Pliny the Younger, Tacitus, and Josephus Skits

7th Grade has been studying Pliny the Younger, Tacitus, and Josephus, early non-Christian historians, and contemporaries of the Apostles, who wrote about Jesus. These historians serve the purpose of verifying Our Lord's historical standing outside of a religious context. The kids did skits potraying the subjects of their writings.

The skits were inspired:

Here's the Pliny the Younger group (with Brooke as Jesus)

Here we have the Josephus group, starring David as the Emperor of Rome.

And last (but certainly not least), we have the Tacitus skit, with Aubrey Renz giving an inspired performance in the title role

Halloween 2012

Brothers and sisters,

All Hallows Eve this year was quite an event! We had an excellent party in a class room filled with varied and fun costumes. Our homeroom parents organized a few games for us, which you can see below. . .

And, as a grande finale, the kids were all-too-happy to "make a mummy out of me."



40 Days for Life - Pro-Life Timelines

Good morning to all. From September 26 through November 4 this year, the Diocese of Tulsa is observing and supporting the 40 Days for Life campaign. This Pro-Life campaign has been running for about 5 years now. In our efforts to support the 40 Days for Life, we will be doing several activities in theology to inform and get the word out about the sacredness of human life from the moment of conception until natural death.

Recently, the 8th Grade prepared some timelines depicting ways to support the gift of life through its' various stages. You can see some of said 8th Graders hard at work below. . .

Finished timelines can be viewed right outside my classroom door for the remaining days.

We also recently finished watching October Baby in 8th Grade. This film by Jon and Andrew Erwin chronicles the misadventures of a college freshman who discovers that not only was she adopted, but was the product of a failed abortion attempt. Her touching journey of self-discovery and ultimate forgiveness resonates with the love of God, who sent His only Son to lay down his life for us on the Cross. 8th Grade seemed to really appreciate the film, as even those who did not love it still recognized the legitimacy of its' message for our times.

For more information about the 40 Days for Life and how you can support the campaign, check out http://www.40daysforlife.com/.

Much love,

Mr. Simons

6th Grade Studies

Good morning! I wanted to take this opportunity to give a little insight into what we do on review days in class. Study Guides are handed out the day prior to a quiz and review games are played immediately before taking the quiz to help cram some last-minute knowledge into those young minds.

Elizabeth Butler and Emma McIntosh graciously help each other.

Jack Steiferman prepares questions for a review game.

Tessa Karbowski and Beca Niles pour through dusty volumes to discover their hidden secrets. ;)

Alex's Lemonade Stand

Good morning everyone!

This Saturday, September 8, 2012, the Old Navy on 71st street will be hosting "Alex's Lemonade Stand," an organization that gathers fund for research against pediatric cancer by selling lemonade. It is named after Alexandra Scot, a young girl who died of cnacer back in 2004, who took that old adage, "if life gives you lemons, make lemonade!" to new heights. The organization has presently raised over $50 million in the search for a cure to cancer.

Your children are invited to participate in this event to count towards their Fall 2012 service hours. The sign-up sheet will be posted outside my classroom door starting tomorrow morning (9/6/2012) at 8:20am. The event will run from 9am-9pm, consisting of two-hour shifts throughout the day. Time-slots will be available on a first-come-first-serve basis, so if your child is interested, please bring them early tomorrow so they can grab their preferred time-slot.

Check out www.alexslemondade.org for more information on this fantastic charity.

Peace and Love,
Mr. Simons