Hi, All. We received this news about our daughter Janelle Karina Hood Turcotte. This letter was sent out today about Janelle being hired by St. John Vianney Catholic School as the 8th grade homeroom teacher, and we are proud! Congratulations, Janelle!!

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8th Grade Teacher Update
May 17, 2011 08:00:00
By Kelly Witt

Dear St. John Vianney Families,

Over the course of the past few weeks the staff has met and discussed the applicants for the 8th grade homeroom position. The interview team consisted of Mr. Pelkie, Ms. Milne, Mr. Hartely, Mrs. Hughes, Mrs. Palmer, and Miss Tami. Some key areas we were looking for in a candidate included the years of teaching experience, success with teaching 6th grade math, pre-algebra, algebra, and 7th and 8th grade science. In addition, we were looking for someone who has experience with Gonzaga Prep’s entrance exams and honors programs. There were many qualified candidates, however, one candidate not only met those requirements but also teaches summer school at Gonzaga Prep. After much deliberation and a unanimous vote by the team, it is with great pleasure that I announce the hiring of Janelle Turcotte as the 8th grade homeroom teacher.

Mrs. Turcotte has three years teaching experience and her previous position included teaching 7th and 8th grade science, pre-algebra and algebra. Not only does she have experience with Gonzaga Prep’s entrance exams and honors programs, she teaches Algebra I, Geometry, and science in Prep’s summer program. Her experience teaching these key subject areas at Prep will provide our students with the best education possible in the areas of math and science. The combination of teaching currently in the middle school as well as her teaching experience at the high school level is an excellent combination so our students will not only be prepared for high school but the programs we have in place will continue to be of the highest caliber.

Not only is Mrs. Turcotte prepared to continue teaching your child with the highest of standards, she is enthusiastic, energetic, and will motivate the students to perform at their highest abilities. She is eager to build relationships with both the students and the families of St. John Vianney. I know once you have the opportunity to meet her, you, too, will be blown away with her content knowledge, warm and welcoming personality, and will have trust in her ability to maintain the high standards St. John Vianney has in place.

If you have any further questions regarding Mrs. Turcotte please feel free to talk with myself, or any one of the committee members.

Sincerely,
Rick Pelkie

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Thank you to Rick Pelkie, principal of St. John Vianney School for sending out this fine letter. We are proud of our daughter Janelle.

James and Karen Hood

Great news! We just received a new member to our household on February 6th. Her name is Lily and she is a Newfoundland Landseer with black and white markings. She is 8 weeks old and such a cutie and so sweet.  At 6 weeks she was 14 pounds, and upon arrival here she weighed in at 21 pounds on our scale. She’s growing fast!

I have wanted a Newfoundland ever since I read about Lewis and Clark as a girl growing up in Montana. They had wonderful stories about their Newfoundland, Seaman, who accompanied them on their travels across the country. Seaman was invaluable to them on their journey, and Lewis mentions several times in his journals that this loyal dog was able to scare off some buffalo and even a bear, saving the explorers from dangerous situations.

Newfoundlands are an ancient, hearty breed of working dog with a long and proud history. Vikings who visited Newfoundland Island in 1000 AD wrote about seeing strong water dogs  working with the native people. Today’s Newfoundlands are descended from these dogs and the mastiffs that were brought to the island in the 16th century by Portuguese fishermen. The Newfoundlands were used to haul fishing nets and retrieve objects or people who fell into the water.

A typical Newfoundland weighs between 100-150 lbs, and some have been known to exceed 200 lbs. The largest Newfoundland on record was 260 lbs and measured 6 ft long from nose to tail. They are powerful animals uniquely designed for swimming in rough ocean waters. Their oily double coat is thick and waterproof, keeping them warm and dry for hours in cold northern seas. They have webbed feet that enable them to swim with a powerful breast stroke, rather than the dog paddle used by other breeds, and their large lung capacity gives them the ability to swim great distances through strong currents and choppy waves. There are many instances in which Newfoundlands have saved people from drowning, and these are fascinating and inspiring stories. One Newfoundland saved 60 shipwrecked sailors alone, and another is believed to have rescued Napoleon when he fell overboard during his escape from the island of Elba.

Today, Newfoundlands are known as gentle giants, a beloved breed of calm, loyal animals that are equally good as caretakers and watchdogs. They are caring by nature, and are exceptionally well-behaved and nurturing around children and other animals. Easily trainable, devoted, and hardworking, the Newfoundland remains a popular pet to this day.

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Did you know that February is not only National Children’s Dental Health Month but is also National Pet Dental Health Month? I was surprised to learn this as I drove past a veterinarian’s office that had this message posted on a sign in front of the building.

Having a National Pet Dental Health Month is a good reminder to focus on what keeps your pet healthy. You see, pets need to have their teeth cleaned, too.   Bacteria can lead to a buildup of plaque, which in turn harms your pet’s gums and teeth.  I’ve been told that scheduling teeth cleanings for your pet is highly ridiculous and very expensive. That may or may not be the case, but some people do choose professional dental health treatments for their pets.  Another way to help keep your pet’s dental health in good shape is to clean their teeth at home.

A problem we have in today’s culture in the United States is the growing dental health problems in pets, which is often due to  feeding a diet which is not natural for your specific breed. This contributes to gum disease and tooth decay. It has been proven that bacterial infection can adversely affect the health of humans as well as pets.

Be sure to feed your pet a healthy diet specific to your particular pet, and then make sure they have the appropriate items needed. For example, dogs have evolved from canines that were used to chewing on bones. This naturally helped clean their teeth.  It is also worth it to use a soft, small toothbrush to brush your pet’s teeth from time to time. This will protect your animal’s dental health.  This in turn will save you from having to pay for more expensive treatment later.

The American Veterinary Medical Association encourages us to celebrate National Pet Dental Health Month by checking with your local veterinarian for the best methods of keeping your pet’s mouth, teeth, and gums healthy.

Our Dogs’ Health News: I am worried about one of my beloved pet dogs, Dromi, who is a 14-year-old male Icelandic sheepdog. Dromi was actually my daughter’s dog, but we inherited him when she went away to college and was unable take him with her. He was imported from Iceland and has a wonderful character. He has been a terrific dog, but his health is failing. His eyes are still bright and alert, but he is definitely getting worse. He has tumors that are spreading all over his body, and I’m afraid that he doesn’t have too much time left. Losing a much-loved pet is always difficult.  He has had a great life so far, and yes, he chewed on lots of bones to keep his teeth clean!