Happy New Year! We had a busy second quarter and we're off and running and into our second half of the school year. The time has just flown.

During December we had several activities. First of all, we presented our Christmas program called 'And the Morning Followed'. We traced the history of our faith from Adam and Eve to the birth of Jesus. The students did a wonderful job singing and acting. The program was followed by some fellowship in the Parish Hall. It was a fun evening. Also during December, the fourth grade studied Native Americans. They wrapped up their project with a 'box display'. Each student made a display for the particular tribe they studied and the other classes and parents were invited to their classroom for a little presentation. The first graders did a similar project during National Book Week. They chose their favorite book and created a display based on their book. We all went to their classroom and let them tell us about their favorite books. St. Nick visited the students on Dec. 6 and brought each child a candy cane to celebrate his feast day. On Dec. 19, students in grades 4-6 went Christmas caroling. They visited The Evergreen assisted living complex, the Golden Age Center, and the nursing home. Students in grades K-3 attended a Christmas carnival set up in the elementary gym. We wrapped up our first semester of school on December 20.

In January, we began our annual magazine sales fund drive. Students sell magazine subscriptions each year to raise money for the elementary school. It is really our only official fundraiser in the elementary, and it's a good one. Each year we net around $1,000. In the past, funds from this have been used to purchase desks, computers, and carpeting. We appreciate all the generous people who support us in this effort.

On Jan. 11, two students from each class got to 'shadow' a varsity basketball player. Each year, the Cardinal Boosters sponsor a contest and the winners receive a t-shirt and the privilege of being the guest of a varsity player for one home game. The students attend the pre-game talk in the locker rooms and sit behind the players during the game. This year, the contest was to design a t-shirt to promote school spirit. Two winners' designs (one boy's and one girl's) from each class grades 2-6 were chosen. Along with the shadowing, each winner had his or her design made into a real t-shirt! The students really enjoy and look forward to this contest each year.

On Jan. 22, our second graders received the sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time. Mrs. JoLynn Cameron prepares the students for this sacrament and also for their First Holy Communion. First Communion will be April 6th at 11:00 a.m. Mass.

The last week in January was Catholic Schools Week. The theme this year was 'Catholic Schools-Making a World of Difference'. To celebrate this important week the students went bowling with their class and their teacher for an afternoon. We've done this for the past several years and it's always a hit with the students. We wrapped up the week with an all-school Mass on Friday followed by a social.

We are well into the second semester of school now and Lent is rapidly approaching. It seems like we were just preparing for Christmas a few days ago. The school year is flying by and it seems to go faster each year. We are so blessed to have the opportunity to provide our children with a solid Catholic education here in O'Neill. Please feel free to stop by and make a visit sometime. All of us at St. Mary's thank you for your continued support through your prayers and financial donations. May God richly bless you for your generosity.

By Jennie Schneider