest clothes. They were well prepared to welcome the Archbishop.   During the Confirmation ceremony the Archbishop walked up and down the aisle asking the children questions about the sacraments. He approached one fidgety young girl and asked her, “What is matrimony?”   Shaking nervously, the little girl rattled off what she memorized from her catechism, “It is a state of terrible torment which those who enter are compelled to undergo for a time to prepare them for a brighter and better world ahead.” The pastor quickly interrupted, shouting, “No! No! That isn’t matrimony. That’s the definition of purgatory!”   “Leave her alone,” said the Archbishop. “Maybe she is right. Besides, what do you and I know about marriage?”   This Sunday we welcome Bishop Joseph Hannefeldt. He will be conferring the sacrament of confirmation on our young people. And, if Bishop asks “What is Matrimony,” I guarantee that our candidates will not be shouting out the definition of purgatory.  I have Kristin Maag and Mike Esselstein to thank for the preparation of our candidates.  Let us pray for all of them on their faith journey. May God bless and hold each and every one of them close to His heart. Congratulations. 

Monday, May 1, 2017 

╬ Daily Mass (7:00am) 

   Intention:  †Herb Meis 

   by Sr. Vera Meis 

╬ Communal Rosary (4:45pm) 

╬ Liturgy of the Hours (5:05pm) 

Tuesday, May 2, 2017 

╬ Daily Mass (7:00am) 

    Intention: Darrell Young 

    by Jerry & Eileen Young 

╬ Tuesday Discussion Group (8am)  

   Location: Garden Room 

╬ Liturgy of the Hours (5:30pm) 

╬ RCIA meets (7:00pm) 

Wednesday, May 3, 2017 

╬ Mass (8:15am) 

    Intention: †Alexandra Murillo 

    by Ray & Theresa Rezac 

╬ Liturgy of the Hours (5:30pm)      

╬ Contemplative Prayer (6:00pm) 

    Location: Office Basement 

Thursday, May 4, 2017  

╬ Mass at The Residency (10:00am) 

╬ Liturgy of the Hours (5:30pm)                                                   

Friday, May 5, 2017 

╬ Daily Mass (7:00 am) 

  Intention: John & Kathryn Augustyn 

Saturday, May 6, 2017 

╬  Weekend Mass (4:00pm) 

    Intention: †Felix Koenig 

    by Ray & Theresa Rezac 

Sunday, May 7, 2017 

╬  Weekend Mass (8:00am) 

     Intention: Souls Faithful Departed 

╬ Weekend Mass   (10:30 am)   

    Intention: For the Parish 

This Week’s Events

   

Spirit of God, grant me: The gift of wisdom To see the world through your eyes, The gift of counsel To make difficult decisions, The gifts of knowledge and understanding To use my mind to know you and to love you, The gift of fortitude To have the courage to live in the faith Despite the difficulties and disappointments, The gift of piety To be able to express my special love And commitment to you, And the right kind of awesome fear That makes me pause to wonder and revere God’s Love. Amen

Confirmation Prayer

Sunday Collections & ATW Giving

April 23, 2017 

  Actual                        $5765.08   ATW          $4375.00   Budget                                 $9000.00   Surplus (Deficit)                $1140.08   VCNIN         $2488.75  

April 2017 Totals   Actual                       $25959.47   ATW           $9581.50    Budget                               $36000.00   Surplus (Deficit)                 $3759.03  Next weekend’s 2nd collection is for Catholic Home Missions.

St. Agnes Catholic School Foundation  

Family Fun Day Saturday, May 6, 2017!   

This two hour activity course, suitable for all ages and fitness levels, will have your team racing to finish first!  Find registration forms online at  

catholicschoolfoundation.com or at St. Agnes Catholic School.   Registration ‐ 9:30    Games ‐ 10‐12    Lunch ‐ 12:00 

$50 registration fee per team (3‐5 people) includes lunch!  

We still need a few more volunteers to serve lunch Contact Alyssa Harvey @ 632‐6918 #2 www.catholicschoolfoundation.com 

We look forward to seeing you at Family Fun Day 2017! 

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H[ppy Spring! In today’s publication, you may spot several pictures of some of the beautiful flowers that grace our parish campus. Thanks go to several ladies of our parish who 

care for the flower beds ‐  Doris Flohr, Jeannette Fitzgerald, Jean Kearns and Susan Lessert. 

New volunteers welcome! Int_r_st_^ in l_[rning how to m[k_ [ Ros[ry?

Join us Wednesday, May 10th  at 6:45pm in the Garden Room of the Church as Regina DeFoe teaches the art of making a rosary. Please RSVP to the RE Office (635‐1362) or Email  dre@st‐agnes‐church.com. 

First Fri^[y @^or[tion The last scheduled Eucharistic Adoration before summer will be this Friday, May 5th, right after 7am Mass until Benedic‐tion at 5:15pm. Those who are scheduled, please plan to at‐

tend at your selected times or find a substitute. All other parishioners are encouraged to attend as they are able. First Friday adoration will resume in September.  

100 Clu\ Sign Up or R_n_w[l It’s time for the annual sign up or re‐newal for 100 Club. If interested in belonging to this club that supports St. Agnes School, please call Mary Skiles (641‐0461). Cost is $10/month. 

P[rish Soft\[ll S__king T_[m M_m\_rs

The parish softball team is gearing up for another year and is looking for new members. Anyone ages 14 and up is invited to join the team. For more info or to register, call Mike Esselstein (631‐9711) , before May 12th. 

Monday: Acts 6:8‐15; Ps 119:23‐24, 26‐  27, 29‐30; Jn 6:22‐29 or Tuesday: Acts 7:51 ‐  8:1a; Ps 31:3cd‐4, 6,   7b, 8a, 17, 21ab; Jn 6:30‐35 Wednesday: 1 Cor 15:1‐8; Ps 19:2‐5;    Jn 14:6‐14 Thursday: Acts 8:26‐40; Ps 66:8‐9, 16‐17,   20; Jn 6:44‐51 Friday: Acts 9:1‐20; Ps 117:1bc, 2;    Jn 6:52‐59 Saturday: Acts 9:31‐42; Ps 116:12‐17;    Jn 6:60‐69  Sunday: Acts 2:14a, 36‐41; Ps 23:1‐6;    1 Pt 2:20b‐25; Jn 10:1‐10 

This Week’s Readings

Congr[tul[tions M[rg[r_t @nn!         Pictured is Margaret Ann Pickering, charter member of the St. Agnes Catholic Daughters. The court was established April 20, 1972, so she has been a member for 45 years. Her mother, Margaret Sullivan, was also a charter member. 

Pr_p[ring for M[ss Exploring the Sunday Readings is a leaflet 

that is provided to parishioners to help 

them prepare for Sunday masses. It is avail‐

able in the  Information Centers on the last 

Sunday of each month for the following 

month. If you’ve never used it, pick one 

up— it is a good way to help you  learn 

more about the Mass readings.  

On the Road One central metaphor employed to describe the Christian life is a journey. In today’s second reading, Peter addresses the early Christian community: “Conduct yourselves with reverence during the time of your sojourning” (1 Peter 1:17). When we think of a journey, we normally think of some kind of movement from point A to point B. The Christian journey, begun in the waters of baptism (point A) has as its ultimate destination eternal life with God in heaven (point B) . Unfortunately we find ourselves on all kinds of detours along the way. Because of sin, we make foolish turns and sometimes seem unable to detect the presence of the Lord. Today’s story of the two disciples on their way to Emmaus illustrates for us the fact that, even when we are dejected or on one of our many detours, the Lord is there, walking right beside us.

Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

F[mili_s Grow Vo][tions Sp_[k of Christ in your hom_

Parents, speak often of Christ in terms that endear your children to Him. Let His name be part of the family vocabulary. Talk about how your faith in Christ has impacted your life and led you to where you are today.

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Reflecting on God’s Word Sometimes new worlds unexpectedly slip up over our horizon and catch us off guard. One morning we get up, stand at the foot of our bed, look out the window, and oh so briefly think how good it is to be alive; and for a moment we smile to ourselves before resuming the arranging of our day. Or we sit with a friend at a noonday lunch, telling stories and laughing over what our lives have been; and somewhere in the midst of it all we think to ourselves that what is happening right at this moment is worth all the struggles and tears of life. Or we sit by ourselves in the rare quiet of a house that is hardly ever so, and daydream, and think about what has gone on in this house over all the days and years, and realize that more than living has happened here, that love has, and maturing; and then the back door slams and our day returns to its tumultuous chaos. These are all moments of grace, moments when the shadows part if only briefly, and we see more clearly than we ever have before that it’s the very presence of God in which we live and move. Then of course the moment disappears, and we’d like to tell someone about it and maybe we try, but in the end our words fall short. After all, how does one find words to explain how for a brief while we walked life with God more consciously than ever before? I find myself wondering if that was part of what took place as Cleopas and his friend found themselves joined by a stranger on their journey from Jerusalem to Em-maus. How could they not know this stranger was Jesus? Maybe the grace of it was that through faith they came to recognize the Lord Jesus among them, and it didn’t much matter whether that dawning of light came quickly or slowly. What did matter was that it happened. —Rev. Joseph J. Juknialis Copyright © 2013, World Library Publications. All rights reserved.

Eyes Wide Open Only Saint Luke tells the story of two disciples walking to Emmaus, and it is full of puzzling gaps. While all the other disciples and Jesus’ mother were in Jerusalem trying to understand the amazing fact of the Resurrection, why were these two hurry-ing out of town? Only one is named—Cleopas. Who was the other? A friend, a brother, a cousin or, perhaps, Cleopas’ wife? The two were going over the terrible events in Jerusalem during the previous days when they were joined by a stranger who asked what they were talking about. He listened intently to their story, and then ex-plained what had happened to Jesus in the larger context of the Jewish scriptures. But these two were too blinded by grief to realize who the stranger was. When they reached the village it was late, so they persuaded him to come into the house, which we may guess was either this couple’s home or a relative’s. The culmination of the story occurs when they sit down for a meal and Jesus breaks bread and gives thanks, at which moment “their eyes were opened” and they knew their guest was the Lord (Luke 24:31). It was not just that they opened their eyes, but they were awakened to a whole new reality. Perhaps that is just the point. God’s grace falls on us in the midst of dinner or as we hurry down the road, trying to get away. God’s grace falls on us smack dab in the everyday, ordinary moments, in the plain and simple struggles to understand, through conversations in the checkout line, at the bedside of a sick relative, during phone calls and driving the car to pick up or deposit the kids. The Emmaus story says that God is alive, right now, in every moment. Wake up and see! Copyright © 2010, World Library Publications. All rights reserved.

Living St_w[r^ship Now Make a promise to yourself to notice the goodness and presence of God in the everyday miracles of your life, however small or great. Copyright © 2010, World Library Publications. All rights reserved.

L i v i n g O u r C [ t h o l i ] F [ i t h

  From today’s Gospel reading, we hear of the memorable story of the “Road to Emmaus.” In this story, we with Jesus’ disciples, rediscover the risen Jesus in four major ways. At the beginning of the story, Cleopas and another disciple are leaving Jerusalem towards Emmaus in sorrow.  Jesus, the one who was to rescues the Jews from the Roman Empire, had died on the cross. Possibly these men are fleeing for their lives, fearful of reprisals from the Jews or the Romans for following Jesus. While on the road, they encounter 

Jesus, but the disciples in their depression do not recognize Jesus. This encounter reminds us that regardless of our daily problems and pains we must keep our vision on the risen Lord. Nothing in this world has more value that our relationship with Jesus, for this bond is everlasting.   The disciples reveal to this stranger their anxiety about Jesus’ death and their disbelief that He rose from the dead. Even when Mary and the other women report that Jesus had appeared and spoke to them, none of His followers could understand how this miracle could happen. For even now they still did not believe that Jesus was the Son of God. Jesus identifies for the two all the references in the Scriptures that described the coming of the Messiah, the Christ as told by God through the prophets. Now as the Messiah stands before them, the two are unable to recognize the message of the Word of God. This segment of the story reminds us that we cannot expect to recognize Jesus unless we are acquainted with the Word of God as presented in the Bible.    The disciples almost lose their opportunity to recognize Jesus when they begin to take a path different from Jesus, with the possibility of ending this story to join with Jesus. However, fortunately the encounter continues when the disciples offer the unknown man to share in a meal. In refocusing their self‐centeredness to the needs of the stranger, Jesus becomes immediately accessible to the disciples. Without the concern for the welling being of another, the disciples would have missed the message offered by Christ. This reminds us that our obligation of hospitality has more meaning than being nice because it is morally right.  Generosity, in sharing what we have, directs us to the recognition that all we have and own belongs to God and we are borrowing His talent and treasure for only a little while.   Then Jesus reveals himself in the breaking of the bread at the inn. We also hear of Jesus taking bread, blessing it, breaking it and giving it to those with the multiplication of the loaves and fish and at the Last Supper. Jesus, in breaking bread, connects His actions directly to our celebration of the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Jesus’ presence is apparent in each Mass when the priest repeats the words of the Last Supper 

During the meal Jesus took bread, blessed it, broke it and gave it to his disciples. “Take this and eat it” he said, “this is my body” (Matthew 26:26) as He breaks the host to share with each of us the risen Jesus. Participation in the Mass and reception of the body of Jesus opens our eyes to see that Jesus does not reside in a far away heaven, but is a part of our lives.  When our eyes are opened with the reception of the Blessed Sacrament, we too become the disciples of Jesus.  With Jesus within us, we now have the strength to report the Good News.  Just as Cleopas and the other disciple joyously proclaim the risen Lord, let us go out into the world announcing that Jesus is our hope for salvation.                 May God Bless You During This Easter Season, 

Treasures from our Tradition

Some monks and nuns trace their community origins back a thousand years or so, before it became customary to reserve the Blessed Sacrament in tabernacles. In their rules of life, which evolved from the lifestyle and prayer of their predecessors, the core experience of Christ’s presence is at the altar itself, and in the symbol of assembly for prayer. To this day, when the monks or nuns file into their church in procession, they march two by two, and then bow profoundly to the altar before turning and bowing in reverence toward the brother or sister at their side. It is probably more difficult, in practice, to revere the presence of Christ in a person who irks you by taking the car keys, shirking a work duty, or burning the toast! We can trace in these religious orders’ enduring customs the ancient appreciation for the altar as the center of the church building, and of the community of the faithful as the Body of Christ. Usually, a monastery today will reserve the Blessed Sacrament in some quiet corner of the monastic church, in a fairly small space, more suitable for private prayer than for the gathering of the whole community. In a cloister, the architecture may allow the public limited access to this space. Liturgical law tells us, in both monasteries and parish churches, that there is no need for more than a few hosts in the place of reservation, just enough for viaticum, the “food for the journey” that is the final sacramental celebration for a dying Christian. —Rev. James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co. . 

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From th_ S_min[ry

Arch Abbey Church of Our Lady of Einsiedeln, St Meinrad

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Grade School (pre-school—5th grades) Formation Sessions Meet from 9:15-10:15 a.m. in the school building.

April Sunday Schedule: 2nd, 9th, 16th - Easter Sunday -No

formation session, 23rd, 30th - last session

First Communion Rehearsal

Photo and practice April 22nd - 10 a.m.

Middle School Formation Sessions (grades 6th-8th) meet from 7-8:15 p.m. in the school building.

April Wednesday Schedule: 5th, 12th - No formation sessions, 19th,

26th - last session High School (CYM) Formation Sessions Meet in catechist’s homes from 7-8:30 p.m.

April Wednesday Schedule: 5th, 12th - No formation sessions, 19th,

26th - last session 11th Grade CYM Schedule:

April Wednesday Schedule: 5th - Confirmation 12th - No formation session 19th - Confirmation 26th - Confirmation Practice

Confirmation

April 30th - 10:30 a.m.

Celebrating Sunday for Catholic Families

Third Sunday of Easter Gospel:

Luke 24:13-15, 30-32

On the Way to Mass: Have you ever met someone, and immediately know that you wanted to befriend that person? On the Way Home From Mass: Jesus is with us, but differently than in the Gospel story. How is Jesus alive and among us today? Living the Word: We have lived another Lent, and now we are in a great “procession” though the season of Easter to the time of eventual eternity. Talk about processions with the family are they formal or informal? Do people carry things in a procession? Do processions have or need music? Next Sunday, find and name the four processions that happen during the Mass. (Hint: Entrance procession, p rocess ion wi th the g i f t s , Communion procession, Recessional procession) Take a springtime walk (mute the electronic devices) and make it a procession I search of the new life of spring.

Celebrating Sunday for Catholic Families 2016-2017

Find Us On Facebook

Twitter: stagnes-church Instagram: st.agnescatholicchurch

Parish Website

www.st-agnes-church.com

Congratulations to the following youth who will be receiving Sacrament of Confirmation at the 10:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday, April 30th!

Caragh Clemens

Jessica Cushing

Abigail Forsstrom

Tessah Fulk

Noah Hafner

Seth Hammock

Kaitlyn Hayhurst

Scott Herman

Carsyn Long

Keianna Mata

Samuel McCaslin

Thomas Madden

Tyler Pszanka

Vincent Quijas

Mason Ramig

Jacob Rocheleau

Joshua Schroeder

Adam Von Lintel

Kenny Witcofski

Jakob Wolfe

Blessings on this special day!

R_ligious E^u][tion Progr[m Email—dre@st-agnes-church.com Religious Education Office—308-635-1362

5 ways to become a happier family Happy families share love easily, enjoy time together, and connect solidly. Try these tips to be a happier family: Play together. Playing together as a family builds strong bonds and tells children parents consider their company important. Outdoor games, board games, or made-up games teach children valuable social skills and build warm memories. Create traditions together. Traditions give children a sense of belonging and shape their i d e n t i t y . Friday movie n i g h t s , Saturday walks in the park, pancakes on Sunday after Mass, whatever i s f u n , consistent, and practical can become a family tradition. Work together. T h e r e i s essential work necessary for a family to o p e r a t e smoothly and accomplishing chores together can create a sense of achievement and connection. Washing dishes, sorting and folding laundry, dusting and vacuuming as a team, even running errands together, provide opportunities for bonding and teaching. Worship together. Happy families – happy people, in general – spend time reflecting on their blessings and expressing gratitude. Consistent participation in Sunday Mass roots families the grace of the Sacrament. Daily spending time counting blessings and praying for themselves and others creates a safe and loving space in which families can take refuge at the end of a busy day. Cheer together. Celebrate achievements and console over failures. Exchanging sincere compliments and building each other up communicates confidence and respect in a family.

Thoughtful Moments: St. Mary Magdalen de’ Pazzi

Born to a noble family in Florence in 1566, St. Mary entered the Carmelite order when she was sixteen. She soon experienced mystical ecstasies and enjoyed a personal relationship with Jesus. She also experienced a time of spiritual desolation. It was said she could read the thoughts of others, predicted future events, and cured the sick. She was known for her wisdom rooted in common sense, her charity, and her love for the Eucharist. Prayer, Mary’s style

Mary believed in God’s ability to redeem any situation. At the wedding in Cana when the wine ran short, Mary didn’t panic but calmly told Jesus what happened and trusted he would take care of it. He did. We can pray as Mary did. Tell God what you need and be confident he will help.

“Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting; the woman who fears the

LORD is to be praised” (Proverbs 31:30). Partners in Faith - May 2017

2017 Totus Tuus June 11-16 The Totus Tuus Curriculum The Sacred Scriptures and the Catechism of the Catholic Church provide the foundation of the catechetical instruction of the Totus Tuus summer catechetical program. One of the unique features of Totus Tuus is the two independent cycles of catechetical materials. The six core topics of catechesis (which come by dividing the four pillars of the Catechism into six major elements) and the four mysteries of the Rosary make certain that every summer has an original presentation of material for the students. This year the content focus will be The Mystery of Salvation and the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary. Totus Tuus seeks to foster openness to vocations in the young people we serve as well as among the teachers. This is accomplished by placing special emphasis on the importance and necessity of prayer, Eucharistic devotion, and Marian devotion in addition to catechetical instruction and formation in the Catholic faith. If your are interested in hosting the female or the male team of leaders please contact Terri in the RE Office for more information.

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Jesus walked and talked with two disciples who did not recognize Him. They invited him to supper.

April 30, 2017

UPCOMING EVENTS Wednesday, May 3rd

All School Mass @ 8:15 AM *

Class Pictures 8:30 AM Beginning with Pre-K

Thursday, May 4th

1st Grade Poetry Cafe

Friday, May 5th 1st Grade 3R’s Recycling Field Trip

8:30 AM *

Reading Incentive Party

Second grade students celebrated their First Communion at various Masses on the weekend of April 22nd & 23rd. Congratulations to the following students who received the Holy Eucharist for the 1st time: Ashley Arreola, Tristan Calvert, Hallie Clemens, Robert Crompton, Ayala Ellis, Zaide Gurrola, Anna Hafner, T’ea Hill, Kennedi Larson, Peyton Obuchowski, Ezmirelda Ramirez, Yasmin Rivera, Noah Sierra, Kayley Smith, Jacob Weitzel, Marley Wineman.

What’s Happening at St. Agnes School...

Hot Lunch Menu for May 1st - 5th

NRD Visits Classrooms

Dave Wolf spent time in a number of St. Agnes classrooms during the month of April. His presentations were in correlation with Earth Day and Arbor Day both celebrated during the month. Students in 2nd & 3rd grades learned about pollution and its effect on our oceans and overall environment, while Pre-K enjoyed learning more about Earth Day & recycling. All children who participated in the presentations were given a tree sampling courtesy of the NRD.

St. Agnes Pre-K and kindergarten students experienced movies in an old fashioned way, when they gathered for a movie party held in the gym on Friday, April 21st. Each student, with the help of their parents, designed their own “car” from a box. They drove into the gym and parked themselves for a movie party equipped with all the right snacks!

St. Agnes 1st-5th grade students completed the Terra Nova Testing during the days of April 19-25. These tests provide a snapshot of an individual student’s learning progress. Results of the tests will be sent home with report cards on the last day of school.

Testing Completed

A Day at the Drive-In Movie

St. Agnes Annual Kickball Tournament Coming Up

May 8, 11, and 12th

Monday 1st Chicken Nuggets Au Gratin Potatoes Steamed Broccoli Peaches, Roll, Milk Helpers: Erin Dudden & Krystal Rodriguez

Tuesday 2nd Soft Shell Taco Lettuce, Salsa, Cheese Refried Beans, Corn Pears, Milk Helpers: Viqi Garcia & Krystal Rodriguez

Wednesday 3rd Chicken Pattie on a Bun Tater Circles, Steamed Carrots Banana, Milk Helpers: Laura Garcia & Krystal Rodriguez

Thursday 4th Super Nachos w/Meat Cheese Sauce, Salsa Sugar Snap Peas, Potato Triangle, Apple, Milk Helpers: Kim Reitz & Krystal Rodriguez

Friday 5th Fr. Chicken, Baked Beans, Fresh Green Salad, Roll, Cookie Cinn. Applesauce.Milk Helpers: Krystal Rodriguea

Classroom News...

5th Grade Class by Liz Salazar

Pre-K Class by Elise Gurrola

Is it possible that were so close to the end of another school year?! Fifth grade has been extremely busy once again. We are so blessed to have Mrs. Erica Croft in our classroom this semester to complete her student teaching. We wish her the best as prepares for teaching second grade @ Morrill Public Schools. We have been working very hard in Social Studies learning about the American Revolution and the founding fathers of our great nation. We have worked hard on completing two writing projects that connect our country's history to our writing skills. In Science, we continue to work on how plants and animals adapt to their environment. We were lucky to have Dave Wolf and Amanda Shepperd with Nebraska NRD come into our class room and present some activities on animal adaptations. In Math, we have been working on volume, symmetry, and continue to work on decimals, including multiplying decimals with zeros in them, rounding decimals, and we have also started to plot points on a coordinate plane. We worked very hard during Terra Nova testing , but are glad that it is past us! We look forward to the last few weeks of school!

The last months of school are full of fun and eagerness for summer. We have managed somehow to still find time for learning. Pre-K students have had fun planting lima beans (which are actually growing in our windows) and grass. The students have been excited to come and see how much their plants have grown in a day or two. We have learned how plants grow and what they need to keep growing. We have compared this to how we grow as humans. We have some fantastic readers in our classroom as well. I have separated all the students according to the level of reading readiness they are at right now. Some students are reading short leveled reader books, while I have others learning two letter sound blends. Either way, these students are well on their way to Kindergarten! I encourage each of them to continue to read in some capacity at home over the summer. As the end of the school year approaches, I am so grateful to have spent my first year

back with this wonderful bunch of students. Not only have I put my heart into this program, these incredible students have touched my heart. I am truly going to miss them as they move on to Kindergarten. I am so proud of the progress they have made over the past year!

Class pictures will be taken on Wednesday, May 3rd beginning with the Pre-K class at 8:30 AM. Each student must have their own individual envelope filled out and with them the day of picture taking. Families may send one check for multiple students, but it must be marked clearly which students the money is covering. Also, on any envelopes without money in them, please indicate which child and grade has the money for that student on the envelope. New this year is an All School Picture and a separate envelope was sent home for that.