This time of year provides many opportunities for learning both inside and outside of the classroom: creative writing, experiencing the classics in literature, poetry, and music, as well as honing study skills. Students have written personal narratives and descriptive paragraphs. One exercise was for the little ones to write about how they would make the Grinch smile. Students are reading Dickens, Van Allsburg, Moore, and the Gospels of Luke and Matthew.  Reviews, note card sharing, and study partners filled the middle school hall as midterms progressed through the week. Learning is enriched by the season.

                During this Advent season, the students have met the challenge to be Christ-like in many ways. On Monday, Fr. Carlos Martins brought the "Treasures of the Church" to OLQP. The children learned about what a relic is, the history of some of the saints, and how to show reverence appropriately. It was beautiful to behold as the students read the display cards that told about particular saints' lives and then paused to pray. In the midst of all the excitement and movement in the school, Marian Hall became a sanctuary of prayer. Students supported collections for Military Moms and Wives of Brazoria County and the St. Vincent de Paul food drive. Students have also been challenged to remember whose birthday is being celebrated on December 25 ^th . In that spirit, gift tags are covering the trees in the front entry of the school. The Christmas gift tags are labeled with the giver's name and what their gift is to Jesus. The gifts are acts of mercy and kindness.

                From all of us at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic School to all of you, our families and friends, we wish you all of the blessings of the season as we keep you in our prayers and trust that you keep us in yours. Thank you for being part of the mission and ministry of OLQP.