Dear Parents,
During our school morning assemblies since Lent has begun, I have been reflecting with the students about how God is like our shepherd, and we are his sheep. Like a shepherd with his sheep, God watches over us, protects us, and leads us away from harm. As parents, we are shepherds for our children. We are called to care for the flocks that are entrusted to us—our families, friends, and colleagues. We hope to lead by living as a positive example and helping those in our care to grow closer to God. Let us pray for strength and courage so that we can be shepherds for our loved ones.
Shepherd us, O God, and guide us in your paths. Grant us wisdom and courage, compassion and strength, so that we might faithfully tend those you have entrusted to our care. Guard your church, built of living stones, on the foundations you set. AMEN.
(Prayer from: Daily Reflections for Lent, by Michelle Francl-Donnay)
--Mrs. Sandra Jimenez
SPORTS COMMITTEE
St. Peter's School will be initiating a sports committee this year. The committee will be working directly with the Athletic Directors and Mr. Suárez. We will be working on policies related to the sports program and brainstorming on fundraisers to help bring in money for equipment, uniforms, and awards. If you would like to be involved please contact Mr. Suárez. We will be having a meeting TONIGHT—Wednesday, February 21 at 5:00 p.m.
--Jim Sanchez and Lissette Lopez, Athletic Directors
NO GRAY SWEATS ON FEBRUARY 23
This week, we will be taking our school panoramic photo on Friday, February 23. On this day, all students must be in complete uniform—no gray sweats or free dress passes may be used.
FAMILY DINNER & DANCE
The Family Dinner & Dance is a fun community-building event that will take place this Saturday, February 24 from 5:00-8:00 PM. Tickets must be pre-purchased.
If you’d like to help with set-up on Friday, February 23, please see Mrs. Jimenez in the office.
AZTEC TREK
The AZTEC TREK fundraiser helps to keep our tuition the lowest in the Archdiocese. The last day to turn in the envelope for prizes was February 9. If you have not yet turned in your minimum mandatory amount of $100, please do so by this Friday, February 23. The Aztec Trek Walk-A-Thon and Games will take place on Friday, March 2. All students must have the minimum $100 paid prior to the date of the Aztec Trek.
Your child received a Permission Slip for the Aztec Trek to Precita Park. Please return this form by Tuesday, February 27. If you would like to chaperone and walk with your child’s class during the Aztec Trek, please contact your child’s teacher.
CLASSROOM TIME
If you have a concern regarding your child, please schedule an appointment in advance with your child’s teacher. Once the morning bell rings for students to go to their classrooms, the teacher must focus on the students. This is your child’s learning time, and not the proper time to enter the classroom with your child and conference with the teacher. Thank you for your cooperation in maximizing classroom learning time!
RE-REGISTRATION FOR 2018-2019
If you have not done so already, please return the bright orange re-registration form right away, as it was due today, February 21. The form and new tuition rates are also available on the school website, www.stpeterssf.org. In order to reserve your child’s space for the next school year, the registration fee of $450 per student is due by March 28.
ARCHDIOCESE ELEMENTARY FAMILY GRANT
The application process for the Archdiocese Family Grant for the 2018-2019 school year has now begun. Please go on to mytads.com to begin the application process. Be sure you have your 2017 income tax information or 2017 income information (Calworks, social security, food stamps, etc.).
BASIC FUND
New students entering for the 2018-2019 school year must complete the BASIC Fund Application no later than March 16, 2018. Renewal families will be filling out their BASIC Fund Renewal Application in March. All student accounts must be current with no past due balances. Please be sure you have your 2017 income tax information or 2017 income information (Calworks, social security, food stamps, etc.). Please contact the school office if you have any questions.
An update from the BASIC Fund: The BASIC Fund will increase the maximum scholarship amount from $1600 to $2000. This means that the deadlines for applications will be especially important, so please submit applications for new siblings by the BASIC Fund deadline.
BVCC SPRING CAMP
Registration is open for BVCC Spring Camp, which will be held from Monday, April 2 – Friday, April 6. Registration forms are available in the school office and after school at BVCC in the Parish Hall.
ONLINE TRAINING FOR SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS
In order to be a volunteer at school events (such as a field trip chaperone or a sports team coach), adults must complete the online training on www.virtusonline.org.
*If you have already completed the online training by Shield the Vulnerable, your volunteer clearance is still good for 3 years from date of completion of that online course.
Follow these directions to complete the VIRTUS online training:
· Go to www.virtusonline.org
· Click on “First-time Registrant”
· Click on “Begin the registration process”
· Select San Francisco (Archdiocese)
· Create a User ID and Password for yourself
· Fill out the requested personal information
· Select St. Peter Elementary (San Francisco) **DO NOT SELECT St. Peter Parish**
· Provide your digital signatures for downloading and reading the documents: “Standards of Conduct for Those Working with Children and Young People” and “Policies and Procedures Regarding Child Abuse”
· Select the online course “Protecting God’s Children for Adults” (Online Training)
· Once you’ve completed the course, go to your Toolbox and click on “Training Report” to verify the completion of your course.
Upon completion of the online course, please email sjimenez@sanpedro.org or print out the “Training Report” page and submit it to the school office. You will receive 3 parent hours.
IN THE CLASSROOM
KINDER - This week in Kindergarten, we will be reading "ZooBorns" and make an animal card. We will talk about animals that we like and know. Then students will choose an animal to write about and work in partners to make an animal card. However, students will need to use action words to describe their animal and what it can do. It's going to be a fun week learning about different types of animals!
1A - This week in first grade we are reading, writing, and learning about how different animals survive in nature. In religion we are continuing to learn about the significance of Lent. In math we are working on choosing the right strategy to solve different addition and subtraction equations. In science we are exploring air and wind through blowing bubbles. In social studies we are continuing to study the geography of the United States.
2A - Second grade will be reading Once Upon a Baby Brother. Please let your children count coins with you! We will be counting pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters. We will talk about Lent and prepare for reconciliation. We will find out what happens when you get rocks wet.
3A – Our live crayfish have finally arrived! We are very interested and excited to begin our investigation of these fascinating creatures in Science Lab. In Social Studies, we continue to study the geography of our Earth. This includes maps, globes, the compass rose, continents and oceans. In Math, we begin an intense study of basic multiplication. During the next two weeks, we will focus on the zero through the three timetables. PLEASE help your son/daughter to learn these facts. Ask your child to show you an ARRAY and how it helps them understand the facts.
4A - This week, 4A students will pray the Lord's Prayer using sign language, combine simple sentences into compound sentences correctly, and multiply 3-digit whole numbers and money amounts by 2-digit multipliers with regrouping.
5A - 5th grade students are continuing our novel study of A Wrinkle in Time, dividing large numbers and money amounts by 2-digit divisors in math, and beginning our social studies unit on the Revolutionary War by analyzing the story George vs. George.
6A Religion – 6th graders will be continuing their Lenten Journey through Journal Reflections about Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving. Language Arts – 6th Grade is continuing to read the survival novel Hatchet and will be incorporating hands-on STEM activities to relate to the experiences of the protagonist, Brian. Social Studies – Students are starting their Ancient Hebrews Unit where they will be comparing the traditions and beliefs of Judaism and Christianity. Science – 6th grade scientists will investigate how radiant energy impacts the temperatures of different locations around the world.
7A/7B Language Arts - Students have finalized their reading on Freak the Mighty. They will now transition into their Non-fiction Unit. Social Studies – 7th Graders are finishing the construction of their Medieval Cathedral Art Projects and they will be starting Renaissance Research Projects. Science - Students will wrap up their study of the organism as we prepare to start looking at heredity!
8A Religion - 8th Graders will be taking their ACRE Religion test on Friday at 9:00am. Language Arts - Students have completed their reading and writing on Poetry and will assemble a Poetry Portfolio to end their unit. Social Studies – Students will be learning about the Five "Civilized" Tribes in the 1830s and the Indian Removal Act. Science - Students have now completed their studies of chemistry and now it's time to make our way into physics...the study of motion!
REMINDERS
Feb. 23 School Panoramic Photo Day
Feb. 24 Family Dinner & Dance, 5:00-8:00 P
Feb. 25 Sunday Family Mass, 9:30 AM
Feb. 26 12:30 Dismissal
Feb. 27 School Mass, 8:15 AM
Mar. 1 LifeTouch Spring Picture Day
Mar. 2 AZTEC TREK Walk-A-Thon and Game Day
