QUE PASA--10/10/18 (ENGLISH)

Dear Parents,

This past Sunday, October 7th commemorated 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

By looking to Mary, the courageous mother of our Savior, we can open our hearts and minds to God’s presence in our lives, and be models for our own children to live with love, patience, faith, and perseverance, even through the challenging times in our lives.

This also reminds me of how much St. Peter’s students 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.

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

--Mrs. Sandra Jimenez

HOT COCOA SALE

Our hot cocoa sale continues this week during morning recess—$1.50 to buy a yummy cup of hot cocoa with marshmallows or whipped cream.  Proceeds will benefit the 8th grade retreat fund.

ST. PETER’S ATHLETIC SWEATS

The last day to order the gray athletic sweats is next Wednesday, October 17!  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.

HALLOWEEN CELEBRATION

Our school Halloween celebration will take place on Wednesday, October 31 from 1:00-3:00 PM.  We will begin with a costume parade followed by games.  Please see the attached flyers for ways that you can volunteer or donate items.  Your help is appreciated!

IMPORTANT INCOME SURVEY

We are still collecting the 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 return your completed survey right away.

140th ANNIVERSARY

St. Peter School’s 140th Anniversary celebration is just one month away!  Join us for a special mass on Sunday, November 4 at 2:30 PM, which will be followed by a reception in the parish hall. If you are available to help with the set-up or clean-up of the event, please contact the school office.  

IN THE CLASSROOM

KINDER - This week in Kindergarten, we will discuss how tools help us to learn. We will read The Handiest Things in the World by Andrew Clemen. We will continue to explore our five senses and work on identifying lower- and upper-case letters. In Math, we will count to tell how many.

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 learning about the different ways we praise God. In math we are continuing to work on addition, using tens frames, number lines, and counting on strategies. In social studies we are learning about how we follow different rules in the classroom, at home, and in the community. 

2A - 2nd Grade will be reading the fable “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” and adding 2-digit numbers with regrouping and subtracting 2-digit numbers without regrouping (practice!). We will talk about God's love and what it means and continue with sacramental preparation.

3A – This is a very exciting week for 3A. Not only did we go to Mass and complete activities about how a farm operates, but also on Thursday, we will go to the Great Peter Pumpkin Patch in Petaluma. We will pick a pumpkin from the field, dig for potatoes, go on a hayride, find our way through a corn maze, climb a hay pyramid, and visit with donkeys, calves, horses and goats. We will play in a corn pit and milk a cow. On Friday, we will write about all of the adventures we experienced at the pumpkin patch and tell about the many things we learned about living on a real farm. Our OPEN HEARTS and OPEN MINDS will help us LOVE and LEARN many new things.

4A – In 4th Grade this week, we will be focusing on our first book report of the year. Using picture books from our school library, we will be using skills of comparing/contrasting and summarizing to discuss our books with our classmates. We will also begin to focus on our new story, "How Tia Lola Came to Stay." In Religion, we will be focusing on the Spiritual Works of Mercy to help spread the good news of Christ and love to our classroom community and to our greater community. In Math, we will continue to focus on addition and subtraction of three and four digit numbers. In Science, we will have our second investigation about soil and discovering what happens when we add solution into our soil. In Social Studies, we will finish up our "Me on the Map" unit and focus on our first unit of California State history. We want to continue to work on our quality work and believing in our growth mindset!

5A - 5th graders will investigate whether salt solutions can be separated in science this week. We will review addition properties and subtraction rules in math, and publish our compare and contrast essays in ELA. Message Ms. Storms if you'd like to help chaperone next week's field trip to the Mission Branch library. As always, check our Class Dojo stories from more information! 

6A   Religion – 6A will be visited by Paula Pardini for their Building Bridges program, and they will continue planning their Veterans Day Service Project.  Language Arts – 6A is making good progress on our new literacy program, LexiaPowerUp, with several students getting streaks of 200-300 problems solved correctly! We continue to look at a story's PLOT structure as we read the classic children's tale, "Riki-Tiki-Tavi."   Math - 6A will multiply decimals by decimals.   Social Studies – Students are exploring the physical geography of Ancient Egypt.  

7A   Religion – 7A is preparing for their retreat coming up on October 22-26!   Language Arts - Students continue to read Walk Two Moons. They are finding the connections to their reading—text-text, text-self, text-world—which furthers their comprehension of the novel's content.   Math - 7A will add and subtract fractions with like denominators.   Social Studies – 7A is taking their Arabia Quest.   Science - Students can now explain where trees acquire their mass. Now it's time to take a look at the form and function of cells.

8A/8B   Religion – This week students will be able to make comparisons between the Eastern and Western churches and make suggestions on how to build bridges between the two today.  Language Arts - Students continue to read Mockingbird and completing assignments related to their reading.   Math - 8th graders will write two-step equations.  Social Studies – 8th graders will be interviewing two community members and will begin identifying which events or conflicts caused the American Revolution.   Science - Students are done exploring what makes up an atom and now it's time to explore how atoms make molecules.

REMINDERS:

Oct.9-12    8th Grade Hot Cocoa Sale

Oct.11       3A Field trip to Petaluma Pumpkin Patch

Oct.11       Riordan and Mercy High Schools presentation to 8th graders      

Oct.16       School Mass, 8:10 AM

Oct.17       5A Field Trip to Mission Branch Library

Oct.17       LAST DAY to order St. Peter’s Gray Sweats

QUE PASA 10/3/2018 (English)

Dear Parents,

Tomorrow, October 4, we celebrate the Feast of St. Francis, the patron saint of animals and the environment, and our city’s saint as well!  As St. Francis loved and cared for animals and nature, let us remind children of their own (and our own) responsibility to be stewards of God’s creations.  Continue to examine habits that might harm our Earth and take action towards caring for all of God’s gifts.  St. Francis is also remembered for devoting himself to a life of prayer and for his generosity to the poor.

Although the identity of the author of the following prayer remains a mystery, it is often referred to as The Peace Prayer of St. Francis.  It is one of my favorite prayers to reflect on, and I hope that you will pray take the time to share it with your family. 

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:

where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy. 

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console,

to be understood as to understand,

to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive, 

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, 

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.   AMEN.

--Mrs. Sandra Jimenez

ST. PETER’S ATHLETIC SWEATS

The last day to order the gray athletic sweats is October 17!  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

We are still collecting the 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 return your completed survey right away.

PROGRESS REPORTS

Progress reports are being sent home with students who have a C-average or below or an “N” in a subject, or a 3 or 4 in Behavioral Expectations or Learning Skills.  If your child receives a Progress report, it must be signed and returned by this Friday, October 5.

140th ANNIVERSARY

St. Peter School’s 140th Anniversary celebration is just one month away!  Join us for a special mass on Sunday, November 4 at 2:30 PM, which will be followed by a reception in the parish hall. If you are available to help with the set-up or clean-up of the event, please contact the school office.   

SCHOOL UNIFORMS 

Please ensure that your child is following the uniform policy as stated in the Parent and Student Handbook.  Also, several students have already reported missing school sweatshirts, so check that your child’s sweatshirt is labeled with his/her name and grade. 

IN THE CLASSROOM

KINDER - This week, students will work in pairs to create a display that will give information about how we learn from our senses. It will also have sentences that tell which sense students used and which object they explored. It's going to be a fun week exploring our five senses. In Math, we will count to tell how many and work on writing numbers 0 to 20.

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 continuing to talk about what it means to be a good community member.

2A - 2nd Grade will be reading “Sled Dogs Run” and adding 2-digit numbers without regrouping (practice!).  We will talk about giving praise and thanks to God, what it means to be people of God, and discussing sacramental preparation.

3A – This week 3A will learn about St. Francis of Assisi whose feast day is Thursday. We will also continue to practice our Mass responses. Thursday is also picture day. Please remember students must be in complete uniform. In math class, Mr. Pico (our BVCC assistant) and I will begin using STMath. We will use our tablets two times a week to boost our math proficiency using this program. 

4A – This week in 4A, we will continue to learn about the corporal works of Mercy. We will also be learning about St. Francis of Assisi. In Reading, we will finish up "My Brother Martin" and look at other community organizers who have made a difference in the world. In Math, we will use our addition and subtraction strategies to focus on multi-digit problems. We will continue learning about map skills and geography in Social Studies. We will also continue learning about rocks, soil, and landforms in Science. Let's have a great week!

5A - In math this week, 5th grade will practice rounding decimals to different place values. In ELA, we're continuing to expand our use of the Daily 5 system. We're focusing on the proper letter format in writing and possessive nouns in grammar. In science, 5th graders will learn about the difference between mixtures and solutions. Finally, we'll wrap up our explorers unit in social studies and prepare for Indigenous Peoples' Day by discussing the controversy around Christopher Columbus.  

6A   Religion – Students will be reading about Sacrifices and Promises in Chapter 2 of Blest Are We.  We will explore the story of Isaac and how it relates to the Eucharist.  Language Arts – Students continue to analyze narrative point of view and will read a short story with an unreliable narrator: "The Tell Tale Heart." We will also begin looking at plot structure and have our first unit spelling test.    Math - 6A will multiply decimals by decimals.    Social Studies – Students will take a Mesopotamia Test and will begin learning about Ancient Egypt!Science – Students will describe several methods used to date rock layers relative to other rock layers.

7A  Religion - 7A will discover the rich symbolism found in the Rite of Baptism.  Language Arts - Students are continuing to read Walk Two Moons. They are in anticipation of what will happen next to the Winterbottom Family!   Math – 7A will work on a project and presentation focused on comparing and ordering rational numbers.  Social Studies – Students will research the inventions and achievement of Medieval Arabia.   Science - Students have completed their explorations on cellular processes and now it's time to look at the special parts inside of cells that allow for those functions to happen.

8A/8B   Religion – Eighth graders will be working on a project that focuses on the Twelve Apostles and how they shaped the early Church. We will also begin our new unit on the Growth of Christendom.  Language Arts - Students are continuing to read Mockingbird and completing assignments related to their reading.   Math - 8th grade will continue their projects on solving two-step equations.  Social Studies– Students are finalizing their Colonization Unit and finishing some interviews with St. Peter's alumni and community members.  Science - Students now know the parts of atoms, their history, and the different ways of symbolizing them. It is now time to prepare to test on these building blocks of matter.

REMINDERS:

Oct. 4       LifeTouch School Picture Day; Complete Uniform

Oct. 8       School Holiday—Indigenous People’s Day

Oct. 9       School Mass, 8:10 AM

Oct. 11     3A field trip to Petaluma Pumpkin Patch

Oct. 11     Riordan and Mercy High Schools presentation to 8th graders        

QUE PASA--9/26/18 (ENGLISH)

Dear Parents,

       Our focus of the KEY “Knowledge feeds GROWTH” for September was so appropriate as we began our school year together.  This was a time when we adjusted to different environments (such as different classrooms), got to know teachers and classmates, and learned how to collaborate with others.  Think about how your child has grown so far (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.  We’ve only just begun!  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

FAMILY INCOME SURVEY

Please fill out the Family Income Survey which first went home with last week’s Que Pasa.  You will receive another blank survey if you have not already returned a completed survey.  Students who return the survey will receive an ACCOMPLISH key!  Thank you for your cooperation!

ST. PETER’S ATHLETIC SWEATS

The order form for the gray St. Peter’s sweatshirt, sweatpants, and t-shirt was sent home last week, and additional order forms are available in the office.  This is the only time of the year that these sweats will be sold, and the last day to submit your order form and payment is October 17.  Don’t miss out!

FAMILY BIKE FAIR

Join us on the St. Peter’s School schoolyard this Saturday, September 29 at 12:30 PM for a Family Bike Fair.  Parents can learn about bike safety, and children can learn biking skills.  Practice bikes will be provided, or bring your own bike!  Register online at www.sfbike.org/TallerDeBicis or call 415-431-2453, ext. 314. 

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 2 parent hours.

SEPTEMBER 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 - Minerva Chamul Lopez is a very hard working student. She is always ready to learn and gives her best effort in any given learning opportunity. She is also kind, patient, responsible and a good friend. She gets along well with others and shows a great interest in learning.

1A - Genesis Garcia 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 Genesis is our first student of the month!

2A - Milena Arevalo Zelayandia is always ready to try new things and gives her best. She stays focused on her work and has a positive attitude. She contributes to class discussions and is eager to help others.

3A – Anthony Ortiz is a hard worker, comes to school ready to learn, is always in complete uniform, and has all of his school supplies. Anthony is quiet and focused on his assignments.  He stays busy whether he is working on a tablet task, reading at Silent Sustained Reading time, or figuring out his "daily do" challenge. Anthony, thank you for being a great example of our St. Peter's KEYS!

4A – Byron Lopez is committed to making our classroom community a better place. He comes each day ready to learn, is open to growing his brain power, and shares his knowledge with his classmates. He is respectful to all of his classmates, and is a true bucket filler inside and outside the classroom. Way to go, Byron!

5A - Aleska Salas Donis has been off to a great start this school year and is living out St. Peter's key values every day. Aleska's compassion and love for her classmates unites our class. She's always willing to serve others, whether it's by helping a classmate or patiently untangling the Chromebook cords. Her willingness to work hard means that we know she will grow and accomplish a lot this year. Aleska, keep up the good work!

6A - Gabriela Clemente has had a great start to Middle School! She learned the Middle School procedures quickly and has been a wonderful example to her peers in the classroom.  Gaby brings her growth mindset to school every day and always seems excited about learning new things! She has been supportive to her teachers and peers and has been an example of each of our core values here at St. Peter's! Her hard work and kind heart show us that she will continue to Grow, Accomplish, Love, Serve, and Unite all year!

7A - 7A's Student of the Month is Miranda Hernandez.  Although new to the school, Miranda has demonstrated courage and has opened her heart to new friends.  She has been an amazing addition to St. Peter's School. We are blessed to have her as a part of our school community.

8A – Anahi Hernandez, now as an 8th grader, has opened the school year with her continuous ability to grow in the classroom, both academically and personally. She constantly asks questions or seeks advice, ALL to better herself. Anahi has also exhibited love and service to the St. Peter's community. She is always lending a helping hand to peers and teachers alike, not because she has to, but because she genuinely wants to. She is a great, first example of someone who is living out the keys!

8B - Maria Castaneda-Chan has entered 8th grade ready to take on new challenges and committed to improving herself. She is serving our class as a student council representative and our school as a leading choir member. She is focused on her goals and on making her 8th grade year her best one yet.

IN THE CLASSROOM

Kinder – This week, we are going to learn about baby animals and find out ways they move. We will sing "Animals in Motion" and read On the Move, Pouch, Baby Animals on the Move, and The Tortoise and the Hare. In Math, we will continue to match and count to compare two sets of objects. Words to know this week are: equal to, more than, and fewer than.

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 beginning to experiment with air and its effect on different objects.

2A – 2nd Grade will be reading “Families Work Together” and continuing with strategies to subtract sums within 20 (practice!).  We will talk about prayers, Mary, and praying the rosary. Reminder: First Communion Meeting tonight, 9/27 at 6 p.m. in St. Peter's Church.

3A – This week our class will visit Sheffield Convalescent Hospital.  We will not need chaperones for this field trip. This is a wonderful opportunity for the students to practice our KEY that SERVICE UNITES.  In Reading class, we are completing the story On the Pampas about a family that lives on an Estancia in Argentina, South America.  In Language, we are continuing to study and review the sounds of soft and hard "C" and "G" in our English language.  

4A – 4th Grade had an exciting week filled with building stamina and celebrating the season of Fall! The students completed their first oral presentations, and did a great job. In Religion, we will focus on the corporal works of mercy, and brainstorm ideas of service projects in our classroom. In Reading, we will continue focusing on "My Brother Martin." Our goal is to learn how to identify the author's purpose. In Math, we will continue working on Addition and Subtraction. We also began our "Word Problem Wednesdays" where we focus on step by step word problems to help with our critical thinking skills. We will continue to focus on "Me on the Map" for Social Studies.

5A – Thank you to all the parent chaperones who made our field trip to the Academy of Sciences last week so successful! 5th grade is grateful for your support. This week, 5th graders will complete their first science investigation to see if they can separate mixtures. We'll compare & order decimals in math and review the components of a complete sentence in ELA. As always, check Class Dojo for daily updates from our classroom.

6A   Religion – 6th Graders will be visited by Paula Pardini this week for their Building Bridges program, and they will finalize Works of Mercy posters to present to the class in celebration of Mercy Day.   Language Arts – Students will be analyzing how authors develop a narrator's point of view. We will read two thrilling short stories that demonstrate very different types of point of view: "The Sniper" and "The Tell Tale Heart."   Math – Students will estimate and find products of decimals and whole numbers.   Social Studies – Students will be studying Mesopotamia vocabulary for their upcoming test next week.  Science – Students will take a test on Fossils.

7A  Religion - 7A will explain the ways Mary, the mother of God, is our spiritual mother and role model of faith.   Language Arts - Students have begun reading 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?   Math – Students will add and subtract like fractions.   Social Studies – Students will be finalizing their Essay and peer editing three of their peers papers.   Science - This week students show off what they know about cellular respiration and photosynthesis. They will take an assessment on it and show off their stop motion animations!

8A/8B   Religion – This week eighth grade religion will be discussing Pentecost and will conclude the week by examining the individual lives of the apostles in relation to the Marks of the Church.   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.   Math – Students will write two-step equations that represent real world situations.   Social Studies – Students will continue exploring St. Peter's history and practicing their interview skills. 8A will take their field trip to El Tecolote!   Science - Eighth grade students will also show off all that they know about atoms, atomic models, and the periodic table. Good luck memorizing the first twenty elements!

REMINDERS:

Sept. 26       First Communion Parent Meeting, 6:00 PM in Church

Sept. 27       ICA High School Presentation to 8th Graders, 10:45 AM

Sept. 27       8A Field Trip to El Tecolote newspaper, 1:30 PM

Sept. 29       Family Bike Fair, 12:30-3:30 PM

Oct. 2          School Mass, 8:10 AM

Oct. 4           LifeTouch School Picture Day

QUE PASA 9/19/2018 (English)

Dear Parents,

Later this week, we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Mercy, or as we lovingly call it, Mercy Day!  Though the Feast of Our Lady of Mercy is on September 24, we will celebrate with a School Mass on September 21.  At St. Peter’s, we remember and celebrate the Sisters of Mercy who founded our school and continue to care for and support our students to this day.

The sisters of Mercy our living examples to us for living out the mission of Mercy.  MERCY means to show love and compassion towards others; to forgive others and to be grateful to be forgiven by others; to show charity and generosity, especially to those in need; to have the courage to stand up for what’s right, especially for others who are afraid to stand up for themselves; to have faith in God.  MERCY means having an open heart and open mind.

Let’s remember to be thankful for all the good works of the Sisters of Mercy, and try our best to live out the mission of Mercy ourselves, not only at St. Peter’s School, but everywhere!

--Mrs. Sandra Jimenez

MERCY DAY MASS

Since we will have a school mass this Friday, September 21, students must be in complete uniform.  Gray sweats may not be worn this Friday.

SUNDAY FAMILY MASS AND RECEPTION

Our first Sunday Family Mass of the school year is this Sunday, September 23 at 9:30 AM.  A reception will follow in the Parish hall after the Mass.  Please join us in this celebration.  Students who attend Mass in uniform will receive a Free Dress Pass to use on the following Monday.

CLASS DOJO

If you haven’t done so already, join Class Dojo, a school communication app.  Contact your child’s teacher to get your code to join your child’s class on Class Dojo.  Each child has his/her own unique code.  If you have more than one child at St. Peter’s, make sure you obtain a code for each child so that you have access to each of your child’s classes.

FAMILY INCOME SURVEY

Please fill out the Family Income Survey going home with today’s Que Pasa, and return it by September 26.  Students who return the survey will receive an ACCOMPLISH key!  Thank you for your cooperation!

ST. PETER’S ATHLETIC SWEATS

Going home today is the order form for the gray St. Peter’s sweatshirt, sweatpants, and t-shirt.  This is the only time of the year that these sweats will be sold, and the last day to submit your order form and payment is October 17.  Don’t miss out!

FAMILY BIKE FAIR

Join us on the St. Peter’s School schoolyard on Saturday, September 29 at 12:30 PM for a Family Bike Fair.  Parents can learn about bike safety, and children can learn biking skills.  Practice bikes will be provided, or bring your own bike!  Register online at www.sfbike.org/TallerDeBicis or call 415-431-2453, ext. 314.  

INDIVIDUAL EMERGENCY KITS

If you haven’t done so already, pleads provide your child with an emergency snack kit to be stored in their classroom.  In a Zip-loc bag labeled with your child’s name, please pack: a 16.9 fl. oz. bottle of water and a non-perishable snack such as crackers or a granola bar. If these emergency packs remain unused, they will be returned to your child at the end of the school year.

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 2 parent hours.

SCHOOL UNIFORMS 

Please ensure that your child is following the uniform policy as stated in the Parent and Student Handbook.  Also, several students have already reported missing school sweatshirts, so check that your child’s sweatshirt is labeled with his/her name and grade. 

IN THE CLASSROOM

KINDER - This week in Kindergarten, we will read What about Bear? By Suzanne Bloom and students will ask and answer questions about key details. We will also recite the Pledge of Allegiance and recognize the American flag. In Math, we will learn how to write 6 and 7, and match to compare two sets of objects. Our math vocabulary words for the week are: equal to, more than, and fewer than.

1A - This week in we are beginning with our First Grade ELA program. Please help your child practice their spelling and sight words on the front of their homework packet. We are also starting to prepare for our first visit to the science lab. In religion we are talking about the importance of The Bible. In social studies we are talking about classroom rules and being a leader. In math we are continuing to focus on number sense.

2A - 2nd Grade will be reading “Lola and Tiva” and continuing with strategies to subtract sums within 20 (practice!).  We’ll be talking about giving praise and thanks to God and about sacramental preparation.  Please come to the First Communion Meeting next Wednesday, 9/26 at 6:00 p.m. in St. Peter's Church.

3A – 3A read a story about how one Chinese American family lives in America. The story taught us that Tangrams are a very popular game in China. This week we will be using sets of tangrams to make objects and animals. It should be fun and creative. This is a way to GROW our KNOWLEDGE about a different culture and have fun as we play this game. In Religion, we will begin preparing for our first field trip--we will visit Sheffield Convalescent Hospital.

4A – We had a great week in 4th Grade! We built our Stamina in Read to Self and accomplished three stations in Reading and Math. We used two new computer programs and helped each other achieve each level. In Religion this week, we will continue to work on our Mass responses as well as begin our unit on the Corporal Works of Mercy. We will discuss "good fit" books in Reading and begin our new story, "My Brother Martin." We will be discussing the legacy of MLK and how we can continue his amazing work today. We will begin to focus on rounding and estimation in Math as we move into our Addition and Subtraction unit. In Social Studies, we will be discussing "me on the map," and in Science, we will continue studying rocks and fossils. 

5A - This week, 5th graders are learning about African ecosystems on our field trip to the California Academy of Sciences! In math, we'll be working on comparing and orders decimals in math. 5th graders will continue working on RAZ kids and in their reading groups to practice the skill of summarizing a text. 

6A   Religion – 6A will be visited for the first time by Paula Pardini who works with St. Peter's Middle School classes and helps them to build and strengthen their Faith Community in the classroom.  Language Arts – 6th grade is wrapping up their analysis of conflict and is now moving on to characterization. Student will practice their inference skills by identifying how authors create characters both directly and indirectly.   Math – Students will estimate the product of decimals.    Social Studies – Students will be answering the question: Which Mesopotamian achievement/invention changed history the most? They will convince Ms. Land by using evidence to strengthen their opinions.   Science – 6A students will discover the several methods used to date rock layers relative to other rock layers.

7A  Religion - I look forward to see 7A families at Sunday's Family Mass.  We will be responsible in providing some treats for the reception after Mass.  God bless.   Language Arts - Students have focused on the types of conflict and how they are the driving force to any story. They will now put their knowledge to the test with a quiz and essay assessment. Additionally, students will be introduced to their first novel, Walk Two Moons, by Sharon Creech. A series of pre-reading activities will take place to further comprehension as students read.    Math - 7A will compare and order rational numbers.   Social Studies – 7A is writing a comparative essay about the differences and similarities between Islam and Christianity.  Science - Students have gotten their briefings on photosynthesis and cellular respiration and now it is time to create a model to explain the processes.

8A/8B   Religion – This week eighth grade religion will focus on the Marks of the Church and how they are essential for maintaining unity and variety within the Church. They will also spend time learning about the lives of various saints.     Language Arts - Students completed their Personal Narrative Essay with a strong finish! They will now begin the pre-reading activities for their first novel, Mockingbird, by Kathryn Erskine this week. This will serve as contextual background of the different topics and themes that will be introduced as they read.    Math – Students  will solve two-step equations.  Social Studies – Students are continuing their St. Peter's history projects as they learn about interview skills and stories about St. Peter's alumni before they interview important St. Peter's community members.    Science - Students are getting to know the periodic table a lot better and what makes ions and isotopes.

REMINDERS:

Sept. 19       Caritas Camp Retreat Parent Preview Meeting for 6th grade parents, 6:00 PM in the Faculty Meeting  Room

Sept 21        Mercy Day School Mass, 8:30 AM

Sept 23        Sunday Family Mass and Reception, 9:30 AM

Sept. 24       12:30 PM Dismissal 

Sept. 26       First Communion Parent Meeting, 6:00 PM in Church

Sept. 27       ICA High School Presentation to 8th Graders, 10:45 AM

Sept. 27       8A Field Trip to El Tecolote newspaper, 1:30 PM

Sept. 29       Family Bike Fair, 12:30-3:30 PM

Oct. 4           LifeTouch School Picture Day

QUE PASA--9/12/18 ENGLISH

Dear Parents,

Yesterday, celebrating our first mass of the school year led me to reflect on the Sacraments and the meaning they have in our lives. 

In my reflections, I thought about my role as a parent as my third and youngest child prepares to receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist this year, and I was drawn to read an article found on www.usccb.org (by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops).  I share part of that here:

We recognize that the Sacraments have a visible and invisible reality, a reality open to all the human senses but grasped in its God-given depths with the eyes of faith. When parents hug their children, for example, the visible reality we see is the hug. The invisible reality the hug conveys is love. We cannot "see" the love the hug expresses, though sometimes we can see its nurturing effect in the child.

The visible reality we see in the Sacraments is their outward expression, the form they take, and the way in which they are administered and received. The invisible reality we cannot "see" is God's grace, his gracious initiative in redeeming us through the death and Resurrection of his Son. His initiative is called grace because it is the free and loving gift by which he offers people a share in his life, and shows us his favor and will for our salvation. Our response to the grace of God's initiative is itself a grace or gift from God by which we can imitate Christ in our daily lives.

The saving words and deeds of Jesus Christ are the foundation of what he would communicate in the Sacraments through the ministers of the Church.  Guided by the Holy Spirit, the Church recognizes the existence of Seven Sacraments instituted by the Lord. Through the Sacraments, God shares his holiness with us so that we, in turn, can make the world holier.

As a family, I encourage you to live out the faith by attending Sunday Mass and joining us at school Mass when possible, and witness the grace of God in receiving the sacraments.  

*If your child has not received the sacrament of Baptism and you would like him/her to be baptized, please contact the school office.

--Mrs. Sandra Jimenez

RECOLOGY ASSEMBLIES

Today, all students participated in informative assemblies teaching them about composting and recycling.  We are called to be stewards of God’s creation, and reducing waste, recycling, and composting are positive responses to that call!  Talk to your child about what they learned at the assembly, and encourage good habits that help protect the environment.

DIMES FROM HEAVEN

The “Dimes from Heaven” collection this week will help to benefit Student Council events for this year.  Also, because we want to live out our KEYS that “SERVICE UNITES” and “YOU ARE LOVE,” part of the proceeds will be donated to the local SPCA.  The classes in grades K-4 and 5-8 that raise the most money will win an ice cream party!

FAMILY BIKE FAIR

Join us on the St. Peter’s School schoolyard on Saturday, September 29 at 12:30 PM for a Family Bike Fair.  Parents can learn about bike safety, and children can learn biking skills.  Practice bikes will be provided, or bring your own bike!  Register online at www.sfbike.org/TallerDeBicis or call 415-431-2453, ext. 314.  See the attached flyer for more details.

CLASS DOJO

A parent invitation was sent home through your child to join Class Dojo, a school communication app.  Please join our school on Class Dojo using the code that was provided for your child(ren).  Each child has his/her own unique code!

APPOINTMENTS WITH TEACHERS

If you’d like to meet with your child’s teacher, please make an appointment.  The time before the first bell rings is time that each teacher needs to prepare the lessons for the day.  Please message your child’s teacher via Class Dojo, email, or a message in the office if you’d like to schedule a meeting so that he/she may plan accordingly.

INDIVIDUAL EMERGENCY KITS

A letter was sent home asking each child to bring an emergency kit to school.  While each classroom is equipped with an emergency bag with items such as a first aid kit, flashlights, and batteries, we also want every child to be ready with food and water.

In a Zip-loc bag labeled with your child’s name, please pack: a 16.9 fl. oz. bottle of water and a non-perishable snack such as crackers or a granola bar.  These kits will be stored in a closed bin in the classroom.  If these emergency packs remain unused, they will be returned to your child at the end of the school year.  Please bring these individual emergency packs to your child’s teacher by Friday, September 14.

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 2 parent hours.

SCHOOL UNIFORMS

Please ensure that your child is following the uniform policy as stated in the Parent and Student Handbook.  Also, several students have already reported missing school sweatshirts, so check that your child’s sweatshirt is labeled with his/her name and grade.

IN THE CLASSROOM

KINDER - Hello families! This week we will continue to review letter recognition and identify numbers 0-10. We are also working very hard on writing our names and numbers. We will also talk about what it means to be a good citizen at school and at home.

1A - This week in First Grade we will be finishing our review of Kindergarten reading skills. Please help your child prepare for their Smart Start sight word test on Friday. We will be continuing to express how we're feeling using "I Messages" and talking about the importance of respecting the rights and opinions of others.

2A - 2nd Grade will be reading “Not Norman” and continuing with strategies to add sums within 20 (practice!).  We will be talking about heroes, Mary, saints, and good/not so good actions.  We’ll learn about praying a litany, loving one another, and talking about sacramental preparation.

3A – This week in 3A we are practicing the Mass responses that we use at church each Sunday and Tuesday.  We are also beginning our rotational models for STMath.  In Reading class we are enjoying the story "How My Family Lives in America." 

4A – This week in Religion, we will continue to focus on our Mass responses as well as begin to learn about the Old Testament. In our Literacy Block, we will focus on identifying story elements through our novel Because of Winn-Dixie. In writing, we will focus on the relationship between subject and predicates in our complete sentences. We will focus on our new word work and our new words for the week. In Math, we will continue to focus on place value through expanded form and ordering numbers. We will continue to discover different rocks in Science. In Social Studies, we will work on "Me on the Map" discovering where California is in relationship to other states, countries, and continents. We will discuss what high quality work entails and work on developing high quality work throughout the year!

5A - This week, 5th graders are starting to work with their "literary societies."  Different reading groups rotate through reading, writing, and grammar activities together. We'll identify the place value of decimals in math and discuss the scientific method in science. As always, check Class Dojo for more daily updates from our classroom.

6A   Religion – Students will begin to explore the parts of the Bible and the beginning stories of the Old Testament. Language Arts – 6th Grade ELA will be talking about conflict in short stories this week, focusing on identifying the different types of conflict, such as internal and external. Students are also doing a great job at our rotation model procedures.    Math – Students will estimate the product of decimals and judge the reasonableness of the results.   Social Studies – Students will continue to study the first known civilization: Ancient Mesopotamia.  Science – Students will explain how fossil correlation is used to determine rock ages. 

7A   Religion - Students will learn that through the mystery of the Incarnation, Jesus Christ became man while continuing to be God.   Language Arts - Students are continuing to identify and analyze the types of conflict in a short story. They are transitioning to apply the types of conflict, internal or external, in their very own short story!    Math - 7A will compare and order rational numbers.   Social Studies – Students will compare the similarities and differences between the three major world religions.   Science - Students continue their exploration of photosynthesis and cellular respiration as they prepare to work on their first model of biological processes.

8A/8B   Religion – This week eighth grade religion will focus on the word “catholic.” They will examine the root of the word, how it has evolved over time, and what Pope Francis sees for the future of Catholicism.   Language Arts - Students are in the beginning stages of composing their Personal Narratives based on a challenge they have overcome or are currently overcoming.   Math - 8A will solve two-step equations.   Social Studies – 8th graders are beginning St. Peter's School history projects by interviewing alumni and community members that have impacted the history of our school.   Science -  Students continue their work on exploring atoms, learning more about isotopes, ions, and atomic models.

REMINDERS:

Sept. 4-14     STAR Testing, Window 1

Sept. 10-14   Dimes from Heaven Collection

Sept. 12        8th Grade Parent Meeting, 7:30 am OR 6:00 pm

Sept. 12        Recology School Assemblies

Sept. 13        St. Ignatius Presentation to 8th graders

Sept. 13        Summer Learning Challenge Grand Prize Field Trip to Levi’s Stadium

Sept. 13        8B field trip to El Tecolote newspaper

Sept. 17        5A Field trip to Academy of Sciences

Sept. 19        Caritas Camp Retreat Parent Preview Meeting for 6th grade parents

Sept 21        Mercy Day School Mass, 8:30 AM

Sept 23        Sunday Family Mass and Reception, 9:30 AM

QUE PASA--9/5/18 ENGLISH

Dear Parents,

In six days, we remember the 17th anniversary of the terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington, DC, and United Flight 93 which crashed in Pennsylvania.  Though this day reminds us of a sad event in history, it should act as a reminder of our responsibility to listen to our children and provide a safe space for them to learn and grow, because WE ARE LOVE.  In unity and solidarity, we all help make our school a safe place for students to accomplish their goals, to combat ignorance, and to act for social justice.

I’d like to share a prayer from sistersofmercy.org to call for strength to be positive examples for our children:

Loving God,                                                                                          

You inspire us with love for all creation. Give us the strength and courage to transform the compassion of our hearts into acts of peace, mercy and justice. Forgive us for the arrogance that leads to moral blindness; forgive us for desires for vengeance.  Empower us to shape a world marked by ways of life that lead to justice and peace. Fashion in us a people who are ready to grow in understanding, not judge those who are different from us. Form us, a people determined to heal wounds rather than inflict them. We ask all of this in the name of Jesus who came among us to show us the way.  AMEN.

--Mrs. Sandra Jimenez

THANK YOU!

Thank you to all the parents and guardians who attended Back-to-School Night last Wednesday.  We want to continue to work as partners to support your child’s overall growth.

If you were unable to attend, please make sure you have received any handouts and important information from your child’s teacher(s).  If you were unable to attend or you forgot to pick up your Parent-Student Handbook at Back-to-School Night, your child should have brought home a handbook.  Please go over this handbook with your child, and sign and return the yellow form inside.

CLASS DOJO

Last week, a parent invitation was sent home through your child to join Class Dojo, a school communication app.  Please join our school on Class Dojo using the code that was provided for your child(ren).  Each child has his/her own unique code!

APPOINTMENTS WITH TEACHERS

If you’d like to meet with your child’s teacher, please make an appointment.  The time before the first bell rings is time that each teacher needs to prepare the lessons for the day.  Please message your child’s teacher via Class Dojo, email, or a message in the office if you’d like to schedule a meeting so that he/she may plan accordingly.

BVCC

The Buena Vista Child Care (BVCC) After School Program is available to students in grades K-8.  All students who participate must be registered in the program.  If your child participates in a CYO sports team, attends after-school computer lab, or participates in another after-school activity, he/she must register with BVCC.  Financial Aid is available.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

If your child has not yet returned all the required forms--Emergency Card, Medical Packet, Permission to walk/take public transportation after school, Photo Release form, Technology Acceptable Use Policy, Email address verification—please make sure those are submitted right away.  The information provided on these forms is very important for the safety of your child.

INDIVIDUAL EMERGENCY KITS

Last week, a letter was sent home asking each child to bring an emergency kit to school.  While each classroom is equipped with an emergency bag with items such as a first aid kit, flashlights, and batteries, we also want every child to be ready with food and water.

In a Zip-loc bag labeled with your child’s name, please pack: a 16.9 fl. oz. bottle of water and a non-perishable snack such as crackers or a granola bar.  These kits will be stored in a closed bin in the classroom.  If these emergency packs remain unused, they will be returned to your child at the end of the school year.  Please bring these individual emergency packs to your child’s teacher by Friday, September 14.

STAR TESTING

September 4-14 is our first STAR Testing window.  During this time, students will take the computer adaptive STAR test in both Language and Math.  The results of these tests will be available to the teachers in order to help meet students’ needs.  Throughout the year, students will participate in progress monitoring and universal screenings using the STAR test to provide input on academic growth.

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 2 parent hours.

SCHOOL UNIFORMS

Please ensure that your child is following the uniform policy as stated in the Parent and Student Handbook.  Also, several students have already reported missing school sweatshirts, so check that your child’s sweatshirt is labeled with his/her name and grade.

IN THE CLASSROOM

KINDER - This week in Kindergarten, students will share about their families. We will have a discussion about many different kinds of families, big families, small families, but the main message is that all families are unique and because of that, each family is special. After, students will create a family portrait and share with the class. We will have a gallery walk! Also, we will continue to go over the letters in the alphabet. In Math, we will work on writing and identifying numbers 0-10.

1A - This week we are continuing to work on our classroom procedures and talking about community. We are working on solving our disagreements and problems using the “I Message.” Please ask your child to demonstrate it for you. Thanks so much for all of your help.

2A - 2nd Grade will be reading “Big Red Lollipop” and "How Families Celebrate."  We are continuing with strategies to add sums within 20; talking about heroes/saints; and talking about symbols of baptism.

3A – This week, we are beginning our STAR Testing for reading.  In actual reading class, we are reading Ramona Forever by Beverly Cleary.  In math class we are setting up and learning the procedures for our STMath Centers.  Last week we began our class in Spanish Mindfulness.  REMINDER:  the Reflection Form for Sunday Mass needs to be signed and returned each Monday even if you were unable to attend Mass.  Also, since we have homework every weekend please remember to sign your child’s Student Planner. 

4A – In Religion this week, 4th Grade will be focusing on mass responses and the birthday of Mary. During our Literacy Block, we will continue working on our Read to Self. We want to improve our Stamina! We will also be focusing on story structure through Winn-Dixie, our new word work, and finally formulating and writing complete sentences in Writing. In Math, we will continue to focus on place value through the Millions place. We will focus on rocks, fossils and soil in Science and begin our introductory California State history lessons. We will continue to focus on growth mindset throughout all of our course work.

5A - In math this week, our class goal will be to identify all place values through billions. We'll also continue working with ST Math and review the elements of story structure to add to our reading menu activities. Our class is reading Fantastic Elastic Brain together and discussing what neuroplasticity means for our own growth mindsets.  

6A   Religion – Students will explore their textbook and discuss what they will be learning this year about the Old Testament. Language Arts – 6A will continue exploring the importance of setting and how it can help drive the plot of a story, as we read a classic mystery story with Sherlock Holmes. Students have also already begun to use LexiaPowerUp to strengthen their comprehension, vocabulary, and grammar skills.   Math - Students will continue to add and subtract decimals.   Social Studies – Students will begin to learn the definition of civilization and start to study the first known civilization: Ancient Mesopotamia.   Science – 6A students will describe the processes of fossil formation.

7A   Language Arts - Students are identifying the types of conflict in a series of literary short stories. All of which will lead to the writing of their own conflict, internal or external, in a short story. Students have also successfully implemented the rotational model in the classroom! This new model will expand the learning experience, and students kept an open mind and were definitely not afraid to dive in.    Math - 7A will continue to express rational numbers as decimals and decimals as fractions.   Social Studies – Students will study the physical geography of the Arabian peninsula.   Science - Students will begin to uncover the mystery of photosynthesis and cellular respiration.

8A/8B   Religion – This week eighth graders will be discussing the importance of the sacraments in students’ personal lives and in terms of church community. Significant time will be spent examining Christ's true presence in the Eucharist.    Language Arts - Students are currently focusing on Personal Narratives, what it means, how it applies to everyday and literature based examples. Students have also successfully implemented the rotational model in the classroom! They kept an open mind and heart as we add this new learning experience to our ELA curriculum.   Math – 8th graders will continue to solve equations with rational coefficients.   Social Studies – Students will discuss the reasons why Europeans began to colonize the United States and learn about the conflicts that occurred between two cultures in the New World.   Science - Students know that atoms make up everything that is matter, now we begin a more in depth exploration on what makes atoms.

REMINDERS:

Sept. 4-14     STAR Testing, Window 1

Sept. 10-14   “Dimes from Heaven” Collection

Sept. 11        Opening School Mass, 8:30 am

Sept. 12        8th Grade Parent Meeting, 7:30 am OR 6:00 pm in the

                           Faculty Meeting Room

Sept. 12        Recology School Assemblies

Sept. 13        St. Ignatius Presentation to 8th graders

Sept. 13        Summer Learning Challenge Grand Prize Field

                           Trip to Levi’s Stadium

QUE PASA--8/29/18 (ENGLISH)

Dear Parents,

       While we are midway through our first full week of school, I reflect on the many pieces and people that must come together in order for us live out our mission of Mercy and education at St. Peter’s.  Parents, teachers, staff, volunteers, clergy, and students--there’s so much to coordinate!  We at school want to be partners in faith and education with parents, so that we can be positive examples of learning and growing.  Together, we can model the ways we can live out our KEYS:  Knowledge feeds growth.  Every accomplishment needs courage.  You are love.  Service unites.                                                                                     I found this excerpt from a speech by Pope Francis (May 10, 2014) to be a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish in our school, and I clearly hear him speak of St. Peter’s School core values to grow, accomplish, love, serve, and unite!        

“One is educated to learn many things, that is, much important content, in order to behave in a certain way and also adopt values. And this is very important. I wish you all — parents, teachers, people who work in the schools, students — a beautiful journey at school, a journey that enables you to learn three languages that a mature person should know how to express: the language of the mind, the language of the heart and the language of the hands. Harmoniously though, that is, to think what you feel and what you do; to feel deeply what you think and what you do; and to do well what you think and what you feel. Three languages, together in harmony! … And please, never let us allow our love for school to be stolen from us!”

--Mrs. Sandra Jimenez

TONIGHT!  BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT

Back to School Night is scheduled for TONIGHT, Wednesday, August 29, beginning at 6:00 PM. 

6:00 – 6:30 à General parent meeting in Church

6:35 – 6:50 à Middle School parent meeting in Church

6:35 – 7:40 à Visit booths on the schoolyard

6:55 – 7:20 à Parents visit K-5 Classrooms

7:10-7:30 à Parents visit Middle School Classrooms

There will be child care available in the Parish Hall from 6:00-7:45 PM.  *Make sure you pick up your Parent-Student Handbook at the table in the school yard tonight!

CLASS DOJO

On Monday, a parent invitation was sent home through your child to join Class Dojo, a school communication app.  Please join our school on Class Dojo using the code that was provided for your child(ren).  Each child has his/her own unique code!  More will be explained about Class Dojo during Back-to-School Night.

BEFORE and AFTER SCHOOL

The school doors open at 7:30 AM. You may drop off your child as early as 7:15 AM at the Alabama Street gate.  If you must drop off your child before 7:15 AM, please bring him/her into Church for the 7:00 AM Mass so that they will be supervised at all times.

Please do not park in the White Zone on Alabama Street.  For safety purposes, the driveway must be kept clear at all times.  Also, please do not park in any yellow-numbered spaces in the Alabama Street parking lot.  Thank you in advance for your cooperation on this matter!

The Buena Vista Child Care (BVCC) After School Program is available to students in grades K-8.  All students who participate must be registered in the program.  If your child participates in a CYO sports team, attends after-school computer lab, or participates in another after-school activity, he/she must register with BVCC.

All students not registered for and not participating in the after-school programs must leave the schoolyard by 3:15 PM on regular dismissal days and 2:30 PM on Wednesdays. Students may not leave the schoolyard and return to the campus after dismissal. At no time will a student be allowed to be on campus unsupervised.  Parents must also leave the campus at this time, unless they have an appointment with a teacher or administration.

CAFETERIA and LUNCHES

Please make sure your child brings payment for lunch if he/she will be purchasing their lunch.  Lunches should be purchased in the cafeteria before 8:00 AM.

** Lunches may no longer be delivered to school during the school day.  Please make sure your child comes to school with a prepared lunch or purchases a lunch from the school cafeteria in the morning. 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Please make sure to read and complete all the forms that were sent home with your child. The information provided on these forms is very important and due back to the office by Friday, August 31st.

STUDENT ACCIDENT INSURANCE

In the Que Pasa today is information concerning the Student Accident Insurance provided by the Archdiocese. The insurance will cover your child for injury at school.

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 2 parent volunteer hours.

TDAP VACCINATIONS

California Law, (California State Law A354) requires that all students entering 7th-12th grades show proof of a Tdap (Whooping Cough) Pertussis booster shot. If you have not already done so, please submit documentation to the school no later than August 28th. The San Francisco Department of Health informs us we cannot offer a grace period for those who do not have a booster. Please contact your child’s health care provider and arrange for the Tdap booster.

IN THE CLASSROOM

KINDER - Hello parents, welcome to Kindergarten! I am looking forward to working with you and your child. This week, we will be reading "Chrysanthemum" and "Animals in the Park: An ABC Book." We will be talking about the idea that each person is special. Students will tell something that is special about themselves or a friend. We will continue to go over procedures and getting to know each other. Parents, please continue to help your child with homework. Thank you so much!

1A - Welcome back 1st grade families! This week we are continuing to review reading and math learned in Kindergarten. We are talking about the responsibilities of a first grader and what it means to be part of a community. Thank you for a wonderful start to the year. I'm looking forward to seeing you all at Back-to-School Night.

2A - 2nd Grade will be reading “Help! A Story of Friendship” and “Little Flap Learns to Fly.” We will review adding within 20, practicing the Our Father and sign of the cross, and talking about communities.

3A – Welcome back to school and 3rd grade. I am looking forward to meeting all of you on Wednesday evening for Back to School night. This week in Phonics/Language class we will be reviewing the beginning, middle and final consonant sounds.  In Social Studies, we will begin a unit on recycling.  We will continue to learn the rules and procedures for the year. A reminder - please be sure to sign the student planner each night after checking that the homework has been completed.

4A – Welcome back to school! This week, 4th grade focused on building classroom community. Through Do Unto Otters, 4th Grade brainstormed ideas for our classroom rules and why we need them to succeed. We discussed safety through Officer Buckle and Gloria, and created our own safety tips for our school. We also discussed respect and finally learned about our bucket filling activity. This week, we will begin our daily routines and our core subjects. We will discuss ways to read a book and story structure in Reading. In Math, we will focus on place value. We will continue to focus on building our classroom community where all students feel welcomed!

5A - 5th grade started out the school year by discussing what makes a good classroom community. Our class will work on combining those guidelines into one "class constitution" this week. We'll also review key math and reading concepts from last year.   

6A   Religion – Welcome back to school! 6th Graders will be enjoying some team building activities.  Language Arts – Welcome to 6th grade English Language Arts! We have an exciting year ahead where students will discover the joys of poetry, drama, novels, and the power of persuasive writing. We will also be piloting a new literacy program this year that will target students' needs and make them stronger readers. This week, we will begin with exploring the elements of the short story, focusing on the characteristics of setting.   Math - 6A will begin the year focusing on adding, subtracting, and estimating the product of decimals.   Social Studies – Students will be deciding as a class what a successful year will look like to them.  Science – Students will identify the conditions necessary for fossils to form. 

7A  Religion – Students will review existing knowledge about Jesus and the New Testament.   Language Arts - Welcome back! This week we are focusing on getting to know one another, while also learning the importance of 7th Grade. Students will begin formal instruction mid-week.    Math - 7A will focus on expressing rational numbers as decimals and decimals as fractions.    Social Studies – Students will be setting up an outline of our units that we will learn about this school year!  Science - This week we establish our routines in science class. Students will work on knowing exactly what to do during the first five minutes of class and how to prepare for the day's lesson. Seventh grade students will also begin their explorations on life science.

8A/8B   Religion – Students will be focusing on The Apostle’s Creed and using it as a foundation for the rest of the class. They will create their own “Classroom Creed” that will be used to set expectations for the rest of the year.   Language Arts - Welcome back to another exciting year at Saint Peter's! This week we are focusing on getting to know one another, while also looking into the High School Application process. Students will begin formal instruction mid-week.   Math – Students will translate tables and graphs into linear equations.  Social Studies – Students will be setting up an outline of our units that we will learn about this school year!   Science - This week we establish our routines in science class. Students will work on knowing exactly what to do during the first five minutes of class and how to prepare for the day's lesson. Eighth graders will soon begin their explorations on physical science!

REMINDERS:

Aug. 29         Back-to-School Night, 6:00 - 8:00 PM

Aug. 31         All school forms due

Sept. 3           No School – Labor Day Holiday

Sept. 4-14     STAR Testing, Window 1

QUE PASA 8/22/18

Dear Parents,

Welcome back to school! Mr. Suarez (Director of School Culture and Community Life), Mrs. Fresnoza (Director of Academics), all the faculty and staff, and I hope that you had a wonderful summer break.

We warmly welcome all new students and families to our school community.  In addition, we have some new faculty and volunteers joining our school family.  Our new 4th grade teacher is Ms. Elizabeth Watters.  Mr. David Guzman is returning to St. Peter’s as our 7A homeroom teacher and Middle School Math Teacher.  Ms. Julia VanConas is our new Mercy Corps volunteer.

The Que Pasa will be sent to you every Wednesday.  In addition, it will be posted on the school website, www.stpeterssf.org and sent to you via SchoolSpeak.  Please take the time to read through the newsletter each week since it does contain important information.

For this new school year, let us pray:  

God of our past, our present and our future,
God of our dreams, our designs and our decisions,
Be love in us as we journey through this new school year.  Be our inner vision, that we may see life through your eyes,
Be our inner hearing, that we may listen well for your call,
Be our inner judgment, so we may discern clearly that which gives life, promotes growth, and nurtures love.                                         As we move into this school year, fill us with hope and abiding trust that you dwell in us,
So that, in both joy and sorrow, we radiate hope.                AMEN.                                                                                (from https://rscj.org/prayer-new-school-year)

I look forward to another great school year with everyone in our St. Peter’s Family!                                                        Grow, Accomplish, Love, Serve, Unite!
St. Peter’s has the KEYS to Open Hearts, Open Minds!

--Mrs. Sandra Jimenez

BEFORE and AFTER SCHOOL

The school doors open at 7:30 AM. You may drop off your child as early as 7:15 AM at the Alabama Street gate.  If you must drop off your child before 7:15 AM, please bring him/her into Church for the 7:00 AM Mass so that they will be supervised at all times.

Please do not park in the White Zone on Alabama Street.  For safety purposes, the driveway must be kept clear at all times.  Thank you in advance for your cooperation on this matter! 

The Buena Vista Child Care (BVCC) After School Program is available to students in grades K-8 beginning on Thursday, August 23.  It begins after 12:30 dismissal that day and closes at 6:00 PM.  All students who participate must be registered in the program and past-due payments must be paid.

All students not registered for and participating in the after-school programs must leave the schoolyard by 3:15 PM on regular dismissal days and 2:30 PM on early dismissal days. Students may not leave the schoolyard and return to the campus after dismissal. At no time will a student be allowed to be on campus unsupervised.  Parents must also leave the campus at this time, unless they have an appointment with a teacher or administration.

CAFETERIA and LUNCHES

Cafeteria service will begin on Monday, August 27. Please make sure your child brings payment for lunch if he/she will be purchasing their lunch.

** Lunches may no longer be delivered to school during the school day.  Please make sure your child comes to school with a prepared lunch or purchases a lunch from the school cafeteria in the morning. 

BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT

Back to School Night is scheduled for Wednesday, August 29.  There will be childcare available if necessary.  Please see the attached flyer for the schedule for Back-to-School Night.  

CULTURAL VISION

We continue in helping our students live out St. Peter’s KEYS, which are based on our core values of Grow, Accomplish, Love, Serve, and Unite:

Knowledge feeds GROWTH.

Every ACCOMPLISHMENT needs courage.

You are LOVE.

SERVICE UNITES.

Throughout the year, the teachers and students will be focusing on how to live out this vision.  Please join us in helping students to live their values in all they say and do.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Please make sure to read and complete all the forms that were sent home with your child today. The information provided on these forms is very important and due back to the office by Friday, August 31st.

COACHES NEEDED

The following St. Peter’s CYO teams are seeking coaches:

Boy’s Soccer: 8th grade

Girl’s Volleyball: 3rd, 4th, 6th, and 8th grades

Please contact Mr. Suarez at school or at rsuarez@sanpedro.org if you are able to help our teams.  Thank you for your consideration!

TDAP VACCINATIONS

California Law, (California State Law A354) requires that all students entering 7th-12th grades show proof of a Tdap (Whooping Cough) Pertussis booster shot. If you have not already done so, please submit documentation to the school no later than August 28th. The San Francisco Department of Health informs us we cannot offer a grace period for those who do not have a booster. Please contact your child’s health care provider and arrange for the Tdap booster.

REMINDERS:

August 23-24   12:30 Dismissal

August 23         BVCC Services Begin

August 27         Regular School Schedule Begins,                    

                                7:55 AM - 3:00 PM

August 27         Cafeteria Services Begin

August 29         Back-to-School Night, 6:00 - 8:00 PM

August 31         All school forms due

September 3      No School – Labor Day Holiday

Que PASA 6/6/2018 (English)

Dear Parents,

       Together, we made it to the last few days of school!  On behalf of the Leadership Team (Mr. Suárez and Mrs. Fresnoza), I want to thank you for all the support and encouragement you’ve shown us as we experienced our first year as St. Peter’s School administrators.  Like the students, we learned a lot, and we look forward to continued learning and growing in the coming school year.

       Your child progressed and developed socially, academically, and spiritually this year at St. Peter’s.  Continue to support them over the summer!  Guide them as they work on their Summer Learning Challenge requirements.  Attend mass and pray together. Seek out fun, new, and enriching experiences as a family.  I promise to do the same with my own family!  

I share with you this prayer to end this school year:

God of wisdom,
We thank you for all the gifts you have given us throughout this school year. We praise you for blessing us with knowledge, so that we may use this knowledge to make our world a better place—to be positive examples of love and service. 

As we come to the end of this school year, we thank you for the good things you have done in us, and we praise you for all who have shared in the work of this school. We ask you to bless them in your love and give them refreshment and peace.  We pray that everyone has a safe summer, and for us to return to school even more ready to learn and grow.  We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns forever and ever. AMEN. 

And don’t forget…

Grow, Accomplish, Love, Serve, Unite!  

St. Peter’s has the KEYS to OPEN HEARTS, OPEN MINDS!

Have a great summer! 

See you for the new school year on August 22!

--Mrs. Sandra Jimenez

ACADEMIC AWARDS ASSEMBLY

On Thursday, June 7 at 9:00 AM, we will have our Academic Awards Assembly for grades 1 through 7 in the church.  You are welcome to join us for this assembly. 

FRIDAY—END-OF-SCHOOL YEAR MASS

This Friday, June 8 at 9:00AM, we will have our final school mass for this school year.  Please join in this special mass.  Since it is a mass day—no gray sweats or free dress passes may be used on this day.

NO BVCC SERVICE ON JUNE 8

Friday, June 8th is the last day of school, and dismissal is at 10:00 AM.  However, BVCC will not be open on that day, so no child care at school will be available.  Please make arrangements for the pick-up of your child at 10:00.

COMPUTER LAB

The last day for computer lab services was Tuesday, June 5.  As of Wednesday, June 6, the computer lab will be closed until the next school year.

SPORTS UPDATE

Dear Aztec Families,

We have two very important announcements for next year concerning our sports program. First, we are so excited that we are GROWing! With growth naturally comes a need for more coaches. The most urgent needs that we have for our Fall season are: one boys soccer coach and one girls volleyball coach. Please let Mr. Suárez know if you're interested in helping lead a team! Second, as we look to create a more UNITEd front with all of our teams, the Sports Committee is excited to announce that beginning next year we will be selling our sports uniforms to our families. This is an exciting opportunity to get great looking uniforms that your athlete can wear for many seasons. Soccer sets will be on sale for $40, fully reversible basketball sets will be on sale for $45, volleyball tops will sell for $30, and baseball tops will sell for $25. Please save up over the summer to buy your fall sports sets when we come back for our 2018-2019 year!

SUMMER LEARNING CHALLENGE

Students in grades Kindergarten through 7 have received information about the Summer Learning Challenge.  Completing this Summer Learning Challenge will help prevent the “summer slide,” where students can lose 2-3 months of reading and math skills every summer.  This adds up—by 5th grade summer learning loss can make a student 2.5 - 3 years behind their peers who read during the summer.  Plus, students who complete the Summer Learning Challenge by the due date will qualify to win prizes!

Please look over the summer learning challenge with your child, and encourage them to complete the mandatory components of the challenge by the due date.  Summer Learning Challenge information will also be available on the school website, www.stpeterssf.orgif at any time your child misplaces the packet of information over the summer.   

BVCC SUMMER PROGRAM

Registration is now open for the BVCC Summer Program.  Weekly programs are available from June 11 - July 27.  Tutors from the University of San Francisco will be available once a week throughout the program and can provide assistance to your child as they complete their Summer Learning Challenge.

2017-2018 YEARBOOK

There are still a very limited number of yearbooks available for purchase for $25.  If you’d like to purchase one, please go to the office for payment.

SPECIAL MASS AND RECEPTION

On Sunday, June 10 at 2:30 PM at St. Peter’s Church, a special mass and reception will be held in honor of Sr. Ana Maria Pineda.  She is a St. Peter’s parishioner since the 1950s, a St. Peter’s graduate from the 1960s, and a Sister of Mercy since the 1970s.  She is a former St. Peter’s teacher and Parish Minister at the Church for the Hispanic Community, and currently a professor at Santa Clara University.  She has recently been elected as Assistant to the President of the West Midwest Sisters of Mercy.  Please join is un honoring Sr. Ana Maria on Sunday, June 10!

REMINDERS

June 5        Last Day of Computer Lab services

June 6        Free Dress for No Tardies in May

                  9:00 AM  Kindergarten Celebration in the gym

                  12:30 PM Dismissal

June 7        9:00 AM  Academic Awards Assembly in church        

                  12:30 PM Dismissal

June 8        9:00 AM  End-of-School Year Mass

                  10:00 AM  Dismissal

                  LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

                  No BVCC Services

Aug. 22     First Day of the 2018-2019 School Year

QUE PASA 5/30/2018 (English)

Dear Parents,

       The 8th graders are taking their final steps towards GRADUATION!  We proudly share in their accomplishments as we—their families and teachers—have helped them to lay the foundation for their future.  When we celebrate their graduation, don’t forget to celebrate us as a whole school community as well!

Let us offer this prayer for our soon-to-be graduates:

       Loving God, we thank you for our graduates. You have    

       blessed them during their years at St. Peter’s School with

       wisdom, friendships, and skills. Continue to challenge

       them to make this world a better place because of their

       education. Help them to look forward to their next steps in

       high school. Give them faith and a sense of purpose in

       their next steps. Show them how to serve others in

       effective ways.  May they be aware in everything they do

       that they find fulfillment in doing your will, that you will

       be with them always, and that you will bring to

       completion the good work you have begun in them. 

       AMEN.

--Mrs. Sandra Jimenez

FRIDAY—8th GRADE GRADUATION MASS

This Friday, June 1, we will honor our 8th graders with a graduation mass at 9:30 AM in church.  You are welcome to join in this special mass.  Students in grades Kinder through 7th should be in complete uniform—no gray sweats or free dress passes may be used on this day.

THANK YOU!

We thank Ms. Leannna Wilcox, our counselor trainee from the USF Center for Child and Family Development, for the counseling services and support that she provided for our school community this year.  She completed her final day of services at St. Peter’s on May 29.  We wish her the best as she moves on to continue her graduate studies. 

SUMMER LEARNING CHALLENGE

Last week, students in grades Kindergarten through 7 received information about the Summer Learning Challenge.  Completing this Summer Learning Challenge will help prevent the “summer slide,” where students can lose 2-3 months of reading and math skills every summer.  This adds up—by 5th grade summer learning loss can make a student 2.5 - 3 years behind their peers who read during the summer.

Please look over the summer learning challenge with your child, and encourage them to complete the mandatory components of the challenge by the due date.  

BVCC SUMMER PROGRAM

Registration is now open for the BVCC Summer Program.  Weekly programs are available from June 11 - July 27.  Tutors from the University of San Francisco will be available once a week throughout the program and can provide assistance to your child as they complete their Summer Learning Challenge.

NO BVCC SERVICE ON JUNE 8

Friday, June 8th is the last day of school, and dismissal is at 10:00 AM.  However, BVCC will not be open on that day, so no child care at school will be available.  Please make arrangements for the pick-up of your child at 10:00.

COMPUTER LAB

The last day for computer lab services is Tuesday, June 5.  As of Wednesday, June 6, the computer lab will be closed until the next school year.

2017-2018 YEARBOOK

There are still a very limited number of yearbooks available for purchase for $25.  If you’d like to purchase one, please go to the office for payment.

SPECIAL MASS AND RECEPTION

On Sunday, June 10 at 2:30 PM at St. Peter’s Church, a special mass and reception will be held in honor of Sr. Ana Maria Pineda.  She is a St. Peter’s parishioner since the 1950s, a St. Peter’s graduate from the 1960s, and a Sister of Mercy since the 1970s.  She is a former St. Peter’s teacher and Parish Minister at the Church for the Hispanic Community, and currently a professor at Santa Clara University.  She has recently been elected as Assistant to the President of the West Midwest Sisters of Mercy.  Please join is un honoring Sr. Ana Maria!

MAY 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 – Aaliyah Gonzalez is hardworking, dedicated, kind, and respectful towards her peers. She is always willing to help others and takes learning seriously. Over the last month Aaliyah has demonstrated amazing growth as a learner. Her growth in math and reading is outstanding. She works hard in school and I am delighted to name Aaliyah as May's student of the month. Congratulations and keep up the great work! 

1A -  Ana Martins Moreira is a kind, caring, and hardworking student. She is very driven and independent, but also a great team player and quick to help anyone in need. She takes pride in her work and isn't afraid to ask for help when she needs it, because she always strives to do her best. For these reasons, I am very proud to announce Ana as first grade's student of the month.

2A - Julissa Cabrera is our student of the month. She is attentive, tries her best, and never gives up. Julissa does not get discouraged easily. She volunteers to help others whenever they need it. She is there when a friend needs someone to listen and works cooperatively with others.  

3A – Matthew Diaz has continued to improve academically and behaviorally this year.  He earns KEYS each week by helping others without being asked and finishing tasks that seemed too difficult just a month ago.  He pays close attention to instructions and if in doubt, asks for help. Matthew has become a focused and productive third grader.

4A - Karen Hernandez is 4A’s Student of the Month.  She has been an honor student throughout the year and a student who exemplifies St. Peter's School's KEYS.  She is kind, honest, hard-working, and a great team player. 

5A - Alaysha Flores is 5th grade's Student of the Month. Whether she's in the classroom or on the basketball court, Alaysha is always working incredibly hard. This has allowed her to see tremendous growth in both math knowledge and creative writing over the course of this year. Our 5th grade class also appreciates how kind, funny, and helpful she is. Congrats Alaysha!

6A   Gabriela Camacho has been a student living out the KEYS for the entire school year!  She has a kind heart and is very helpful to her peers and notices when a peer needs her support.  Gabriela also uses her own time to help teachers! Gabriela keeps her focus in the classroom and is proud of the work that she does.  We appreciate her hard work this year and are grateful for the support she has given us inside and outside of the classroom! Thank you, Gabriela! 

7A - This month I would like to recognize Kalven Navarrete.  While maintaining his great academic accomplishments, he has also been found helping out those around him, overcoming fears and learning from trying new things, and always lending a helping hand in the classroom.  

7B -  Jesus Lopez is a great example of two of our key values: “You are Love” and “Service Unites.”  Jesus shows love in the way he treats others with compassion and generosity of spirit. He watches out for others, especially those who need extra help. He is always willing to serve and lend a hand, expecting no recognition or reward, simply because he knows it's the right thing to do. Thank you, Jesus, for being a great example of the spirit of St. Peter's.

8A - Lesley Garcia is a positive role model for all students. She is very hard-working, respectful, and kind. Lesley participates in all classroom activities.  She is not timid to participate in discussions, which makes students like her stand out in a crowd. Lesley has continuously lived out the keys from beginning to end. Way to grow!

IN THE CLASSROOM

KINDER - This week in Kindergarten, we will write a letter that includes a greeting, body, and closing. Students will work in pairs to write their letter. In Math, we will learn to build shapes using wooden sticks and marshmallows. Lastly, we will prepare for the celebration that will take place on June 6th in the gym from 9:00 - 11:00 AM. After the celebration, your Kindergartener may go home with you.

2A - Second graders will be reading “Follow the Drinking Gourd” and determining the lesson in the story. We will review arrays and practice our multiplication facts (2's, 5's and 10's). We have classroom worms! Have you seen our lettuce in the garden? We will continue working with our composting jars and garden in science. We will be talking about how we can appreciate God's gifts all around us in religion. 

3A – This week in Science, 3A is hard at work on our Owl Investigation. The students are enjoying learning about many different aspects of owl life. We will have our last week of spelling tests on Tuesday and Friday. After that our spelling time will focus on academic vocabulary in several different subject areas. We continue to practice cursive writing with downcurve and slanted letters. These include i, t, e, l, b, u, w, f, y, n, and capital a. Some of the students have already begun their Summer Learning Challenge. This is a good thing! Let's try to keep them challenged with their MANDATORY summer work. It will count for their first homework assignment in fourth grade. It's due the first day that we return to school (August 22). We have had a very successful third grade year. We have grown and accomplished a great deal. Congratulations to students, parents and teachers.

5A - This is 5th grade's Career Week! 5th graders spent some time formulating good interview questions before getting to talk with people who work in a variety of professional fields. We're looking forward to talking with an author, an artist, a comedian, a military veteran, a software engineer who works on self-driving cars, an Air Bnb recruiter, one of Google's creative engineers, and more. The goal is to expose 5th graders to different careers that they might be interested in doing someday!

6A   Religion – 6th graders will complete a final essay about a figure from the Old Testament they learned about this year who inspires them to live their faith.   Language Arts – 6th Grade ELA will wrap up the school year with their final academic vocabulary quiz and assess their knowledge of parallel sentence structure. Literature circle groups are also nearing the end of their novels and will begin choosing their culminating projects.   Social Studies – Students are presenting passion projects and finalizing research on Ancient Rome.  Science – 6th graders are closing out their year-long study of weather by researching San Francisco's unique micro-climates. 

7A/7B    Language Arts - Students will be introduced and begin their Final Project for the novel The Outsiders.  Social Studies – 7th Graders are looking ahead to a project for next year and will finish presenting passion projects.   Science - After having completed their IntoScience exploration on ecosystems, students are primed for a deeper conversation about how the environment influences a species.

8A   **8th GRADE REMINDER**  

·       8th Grade Picnic will take place on Thursday, May 31 from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM at San Bruno Park. 8th Grade Graduation Mass will take place on Friday, June 1 at 9:30 AM and Graduation Ceremony will take place at 5:00 PM in church. Students must bring their gowns and wear formal attire. Families are welcome to attend the Mass and Ceremony. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Fuaau.

Language Arts - Students have successfully completed their Final Academic Week! This week, they will focus on wrapping up the school year and graduation.   Social Studies – 8th grade has finished their last classes at St Peter’s. Good luck 8th grade we will miss you!   Science - After an eventful year of meeting standards and completing projects, the eighth graders get ready to say goodbye to Saint Peter's.

REMINDERS

May 31      8th Grade Picnic, San Bruno Park

June 1        9:30 AM  Graduation Mass

                  11:00 AM  Graduation Brunch for 8th Graders

                  5:00 PM   Graduation Ceremony in Church

June 5        Last Day of Computer Lab services

June 6        9:00 AM  Kindergarten Celebration in the gym

                  12:30 PM Dismissal

June 7        9:00 AM  Academic Awards Assembly in church        

                  12:30 PM Dismissal

June 8        9:00 AM  End of School Year Mass

                  10:00 AM  Dismissal

                  LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

                  No BVCC Services

QUE PASA 5/23/2018 (English)

Dear Parents,

       This Monday, we celebrate Memorial Day, a day where we take the time to honor and remember those who died in all of America’s wars.  These men and women sacrificed their lives as they were protecting others and protecting our rights and freedoms.  Let us offer this prayer for the soldiers who have given their lives for our country, and reflect on how we ourselves can peacefully work for justice in our world:
Dear God,
This Memorial Day, we pray for those who courageously laid down their lives for the cause of freedom.  May the examples of their sacrifice inspire in us the selfless love of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Bless the families of our fallen troops, and fill their homes and their lives with Your strength and peace.
In union with the people of other nations, give us the courage to work for peace and justice, and seek an end to violence and conflict in our communities and around the world.
We ask this through your holy name.  AMEN.

--Mrs. Sandra Jimenez

FRIDAY—8th GRADE PINNING MASS

This Friday, we will honor our 8th graders as they receive their St. Peter’s School Pins—a symbol of their time spent here at St. Peter’s.  You are welcome to join in this special mass and celebration at 8:30 AM.  Students should be in complete uniform—no gray sweats or free dress passes may be used on this day.

SPORTS COMMITTEE

Join the Sports Committee as they plan on how to help our Athletic program grow.  The next meeting is next week on Tuesday, May 29 at 5:00 PM in the Faculty Meeting Room.

We are also looking for coaches for the 3rd and 6th grades girls’ volleyball teams and the 7th/8th grade boys’ soccer team for the upcoming school year.  If you are interested, please contact Mr. Suárez in the office or email rsuarez@sanpedro.org. 

SUMMER LEARNING CHALLENGE

Tomorrow, students in grades Kindergarten through 7 will be receiving information about the Summer Learning Challenge.  Completing this Summer Learning Challenge will help prevent the “summer slide,” where students can lose 2-3 months of reading and math skills every summer.  This adds up—by 5th grade summer learning loss can make a student 2.5 - 3 years behind their peers who read during the summer.

Please look over the summer learning challenge with your child, and encourage them to complete the mandatory components of the challenge by the due date.  

BVCC SUMMER PROGRAM

Registration is now open for the BVCC Summer Program.  Weekly programs are available from June 11 - July 27.  Tutors from the University of San Francisco will be available once a week throughout the program and can provide assistance to your child as they complete their Summer Learning Challenge.

NO BVCC SERVICE ON JUNE 8

Friday, June 8th is the last day of school, and dismissal is at 10:00 AM.  However, BVCC will not be open on that day, so no child care at school will be available.  Please make arrangements for the pick-up of your child at 10:00.

2017-2018 YEARBOOK

The Yearbook is on sale NOW!  $25 for a 52-page, full-color, hardcover memory book for this school year!  Supplies are limited.  Pre-order now to guarantee your copy!

AZTEC TREK

If your child received a statement for any unpaid balance for the mandatory AZTEC TREK Fundraiser, this balance is past due.  Please pay the amount as soon as possible. 

SPRING PICTURES

If your child took LifeTouch Spring pictures, please return payment of the pictures that you wish to keep, and return any photos that you do not purchase.

SPECIAL MASS AND RECEPTION

On Sunday, June 10 at 2:30 PM at St. Peter’s Church, a special mass and reception will be held in honor of Sr. Ana Maria Pineda.  She is a St. Peter’s parishioner since the 1950s, a St. Peter’s graduate from the 1960s, and a Sister of Mercy since the 1970s.  She is a former St. Peter’s teacher and Parish Minister at the Church for the Hispanic Community, and currently a professor at Santa Clara University.  She has recently been elected as Assistant to the President of the West Midwest Sisters of Mercy.  Please join is un honoring Sr. Ana Maria!

IN THE CLASSROOM

KINDER - We will continue to identify vowels and distinguish between short and long vowel sounds. We will participate in various vowels games and work in pairs. We will review the letter names a, e, i, o, and u. In math, we will describe the position of these shapes: cone, cylinder, sphere, and cube. We will use words such as above, below, in front of and behind.  

1A -  This week in first grade we are reading about and discussing different traditions and working on words with beginning three-letter blends. In religion, we are practicing the different ways we can pray to God. In math we are beginning our fractions unit. In science we are working on distinguishing between different sounds. In social studies we are continuing our study of direction. 

2A - Second graders will be reading “Amazing Grace” and determining the problem and solution in the story. We will review adding 3-digit numbers. Have you seen our lettuce in the garden? We will continue working with our composting jars and garden in science. We will be talking about peace and justice in religion this week. We are keeping many loved ones in our prayers.

3A – This week in 3A we are beginning a Science unit on OWLS. Everyone is very excited, especially Mrs. G. We will not only dissect pellets but we will learn the names of many different owls and their body parts. In Math class, we continue multiplying 2-digit numbers by 1-digit and dividing numbers with remainders. In Social Studies class, we will focus on Memorial Day activities. This is an important patriotic holiday that honors all the men and women who died in the service of the United States. GOD BLESS AMERICA! 

4A - This week 4A will begin working on their 4th Quarter Projects.  These projects will focus on their understanding of the Gold Rush, the three types of rock, and a board game covering much of what they learned this school year in Religion, Math, Reading, English, History, Science, and Handwriting.     

5A - Over the past month, 5th graders have had "genius hour" time to research anything that they're interested in. We've been practicing our technology, research, and writing skills during this unit. Students will finally start to present these passion projects this week. We're excited to learn about everything from the history of hot Cheetos to the science behind eye color in our classmates' presentations this week.

6A   Religion – 6th graders will be learning about the different types of prayer and writing their own prayers.   Language Arts –Students continue to work in the rotational model and are really getting it down! Students are well into their novels for their literature circles and this week will be working on writing sentences in parallel structure.   Social Studies – Students will begin their Ancient Rome Unit by completing a lesson on the physical geography of Italy and coming up with questions they have about the Roman Empire.   Science – 6th graders will review the principles of condensation in relation to our larger weather systems and begin discussing evaporation.  

7A/7B    Language Arts - Students have ended their reading of The Outsiders. They will complete a Final Project to capture the overall content of the novel.  Social Studies – 7th Graders will be completing a five-paragraph essay on the First American Civilizations and will be presenting their passion projects.   Science - Students pick up where they left off after their week at Caritas. Genetic disorder presentations are done and now we look at ecology.

8A   **8th GRADE REMINDER**  

·       Pinning Mass will take place on Friday, May 25 at 8:30 AM. 8th graders must bring their gowns and wear formal attire. Families are welcome to attend. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Fuaau.

Religion – 8th graders will take their final exam and finish their read aloud book: Refugee. Language Arts - Students have finished Of Mice and Men. They will now participate in a Final Exam based on the novel's last chapter. Did George make the right decision when he killed Lennie? Was he helping a friend or getting rid of a burden?  Social Studies – 8th Graders will take their final exam and present their passion projects.   Science - Mousetrap car races and runs begin! This will be a three-day event capped off with a post-lab assignment to analyze their performance.

REMINDERS

May 25      8:30 AM  8th Grade Pinning Mass

May 28      Memorial Day Holiday; NO SCHOOL

May 29      5:00 PM  Sports Committee Meeting

May 30      9:00 AM  8th Grade Awards Ceremony

June 1        9:30 AM  Graduation Mass

                  5:00 PM   Graduation Ceremony

QUE PASA 5/16/18 (ENGLISH)

Dear Parents,

       Please join me in congratulating our 8th graders who received the Sacrament of Confirmation this past Saturday!  They have been “sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit!” This is an important step in their faith journey, and they were able to reach this point thanks to the loving support of their families and teachers.

       It is our hope that they are now united more firmly to Christ; have a strengthened bond to the Church; and possess a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ.  How appropriate that they took this step in their faith journey just one week ahead of Pentecost (which is this Sunday, on May 20), and is considered the “birthday” of the Church.  Pentecost is the day the apostles were granted the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

     And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong   

     driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they  

     were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire,

     which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And

     they were all filled with the holy Spirit and began to speak

     in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.

     [Acts 2:2-4]

I hope that we as parents, along with our newly-confirmed 8th graders, will continue to be strengthened by the Holy Spirit.  We strive to be positive examples of love, kindness, peace, patience, courage, and faithfulness, and live out our St. Peter’s KEYS!

--Mrs. Sandra Jimenez

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!

We are so grateful for all the hard work and dedication that St. Peter’s teachers have shown this school year.  They are a KEY part of our school community, and they definitely model how SERVICE UNITES.

We especially thank Mr. David Guzman, our 4th grade teacher for the past 10 years, and Mr. Lawrence Hargarten, our 7th grade homeroom and Middle School Math teacher for the past 4 years, for their service at St. Peter’s School.  Mr. Guzman and Mr. Hargarten have chosen different paths for the upcoming school year.  We thank them for their dedication and care for the students at St. Peter’s School, and wish them the best in their future endeavors.  We will miss you, Mr. Guzman and Mr. Hargarten!

SUNDAY FAMILY MASS

This Sunday, May 20, is Pentecost Sunday and our Family Mass celebration.  Join us for mass at 9:30 AM!

SPORTS CELEBRATION

Aztecs!  Did you play a sport this year? If so, you are invited to join us for our Annual Sports Celebration THIS SUNDAY on May 20, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. (after our 9:30 a.m. Sunday Family Mass) in the school gym.  Not only will we have delicious pastries and exciting information to share with you, we will also take the time to recognize some scholar athletes for exemplifying our core values: grow, accomplish, love, serve, and unite!

Registrations for 2018-2019 sports seasons will also be available at the celebration.  See you there!

2017-2018 YEARBOOK

The Yearbook is on sale NOW!  $25 for a 52-page, full-color, hardcover memory book for this school year!  Supplies are limited.  Pre-order now to guarantee your copy!

AZTEC TREK

If your child received a statement for any unpaid balance for the mandatory AZTEC TREK Fundraiser, this balance is past due.  Please pay the amount as soon as possible.

SPRING PICTURES

If your child took LifeTouch Spring pictures, please return payment of the pictures that you wish to keep, and return any photos that you do not purchase.

SPECIAL MASS AND RECEPTION

On Sunday, June 10 at 2:30 PM at St. Peter’s Church, a special mass and reception will be held in honor of Sr. Ana Maria Pineda.  She is a St. Peter’s parishioner since the 1950s, a St. Peter’s graduate from the 1960s, and a Sister of Mercy since the 1970s.  She is a former St. Peter’s teacher and Parish Minister at the Church for the Hispanic Community, and currently a professor at Santa Clara University.  She has recently been elected as Assistant to the President of the West Midwest Sisters of Mercy.  Please join is un honoring Sr. Ana Maria!

IN THE CLASSROOM

KINDER - This week in Kindergarten, we will review Unit 10 and our sight words. Also, students will work together to write sentences that state opinions about a topic. Then they will make a poster to display their opinions. For example: “I think we should keep parks clean!”

1A -  This week in first grade we are reading and learning about how weather affects us and working on reading words with silent letters. In religion we are continuing to talk about the importance of forgiveness and saying sorry. In math we are continuing with double-digit addition and regrouping. In science we are continuing our study of sound and vibrations. In social studies we are continuing our practice with directions and using a compass.  

2A - Second graders will be reading more poetry and determining the author's point of view. We will review adding and subtracting with 2-digit numbers. We will continue working with our composting jars and garden in science. We have been visiting the grotto to say prayers lately for loved ones.

3A – Our reading dioramas were finished and proved to be done with lots of thought and creativity. Great job 3rd grade! You gave it your all and never gave in or gave up. Now we'll begin our next chapter book called Chocolate Fever by Robert Kimmel Smith. In Math class we are multiplying 2- digit by 1-digit numbers. We are also exploring long division with remainders. This skill is made so much easier when we know our basic math facts!!! We are sounding much better at Tuesday Mass since we've been practicing our Mass responses each week.

4A - This week 4A will continue to explain and identify an author's purpose, identify and use adverbs in writing, and add fractions with unlike denominators.      

5A - This week, 5th grade will finish their STAR testing and book talk presentations, go on a field trip to the California Academy of Sciences museum, and celebrate the end of our book study on A Wrinkle in Time with a class party.

6A   Religion - Students will be reading about Pentecost as the Easter season comes to an end.    Language Arts – 6th graders will continue reading novels in literature circles, while practicing using context clues to find the meaning of unknown words. We are also trying out rotating in learning centers, so students have the opportunity to learn in small groups.   Social Studies – Students are finalizing their Greek Unit by viewing Hercules, completing their review game boards, and having an art teacher visit the classroom for a Greek art project.   Science – 6th graders will review principles of condensation as they prepare for an investigation into water vapor's impact on weather systems.

7A/7B    Language Arts - Students are continuing to read The Outsiders. They have engaged in thought-provoking discussions and lessons based on what it means to be hero. Can Greasers bestow acts of heroism or does their negative reputation hinder them from being heroes?   Social Studies – 7th graders will begin to compare and contrast the four early American civilizations.   Science - Students are back from camp and now we look to complete our genetics presentations and begin our ecology unit here at school.

8A   **8th GRADE REMINDERS** 

·         Graduation Fee ($140) and any Outstanding Bills (tuition, AZTEC Trek)—NOW PAST DUE! Please make payments in the school office.

·         Picnic Permission Slips due Wednesday, May 23 to Mrs. Fuaau.

Religion – Students are continuing their book, Refugee, and will reflect on the end of the Easter season with readings about Pentecost.  Language Arts - Students have begun reading Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck. They are introduced to the unlikely pair of Lennie and George, their friendship, and the journey west.   Social Studies – 8th Graders will continue learning the details of the Civil War and presenting on specific battles that occurred.   Science - Students have been hard at work on their mousetrap cars. This week, we look to get all of the kinks out as we prepare to race next week.

REMINDERS

May 16       8:30 AM  May Crowning Prayer Service and Student Council Installation

May 20       9:30 AM  Sunday Family Mass

                   10:30 AM  Sports Celebration in the Parish Hall

May 25      8:30 AM  8th Grade Pinning Mass

May 28      Memorial Day Holiday; NO SCHOOL

QUE PASA 5/9/2018 (ENGLISH)

Dear Parents,

       This Sunday, we celebrate Mother’s Day. We recognize the important role that mothers, aunts, grandmothers, and all mother-figures play in our lives!  We are thankful for the love they show us and sacrifices they make for us.  During this month of May, we also dedicate time to pray to our Blessed Mother Mary.  We look to Mary as an example of faith, love, and courage as she said YES to God!  Let us pray in thanksgiving for our Blessed Mother Mary and for all mother-figures in our lives.

Heavenly Father,

We Praise You and we thank You for the gift of our mothers, through whom You give us life and through whom we experience love. We thank You for Mary, the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, a mother so gracious and a woman of example in motherhood for all of us.  May our prayer warm the hearts of all mothers. May they know that they are loved and precious. May mothers all over the world feel in their heart the joys of being called a mother and in all their goodness and all their failings, be blessed in Your love and forgiveness.

We pray in Grace they belong close to You Lord Jesus Christ, AMEN.

(Prayer by Geevetha Mary Samuel)

--Mrs. Sandra Jimenez

THANK YOU, TEACHERS!

This week is National Teacher Appreciation Week!  Join me in showing thanks to all of our teachers for all that they do at St. Peter’s School!

PRAYERS FOR OUR 7th AND 8th GRADERS

This week, our 7th graders are having their 5-day retreat and outdoor education experience at Caritas Creek Camp.  This week is also time for the final preparation for our 8th graders before they receive the Sacrament of Confirmation on Saturday.  Both are important events in the lives of our 7th and 8th graders, and we keep them all in our prayers. 

STAR TESTING

From May 7 – May 18, students will be completing their final STAR standardized tests of the school year.  These tests help identify areas of strength and growth so that teachers can meet students’ needs, and results are also shared with the Department of Catholic Schools at the Archdiocese of San Francisco.  To help students do their best, please make sure that your child is getting a good night’s rest and eating breakfast.  Also, providing your child with a recess snack would be helpful.  Please help the teachers in encouraging the children to do their best on the last STAR tests of this school year.

STUDENT COUNCIL

We are extremely proud of all those students who showed COURAGE and school spirit in running for office!  Below are the newly elected officers for the 2018-2019 school year:

   President, Tattyana Montenegro

   Vice-President, Cesar Jimenez

   Secretary, Julian Bautista

   Treasurer, Matthew Jimenez

   Commissioner of Religious Affairs, Oscar Castaneda

   Commissioner of Traffic & Safety, Luis Flores

   Commissioner of Sports, Odalis Alvarez

   Commissioner of Communications, Elijah Langlois

FAMILY LOTERIA NIGHT

Thank you to all parent volunteers who helped in the planning and preparation of our first Family Lotería Night last Friday! We appreciate all the time and donations that helped make the event possible.  If you are interested in planning future community building and fundraising school events, please contact Mrs. Jimenez.

LICE

If you are aware that your child has lice, please keep him/her at home and immediately begin treatment to help remove the lice.  Your child may not return to school until your child is fully clear of all lice and nits.  We want to prevent the lice from spreading to other children in school.  Thank you for your cooperation on this matter.

AZTEC TREK

If your child received a statement for any unpaid balance for the mandatory AZTEC TREK Fundraiser, this balance is past due.  Please pay the amount as soon as possible.

SPRING PICTURES

If your child took LifeTouch Spring pictures, please return payment of the pictures that you wish to keep, and return any photos that you do not purchase.

SPORTS CELEBRATION

Aztecs!  Did you play a sport this year? If so, you are invited to join us for our Annual Sports Celebration on May 20 2018 at 10:30 a.m. (after our 9:30 a.m. Sunday Family Mass) in the school gym.  Not only will we have delicious pastries and exciting information to share with you, we will also take the time to recognize some scholar athletes for exemplifying our core values: grow, accomplish, love, serve, and unite!  Registrations for 2018-2019 sports seasons will also be available at the celebration.  See you there!

IN THE CLASSROOM

KINDER - This week, we will learn about how things can be alike and how things can be different. We will start by reading a poem about a made-up world and discuss how things are very different. Also, we will explore words with long and short e sounds. We will use sound boxes to count the sounds and write words. In Math, we will learn how to compare solid and flat shapes.

1A -  This week in first grade we are reading and talking about the different people in our lives that help us. In religion we are talking about the importance of forgiveness. In math we are continuing our introduction to addition with regrouping. In social studies we are learning about the different directions and how to use a compass. In science we are beginning our unit on sound and vibrations. 

2A - Second graders will determine the theme of the story, Poetry! We will finish up math arrays and review adding coins. We will continue working with our composting jars and garden in science. We will talk about our special gifts in religion.

3A – This week we are completing our Mother's Day projects. In Religion, we continue to learn about the different types of prayer including The Rosary. During Math class, we've begun learning how to multiply two digit numbers by one digit.

4A - This week 4A students will identify and use adverbs in writing, explain and identify an author's purpose for writing, and rename improper fractions as whole numbers or mixed numbers in simplest form.    

5A - This week in science, 5th graders will investigate making solutions of different concentrations. Students will continue working to challenge themselves with their math groups and will also have a special introduction to coding workshop on Friday.

6A   Language Arts – 6th Graders will begin their literature circles unit, focusing on different roles as they read a novel with a small group. We will also be studying how to use context clues to find the meaning of unknown words.   Social Studies – Students will be working on an Alexander the Great Board Game Project.   Science – 6th grade scientists will continue examining the effect of wind patterns on our weather by comparing land breezes and sea breezes.

7A/7B    7th Graders are at their Caritas Creek Camp retreat this week!   Science – 7th graders will study ecology while at Caritas Creek Camp in Occidental.

8A   **8th GRADE REMINDER--Graduation Fee ($140), Confirmation ($8), and any Outstanding Bills (tuition, AZTEC Trek)—NOW PAST DUE! Please make payments in the school office.**

Religion – 8th Graders will be preparing for their upcoming Confirmation.  They will be receiving Confirmation this Saturday, May 12 at 10:00 AM at St. Mary's Cathedral.  Language Arts - Students have finished Romeo & Juliet. They have discovered how far one will go to be together in this tragic love story. They will now begin their introduction to their last novel of the school year, Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck.  Social Studies – Students will be watching the movie Glory about the Civil War and will begin a 4th Quarter Passion Project.   Science - We continue to build our mousetrap cars this week as we prepare to compete next week!

REMINDERS

May 7-11    7th Grade Retreat at Caritas Creek

May 7-18    STAR Testing

May 9         Free Dress for No Tardies in April

May 9         6:00 PM  8th Grade Confirmation rehearsal at St. Peter’s Church

May 12       10:00 AM  8th Grade Confirmation at St. Mary’s Cathedral

May 16       8:30 AM  May Crowning Prayer Service and Student Council Installation

May 20       9:30 AM  Sunday Family Mass

                   10:30 AM  Sports Celebration in the Parish Hall

QUE PASA 5/2/2018 (English)

Dear Parents,

       It’s SPIRIT WEEK at St. Peter’s School--a special week where we can celebrate our unity and school pride!  As parents, some ways we can show school spirit are by supporting our children as they learn new things at school, guiding them to have open hearts and open minds, attending school events and sports games, and volunteering to help at school.  As we take part in this fun week recognizing the different ways we can show our school spirit, let us take time to pray as a community to the HOLY SPIRIT for guidance and strength, especially in these final six weeks of school.

COME, HOLY SPIRIT,

And fill our hearts with your gifts.

Let our love be true and our charity be generous.

Help us in all our needs

and grant us the knowledge to do what is right.

Advise us in our doubts, 

strengthen us in our weaknesses, 

protect us when we are tempted, 

and console us when we are afraid.

Graciously hear us, O Holy Spirit, and pour your light into our hearts, minds, and souls.

Guide us to live holy lives and to grow in goodness and grace.

AMEN.

--Mrs. Sandra Jimenez

FAMILY LOTERIA NIGHT

Join us in playing Loteria THIS FRIDAY, May 4, from 5:00-7:00 PM in the Parish Hall!  Only $3 for a Loteria card for unlimited play for a chance to win a prize from the prize table.  Or, pay more to play for one of the Grand Prizes, which include tickets to watch the San Francisco Giants!  There are limited Loteria cards available to play for the grand prizes, so pre-purchase your card at the office before May 4.  Any remaining cards will also be sold at the event.  Also, see the flyer for more details and ways that you can help out with this fun event.

RE-REGISTRATION FOR 2018-2019

If you have not done so already, please return the bright orange re-registration form to school.  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 now due.

LICE

If you are aware that your child has lice, please keep him/her at home and immediately begin treatment to help remove the lice. Your child may not return to school until your child is fully clear of all lice and nits.  We want to prevent the lice from spreading to other children in school.  Thank you for your cooperation on this matter.

STAR TESTING

Beginning next week, from May 7 – May 18, students will be completing their final STAR standardized tests of the school year.  These tests help identify areas of strength and growth so that teachers can meet students’ needs, and results are also shared with the Department of Catholic Schools at the Archdiocese of San Francisco.  To help students do their best, please make sure that your child is getting a good night’s rest and eating breakfast.  Also, providing your child with a recess snack would be helpful.  Please help the teachers in encouraging the children to do their best on the last STAR tests of this school year.

AZTEC TREK

If your child received a statement for any unpaid balance for the mandatory AZTEC TREK Fundraiser, this balance is past due.  Please pay the amount as soon as possible. 

SPECIAL MASS AND RECEPTION

On Sunday, June 10 at 2:30 PM at St. Peter’s Church, a special mass and reception will be held in honor of Sr. Ana Maria Pineda.  She is a St. Peter’s parishioner since the 1950s, a St. Peter’s graduate from the 1960s, and a Sister of Mercy since the 1970s.  She is a former St. Peter’s teacher and Parish Minister at the Church for the Hispanic Community, and currently a professor at Santa Clara University.  She has recently been elected as Assistant to the President of the West Midwest Sisters of Mercy.  Please join is un honoring Sr. Ana Maria!

IN THE CLASSROOM

KINDER - This week in Kindergarten, we will explore words with short and long u sounds. We will also review pronouns: I, we, he, she, it, and they. Then, students will work together in groups to write complete sentences using a pronoun. In math, we will review flat shapes and explore solid shapes. We will continue talking about how shapes are alike and different.

1A - This week in first grade we are reading and discussing how we can work together to make our lives better. In religion we are reviewing what we've learned about the Eucharist. In math we are gearing up to begin double-digit addition with regrouping. In science we are working on recording observations over a month-long period. In social studies we are continuing our study of commerce.  

2A - Second graders will be determining the problem and solution in a story.  We will be making arrays and starting to learn about multiplication.  We will continue working with our composting investigation in science. We will attend mass, receive the Eucharist, and practice mass responses.

3A – In Religion, we are beginning a unit on the Rosary.  We'll study the Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, and (for the season of Easter) Glorious Mysteries.  We'll also learn the various types of prayer. In Reading class we'll begin making shoebox dioramas. These will show our favorite part of one of the stories in our reader.  This will be the 3rd graders’ culminating assessment on the reading text. Our school will show UNITY and school spirit as we "dress up" during this spirit week.

4A - Students will continue to identify and explain an author's purpose for writing, identify and use adjectives, including proper adjectives and articles.  Students will also add fractions with like denominators.  

5A - This week in 5th grade, students will start creating a plot for their own comic. In math, we will learn how to add fractions with different denominators. We're also going to test solutions with different concentrations in science.

6A   Religion – 6th graders will reflect on the story of Satan testing Job and journal about how Job inspires them to live their life with trust in God.   Language Arts – We are completing our unit on the novel Tuck Everlasting and sharing our dreams about our futures through our Ferris Wheel projects. We will also take a closer look at the characteristics of different genres this week.  Math- 6th graders are into the world of Geometry, focusing on angles and triangles.  We will explore the world around us and find how angles make up the structures and shadows among us.  Social Studies – Students will begin to read about Alexander the Great, his empire, and the effect it had on world history.   Science – 6th graders are learning how the flow of air particles affects weather patterns. They'll complete an investigation on wind this week.

7A/7B    ** 7th GRADE REMINDER—Caritas Creek Camp Retreat payment and paperwork now past due!  Please submit all payments and forms to Ms. Land. **

Religion - We continue our study of prayer and leadership, this week focusing on the Lord’s Prayer, The Our Father, and the elements that make it such an impactful prayer .  Connected to this is the journey of St. Peter and how he was a true leader.  We will focus on elements of doubt when we are faced with challenges and how prayer can be a way to put our doubts and fears to rest.  Language Arts - Students are continuing to read The Outsiders. They will analyze Robert Frost's poem "Nothing Gold Can Stay" and how it applies to the novel.   Math - We continue our exploration of all things small and large and look at the immeasurable with exponents and Scientific Notation.  Social Studies – Students will be finalizing their outline and research on the Incan Empire. 7th Graders are also preparing to spend next week at Caritas Creek!   Science - Students will be presenting their genetic disorder projects all week long.

8A   ** 8th GRADE REMINDER--Graduation Fee ($140), Confirmation ($8), and any Outstanding Bills (tuition, AZTEC Trek)—NOW PAST DUE! Please make payments in the school office..**

Religion – 8th graders will be continuing the book Refugee, reflecting on how the book inspires them to treat their neighbors.   Language Arts - Students are well into Act 3 of Romeo and Juliet. They have participated in lively, thought-provoking discussions based on the play's themes, especially regarding young love.  Math - We put it all together with using systems of equations in various real world situations and then start our culminating 4th quarter project of building our ramps using linear equations.  Social Studies – Students will determine which Cause to the Civil War had the greatest impact on the start of the war.   Science - Students will begin building their mousetrap car for their final project.

REMINDERS

Apr. 30 – May 4    SPIRIT WEEK

                Movie Monday / Teacher Tuesday / Work-It    

                Wednesday / Tourist Thursday / Fairy Tale Friday

May 4         1:30 PM  Spirit Week Finale

May 4         5:00-7:00 PM  Family Lotería Night

May 7-11    7th Grade Retreat at Caritas Creek

May 7-18    STAR Testing

May 8         8:15 AM School Mass

May 9         Free Dress for No Tardies in April

QUE PASA 4/25/2018 (English)

Dear Parents,

       Growing in faith is an important goal here at St. Peter’s School, and last weekend 22 of our St. Peter’s students grew closer to God as they received the sacrament of the Eucharist for the first time.  With the support of their families, Mrs. Schusteritsch, Mrs. Ortenzo, and Sister Lucy, the First Communicants were lovingly ready to receive Jesus.  

As parents, we have the responsibility of being role models of living our faith, not just when receiving First Communion, but at all times.  I offer this prayer so that we can continue to be positive role models of faith:

Lord, give us the wisdom and the courage to help our children as you would, 

to develop in them a Christ-like love for all people; 

to nurture in them a desire to give and not simply to take; 

to teach them to be doers of Your Holy Word.  

Guide us in our responsibilities. 

Strengthen our love as a community so that we may work together in coming closer to You.  

May we be the expression of Your love to our children, to help us be one in the Body of Christ. 

AMEN.

--Mrs. Sandra Jimenez

AZTEC TREK

Last week, your child may have received a statement for any unpaid balance for the mandatory AZTEC TREK Fundraiser.  This balance is past due; please pay the amount as soon as possible. 

SPRING PICTURES

If your child took LifeTouch Spring pictures, please return payment of the pictures that you wish to keep, and return any photos that you do not purchase.

SUNDAY FAMILY MASS

This Sunday, April 29 at 9:30 AM is Family Mass at St. Peter’s Church.  Please join in the celebration of the Eucharist.  Attend mass in uniform and receive a free dress pass to use during the month of May.

SPIRIT WEEK

Monday, April 30 - Friday, May 4 is Spirit Week at St. Peter’s School! See the attached flyer for the ways that your child can participate in the different themes of each day of the week. 

FAMILY LOTERIA NIGHT

Join us in playing Loteria on Friday, May 4, from 5:00-7:00 PM in the Parish Hall!  See the flyer for ways that you can help out with this fun event.

RE-REGISTRATION FOR 2018-2019

If you have not done so already, please return the bright orange re-registration form to school.  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 now due.

SAFETY DRILL

With safety as a priority, the students, faculty, and staff practiced a shelter-in-place drill at school last week.  This helps us to be prepared in the event of an emergency on campus.  Teachers have taken the time to have age-appropriate discussions of safety at school.  As partners in education, parents should have appropriate discussions with children as well.  We appreciate your support on this matter.  

APRIL 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 - Savannah Febo comes to school every day with great enthusiasm and with a smile on her face. She is kind and thoughtful to classmates as she tries to make them feel better when they are upset. Savannah is also persistent and tries to do her best work every day regardless of the task. Over the past month, she has shown tremendous growth in Math and Reading. For these reasons, and many more, Savannah is our student of the month

1A - Ella Jimenez is a kind, caring, and thoughtful student. She is an incredibly hard worker and she loves to push and challenge herself and make her brain grow.  Ella always goes above and beyond what is asked of her and lately she has been working hard to step out of her comfort zone.  For these reasons I am really proud to announce Ella is first grade's student of the month.

2A - Isabella Del Rosario is second grade's student of the month. She has worked so hard all year. Isabella never gives up, she works cooperatively with others, and has grown so much academically this year.    

3A - Viviana Hernandez is a diligent worker on all class and home assignments.  In class she stays focused even when distractions are around her.  She has developed into a very responsible student who helps others to understand concepts that are new or difficult. She definitely exhibits a Growth Mindset and it is serving her well as she prepares for the fourth grade.  Her family, her teacher and her classmates are proud of her.

4A - Karina Ramirez is a shining example of a student who lives out St. Peter's School's KEYS.  She is a wonderful student who works really hard to do her best.  Her hard work paid off as she earned Second Honors during the Third Quarter.  She is respectful in class and to all of her classmates and friends, as well.   

5A - Charlize Becerra is always cheerful and willing to help our class. She is curious, persistent, and dedicated to learning new things. Charlize is also a talented and creative writer. We're so glad that Charlize has been able to share her growth mindset and positive attitude with 5th grade this year! 

6A - Yasmin Bello-Leon has shown much GROWTH since the beginning of 6th grade.  She is beginning to share her interests and knowledge with her classmates and has inspired curiosity in many of her peers.  Yasmin has an exciting zest for learning and is proving that she can balance many different sixth grade responsibilities.  We appreciate her hard work this year and the support that she gives her peers and teachers. Thank you for setting a great example of a student with the KEYS to open hearts and open minds!

7A - 7A is a hard-working class, and this month a perfect example of hard work and a positive Growth mindset is Juan Galvez.  He has shown great attention, patience, dedication, and teamwork in everything he has worked on, from math, to his STEAM Fair Project, to his interactions with teachers and classmates alike.  He also has shown some great learning skills by sharing some fantastic questions and ideas.  Juan has certainly shined brightly this month!   

7B - Luis Flores has a great way of persisting and putting in the work to accomplish his goals. His teachers appreciate his thoughtful participation in class. He shows that every accomplishment needs courage because he's willing to take risks and try new things in order to learn.  

8A - Emilio Jones has consistently demonstrated what is means to grow and how necessary it is to have courage to accomplish difficult tasks. He has blossomed in his academics and personal endeavors. He has learned to build up the courage to confidently speak in small and whole group activities. Emilio continues to share his talents with all those around him and to rise up to his true potential!  

IN THE CLASSROOM

KINDER - This week in Kindergarten, we will talk about natural resources. We will learn that natural resources are things that come from nature, such as plants, water, animals and soil. We will determine natural resources used to make various items on the school and record them on a chart. Also we will explore words with short and long o sounds. In Math, we will compare and analyze flat shapes.

1A -  This week in first grade we are reading and discussing how different structures are built. In religion we are continuing our study of the Eucharist. In math we are measuring weight and capacity. In science we are continuing our study of kites and wind. In social studies we are discussing jobs and the need for them.

2A - Second graders will be summarizing stories and determining an author's point of view, We will start working with arrays in math (3 x 3 =9). We will continue working with soils in science. 

3A – This week we are focusing on completing our Rainforest Unit in Science and our Social Studies Unit on the Pacific Coast Native Tribes.  In Reading, our story for the week is called The Legend of the Persian Carpet.  It is written by a famous children's author, Tomie dePaola. In Math class we are working on fractions, lines, line segments, and rays. Please continue to have your children practice their multiplication and division basic facts as it is imperative for our more advanced math problems.

5A - This week in math, 5th graders will continue practicing comparing and ordering fractions with different denominators. We'll also read more stories about the lives of children during the Revolutionary War. 

6A   Religion – 6th graders will be reading the Old Testament stories of Esther and Job.   Language Arts – 6th Grade is in the middle of our novel unit Tuck Everlasting, reaching the exciting climax and answer the question, will Winnie drink the water? We are having very interesting ethical discussions around the purpose of life and tampering with "nature." Students will begin looking at the stages of their own lives as they create a Ferris Wheel as a culminating project.    Social Studies – Students will begin to compare the daily life in Athens to the daily life in Sparta.   Science – Students will continue working on testing their designs for insulating a model home. 

7A/7B     Language Arts - Students have begun reading the novel The Outsiders. They are recording and analyzing the main ideas through a series of Comprehension Questions. These questions will serve as a resource for class discussions.    Social Studies – Students will continue their First American Civilization Research by outlining the textbook information about the Aztec Empire!.   Science - Students are putting the finishing touches on their genetic disorder presentations as we prepare to present on Thursday.

8A   ** 8th GRADE REMINDER--Graduation Fee ($140), Confirmation ($8), and any Outstanding Bills (tuition, AZTEC Trek)--DUE: Tuesday, May 1. **

Religion – 8th graders will be continuing with their book study of Refugee by discussing and Quick-sketching Chapters 16-21.   Language Arts - Students did an amazing job finalizing their Zoot Suit 1940's Dress-Up Presentation and Swing Dance Performance last Thursday! They have wrapped-up their introduction to Romeo and Juliet and have begun reading the play.   Social Studies – Students will begin reading and becoming experts on the Causes of the Civil War--deciding which Cause had the greatest influence in starting the war..   Science - Students are in the beginning stages of their mousetrap car project: this week we dive deep into the mechanics of a mousetrap car.

REMINDERS

Apr. 26    Student Council Primary Elections    

Apr. 26    3A to Mercy High School to watch Seussical

Apr. 26    7A to Mission Science Workshop

Apr. 27    Student Council Final Elections

Apr. 29    9:30 AM  Sunday Family Mass

Apr. 30 – May 4    SPIRIT WEEK

                Movie Monday / Teacher Tuesday / Work-It    

                Wednesday / Tourist Thursday / Fairy Tale Friday

May 1      8:15 AM  School Mass

May 4      5:00-7:00 PM  Family Loteria Night

QUE PASA 4/18/2018 (ENGLISH)

Dear Parents,

       We continue to grow this Easter season.  I particularly enjoyed reading an article (www.loyolapress.com) by Chris Sullivan not only because she guides us to grow in faith, but also because I note connections to a growth mindset.  Here is an excerpt that can guide your own personal reflection.

Throughout the 50 days of the Easter season, we are invited to celebrate the reality of new creation in our own lives, our re-creation as the children of God, having moved through Baptism from death to new life in Christ. Even as we may fear entering into this new world, uncharted but for the fact that our Risen Lord goes always before us, how might we pray our resurrection joy?

- Easter comes in the midst of spring. How can the new life rising out of the earth inspire us to prayer? What newness is springing forth in your soul?

- The Risen Christ bears in his resurrected body the scars of his crucifixion. We too may bear the scars of our former life of sin and death. We can ask the Lord in prayer to show us how he might use our scars to lead others to share in our trust that our God can make all things new.

- How do you best experience a sense of praise and gratitude toward God? Do you feel called to create works of art? To keep a gratitude journal? What is one practice you could continue or add to your life of prayer that celebrates the truth that God is renewing creation in you?

May we remember to live out our resurrection joy and be models of a growth mindset for our children.

--Mrs. Sandra Jimenez

AZTEC TREK

Last week, your child may have received a statement for any unpaid balance for the mandatory AZTEC TREK Fundraiser.  This balance is past due; please pay the amount as soon as possible. 

SPRING PICTURES

If your child took LifeTouch Spring pictures, please return payment of the pictures that you wish to keep, and return any photos that you do not purchase.

ST. PETER’S STEAM FAIR

STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics!  Yesterday, our middle school students did a great job presenting their STEAM exhibits to students, teachers, and parents.  Special thanks to the STEAM Fair coordinators and advisors—Mr. Suarez, Ms. Land, Mr. Hargarten, Ms. Ruiz, and Ms. Myranda.

FAMILY LOTERIA NIGHT

Join us in playing Loteria on Friday, May 4, from 5:00-7:00 PM in the Parish Hall!  See the flyer for ways that you can help out with this fun event.

RE-REGISTRATION FOR 2018-2019

If you have not done so already, please return the bright orange re-registration form to school.  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 now due.

IMPORTANT SURVEY

Below is a link to a brief school survey about the Catholic Identity of our school.  This link was also e-mailed to families via SchoolSpeak.  Your input will assist us in identifying strengths and areas for growth.  Completing this survey will take about 10 minutes.  Thank you in advance for your participation in this very important survey!

Live Survey Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/D286WCF

IN THE CLASSROOM

KINDER - This week in Kindergarten, we will talk about ways to be good citizens and show respect. We will read "Hen Hears Gossip" by Megan McDonald and discuss things that we should or should not do to be good citizens. Then, students will write about how each animal in the story could be a better citizen. We will also explore words with short and long i sounds.

1A -  This week in first grade we are reading, writing, and learning about different sounds and how they are made. In religion we are learning about the importance of the Eucharist. In math we are beginning our unit on measurement. In science we are observing the wind by making and flying kites. In social studies we are continuing our discussion on saving money.

2A - Second graders will be determining the main idea and key details of “An Astronaut's Handbook.” We will be measuring using our rulers. We will be working with soils in science. We continue to prepare for First Communion. TONIGHT--April 18 is rehearsal at 5:45 p.m. in St. Peter's Church. Saturday, April 21 is First Communion at 10:00 a.m. in St. Peter's Church. (Students meet at 9:30 a.m. in lower parish hall.)

3A – 3A is continuing the Rainforest Unit in Science. We are learning about the animals, plants, insects, birds and people that inhabit this very special part of our world. We will also learn about the many products that we get by using the Rainforest's resources. In Social Studies, we are studying the Pacific Coastal Native American tribes. It is interesting to know about their life styles including their homes, foods, culture and celebrations.

4A – This week 4A will continue to understand compare and contrast by identifying similarities and differences, write a fraction in lowest terms, and discuss ways to live out the Beatitudes.  

5A - This week, 5th graders will continue to build on their fraction knowledge by practicing simplifying fractions to add and subtract. We will also read a story about James Forten, an African-American sailor who fought in the Revolutionary War.

6A   Religion – Students are turning back to the Blest Are We readings of the Old Testament as the Lenten Season has ended and the Easter Season has begun.   Language Arts – 6A ELA is continuing our analysis of different types of text structure in both fiction and non-fiction text. We are doing close reading of our new novel Tuck Everlasting and looking for clues that tell us what type of text structure is used.  Math - We are learning the properties of equality and learning how to write equations from word problems, and acting those out.  Social Studies - 6th Graders continue their research on Greek gods and goddesses and will write their own creative Greek myth this week.   Science – Students presented their projects in Tuesday's STEAM Fair and will also work on designing their own engineering designs to insulate a model home. 

7A/7B   Religion - “Blessed are the 7th graders in the 4th quarter for they will soon be 8th graders…”  This week we are studying The Sermon on the Mount, and the Beatitudes.  We will explore and discuss these, focusing on each in great detail.  Language Arts- Students will continue their introduction to their final novel, The Outsiders. They have engaged in lively and thought-provoking discussions based on stereotypes and the time period, 1960's. Students will begin reading this week.   Math - 7th grade math finds us learning about the 4 quadrant grid, plotting coordinate points and how this can help us read maps.  Social Studies – 7th Graders are strengthening their outlining skills with Chapters about the Mayan Empire and the Aztec Empire.  Science - Aside from the STEAM fair on Tuesday, students will be working on beginning their genetic disorder presentation.

8A   ** 8th GRADE REMINDER--Graduation Fee ($140), Confirmation ($8), and any Outstanding Bills (tuition, AZTEC Trek)--DUE: Tuesday, May 1. **

Religion – 8th Graders are reading and discussing the book: Refugee by Alan Gratz. Language Arts - Students will finalize their Zoot Suit unit with their 1940's Dress-Up Presentation and Swing Dance Performance on Thursday! They will also continue the introduction to Romeo and Juliet with an Opinionnaire of the different topics and themes that will present themselves as we begin reading.   Math – Students are learning about different ways to solve problems.  They are learning the three methods to solving linear equations.  Which method will be the popular winner this year?!  Social Studies – 8th Graders are using evidence to write an essay: Did the North or South have the strongest advantage before the start of the Civil War?   Science - After wrapping up their final STEAM project, eighth grade students will continue to work through their f = ma problems and be introduced to their final project: the mousetrap car project.

 REMINDERS

Apr. 18    First Communion Rehearsal and Parent Meeting, 5:45 PM in St. Peter’s Church  

Apr. 21    First Communion Mass, 10:00 AM

Apr. 23    12:30 Dismissal

Apr. 24    School Mass, 8:15 AM

Apr. 24    Tree Frog Treks Animal Presentation for Grades K-2

QUE PASA 4/11/18 (ENGLISH)

Dear Parents,

       I hope you had a blessed Easter with your family! We are now in the liturgical season of Easter, but what does living the spirit of the Easter season mean? Here are three suggestions from, “Be Fearless, Be Joyful, Be Renewed: Living the Spirit of Easter” (www.loyolapress.com).

Live With Joy.  The Passion and Resurrection of Jesus teach us that suffering is transformed through faith in the Risen Christ. With this faith, we are able to hold on to an enduring sense of joy even in the midst of the sadness we experience from the loss of a loved one, a failure to achieve an important goal, or a setback during recovery from an illness.

Live Without Fear.  The Resurrection teaches us that God can overcome anything, even death. When the Risen Christ appears to the women at the tomb and later to his disciples, his first words are “Do not be afraid!” (Mt 28:5). These words speak to our hearts, helping us cope with fear. Our faith allows us to trust that God can overcome our most serious problems.

Live With New Eyes.  Just as the return of spring makes us feel like the whole world is new, the Resurrection of Jesus makes “all things new” (Rev. 21:5).  The Easter spirit is a spirit of renewal that enables us to show up at work with a positive attitude, to renew relationships that have been taken for granted, and to express appreciation and affection to those closest to us. It means to see the world through new eyes—God´s eyes!

We can celebrate our faith by feeding our Easter spirit—embracing joy, living without fear, and seeing the world again—as if for the first time.

--Mrs. Sandra Jimenez

REPORT CARDS

Report cards were sent home with your child on Tuesday, March 27.  If you have not signed and returned this report card yet, please do so right away. 

SPRING PICTURES

If your child took LifeTouch Spring pictures, please return payment of the pictures that you wish to keep, and return any photos that you do not purchase.

ST. PETER’S STEAM FAIR

STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics!  Come and see the Middle School STEAM Fair Exhibits next Tuesday, April 17 from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM.  We’re all excited to see what our middle school students have been preparing.  Special thanks to the STEAM Fair coordinators and advisors—Mr. Suarez, Ms. Land, Mr. Hargarten, Ms. Ruiz, and Ms. Myranda.

RE-REGISTRATION FOR 2018-2019

If you have not done so already, please return the bright orange re-registration form to school.  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 now due.

IMPORTANT SURVEY

Below is a link to a brief school survey about the Catholic Identity of our school.  This link was also e-mailed to families via SchoolSpeak.  Your input will assist us in identifying strengths and areas for growth.  Completing this survey will take about 10 minutes.  Thank you in advance for your participation in this very important survey!
Live Survey Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/D286WCF

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 - Welcome back! I hope you all had a wonderful spring break. This week in Kindergarten, we will review our letter sounds, sight words and numbers. Also, we will learn how the short “a” vowel changes to make a long “a” vowel sound by adding the "e." We will explore words with short and long “a” sounds. Parents, this is a hard concept that requires a lot of practice at home. I want to encourage you to help your child with blending sounds to make words. In Math, we will continue to talk about measurements and review our math facts.  

1A -  This week in first grade we are reading and learning about inventors and inventions. In math we are focusing on telling time. In religion we are discussing ways to spread the good news of Jesus. In science we are continuing our study of the wind, and in social studies we are discussing buying, trading, and saving money.

2A - Second graders will be determining the author's purpose by reading “Pedal Power” and “My Light.”  We may just eat some fractions again this week in math! We are going to learn about Lady Diana. We will be working with soils in science. We continue to prepare for First Communion. April 18 is rehearsal at 5:45 p.m. in St. Peter's Church. April 21 is First Communion at 10:00 a.m. in St. Peter's Church (students meet at 9:30 a.m. in lower parish hall).

3A – Welcome back to school after our Easter break.  I hope that all had a restful and blessed Easter. 3A is back to work on all of our academic subjects for the fourth and final quarter of the school year.  In Language, we are identifying the various parts of speech including pronouns, verbs, adverbs and adjectives. We will also revisit all types of nouns including possessive nouns. We continue to be challenged with our multiplication and division facts but as usual WE WILL NOT GIVE UP OR GIVE IN. 

4A – I hope that 4A families had a blessed and restful Easter break.  This week 4A will learn the Beatitudes from Matthew, understand compare and contrast, and write a fraction in lowest terms.

5A - 5th graders will continue working with fractions in math. Students will pick one character from A Wrinkle in Time to analyze for the remainder of our novel study. Finally, we'll continue discussing solutions in science this week and end with a special ice cream making activity on Friday.

6A   Religion – 6th graders will be reading the Gospel stories of Jesus' resurrection.   Language Arts – Students will be taking a closer look at text structures and the features good readers look for to identify them. We'll continue this analysis as we begin our next novel unit Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt.  Social Studies Students will continue comparing the different types of government in Ancient Greece and what those governments look like today.  Science – Students will review what we've learned so far about different methods of energy transfer and start relating those concepts to weather patterns.

7A/7B   Language Arts - Students have begun their introduction to their final novel, The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. They are continuing to explore the role of stereotypes and what it means to be different, while also researching the 1960's Era in which this novel is set in.    Social Studies – Students will be learning about the migration from Asia to the Americas by the early Americans.   Science - Students have now wrapped up their study of heredity and are now preparing for their genetic disorder presentation project.

8A   Religion – 8th graders will be reading the Gospel stories of Jesus' resurrection and the Liturgical season of Easter. Language Arts - Students are beginning their preparation of their final Zoot Suit assignment, 1940's Dress-Up Presentation and Swing Dance Performance. They have begun their research and dance lessons this week. They will also be introduced to their next play, Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare.   Social Studies – Students are reviewing the Texas revolution and Mexican American War.   Science - Students have now wrapped up their introduction to the laws of motion through the egg drop project and will continue to dive deeper into physics through their mousetrap car project.

REMINDERS

Apr. 17    8:15 AM School Mass

Apr. 17    STEAM FAIR, 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Apr. 18    First Communion Rehearsal and Parent Meeting, 5:45 PM in St. Peter’s Church 

QUE PASA 3/28/2018 (English)

Dear Parents,

       Throughout Lent, I have spoken to the children about how God the Father is like a Good Shepherd, and we are the sheep in his care.  Now that we find ourselves in Holy Week, I hope your journey through Lent has brought you and your family closer to God, and that together, you can share the love that our Good Shepherd has shown us.  Remember Jesus’ gift of the Eucharist on Holy Thursday, and the ultimate sacrifice he made for us on Good Friday so that our sins could be forgiven. Together, take time to say a prayer of thanksgiving for God’s love as we await Jesus’ resurrection on Easter.

We pray:

Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of everlasting life brought about by the resurrection of your son from the dead! This dark night is enlightened by a glimpse of the greatest mystery.  Our minds could never have conceived how you would save us, Lord, nor can we ever fully understand the depths of your love in choosing to do so.  We thank you for all that you have done for us throughout Lent. Now, throughout Easter, grant us the fullness of life.  AMEN.

(Adapted from “The Joy of Lent: Encouragement and Daily Prayers”)

Have a joyous Easter!

--Mrs. Sandra Jimenez

REPORT CARDS

Report cards were sent home yesterday (Tuesday) with your child.  Please make sure you go over the report card with your child, sign it, and return it to school by tomorrow, Thursday, March 29. 

SPRING PICTURES

If your child took LifeTouch Spring pictures, please return payment of the pictures that you wish to keep, and return any photos that you do not purchase.

ST. PETER’S CHURCH SCHEDULE

The EASTER TRIDUUM (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday/Easter Sunday) is the most sacred time of the liturgical year. Below is the St. Peter’s Church schedule for the remainder of Holy Week:

Mar. 28  Holy Wednesday -  Confession 4:00-6:00 PM

Mar. 29  Holy Thursday - Mass of the Lord’s Supper 7:00 PM  (Bilingual)

Mar. 30  Good Friday  -  Morning Prayer 8:00 AM (Spanish)

Stations of the Cross 10:00 AM (Spanish)

Solemn Liturgy with Communion 12:00 PM (English) and 7:00 PM (Spanish)

Mar. 31  Holy Saturday  -  Easter Vigil Mass 7:00 PM (Bilingual)

Apr. 1  Easter Sunday  -  9:30 AM (English); 8:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 5:00 PM (Spanish)

RE-REGISTRATION FOR 2018-2019

If you have not done so already, please return the bright orange re-registration form to school.  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 now due.

IMPORTANT SURVEY

Below is a link to a brief school survey about the Catholic Identity of our school.  This link was also e-mailed to families via SchoolSpeak.  Your input will assist us in identifying strengths and areas for growth.  Completing this survey will take about 10 minutes.  Thank you in advance for your participation in this very important survey!

Live Survey Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/D286WCF

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.

MARCH 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 - Damian Perez is a role model for the whole class. He shows a willingness to learn new concept and strives to do his best work regardless of the task. He is also excited about learning and always has a positive attitude towards school. It is a pleasure to work with Damian each day and I am delighted to announce that he is our student of the month for March.

1A - Layla Diaz is a kind and caring student. She is very helpful to those around her and is always thinking of others. Layla is a hard worker, who is always looking for a challenge. She takes pride in her work and it shows.  For these reasons I am proud to recognize Layla as first grade's student of the month.

2A - Paola Carranza is our student of the month. She is diligent about her work and she stays focused in the classroom. She always has a smile on her face and is ready to help others.    

3A - Joshua Cortes is a good example of Growth Mindset as he tries his best, and if he doesn't get the result that he feels is correct, he tries again.  He doesn't give up or give in.  Joshua is a success story because his attitude keeps him motivated.  Keep up the Growing and Accomplishing that have made you our 3A Student of the Month!  

4A - Luis Saavedra is a shining example of a student who lives out St. Peter School's KEYS.  Besides being an excellent brother, Luis excels in class.  He understands that "Knowledge feeds GROWTH."  You will often see him preparing and studying for an upcoming test.  He is helpful, respectful, and an overall great person.  Keep up the good work

5A - Aurora Ramirez! Aurora brings so much joy to our 5th grade classroom. She is incredibly compassionate, artistic, and very funny. She puts her full effort into everything she does. Aurora has grown so much this year, especially in math, because she asks questions and keeps trying even when she doesn't understand something the first time.

6A - Gabriel Sembrana has been an incredible support this year to his teachers and his peers.  He is always willing to take the time to help his neighbor.  He has stayed motivated to do his best throughout all of 6th grade and understands the benefits of having a Growth Mindset.  Gabriel's organization, hard work, and kind heart have made him a great example of a 6th grader with the KEYS to Grow, Accomplish, Love, Serve, and Unite!

7A - Nathalee Estrada has grown "exponentially" since this school year has started!  This month Nathalee has shown what it means to be courageous.  She has stepped out of her comfort zone to accomplish some great things.  It is not always easy to take a chance and try to do something that is hard, but that is something that Nathalee has done a lot of this month, both inside and outside of the classroom.  She won't admit it, but Nathalee’s hard work and courage are motivation for us all!  

7B - Anahi Hernandez has a genuine enthusiasm for learning and a love for her community. Through her dedication to her school work and her positivity in all situations, Anahi shows others that not only does she know and understand St. Peter's core values, but that she wants to live them out every day.  

8A - Kevin Cruz Mendoza has shown recognizable growth, love and courage in the way that he approaches class and in his willingness to participate in school-wide activities. He is able to step out of his comfort zone to understand the challenging curriculum, while also enjoying the material covered in class. His kindness and leadership makes him well-liked by his peers and teachers.  

IN THE CLASSROOM

KINDER - This week in Kindergarten, we will review preposition terms. We will discuss the meaning and importance of prepositional words such as on, under, above, in, at, and beside are directional words in relation to an object. It is important for students to know that these words help us understand where something is. In Math, we will continue to talk about measurements. Parents, please continue to help your child with homework. Thank you for everything!

1A - This week in first grade we are reviewing what we have covered so far in ELA. In math we are continuing to practice counting the values of groups of coins. In religion we are celebrating Holy Week and preparing for Easter. In science we are continuing our study on wind. In social studies we continue to talk about and practice the steps we follow in making good decisions. Have a wonderful Easter Break!

2A - Second graders will be determining the author's purpose by reading “Pedal Power” and “My Light.” We continue learning about 2-D shapes in math. We are going to learn about Lady Diana. We continue to talk about the Lenten season and how we can prepare for Easter, pray and give to others. We will make clay beads. Enjoy your spring break!

3A – This is a short week due to Holy Thursday and Good Friday. Please return the report card that you received on Tuesday.  We have several Science units to complete before the end of the school year. These include a unit on the Rainforest, a unit on the bones of the human body and my personal favorite, a unit on owls. In Reading, we begin a new story called “The Story of Z.”  This story teaches us that always wanting to be first and get the best/most is a very selfish way to behave. This is, of course, NOT what the Good Shepherd teaches us.

5A - This week in math, 5th graders will be practicing putting fractions into greater terms. We will also review adverbs and continue practicing our research skills as students begin their "genius hour" projects. In religion, we'll be discussing different culture's traditions for Holy Week.

6A   Religion – Students will be observing Holy Week through prayer and the stories of the Last Supper and Christ's crucifixion.   Language Arts – 6th Grade ELA students have really pushed their writing skills by including figurative language, imagery, and sound devices into their poetry. Our poetry unit will culminate with a final exam this week, which we will prepare for with flashcards, a Jeopardy game, and poetry bingo.   Social Studies – Students will be studying the different type of government in Ancient Greece.  Science – Students will be wrapping up our study of energy transfers by contrasting radiation, conduction, and convection.

7A/7B   Language Arts - Students are finalizing their Nonfiction Unit with the use of Text Features. They will be introduced on how to identify and use the characteristics with a series of activities. Students will also have a brief introduction to their final novel of the school year, The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. We will continue after Easter Vacation. “Nothing gold can stay.”   Social Studies – Students will finalize the Renaissance Unit and begin to talk about the First Americans: The Olmec.   Science - Students have now wrapped up their studies of heredity and we are now getting ready to start our genetic disorder project.

8A   Religion – Students will be observing Holy Week through prayer and story.   Language Arts - Students are wrapping up the play Zoot Suit and will participate in a 1940's Dress-Up Presentation and Swing Dance Performance when we return from Easter Vacation. ¡Vamos a bailar el swing!    Social Studies – Students will be learning about the major causes and outcomes of the Mexican American War.   Science - Students have now completed their egg drop project and we protected an impressive 88% of our eggs from a three-story drop! Now it's time to complete our post-lab report.

REMINDERS

Mar. 27    Report Cards sent home

Mar. 29    8:30 AM Holy Thursday Prayer Service

Mar. 29    12:30 Dismissal

Mar.30-Apr.8     EASTER VACATION

Apr. 9      Classes resume

QUE PASA 3/21/18 (ENGLISH)

Dear Parents,

       We are fast approaching the beginning of Holy Week this coming Sunday, which is Palm Sunday.  At school, children have been preparing their hearts for Jesus’ death and resurrection by receiving the sacrament of Reconciliation, making special donations to the Missions, learning about the Stations of the Cross, and writing special prayers.  Our middle school Service elective class also donated their time at the SF/Marin Food Bank last week.  During your Lenten journey, I pray that you and your family have grown closer to God, and continue to strengthen your faith and service towards God during Holy Week and throughout the year.

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father, we enter into Holy Week so that we might accompany you through your passion to your death. We have to remember that your story does not end in sadness. Rather, your story is the greatest love story that we could ever know. Holy Week gives us an opportunity to participate in that love story in a profound and personal way. We pray that you give us a special attentiveness during Holy Week, Lord. Shower us with your grace!  AMEN.

(Adapted from “The Joy of Lent: Encouragement and Daily Prayers”)

--Mrs. Sandra Jimenez

PARENT GROUPS

If you’d like to join the Community Builders parent group in planning events, or join another parent group—including our Madrinas/Padrinos, Campus Care, or Sports Committee—please contact Mrs. Jimenez or Mr. Suarez.  The success of these groups makes our school community stronger, and this depends on our helpful parent volunteers!

The next Community Builders Meeting is TONIGHT, Wednesday, March 21 at 5:45 PM in the Faculty Meeting Room.

ST. PETER’S YOUNG ALUM EVENT

Attention parents and siblings of St. Peter’s Alumni who are currently in high school!

Please remind your high school son or daughter to check their email for an invitation, “Back to St. Peter’s” for tomorrow, Thursday, March 22 and to RSVP for the event.  We want to make sure that we’re well-prepared with pizza for them to enjoy that afternoon.

SUNDAY FAMILY MASS

Join us for family Mass this PALM SUNDAY, March 25 at 9:30 AM in St. Peter’s Church.  Following mass will be a reception in the parish hall. If you are able to help set up for the reception, please meet in the parish hall at 8:45 AM.  Students who attend in uniform will receive a free dress pass to use on the following Monday.

RE-REGISTRATION FOR 2018-2019

If you have not done so already, please return the bright orange re-registration form to school.  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.

BASIC FUND

Renewal families will be filling out their BASIC Fund Renewal Application this month.  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.

IMPORTANT SURVEY

Below is a link to a brief school survey about the Catholic Identity of our school.  This link was also e-mailed to families via SchoolSpeak.  Your input will assist us in identifying strengths and areas for growth.  Completing this survey will take about 10 minutes.  Thank you in advance for your participation in this very important survey!
Live Survey Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/D286WCF

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 learn about symbols, like our flag, that stand for this country. We will sing "You're a Grand Old Flag" and discuss the colors in the U.S. flag. Afterward, we will work together to make a travel poster. In Math, we will review counting to 100 and discuss about measurements.

1A - This week in first grade we are reading and learning about what we can see in the sky. In phonics we are focusing on the different spellings of the /er/ sound. In religion we are continuing to celebrate the Lenten season. In math we are continuing our unit on money and time. In science we are finishing up our study of pinwheels and beginning our study of wind vanes. In social studies we are talking about the steps we follow in making good decisions.

2A - Second graders will be reading “Visiting the Past” and discussing cause and effect. We are learning about 2-D shapes in math. We are learning about how laws can be changed. We continue to talk about the Lenten season and how we can pray and give to others. In science we will observe rocks in use on the yard.

3A – We have completed our Geography Unit and are busy working on a Rainforest Unit. In Math we are continuing to practice our multiplication and division facts. We are enjoying learning about symmetry and drawing symmetric figures. In Language Arts we have completed our study of alphabetical order to the third letter and are completing Mr. Popper's Penguins. Soon we will show our KNOWLEDGE of this story with a vocabulary and comprehension test. Ask your son or daughter about the Lenten practices that help all of us GROW closer to Jesus. A walk around the Stations of the Cross at church is one of the many ways that we have been showing LOVE during this special time of year. The third quarter is quickly drawing to a close so look for report cards which will be sent home before Easter vacation. Please be sure to sign and return them as soon as possible.

4A - This week 4A students will recognize and use past-tense forms of irregular verbs and use commonly misused verbs correctly; locate, compare, and order fractions on a number line; and describe the role of Spain's missions and why some California Native Americans revolted.

5A - 5th graders will continue working with equivalent fractions in math this week. We will also analyze the motivations of different characters from A Wrinkle in Time as a part of our continuing novel study.

6A   Religion – Students will be comparing the four Gospels and their details of the story of Jesus entering Jerusalem.  Language Arts – 6A continues to unlock the mysteries of poetry. Through identifying poetic devices like alliteration and rhyme scheme and unraveling the hidden themes in different forms of poetry, we are starting to see that poetry isn't so mysterious after all.   Social Studies – Students will be comparing and contrasting the four governments of Ancient Greece.   Science – 6th graders were given the criteria of warming water to exactly 30 degrees Celsius using only materials in our lab and will use engineering principles to design investigations of their own this week.

7A/7B   Language Arts - Students are continuing their Nonfiction Unit with the conclusion of Author's Point-of-View. They will now be introduced to Text Structures, how to identify and apply the characteristics with a series of activities.    Social Studies - 7th Graders will be practicing their outlining skills with the Lesson: The Scientific Revolution.   Science - Students will complete their test on genetics and begin their research project on genetic disorders.

8A   Religion - 8th Graders will be receiving their Lenten Reconciliation.  Language Arts - Students are continuing their reading of Zoot Suit.  As the trial continues for the Pachucos, students will create a Letter of Appeal on behalf of a character in the play. They will use evidence from the text and elements of an appeal.    Social Studies – 8th Graders have been split into expert groups: Researchers of the Northern States and Researchers of the Southern States--to start learning about the Causes leading up to the Civil War.  Science - Students will take their test on energy and complete the second stage of their egg drop project: a drop from the gym stairs!

REMINDERS

Mar. 21    5:45 PM Community Builders Parent Meeting in the Faculty Meeting Room

Mar. 21    6:00 PM First Communion Meeting in Church

Mar. 23    End of the 3rd Quarter

Mar. 25    9:30 AM Sunday Family Mass and Reception

Mar. 26    12:30 Dismissal

Mar. 27    8:15 AM School Mass

Mar. 27    Report Cards sent home

Mar. 29    8:30 AM Holy Thursday Prayer Service

Mar. 29    12:30 Dismissal

Mar.30-Apr.8     EASTER VACATION

QUE PASA 3/14/2018 (English)

Dear Parents,

       With all the different responsibilities we have as parents, it is very easy for us to feel overwhelmed and tired. Yet let’s not forget how Jesus can be a source of strength and a loving comfort to us, and how we can follow his example to spread that love and be a positive example for our children. 

How true are Jesus’ words, which invite those who are tired and weary to come to Him to find rest! His arms outstretched on the cross show that no one is excluded from his love and his mercy, not even the greatest sinner: no one!

-Pope Francis, 11/12/16

Heavenly Father, your son’s death on the cross stands as a testament to your endless love and care for all of us. No one who seeks you out is excluded from your love, no matter what we have done. No one is cut off from your mercy, no matter how great our suffering. Give me the courage, Lord, to always look to Christ crucified as the promise of mercy for me. In this Lenten season, give me the confidence to trust that your love for me will never die. AMEN.

(from “The Joy of Lent: Encouragement and Daily Prayers”)

--Mrs. Sandra Jimenez

PARENT GROUPS

If you’d like to join the Community Builders parent group in planning events, or join another parent group—including our Madrinas/Padrinos, Campus Care, or Sports Committee—please contact Mrs. Jimenez or Mr. Suarez.  The success of these groups makes our school community stronger, and this depends on our helpful parent volunteers!

The next Sports Committee meeting is on Tuesday, March 20 at 5:00 PM in the Faculty Meeting Room. 

The next Community Builders Meeting is Wednesday, March 21 at 5:45 PM in the Faculty Meeting Room.

ST. PETER’S YOUNG ALUM EVENT

Attention parents and siblings of St. Peter’s Alumni who are currently in high school!

Please remind your high school son or daughter to check their email for an invitation, “Back to St. Peter’s” on Thursday, March 22 and to RSVP for the event.  We want to make sure that we’re well-prepared with pizza for them to enjoy that afternoon.

RE-REGISTRATION FOR 2018-2019

If you have not done so already, please return the bright orange re-registration form to school.  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 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 this month.  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.

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, March 18 from 1:00 – 2:30 PM at Mercy Center Burlingame, 2300 Adeline Drive, Burlingame, CA.

IN THE CLASSROOM

KINDER - This week in Kindergarten, we are learning about things people use to move from one place to another. We will sing a song about "moving in a boat." Then, we will take turns sharing and writing how we get to school and what different kinds of transportation we have used. In math we will review math facts and count to 100. Also, we will practice writing numbers from 1-100.

1A - This week in first grade we are reading and learning about how we classify and categorize things. We are focusing on the /ar/ sound in words such as, art and barn. In religion we are continuing to celebrate the Lenten season. In math we are finishing up our unit on geometry and beginning our unit on money and time. In science we are continuing our study of air and wind, by making pinwheels to observe the speed of wind on different days. In social studies we are continuing our unit on occupations.

2A - Second graders will be reading “Why Fir Tree Keeps His Leaves” and “The Golden Flower” (fables and folktales). We are reading and making more graphs in math. We are learning about how laws can be changed. We continue to talk about the Lenten season and how we can pray and give to others. We will explore clay in science.

3A – In 3A, we are enjoying the very funny book, Mr. Popper's Penguins. We will have a test on the vocabulary and understanding of the story once we complete reading it. In Science, we are studying insects and their various habitats. In Social Studies, we continue a unit on the rainforests of the world. In Religion, we continue to learn about the Lenten season which leads us up to Jesus' suffering, death and resurrection.

4A - This week 4A will continue to identify cause and effect relationship, recognize the numerator and denominator of a fraction, and explore ways of following the example of Jesus Christ.

5A - In math this week, 5th graders are starting their fractions unit. We will also continue our black box investigation in science and continue our novel study of A Wrinkle in Time.

6A   Religion – 6th graders will be participating in their Lenten Reconciliation.  Language Arts – 6th Grade is continuing the exploration of poetry. This week we will be analyzing poems from Shel Silverstein, Maya Angelou, and Langston Hughes. Students will annotate their text by identifying figurative language, sound devices, and themes in the poems we read.   Math - Our unit on expressions will morph into equations as the 6th graders study equivalent expressions and the properties of equality.  Social Studies – 6th graders will begin learning about the Physical Geography of Greece and how geography affects early Greek life.   Science – 6th grade scientists will investigate the difference between heating by conduction and radiation.

7A/7B   Religion - 7th graders will be taking what they have learned about parables to create their own modern day parable that will aim to help others understand what a 7th grader’s journey to the Kingdom of God may look like.  Language Arts - Students are continuing their Nonfiction Unit with the conclusion of Author's Purpose. They will now be introduced to Author's Point-of-View, its characteristics, in nonfiction text.   Math - Last week the 7th graders got to see how percents are used in news articles to sway opinions. This week, they will be calculating simple and compound interest, and discovering when and why they are used.   Social Studies - 7th Graders will continue with their Renaissance Unit by looking closely at the changes that took place in Europe in the 1500s.   Science - Students continue their study of heredity...this week we explore incomplete dominance.

8A   Religion - 8th Graders will be researching the life of St Patrick.  Language Arts - Students are well into Zoot Suit, they have completed Act 1 and will begin Act 2 next week. Will the Pachucos win the appeal or continue to suffer unfair punishment? Students will also interpret the role of Pachuco, is he real or an imaginary character to Henry Reyna?   Math - functions and equations continue their happy union as they work together with different forms of linear concepts proving to the 8th grade that algebra is indeed used every day in real life. They will be learning about the different forms of a linear equation and how they help us.   Social Studies – 8th Graders will be researching the inventions from the 1800s that were significant to America's Industrial Revolution.   Science - Students continue their progress on the egg drop project as we continue to explore energy.

REMINDERS

Mar. 14    8:30 AM 5th and 6th grades Lenten Reconciliation

Mar. 20    8:15 AM School Mass

Mar. 21    8:30 AM 7th and 8th Grades Lenten Reconciliation

Mar. 21    6:00 PM First Communion Meeting in Church

Mar. 23    End of the 3rd Quarter

Mar. 27    Report Cards sent home