My name is Debbie Schaefer.  I attended St. Matthew's School for eight years.  I graduated from Mt. Vernon Senior High School.  I attended ISUE and graduated with a Bachelor of Schience degree in Elementary Education.  I received my Masters Degree in Elementary Education from ISU. 
     I have been a member of Holy Cross Parish since I married Dave, my husband.  We will be clebrating out thirty-four year anniversary this May.  We have two wonderful children, Stephanie and Christopher, who attended Holy Cross School.  They are both married now and have beautiful granddaughters and another grandbaby due in April. 
     I taught Pre-K and helped to run the Daycare for five years at Holy Cross before I began teaching third grade.  I also taught the fifth grade one year while Mrs. Gray took a maternity leave.  I also have taught Sunday School for four-five year olds for twenty-six years. 
     I am President of Kappa Omega Sorority, a chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, which is a service organization.  We have raised money to donate to tornado and fire victims, our school, the fire department, and the ambulance service.  
     I also worked as a leader or co-leader of Girl Scouts for fifteen years.  I have worked with Daisies all the way to Senior Scouts.
 

In the third grade, we have planners that the kids write in their assignments everyday.  I always try to check the planner each day and initial it.  Any tests that they will have during the following week, will be listed on the Friday before.  Sometimes schedules change and we need to revise the times for tests.  In Grades 3, 4, and 5, all test have to be signed and returned the next day if possible.  All tests count as a double score.  For example, if you make a 92% on a test, you have two 92%s.
 

We will be using the Scholastic book orders this year.  If you write a check for your books, please write it to the book company.

The third graders may start server training second semester.  We do not have a time set up.

We go to the public library every two weeks.  We will have a permission slip for you to sign.

ISTEP tests will begin on Sept. 15th-23rd.  We usually ask the parents if they can donate nutritional snacks.  ISTEP will also be given in the Spring this year.

In November, we have a Thanksgiving celebration.  It is usually scheduled the day before Thanksgiving.  We bring in some food and I have parents help the kids to make muffins in the kitchen.  The kids have also performed in short plays, told jokes, or played the piano or guitar.

We will participate in the Accelerated Reading Program again this year.

Our big field trip includes going to Camp Carson in the Spring for Earth Day.