Weekly News

February 13, 2026

Dear Families,

Happy Valentine’s Day! We enjoyed a wonderful party today! Thank you to the room moms once again: Tori and Elodie! You are amazing! We also spent a half hour with our Pre-K buddies today to celebrate Valentine’s Day with them! Enjoy the pictures below!

I would love to have someone come into my classroom and do some filling and a few other things weekly on Friday morning or just before school gets out on Thursday. Please let me know if you are interested.

WHATCOM MATH COMPETITION – Assumption has been invited to participate in a math competition hosted by Franklin Academy. We hope to form a team of students in grades 3–5 to compete on Saturday, March 21st. At this time, we are looking for one or two parent volunteers to help lead and support this enthusiastic group of young mathematicians. Assumption will provide you with a room, materials, and ideally the group will meet at least once a week after school until March 21st. If you are interested in leading this, please reach out to Bev Williams at bwilliams@assumption.school by Wednesday, February 18th. More information will come home for participants once we figure out if we have a team leader. 

We wrapped up our book reports this week and picked new books! We also are wrapping up our Salmon Stories! We worked hard on them!

Blessings,

Paula A. Martin-Zender

Religion – Fourth Grade Theologians dove into Moses and the Ten Commandments. We discussed the name God gave for himself to Moses: I Am Who I Am.
Language – We continued working in small groups for reading having each group focus on a different book. They are practicing staying focused and getting the work during class done or it becomes homework. The four books are: The Battle of the Castle, The War with Grandpa, Frindle and Sarah, Plain and Tall. For writing, they are finishing their Salmon stories! Spelling focused on Unit 19 which was on the -le and -en endings. Everything in spelling will be in cursive for the rest of the year! I am picky, yet your children are meeting the high expectations! Thank you for your support on this!
Math – Fourth grade mathematicians began exploring factors. We had fun learning all the rules for divisibility and making Venn diagrams and Factor trees!

Science – These scientists are finishing up their stories about the salmon life cycle as a narrative.

Social Studies – We reviewed about Lewis and Clark. Then we discussed the settlers of Washington. It began its way to statehood by being the Oregon Territory and then the Washington Territory.

Specialists

Art – Students finished their bottle compositions by adding details to show texture and movement. They also explored the difference between 2D and 3D forms in their artwork.

Spanish –  Continuing with family members vocabulary, they learned how to respond when someone asks them, ¿Cómo se llama MI mamá? -What is MY mom’s name?, the answer is: TU mamá se llama______ -YOUR mom’s name is______-.
Physical Education – This week we reviewed basic jump rope skills and learned four intermediate jump rope skills. Participated in the Endurance Challenge and Thunder Stick.

Music -This week in music we are…learning how to read TAB notation on the ukulele, an alternative note-reading system used for string instruments. We are practicing playing together on one unified beat and reviewing the open string names of the ukulele. We are also playing the rhythm game King of the Mountain to build quick rhythmic thinking and accuracy.

Library – We read about We Are Definitely Human together in class.  February is kindness month, this book and all the others we read during our group times will discuss how we treat others.  We also helped contribute to our “kindness board” in the hallway by sharing different kind things that others have done for us by writing them down.

Monday, February 16 – President’s Day – No school

Wednesday, February 18 – Ash Wednesday – Holy Day of Obligation – Dress uniform

Thursday, March 12 – Next book report is due – written book report – written at school

Friday, March 20 – Our Mass 8:15

Monday-Wednesday March 23-25 – Accreditation Team is visiting our school!

Tuesday, March 31 – All-day field trip to Museum of Flight – get those permission slips in!

February 5, 2026

Dear Families,

It was nice to get back to a “normal week,” although a shorter one. Some students have finally completed their very creative Salmon Story. Others are plugging away at it. I think you will find them quite enduring!

We will be celebrating Valentine’s Day on Friday. I sent home a list of all students in your child’s Friday Folder. Please use that to make sure that all students have a home-made card by your child or a store-bought one. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Blessings,

Paula A. Martin-Zender

Religion – Fourth Grade Theologians finished and took a test on the Holy Trinity. They began study on Moses. Next week, we will dive into the Ten Commandments.
Language – We continued working in small groups for reading having each group focus on a different book. They are practicing staying focused and getting the work during class done or it becomes homework. The four books are: The Battle of the Castle, The War with Grandpa, Frindle and Sarah, Plain and Tall. For writing, they are writing their Salmon story helping with editing and her expertise! Spelling focused on reviewing Units 13-17.
Math – Fourth grade mathematicians dove deeper into perimeter and area for various squares and rectangles. They used formulas to find the missing measurements and worked on three-step problem solving.

Science – These scientists are writing about the salmon life cycle as a narrative.

Social Studies – Reviewed the first two lessons from “How Washington Became a State.”

Specialists

Art – The students worked on creating unity in their compositions by repeating colors, shapes, and patterns. They learned how different elements can work together to make their artwork feel connected and complete.

Spanish –  They learned how to ask and answer question about family members, for example: ¿Cómo se llama tu abuela?, mi abuela se llama Teresa, -what is your grandmother’s name?, my grandmother’s name is Teresa-.

Physical Education – This week in PE we played an invasion game called Capture the Flag.  The students worked on teamwork, strategy, chasing, and fleeing.  Next week we will start our jump rope unit for the 3^rd and 4^th graders and volleyball for the 5^th graders.  

Music -This week in music we are practicing playing together to a steady beat, focusing on ensemble awareness when many students are playing at once. We are doing an active listening activity with Gigue from Partita No. 1, identifying dynamics, instruments, and whether beats are grouped in twos or threes. Finally, we are learning the string names on the ukulele and using the song Green Cats Eat Ants to help memorize them.

Library – We read about We Are Definitely Human together in class.  February is kindness month, this book and all the others we read during our group times will discuss how we treat others.  We also helped contribute to our “kindness board” in the hallway by sharing different kind things that others have done for us by writing them down.

Friday, February 6 – Regional Professional Development for Teachers – No school

Sunday, February 8 – Spirit Weekend

Monday, February 16 – President’s Day – No school

Wednesday, February 18 – Ash Wednesday – Holy Day of Obligation – Dress uniform

Tuesday, March 31 – All-day field trip to Museum of Flight – get those permission slips in!

January 30, 2026

Dear Families,

Wow! What a Catholic Schools Week! Lots of energy and fun! Remember that students need to be at the gym by no later than 6:15 tonight for our New York, New York performance dressed in all black! Thank you for the teacher appreciation on Monday! It was nice to see many of you on Wednesday too!

Blessings,

Paula A. Martin-Zender

Religion – Fourth Grade Theologians discussed in-depth about the mystery of the Trinity – God, the Father; God, the Son; and God, the Holy Spirit.
Language – We continued working in small groups for reading having each group focus on a different book. They are practicing staying focused and getting the work during class done or it becomes homework. The four books are: The Battle of the Castle, The War with Grandpa, Frindle and Sarah, Plain and Tall. For writing, they are writing their Salmon story helping with editing and her expertise! Spelling focused on the soft g sounds with -ge and -dge words.
Math – Fourth grade mathematicians reviewed perimeter and area for various squares and rectangles.

Science – These scientists are writing about the salmon life cycle as a narrative.

Specialists

Art – Students had fun painting their clay creations and using them to tell stories as part of their “Galls Bottle” project.

Spanish –  They started learning vocabulary about family members: la mamá, el abuelo, el hermano menor.

Physical Education – This week in PE we played an invasion game called Capture the Flag.  The students worked on teamwork, strategy, chasing, and fleeing.  Next week we will start our jump rope unit for the 3^rd and 4^th graders and volleyball for the 5^th graders.  

Music -This week in music we are learning playing position, rest position, and the names of the strings. We are beginning our ukulele unit by learning about the history of the ukulele. We are also comparing the ukulele to other string instruments

Library – We learned about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. together in class.  The students were asked to research Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Gale Elementary and to find a new fact about him.  We shared these on a poster board with each other.

Sunday, February 1 – Open House – 11:30am-1:30pm – Come and join us!

Wednesday, February 4 – State of the School address in the gym at 6:30

Thursday, February 5 – Mass day – Dress uniform

Friday, February 6 – Regional Professional Development for Teachers – No school

Sunday, February – Spirit Weekend

Monday, February 16 – President’s Day – No school

Wednesday, February 18 – Ash Wednesday – Holy Day of Obligation – Dress uniform

January 16, 2026

Dear Families,

We are ending the semester quickly! Next Thursday will be the last day! We are also sad to have Amaya leaving our class that day. She and her family are moving to Everett. Please let her know how much we will miss her!

All work should be turned in by Thursday to count for the report card! Please look at your child’s Friday Folder. If they needed another copy of something, they came to me and asked me for another copy. Please check in with them on this. Thank you for your support.

There is only one more spot for a weekend with Hammy! Sign up for a weekend with Hammy here: Click on this link to sign up!

Blessings,

Paula A. Martin-Zender

Religion – Fourth Grade Theologians took a deep dive into the two Creeds: the Nicene and Apostles Creeds. We read about them, watch a video, discussed it and filled in a Venn Diagram, finding more than 40 similarities and differences! We also went to our longest adoration of 20 minutes!
Language – We continued working in small groups for reading having each group focus on a different book. They are practicing staying focused and getting the work during class done or it becomes homework. The four books are: The Castle in the Attic, The Whipping Boy, Stone Fox and Bunnicula. For writing, they are writing their Salmon story helping with editing and her expertise! Spelling focused on qu- and squ- words.
Math – Fourth grade mathematicians practiced more long division. We also worked on multi-step word problems using a four square. Please continue to review with your children on their facts!

Science – These scientists are writing about the salmon life cycle as a narrative.

Social Studies – The historians learned about the leadership of Chief Joseph who lead his Nez Perce Tribe. Then we compared and contrasted his leadership to that of Chief Seattle. We compared and contrasted the lives of the Nez Perce to those of Suquamish Tribe as well.

Specialists

Art – Students are learning about storytelling in art and how images can communicate a story without words. They will create a painted background using colored paper and paint as part of their mixed-media artwork.

Spanish –  This week they practiced, in written form, the question ¿Dónde te duele? –Where does it hurt?– and the possible answers, such as me duele la cabeza, –my head hurts-. They are going to have a quiz on Tuesday, January 20th, about this question and answers and about the activities they do after school. They have two sheets with the material they need to study.

Physical Education – his week in PE we practiced chasing and fleeing, change of direction, spatial awareness and demonstrated knowledge of offensive and defensive strategies and teamwork while playing games called “Yoshi” and “Mushroom ball”. 

Music -This week in music we are learning playing position, rest position, and the names of the strings. We are beginning our ukulele unit by learning about the history of the ukulele. We are also comparing the ukulele to other string instruments

Library – This week we read  Taste Your Words.  We talked about how we feel when we say things that are kind and unkind.   We then continued to work on our class book Library Mouse.  We also spent some time working on our typing skills.  Students that brought books back also had the opportunity to check out new books.

Monday, January 19 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – no school

Monday, January 20 – Spanish Quiz

Friday, January 23– End of the Semester Report Card workday for teachers – no school

January 25-31 – Catholic Schools Week

January 9, 2026

Dear Families,

Happy New Year! Your children were well rested when they came back! I’m glad you had a time of fun while on the break. Speaking of New Years, your children are going to focus on one “Mind” goal for this month. For Lent, they will focus on a “Spirit” goals. Finally, after Easter, they will set some “Body” goals. This is part of our logo: educating the Mind, Body and Spirit!

Thank you for all of the wonderful Christmas gifts before the break!

Since Mrs. Mura was substituting all week, we did not get a chance to practice for the Talent Show. However, we will be diving into it more next week. .

Sign up for a weekend with Hammy here: Click on this link to sign up!

Blessings,

Paula A. Martin-Zender

Religion – Fourth Grade Theologians prepared for the Mass on Friday. We also celebrated the Epiphany as well as made goals for the New Year.
Language – We began working in small groups for reading having each group focus on a different book. They are practicing staying focused and getting the work during class done or it becomes homework. The four books are: The Castle in the Attic, The Whipping Boy, Stone Fox and Bunnicula. For writing, they are writing their Salmon story with Mrs. Mura helping with editing and her expertise! Spelling focused on silent consonants.
Math – Fourth grade mathematicians are continuing the division unit, by understanding the concept of division using the “Partial Quotient” method and then finished the week with the traditional method of division. Please continue to review with your children on their facts!

Science – These scientists are writing about the salmon life cycle as a narrative with the help of Mrs. Mura.

Social Studies – The historians learned about the First Peoples in Washington. Traders, trappers and explorers come into the region. Later Lewis and Clark and Missionaries came into Washington. We will continue this journey of history with causes and effects of the changes on different people next week.

Specialists

Art – This week, students finished their cat compositions by adding details and textures, and by using color intensity to make their artwork more expressive and complete. They focused on choosing bold colors and thoughtful details to bring their moving cats to life.

Spanish –  This week they practiced the question ¿Dónde te duele? (Where does it hurt?) and the possible answers, such as: me duele la cabeza, me duele mi garganta, me duele el estómago(my head hurts, my throat hurts, my stomach hurts).

Physical Education – This week in PE we learned how to solve certain types of conflict through Rock, Paper, Scissors.  We practiced these skills by playing “Rock, Paper Scissors, Hop”.  We also played an invasion game called “King Pin”. 

Music -This week in music class we are listening to and analyzing Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 by Bach. We are singing and moving to Clock Round while analyzing the rhythms in the song. Finally, we are learning about Johann Sebastian Bach and the historical period in which he lived.

Library – This week we read  Taste Your Words.  We talked about how we feel when we say things that are kind and unkind.   We then continued to work on our class book Library Mouse.  We also spent some time working on our typing skills.  Students that brought books back also had the opportunity to check out new books.

Friday, January 16 – Mass – Dress uniform

Monday, January 19 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – no school

Friday, January 23- End of the Semester Report Card workday for teachers – no school

January 25-31 – Catholic Schools Week

December 12, 2025

Dear Families,

On Wednesday, we got to hang out with our Pre-K buddies to make gingerbread houses with them. It was very yummy because they got to eat a cookie for themselves too! 🙂

Thank you for the awesome Salmon Feast! Special thanks goes to the room parents: Elodie Stramberger and Tory Dechert! They were instrumental in organizing the feast as well as obtaining the salmon to dissect the week before. Thank you to all of the yummy food too. Some of you that dropped off food have your containers in the staff refrigerator to pick up.

Sign up for a weekend with Hammy here: Click on this link to sign up!

Please sign up to help for Math stations on Tuesdays here.

Blessings,

Paula A. Martin-Zender

Religion – Fourth Grade Theologians finished their Liturgical Calendar posters and focused on Advent as well.
Language – We finished our class book, My Father’s Dragon. In Spelling, students learned about r-controlled-a words spelled with -ar or -are. For writing, they are writing their Salmon story with Mrs. Mura helping with editing and her expertise!
Math – Fourth grade mathematicians are beginning the division unit, learning about and analyzing remainders. Please continue to review with your children on their facts!

Science – These scientists are writing about the salmon life cycle as a narrative with the help of Mrs. Mura.

Social Studies – The historians learned about the five geographical and geological regions in Washington.

Specialists

Art – Our 4th graders are creating Winter Cats inspired by Winter Cats, designing patterned scarves, hats, and mittens while learning key principles of design such as pattern, contrast, balance, and movement.

Spanish –  This week, all the students talked and learned about Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe y San Juan Diego. You can ask them to sing La Guadalupana and explain what the song says.
Physical Education – his week in PE we learned how to pass the soccer ball with the inside of the foot to a partner using the passing cues step, plant, pass.  We practiced these skills playing Soccer Spot Shot and 4 corner soccer.

Music – This week in music class we are learning about The Nutcracker, discussing its role in our culture, learning about the composer, and comparing two versions of Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. We are practicing how to find songs in a hymnal using the index, tracking verses while singing, and asking questions about music notation. Finally, we are working on their Christmas Program song O Come All Ye Faithful, memorizing three verses and practicing vocal projection and clear annunciation.

Thursday, December 11 – Salmon/Christmas Feast Celebration – 11:30 set up, 12:00 feast with the students

Thursday, December 18 – Christmas Program

Friday, December 16 – All school Mass – dress uniform – early dismissal: 11:45 – Christmas Break begins!

Friday, January 9 – Our Mass – Fourth graders are in charge!

December 5, 2025

Dear Families,

We had such a wonderful week! We started out with a fabulous First Week of Advent prayer service that we led! Your children were fabulous! Later, on Thursday, we LOVED dissecting the salmon and creating the salmon prints! Thank you from the bottom of my heart to the parents that helped. It was monumental to the organizing of it and how smoothly it went!

Next week: the Salmon Feast! Come one, Come all to celebrate the culmination of the salmon unit. We will set up around 11:30 and it at 12:00 noon on Thursday, December 11, 2025. Sign up here for it!

Sign up for a weekend with Hammy here: Click on this link to sign up!

Please sign up to help for Math stations on Tuesdays here.

Blessings,

Paula A. Martin-Zender

Religion – Fourth Grade Theologians presented Saint Power Point presentations and learned about the Liturgical Calendar.
Language – We worked on vocabulary and read more of our class book, My Father’s Dragon. Students are enjoying having good discussions about character developments, settings and plot! In Spelling, students reviewed Units 6-11. For writing, they are writing their Salmon story.
Math – Fourth grade mathematicians are beginning the division unit, learning about and analyzing remainders. Please continue to review with your children on their facts!

Science – These scientists are writing about the salmon life cycle as a narrative with the help of Mrs. Mura.

Social Studies – The historians learned about the five geographical and geological regions in Washington.

Specialists

Art – Students studied the principles of design, particularly unity and repetition, and practiced the wax-resist technique to apply these concepts in their work.

Spanish –  We are singing a Christmas Carol (Villancico) named “Arre Borriquito.” They started making oral sentences to express the activities they do after school, for example: “Yo tengo practica de golf”, “Yo hago la tarea”, “Yo tengo clase de natación”.
Physical Education – This week in PE we learned advanced soccer footwork skills, how to dribble the ball with various parts of our foot, shielding the ball from an opponent and passing the ball to a teammate.  We practiced these skills playing Bumper Ball and Soccer Spot Shot. 

Sunday, December 7 – Spirit Weekend and Christmas Bazaar in Assumption Gym

Monday, December 8 – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception – 12:30 Mass – Dress Uniform!

Thursday, December 11 – Reconciliation for Fourth graders 9:00 – For those that are not Catholic, students may have the opportunity to discuss their sins with the priest as an alternative to Reconciliation which requires classes to receive this sacrament.

Thursday, December 11 – Salmon/Christmas Feast Celebration – 11:30 set up, 12:00 feast with the students

Thursday, December 18 – Christmas Program

November 21, 2025

Wow! What a fabulous Grandparent Day! Your children loved to see and be with their grandparents/friends! Thank you for sending them our way! It was a delight! Below are a few pictures!

When we get back on Monday, December 1st, our class is responsible for the Advent prayer service at 8:05 in the church! We have practiced in our classroom and in the church. What is the most important is to have them show up by 8:00 in the church so we are ready to go!

On Thursday, December 4th at 1:15, we will be having our salmon dissection and salmon art prints! We love our volunteers (link)! The next week will be our Salmon Feast (link) on December 11th at 11:30 for set up and eating at 12:00! Please come and join us!

The infamous retired teacher, Mrs. Mura, (who taught my own kids when they and she were much younger… and is Emma’s grandmother) will be spending time with us with several projects. Primarily, she will be teaching your children to be ready for the variety show set for the evening of January 30th. Please see the message from her:

I am looking forward to meeting with each of you next week. Please remember to bring your child! They are going to be speaking to the areas they are most proud of and areas they want to work on. If you haven’t had a chance, please fill out this a Forms survey here for you to give me feedback before the conference. The link is here.

Sign up for a weekend with Hammy here: Click on this link to sign up!

Please sign up to help for Math stations on Tuesdays here.

Please keep working on those multiplication facts!

Blessings,

Paula A. Martin-Zender

Religion – Fourth Grade Theologians finished their Saint Power Point presentation and many have presented them.
Language – We worked on vocabulary and read more of our class book, My Father’s Dragon. Students are enjoying having good discussions about character developments, settings and plot! In Spelling, students learned about /ur/ and /ir/ word sounds in Unit 11. For writing, they planning a Salmon story
Math – Fourth grade mathematicians continued learning how to multiply and problem solve. Please continue to review with your children on their facts!

Science – These scientists learned about the salmon life-cycle and what are indicators of Clean, Clear and Cold water for a salmon to thrive in.

Social Studies – The historians learned about the five geographical and geological regions in Washington.

Specialists

Art – Fourth graders are learning how to create balance in a composition by carefully arranging the foreground, middle ground, and background to capture the viewer’s eye.

Spanish –  We played a game named “El Lobo” through this game they used verbs in present progressive tense.
Music – This week in music, we are improvising rhythms in a drum circle to build steady beat, ensemble awareness, and creative expression with musical turn taking. Students had fun playing Pass the Beat to practice rhythmic accuracy and group timing too.

Physical Education – This week in PE we learned the pivot, give and go and how to defend another player.  We practiced putting dribbling, passing and shooting and being on defense together by playing games like lightening and round robin 4 vs 4 scrimmage.

Library – Book Fair

Monday, Tuesday November 24 & 25 – No school – Conferences!

Wednesday, November 26 – No school – Happy Thanksgiving!

Monday, December 1 – 8:00 Advent prayer service in the church – We are in charge!!!

Thursday, December 4 – Salmon Dissection

Friday, December 5 – 8:15 – All school Mass – Dress uniform

Monday, December 8 – Feast of the Immaculate Conception – Holy day of obligation – Dress uniform!

Thursday, December 11 – Salmon/Christmas Feast Celebration!

November 14, 2025

Dear Families,

Thank you to the parents that walked and chaperoned us on our field trip! We had a blast learning about what indicators show Clean, Clear and Cold water for wild salmon to thrive in. Finally we had time to work on our service project of restoration when we pulled out the invasive species of ivy in the park near the stream that we were studying about.

On Thursday, we also had a guest speaker a Lummi tribal elder, Clarence Bob. He is a parishioner of St. Joachim and helped set up and work in the Lummi Nation hatchery. Your children are learning so much!

We are so happy that we have our new hamster named Hammy! Your children are so excited to take him home. I promised them a SignUpGenius to reserve weekends with him. Click on this link to sign up!

Conferences are around the corner. I will not be sending home the normal Friday Folder this week or next week because I am collecting data to share with you at the conferences. I will give you all the work then. Speaking of conferences, a few of you still need to sign up. Please sign up here for Fourth Grade Conferences. Yes, your child will be leading the conference. Therefore, they must be here.

I also have a Forms survey here for you to give me feedback before the conference. The link is here.

Please sign up to help for Math stations on Tuesdays here.

Please keep working on those multiplication facts!

Blessings,

Paula A. Martin-Zender

Religion – Fourth Grade Theologians are researching and preparing a Power Point presentation about a Saint.
Language – We worked on vocabulary and read more of our class book, My Father’s Dragon. Students are enjoying having good discussions about character developments, settings and plot! In Spelling, students learned about ou and au sounds in Unit 10. For writing, they are group writing about their mythological creatures they created in Science as well as the Saints Power Points
Math – Fourth grade mathematicians continued learning how to multiply and problem solve. Please continue to review with your children on their facts!

Science – These scientists learned about the salmon life-cycle and what are indicators of Clean, Clear and Cold water for a salmon to thrive in. We also had a guest speaker.

Social Studies – The historians learned about the five geographical and geological regions in Washington.

Specialists

Art – In art class, students created a Pet Shop Foldable, designing their own building and inventing imaginative animals to live inside. Through this project, they combined creativity, design, and spatial awareness to bring their 3D pet shops to life.

Spanish – We started to practice singing La Guadalupana for Our Lady of Guadalupe. We practiced using verbs in the -ing form, wich express an action that is happening, like: cenanado, vistiendo, bañando -having dinner, getting dressed, taking a shower-.
Music – This week in music, we are reviewing note names by playing the game Cut the Cake, learning about the Woodwind Family — the different instruments, their characteristics, and their roles in the orchestra and completing a listening log for a woodwind ensemble and writing a response.

Physical Education – This week in PE we practiced dribbling, passing and shooting while playing Spot Shot, Basketball Noodle Tag and Round Robin Lightening.

Library – Come see us in the book fair next week!

Friday, November 21 – Mass and Grandparents/Grandfriends Day – Early release at 11:45 too! – dress uniform!

Monday, Tuesday November 24 & 25 – No school – Conferences!

Wednesday, November 26 – No school – Happy Thanksgiving!

Thursday, December 4 – Salmon Dissection

Thursday, December 11 – Salmon/Christmas Feast Celebration!

November 6, 2025

Dear Families,

What a fabulous Vocations Week! We had two Sisters of Mercy from Shaw Island visit us on Tuesday. (They have a convent there in the San Juan Islands) On Wednesday, Sr. Rose of Society Devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus came to us via ZOOM. Finally, today we had Fr. Justin Ryan who is the Vicar of Vocations at the Archdiocese of Seattle visit us in person. There was a common theme: the JOY of their vocation and their calling to dedicate their entire life to serving God. What a blessing!

Your children are very excited for their field trip set for Wednesday, November 12th… next week! Students can wear jeans and their casual dress uniform. We will be outside all day long, rain or shine! We will be walking there so make sure they wear appropriate shoes for that and warm clothing. According to my app right now, the weather looks decent. However, we are in the PNW, so that can change! Those that signed up to chaperone: I will send an email to you on Monday or Tuesday with the details.

Your children are SO excited!!! If you haven’t heard, they have earned a classroom pet! I will be getting a hamster this weekend. I have a family already set for taking care of him or her next weekend. I will be setting up a SignUpGenius for the weekends for families to take the critter home, clean the cage and have fun with it. More information to come!

Please sign up here for Fourth Grade Conferences set for the end of November. We have eleven more families that need to sign up. Yes, your child will be leading the conference. Therefore, they must be here. I have a Forms survey here for you to give me feedback before the conference. The link is here.

Please sign up to help for Math stations on Tuesdays here.

Please keep working on those multiplication facts!

Blessings,

Paula A. Martin-Zender

Religion – Fourth Grade Theologians are researching and preparing a Power Point presentation about a Saint. We also had guest speakers this week for Vocations Week!
Language – We worked on vocabulary and read more of our class book, My Father’s Dragon. Students are enjoying having good discussions about character developments, settings and plot! In Spelling, students learned about /oi/ and /ou/ sounds in Unit 9. For writing, they are group writing about their mythological creatures they created in Science as well as the Saints Power Points
Math – Fourth grade mathematicians continued learning how to multiply and problem solve. Please continue to review with your children on their facts!

Science – These scientists learned about the salmon life-cycle and compared to other animals’ and plants’ life cycles.

Social Studies – The historians learned about the five geographical and geological regions in Washington. We discovered that every region has salmon living in it as some stage of their lives!

Specialists

Art – Inspired by “We Love Fishing!” by Ariel Bernstein, students are creating scenes that depict the fisherman above the water and the underwater world of fish. They are exploring movement, repetition, unity, and variety to bring their artwork to life!

Spanish –    We talked about the celebration that takes place in México every year on November 1st and 2nd: El Día de Muertos. They learned about all the elements that should be on EL ALTAR or OFRENDA and the meaning of each one. We reflected on how death is part of the cycle of life, and we prayed for our faithful departed.
Music – This week in music, we are reviewing note names by playing the game Cut the Cake, learning about the Woodwind Family — the different instruments, their characteristics, and their roles in the orchestra and completing a listening log for a woodwind ensemble and writing a response.

Physical Education – This week in PE we practiced our ball handling routine and learned the chest, bounce and overhead pass to a partner and the acronym B.E.E.F (Balance, Eyes, Elbow, Follow through) to shoot the ball into the basketball hoop.  We practiced these while playing Spaceship Passing and Smack Ball. 

Library – This week we read  A Crocodile Should Never Skip Breakfast.  We talked about family traditions and how that can look different; as an example, we shared our favorite breakfasts.  To look at the story or other library activities, check out library page.

This Saturday and Sunday Mass times: Spirit Week

Friday, November 7 – No School – Teachers are working on Accreditation all day!

Monday, November 10 – Veteran’s Day prayer service – invite any Veterans you know of! Please see note below.

Tuesday, November 11 – No School – Veteran’s Day

Wednesday, November 12 – Field trip – Cornwall Park – Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association – sign up here to chaperone! Make sure you have cleared Virtus training!

Friday, November 14 – All school Mass – dress uniform

Friday, November 21 – Grandparents/Grandfriends Day – Early release at 11:45 too!

Thursday, December 4 – Salmon Dissection

Thursday, December 11 – Salmon/Christmas Feast Celebration!

From Mrs. Creech: ACS Veterans Day Prayer Service and Assembly

The students and staff of Assumption Catholic School cordially invite you to join us for a special Prayer Service and Assembly honoring your service to our country.
We are deeply grateful for the sacrifices you have made to protect our freedoms. This event is our way of expressing our sincere appreciation and providing our students with the opportunity to learn from and honor our nation’s heroes.

Event Details:

• What: Veterans Day Prayer Service and Assembly
• When: Monday, November 10th, 2025, at 8:15 am
  • Doors open for guests at 8 am
• Where: Assumption Catholic School Gymnasium
• Address: 2116 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225

The event will include:

• A special prayer service for all veterans.
• Musical tributes from our students.
• Readings and reflections on the importance of Veterans Day.
• A guest speaker.

Following the assembly, we would be honored if you would stay for a reception where we will serve light refreshments, coffee and pastries.

RSVP:

To help us plan for your attendance, please RSVP by Friday, October 31st. The RSVP form is available here: https://forms.office.com/r/zKp7AdkX5r

We hope you can join us for this meaningful event. Your presence would make this tribute truly special for our students and our entire school community.

With sincere gratitude,
The students and staff of Assumption Catholic School
School Phone Number: 360-733-6133
Staff Contact: Mrs. Caitlin Creech (ccreech@assumption.school)