Integrated Language Arts (ILA)
Junior high students are working hard memorizing their selections for Forensics Club. Our school show, "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" is coming along nicely, as is the pre-rehearsal work on our grandparents’ show. A new group of winners for Good Handwriting is now hanging up in our school.

Social Studies:
The OLHC National Geographic Bee was held on Thursday, December 21^st. The fourth to eighth grades each had preliminary contests in their individual classrooms. Then five students from each class took part in the final competition. Brendan Curtin, an eighth grade student, was the winner and Patrick Shields, a seventh grade student, was the runner-up. Brendan took the national preliminary test in January and the results were sent to national headquarters.

Science:
Grades Kindergarten through 8 are already preparing for the Science Fair, under the guidance of Mrs. Kathy Schugsta, who is our consultant. Grades Kindergarten through 5 are doing class projects. Grade 6 is working on five group projects, and Grades 7 and 8 are doing individual projects. All students have a greater understanding of the Scientific Method and they eagerly await the display of their work on February 13, 14, and 15.

Technology/Computers:
Students are enjoying and learning new skills everyday. They are learning how to make the computer work for them. Math drills and keyboarding skills are being reinforced daily. Mrs. Ring has the 7^th and 8^th graders building a SIM city that is very interesting to see. OLHC is wired to the Internet and the 6^th graders are learning about the continent of Africa by using some interesting sites.

Library:
The students are really enjoying these days of winter since it is the perfect time to get that interesting book, a comfortable spot and a few hours of quiet reading. Come and see all the wonderful book reports that are hanging in our halls. It’s the perfect advertisement for so many stories. The students are working so well on the skill of reading that we all must practice everyday to become great readers.  Many new books are arriving everyday from the "Rosie’s Book Bonanza", come check them out! The book fair is on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, January 28^th, 29^th, and 30^th. Stop by for some treats, it looks like a lot of wonderful treasures are just waiting for us.

Math Club:
So how many chips are there in that package of Chocolate Chip Cookies" A major chocolate chip cookie brand claims there are a "1000 Chips in Every Bag!" What a claim! But is it true? Our Lady Help of Christians Math Club decided to find out. Equipped with various math skills, 15 junior high students determined there were over 1000 chips per package (an average of 1131 chips per package, to be precise). The also determined that, on average, 32 percent of each cookie is chocolate. OLHC Math Club is an after school program to provide math challenge and enrichment to interested and motivated junior high students. What’s next for math club? Code cracking, treasure hunting, path planning, and grass counting, with the help of math of course!

Octathlon
The annual Octathlon at Bishop McDevitt High School will be held on March 24^th and the Super Quiz will be held on March 29^th. This academic competition is filled with challenge for outstanding students from the many schools which are serviced by Bishop McDevitt High School. The team members of OLHC’s team are:

These students will be preparing at various sessions during lunch and after school by teachers and parent volunteers from the parish.

Student Council:
During the month of February, the Student Council and Mission Reps will be holding a Valentine’s Day Flower Sale. All proceeds will benefit the Bishops Relief Fund. The Student Council will also be sponsoring a Candy Estimation Contest. Be on the lookout for more information regarding these exciting events.

Student Representatives

Art:
In November, the art classes in Grades K to 8 participated in OLHC’s first art show. The entire Church hall was decked out with art. One wall celebrated the season of Fall and the other walls displayed a celebration of color. Parents can check out some of the art work on our web site (www.phillysnet.com\olhc). During the month of January and February, students will be busy creating artwork for the Archdiocesan Art Contest. The theme this year is Art and Science; given this, students will be creating surrealistic animals, pop art volcanoes, and abstract snowflakes.

School Newspaper:
The Newspaper staff has been meeting weekly to put out the first issue of "School Scoop" for this school year. If you have any interesting ideas, please let us know.

Student of the Month:
Congratulations to our Students of the Month:

Missions
The Mission reps are working closely with Student Council to collect soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and other personal items for St. John’s Hospice for homeless men. We thank everyone who supported this endeavor. This drive will continue through the Christmas season.