Sunday, February 27, 2011

Week of February 28 - March 4

Announcements for this Week:

My Family Timeline
On Friday, students received information about the Family Timeline project which will be due next week on Monday, March 7. This project will require children to interview family members in order to create a timeline of family events with pictures and images. The timeline should include important events such as births, marriages, and family migration. A map is included for children to identify the countries and/or states from which their families have moved. Students should also write one paragraph comparing an aspect of their lives to the life of one of their older family members (a parent or grandparent). Students should be sure to describe an element that is the same and an element that is different in their paragraphs. If there are any questions, please call or email me.

Book Fair
The Scholastic Book Fair will be open all week in the Parish Hall. The Book Fair schedule is as follows:
Monday - Thursday: 10:00 - 11:00 AM, 12:15 - 1:15 PM, and 3:00 - 5:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 - 11:00 AM, 12:15 - 1:15 PM, and 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Saturday (LAST DAY) 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM and 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Students received a sneak peek of the Book Fair last Friday and filled out their wish lists (many of them filling both sides of the paper!), so please stop by and pick up some new books for the family. Happy Reading!

End of Trimester
This Friday, March 4 will be the last day of the Second Trimester. This is the end of the grading period, and report cards will be distributed on Tuesday, March 15 in the Family Envelopes. This is, of course, a busy time for teachers, but if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Run for Bucks
Our annual Run for Bucks will take place on Saturday, March 5. This is a major fundraiser for our school and promises to be a fun-filled day. Come and show your support for St. Jerome School.

Our Star of the Week is: Madison Rodriguez

Curriculum Update:
Reading: School Routines, Comprehension Skill: Making Judgments
Phonics: Sound of "aw" spelled aw and ough, Silent Letters in gn, wr, and wh
Math: Two Digit Subtraction with Regrouping
Religion: Jesus Promised the Gift of Himself (Bread of Life, Living Bread)
English: Articles a and an, Suffixes -ful and -less
Social Studies: Sharing Culture (tradition, legend)
Science: Life Cycles of Insects and Animals (nymph)

Looking Ahead:

Upcoming Special Masses
There will be a special school Mass on Wednesday, March 9 at 8:00 AM as we celebrate Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent together with the parish community. We will also have a special Mass the following week on Thursday, March 17 at 11:15 AM in honor of St. Patrick's Day. Students will not have P.E. on this Thursday and should wear their regular dress uniforms to school.

Dollar Days
Students will have an opportunity to show off their St. Patrick's Day Green on Friday, March 11. Student Council will be sponsoring a Green Theme Dollar Day. Students can donate $1 for one non-uniform piece of clothing or $2 for two non-uniform items.

Spring Pictures
On Monday, March 14, Bartolo Photography will be on campus for Spring Picture Day. These portraits are optional, and students will not be required to wear their uniforms for the pictures. (I need to check with Sister Judy to see if students need to wear their uniforms for the rest of the day and change for the portraits.) Spring Picture Day Information and Order Forms will be sent home shortly.

Religious Education Conference
There will be no school on Friday, March 18 and Monday, March 21 as the faculty and staff attend the 2011 Religious Education Conference in Anaheim.

Homework for this Week:

Monday
Practice Book pp. 67 - 68
Math p. 57
Social Studies p. 18
Spelling Scramble
Work on Family Timeline

Tuesday
Practice Book p. 74
Math p. 58
English p. 34
Spelling Clues
Work on Family Timeline

Wednesday
Practice Book p. 80
Math p. 59
Science p. 45A
ABC Spelling Words
Work on Family Timeline

Thursday
Spelling Words Three Times
Science p. 46A
English p. 35
Study for Spelling Test
Work on Family Timeline

Friday
Spelling and Phonics Test
Vocabulary and Comprehension Quiz
Work on Family Timeline

Spelling Words

awful
bought
claw
draw
saw
straw

family
finally
morning
paper
really

whoever
wrong

Dictation Sentence

Dad said, "I finally bought pencils and paper for you to draw a design."

Monday, February 21, 2011

Week of February 22 - 25

Announcements for this Week

Phonics Test Correction
The Phonics section of the Spelling Test that was sent home on Friday contained an error in grade calculation. The grades were scored out of 12 points when, in fact, there were 14 points possible on the test. I have made the corrections to students' scores on Gradelink, and I apologize for any confusion.

Find the Children
There will be a classroom presentation by the Find the Children organization on Wednesday this week. The presentation is called "Kid Intuition" and will focus on stranger safety, building children's self-confidence and ability to recognize and avoid potentially dangerous situations.

Portals to Science
Our next session of Portals to Science will be on Wednesday at 2:00 PM. Please be sure that your child has brought in an empty Pringles can with a lid so they can participate in the Portals to Science lesson.

Gateway to Art
Our next art project will be on Thursday afternoon from 1:30 - 3:00 in the Art Room.

February Assembly
Our monthly assembly will take place on Thursday, February 24 at 8:00 AM in the Backyard.

Book Fair
Students will receive a special opportunity to have a sneak peek at the Book Fair this Friday. The Book Fair opens to all this Sunday, February 27. Stop by after the Pancake Breakfast!

Pancake Breakfast
This special fundraiser will take place on Sunday, February 27 after Masses. Enjoy a fun-filled brunch with friends and family and show your support for St. Jerome School!

Our Star of the Week is: Giovanni Pedroza

Curriculum Update:
Reading: Family Celebrations, Comprehension Skill: Plot
Phonics: Sound of "aw" spelled a, al, and au, Silent Letters in "kn" and "mb"
Math: Two-Digit Subtraction (without regrouping)
Religion: Jesus Promised the Gift of Himself (Holy Communion)
English: Comparative Adjectives (-er and -est)
Social Studies: Review of Traditions, Presidents' Day
Science: Review of Life Cycles

Looking Ahead

End of Second Trimester
The Second Trimester will end on Friday, March 4. Report cards will be sent home in the Family Envelopes on Tuesday, March 15.

Run for Bucks
The Run for Bucks fundraiser will be on Saturday, March 5.

Upcoming Special Masses
There will be a special school Mass on Wednesday, March 9 at 8:00 AM as we celebrate Ash Wednesday together. We will also have a special Mass the following week on Thursday, March 17 at 11:15 AM in honor of St. Patrick's Day.

Religious Education Conference
There will be no school on Friday, March 18 and Monday, March 21 as the faculty and staff attend the 2011 Religious Education Conference in Anaheim.

Homework for this Week

Monday
No School

Tuesday
Practice Book pp. 51 - 52
Math p. 54
English p. 33
ABC Spelling Words

Wednesday
Practice Book p. 58
Math p. 55
Practice Book p. 59
Spelling Clues

Thursday
Practice Book p. 64
Math p. 56
Rainbow Spelling Words
Study for Spelling Test

Friday
Spelling and Phonics Test
Vocabulary and Comprehension Quiz

Spelling Words

climb
comb
lamb
kneel
knit
knot

able
early
own
story
thought

chalk
sauce

Dictation Sentence

I thought I was able to comb out the knot on my own, but I couldn't.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Thursday Mass Re-Scheduled

The Holy Childhood Association Mass scheduled for Thursday, February 17 at 11:00 AM has been postponed. Students will be having P.E. this Thursday, and they should wear their P.E. uniforms. We will resume with our usual Friday Mass at 8:00 AM on February 18.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Week of February 14 - 18

Announcements for this Week:

Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation
Congratulations to our students and families who celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation this weekend!

Valentine's Day
This special day of celebrating love and friendship will be on Monday, February 14. Students may bring in cards or treats to distribute to their classmates, but please be sure to bring enough for all 26 students in the class. Also, be sure to remind your students that they should leave the "To" section of their cards blank or simply write "To: My Friend" in the interest of time management on Monday afternoon.

Teaching Touching Safety
This week, our Religion lessons will focus on teaching students about establishing rules and boundaries for personal safety. We will talk about the importance of making rules within the family for proper conduct in dealing with strangers and Internet safety, as well as establishing personal boundaries and how to say "no" and tell a trusted adult when personal boundaries are breached. These lessons will be taught in accordance with the Virtus program, "Protecting God's Children". Please contact Ms. White or Mrs. Toth if you have any questions about the program or visit Virtus: Online.

Holy Childhood Association Mass
There will be a Special School Mass this week on Thursday, February 17 at 11:00 AM in honor of special guest speakers from the Holy Childhood Association. This will take the place of our usual school Mass this week. Please note that children should wear their regular school uniforms for Mass. There will be no P.E. on Thursday this week.


Our Star of the Week isMason Zetina - Cabaong

Curriculum Update
Reading: Food of Different Cultures, Comprehension Skill: Steps in a Process
Phonics: Short E sound spelled "ea" (as in head), Suffix "-er"

Math: Two-Digit Addition Practice and Problem Solving, Test Friday
Religion: Teaching Touching Safety
English: Adjectives, Describing Words
Social Studies: Families from Many Places 

                         (custom, culture, immigrant, ancestor)
Science: How Living Things Grow and Change (
life cycle
)


Looking Ahead:

Presidents' Day
There will be no school on Monday, February 21 in observance of Presidents' Day.

Pancake Breakfast
Don't miss the St. Jerome School Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser scheduled for Sunday, February 27. Stay posted for more information!

Book Fair
The Book Fair will begin on Monday, February 28 and continue through the first week of March.

Homework for this Week:

Monday
Practice Book pp. 35 - 36
Math p. 51
Adjectives p. 43
Spelling Scramble

Tuesday
Practice Book p. 42
Math p. 52
Social Studies p. 16
Spelling Sentences

Wednesday
Practice Book p. 48
Math Review Sheet
Social Studies p. 17
Spelling ABC Order

Thursday - Special Mass 11:00 AM
Science p. 44A
Math p. 53
Study for Math Test
Study for Spelling Test

Friday
Spelling and Phonics Test
Vocabulary and Comprehension Quiz
Math Test

Spelling Words

bread
breath
spread
sweat
thread
weather

large
ready
says
today
wash

eraser
helper

Dictation Sentence

"Today you must get ready to be a helper," Mom says.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Week of February 7 - 11

Announcements for this Week:


Black History Month Mass
There will be a Special School Mass on Thursday, February 10 at 11:15 AM in honor of Black History Month. At this Mass, we will recognize and celebrate African American leaders in the Church. This will take the place of our usual Mass this week.

Sacrament of Reconciliation
The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation will take place this Saturday, February 12 at 9:30 AM. More information will be forthcoming from Mrs. Toth and Mrs. Heppell. Keep practicing your prayers!

Our Star of the Week is: Dylan Jones

Curriculum Update
Reading: Family Traditions, Comprehension Skill: Theme
Phonics: oi sound (as in
oil and enjoy), words with -ful
Math: Two-Digit Addition with Regrouping, Estimating Sums
Religion: Chapter 14: Jesus Calls Us His Friends, Review
English: Adjectives
Social Studies: Review, Unit 4 Test
Science: Review, Chapter 3 Test


Looking Ahead:

Valentine's Day
This special day of celebrating love and friendship will be on Monday, February 14. Students may bring in cards or treats to distribute to their classmates, but please be sure to bring enough for all 27 students in the class.

Holy Childhood Association Mass
There will be a Special School Mass next week on Thursday, February 17 at 11:00 AM in honor of special guest speakers from the Holy Childhood Association. This will take the place of our usual school Mass next week.

Presidents' Day Holiday
There will be no school on Monday, February 21 in observance of Presidents' Day.

Homework for This Week:

Monday
Practice Book pp. 19 - 20
Math p. 48
Rainbow Spelling Words Worksheet
Study for Social Studies Test
      -Unit 4: People At Work
      -Review Assignment pp. 204 - 206

Tuesday
Practice Book p. 26
Math p. 49
English p. 30
Spelling Word Clues


Wednesday
Practice Book p. 32
Math p. 50
Spelling Words in ABC Order
Study for Science Test
      -Chapter 3: How Plants and Animals Live Together
      -Review Assignment pp. 94 - 95

Thursday
Writing Worksheet
Math Worksheet
English p. 32
Study for Spelling Test


Friday
Spelling and Phonics Test
Vocabulary and Comprehension Quiz
Math Quiz


Spelling Words

boil
coin
point
spoil
voice
enjoy

about
different
important
father
told

colorful
wonderful

Dictation Sentence

My father told me a wonderful story about a boy and his magical coin.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Week of January 31 - February 4

Announcements for this Week:

Catholic Schools Week: A + for America!
We began Catholic Schools Week with by celebrating in our parish on Sunday, January 30. Students who attended the 9:00 AM Mass at St. Jerome Church in their uniforms and checked in with me will have Non-Uniform Dress on Student Appreciation Day, Tuesday, February 1. 

On Monday, January 31, we celebrate Catholic Schools in our Nation. Students may wear red, white, and blue accessories with their regular school uniforms.

Open House
Our School Open House will take place during Catholic Schools Week on Wednesday, February 2 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM. Please come see what we have been working on this year, check out the 3rd Grade classroom for next year, and bring your friends and families too!

Feast of St. Blaise
There will be a Special School Mass on Thursday, February 3 at 8:00 AM in honor of the Feast of St. Blaise. We will celebrate this special day with the blessing of throats. This will take the place of our usual Mass this week.

Mardi Gras Dance
Join the St. Jerome community in fun and fellowship at the Mardi Gras Dance on Saturday, February 5 at 6:00 PM in the Parish Hall! I look forward to seeing you there!

Reconciliation Retreats
For those students who have been baptized Catholic and are preparing to receive the Sacraments, our Penance and Reconciliation retreats will take place on Sunday, January 30 from 2:00 - 4:30 PM (Last Names A - L) and Sunday, February 6 from 2:00 - 4:30 PM (Last Names M - Z). At least one parent should accompany each student to the retreat, but please try to arrange child care for siblings. The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation will take place on Saturday, February 12 at 9:30 AM. More information will be forthcoming from Mrs. Toth and Mrs. Heppell. Keep practicing your prayers!

Our Star of the Week is: Miles Thomas

Curriculum Update:
Reading: Sports Today and Long Ago, Comprehension Skill: Classifying
Math: Two-Digit Addition with Regrouping
Religion: Chapter 13: Becoming a Better Person (absolution, contrition)
English: Introduction to Adjectives, Words that Describe
Social Studies: People and Nations Trade
 (barter, trade, specialize) 
Science: How do Plants and Animals Depend on Each Other

Looking Ahead:

Black History Month Mass


There will be a Special School Mass on Thursday, February 10 at 11:15 AM in honor of Black History Month. At this Mass, we will recognize and celebrate African American leaders in the Church. This will take the place of our usual Mass next week.

Valentine's Day
This special day of celebrating love and friendship will be on Monday, February 14. Students may bring in cards or treats to distribute to their classmates, but please be sure to bring enough for all 27 students in the class.

Homework for This Week:

Monday - A+ for America in our Nation

Practice Book pp. 3 -4
Math p. 46
Social Studies Worksheet p. 31
Spelling Words in ABC Order

Tuesday - A+ for America in our Students
Practice Book p. 10
Math p. 47
Social Studies Worksheet p. 32 (RULERS WILL BE NEEDED)
Spelling Word Sentences

Wednesday - A+ for America in our Community
No Homework
Come to Open House (6 - 8 PM)

Thursday - A+ for America in our Vocations, Special Mass at 8 AM
Practice Book p. 16
Science Worksheet p. 36A
Spelling Words Three Times
Study for Spelling Test

Friday - A+ for America in our Faculty, Staff, and Volunteers
Spelling Test
(No Word Knowledge Components This Week)
Vocabulary and Comprehension Quiz

Spelling Words

bravely
friendly
lightly
slowly
softly
weekly

ago
head
still
better
idea

cheer
clear

Dictation Sentence

"I have a better idea," she said, shaking her head slowly.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Week of January 24 - 28

Announcements for this Week:

Career Day
Our Second Grade Career Day will be on Monday, January 24 from 9:00 AM - 10: 30 AM and 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM. We are looking forward to hearing from our presenters! 

Career Report
The Career Report is DUE on Monday, January 24. This assignment required students to research the career of a family member or family friend, write a three-paragraph essay about the career they researched, and create a visual aid to accompany their reports. Students may dress in a costume that represents their desired career or the career they researched on Monday, January 24. Please email me with questions at whitesjs@gmail.com.

General Parent Meeting
The Parent Meeting will take place in the Parish Hall on Tuesday, January 25 at 6:00 PM. Please check in with me when you arrive. We will discuss ITBS results, Catholic Schools Week, and other important information about the upcoming school year at the meeting.

Our Star of the Week is: Dominic Elrington

Curriculum Update:
Reading: Unit 3 Test, Review Comprehension Strategies 
                (Summarize, Character, Context Clues, and Cause and Effect)
Math: Cumulative Review, Two-Digit Addition
Religion: Chapter 13: Becoming a Better Person (absolution, contrition)
English: Review of Verbs, Verb Agreement, and Verb Tense
Social Studies: From Field to Market 
                         (human resource, capital resource, scarcity) 
Science: How People Can Cause Food Webs to Change

Looking Ahead:

Catholic Schools Week: A + for America!
We will begin Catholic Schools Week with by celebrating in our parish on Sunday, January 30. Students should attend the 9:00 AM Mass at St. Jerome Church in their uniforms to serve as greeters and sing in the choir. As an extra incentive, students who check in with me at Mass in their uniforms will have Non-Uniform Dress on Student Appreciation Day, Tuesday, February 1.

Open House
Our School Open House will take place during Catholic Schools Week on Wednesday, February 2 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM. Please come and bring your friends and families!

Feast of St. Blaise
There will be a Special School Mass on Thursday, February 3 at 8:00 AM in honor of the Feast of St. Blaise. We will celebrate this special day with the blessing of throats. This will take the place of our usual Mass next week.

Mardi Gras Dance
Join the St. Jerome community in fun and fellowship at the Mardi Gras Dance on Saturday, February 5 at 6:00 PM in the Parish Hall!

Reconciliation Retreats
For those students who have been baptized Catholic and are preparing to receive the Sacraments, our Penance and Reconciliation retreats will take place on Sunday, January 30 from 2:00 - 4:30 PM (Last Names A - L) and Sunday, February 6 from 2:00 - 4:30 PM (Last Names M - Z). At least one parent should accompany each student to the retreat, but please try to arrange child care for siblings. The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation will take place on Saturday, February 12 at 9:30 AM. More information will be forthcoming from Mrs. Toth and Mrs. Heppell. Keep practicing your prayers!

Homework for This Week:

Monday - Career Day, Report Due!
Reading Comprehension Worksheet
Math Cumulative Review (pp. 151 - 152)
Spelling Review Worksheet

Tuesday - Reading Unit 3 Test, Parent Meeting 6 PM
Reading Comprehension Worksheet
Math p. 43
Social Studies Worksheet

Wednesday - Reading Unit 3 Test
Practice Book p. 245
Reading Comprehension Worksheet
Math p. 44

Thursday - Reading Unit 3 Test
Reading Comprehension Worksheet
Math p. 45
Science Worksheet

Friday - Mass and Assembly

No Spelling Words or Dictation Sentence This Week!