QUE PASA 2/21/2018 (English)

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

QUE PASA 2/14/18 -- ENGLISH

Dear Parents,

       Today, Ash Wednesday, marks the beginning of Lent. This is a special liturgical season when we take time to pray, reflect, repent, and renew so that we can grow closer to God as we prepare for the death and resurrection of Jesus.  Each week I’d like to offer a prayer (from “The Joy of Lent: Encouragement and Daily Prayers”) as we journey through Lent with each other and with our children.  We pray:

Heavenly Father, be with us at the beginning of this Lenten journey. You breathed into us the breath of life, the Spirit that formed us in your image.  Throughout the whole history of sinful and broken humanity, you have never left us, for you are the life that flows in us and through us through all of our relationships.  Help us to feel that breath of life on this journey. AMEN.

--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 on Wednesday, February 21 at 5:00 p.m.

--Jim Sanchez and Lissette Lopez, Athletic Directors

NO GRAY SWEATS ON FEBRUARY 23

Next 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 on Saturday, February 24 form 5:00-8:00 PM.  Tickets are limited, so purchase tickets by next Wednesday, February 21.

If you’d like to help with set-up on Friday, February 23, please submit the volunteer form sent home with Que Pasa, or see Mrs. Jimenez in the office.

AZTEC TREK

Thank you to all students and families who have turned in Aztec Trek envelopes! This 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 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.

Currently, the leading class with the most class points is Kindergarten! Congratulations! Individual winners and raffle winners will be announced on March 2, on the day of the Aztec Trek.

RE-REGISTRATION FOR 2018-2019

The re-registration form (on bright orange paper) has been sent home.  Please return this form no later than 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.

JOB OPENINGS

CUSTODIAN -- Full-time or Part-time position available.  Must have flexibility with weekends and late afternoon shifts.  HOUSEKEEPER -- On-call, weekdays or weekends.  Both jobs are located at Mercy Convent (2300 Adeline Drive, Burlingame).  If interested, please leave your name and phone number at the school office for Sister Marian Rose, or call the school office at 415-647-8662.

IN THE CLASSROOM

KINDER - This week in Kindergarten, we will celebrate Chinese New Year on Friday and have a small parade out on the yard. Also, we will discuss weather that occurs in different seasons such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and blizzards. Then we will think of weather-related safety rules, such as what to do during a storm and make a class book. The book will contain safety rules during bad weather. I am looking forward to an exciting week!

1A - This week in first grade we are reading and discussing how different animals help each other. In spelling we are working on the long /e/ sound. In religion we are learning about the importance of Ash Wednesday and Lent. In math we are continuing to work on subtraction and we are reviewing fact families. In science we are continuing our study of the moon. In social studies we are learning about the different states that make up our country. 

2A - Second grade will be reading “Grace for President.” We will be counting pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters; we will talk about Lent and prepare for reconciliation; we will be observing our tea we made in science. We will be making books about producers and consumers.

3A – Welcome to a VERY busy week in third grade. On Monday, we celebrate Lincoln's birthday by making log cabins with a shiny new penny in the window. On Tuesday, we celebrate St. Valentine's Day with treats and notes that show care and love for our classmates. Wednesday begins the Lenten season of our church. Please join us as we celebrate the holy Mass and receive ashes that remind us to try harder to follow Jesus. Thursday should be rather calm, however we celebrate the beginning of the Year of the Dog on Friday set forth in the Lunar calendar. We will make our own Lunar calendar, as well as a Chinese dragon. Look for your son/daughter to bring home a lucky red envelope with a candy treat.

4A - This week 4A students will learn that sacrifice is part of the Christian way of life, identify cause and effect relationships, and divide 2-digit dividends by 1-digit divisors to find 2-digit quotients with remainders. 

5A - During our field trip to the Civic Kitchen cooking school this week, 5th graders learned how many recipes use the scientific principles of mixtures and solutions we've been discussing in science this year.  5th graders will also learn about the Catholic history of both St. Valentine's Day and Mardi Gras and present their social studies group's research on the 13 colonies.

6A   Religion – 6th Grade will be learning about the Lenten season and making Lenten promises.   Language Arts – 6th Grade is now finished with all of our research presentations and showed great composure and professionalism in their public speaking. We are continuing to read the novel Hatchet while supplementing our reading with non-fiction text about the Canadian wilderness. Math - Students will be learning about expressions, and how variables are used.   Social Studies – 6th graders are finding the morals of Ancient Indian folktales and acting them out in class.  Science – 6th graders will finish their investigation on the effect of solar angles on our seasons.

7A/7B   Religion - We will be studying how Jesus used parables to connect with different types of people to teach about the Kingdom of Heaven.     Language Arts - Students are finalizing their reading of Freak the Mighty. They will continue to respond to a series of comprehension questions to ensure understanding of the overall content. They will also participate in post-reading activities to end the novel.   Math - Students will be investigating the connections between inequalities and percents, and applying the concept of increasing and decreasing percents.   Social Studies – 7th graders are analyzing paintings of the Black Death and learning about the effects that the disease had in Europe.    Science - Students will review main organ systems as preparation for Friday's test.

8A   Religion - 8th graders are learning about the Lenten season and making Lenten promises.   Language Arts - Students will continue their Poetry Unit; they have successfully completed their ode and elegy poems and will begin reading poems found in the Romanticism era. Thank you to all those who contributed to the "Where I'm From" Potluck! The food, desserts and beverages were absolutely delicious!   Math - We are moving linearly and studying the rate of change and linear equations. Specifically the slope equation y=mx÷b.   Social Studies – 8th Graders are exploring the causes and effects of the Louisiana Purchase and Lewis and Clark's journey.  Science - Students are done flying their rockets and now it's time to evaluate and analyze their performances.

REMINDERS

Feb. 5-16  STAR Testing Window

Feb. 15     Missionary Childhood Association presentation

                    to students

Feb. 19     No School, Presidents’ Day holiday

Feb. 20     School Mass, 8:15 AM

Feb. 23     School Panoramic Photo Day

Feb. 24     Family Dinner & Dance, 5:00-8:00 PM.

Feb. 25     Sunday Family Mass, 9:30 AM

QUE PASA--2/7/18 ENGLISH

Dear Parents,

       We continue to promote and practice a Growth Mindset--to model to our children to challenge ourselves and show how we can grow by learning from our mistakes and to reflect on how “Knowledge feeds GROWTH.”  Yet let’s not neglect our spiritual growth.  I offer these petitions to help keep our spirits strong and faithful:

We lay our prayers before the Lord, who gives us strength.

We pray that those who lead us in faith and serve our Church, Pope Francis, our bishops, and pastors continue to be guided by the Holy Spirit.

We pray for national, state, and local leaders, that their work is focused on their desire to serve.

We pray for the students, families, faculty, and staff of our school, that we never forget our call to discipleship.

Guide us so that we may grow closer to you, O Lord.

In the power of your Spirit and in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, we pray.  AMEN.

--Mrs. Sandra Jimenez

AZTEC TREK

On January 5, your child received the collection envelope for our annual mandatory fundraiser, the AZTEC TREK.  Students and families can help support our school by collecting pledges for our walk-a-thon and game day.  This fundraiser helps to keep St. Peter’s School’s tuition the lowest in the Archdiocese.  The minimum mandatory amount to be collected by each student is $100, but the more a student collects, the more prizes and class points can be earned! The due date for all money to be turned in is Friday, February 9.  Thank you in advance for your support!

RE-REGISTRATION FOR 2018-2019

The re-registration form (on bright orange paper) has been sent home.  Please return this form no later than 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.

VALENTINE’S DAY

Next week is Ash Wednesday, which happens to fall on the same date at Valentine’s Day.  Since Ash Wednesday is a solemn, quiet, and reflective day in the liturgical year, classes will instead celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 13.  If your child would like to share treats or cards to celebrate Valentine’s Day, please bring those to class on Tuesday, February 13.

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 on Wednesday, February 21 at 5:00 p.m.

--Jim Sanchez and Lissette Lopez, Athletic Directors

FAMILY DINNER & DANCE

The Family Dinner & Dance will take place on Saturday, February 24 form 5:00-8:00 PM.  If you’d like to help with set-up, please submit the volunteer form sent home with Que Pasa, or see Mrs. Jimenez in the office.

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.

JOB OPENINGS

CUSTODIAN -- Full-time or Part-time position available.  Must have flexibility with weekends and late afternoon shifts.  HOUSEKEEPER -- On-call, weekdays or weekends.  Both jobs are located at Mercy Convent (2300 Adeline Drive, Burlingame).  If interested, please leave your name and phone number at the school office for Sister Marian Rose, or call the school office at 415-647-8662.

VIRTUS 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 we will write about what we like to do on a rainy day. We will start off by sharing what we can do on a rainy day and write our ideas on a big word web. Then we will make sentences using responses from the web. Afterward, we will have an opportunity to read our sentences during circle time and talk whether our ideas are different or the same. Lastly, we will enjoy listening to a story of "The Frog and the Locust" and "Rain." We will discuss the ways both stories tell what happens in different kinds of weather.

1A - This week in first grade we are reading and discussing how animals’ bodies help them. We are also working on new spelling patterns for words with the long /a/ sound. In religion we are practicing giving thanks to God with our hearts and voices. In math we are returning to addition and subtraction. In science we are continuing to observe and record the phases of the moon. In social studies we are practicing reading maps and keys.

2A - Second grade will be reading poetry, subtracting and adding with 4-digit numbers, talking about forgiveness and choices, making tea with found materials in science, and learning about producers and consumers.   Reminder: First Communion meeting this evening-- Wednesday, 2/7/18 at 6 p.m. in St. Peter's Church.

3A – In Writing class, we will finish viewing the movie, Stone Fox, and compare and contrast the movie to the book. In Language class, we are studying prefixes and suffixes. In Social Studies, we continue learning the names of the 7 continents and the oceans of our Earth. 

4A - This week 4A students will identify cause and effect relationships, combine simple sentences into compound sentences correctly, and divide 2-digit dividends by 1-digit divisors to find 1-digit quotients with remainders. 

5A - In English and Social Studies this week, 5th graders are exploring a variety of texts that introduce our upcoming Revolutionary War unit. In religion, we will be discussing the Catholic history of St. Valentine and preparing for Ash Wednesday. Don't forget to return the signed permission slip for next week's cooking field trip!

6A   Religion – 6th Grade will have their final visit from Paula Pardini to close out their Building Bridges Faith Community Building.  Language Arts – 6th Grade will continue their research-based presentations using Google Slides. We will also begin the introduction of our next novel unit, the survival classic Hatchet.   Math - Fraction Fair is coming!!  The 6th graders are working very hard to prepare for the Fraction fair this week!  Social Studies – 6th Grade Social Studies will be learning about the different religions of Ancient India. Science – 6th grade scientists will investigate how the angle of the sun affects Earth's seasons.

7A/7B   Religion - This week, we begin our in- depth study about the Kingdom of God, what it is, different perceptions of it, and some fun parables to take us on the journey.  The 7th graders will be parable writers bringing forth the story of what the Kingdom of Heaven is to them.     Language Arts - Students are continuing to read Freak the Mighty. In addition to their reading, students will also respond to a series of comprehension questions to ensure understanding of the overall content.   Math - 7th graders are finishing up their career projects that they have been working so very hard on and will be exploring inequalities this week before we get back to percents and percent of Change.   Social Studies – 7th Grade Social Studies will have a Family Crest Museum and will analyze the causes and effects of the Black Death in Medieval Europe.   Science - Students are continuing their review of organ systems as they prepare for their exam later this week.

8A   Religion - 8th Grade is having their final visit from Paula Pardini to close out their Building Bridges Faith Community Building. Language Arts - Students are continuing their Poetry Unit. They have successfully completed their "Where I'm From" poems and will present their work with a potluck on Thursday, February 8.   Math - 8th graders are finishing up Functions this week, specifically graphing, before we move on to linear equations and Rate of Change.  Social Studies – 8th Grade will begin to look at Thomas Jefferson's presidency and the Louisiana Purchase.  Science - Preliminary tests are over and students will official fly their rockets using chemical reactions this week and begin their post-lab analysis.

REMINDERS

Feb. 7     First Communion Parent Meeting, 6:00 PM in

                  Church

Feb. 8     Fraction Fair hosted by 6A

Feb. 9     Aztec Trek money due

Feb. 12   5th grade field trip to the Civic Kitchen

Feb. 13   Classroom Valentine’s celebrations

Feb. 14   Ash Wednesday School Mass, 8:30 AM

Feb. 5-16     STAR Testing Window

QUE PASA--1/31/18 ENGLISH

Dear Parents,

       Happy Catholic Schools Week!  This week, we’ve been taking the time to reflect on Catholic education and all the ways that we learn to grow, accomplish, love, serve, and unite here at St. Peter’s School. We are thankful that here, both our faith and our minds can grow.  In gratitude, I offer this prayer (adapted from www.thereligionteacher.com):

Almighty Father,

You sent forth your Son as a beacon of hope for all people.  As Teacher, he has given us the prime example of the importance of education.  As disciples, we look to him for inspiration and strength.  Thank you for the many sisters, brothers, priests, and laypeople who have dedicated their lives in service to our Catholic schools.  Thank you for the teachers and administrators who sustain our schools today.  Thank you for the parents who have given support and witness to the importance of Catholic education in their daily lives.  Thank you for the students who work hard to further their education.

Bless St. Peter’s School and the many people who advance our mission.  May our building be a home for those who seek to grow in faith, knowledge, and service of others.  May our community always support one another and exhibit hospitality to newcomers.  Fill our minds with knowledge and wisdom.  May our understanding of the world help us to grow in appreciation for it.  Fill our hearts with gladness.  May we always turn to you in times of need.  Fill our hands with the tools we need to serve others.  May we show them your unceasing love through our actions.  AMEN.

--Mrs. Sandra Jimenez

AZTEC TREK

On January 5, your child received the collection envelope for our annual mandatory fundraiser, the AZTEC TREK.  Students and families can help support our school by collecting pledges for our walk-a-thon and game day.  This fundraiser helps to keep St. Peter’s School’s tuition the lowest in the Archdiocese.  The minimum mandatory amount to be collected by each student is $100, but the more a student collects, the more prizes and class points can be earned!  Friday, January 19 was the first early deadline to receive prizes.  The due date for all money to be turned in is Friday, February 9.  Thank you in advance for your support!

RE-REGISTRATION FOR 2018-2019

The re-registration form (on bright orange paper) was sent home for the second time last week.  Please return this form no later than 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 and April.  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.

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 on Wednesday, February 21 at 5:00 p.m.

--Jim Sanchez and Lissette Lopez, Athletic Directors

UNIFORM CHECK-IN

Please continue to ensure that your child follows uniform policy as posted by the school office and stated in the school handbook.  All undershirts, including long-sleeve undershirts, should be white.  If your daughter wears tights, they should be solid black or white and extend to the ankle.  Socks must be black or white.  Boots may not be worn.

SPECIAL GATHERING

Sister Marian Rose and The Sisters of Mercy Solidarity Committee invite you to attend a special gathering: “Conversations for Relationship Building” on Sunday, February 4 from 1:00 – 2:30 PM at Mercy Center Burlingame, 2300 Adeline Drive, Burlingame, CA.

IN THE CLASSROOM

KINDER - This week we will be reading Mama Is It Summer Yet? and Malala's Magic Pencil by Malala Yousafazai. I am looking forward to sharing/reading a true story and how Malala might be similar or different to other inspirational historical figures. We will discuss what Malala is passionate about and how she tries to help the world. Then students will share what they would do if they had a magic pencil.

1A - This week in first grade we are reading and discussing the ways that we get our food. We are practicing words that end in -ook and -ood. In religion we are naming special gifts that we should thank God for. In math we are working on counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s. In science we are observing the moon and its different phases. In social studies we are continuing to talk about different places that people live.

2A - Second grade will be reading folktales to learn about the themes of stories, we will continue subtracting and adding 3-digit numbers, talking about the importance of Catholic schools, we will go and check on our toothpaste experiments (is it a liquid or a solid?), and learning about our cities we live in.   Reminder: First Communion meeting on Wednesday, 2/7/18 at 6 p.m. in St. Peter's Church.

3A – We are just beginning the 3rd quarter of the school year.  We are busy with many new projects. Unfortunately, our third science unit project cannot begin as our live crayfish have not arrived.  However, we are moving along on our geography unit in social studies.  Also, we will finish reading Stone Fox and have several projects on it before our final comprehension and vocabulary tests.  Let's keep working on our subtraction with regrouping in 2 places.  We are working on these types of problems but we are not successful YET!

4A - This week 4A students will identify cause and effect relationships, estimate quotients, and understand that Jesus, our role model, is both human and divine.

5A - 5th grade is learning about homophones in Language Arts this week and long-division with 2-digit quotients in math.

6A   Religion – 6th grade raised over $420 in our January Bake Sale!  Thank you, students, parents, and teachers, for your support as we fundraise for Caritas Creek!  6th grade religion will be looking into the life of Peter the Apostle as we celebrate Catholic Schools Week!  Language Arts – 6th Grade is preparing to present their research slideshows on a historical figure. We'll look at best practices for public speaking, both how to be clear and professional and how to engage one's audience.   Social Studies – 6th Graders will be exploring the other side of the Himalayan Mountains as we switch our focus over to Ancient India.   Science – 6th grade scientists will graph climate data and investigate more about the connection between latitude and certain weather patterns.

7A/7B   Language Arts - Students have ended their unit on Poetry and are now transitioning to the introduction of their third novel, Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick. They will participate in a series of pre-reading activities: the author and various themes/topics to ensure comprehension as students begin to read.  Social Studies – 7th Graders will begin a family shield, inspired by the Middle Ages!   Science - Students are wrapping up presentations of their slides and organ system models. Now we begin our review process as we prepare for our test.

8A   Religion - Students will be looking into the life of Peter the Apostle as we celebrate Catholic Schools Week!  Language Arts - Students are continuing their Poetry Unit. They have successfully completed their "Where I'm From" Poem and will present their work next week, Thursday, February 8, with a potluck of food and beverages that are indicative to their heritage. Parents, please make sure to sign and return your child's Potluck Form, no later than Tuesday, February 6 to Mrs. Fuaau. Social Studies – 8th Graders are focusing on the question: "What problems did George Washington face while he was president?" as they look at documents from the 1790s.   Science - Students are putting the finishing touches on their rockets as we prepare to for flight trials this week. Actual measured flights will occur next week!

REMINDERS

Feb. 2     No School (Archdiocese Educators’ Conference)

Feb. 6     School Mass, 8:15 AM

Feb. 6     Kindergarten Field Trip with Precita Eyes

Feb. 7     Free Dress for No Tardies in January

Feb. 7     First Communion Parent Meeting, 6:00 PM in

                  Church

Feb. 8     Fraction Fair hosted by 6A

Feb. 9     Aztec Trek money due

Feb. 5-16     STAR Testing Window

QUE PASA 1/24/2018 (English)

Dear Parents,

       This week marks the beginning of the 3rd quarter.  It’s another fresh start as we begin a new section of the school year.

       During this time, let’s not forget our growth mindset, and remember that we can be positive examples of growth for our children. There’s still much more we can learn, and there’s still plenty of time in this school year to be challenged, to ask questions, and to grow! I’m trying to keep an open mind and keep a growth mindset, too. I’ve been learning plenty this year, and I know there’s still a lot more for me to learn. United, let’s not be afraid to try new things and learn from our mistakes; because, like our St. Peter’s KEYS state: every accomplishment needs courage. And every day, with our children, we’ll keep on growing!

--Mrs. Sandra Jimenez

AZTEC TREK

On January 5, your child received the collection envelope for our annual mandatory fundraiser, the AZTEC TREK.  Students and families can help support our school by collecting pledges for our walk-a-thon and game day.  This fundraiser helps to keep St. Peter’s School’s tuition the lowest in the Archdiocese.  The minimum mandatory amount to be collected by each student is $100, but the more a student collects, the more prizes and class points can be earned! The due date for all money to be turned in is Friday, February 9. 

RE-REGISTRATION FOR 2018-2019

Last week and again today, the re-registration form (on bright orange paper) was sent home.  Please return this form no later than 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 and April.  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.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

We will be celebrating Catholic Schools Week from Sunday, January 28 to Thursday, February 1.  Please see the attached flyer for details on the special events of the week!  Below is a brief list of events:

Sunday, 1/28 – 9:30 AM Family Mass and Reception

Monday, 1/29 – Inspiration Day

Tuesday, 1/30 – Grandparents Day Mass at 8:30 AM

Wednesday, 1/31 – Teacher and Student Appreciation Day

Thursday, 2/1 – St. Peter’s School Spirit Day

Friday, 2/2 – No School

SPECIAL SERVICE

Sister Marian Rose and The Sisters of Mercy Solidarity Committee invite you to attend an “Interfaith Prayer for Peace” on Sunday, January 28 from 1:00 – 2:30 PM at Mercy Center Burlingame, 2300 Adeline Drive, Burlingame, CA.

JANUARY STUDENTS OF THE MONTH

Homeroom teachers identify Students of the Month at the end of each month.  We celebrate these students because they have exemplified living the St. Peter’s KEYS:

Knowledge feeds GROWTH.

Every ACCOMPLISHMENT needs courage.

You are LOVE.

SERVICE UNITES.

KINDER - Hilary Benitez is an excellent listener and a hard worker. She works well independently and is always willing to help others. Hilary is kind, responsible and has shown tremendous growth over the past several months both academically and socially.

1A - Alejandra Nava-Gomez is a kind, caring, and thoughtful student. She always puts others first and is quick to help those in need. She takes pride in her school work and always does her best, no matter how challenging the task. She loves to make her brain grow!

2A - Celeste Rivera is the student of the month. She is diligent about doing her homework and always tries her best. Celeste is a leader that is always up for a challenge. She helps out her classmates when they need it.

3A - Cecilia Farias Tietze is a one-of-a-kind third grader.  She is an excellent student who is always eager to learn new things.  She loves a challenge and won't quit until she has figured out an answer.  She's a wonderful example of the growth mindset.  Cecilia is supported by caring parents who do everything possible to help her succeed and SUCCEED she does!

4A - Brisia Castillo has been doing a great job living out our school's KEYS.  She demonstrated courage by asking for help when she did not understand a math concept in class. She stayed after school for tutoring and practiced multiplication problems until she understood.  She currently has an A in math.  

5A - Diego Diaz is 5th grade's student of the month for January. Diego has a strong work ethic and keeps trying even when he doesn't get something right away. He has a big heart, a clear sense of justice, and consistently shows compassion to those around him.

6A - Angela Miranda is an excellent example of a 6th grader with the KEYS.  She is quick to notice when her peers need support and she is a wonderful help to her teachers.  Angela is a very kind member of our Faith Community and she makes others feel welcomed and valued everyday with her words and her actions.  It has been a joy to have Angela in the 6A this year and we look forward to seeing her continue to LIVE THE KEYS as she moves through middle school!

7A - Selena Muñoz has a warm and confident smile, and a positive, never-give-up attitude.  She tries her best in the classroom and is kind and polite to every single classmate and teacher around her. This month we see the quiet, determined leadership and great example set by our student of the month Selena!

7B - Matthew Jimenez leads by example in all aspects of student life, from his stellar work in classes, his dedication to student council, and his relationships with his classmates and younger students, Matthew shows service and knowledge in all he does.

8A - Marisa Mabutas has demonstrated growth and love by continuously striving to better herself, both in and outside the classroom. She consistently asks questions and seeks advice in order to be successful as she continues her academic career. Marisa's contagious energy also adds a positive and unique presence among her classmates. She is willing to show love by acting her true self, regardless of what anybody thinks, to bring a smile to a peer or friend's face.

IN THE CLASSROOM

KINDER - This week we will be reading An Orange in January by Dianna Hutts Aston. Students will know and understand that all living things are different. We will discuss how things on a farm grow and identify the producers and consumers in the story. In Science, we will discuss the change that occurred while the orange was in the freezer. In math, we will identify objects around the room that are spheres, or round. In Social studies, we will give examples of times we shared with friends.

1A - This week in first grade we are reading and learning about how life is different now than it was in the past. In math we are working on comparing and ordering 2-digit numbers. In religion we are reading about how God is a good father. In science we are monitoring rainfall by using a rain gauge.

2A - Second grade will be comparing and contrasting the lives of two boys in My Cousin Primo, subtracting and adding two 3-digit numbers with regrouping, talking about forgiveness and saying “I'm sorry,” observing mixtures of solids and liquids, and using our mapping skills.

3A – Last week our friend and author, Gloria St. Joy, visited and shared many writing tips. She invited and encouraged us to begin this week by writing a sequel to her book, Addie's One Wish to the Brightest Star. The class will use their newly-discovered writing tips during Language instruction to create scenarios that interest them in writing their own sequel. In Science, we have completed our unit of study on plants. We will next undertake the study of crayfish and their environment. In Social Studies, we'll begin a Geography Unit.

5A - Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., 5th graders wrote essays about their dreams for our world. We're practicing our editing skills as we revise those essays to display at the Catholic Schools reception this Sunday.  In math, we'll take a long division quiz and continue working on short division.

6A   Religion – 6th Grade will be reading about the Ark of the Covenant and the story of the Temple in Jerusalem.   Language Arts – 6A ELA is continuing to research famous historical figures for their Google Slide presentations. We'll learn how to paraphrase and cite text from websites, as well as rules for MLA style bibliographies. Students will also learn the key elements of clear, professional, informational slides.   Math - Our journey through fractions takes us to multiplying and dividing those rational numbers this week, as well as continuing our prep for the upcoming fraction fair.   Social Studies – 6th Graders will begin to look at the Achievements and Inventions from Ancient China and convince Ms. Land which achievement changed history the most.   Science – Students will use their knowledge of Earth's tilt and radiation to explain Earth's seasons.

7A/7B   Religion - As we begin our study on the Kingdom of Heaven, we look at one of Sean Covey's seven habits “begin with the end in mind” and take a deeper look at how Jesus led us to always have an eye for reaching that kingdom, as the path is there for us.  Language Arts - Students are finalizing their Poetry Unit with a Poetry Portfolio. They will also begin the introduction to their next novel, Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick.   Math - 7th grade will be learning how to use proportions and percents to create, analyze, and apply pie charts to various forms of data.  Social Studies – 7th Graders have closed their lessons on Feudalism and will begin to learn about daily life in the Middle Ages in Europe.   Science - Students will continue their organ systems presentations this week!

8A   Religion - 8th Grade will be learning about the growth of the monastery as a way to live out faith.   Language Arts - Students are continuing their Poetry Unit, composing their "Where I'm From" Poems. They will also continue their Demonstration-How To Speech Outlines. Presentations will begin next week.   Math - 8th grade will begin learning about functions, and linear equations. They will be able to apply thus skill to the conclusion of their business proposals to determine if they will profitable not.  Social Studies – 8th Graders will begin 3rd quarter with the "New Country" and learn about leadership qualities of the first president and first Cabinet members of the United States of America.  Science - Students will complete construction and measurements of their chemical reaction propelled rocket as they prepare to launch on Thursday of this week! 

REMINDERS

Jan. 24    Report Cards go home with students

Jan. 28    Catholic Schools Week Sunday Family Mass at

                  9:30 AM, followed by reception in the Parish

                  Hall

Jan. 30    8:30 AM School Mass honoring Grandparents

*Jan. 28 - Feb. 2    Catholic Schools Week (See flyer for

                               description of special events)

QUE PASA 1/17/2018 (English)

Dear Parents,

       As we approach the halfway mark of the school year, I reflect on one of our core values: Unite.  In our service towards each other, our school, and our greater community, we are united with Christ and with one another.  There are many ways we can unite through service, such as volunteering our time at school or school events, serving at Mass, donating to the school food drive, or reaching out to others for school fundraisers.  Living out our KEY—Service Unites—helps us to grow in our faith and open our hearts and minds.  Here is a prayer of thanksgiving (by Holy Land Prayer) that we can offer for St. Peter’s School unity:

Lord,

We thank You for our school family. We thank You for the talents and good things that You have given each of us. Please keep us united, and our bond strong as the days pass.  Guide us, protect us, and equip us to do Your will each  day. Thank You for all that You are, and all that You have given us. Our hearts are forever grateful! AMEN.

--Mrs. Sandra Jimenez

AZTEC TREK

On January 5, your child received the collection envelope for our annual mandatory fundraiser, the AZTEC TREK.  Students and families can help support our school by collecting pledges for our walk-a-thon and game day.  This fundraiser helps to keep St. Peter’s School’s tuition the lowest in the Archdiocese.  The minimum mandatory amount to be collected by each student is $100, but the more a student collects, the more prizes and class points can be earned!  This Friday, January 19, is the first early deadline to receive prizes.  The due date for all money to be turned in is Friday, February 9.  Thank you in advance for your support!

RE-REGISTRATION FOR 2018-2019

Being sent home with your child today is the re-registration form and tuition letter for the 2018-2019 school year.  Please return this form no later than February 21.  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 and April.  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.

7th GRADE CARITAS CAMP

Next Spring, our 7th graders will be attending Caritas Creek Environmental Education Program and retreat at CYO camp.  To help these students raise funds for their trip, visit their GoFundMe page (https://www.gofundme.com/send-mission-kids-to-env-camp) and make a donation, or submit a cash or check donation at the school office.  Any amount would help, and please share the GoFundMe page with your family and friends!

UNIFORM CHECK-IN

As the weather gets colder and you bundle up your child, please ensure that he/she follows uniform policy as posted by the school office and stated in the school handbook.  All undershirts, including long-sleeve undershirts, should be white.  If your daughter wears tights, they should be solid black or white and extend to the ankle.  Socks must be black or white.  Boots may not be worn.

ST. PETER’S SCHOOL FOOD DRIVE

The food drive still continues, as we work towards our goal of collecting 1200 pounds of food to help the St. Peter’s Church Food Pantry and victims of the North Bay fires.  Although this was originally a Christmas food drive, we want to continue to unite in love and service and help those in need, and also reach our school’s goal!

SPECIAL SERVICE

Sister Marian Rose and The Sisters of Mercy Solidarity Committee invite you to attend a “Conversation for Relationship Building” on Sunday, January 21 from 1:00 – 2:30 PM at Mercy Center Burlingame, 2300 Adeline Drive, Burlingame, CA.

IN THE CLASSROOM

KINDER - This week we will be reading A Grand Old Tree by Mary Newell Depalma. We will do a research project to make an apple tree life cycle display. Students will work in pairs and discuss about the different stages of an apple tree's life. Then students will note their ideas by drawing pictures and write about a tree life cycle. Also, we will continue to read in pairs during reading workshop and review our sight words.

1A - This week in first grade we are reading, writing, and learning about folktales. In math we are continuing to work on place value with double-digit numbers. In religion we are discussing the importance of thanking God for our special gifts. In science we are continuing to observe the clouds and learn about how they affect weather. In social studies we are learning about the differences between cities, towns, and suburbs.

2A - Second grade will be reading about Volcanoes! We will continue subtracting with regrouping, adding two-digit numbers, and solving word problems. We will talk about making good choices and forgiveness, investigating our mixtures we made in science, and using our mapping skills.

3A – This is a very exciting week for the third graders. This is the week that our author/friend will visit our classroom. She will tell us about the book writing process as well as read her favorite chapter from her book. In Social Studies, we are finishing up our unit on the early California Native American tribes. By working together, these tribes lived in peace and harmony. They united, grew, and accomplished as a community. We as a school strive to do the same.

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 - In social studies this week, 5th grade will be learning about the original 13 U.S. colonies. We'll practice identifying the main idea in reading passages and work on writing clear main ideas in our own work.

6A   Religion – Students will be visited this week by Paula Pardini to continue their Building Bridges Program to strengthen their Faith Communities.   Language Arts – 6th Grade ELA is finishing our unit on non-fiction text with a writing workshop. Students will create informational Google Slide presentations on a famous historical figure, focusing on using credible resources and proper citations.  Math - 6th graders continue their investigation and learning of everything fraction as we prepare for this year’s Fraction Fair.  This week is mixed numbers (adding and subtracting) and regrouping.   Social Studies – 6th Graders have completed their ancient dynasty research and will be taking a dynasty group test this week.  Science – This week, students will learn about the reason our planet has different seasons and begin discussing how radiation affects our weather.

7A/7B   Religion - This week finds us taking a deeper look at prayer using temptation journals and seeing what provokes and defends us as we face temptations in our daily lives.  This will lead us into a deeper look at the tolerance in our school and explore how we can help others around us resist temptations that middle-schoolers face every day.   Language Arts - Students are continuing to work on Poetry, writing a Metaphorical Poem, explaining a hidden truth using a metaphor to capture the comparison of a personal experience, obstacle or hope. They are also continuing to work on grammar, sentence structure.   Math - The 7th graders are looking at how finding the percent of a number can help us through everyday life, by applying this to different variables and investigating how this changes things with their careers as they work through their career project.  Social Studies – 7th Graders are finalizing their comparisons of Japan and Europe in their five paragraph essays.

8A   Religion - Students will be visited this week by Paula Pardini to continue their Building Bridges Program to strengthen their Faith Communities.  8th Grade is also preparing for the Religion ACRE exam that they will take in the beginning of 3rd quarter.   Language Arts - Students are still raving about the Holocaust Guest Speaker from last Thursday! His experience resonated with so many of them. The opportunity to witness someone first hand, made all their research and reading come to life. They have officially ended Night and will now transition to their Speech and Poetry Units.  Math - 8th graders will determine if they make a profit or not in their small business plan using equations and inequalities, then we get to move on to the world of functions and linear equations.   Social Studies – 8th Graders will give their amendment speeches to Congress and will finish 2nd quarter with an Amendment Art project with a guest art teacher.  

REMINDERS

Jan. 19    End of the 2nd Quarter

Jan. 19    First early turn-in deadline for the AZTEC

                 TREK

Jan. 22    8th Grade Graduation Portrait Day

Jan. 22    12:30 Dismissal

Jan. 23    School Mass, 8:15 AM

Jan. 24    Report Cards go home with students

Jan. 28    Catholic Schools Week Sunday Family Mass at

                  9:30 AM, followed by reception in the Parish

                  Hall

QUE PASA--1/10/18 ENGLISH

Dear Parents,

       This week, we look forward to celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He is a role model for us and our students as we discuss how others should be treated with dignity and love.  We can reflect on how Dr. King is an example of thinking critically, living out the KEYS, and taking action for social justice.  It’s a perfect opportunity to apply our growth mindset along with the children, and to take action through service!

       At the same time, we pray for peace in our world.  I am reminded of Jesus’ words: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you.”  Like Jesus and Dr. King, let us remember to be examples of respect and peace for our children.

--Mrs. Sandra Jimenez

AZTEC TREK

Last Friday, your child received the collection envelope for our annual mandatory fundraiser, the AZTEC TREK.  Students and families can help support our school by collecting pledges for our walk-a-thon and game day.  This fundraiser helps to keep St. Peter’s School’s tuition the lowest in the Archdiocese.  The minimum mandatory amount to be collected by each student is $100, but the more a student collects, the more prizes and class points can be earned!  The due date for all money to be turned in us Friday, February 9.  Thank you in advance for your support!

7th GRADE CARITAS CAMP

Next Spring, our 7th graders will be attending Caritas Creek Environmental Education Program and retreat at CYO camp.  To help these students raise funds for their trip, visit their GoFundMe page (https://www.gofundme.com/send-mission-kids-to-env-camp) and make a donation, or submit a cash or check donation at the school office.  Any amount would help, and please share the GoFundMe page with your family and friends!

PARENT VOLUNTEERS

We depend on parent volunteer support throughout the school year! Some upcoming events include our FAMILY DANCE and CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK FAMILY MASS RECEPTION.  If you would like to help plan future events and fundraisers, or would like to join one of our parent groups, please contact Mrs. Jimenez at sjimenez@sanpedro.org or leave your name and number at the office.

NO SWEATS THIS FRIDAY

Since we will be attending a school prayer service this Friday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., all children must be in complete uniform, and not in the gray school sweats.  Also, no free dress passes may be used on this day.

UNIFORM CHECK-IN

As the weather gets colder and you bundle up your child, please ensure that he/she follows uniform policy as posted by the school office and stated in the school handbook.  All undershirts, including long-sleeve undershirts, should be white.  If your daughter wears tights, they should be solid black or white and extend to the ankle.  Socks must be black or white.  Boots may not be worn.

ST. PETER’S SCHOOL FOOD DRIVE

The Christmas food drive still continues, as we work towards our goal of collecting 1200 pounds of food to help the St. Peter’s Church Food Pantry and victims of the North Bay fires.  Although this was originally a Christmas food drive, we want to continue to unite in love and service and help those in need, and also reach out school’s goal!

IN THE CLASSROOM

KINDER - This week we will be reading My Garden by Kevin Henkes.  We will discuss what it means to "observe" and what we observed in the story. We will share our observations and visit our school's garden. We will predict and brainstorm ideas of what we will find in the garden. Lastly, we will write/illustrate what we saw in the garden and have a "gallery walk" in the classroom.

1A - This week in first grade we are reading and discussing how plants change as they grow and working on reading and writing words with the long i sound. In religion we are praying through song and thanking those who donated books to our classroom over Christmas. In math we are continuing to work on place value and numbers up to 100. In science we are observing and comparing different types of clouds and in social studies we are discussing the differences in weather across the nation.

2A - Second grade will be reading about Alaska and Rain Forests, subtracting with regrouping, talking about making good choices and asking forgiveness, investigating puddles in science, and using our mapping skills. First Communion meeting, Wednesday, January 10 at 6 PM in St. Peter's Church.

3A – This week we continue reading Addie's One Wish to the Brightest Star by Gloria St. Joy. In Math, we are continuing to practice regrouping with one and two places. This is proving difficult for many students. PARENTS, PLEASE HELP YOUR CHILD WITH THE HOMEWORK IN MATH EACH NIGHT. The test will be given at the end of January so, the more practice in class AND at home, the better. We're not there, YET! Also, please send in any pictures that you have of our 3rd graders. We want to display them at our January 28th Family Mass and reception.  

5A - 5th graders are using their non-fiction reading skills to learn more about Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy this week. In math, we will be applying our division skills to problems with larger quotients.  

6A   Language Arts – 6th Grade ELA will continue our unit on non-fiction text and argumentative writing.  Students will learn about the rhetorical techniques used to persuade an audience as they continue to debate with their peers.    Math - 6th graders are working on adding and subtracting fractions with like and unlike denominators.  Social Studies – 6A students are completing research on an Ancient Chinese Dynasty. Science – Students will be reviewing convection vocabulary and investigating how convection currents move through the air.

7A/7B   Religion - We are talking about the different types of prayer and how prayer and meditation can lead us away from temptation.   Language Arts - Students are continuing their Poetry Unit, writing a When I... Poem. They also began their introduction to their Grammar Unit, beginning with sentence structure.   Math - 7th graders are investigating percents, the different ways they are looked at, and how they change a situation.  Students are using percents for their career financial comparison analysis.   Social Studies – 7th Graders will be comparing the Feudal System in Japan to Feudalism in Europe in the Early Middle Ages.   Science - Students continue their work on human body systems as we prepare for an assessment this week.

8A   Language Arts - Students are finalizing their Night Literary Analysis Essay this week. They will also prepare for their Holocaust Guest Speaker Presentation on Thursday, January 11. As they wrap up Night, students will transition to their Speech and Poetry Units.   Math - 8th graders are working on inequalities and their business ownership project.  This week they will determine if their business will be profitable or not.  Social Studies – 8th Grade Social Studies is finishing up their Constitution Unit with research on a specific Amendment to the Constitution.  They are writing a speech to Congress (their classmates) that convinces them that their Amendment is important to add to the US Constitution.  Science - Students sharpen their measurement skills this week, working on length, mass, and volume as they prepare for their rocket project.

REMINDERS

Jan. 10    First Communion Parent Meeting, 6:00 PM

Jan. 12    School Prayer Service for Dr. Martin Luther

                 King, Jr., 8:30 AM

Jan. 15    Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday—No

                 School

Jan. 16    School Mass, 8:15 AM

Jan. 19    End of the 2nd Quarter

QUE PASA 1/3/2018--ENGLISH

Dear Parents,

       Happy New Year!!!  I pray that everyone enjoyed a blessed Christmas with loved ones.  I am thankful for another year filled with hope, challenges, and growth.  Together, let us start 2018 with a prayer:

Lord, You make all things new.

You bring hope alive in our hearts

And cause our Spirits to be born again.

Thank you for this new year,

For all the potential it holds.

Come and kindle in us a mighty flame

So that in our time, many will see the wonders of God

And live forever to praise Your glorious name.  

AMEN.

--Mrs. Sandra Jimenez

7th GRADE CARITAS CAMP

Next Spring, our 7th graders will be attending Caritas Creek Environmental Education Program and retreat at CYO camp.  To help these students raise funds for their trip, visit their GoFundMe page (https://www.gofundme.com/send-mission-kids-to-env-camp) and make a donation, or submit a cash or check donation at the school office.  Any amount would help, and please share the GoFundMe page with your family and friends!

PARENT VOLUNTEERS

We depend on parent volunteer support throughout the school year! Some upcoming events include our FAMILY DANCE and CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK FAMILY MASS RECEPTION.  If you would like to help plan future events and fundraisers, or would like to join one of our parent groups, please contact Mrs. Jimenez at sjimenez@sanpedro.org or leave your name and number at the office.

AZTEC TREK

Please see the enclosed flyer for the upcoming school event, the AZTEC TREK!  This is our school walk-a-thon fundraiser, and it’s our only mandatory fundraiser for the school year.  Please support our children and our school!

NO TARDIES FOR DECEMBER

Students who had no tardies in December have free dress this Thursday, January 4.  Teachers notified students if they qualified for this prize.

IN THE CLASSROOM

KINDER - Parents, I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year celebration. It was great hearing all about your child's winter break-What they did, where they went, what exciting things they saw and learned. I am looking forward to hearing more stories as the week goes by. I want to take a moment to thank you for helping your child complete the winter packet. I hope it was helpful. This week, we will continue learning more sight words and doing group activities to reinforce these words. We will be working on counting to 100, addition, subtraction, identifying shapes, writing complete sentences, patterning and starting our super Math centers-"CHAMP!"

1A - Welcome back! I hope you all had a great Christmas break. This week in first grade we will be reading and discussing how we measure time. In religion we are learning about different holy people and the different ways that we show love for God and others. In math we are beginning our unit on place value by practicing grouping and counting by 10s. In science and social studies we are learning about weather and seasons.

2A - Second grade will be reading about ways deaf people enjoy music; subtracting without regrouping; talking about making good choices and asking forgiveness; investigating spills in science; and using our mapping skills.  Mark your calendars for our First Communion meeting on Wednesday, January 10 at 6:00 PM.

3A – Happy New Year to all!  We are back at school working hard on our studies and our KEYS.  We are continuing to donate canned foods for our friends who experienced the terrible fires last year. Please help us to show LOVE and SERVICE as we UNITE as a school.  In Reading class, we've begun Addie's One Wish to the Brightest Star by Gloria St. Joy. In Math class, we'll continue to practice our subtraction problems with 2 and 3 regroupings.  In Language class, we are learning about simple and complete subjects and predicates.  

4A - Happy New Year!  I hope all 4A families enjoyed their time together during the Christmas and New Year's holiday break.  This week 4A students will begin the new year by learning how Jesus taught us to pray, multiplying 4-digit numbers by 1-digit multipliers with and without regrouping, and understanding story characters' behavior and relationships. I want to thank those who brought books for the children at the UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital; the gifts were donated over the Christmas break.  I also want to thank those who continue to support our food drive.  Keep up the good work, service, and love.

5A - 5th grade will start out 2018 with some time for reflecting and goal setting on how we want to grow during this year. We will also check in on how our salt solutions changed during Christmas break and begin discussing the first permanent settlements in America.

6A  Religion – Happy New Year! 6A will be visited by Paula Pardini this week.  Language Arts – A new year means more opportunities to grow and learn! in 6th grade ELA, we will be growing our ability to make sound arguments and support them with logical reasoning, as we begin our introduction to our next unit: non-fiction and argumentative writing. We will connect some of the themes in our novel Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry as we debate the meaning of "equality" and "freedom."   Math - We are starting to work on everything fractal... preparations now begin for the 3rd St. Peter's Annual Fraction Fair!   Social Studies – 6A will begin to explore Ancient China.   Science – 6th grade scientists will review the connection we discovered between density & heat of liquids during our last investigation. Students will learn to connect their observations regarding density and heat with weather patterns.

7A/7B   Language Arts - Welcome back! Students have ended their Unit on A Christmas Carol. They are now moving on to the Introduction of Poetry, what it is, key characteristics and the different forms.   Math - 7th graders are now working on their financial comparison project using ratios, proportions, and percents to determine where they would want to live based on hypothetical careers.   Social Studies – 7th grade will spin the globe over to European Physical Geography.   Science - Students are hard at work on their human body systems presentations and projects!

8A   Religion – Happy New Year! 8A will be visited by Paula Pardini this week.   Language Arts - Welcome back, Class of 2018! Students are closing their Night Unit with a Literary Analysis Essay, interpreting the significant events, topics, and themes in the novel. On Thursday, January 11, students will also have a Holocaust Guest Speaker Presentation.   Math - 8th graders are using inequalities and equations in their Business project to determine if their business is profitable or not.  Social Studies – 8A will be assigned their amendments for their amendment research projects.   Science - Students continue their work with chemical reactions as we prepare for our first project of the year!

REMINDERS

Jan. 4      Free Dress for No Tardies in December

Jan. 10    First Communion Parent Meeting, 6:00 PM

QUE PASA 12/13/17--ENGLISH

Dear Parents,

       I share this prayer (written by Christine Sine) with you all:

The coming of our Lord is near,
And we wait in joyful expectation.
Draw close, Lord Jesus Christ,
Shed your light on all that is filled with darkness.
The coming of our Lord is near,
And we wait with hope filled hearts.
Draw close, God’s beloved son,
Teach us the wonder of your all-embracing love.   AMEN.

       During this Advent, I keep the entire St. Peter’s School family in my prayers--I am grateful to be a part of this loving community.  I pray that everyone has a safe and relaxing winter break.  Have a joyous Christmas and a happy new year!  See you in 2018!

--Mrs. Sandra Jimenez

7th GRADE CARITAS CAMP

Next Spring, our 7th graders will be attending Caritas Creek Environmental Education Program and retreat at CYO camp.  To help these students raise funds for their trip, visit their GoFundMe page (https://www.gofundme.com/send-mission-kids-to-env-camp) and make a donation, or submit a cash or check donation at the school office.  Any amount would help, and please share the GoFundMe page with your family and friends!

HOLIDAY CHEER GEAR

Student Council wants you to spread Christmas cheer with your best holiday gear!  On Thursday, December 14, get in the spirit and come dressed in: Red and/or Green, Santa Hats, or Christmas sweaters!  (If you choose not to participate, come to school in your uniform.)

BVCC AND COMPUTER LAB ON DEC. 15

Friday, December 15 is a 12:30 dismissal day.  BVCC After School Program will be open from 12:30 – 6:00 PM.  However, the Computer lab will NOT be open on that day.

PARENT VOLUNTEERS

We depend on parent volunteer support throughout the school year! Some upcoming events include our FAMILY DANCE and CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK FAMILY MASS RECEPTION.  If you would like to help plan future events and fundraisers, or would like to join one of our parent groups, please contact Mrs. Jimenez at sjimenez@sanpedro.org or leave your name and number at the office.

DECEMBER STUDENTS OF THE MONTH!

Homeroom teachers identify Students of the Month at the end of each month.  We celebrate these students because they have exemplified living the St. Peter’s KEYS:

Knowledge feeds GROWTH.

Every ACCOMPLISHMENT needs courage.

You are LOVE.

SERVICE UNITES.

Kinder - Our student of the month is Aaron Mendoza. Aaron is kind, patient and is always ready to learn. He strives to do his best in all areas and takes feedback positively. He is respectful to others and is committed to follow St. Peter's key values. For all these reasons, It's a pleasure to announce Aaron as our student of the month for December.

1A - Antonio Robelo Hernandez is a very kind student who is always looking out for his peers and is always offering to share whatever he has with those around him. He is an extremely hard worker and never shies away from a challenge. Because he always tries his best, he has learnt and grown so much so far this year. For these reasons, I am happy to announce that Antonio is first grade's student of the month!

2A - Annarelly Contreras is the 2nd grade Student of the Month. Annarelly is always listening, watching, and paying attention. She works diligently and tries her best in every subject.

3A – Jaykob Offril is the December Student of the Month. Jaykob is a very focused 3rd grader who is neat, efficient and timely.  He is the first to volunteer as a teacher helper and does any chore or job completely.  He is a good friend to his classmates and shows LOVE to all of us.  He is a unifying force so UNITY is very important to Jaykob.  

4A - The 4A Student of the Month is Jayden Grajeda.  Jayden has been a shining of example of a student who lives out our KEYS.  He is excelling in class and is always kind and respectful.

5A – Guadalupe Gonzalez-Cabrera puts in a full effort on everything she does. She lives out the St. Peter's KEYS constantly, asking questions and working hard to grow and accomplish new skills. Guadalupe is also always compassionate to her classmates and eager to serve others.  

6A - Carlos Hernandez is our student of the month.  This is Carlos' first year at St Peter's but he has been ready to meet the expectations of Middle School since the first day of the year.  He is always prepared for the school day, ready to participate, and offering to support his peers.  Carlos has brought much kindness and joy into the 6A classroom and we are happy to have him as a member of our classroom community!

7A - Rony Umana has accomplished a lot recently, and has really been a model of good leadership and responsibility.  He has shown care, kindness and has also demonstrated some great academic growth in the classroom. Keep up the great work Rony!

7B - Priscilla Guerrero shows love in so many ways, from her kindness to teachers and staff, to her generosity of spirit with friends, to her compassion for the younger students who look up to her. Priscilla is one of the reasons why St. Peter's is more than just a school; it's a family. Her positivity, warmth, and thoughtfulness truly shows that St. Peter's students "Are Love!"

8A - Christian Ramirez shows knowledge feeds growth as he transitions from 8th grade to high school. He enthusiastically applies himself to the task at hand, asks questions and constantly seeks advice to better his future. He also shows love for his community as a classmate and as a tour guide to highlight the awesomeness that is St. Peter's!

IN THE CLASSROOM

KINDER - Parents, I want to wish you all a very Happy Christmas! May you have a wonderful Christmas this year filled with love and joy. This week, your child will be reading "Roadwork" and talk about people that help improve their communities. We will make a plan for ways we can help our community such as picking up trash, recycling, help sick animals, or help plant crops and flowers. We will also have a discussion about Christmas--that we celebrate the birth of Jesus on Christmas and that it's not only about receiving presents but giving and helping those in needs. In Math, students will make a holiday calendar to countdown to Christmas and the New Year.

1A - This week in first grade we will be taking a trip around the world to learn about how Christmas is celebrated in different countries. In religion we are continuing our Acts of Kindness Advent Calendar in preparation for the birth of Jesus. In math we will be reviewing our units on subtraction and data and graphing. We are also preparing and practicing for our singing of ‘Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer’ with the 8th grade at Friday’s prayer service at 9:00am. Please come join us if you can. :)

2A - Second grade will be reading stories about the many ways that deaf people enjoy music.  We will subtract two digit numbers; prepare for Jesus' birth during the season of Advent; learn the Act of Contrition; label the map of North America; and separate particles using screens.

3A – As 3A prepares for Christmas, we are completing our paper mache Santa ornaments and making our classroom ready for our Christmas party. We will receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Thursday at 8:30 since it was cancelled last week. In Reading class we'll be completing our 1st chapter book, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson. In Science, we continue to watch as our bean plants grow. Finally, in Math class we've completed our unit on money.  We wish a blessed Christmas and a happy new year to all our parents.

4A - This week 4A students will learn how Jesus taught us to pray, recognize and compound predicates in sentences, and multiply 3-digit numbers by 1-digit multipliers with and without regrouping. 

5A - 5th graders will be discussing the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe using Tomie DePaola's book. We will diagram the plot of this story and write our own summaries of it. We will also wrap up the second unit of our math textbook with an assessment.

6A  Religion – 6th grade will be visited by Paula Pardini to continue with their Building Bridges Program.  6th Grade Homeroom is practicing their song for Friday's performance! Come watch us sing “Mele Kalikimaka” - we wish you all a warm, safe, and very Merry Christmas break!  Language Arts – 6th Grade ELA is nearing the conclusion of our first novel Roll of Thunder Hear my Cry, and we are excited to find out what will be the consequences of TJ's reckless actions. Will the Logans be able to find justice in the Jim Crow South? Will they be able to keep the land that means so much to them? As we discover these answers, we'll continue to find evidence to support the themes we've brainstormed.  Math - We have started our investigation on Rational numbers - how is a number bigger than or smaller than 1 represented and what stories can they tell us. Science - This week, students will be exploring the effect of temperature on density of water in an investigation on convection.

7A/7B   Religion - We are wrapping up our morality unit by  making Morality posters to represent how we can make the right decisions to help those around us, be good role models and atone for the times when we choose the wrong path.  Language Arts - Students have wrapped up their reading on A Christmas Carol. They will participate in a Change of Heart Activity, focusing on Scrooge’ s BEFORE and AFTER character transformation. Through this, they will be able to identify how and why he leads to a "change of heart". Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!  Math - Ratios and proportions have led us into a greater, more in-depth investigation of rational numbers, and comparisons.  They are putting together their new proportional knowledge with equation skills.  Last week, they got their careers, now they will start to do their 2 city financial analysis.  This is the beginning of their Math in our Lives 2-year journey.    Social Studies – This is an exciting week as we wrap up 2017.  7th Grade Social Studies will be finishing their Japan Unit.  Science - Students have now wrapped up their studies into how cells reproduce and now it is time to begin our investigations as to how our bodies use our organs to maintain homeostasis.

8A   Religion –8th grade homeroom will be visited by Paula Pardini to continue with their Building Bridges Program. Language Arts - Students have finalized their reading on Night. They will create a culminating Tear Art Visual to represent their feelings and reactions to an event in the novel. In doing so, they will be able to illustrate how mood and symbolism can convey a message to the reader. More importantly, students will be able to highlight the devastation in which the main character and other Jewish prisoners endured, while capturing the human emotion that is so vivid in the novel. Have a very Merry Christmas! See you in 2018, class of 2018!  Math - To accent Equations and Inequalities, as well as review Ratios and proportions and prepare for the HSPT's, they are now getting underway with their small business ownership project, where they will open a business, and determine if it will be profitable or not, based on location and cost vs. expenses.  After Christmas they will be presenting to a board of business owners in our local community.   Social Studies – 8th grade will be playing Branches of Government Board Games that they have created as study tools.  Science - Students continue to research chemical reactions as we prepare to introduce our first big project of the year.

REMINDERS

Dec. 14             Holiday Cheer Themed Dress-up Day

Dec. 15             9:00 AM Christmas Prayer Service and Program

Dec. 15             12:30 Dismissal

Dec. 18-Jan. 1   Christmas Vacation

Jan. 2                 Classes resume

QUE PASA 12/6/2017--ENGLISH

Dear Parents,

      In the next few days, we will celebrate two feasts of Mary: the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8 and the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12.  It’s very appropriate that we celebrate Mary during the season of Advent as we prepare for the coming of Jesus, because without Mary, and without her faith, strength, and love, we wouldn’t have Jesus.  After all, Jesus is the reason for the season.

      Pope Francis wrote an Advent reflection a few years ago that reminds us of how Mary is a role model for us today.  Mary also reminds me of our Sisters of Mercy, past and present--like Sr. Marian Rose, Sr. Lucy, Sr. Paulina, and Sr. Toni Lynn--who answered the call of Mercy at St. Peter’s.  As Pope Francis describes, Mary is a loving mother who inspires us all to put God first in our lives.  Here’s a part of what Pope Francis wrote:

“We bet on hope, on the hope of peace, and it will be possible! The journey is never finished. Just as in each of our own lives, there is always a need to restart and to rise again. Mary is a model of this spiritual attitude, to this way of being and of journeying in life. Although she was just a simple girl, she carried in her heart the hope of God.  In her womb, the hope of God took flesh, became man, and made history: Jesus Christ.  Let us be guided by her, she who is mother, she is a ‘mama’ and knows how to lead us. Let us be guided by her in this time of waiting.”

      So let’s remember Mary, during Advent and every day, and how she is a role model for us to have courage, to put God first in our lives, and to have open hearts and open minds.  And when we do that, GREAT things can happen!

--Mrs. Sandra Jimenez

NO SWEATS THIS FRIDAY

Since we will be attending school Mass this Friday for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, all children must be in complete uniform, and not in the gray school sweats.

7th GRADE CARITAS CAMP

Next Spring, our 7th graders will be attending Caritas Creek Environmental Education Program and retreat at CYO camp.  To help these students raise funds for their trip, visit their GoFundMe page (https://www.gofundme.com/send-mission-kids-to-env-camp) and make a donation, or submit a cash or check donation at the school office.  Any amount would help, and please share the GoFundMe page with your family and friends!

PROGRESS REPORTS AND SPORTS PROBATION FOR STUDENT ATHLETES

Today, Progress Reports are being sent home for students who are receiving a C- or below or an “N” in a subject, or a 2- or below in Behavior or Learning Skills.  If your child currently plays on a boys’ basketball or girls’ soccer team for St. Peter’s, you may receive a Sports Probation notice if your child has below a C- average or a 3 or 4 in Behavior or Learning Skills.  This means that your child may not fully participate with their team sport until they are cleared by their teacher.  The teachers want to help students grow and accomplish here at school, so please check in with your child to see if he/she received either of these notices today. Signed progress reports are due by this Friday, December 8.

APPOINTMENTS WITH TEACHERS

Feel free to make appointments with teachers when you have a question or concern.  Please avoid last-minute morning meeting with teachers, as teachers use this morning time to prepare their materials for the day so that they can best meet your child’s needs.  If you would like a morning meeting, notify the teacher ahead of time by email or by calling the office a day in advance.  We appreciate your cooperation on this matter.

BVCC AND COMPUTER LAB ON DEC. 15

Friday, December 15 is a 12:30 dismissal day.  BVCC After School Program will be open from 12:30 – 6:00 PM.  However, the Computer lab will NOT be open on that day.

BVCC WINTER CAMP

If you would like your child to participate in the BVCC Winter Camp (December 18-29; Closed on December 25), you can fill out and return a registration form which is available in the school office and in the Parish Hall with the BVCC After School Program.  

IN THE CLASSROOM

KINDER - This week we will have a discussion about people or places in our neighborhood. We will use our senses to help us describe our neighborhood with words. We will also talk about our favorite restaurant in our neighborhood and describe our favorite food. Then students will make a menu. They will work in pairs to make a menu that names their favorite food or drink. Also, we will be reading "Cultural Festival" and share any festivals or holidays that we celebrate with our family.

1A - This week in first grade we are reading and discussing the ways that we get around. In religion we are learning about Advent and preparing for the arrival of Jesus. In math we are continuing our unit on data and graphing. In science we are continuing to be meteorologists and observing and recording the weather. In social studies we are learning about the natural resources that we use.

2A - Second grade will be reading stories about weather.  Students will continue adding two digit numbers; prepare for Jesus’ birth during the season of Advent; learn the Act of Contrition; construct timelines of their lives (birthdays and important events); and separate a soup mix.

3A – This week, as we begin Advent, the 3rd graders will be very active in Religion class. The class is responsible for the Immaculate Conception Mass for the school on December 8th. Please join us if you can. We will also receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation this week. At home, with the help of our families, we will be making an Advent banner. We will decorate our classroom Advent wreath with our handprints, and list the ways we can prepare for Jesus' birth and welcoming Him into our hearts. In Science class, we are watching our bean plants grow, as we make sure that they have everything they need-- soil, water, and sunlight. In Social Studies, we are studying the Maidu tribe of California Native Americans.

4A - This week 4A students will continue to understand story characters' behavior and relationships. They will also multiply 2-digit numbers by 1-digit multipliers with regrouping and identify California's first inhabitants.

5A - 5th graders will be practicing their reading comprehension skills to analyze Christmas stories from around the world during the next two weeks. We will also be making Advent wreaths, preparing for the sacrament of Reconciliation, and discussing good scientific practices this week.

6A  Religion – 6th Grade will be preparing for Reconciliation (December 6th) and practicing to lead the December 12th Mass for Our Lady of Guadalupe.  Come see the reenactment of Our Lady's revealing to St. Juan Diego!   Language Arts – The tension in our novel Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry is building, as we continue to follow our protagonist, Cassie, as she discovers the injustices facing African Americans in the South. We will also be delving into informational text to supplement our knowledge of Black History and the Civil Rights Movement.  Math – Students have been working on integers and Mean, Median and Mode. This week will find them starting their adventure with those rational numbers we like to call fractions.  Social Studies – 6th Grade will be finalizing their Egypt Unit with a Test on Vocabulary and Egypt Essay Questions.  Science - 6th grade scientists are working hard to master the equations for calculating mass, volume, and density. They'll have the opportunity to show what they've learned so far on a quiz this Thursday.

7A/7B   Religion - Doing the right thing can be tough, especially when you are uncertain what the right thing is. We have been learning about our conscience and making good decisions.  Now we take it a step further, just as Jesus was tempted by the devil in the desert, we find ourselves facing temptation every day. Jesus resisted so he could carry out his mission as our savior, and we must follow that same path this advent season. As we look outward to support those in need, we must also learn how to resist the selfishness and materialism that is always knocking at the door.  Language Arts - Students are continuing to read A Christmas Carol focusing on characterization and point-of-view. They are rapidly realizing Scrooge's transformation from a selfish, greedy businessman to a generous, kind-hearted human being.  Math - 7th graders have wrapped up their equation unit, and are now applying those new skills with ratios, Unit Rates and proportions, with a bit of inequalities for added adventure. Coming soon – The 7th Grade Career Project.  Social Studies – 7th Grade is learning about the development of Japan's Medieval military society as well as the social classes of Japan.  Science - Students are showing what they know about the process of meiosis as we prepare to delve into genetics!

8A   Religion – 8th Grade will have Reconciliation on Tuesday December 5th and will be learning about the Church season of Advent.  Language Arts - Students are continuing to read Night. They have focused on answering what it means to be a bystander or an upstander. How many are willing to stand up to cruelty, during the Holocaust and even in modern times?   Math - Exciting times as we start the business ownership project that will accent, acknowledge, and assess our unit on Equations, as well as lead us into inequalities, graphs and functions.  Social Studies – Students will be researching an Executive Branch Department and a Supreme Court Case as they move through their Constitution Unit.   Science - Students now know why certain atoms combine, but why would two compounds ever react? We look at chemical reactions next!

REMINDERS

Dec. 7               8:30 AM Advent Reconciliation,

                              Grades 3-4

Dec. 8               9:30 AM School Mass – Feast of the

                               Immaculate Conception

Dec. 12             9:30 AM School Mass – Feast of Our

                               Lady of Guadalupe

Dec. 15             9:00 AM Christmas Prayer Service and

                               Program

Dec. 15             12:30 Dismissal

Dec. 18-Jan. 1   Christmas Vacation

Jan. 2                 Classes resume

QUE PASA 11/29/2017 (English)

Dear Parents,

      December is almost here--the last month of 2017!  Even though we’re near the end of the year, this Sunday marks the beginning of a church season—ADVENT.  Advent is a time of preparation for Jesus’ birth.  

      The teachers and I will be teaching the students about Advent, and how our preparations could include special acts—such as saying extra prayers, reading the bible, attending an additional Mass, giving to the school’s weekly Missions collection, or doing extra good deeds—because doing those special acts will make more room in our hearts for Jesus.  Some classes are following an Advent calendar or constructing Advent wreaths, yet some classes might also be planning special service projects to help those in need.  Whatever your child and your family do during Advent, remember that Jesus is the reason for the season.   The children have heard this at school, but continue this lesson at home.  Let’s all be examples of open hearts and open minds, and know that we wouldn’t be celebrating if it wasn’t for our savior, Jesus Christ.    

--Mrs. Sandra Jimenez

7th GRADE CARITAS CAMP

Next Spring, our 7th graders will be attending Caritas Creek Environmental Education Program and retreat at CYO camp.  To help these students raise funds for their trip, visit their GoFundMe page (https://www.gofundme.com/send-mission-kids-to-env-camp) and make a donation, or submit a cash or check donation at the school office.  Any amount would help, and please share the GoFundMe page with your family and friends!

UNIFORM CHECK-IN

As the weather gets colder and you bundle up your child, please ensure that he/she follows uniform policy as posted by the school office and stated in the school handbook.  All undershirts, including long-sleeve undershirts, should be white.  If your daughter wears tights, they should be solid black or white and extend to the ankle.  Socks must be black or white.  Boots may not be worn.

APPOINTMENTS WITH TEACHERS

Feel free to make appointments with teachers when you have a question or concern.  Please avoid last-minute morning meeting with teachers, as teachers use this morning time to prepare their materials for the day so that they can best meet your child’s needs.  If you would like a morning meeting, notify the teacher ahead of time by email or by calling the office a day in advance.  We appreciate your cooperation on this matter.

BVCC WINTER CAMP

If you would like your child to participate in the BVCC Winter Camp (December 18-29; Closed on December 25), you can fill out and return a registration form which is available in the school office and in the Parish Hall with the BVCC After School Program. 

IN THE CLASSROOM

KINDER - Welcome back! I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving filled with love. This week in KA, we will be exploring and brainstorming the different jobs that people do. We will be reading "Whose Shoes?" by Stephen R. Swinburne and have a discussion on what tools people use on their job. Then students will work in pairs to make a poster about a job and the tools needed for that job. It will be a fun week learning about the jobs people do in schools, stores, hospitals, library, etc. We will have visitors coming in to talk about their jobs and answer questions from students.

1A - This week in first grade we are reading and discussing how people help out in the community. In religion we are discussing how God wants us to love him and others. In math we are beginning our unit on data and graphing. In science we are observing weather and record findings using weather calendars. In social studies we are learning how to identify the different physical features of our state. We are reading a biography of John Muir and discussing the features of Yosemite.

2A - Second grade will read stories and learn about the author's purpose for writing a story; add and subtract 2-digit numbers; constructing timelines of their lives, and sorting bits and pieces in science.  Advent season begins as we prepare for Jesus' birth.

3A – This week in 3A we will be reading about Thomas Alva Edison, the American inventor who was issued over 1,000 patents and invented many items that changed our world.  In math class we continue to practice with money and how to make change.  In science, we will be going to the science lab to plant beans and study how they grow and most especially what they need to grow.  Thank you to all of the parents who helped their son/daughter with their very informative Saint posters. Great effort was shown and helped the students ACCOMPLISH their goals for Religion Class in November. 

5A - This week, 5th graders are beginning to work on their book talks they will present to the class. We'll also be discussing how to compare and contrast characters in both social studies and English language arts. In math, 5th graders will be learning about multiplication patterns that can make it easier to find the products of decimals and large numbers.

6A  Religion – Students will continue building their faith communities this week with a visit from Paula Pardini.  Language Arts – After a short break, 6th Grade ELA is excited to continue our novel, Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry. This week we will be exploring the development of the book's themes as well as practicing how to support claims using evidence from the text.  Math - 6th grade will be applying their new knowledge of integers to learning about mean, median and mode.  Social Studies – Students will continue to explore the life of Ancient Egyptians, and they will present their pharaoh research.  Science - 6th graders will practice finding the density of different liquids and applying this knowledge towards better understanding how weather patterns form.     

7A/7B   Religion - This week, we will be discussing the temptations of Jesus and how he was able to resist them, and how this relates to our lives now.  Language Arts - Welcome back! I hope everyone had a restful and filling Thanksgiving! Students are beginning to read A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. They are participating in small and whole group Reader's Theater to incorporate the element of drama. They are also taking a deeper look into the play's content with a variety of lesson extensions, starting with "Marley's Ghost."  Math - We are starting our unit on ratios, proportions, and percents.  We’ll begin with unit rates.  Social Studies – Students will begin studying Medieval Japan, starting with Japan's physical geography.   Science - Now that we are done with our conversation about how cells divide, now it's time to begin our conversation about meiosis!

8A   Religion – Students will continue building their faith communities this week with a visit from Paula Pardini. Language Arts - Welcome back! I hope everyone had a fun-filled Thanksgiving! Students are beginning to read Night by Elie Wiesel. They are also preparing Cornell Style Notes to record the novel's content and personal interpretations. They are continuing their HSPT preparation with a presentation of strategies, general hints, tips and advice to ensure success in January.   Math - 8th grade is working on equations with variables on both sides, and inequalities. This will include the first term project, “small business ownership.”   Social Studies – Students will look closely at the details of the remaining two branches of US government: Executive and Judicial.   Science - Students have finished their look into compounds and now it is time to begin to explore chemical reactions!

REMINDERS

Nov. 29     6:00 PM First Communion Parent Meeting in Church

Dec. 5       8:30 AM Advent Reconciliation, Grades 7-8

Dec. 6       Free Dress for No Tardies in November

Dec. 6       8:30 AM Advent Reconciliation, Grades 5-6

Dec. 7       8:30 AM Advent Reconciliation, Grades 3-4

Dec. 8       9:30 AM School Mass – Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Dec. 12      9:30 AM School Mass – Feast of Our Lady ofGuadalupe

QUE PASA 11/21/2017 (English)

Dear Parents,

       As we celebrate Thanksgiving this week, I want to say Thank You for being part of the St. Peter’s School family!  I am proud to be part of our community as we continue to work together to teach our children to live our core values to grow, accomplish, love, serve, and unite.  I am grateful for your support towards this goal.

       While we are thankful for all our blessings—our families, friends, homes, and health, to name a few—let us also remember to pray for those who are in need.  Together, let us offer this prayer (written by “Anonymous”):

O Heavenly Father:
We thank You for food and remember the hungry.
We thank You for health and remember the sick.
We thank You for friends and remember the friendless.
We thank You for freedom and remember the enslaved.
May these remembrances stir us to service,
That Your gifts to us may be used for others.  AMEN.

--Mrs. Sandra Jimenez

UNIFORM CHECK-IN

As the weather gets colder and you bundle up your child, please ensure that he/she follows uniform policy as posted by the school office and stated in the school handbook.  All undershirts, including long-sleeve undershirts, should be white.  If your daughter wears tights, they should be solid black or white and extend to the ankle.  Socks must be black or white.  Boots may not be worn.

APPOINTMENTS WITH TEACHERS

Feel free to make appointments with teachers when you have a question or concern.  Please avoid last-minute morning meeting with teachers, as teachers use this morning time to prepare their materials for the day so that they can best meet your child’s needs.  If you would like a morning meeting, notify the teacher ahead of time by email or by calling the office a day in advance.  We appreciate your cooperation on this matter.

PARENT VOLUNTEERS

We depend on parent volunteer support throughout the school year! Some upcoming events include our Christmas prayer service and reception and the school family dance.  If you would like to help plan future events and fundraisers, or would like to join one of our parent groups, please contact Mrs. Jimenez at sjimenez@sanpedro.org or leave your name and number at the office.

BVCC WINTER CAMP

If you would like your child to participate in the BVCC Winter Camp (December 18-29; Closed on December 25), you can fill out and return the registration form which was sent home last week.  Forms are also available in the school office and in the Parish Hall with the BVCC After School Program. 

NOVEMBER STUDENTS OF THE MONTH!

Homeroom teachers identify Students of the Month at the end of each month.  We celebrate these students because they have exemplified living the St. Peter’s KEYS:

Knowledge feeds GROWTH.

Every ACCOMPLISHMENT needs courage.

You are LOVE.

SERVICE UNITES.

Kinder - Rio Rangel comes to school every day with a smile on her face and ready to learn. She gives 100% effort on any given learning opportunity and is always willing to be helpful. Rio has demonstrated to be a leader in the class and is always striving to do her best in all subject areas. For these reasons, I am pleased to name Rio Rangel as November's student of the month.

1A - Veronica Juarez is a caring, thoughtful, and hardworking student. She takes pride in all her work and always loves a challenge. While she is always good about staying focused, she always makes time to help any friend in need. She is a great leader and for these reasons she is our first-grade student of the month.

2A - Our student of the Month is Isela Diaz. Isela is always working hard to learn new things, she readily helps others, and is a great leader.

3A – Ernesto Soto is a very focused student.  He works diligently on any and all assignments that he is given.  He is willing to help others both in the classroom and in the schoolyard.  Ernesto is very tidy and neat from his uniform to the cleanliness of his desk.  Being organized seems to always be a goal for him.   You show us how to ACCOMPLISH which is one of our "key" goals at St. Peter's.  WAY TO GO ERNESTO!

4A - Adan Navarro has been a shining example of a student who lives out our KEYS. He received 2nd Honors for the first quarter and is working on earning First Honors for the second quarter. He is off to a good start with a 90% on his last spelling test.

5A – Isaiah Dantzler has a genuine enthusiasm for learning that he has been sharing with the 5th grade class all year long. He truly exemplifies the St. Peter's Key of growth because he is always striving to increase his knowledge and accomplish more. Isaiah is also funny and has a generous heart!

6A - Achella Ramirez has been a total joy to have in the classroom this year. She is always very enthusiastic about learning and that excitement motivates her peers around her. She has been welcoming to all of her classmates and is helpful to teachers and students alike. Achella is a great example of a student with the KEYS to success!

7A - Delisa Aguilar has been working extremely hard in all of her academics, putting great care and determination in her work.  She has gone above and beyond to help those around her and constantly stays positive and brings a smile to our faces by having a great sense of humor.  Delisa had had an exceptional month and keeps getting better!

7B - Eduardo Olivera-Diaz. Aside from being a great friend to others, respectful, polite, and always positive, Eduardo continues to try and find new challenges. He's willing to get out of his comfort zone and take risks. He is consistently hard-working and focused on bettering himself academically.

8A - Anderson Ortiz has demonstrated what it means to love his community and live out service. He constantly helps whenever necessary as a student council rep, altar server and fellow classmate. He always does it with smile on his face and without hesitation!

IN THE CLASSROOM

KINDER - Kindergarten will be reviewing initial and final sounds in single-syllables words. Also, we will learn how to write a descriptive sentence. In Math we will review addition and subtraction.

1A - This week in first grade we will be working on a reading unit focusing on the Thanksgiving story Turkey Trouble. In math we are continuing our work with word problems. In religion we are preparing for Thanksgiving by discussing the many things that we are grateful for. Thank you for all your help with homework thus far. I really appreciate it. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving break!

2A - Second grade will be reading stories and learning about the author's purpose for writing a story; telling time to the nearest five minutes (please keep practicing on an analog clock!); learning how to pray for the needs of others; constructing timelines of their lives (birthdays and important events); and sorting bits and pieces in science. See you all at the next First Communion meeting Wednesday, 11/29 at 6:00 p.m.

3A – In Social Studies and Religion, 3A is learning about the 1st Thanksgiving and how the early settlers and Native Americans worked together to help each other and ACCOMPLISH a friendly relationship in sharing our new country. In Math class, we continue to practice addition with regrouping in the 10's place. It is only a 2-day week due to our Thanksgiving break so there will be NO spelling test this week. We will continue with lesson 13 when we return to school on November 27th. We wish all of our St. Peter's families a happy and blessed Thanksgiving.

4A - I want to wish a Happy Thanksgiving to all 4A families.  We have much to be thankful for, and I pray that your time with your family is a blessed one.  This week 4A will recognize that our relationship with God is based on the first three Commandments, add and subtract whole numbers and money amounts to 5 digits, and recognize and use verbs in complete predicates. 

5A - 5th grade will be reviewing key grammar and math concepts this week, as well as discussing America's first European settlements and their connection to the first Thanksgiving in social studies.

6A  Religion – 6th Grade will be sharing why we are thankful for each one of our classmates.   Language Arts – We are continuing our reading of Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, as we analyze the different character archetypes that are developing. We are also constructing our "books" and sharing the final drafts of the short stories the students have worked so hard on this quarter.  Math - 6th graders are learning the beauty of adding and subtracting negative and positive integers, then after the break will be moving on to Mean, Median, and Mode.  Social Studies – 6th Graders are completing their Pharaoh research projects.    

7A/7B   Religion - We continue our investigation of moral decision-making and our conscience as we prepare for the Thanksgiving Holiday.  Language Arts - Students are wrapping up the introductory activities based on the play A Christmas Carol. They will begin reading when we return from break. Happy Thanksgiving to all!     Math - 7th graders are finishing up their unit on one-step and two-step Equations and will be starting Unit Rates and their Black Friday Project.  Social Studies – 7th Graders will be continuing with the government style in Medieval China and learning about the First Thanksgiving.   Science - Students are reviewing and showing just how much they know about mitosis!

8A   Religion – 8th Graders will be performing a puppet show for the 1st grade class about Thanksgiving.  Language Arts - Students have begun the preparation and research of the historical content on the novel, Night, World War II, The Holocaust. Through this, students will have a better understanding as they read. I hope all have a Happy Thanksgiving!   Math - 8th graders are finishing up their unit on equations. Following close behind is inequalities.  They will be using both of those skills to work on their upcoming project: Small Business Ownership.   Social Studies – We will be exploring the role of the legislative branch.  Science - Students are reviewing and showing just how much they know about elements, compounds and mixtures!

REMINDERS

Nov. 21         8:15 AM School Mass

Nov. 22-24    No School—Thanksgiving break

Nov. 28         8:15 AM School Mass

Nov. 29         6:00 PM First Communion Parent Meeting

                        in Church

QUE PASA 11/15/2017 (English)

Dear Parents,

       I often comment to myself that there are not enough hours in the day to get through my to-do list.  I imagine this is a common feeling among fellow parents, especially as the holiday season approaches!  But this reflection below (by Barbara Johnson from God Always Has a Plan B), could serve as a reminder to us appreciate the present and all it’s challenges and celebrations, and keep learning, growing, and moving forward!

“What about those of us who’d like to turn back the clock?  Sure, we’d like to be younger and stronger again. More resilient.  But remember Isaiah?  He said to let the past lie.  Look ahead.  Someone has said, ‘Don’t look back.  You’re not going that way.’  It is never too late to spend time on the important things.  This minute is a gift.  That’s why we call it the present.” 

--Mrs. Sandra Jimenez

 CORE VALUES IN NOVEMBER

Throughout November, we continue to learn about saints and pray for loved ones who have passed away.  Ask your child about the saints we have learned about!  We also continue to pray for our veterans and all those who currently serve in our Armed Forces as they work to protect our freedom.  Last week, all children in the school made cards for veterans, and our 6A homeroom teacher Ms. Land delivered them to veterans at the Veterans’ Hospital.  The veterans were appreciative of all the cards and kind words from the students.  I’m so proud of how our children and teachers lived out our core values to love, serve, and unite through this act of kindness!

UNIFORM CHECK-IN

As the weather gets colder and you bundle up your child, please ensure that he/she follows uniform policy as posted by the school office and stated in the school handbook.  All undershirts, including long-sleeve undershirts, should be white.  If your daughter wears tights, they should be solid black or white and extend to the ankle.  Socks must be black or white.  Boots may not be worn.

LIFETOUCH PICTURE RE-TAKES AND MAKE-UPS

This Friday, November 17, your child can retake his/her school photo or take a photo if he/she was absent on the original picture day.  If your child is taking school pictures this Friday, please ensure that he/she is in complete uniform and not in the gray school sweats.

PARENT VOLUNTEERS

We depend on parent volunteer support throughout the school year! Some upcoming events include our Christmas prayer service and reception and the school family dance.  If you would like to help plan future events and fundraisers, or would like to join one of our parent groups, please contact Mrs. Jimenez at sjimenez@sanpedro.org or leave your name and number at the office.

SUNDAY FAMILY MASS

Please join us for Family Mass this Sunday, November 19 at 9:30 AM.  It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the Eucharist together with fellow St. Peter’s families.  Students who attend mass will receive a free dress pass to use on Monday, November 20.

APPOINTMENTS WITH TEACHERS

Feel free to make appointments with teachers when you have a question or concern.  Please avoid last-minute morning meeting with teachers, as teachers use this morning time to prepare their materials for the day so that they can best meet your child’s needs.  If you would like a morning meeting, notify the teacher ahead of time by email or by calling the office a day in advance.  We appreciate your cooperation on this matter.

IN THE CLASSROOM

KINDER - This week we will be reading about places we go during the week such as the library. We will engage in discussions with a partner, in small groups and with the whole class. In math, we will begin to work on subtraction. We will use tools such as counters, playdoh, dice, and cubes to help us visualize and subtract.

1A - This week in first grade we are reading and discussing the different places that animals live together. In math we are working on fact families and the relationship between addition and subtraction. In science we are beginning our unit on weather, which will be more fun now that we’re getting some rain. In religion we are continuing our discussion of Baptism and our practicing of The Hail Mary.

2A - We will be reading and learning about the nighttime sky, the sequence of events in stories, telling time to the nearest five minutes (please practice on an analog clock); learning how to pray for the needs of others; and sorting bits and pieces in science. Mark your calendars! First Communion meeting Wednesday, 11/29 at 6 p.m.

3A – We begin reading Molly's Pilgrim this week. It's a Thanksgiving story about modern day immigrants. It also explores prejudice and intolerance. In Religion, we'll continue to learn and read about the saints as we collect facts for our saint projects due at the end of November. The saints, as well as the characters in Molly's Pilgrim, teach us valuable lessons about courage, love and faithfulness.

4A - This week 4A students will recognize that our relationship with God is based on the first three Commandments, understand story characters' behavior and relationships, and subtract whole numbers and money amounts with zeros in the minuend.

5A - 5th grade is celebrating the completion of our first novel study with a The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe themed party this Friday. We're continuing to discuss homophones in grammar and word problems in math.

6A  Religion – 6th Graders will be focusing on their Mercy Promises that they made during their 6th grade retreat and they will be visited by Paula Pardini for Building Bridges.   Language Arts – 6th Graders have had very engaging discussions regarding the history of racism and tolerance in America as we prepared for our first novel, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. We will begin reading the first few chapters this week, analyzing character development, setting, and conflict.  Social Studies – 6th Graders are completing a Pharaoh Research Project for their Ancient Egypt writing assignment.   Science – 6th grade scientists will continue studying the connection between air pressure and weather by making their own air pressure maps.

7A/7B   Language Arts - Students had a wonderful experience on their Field Trip to Riordan, watching Harvey! They are now finalizing the introduction to their Drama Unit.  They will also participate in opening activities of A Christmas Carol to prepare the reading of the play after Thanksgiving break.   Social Studies –7th Graders are continuing through the achievements of Medieval Chinese Dynasties.   Science - Students are finishing up their mitosis dance presentation as they prepare to test their knowledge at the end of the week.

8A   Religion – 8th Graders are learning the Nicene Creed and will be visited by Paula Pardini for Building Bridges.   Language Arts - Students are beginning the introduction to their next novel, Night, by Elie Wiesel. The opening activities will aid in comprehension of the historical content referenced in the text. Their Woodworking Project is due this Friday, November 17. Students will have an opportunity to share their creations to the class.   Social Studies – 8th graders are memorizing the Preamble and deciding what those words of the Constitution personally mean to them.   Science - Students review their knowledge of naming ionic and covalent compounds as they prepare to test at the end of the week.

REMINDERS

Nov. 16          3rd grade field trip to Marian Oaks

Nov. 17          LifeTouch Pictures Re-takes and Make-ups

Nov. 19          9:30 AM Sunday Family Mass

Nov. 21          8:15 AM School Mass

Nov. 22-24    No School—Thanksgiving break

Nov. 29         6:00 PM First Communion Parent Meeting in Church

QUE PASA 11/8/2017 (English)

Dear Parents,

       This past Sunday, thanks to the planning and organizing by Sister Marian Rose and Ms. Janice Vela (our Interim Development Director), we celebrated the St. Peter’s Alumni Memorial Mass, where we celebrated all the wonderful work the alumni have done.  Many have returned to St. Peter’s to volunteer their time or their finances.  In particular, we recognized the generous contributions of the Lagger family, the Pineda Family, and Mary O’Rourke—all of whom have deep connections with St. Peter’s and continue to help and pray for the students of St. Peter’s.  They are examples for us and for our students of living out the mission of Mercy and our KEYS and core values to grow, accomplish, love, serve, and unite.   

       This week, we also honor our veterans.  They have given their lives and their lifetimes to serving our country at home and abroad, so that people may enjoy their freedom.  Here at school, we recognize our very own Mr. Frank Gonzalez, an army veteran, and all of your loved ones who are veterans as well.  Although our country and the world have a long way to go so that all are treated with equal respect and freedoms, we wouldn’t be where we are today without the struggle and commitment of our veterans!

--Mrs. Sandra Jimenez

APPOINTMENTS WITH TEACHERS

Thank you, parents, for taking the time to meet with your child’s teacher during Parent-Teacher Conferences.  Besides Parent-Teacher Conferences, feel free to make additional appointments with teachers when you have a question or concern.  Please avoid last-minute morning meeting with teachers, as teachers use this morning time to prepare their materials for the day so that they can best meet your child’s needs.  If you would like a morning meeting, notify the teacher ahead of time by email or by calling the office a day in advance.  We appreciate your cooperation on this matter.

PARENT VOLUNTEERS

Thank you to all the parents and volunteers who helped the past few weeks with Halloween and Alumni Mass and Reception preparations.  Your time and donations are valuable!  We especially thank alumni parents Karina King, Rosana Nava Robinson, and Diana Gallardo in the planning and preparation of Alumni Mass and Reception this past weekend.

We depend on parent volunteer support throughout the school year! If you would like to help plan future events and fundraisers, or would like to join one of our parent groups, please contact Mrs. Jimenez at sjimenez@sanpedro.org or leave your name and number at the office.

SWEATS ON THURSDAY

Since there is no school on Friday, and there is no special mass celebration this Thursday, students may wear the gray athletic sweats for this Thursday, November 9.

IN THE CLASSROOM

KINDER - Parents, it was a pleasure meeting with you last week and sharing your child's hard work in class. I really appreciate it. Thank you! Our faith focus this week is that God tells us about his love for us in the Bible. We will demonstrate ways to learn to live as children of God. Also, we are continuing to work on identifying and pronouncing the beginning, middle, and ending sound in words. In math, we are still working on addition.  

1A - In first grade we are reading and talking about buildings and what they are made of.  In math we are beginning to work with fact families. In religion we are continuing to discuss Baptism and how we are welcomed into our parish. In science we are experimenting with how air moves objects by constructing rockets. In social studies we are continuing to learn about the continents and oceans.

2A - We will be learning about forces of gravity; counting backwards with 1, 10 and 100; telling time; defining what service to others is and how to show this; learning about saints Martin de Porres and Sister Cabrini; investigating puddles in science (weather permitting).

3A – This week in English class, we are writing letters to wounded and ill soldiers at the Veteran's hospital. In Religion class, we are continuing to practice our church responses. Finally, in Math. class, we will begin our unit on addition with regrouping using 1's, 10's, 100's, and 1000's place numbers. All of these lessons and units will encourage accomplishment which is one of our school-wide KEYS.

4A - I want to thank 4A parents for meeting with me last week for Parent-Teacher conferences.  This week 4A will learn about the Ten Commandments, subtract 3-digit whole numbers and money amounts while regrouping twice, and understand story characters' behavior and relationships.

5A - This week, 5th grade will finish reading The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe and analyze the plot structure of the story. We're reviewing problem solving strategies and all of Math Unit 1 in preparation for this week's big test as well.

6A  Religion – Students will be reflecting on their class retreat and continuing to talk about the Mercy Promise that they made on November 3rd.  Language Arts – 6th Graders are now working on the revising and editing stage of their short stories. We will also begin reading our first novel Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry and begin with research into the historical context of life in the depression-era South for African Americans.    Math – 6th graders are being introduced to the wonderful world of absolute values, negative integers, exponents and order of operations.  Social Studies – 6th graders are continuing their Ancient Egypt Unit.   Science – Students will be learning about isobars and continuing to discuss air pressure's impact on weather formation this week.

7A/7B   Language Arts - Students will wrap up their novel study on Walk Two Moons with their Unit Test this week. They will participate in a review game, Jeopardy, to complete the test successfully. Students will continue their introduction to Drama with review of specific terms, dramatic opposites, and the element of acting with improv games!   Math – 7th graders are learning that equations are just equivalent expressions, and will be working on simplifying one and two step equations and finding the story of the variables.  Social Studies – 7th graders watch the movie Unbroken to reflect on the sacrifices made by Veterans as we prepare for Veterans Day.   Science - Students are continuing their exploration as to how cells replicate: mitosis!

8A   Religion – 8th Graders are learning about major events in the history of the Catholic Church that impacted the Church as we know it today.   Language Arts - Students have successfully completed their Mockingbird Debate! They will continue to work, individually, on their Woodworking Project, due on Friday, November 17. Students are also continuing to prepare for their High School Entrance exams with lessons centered on vocabulary and grammar.  Math - 8th graders are jumping into equations, and the story behind them.  Social Studies – 8th graders will watch the movie Unbroken to reflect on the sacrifices made by Veterans as we prepare for Veterans Day.   Science - Students are continuing their exploration about compounds and prepare to move into a study of how compounds react with each other.

REMINDERS

Nov. 6-17       STAR Testing Window

Nov. 10          No School—Veterans Day holiday 

                         Observed

Nov. 14          8:15 AM School Mass

Nov. 14          7th Grade field trip to Riordan to watch

                         play, Harvey

Nov. 16          3rd grade field trip to Marian Oaks

Nov. 17          LifeTouch Pictures Re-takes and Make-ups

Nov. 19          9:30 AM Sunday Family Mass

QUE PASA 11/1/2017 (English)

Dear Parents,

       Today and tomorrow are special days in the Church: All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. On the Feast of All Saints, a holy day of obligation, we honor those who have lived lives faithful to God.  On the Feast of All Souls, we remember and pray for our loved ones who have passed away, and honor them through prayer, or even by making special altars in their memory. 

       As we honor the Saints, let us remember how they lived out the Beatitudes—Jesus’ teachings on how to live as a Christian and to find true happiness.  During this time of Parent-Teacher Conferences, the Beatitudes can also help us to reflect on how to be role models for our children.  We can lead our children by example and live out our faith!

      The Beatitudes  (Matthew 5:3-10)

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

--Mrs. Sandra Jimenez

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES

Wednesday, November 1 – Friday, November 3 are Parent-Teacher Conference days.  Your child is encouraged to attend the conference with you.  Please ensure that you keep this appointment, as it will be key to strengthen the home-school connection, and will help to nurture your child’s intellectual, spiritual, social, and emotional development.

APPOINTMENTS WITH TEACHERS

Besides Parent-Teacher Conferences, feel free to make additional appointments with teachers when you have a question or concern.  Please avoid last-minute morning meeting with teachers, as teachers use this morning time to prepare their materials for the day so that they can best meet your child’s needs.  If you would like a morning meeting, notify the teacher ahead of time by email or by calling the office a day in advance.  Thank you for your cooperation on this matter.

THANK YOU!

Thank you to all the parents and volunteers who contributed to the Halloween celebration!  I would especially like to thank Vanessa Espinoza and Myra Santos of the Community Builders parent group for their support in planning the event.

Special Thanks also to the following parent volunteers who have given countless hours to helping our school:  Olga Vasquez, who has been helping to keep the front of our school building clean; to Angel Carvajal for regularly helping the cafeteria; to Julio Estrada and Alfredo Leon Orea of the Campus Care parent group for assisting with school building maintenance; and to Monica Leonor and Isabel Diaz for leading our Madrinas parent group, in marketing our school and welcoming new families.  

We depend on parent volunteer support throughout the school year! If you would like to help plan future events and fundraisers, or would like to join one of our parent groups, please contact Mrs. Jimenez at sjimenez@sanpedro.org or leave your name and number at the office.

ALUMNI MEMORIAL MASS AND RECEPTION

Sunday, November 5 at 2:30 PM is our annual Alumni Memorial Mass.  If you are able to help with set-up, directing parking, or clean-up, please contact the office or fill out a volunteer form.  You are also very welcome to connect with others and celebrate mass with St. Peter’s Alumni on this special day!

IN THE CLASSROOM

KINDER - This week in KA, we will make a book! We will work in partners to make a page for a school rule book. We will have a discussion about why rules are necessary in the classroom, the hallways, the schoolyard, and on the bus. Students will work in partners and choose a school rule. Students will draw pictures of the rules and write words to describe the rules. Lastly, we will add the book to our classroom library and take turns reading it.

1A - This week in reading we are learning what jobs need to be done in a community. In religion we are discussing the importance of the Holy Sacrament of Baptism. We are also learning about the meaning of All Saints Day and reading stories about Dia de los Muertos.

2A - We will be reading poems about animals, counting forwards/backwards by 1,10 and 100, telling time, looking at number patterns; continue using our mapping skills; celebrating All Souls Day, working on mass responses; and exploring (hopefully) puddles.

3A – This week is a very full and busy week. We will celebrate 3 days beginning with Halloween on Tuesday, All Saints Day on Wednesday (Mass is at 8:15), and All Souls Day on Thursday. Please be on time for your Parent-Teacher Conference either on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday.  Your son/daughter was given your appointment date and time last week. Academically, In Religion class, we are beginning to learn about the saints of our church. A saint will be assigned to your son/daughter with instructions for the report, poster and due date. This project will help us to grow in our Catholic faith by learning about saints who followed God courageously.

4A - This week we will be having Parent-Teacher Conferences; I look forward to meeting with you and your student to discuss their progress in class. Additionally, I would like to thank you for your donations and your time recently while we collected items for the people of Puerto Rico and our Halloween festival on Tuesday. Students in 4A will continue to live out our "KEYS" by finding sums of three or more addends with regrouping, understanding story characters' behavior and relationships, and defining region and describing California's major geographic regions.

6A  Religion – 6th Graders will be preparing for their class retreat that will take place on Friday, November 3rd.   Language Arts – 6th grade is continuing the drafting stages of their fictional narratives. Students will continue focusing on building suspense in the rising action of their stories, while practicing the writing technique of Show Not Tell to create rich, descriptive sentences.   Math – 6th grade will be wrapping up greatest common factors, exponents and Multiples, before we take a slight detour into mean, median, and mode. Then onto FRACTIONS!  Social Studies – 6th Graders will continue to learn about life in Ancient Egypt.

7A/7B    Religion - In Religion this week, we will be wrapping up Baptism and onto Jesus in the temple, and a discussion of conscience, Morals, and free will.   Language Arts - Students will present their Walk Two Moons Enrichment Projects this week. They will also begin the preparation for their unit test, which will conclude their novel study. Next up, Drama! Students will begin the introduction to drama, the specific characteristics and elements.   Math – 7th grade will be continuing their adventures into Equations this week focusing on distributive Property and combining Like Terms.  Social Studies – Students had a great 1st quarter learning about Arabia and Africa. They will spin the globe over to Asia for the majority of 2nd quarter.  Science - Students have wrapped up talking about cells and are now moving onto bigger organizational units: tissues, organs, organ systems, and organisms!

8A   Religion – 8th Graders will enjoy a visit from Paula Pardini and they will make cards for Veterans at the Veteran's Hospital.   Language Arts - Students have ended their unit on Mockingbird with a Debate, should Caitlin attend a mainstream school or should she attend a school with students of similar conditions, syndromes like herself, Asperger Syndrome? They are also working on their woodworking project-chest due in 2 weeks.   Math - The 8th grade is learning about square Roots and Perfect Squares, then we get to have some fun with the Pythagorean Theorem!    Social Studies - 8th Graders will finish the American Revolution and begin asking questions about the U.S. Constitution.  Science - Students will move deeper into studies of chemical reactions and soon begin preparations for their first physical science project.

REMINDERS

Nov. 1-3        12:30 PM dismissal for Parent-Teacher

                        Conferences

Nov. 1            8:15 AM All Saints’ Day School Mass

Nov. 2            Free Dress for No Tardies in October

Nov. 3            6th Grade Retreat

Nov. 5            2:30 PM Alumni Memorial Mass and

                        Reception

Nov. 7            8:15 AM School Mass honoring Veterans

Nov. 10          No School—Veterans Day holiday 

                        observed

QUE PASA 10/25/2017 (English)

Dear Parents,

       Blessings to our 8th graders as they embark on their 3-day retreat in Occidental this week.  I hope that they all grow closer to God and to each other as they pray together and strengthen their faith and community.

       The 8th grade retreat includes physically traveling to a place outside of school, but all of us within St. Peter’s are on a journey, too.  We are all on a journey to learn different ways that we can grow—intellectually, spiritually, and socially.  As we journey together, we learn new facts, try new activities, learn from mistakes, consider different perspectives, and help others around us.  We strive to open our hearts and open our minds, and live out our faith.  That is an adventure that challenges and excites me.  I am proud to be a partner in guiding your children on this journey of growth!

--Mrs. Sandra Jimenez

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES

By now, you should have requested a conference time to meet with your child’s teacher.  Your child is encouraged to attend the conference with you. Your child’s teacher will send home a confirmation of your conference appointment. Please ensure that you keep this appointment, as it will be key to strengthen the home-school connection, and will help to nurture your child’s intellectual, spiritual, social, and emotional development.

HALLOWEEN CELEBRATION

St. Peter’s Halloween Costume Parade and Celebration will take place on Tuesday, October 31 from 1:00-3:30.  Parent volunteers are needed to make this event and fundraiser a successful one, so if you are able to help, please notify Mrs. Cea or Mrs. Jimenez.  We especially need help in supervising and hosting game booths.

Children may come to school in costume on Halloween.  However, all costume parts that symbolize weapons must not be brought to school!

Also—consider walking or taking public transportation to school if you will be joining the Halloween celebration.  Parking is extremely limited, and two years ago, cars were ticketed on Halloween for parking on the sidewalk by the parking lot.  Be cautious!

SHIELD THE VULNERABLE CHANGES

Thank you to all the parents who completed the online course on www.shieldthevulnerable.org this past September. The certificate is good for 3 years from date of course completion, and parents with this certification are clear to volunteer for school events such as field trips and coaching sports teams.

Recently, schools were notified that the Archdiocese will no longer be using Shield the Vulnerable as a training course.  Beginning in November, we are now switching to VIRTUS as a new online training course for school staff and volunteers.  More information will be provided once the Archdiocese sends further instructions to the schools.

ALUMNI MEMORIAL MASS AND RECEPTION

Sunday, November 5 at 2:30 PM is our annual Alumni Memorial Mass.  If you are able to help with set-up, directing parking, or clean-up, please contact the office or fill out a volunteer form.  You are also very welcome to connect with others and celebrate mass with St. Peter’s Alumni on this special day!

STUDENTS OF THE MONTH!

Homeroom teachers identify Students of the Month at the end of each month.  We celebrate these students because they have exemplified living the St. Peter’s KEYS:

Knowledge feeds GROWTH.

Every ACCOMPLISHMENT needs courage.

You are LOVE.

SERVICE UNITES.

Kinder - Genesis Garcia is a hard-working student. She is always giving her best effort in class. She works cooperatively with her peers on group assignments and projects. She is kind and treats others with respect. Genesis is a great role model for others.

1A - Kalabe Mehari is a kind and thoughtful student who gets along with everyone around him. He is constantly displaying a desire to grow and learn and is always working hard to achieve this. Kalabe never gets discouraged when he makes a mistake, but rather takes it as an opportunity to improve. For these reasons I am so proud to award Kalabe as first grade’s student of the month.

2A - Danna Sanchez-Arias is always helping others (service), working hard (accomplish) and trying her best (grow).

3A - Zinara Fuentes is a very helpful student who completes her classwork and homework successfully each week.  She helps her partner in class and contributes to our 3rd grade discussions frequently.

4A - Aleska Salas Donis is 4A's Student of the Month for October.  She is shining example of our key: "Knowledge feeds growth."  She has excelled academically this first quarter and continues to live out our KEYS.

5A – Gabriela Clemente is our student of the month for October. We're so grateful for her joyful presence in our classroom! Gabriela is constantly working extremely hard in academics, and she is exceptionally kind to her fellow classmates. Congratulations Gabriela!

6A - Mateo Perez is a wonderful example of a student with the KEYS.  He is quick to notice when a peer or teacher needs extra support, he is always serving others, and he participates and exercises his brain in the classroom each day.  

7A - Joshue Ruiz has shown what the key to 7th grade success is: honesty, helpfulness, being a hard worker in the classroom, as line leader, even working hard to be a good friend and classmate to EVERYBODY that surrounds him.  Joshue made some great choices this month, even when it was difficult.  His cheerfulness spreads easily.  Congratulations Joshue!

7B - Victoria Colvin is involved in so much at St. Peter’s, from student council, volleyball, and the choir, yet she still manages to excel academically in all her classes. To take on so much requires courage, and Victoria has shown that she's not afraid to go after the things she wants.

8A - Crystal Hernandez has demonstrated what it means to have courage, as a leader, student council officer, ambassador, classmate and friend. She is always willing to get out of her comfort zone to help others, not because she has to, but because she genuinely wants to. With all that she brings to St. Peter's, she still manages to excel in the classroom, proving that with courage she can balance it all!

IN THE CLASSROOM

KINDER - This week in KA, we are learning all about Bugs! Students will do a research project with a partner to show different bugs in their environment. First, they will choose a bug for their "Bug bulletin Board." The bug bulletin board will give information about bugs. Each drawing will have a label with the name of the bug.

1A - This week in first grade in reading we are reviewing the material learned in Unit 1. In religion we are discussing God's Creation of Adam and Eve. In math we are continuing our work with subtraction. In social studies we are discussing the different places that we live. In science we are continuing to experiment with air and water.

2A - We will be reading expository texts to learn about animal babies and parents; comparing numbers using >, <, and = signs; using our mapping skills; learning the importance of storytelling, scripture, St. Hilary, and the Liturgy of the Word; and continuing to learn about the properties of liquids.

3A - This week in the third grade Religion class we continue to practice our church responses.  In Language, Math, and Phonics classes we are nearing completion of our second-grade curriculum review. We continue to accomplish our class and home studies with courage and confidence!

5A – 5th graders will be practicing subtraction with zeros in the minuends and numbers in the hundred thousands. We will continue our novel study by examining the figurative language we've noticed so far in The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.

6A  Religion – Students are wrapping up Unit 1 lessons and activities this week to finish Quarter one.  Language Arts – 6th Graders will be wrapping up their Short Story unit, culminating in a Writer's Workshop of their own fictional short stories. Students will begin brainstorming, planning, and drafting their stories, as they learn about essential writing skills like "show not tell," figurative language, and dialogue.   Math - 6th graders will be learning about prime factorization exponents and mean median and mode.  Social Studies – Students are continuing the Physical Geography of Egypt and beginning to learn about the many gods and goddesses of Ancient Egypt.  Science - Students will be learning about barometers, atmospheric pressure, and weather balloons.

7A/7B    Religion - 7th graders will be continuing to study about the baptism of Jesus, then we will be learning all of the symbols and parts of the baptism ceremony by having a 7th welcome ceremony.     Language Arts - Students have concluded the reading of their first novel Walk Two Moons. They are completing lessons based on the story elements, plot, conflict, theme and character analysis to better comprehend the overall story. Additionally, students will finalize the unit with an Enrichment Project and Test.  Math – 7th graders are starting the journey into all things equal, and will be learning about equations.    Social Studies – 7th Grade Social Studies participated in an art lesson to make African masks. They will continue the book A Long Walk to Water and will finish their Africa Unit next week.   Science - Students will dive deeper into the cell and show us how much they know about organelles.

8A   Religion – 8th Graders are away at their Confirmation retreat!  Language Arts - Students are wrapping up their first novel Mockingbird. They are finalizing this unit with a couple culminating assignments, a debate and a woodworking project-chest, which will take place after they return from retreat.  Math - 8th graders are finishing up exponents and monomials, and then Pythagorean theorem and square roots.  Social Studies - 8th Graders will be ending the American Revolution so that they can begin the Constitution upon their return from their retreat!   Science - It is a short week for the 8th graders as they prepare to leave for their retreat. Either way, we will explore ionic and covalent bonding on Monday and Tuesday.

REMINDERS

Oct. 25-27      8th Grade retreat to CYO Camp at

                         Occidental

Oct. 31           1:00-3:30 Halloween Celebration

Nov. 1-3        12:30 dismissal for Parent-Teacher

                        Conferences

Nov. 1            8:15 AM All Saints’ Day School Mass

Nov. 2            Free Dress for No Tardies in October

Nov. 3            6th Grade Retreat

QUE PASA 10/18/2017 (English)

Dear Parents,

Thank you to everyone for your patience last week as we dealt with the poor air quality conditions in our area.  Students were very cooperative as we had to remain indoors all day, even during the morning before the first bell and during all their recesses.

Let us all continue to pray for those who have been affected by all the recent tragic events—the North Bay fires, the destructive earthquakes in Mexico, the Las Vegas shooting, and the hurricanes in Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico.  In September we took up a collection for victims of the earlier hurricanes; presently we are accepting donations of supplies for the people in Puerto Rico; and an upcoming project will be to take up a collection for the fire victims.  As we pray and help those in dire need, take time to say a prayer of thanksgiving for the blessings that we have, such as our families, our friends, our health, and our safety.  Coming together through prayer and service will open our hearts and minds, and strengthen our St. Peter’s community!

--Mrs. Sandra Jimenez

EMERGENCY READINESS

With all the emergencies that have occurred lately, we want to be proactive in our own readiness.  At school, we have regular fire drills and earthquake drills.  If your child requires asthma medication, please ensure that the medication is current and not expired.  If your child has not yet brought in an emergency kit of water and crackers/granola bar, please send that to school right away.  And throughout the year if there are any changes in phone numbers or addresses on your child’s emergency card, please notify the office right away so we can update that information immediately.

IMPORTANT INCOME SURVEY

It’s still not too late to turn in the very important Family Income Survey!  This information is necessary for our school to receive funding for math and reading programs.  If you have NOT completed a survey yet, then your child was sent home with another one today.  Once it is returned, your child will receive a KEY for service.

HALLOWEEN CELEBRATION

See the enclosed information about the St. Peter’s Halloween celebration on Tuesday, October 31 from 1:00-3:30.  Parent volunteers and donations are needed to make this event and fundraiser a successful one, so if you are able to help, complete and return the forms to your child’s teacher.  We especially need help in supervising and hosting game booths.

Children may come to school in costume on Halloween.  However, all costume parts that symbolize weapons must not be brought to school!

Also—consider walking or taking public transportation to school if you will be joining the Halloween celebration.  Parking is extremely limited, and two years ago, cars were ticketed on Halloween for parking on the sidewalk by the parking lot.  Be cautious!

SHIELD THE VULNERABLE CHANGES

Thank you to all the parents who completed the online course on www.shieldthevulnerable.org this past September. The certificate is good for 3 years from date of course completion, and parents with this certification are clear to volunteer for school events such as field trips and coaching sports teams.

However, schools were just notified this week that the Archdiocese will no longer be using Shield the Vulnerable as a training course.  Beginning in November, we are now switching to VIRTUS as a new online training course for school staff and volunteers.  More information will be provided once the Archdiocese sends further instructions to the schools.

HURRICANE IRMA RELIEF

Donations of supplies for victims of the hurricane in Puerto Rico will be collected through October 25.  Most needed items include: canned foods, ready-to-drink liquid baby formula, baby food (no glass jars), diapers, and feminine hygiene products.

FAMILY MASS AND RECEPTION

Sunday, October 22 will be a 9:30 AM Family Mass followed by a reception in the Parish Hall hosted by classes 1A, 4A, and 6A.  Please join us on this day.  Also—children who attend mass in their school uniform will receive a free dress pass to use on the following Monday.

IN THE CLASSROOM

KINDER - This week in KA, we will do a research project to explore the different shapes around us and make a class chart of shapes. The class will be divided into four groups- circles, rectangles, squares, and triangles. Members of each group will work together to identify classroom objects that include their shapes. Lastly, each group will create pages for their shape. Each page will have a drawing of the object and a sentence that tells what shape it is. These pages will be put together on a bulletin board to create a four-column chart.  

1A - This week in first grade we are reading, writing, and discussing exercise and how our bodies move. In religion we are practicing the Hail Mary. In math we are finishing up single digit addition and beginning our introduction to subtraction. In science we are investigating how water can be used to show that air takes up space. In social studies we are continuing to discuss community and immigration.

3A - In Language class we are identifying and writing simple and complete subjects. In Math class we'll review rounding numbers to the 10's and 100's place.  This can be confusing so please practice this skill with your child. We have successfully completed two projects in Social Studies.  We've made relief maps from clay and pioneer log cabins from milk cartons and pretzels. GREAT JOB THIRD GRADE!

4A - This week 4A students will identify nouns in the subjects of sentences, add 4-digit whole numbers and money amounts with regrouping, describe the land of California.

5A – 5th grade will be practicing the skill of "close reading" in language arts this week as we continue our first novel study. We're discussing rounding and adding problems with more than 3 addends in math.

6AReligion – 6th Graders are Comparing the story of Joseph from the Bible and the Film.  Language Arts – 6th grade ELA is focusing on identifying THEME in short stories. We will be reading several classic short stories, analyzing the theme, and then citing textual evidence that supports our analysis.  Math - 6th grade will be concluding their unit on decimal operations and then splitting up into fractions.  Social Studies - 6th Graders are starting to explore the physical geography of Egypt.  Science - 6th graders will be turning in projects about the 5 layers of the atmosphere and starting an investigation into how air pressure affects weather this week.

7A/7B    Religion - 7th graders are now studying about the Baptism of Jesus and our catholic identity.  Language Arts - Students are wrapping up their first novel, Walk Two Moons. They are discovering many plot twists as they reach the end! To close the novel, students will participate in a variety of lesson extensions that center on the plot, conflicts and themes.   Math – Students are wrapping up their unit on all operations with negative integers.  They will be writing their Integer essay stories this week.  I can’t wait to see what they write about!   Social Studies – 7th Graders are continuing their West African Empire Research.   Science - Students are now wrapping up their study about microscopes after having drawn magnifications at 40x, 100x, and 400x! Now it's time to take a look at what is inside of cells!

8A   Religion – 8th Graders are focusing on the third Mark of the Church: Catholic.  Language Arts - Students are continuing to read Mockingbird and completing assignments related to their reading. They will also begin the introduction to the English HSPT, starting off with analogies.   Math - Students will be expanding into the world of exponents and scientific notation.   Social Studies - 8th Graders are continuing the book: Guns for General Washington while they continue studying the details of the American Revolution.  Science - Students will take a further dive into studying exactly why certain elements react with each other and will even create some of their own reactions!

REMINDERS

October 18      6:00 PM 6th Grade Mandatory Parent

                         Preview Meeting in the Faculty Meeting

                         Room for Caritas Creek Camp

October 22      9:30 AM Family Mass and Reception

October 23     12:30 PM dismissal

October 24     8:15 AM school mass

October 24     3A pumpkin patch field trip

Oct. 25-27      8th Grade retreat to CYO Camp at

                         Occidental

QUE PASA 10/11/2017 (English)

Dear Parents,

The destruction caused by the hurricanes and earthquakes, the fear and death caused by the Las Vegas shooting, and the loss experienced due to the wildfires in the North Bay counties, all within the past few weeks, are tragic and heartbreaking events.  As parents and educators, we must be present for our children, and be sources of comfort and safety through these scary, sad, and confusing times.

Then I see how our children react to these events.  They open their hearts and minds; they show a sense of empowerment.  The Student Council led the school in donating proceeds from Dimes from Heaven to hurricane victims, and the students actively took part in that fundraiser!  The students and teachers continue to pray for hurricane, earthquake, shooting, and fire victims, showing that our faith can give us strength during challenging circumstances.  And a few days ago, a parent initiated a collection for the hurricane victims in Puerto Rico.  I’m so inspired by them and by you as the mission of Mercy continues to live on at St. Peter’s.  I know we can continue to nurture our students and each other in our school community.  I hope we can all see the hope, love, and courage in each other!

--Mrs. Sandra Jimenez

IMPORTANT INCOME SURVEY

In last week’s Que Pasa, an important Income Verification Survey went home.  The information gathered from this survey is CONFIDENTIAL, and is necessary for our school to receive funding for reading and math programs that help our children.  If we don’t collect surveys from each family, we could lose this funding!  THANK YOU to those who have turned it in on time.  If not, please complete and return the survey before the end of this week!  And, students will receive a KEY for Service for turning it in!

INDOOR RECESS

Because of the reports of poor air quality due to the extensive fires in several North Bay counties, students remained inside for recess yesterday.  If your child requires asthma medication, please make sure that his/her medication is not expired!

EMERGENCY KIT

Please don’t forget to provide your child with an “emergency kit”—a bottled water, package of crackers OR granola bar, and an optional small toy or game—all in a Zip-loc bag with his/her name on it.  These will be stored in a closed bin in the classrooms in case of an emergency. 

LIFETOUCH CLASS PICTURES

Tuesday, October 17 is school picture day.  Your child must be in complete uniform.  If you wish to order photos, the order form is enclosed.

HALLOWEEN CELEBRATION

See the enclosed information about the St. Peter’s Halloween celebration on Tuesday, October 31 from 1:00-3:30.  Parent volunteers and donations are needed to make this event and fundraiser a successful one, so if you are able to help, complete and return the forms to your child’s teacher. 

Children may come to school in costume on Halloween.  However, all costume parts that symbolize weapons must not be brought to school!

SHIELD THE VULNERABLE

Thank you to all the parents who completed the online course on www.shieldthevulnerable.org this past September.  They were rewarded with 6 Parent Hours (double hours) for completing the course early!  This course is necessary for adults to volunteer with children, including volunteering as a field trip chaperone.  The certificate of completion is good for 3 years.

Throughout the school year, if you wish to chaperone children on a school trip, chaperones who have not completed “Shield the Vulnerable” must complete the course.  Parents will now receive 3 hours for course completion.

HURRICANE IRMA RELIEF

Please see the enclosed flyer to collect canned foods and supplies for Hurricane victims in Puerto Rico.  Your donation and prayers will help a struggling family during this difficult time.

SAINT PETER’S ATHLETIC SWEATS

If you placed an order for St. Peter’s sweats, they are scheduled to be distributed by early November.  Thank you for your purchase!

IN THE CLASSROOM

KINDER - This week in KA we will use our five senses to explore, examine and taste red apples. Then we will record our observation on a word web graphic organizer. We will respond to questions and write our results. What does the apples look like? What does it feel like? What does it smell like? What does it taste like? And what does it sound like?

1A - This week in first grade we are reading, writing, and discussing the idea of friendship and what it means to be a good friend. In religion we are discussing God's creations. In math we are continuing to work on addition, using tens frames, number lines, and counting on strategies. In science we are continuing to experiment with air and compression. In social studies we are learning about immigration and the beauty in diverse communities. 

2A - Second grade will be reading and learning about what animals in stories can teach us; place value; continue memorizing our prayers and review Unit 1; learning about different cultures; and building bridges in science.

3A - This week in Math class we will be having a test on standard and expanded notation through 10,000.  In Reading class We will begin a new story called, "How the World Got Wisdom. This is a West African folktale.  In Religion class we are GROWING IN KNOWLEDGE by identifying the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation).

4A - This week 4A students will identify and write simple and complete subjects, check addition and subtraction, and describe the land of California.

5A – This week, 5th graders are continuing our study of European explorers with a discussion on the pros and cons of celebrating Columbus Day. We're also learning new vocabulary words for our study of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. In math, we're striving to master both place value to the billions and rounding decimals.

6AReligion – 6th Graders will be visited by Paula Pardini for Building Bridges to continue strengthening their faith community. Language Arts – 6th Grade is continuing their work on plot. After finishing up the classic Rudyard Kipling tale of "Rikki Tikki Tavi" we will read "The Landlady" by Roald Dahl. We'll look at how both authors developed suspense in their stories to lead to an exciting climax.  Math - The 6th graders are discovering how decimals and whole numbers are working together to tell a complete story.  Social Studies - 6th Graders are continuing to review their Mesopotamia Unit and will complete a Quest this week.  Science - 6th graders are learning about the 5 layers of Earth's atmosphere and how those layers affect our weather this week.

7A/7B    Language Arts - Students are continuing to read Walk Two Moons. They are also finding the connections to their reading, text-text, text-self, text-world, which furthers their comprehension of the novel's content.  Math – The 7th graders will be investigating multiplying and dividing integers with positive and negative numbers.  This will add to their knowledge of adding and subtracting.  They will also be learning how to define a variable with those terms and write as an expression.  This leads into their very first math essay assignment, “The Integer Story!"  Social Studies – 7th Graders have started to read A Long Walk to Water and they are learning about the physical geography and empires of Western Africa.  Science - It is time to put our knowledge to work and take a look at cells under a real microscope! Look at these biologists!

8A   Religion – 8th Graders will be visited by Paula Pardini for Building Bridges to continue strengthening their faith community.    Language Arts - Students are continuing to read Mockingbird and completing assignments related to their reading.  Math -  8th graders are now putting their knowledge of algebraic expressions together, and will now add scientific notation and exponential powers to add some spice to their expressions!  Social Studies - 8th Grade Social Studies has started to read Guns for General Washington and they are continuing through their American Revolution Unit, beginning to look at a timeline of events of the battles of the war. Science - Students are defining types of atomic bonds and explaining why they happen!

REMINDERS

October 12      Riordan and ICA presentations for 8th

                          Graders

October 17      8:15 AM School Mass

October 17      Life Touch School Picture Day

October 18      6th Grade Mandatory Parent Preview

                           Meeting for Caritas Creek Camp

QUE PASA 10/4/2017 (English)

Dear Parents,

October 7th is the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary, and the month of October is traditionally the month of the Rosary.

Here is a thoughtful reflection from Living the Rosary by Father John Phalen:

The Rosary starts with Mary’s human experience, and it encourages us to learn from our own.  The Rosary is:

·       Remembering Christ with Mary

·       Learning Christ with Mary

·       Being conformed to Christ with Mary

·       Praying to Christ with Mary

·       Proclaiming Christ with Mary

This also reminds me of how much our own children honor Mary as they pass the grotto at school each day.  They make the Sign of the Cross, or stop to say a prayer.  The grotto is definitely a sacred place for our entire school family.

As October begins, let us look to Mary as a role model of faith and courage, especially during this month of the Rosary and with our new KEYS focus for October of “Every ACCOMPLISHMENT needs courage.”

--Mrs. Sandra Jimenez

ST. PETER’S ATHLETIC SWEATS

The last day to order the gray athletic sweats is tomorrow—Thursday, October 5!  Don’t miss out, or you’ll have to wait until next year to place an order.  Order forms are still available in the school office.

IMPORTANT INCOME SURVEY

Going home today is an important Income Verification Survey.  The information gathered from this survey is CONFIDENTIAL, and is necessary for our school to receive funding for useful services such as reading and math programs that help our children.  If we don’t collect these surveys on time, we could lose this funding!  Please help the school and complete this survey by Tuesday, October 10.

EMERGENCY KIT

Last week’s Que Pasa included a letter about providing your child with an “emergency kit”—a bottled water, package of crackers OR granola bar, and an optional small toy or game—all in a Zip-loc bag with his/her name on it.  These will be stored in a closed bin in the classrooms in case of an emergency.  Please have your child bring these emergency kits to school by this Friday, October 6.

SPECIAL PROCESSION AND MASS

This Saturday, October 7, is a special march, called “The Procession for the Streets of our City.”  Father Moises would really appreciate our school’s participation!  The procession will begin at St. Peter’s Church at 7:00 AM, and we will join with people from the parishes of St. Anthony’s and St. Charles. If you’re unable to make it to the procession, you can join the group for 10:00 Mass with the Archbishop at St. Mary’s Cathedral to celebrate the Consecration of our Archdiocese to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  If you and your family come, wear your St. Peter’s green or gray sweatshirt to represent our school!

SHIELD THE VULNERABLE

Thank you to all the parents who completed the online course on www.shieldthevulnerable.org this past September.  They were rewarded with 6 Parent Hours (double hours) for completing the course early!  This course is necessary for adults to volunteer with children, including volunteering as a field trip chaperone.  The certificate of completion is good for 3 years.

Throughout the school year, if you wish to chaperone children on a school trip, chaperones who have not completed “Shield the Vulnerable” must complete the course.  Parents will now receive 3 hours for course completion.

ST. PETER’S KEYS UPDATE

At school, teachers and staff have been distributing KEYS (vouchers) to help promote living the KEYS:

Knowledge feeds GROWTH.

Every ACCOMPLISHMENT needs courage.

You are LOVE.

SERVICE UNITES.

During September, teachers and staff awarded 740 KEYS to students! That’s AMAZING!  We can see students in every grade living our core values and the KEYS. Keep up the great work!

If a student receives KEYS with all 5 core values in one month--which is called KEYS Bingo—he/she will be put on the list for a popcorn and movie party!

Our KEYS store will open this month, where students can trade in KEYS for prizes.   Students can see their teacher to trade in KEYS for free dress passes and homework passes once they’ve earned enough KEYS!

IN THE CLASSROOM

KINDER - This week in KA, we will review what nouns are and work in groups to make a "nouns poster." Each student in a group will have a job to do in order to make a poster. The poster will have a title as: Person, Place and Thing. Students will be asked to draw at least 3 pictures in each category. Lastly, each group will take turns sharing their poster together in front of the class. Parents, please have your child refer back to their individual poster that they made last week. This will help them review what nouns are and feel more comfortable participating in a group activity that involves nouns.

1A - This week in first grade we are reading and talking about pets and what makes them special. In religion we are continuing to work on the Our Father and learning new songs to sing our prayers. In science we are continuing to experiment with air and its effect on objects. In social studies we are talking about communities and the different members of a community.

2A - Second grade will be reading and learning about how animals survive in nature; finishing up subtracting and beginning place value; learning different ways of praying and praying the first decade of the rosary; and building bridges in science.

3A - This week, we are continuing to learn about the Sacraments of Initiation during Religion class.  In Science we are beginning to learn the bones of the body.  Please help your son/daughter by going online for great resources, especially, YouTube. 

4A - This week 4A will learn the Scripture story of the Last Supper, review the four kinds of sentences by correcting errors in punctuation and capitalization, and use rounding to estimate sums and differences.

5A – This week, 5th graders will design experiments to separate mixtures in science and analyze the motivations of Marco Polo & other explorers in social studies. We're continuing to work on our persuasive writing and our novel study of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.

6AReligion – 6th Graders are defining the word: Covenant, and looking at examples of Covenants in the Old Testament.   Language Arts – 6th Graders will begin looking at how characters' action drive the plot of the story. We'll be reading the Rudyard Kipling classic "Rikki-Tiki-Tavi" and practicing writing our own stories with a special focus on developing suspense during the rising action.   Math - The 6th graders will continue their journey through the introduction to rational numbers and decimals, exploring how decimals are used in our world.  Social Studies - 6th Graders are reviewing their Mesopotamia Unit and taking a Mesopotamia Test on October 5th.   Science - 6th graders will begin studying the Earth's atmosphere & how it affects weather this week in science.

7A/7B   Religion - 7th graders are studying the Infancy Narratives, and the two different stories from Matthew and Luke about the birth of Jesus.  Language Arts - Students are continuing to read Walk Two Moons. They are in anticipation of what will happen next to the Winterbottoms' Family!  Math – 7th graders are exploring how variables are used to represent mathematical ideas.   Social Studies – 7th Graders are spinning the globe over to the physical geography of Africa and looking at the early civilizations in Western Africa. They will also begin reading “A Long Walk to Water.”   Science - Students will discover how to effectively use a microscope to take a look at microscopic things called cells!

8A   Religion – 8th Graders will be finishing their Apostolic Chapter and breaking about the Apostle's Creed.   Language Arts - Students are continuing to read Mockingbird and completing assignments related to their reading.  Math -  The 8th graders are seeing how expressions can be put together to tell a story of a situation, then exploring squares and roots.  Social Studies - 8th graders will begin to look at the deeper details of the Causes of the American Revolution.

 Science - Students will discover what it is that allows for elements to bond with other elements in the creation of molecules.

REMINDERS

October 4          Free Dress for students with No Tardies

                              in September

October 5          Last day to purchase St. Peter’s Athletic

                               Sweats

October 6          Field trip to the Exploratorium for

                             Summer Learning Challenge Winners

October 7         “Procession for the Streets of

                             our City” (See attached flyer)

October 9         No School—Columbus Day holiday

October 10       Income Survey Due

October 10       8:15 AM School Mass

QUE PASA 9/27/2017 (English)

Dear Parents,

Our focus of the KEY “Knowledge feeds GROWTH” for September was so appropriate as we began our school year together.  This is a time when we adjust to different environments, get to know teachers and classmates, and learn how to collaborate with others.  Think about how your child has grown (academically, socially, spiritually) since the first day of school.  The knowledge they have gained will help to feed their mind and spirit, but they should not stop there.  Together, let us guide them to use that knowledge to take action to better themselves, to positively guide others, and to improve their communities.   And when they take action, they can understand that “Every ACCOMPLISHMENT needs courage”--which will be our October focus of the KEYS! Together, let’s keep our growth mindset going strong as this first month of school draws to a close.

Also, congratulations to the September Students of the Month!  They are inspiring examples of living out the St. Peter’s KEYS!

--Mrs. Sandra Jimenez

PROGRESS REPORTS

Grades 3-8: If your child is receiving a C- grade or below, or a 3 or 4 in Behavior, he/she will bring home a progress report today.

Grades K-2:  If your child is receiving an “N” in an area, or a 3 or 4 in Behavior, he/she will bring home a progress report today. 

*These progress reports must be signed by a parent and returned to the teacher.  Final grades for the First Quarter will be available at the beginning of November.

NO TARDIES FOR SEPTEMBER

If your child was on time to school for every school day in September, then he/she may wear Free Dress on Wednesday, Oct.4.  If students qualify for this prize, they will be notified by their teacher.

ST. PETER’S ATHLETIC SWEATS

Please see the attached order form to place an order for the gray St. Peter’s Sweats and T-shirt.  Order forms are also available in the office.  These sweats are on sale for a limited time only, so don’t miss out!

SHIELD THE VULNERABLE

Complete the online course on www.shieldthevulnerable.org.  This course is necessary for adults to volunteer with children, including volunteering as a field trip chaperone.  Directions for accessing the course are available on our school website—www.stpeterssf.org—under the August 30 Que Pasa section.  Or pick up a paper copy of the directions from the school office.  Your certificate of completion is good for 3 years.  Submit your certificate of online course completion by this Friday Sept. 29 and receive 6 hours of parent participation.

HELP SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT ST. PETER’S

See the attached flyer for “Mornings in Kindergarten” and “Shadow Days” at St. Peter’s.  These are opportunities for prospective students and families to get to know St. Peter’s so that the students can attend our school.  Feel free to share this information with others outside of St. Peter’s.

STUDENTS OF THE MONTH!

Homeroom teachers identify Students of the Month at the end of each month, and will be recognized at the last morning assembly of each month.  Students who are chosen have exemplified living the St. Peter’s KEYS:

Knowledge feeds GROWTH.

Every ACCOMPLISHMENT needs courage.

You are LOVE.

SERVICE UNITES.

KINDER - Dominic Leonor is kind and always willing to be helpful. His positive attitude towards learning has helped him build his knowledge and explore new ideas. He is willing to take the risk of asking questions to check for understanding. He works hard and is willing to go above and beyond in his efforts to progress.  

1A – Milena Arevalo Zelayandia is a student who is always trying her best and is eager to learn and grow. She is kind and loving to all those around her and is always quick to help a friend in need. For these reasons Milena is our first student of the month!

2A – Andrea Perez is always helping others (service), working hard and trying her best (accomplish), and working with others to resolve problems (unite).

3A – Isaac Leonor is a hard worker who asks intelligent questions in order to grow in knowledge.  He is a willing helper to fellow students, as well as his teacher.  Also, his study habits are outstanding.

4A – Daniela Perez has demonstrated that every accomplishment needs courage.  She overcame feeling frustrated with homework and studying by persevering and doing extremely well on her spelling tests averaging over 96%.  Good job Daniela!  

5A – Veronica Montes is kind to her classmates, constantly offers to help, and shows courage in asking questions when she doesn't understand something. We know her courage and dedication will help her grow and accomplish many great things this year!

6A – Javier Montano is a great example of a student with the KEYS. He has started the year in great spirits and has been excited to share his knowledge with his classmates. He has quickly learned the expectations in 6th grade and has been very helpful to his peers.

7A – Bianca Langlois has shown that she is ready for anything that 7th grade will throw at her.  She has been a helper to those classmates who need it, she has taken great care to ensure her understanding of all things in math by asking great questions, and has an eye for perfection.  The way Bianca went about roaming the room and helping her classmates when they were stuck was what growth and success are all about.  

7B – Daniel Mejia has shown that service unites. His leadership and dedication to the safety patrol and the student council has made our school community a safer place.

8A – Yesenia Herrera has exhibited a willingness to share her knowledge in the classroom, both academically and personally, by constantly asking questions to better herself.

IN THE CLASSROOM

KINDER - This week in Kindergarten, we will explore and read to find out ways that baby animals move. Students will write an opinion about an animal using an idea from a list given. Then students will work in pairs to do a peer edit and check for the following: Did I write about an animal? Did I share my feelings about the animal? Does my sentence tell about the picture I drew? Lastly, we will create animal puppets. It's going to be a fun week!

1A - This week in English Language Arts the topic is “Where We Live.” We are discussing our own neighborhoods and communities, as well as those of others. In religion we are discussing the different ways we can praise God. In math we are continuing to work on sequencing and ordinal numbers. In science we are continuing to experiment with air and its effect on different objects.

2A - 2nd grade will be writing their own prayers of praise and thanksgiving; continuing to prepare for First Communion/Reconciliation (parent meeting Wednesday, 9/27 at 6 p.m.); learning to count up to subtract, identifying and writing fact families; reading about how families work together; understanding the roles of consumers and producers; and building towers and bridges.

4A - This week 4A students will learn the Scripture story of the Last Supper, understand the four meanings of subtraction, identify the sequence of events in a text and use the sequence of events to summarize a text.

5A – 5th grade is beginning to discuss mixtures in science and early exploration in social studies this week. We'll also continue reading The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe in English Language Arts and will review the properties of addition and subtraction in math.

6AReligion – 6th Grade Religion will continue with the story of Abraham and Sarah in the book of Genesis and they will have their second session of Building Bridges with Paula Pardini.  Language Arts –  6th graders are continuing their study of short stories by identifying different types of point of view. We will be reading "The Sniper" to look at the importance of choosing the right point of view to build suspense in a story.  Social Studies - 6th Grade Social Studies will choose which Sumerian Achievement was most significant to changing history!   Science - 6th graders will expand on their investigation of air by brainstorming their own experiments to test whether air has mass.

7A/7B   Language Arts - Students will continue to read Walk Two Moons, while also responding to comprehension questions, text connections and vocabulary. The material thus far has provided very thoughtful and lively discussions. What is in store for Salamanca Tree Hiddle?  Social Studies – 7th Graders have studied the beliefs and practices of Islam, will write their names in the Arabic language, and will see the ways in which Islam was spread throughout the world.  Science - Students will review cellular process as we prepare to take a look inside the cells that do those processes.

8A   Religion – 8th Graders are moving through the 'Apostolic' Chapter of their text as they learn what it as one of our Church's four marks.  Language Arts - Students have begun reading Mockingbird. In addition to their reading, students have created a Character Study Notebook to record their responses to character transformation. This will serve as the main focus of the novel, while also participating in mini lesson activities to aid in further comprehension.    Social Studies - 8th graders will start to learn about the beginnings of unrest in the American Colonies and learn what sparked the American Revolution!   Science - Students will put their knowledge of subatomic particles to use as they create models of ions, isotopes, and neutral atoms.

REMINDERS

September 27       First Communion Meeting at

                             6:00 PM in Church

October 3             8:15 AM School Mass

October 4             Free Dress for students with

                               No Tardies in September

October 4             Morning in Kindergarten for

                               prospective students and   

                              families

October 5            Last day to purchase St.

                              Peter’s Athletic Sweats

October 7           “Procession for the Streets of

                             our City” (See attached flyer)