Final Exams, Lady Sabers, Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone enjoyed the extra day for Christmas Break! Final Day of Exams will take place on January 5th, 2009 when we come back. For students needing materials to study the school will be open Monday December 22nd from 7-9 AM. I will be at school during that time until 10:30, if any students have any questions or need to see me for anything.

On Saturday December 20th, the Lady Sabers took on Regina Dominican from Chicago. The JV girls started things off with a bang defeating the visitors 41-37. Taylor Alexander hit a 3 point shot as time expired to send the game into OT. The two teams were still tied after the first OT and Taylor hit the shot to put the Sabers up for good in the 2 OT. The Varsity Sabers improved to 11-1 overcoming a sluggish start to the second half, making huge free throws down the stretch!

I hope everyone and their families have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Happy Birthday Baby Jesus!

Almost Done

Students are almost done with finals! Only 2 more to go and then the year is half over...my how it has flown by. Remember to study, study, and study!

5th Hour Algebra Semester Grades are finished, see Mr. Schreder for grade on final and semester grade.

Be safe driving tonight and make sure to get plenty of rest and a hearty breakfast!

NO SCHOOL and Final's Topics

Enjoy the extra day off with No School today (an unplanned 3-Day weekend!). Since there is no school today and we will only have one day for full review, I am posting a list of topics for studying for all of my classes (click on the Link): Mr. Schreder's Classes Finals Topics. Come prepared to class with questions and specific topics for the final so that students are well prepared and can do their very best on the final!

Check these links for helpful study tips: Ten Tips for Finals
Study Tips (for the Overly Stressed)
Tips for Finals
Study Tips

Some of these are more geared towards College Finals, but still can apply to our Finals at STM, just think students at STM, are going through the same studying strategies as those at U of I this week as they take their finals!

Mr. Schreder's Tips:

• Organize your study Time
• Get Enough Sleep
• Eat Breakfast
• Make Flashcards
• Form Study Groups or find a Study Buddy!
• Pray to Sts. Thomas Aquinas, Catherine of Alexandria, Gabriel Ponsetti, the Patron Saints of Students!
• Believe in Yourself that you will do well!
  

Good Luck to All!

Remember tomorrow is Mass Day, so students be in you oxford shirts and ties-look sharp! Only 10 days until Christ is Born!

Thank You!

I would like to take this oppurtunity to thank the Parent's Association (and all Parents of STM Students) for the wonderful and delicious lunch today and Christmas gift! Thank-You and Merry Christmas!

If anyone needs a good Christmas movie to enjoy for the season I suggest:
"It's a Wonderful Life"
"Christmas Vacation"
"Charlie Brown's Christmas"
"The Nativity Story"


Enjoy putting the Christmas Tree and lights up! And don't forget the Manger!

Last Full Week

This is the last full week of school in 2008! Next week finals begin on Wednesday, so this week is the last full week of instruction.

Algebra: Ch 6 Test Thursday
Intermediate Algebra: Ch 5 Test Thursday
Stats: Project Presentations Thursday and Friday

Finals Schedule is posted on the STM Website. Only 17 days until Christ is Born!



A little Christmas Treat...

Feast of St. Nicholas

The absence of the “hard facts” of history is not necessarily an obstacle to the popularity of saints, as the devotion to St. Nicholas shows. Both the Eastern and Western Churches honor him, and it is claimed that, after the Blessed Virgin, he is the saint most pictured by Christian artists. And yet, historically, we can pinpoint only the fact that Nicholas was the fourth-century bishop of Myra, a city in Lycia, a province of Asia Minor.

As with many of the saints, however, we are able to capture the relationship which Nicholas had with God through the admiration which Christians have had for him—an admiration expressed in the colorful stories which have been told and retold through the centuries.

Perhaps the best-known story about Nicholas concerns his charity toward a poor man who was unable to provide dowries for his three daughters of marriageable age. Rather than see them forced into prostitution, Nicholas secretly tossed a bag of gold through the poor man’s window on three separate occasions, thus enabling the daughters to be married. Over the centuries, this particular legend evolved into the custom of gift-giving on the saint’s feast. In the English-speaking countries, St. Nicholas became, by a twist of the tongue, Santa Claus—further expanding the example of generosity portrayed by this holy bishop.

Advent: The time of waiting and preparation

Pope Benedict XVI presided at first Vespers for the First Sunday of Advent. The Pope’s homily focused on Advent as the spiritual season of hope "par excellence."

"During that time," the Holy Father said, "the entire Church is called to become hope, for herself and for the world. ... All the people of God resume their journey, attracted by this mystery: that our God is the 'God Who comes' and calls us to come out and meet Him, ... first and foremost in that universal form of hope and expectation which is prayer."

This cry for the Lord to come speedily can be heard from "all the just, of all those who wish to resist evil and the enticements of iniquitous wellbeing, of pleasures offensive to human dignity and to the condition of the poor," the Holy Father said.

In praying the Psalms, "the Church relives the grace of this compassion, of this 'coming' of the Son of God into human anguish until touching its very depths. The cry of hope of Advent expresses ... all the gravity of our condition, our extreme need for salvation."

December!

Welcome back students! It's December and with that came some nasty weather this morning. Hopefully students who made it to school are safe and sound. Yesterday was the beginning of the season of Advent-the real reason for the Christmas Season: The Birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ! Fr. Mark at St. Matthews had a great homily on the "waiting" aspect of Jesus' birth and coming again. I love the Christmas Season because of all the giving, sharing, and care people have for one another (too bad we can't do it year round). I especially enjoy the Christmas Music! WBGL 91.7 has all day Christmas music so there is always a good song on the radio!

And with December comes the end of the quarter and semester! Semester Exams are December 17-19 with the last day of instruction being on Tuesday Dec 16th. They are approaching quickly. Here are some important dates for all classes:
Algebra: Quiz 12/4, Test (Ch 6) 12/11
Intermediate Algebra: Quiz 12/4, Test (Ch 5) 12/11
Statistics: Quiz 12/5, Final Project 12/15




Be Safe Driving and "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas!"

Happy Thanksgiving!

I would like to wish all STM students and their families a Happy Thanksgiving!


"And let everyone remember that “Thanksgiving” in Greek is Eucharistia. Thus, the Body and Blood of Christ is the true “Thanksgiving Meal”."

Turkey Week

What a quick week! Today is Early-Dismissal for Teacher In-service, and Wednesday is a Half-Day with Mass being celebrated for Thanksgiving.

Some quick announcements:
-There is only 13 School Days before Finals begin on December 17-19 (to see the Schedule click here).
-Grades for Mr. Schreders class will consist of Quarter 1 &2 (40% each) and Final Exam (20%). In each class we will review several days beforehand so that students are well prepared. Now is the time to begin studying and asking questions.
-Come out and support the Lady Sabers tonight and tomorrow night before the Thanksgiving break as they take on Rantoul @ 5:15 and Danville @ 8:15!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving. I hope that it is time shared with Friends and Family remembering and giving Thanks to God for all that He does for us!

Algebra Final and the Lady Sabers

In December, Mr. Schreder will be holding a review session on Wednesday Mornings in December for his Algebra I students who would like to start studying and reviewing for the semester final. We will go over key concepts and formulas that the students have learned and what they will need to know to do well on the final. These sessions will start at 7:20 in Mr. Schreder's room and will be go over important topics as well as answer any questions the students may have (questions should be on specific concepts and formulas, graphing, or how to sovle a problem and not on number of questions on the test or how many etc., this will be discussed as the final approaches).

The Lady Saber's basketball team is off to a 3-1 start after defeating Monticello and Tuscola Thursday and Friday night, before falling to Urbana in a hard fought contest 38-37. The Sabers look to rebound against Rantoul on Monday (5:15) and Danville Tuesday (8:15) before heading into the Thanksgiving break. The Sabers are competing in the Blue Star Country Classic, headlined by the games on Saturday at Parkland College: Bollingbrook (IL) vs. Ben Davis (IN) and Heritage Christian (IN) vs. Rufus King (WI). Those games were intense and the competition fierce as many of the girls from those schools will be going on to show their talent among many of the big name Division 1 Schools next fall. Come out and support the Lady Sabers as they attempt to get back on a wining streak!

Daily Psalms Reading

Psalms 19:7-11

From one end of the heavens it comes forth; its course runs through to the other; nothing escapes its heat.

8

The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple.

9

The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart. The command of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eye.

10

The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The statutes of the LORD are true, all of them just;

11

More desirable than gold, than a hoard of purest gold, Sweeter also than honey or drippings from the comb.

It's Monday!

After a nice weekend along with 2 Illini Basketball Victories, it's back to school! This week Friday is only a half-day, and it's getting closer to Thanksgiving! Wednesday Progress Reports will be getting mailed out to students who may be struggling in class and need some additional help.

Upcoming Tests and Quizzes:
Thursday: Algebra I Ch 5 Test
Intermediate Algebra Matrix Test
Statistics Chapter 5 Test

Dec 17-19 Finals! Schedules are posted on the STM Website.

Click Here for a good read on the Baltimore Raven's Head Coach John Harbaugh

The Weekend!

Everyone Enjoy the Weekend! It seems like the week flew by. Only 2 weeks until Turkey Day! Next Tuesday (18th) is the first Lady Saber's Home Game against LeRoy. Come out and support them onto Victory!

First Illinois Men's and Women's Basketball games tonight! Go Illini!

Middle of November

I can't believe it's already the middle of November. Only 2 weeks until Turkey Day!
The results are in from the 2008 STM Election-John McCain defeated Barack Obama 127-83. The results were interesting, but it didn't turn out quite like the real election...

Statistics will be using the various pieces of information found from the election and organizing it for a project that is due Monday November 12th.

I hope everyone enjoyed the day off yesterday-give thanks to a Veteran when you see one!

Welcome to November!

I hope everyone enjoyed the 3.5 Day weekend! I enjoyed getting to meet many parents at parent-teacher conferences last Thursday! Halloween was a lot of fun and I hope everyone got their fill of chocolate and candy! We have only 2 weeks until the Mid-Quarter for the 2nd Quarter! The school year is definitely going by very fast-don't let it pass you by. Basketball practice starts today for the Woman's Basketball Team here at STM. Congrats to the Saber Volleyballers on their first ever Regional Championship! Good year to the Football Team who finished at 6-4 with a trip to the playoffs. Let the success in sports continue to the rest of the teams and scholastic teams as well!
Announcements:
Algebra: Test Friday
Intermediate Algebra: Test Friday
Stats: Quiz this week (Thursday or Friday)

Baking Fun!

Last week I made a challenge/deal with both of my Algbera classes. If the class earned a B- average on Chapter 4.1-4.3 Test, which was on Friday (10/24) then I would bake cookies for the class for Halloween. And the results are...5B was able to reach that goal (and went above and beyond a B-). So here are some hard evidence that Mr. Schreder actually did bake the cookies and not go out and buy them at the store!

Whole-Wheat Oatmeal Peanut Butter and Chocalate Chip Cookies (Halloween Theme)!

Enjoy the 3.5 Day Weekend! I look forward to meeting parents at Parent-Teacher Conferences and don't eat too much Candy on Halloween! Happy All Saint's Day!

Quarter Grades

Quarter Grades are turned in and should be coming home soon! The School year is going by so fast-make sure you don't fall behind.

Congratulations to the Boy's Golf Team and their State Championships in Class A! Congratulations to the Girl's Golf Team and their 2nd place finish along with Katie Jean's 2nd place finish! All the hard work definitely paid off!

Algebra I: Test Friday
Intermediate Algebra: Quiz Friday
Statistics: Annotated Bibliography due Thursday 10/23

End of Quarter

Today was the last day of the Quarter! The School year is flying by really fast!

Good Luck to the Boys and Girls Golf teams this weekend at State! Good Luck Footballing Sabers tonight-one more victory and it's back to back years for the playoffs!

Enjoy the weekend! Go Illini!

End of Quarter is Near!

I hope homecoming weekend was fun and that everyone enjoyed the extra day-off with Columbus Day on Monday! This week is busy, busy with tests and quizzes ending with the final day of the quarter on Friday.

In Algebra I we are beginning a project where students will be in groups where they will develop the lesson for a section from Chapter Four and they will have the chance to be the teacher. They will start teaching this Friday culminating with a test next Friday!

Intermediate Algebra there is a test tomorrow over Chapter 2!

Statistics will be having a test on Friday over Probability!

In other news, the last Obama/McCain debate is tonight and the election is 3 weeks away!

The Tampa Bay Rays are only 1 game away from going to the World Series-literally from last place last year!

Homecoming!!!

It's Homecoming tonight against PBL! GO Sabers!!!

Have fun and be smart tomorrow night at the dance!

Illini vs. Minnesota; followed by "World's Biggest Practice" with the Men's and Women's teams practicing on the football team after the football game!!! GO ILLINI!!!

Next week is the last week before quarter grades go out!

Homecoming Week!

It's Homecoming week here at STM! It's a very different atmosphere, very vibrant and a lot of things happening! The hallways look great decorated with the various themes-I must say the Freshman 80's hallway looks pretty "Fresh." Today was Jersey day and I have seen a lot of variety and interesting jerseys!




Announcements:
Algerba I: Quiz (3.4-3.6) Corrections due Friday 10/10; Test on Chapter 3 Friday 10/10

Statistics: Quiz on 4.1-4.3 Friday

Homecoming football game vs. PBL Friday!

Freshman Homecoming T-Shirts and Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions

Congratulations to Zoe Kaler whose T-Shirt design was picked for the Freshman Class Homecoming 08 T-Shirt! Money for shirts can be turned into Mr. Schreder as soon as possible ($6). Shirts should be in for pickup Tuesday Afternoon.

Holy Father Pope Benedict VXI's Prayer Intentions for the Month of October:

"That the Synod of Bishops may help bishops and theologians as well as catechists and pastoral workers engaged in the service of the Word of God transmit with courage the truth of the faith in communion with the entire Church."

"That in this month dedicated to the missions, through the promotional activities of the Pontifical Missionary Works and other organizations, the Christian may feel the need to participate in the Church’s universal mission with prayer, sacrifice and concrete help.”

Saved by the Bell!

It's Monday- the end of September is nearing (The October Lover's Club is definitely looking forward to October!) This week is busy in my classes and at STM as we prepare for homecoming week next week (check the STM website for any future updates). Once again the weekend went by way too fast. The Saber football team lost a tough one Friday night to Clifton-Central. Saturday was spent outside at Curtis Orchard! I like all the fall decorations, apples and pumpkins, all the butters, jams, spices, etc. I can't wait to try the Spaghetti Squash and Sweet Potato Squash that I got.

Here are some announcements for the week:
Algebra I Quiz Ch 3.4-3.6 on Friday (10/3)
Statistics Chapter 3 Project due Wednesday (10/1) at the beginning of class
Statistics Chapter 3 Test on Wednesday (10/2)

Friday is Mass Day at STM- Grandparent's Day
Homecoming kickoff is Sunday October 5th

Algebra I Classzone Instructions

Students (and Parents): Here are the instructions for getting onto the E-workbook for the Algebra I Homework
Log onto: http://www.classzone.com/cz/index.htm
Click on Math/High School, select the state of Illinois and click Go
Click on the Algebra 1, 2007 Book
Click on eWorkbook under the Practice, Practice, Practice Heading
Click on Ch. 3-go to 3.3 Solve Multi-Step Equations
Work out the problems on a piece of paper-put answers into the box and you can check your answers to see if you are right or wrong-record your results and show for Homework Credit tomorrow in class!

Enjoy!!!

Chris Stefanick

Here are some links about Yesterday's Speaker, Chris Stefanick. He had a very powerful and moving message about Purity and Chastity.
Catholic Answers: Chris Stefanick - there is also a link to download his talk "True Love"
His Personal Website that includes a Personal Testimony, Biography, clips from his Keynote Talks, Books and Much More!

Just don't be the antelope running with your eyes closed or the ice fisherman in dangerous waters!

Oh, it's Monday!

Welcome Back Students, it's another Monday at STM! Today is the first day of Fall and we are almost through the month of September. These first 6 weeks have flown by! I hope everyone's weekend was relaxing and full of fun. Here are some announcements for the week:
Tuesday- Bell Schedule #2 For a Speaker
Thursday- Bell Schedule #2 for Class Meetings about Homecoming etc. (Freshman will discuss Homecoming decorations and T-Shirt-yours truly Mr. Schreder will be your class sponsor!)
Friday- The STM Saber Football team is back home!

Enjoy the week-Progress Reports will be sent out to ALL Freshman soon!

I read this article, "Modern Love - Knowing my Stillborn Son" and was very touching about love and what LIFE is, maybe those Politicians who are Pro-Choice should read this...

Volunteer Oppurtunities

Tomorrow (Friday) is the end of the "mid-quarter" all Freshman will be receiving Progress Reports from their teachers (including me-students will have an opportunity to see their grade).

There are numerous opportunities for Volunteer Hours!
Tootsie Roll Drive Volunteers
Rantoul Knight's of Columbus Council #4450 is having a Tootsie Roll Drive on September 20th, and September 21st. They are in need of volunteers to work. If they are interested in volunteering, please call Geoff Sinclair at 893-4417 or Paul Quinn at 892-2069 before Friday.

YOU NEED SERVICE HOURS...WE NEED YOUR HELP!!
This Saturday, September 20th, Holy Cross is holding their Family Fun Day with food, inflatables and a few games for the littler kids. Your volunteer help is needed anytime from 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with set-up, serving, and clean-up, as well as 2 kiddie games and face painting. Please call Mrs. Cindy Howie at 351-8000 or e-mail cdhowie689@sbcglobal.net to volunteer your Time and Talent.

Four Service Hours
Friends of the Poor Walk
Please join us in helping to feed the hungry of Champaign Urbana, Saturday, September 27th, 2008 Registration: 6:00pm Walk: 7:00-10:00pm STM Track. We are accepting any and all nonperishable food items at the circle drive in front of St. Thomas More. The Eastern Illinois Food Bank truck will be on hand to accept all the donations for their pantry as well as the St. Vincent DePaul pantry. The walk will take place on the track behind the school. All ages are welcome to donate a bag of food and/or walk. All the money and food collected on this day will stay locally in the Champaign/ Urbana community to feed our hungry. The walk is sponsored by: The Saint Vincent DePaul Society You can walk, enjoy some food and drinks, and watch the Illinois vs. Penn State football game on two big screens that will be set up around the track. Please contact Mrs. Lamb at lamb05@comcast.net for further details.

Breast Cancer Walk
STM is forming a team to participate in the Breast Cancer 5K Walk. The students may earn service hours. The walk will take place at Crystal Lake Park on Sunday October 5, 2008. Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. and the walk begins at 9:00 a.m. Students will need to get sponsors. Checks are made payable to the American Cancer Society. The donations can be any amount of money – any amount is needed and appreciated.

Students, teachers, staff members, parents, and friends interested in walking with the STM team need to contact Ms. Noreen Sugrue at 337-5710 or email nsugrue@illinois.edu to sign up for the team.

Kenwood PTA Needs Your Help
The Kenwood PTA is looking for volunteer to assist with their Family Game Night on Thursday October 30th from 6pm-8pm. Volunteers are needed to be in the rooms to help out with the games. These will be board games and card games, not carnival games. We are looking at trying to have 12-15 rooms with 3-4 games per room. We will also have a craft room and possibly a puzzle room. Ideally, we would like to have 2-3 people per room. For more information contact Susan Gonzalez at g5familia@sbcglobal.net or by calling 398-8940.

Justin Spring Invitational Gymnastics Competition
When: December 6th and 7th.
Where: The U of I Arc building, or known as IMPE.
Duties would consist of:
RUNNERS for running scores to the scores table during the competition. Usually need 4 people per session. (don't know how many sessions yet until November 3rd)
FLASHERS for the gymnasts scores. (this consists of sitting by the judges, then adjusting the numbers on the score cards and raising it up for the audience to see the score for each gymnast as they compete) Again would need 4 people per session.
DOOR PERSON to check in the gymnasts as they come in. Probably need two per session.

Our highest priority for volunteers would be to help clean up the meet on December 7th. The time would be approximately 5:00pm-8:00 at the latest. These times are not set in stone yet. We will know more by November 3rd. Highly suggest guys, because the beams can get pretty heavy.

Please contact Jan Joop @ 352-7210 ext. 122 or jjoop@hs-stm.org to sign up and receive service hours credit.

P.S IF YOU DO COMMIT TO VOLUNTEERING IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU SHOW UP. WE HAVE TEAMS COMING FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY TO COMPETE.

Back to School

Welcome back to School...it's a Monday! I hope the weekend was relaxing and full of fun! Hopefully no one got flooded or stuck driving on Sunday-I thought for sure I was going to get stuck a couple of times. Congratulations to the Football Team with their 25-6 win over Watseka-some big hits and big D led by timely scores!

Some announcements for the week:
Freshman Retreat on Tuesday 9/16
Intermediate Algebra Test Tuesday 9/16
Algebra Test Corrections and Tests due Thursday 9/18

Have a great week, good luck in all of your contests and tests, quizzes, etc.

Remembering 9/11/01

Loving God, help us to realize that true peacemaking can only become a reality in our world today if it is first a matter in our hearts. September 11 reminded us that our country has been blessed with tremendous resources that we must use wisely in the service of others, both within our own borders and around the world.

We ask for the gifts of civility and charity so that we can treat others with respect and love.

We ask for the gifts of faith and hope to strengthen our spirits by placing our trust in You rather than ourselves.

We ask for the gifts of courage and compassion that will move us into action to help those in need in the United States as well as throughout the world. We ask for the gifts of humility and kindness so that we may put the needs and interests of others ahead of our own.

We ask for the gifts of patience and perseverance to endure the long struggle for justice.

We ask for all of this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Announcements, Announcements, Announcements!

2008 ACADEMIC LETTER AWARDS CEREMONY
The date for this year's ceremony is Wednesday, October 22 at 7:00 PM in the cafetorium.
Those students who have earned a letter will be notified by mail.
Requirements are as follows:
- Students in grades 10-12 are eligible.
- Students must have earned the following cumulative grade point average:
10th grade- 3.50 GPA on 9th grade work
11th grade- 3.25 GPA on 9th and 10th grade work
12th grade- 3.00 GPA based on 9th, 10th, and 11th grade work
- Students must not have earned any D or F grades.
- Transfer students must have completed a minimum of one full semester at The High School of Saint Thomas More.

For questions, please contact Mrs. Quinton at mquinton@hs-stm.org or by calling 352-7210.

SERVICE HOUR OPPORTUNITIES

Justin Spring Invitational Gymnastics Competition
When: December 6th and 7th.
Where: The U of I Arc building, or known as IMPE.
Duties would consist of:
RUNNERS for running scores to the scores table during the competition. Usually need 4 people per session. (don't know how many sessions yet until November 3rd)
FLASHERS for the gymnasts scores. (this consists of sitting by the judges, then adjusting the numbers on the score cards and raising it up for the audience to see the score for each gymnast as they compete) Again would need 4 people per session.
DOOR PERSON to check in the gymnasts as they come in. Probably need two per session.

Our highest priority for volunteers would be to help clean up the meet on December 7th. The time would be approximately 5:00pm-8:00 at the latest. These times are not set in stone yet. We will know more by November 3rd. Highly suggest guys, because the beams can get pretty heavy.

Please contact Jan Joop @ 352-7210 ext. 122 or jjoop@hs-stm.org to sign up and receive service hours credit.

St. Matthew
Dr. Vickie Prell, is looking for students to help with coffee and donuts at St. Matthews on Sunday mornings. Students are needed most Sundays during the school year except holidays from about 8:00am-11:00am. Contact Dr. Prell at 398-3414 for more details.

Breast Cancer Walk
STM is forming a team to participate in the Breast Cancer 5K Walk. The students may earn service hours. The walk will take place at Crystal Lake Park on Sunday October 5, 2008. Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. and the walk begins at 9:00 a.m. Students will need to get sponsors. Checks are made payable to the American Cancer Society. The donations can be any amount of money – any amount is needed and appreciated.

Students, teachers, staff members, parents, and friends interested in walking with the STM team need to contact Ms. Noreen Sugrue at 337-5710 or email nsugrue@illinois.edu to sign up for the team.

Tuesday, September 16
Freshman Retreat
Father Joe will be taking the Freshman Class to St. Joseph's Church in Ivesdale, IL for the class retreat. Chaperones are needed, please contact Father Joe at jdondanville@hs-stm.org if you are available.

Where did the weekend go?

My thoughts exactly! The weekend flew by, but it was peaceful and relaxing. My brothers and mother came and two of my brothers and I watched the Illini dominate their rivals south of I-57 Eastern Illinois Panthers 47-21. My mother and fiancee went Wedding Dress Shopping-the guys did their manly thing by enjoying some college football and the women well they did whatever women do dress shopping.

I hope everyone else had a pleasant weekend. Congrats to the STM Footballing Panthers on their 41-0 romp of Schlarman on Friday Night.


Some announcements for the week: Parent Night/Open House Wednesday September 10th at 6:30 p.m. in the STM gym. I am looking forward to meeting parents!

Algebra I-Test on Wednesday
Intermediate Algebra- Test on Friday
Statistics-Frequency Distribution and Histogram project due on Thursday

Saturday Night: Night of Legends at the Assembly Hall. The Illini Basketball Program welcomes back former Illini Greats like Deron Williams, Kendall Gill, Johnny Kerr, Dee Brown, Corey Bradford, and much more at 7 pm on Saturday September 13th. I heard on the radio that they are plenty of tickets available ($15).

Enjoy the Week!

Guidance Matters and it's FRIDAY!

Check out the latest Guidance Matters Update!

It was a very nice Mass Celebration by Fr. Joe this morning for the first all-school mass this school year. The Choir did an excellent job leading the Musical Liturgy!

If you would like to see your grade, all you need to do is contact Mr. Schreder or see him before or after school.

Enjoy the weekend-Go Illini!

Announcements:
Algebra I - Chapter 1 Test Wednesday
Intermediate Algebra- Chapter 1 Test Thursday
Statistics-Begin Ch. 2 Organizing Data today and begin Histogram Project on Monday!

Jump! Jump! Jump!

Nothing like a little Van Halen to get you excited about an online school blog!

Some announcements for upcoming major grades:
Algebra: Test Next Tuesday (Tentatively)
Intermediate Algebra: Test Next Thursday (Tentatively)
Statistics-Histogram Project-more to come...

Other news and notes:
Eligibility will be going out on Thursday afternoon, see Mr. Schreder if you are worried about your grade.

Mass Day this Friday! (Check out this website for some of the nicest and beautiful Basilica's in Italy)

A parishioner at St. Matt's who is blind and is married to a blind woman. Together they have a kindergartner at St. Matt's who is not blind who needs someone to read to her weekly. They will take as many hours as you are willing to give. Service hours can be earned for this special duty. Please see Mrs. Bedwell if you are interested.

Have a Great rest of the week!

Be sure to catch the Fighting Illini's first Home football game of the 2008 season against Eastern Illinois on Saturday!

It's September!

Welcome back students from the joyous three-day Labor Day weekend! I hope everyone had a relaxing break from school and are ready to get back into the swing of things. Congratulations to the football team on their big win over Bismark on Friday-way to get off to a good start on the 2008 Season! Congrats as well to the soccer team on their strong 2nd place finish at the Effingham Invitational this weekend.

Upcoming announcements for the week:
Mass Day on Friday (Sept. 5th)
Thursday is the last day to drop a class (Sept. 4th)
Sept. 10th is Open House Parent Night at 6:30

Have a great week!

Having a Great Day!

Hopefully Everyone enjoyed Picture Day and put on their best smiles for the camera! Tomorrow in all of my classes we will be having a quiz or a "quest." This is a good way to start the school year off with some major points in class or a not so hot way to start. Study, Study, Study!

Some School Announcements: Would you like to have a tutor from the University of Illinois? Vis-A-Vis, is a U of I student-run volunteer program that has been serving the Champaign-Urbana area since 1981. This program matches student volunteers with your requests in any subject area: Math, Science, Social Studies, English and Foreign Languages. If you had a Vis-A-Vis tutor last year or are interested in having one this year please see Mr. Sheehan by TOMORROW, August 29th.

TOMORROW will be a Saber Day! Students can wear approved Saber wear or approved Club or Organization shirts. NO HOODED SWEATSHIRTS WILL BE ALLOWED.

Baseball Meeting

For any boys who want to go out for baseball there will be a meeting Wednesday August 27th, 2008 at 7 p.m. in the Cafetorium about the upcoming baseball season and other fund raising events. This meeting is for parents and players and all boys interested in playing baseball this coming spring are welcome to attend. Hope to see you there.

It's Monday

Welcome Back for the first full week of of the school year! Mr. Schreder enjoyed his time in the Dunk Tank at the STM Fall Sports Preview! Good luck to all Fall Sports.

Olympics are officially over with the USA claiming 110 total Medals topping host China's 100. Congratulations to former Fighting Illini Deron Williams and the US Men's Basketball team reclaiming Olympic Gold!

Announcements:
Statistics Quest-Thursday
Algebra Quiz-Friday
Intermediate Algebra Quiz Friday


REMINDER TO ALL PARENTS AND STUDENTS: THURSDAY IS PICTURE DAY! Please have your student bring in the picture envelope with payment on Thursday. This is the ONLY day you can pay for your pictures. All students will get their pictures taken so be sure your student is dressed properly in school uniform.

There will be a short Girls Basketball meeting on Wednesday for all girls planning to play this winter. The meeting will be held in Room 105 after school and will be done by 3:45pm. Anyone that has questions or cannot attend, please see Coach Menning.

Attention Freshmen: Those interested in running for Class Officer or Student Council should pick-up a form or sign-up in at the table in front of the office. Sheets should be turned into Coach Bosch in Room 101 or to the front office by Tuesday, September 2nd.

Attention Juniors: Give us your class T-shirt design suggestions. Stop by the table in front of the office or one of your class officers to pick up a form. Please turn in your completed forms by August 28th to the front office for Mrs. Tucker's mailbox.

Attention Seniors: Make sure you've scheduled your senior portrait sitting! Senior portraits for the yearbook are due to Mrs. Timmermann by October 31st.

Announcements:
Algebra-be ready to begin on Ch. 1 on Monday
Intermediate Algebra-be ready to begin on Ch. 1 on Monday
Statistics - Vocabulary Test Thursday 8/28

Attention Freshmen: Those interested in running for Class Officer or Student Council should pick-up a form or sign-up in at the table in front of the office. Sheets should be turned into Coach Bosch in Room 101 or to the front office by 2nd hour on Tuesday (26th) .

Attention Juniors: Give us your class T-shirt design suggestions. Stop by the table in front of the office or one of your class officers to pick up a form. Please turn in your completed forms by August 28th to the front office for Mrs. Tucker's mailbox.

Attention Seniors: Make sure you've scheduled your senior portrait sitting! Senior portraits for the yearbook are due to Mrs. Timmermann by October 31st.

Welcome Students and Parents to Mr. Schreder's "Online Classroom." Here you will find daily assignments, classroom and school announcements, and other various pieces of information. My E-Mail address is on the right hand side if you need to get in touch with me outside of school. I am looking to a great school year! Go Sabers and God Bless!

Announcements:

2008 Fall Sports Kickoff

August 23, 2008 - 3:30pm

Dunk the new Dean! Mark your calendars now!!

We’ll have the grill fired up with pork chop sandwiches, dogs, pizza and more available – come hungry!

Gather in the gym at 3:30 p.m. to “kickoff” the preview of our fall sports teams consisting of: Cross Country, Girls Golf, Boys Golf, Boys Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Volleyball, Football, Cheerleading, and don’t forget our support from the Pep Band and our Pep Club – the SABER PACK!

PS Students-If you find me there and say Hi!-Extra-Credit!