End of school year
June 13 - 17, 2016
We have come to the end of the school year and so I would like to thank everyone for all the support you have extended in making this year fruitful and rewarding. It has been both a pleasure and a great merit for me to have had the opportunity to teach your children and, in doing so, serve your families. As much as they have learned this year, I have acquired a lot of wisdom from the interaction as well. I wish you all goodluck in your next adventures, confident that the children will continue with more successes!
June 6 - 10, 2016
Thank you to all who directly and indirectly supported our Annie production. The show was AMAZING! In addition, the Talent Show will be on Monday, June 6, starting at 10:00 A.M. at the New Hall. Hope you can make it.
We have approached the last two weeks of the school year! Please have your child present for the battery of tests they need to complete. All library books and textbooks are to be returned by the end of the week in order to check on obligations that need to be fulfilled.
I will be meeting with parents who are interested in the Washington, D.C, and New York junior high field trip for 2018. A letter of invitation was sent home last week to each child with the date, time, and venue of this assembly. This would be a great opportunity to ask questions and receive information with regards to fundraising, trip schedules, and costs. Right after, Ms. Rios will have the 5th Grade PTO Meeting with you. See you then.
May 23 - 27, 2016
As we celebrate the Memorial Day holiday this coming weekend, let us also reflect on the feast of Corpus Chrisit: the Living God comes down from Heaven and gives us Himself every time we receive Holy Communion at mass. I hope you all have a relaxing three-day break.
May 16 - 20, 2016
In observance of Spirits Week, the students may dress accordingly:
Monday - sports team (professional, high school, or college)
Tuesday - dress as a tourist
Wednesday - blue and gold colors (volleyball game: 8th Gr vs their parents at 1:30 pm)
Thursday - dress from the past decades (but not in the 2000s)
Also, the students may participate in the Spirits games to be held during their lunch recess.
Please check PROJECTS Page for Science project deadline.
May 9 - 13, 2016
During the games, the snack shack will be selling food and drinks after school on Monday and Tuesday. Thank you to the following parents who volunteered last week: Mr. & Mrs. Artiga, Mrs. Simon, and Mrs. Barragan. Please see me if interested to help out this week-- we have started the snack shack as a fundraising for the 2018 Washington, D.C. and New York field trip.
May 2 - 6, 2016
If there are families who need to complete service hours, an opportunity to sell snacks after school on Tuesday and Wednesday this week is open. Come and see me at 3:20 p.m. on Monday. As we approach the other half of the last trimester, please be mindful of attendance and missing assignments your child needs to fulfill. Enjoy the remaining days of the Easter season!
April 25 - 29, 2016
The Art Show has been postponed until further notice; please keep the Chamorro Family in your prayers as well. Mid-progress report cards will be handed out this Friday. At this point, summer school will be recommended and required to those who need assistance in the skills essential for the next grade level.
Our Fifth Grade class won a free drumstick ice cream in lieu of the Title I survey forms turned in last week. Thank you for filling them out, and funding from the school district should be on its way for the incoming school year. Post action plans for the Washington, D.C. trip, which I undertook in April, will be discussed in my meetings with the parent chaperones after school this week; therefore, tutoring will be canceled.
Enjoy a breezy Easter week ahead!
April 18 - 22, 2016
To take an AR test, please use the url: https://hosted370.renlearn.com/306665
Thank you for filling out and returning the Title I survey forms. Earth Day is on Thursday; students may wear earth-tone colors such as brown, green, and blue. We shall have a noon dismissal this Friday.
April 11 - 15, 2016
Please fill out the Title I survey forms and turn them in not later than Friday, April 15, for your child/ren to have a free-dress pass. This survey is essential in allocating funds given by the Palmdale School District for the purchase of instructional materials needed in our school.
Thank you to all the parents who donated and participated in any way to make our class Easter party a fun-filled celebration vis-a-vis the rainy weather. You are very supportive, not only in areas of academic formation, but also in the social arena of their development. I pray you continue to celebrate the good news of Easter now and thought the rest of the season.
(Tutoring will only be on Thursday this week in line with scheduled appointments.)
April 4 - 8, 2016
I hope you continue to have a blessed Easter season. Our class party will be during lunch and all through dismissal time on Friday. If you have extra plastic eggs that we could use for the egg-hunt, please bring them in by Wednesday. Check our window for donations and parent-volunteers for the party to complete service hours.
We will resume with after-school tutoring for the students on the week of April 11 (as I might still have jet lag when I come back), as well as with the parent classes. Again, Happy Easter to all! Rejoice, He is risen!!!
March 21 - 23, 2016
As we approach the holiest days of the year, let us reflect on the Paschal Mystery of Christ. Reminders on the following: Awards Assembly is at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday and the Seder Meal is at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday.
Our Easter break begins with the observance of the Holy Triduum, which starts on Holy Thursday, and ends on the second Sunday of Easter. Have a reflective Holy Week and enjoy the coming Easter season! [No tutoring this week.]
March 14 - 18, 2016
We are celebrating Clergy Day this Thursday and each class will be performing a Disney-inspired presentation. Fifth Grade will be singing "I'll Make a Man Out of You" from the movie Mulan. They may wear a gi, a lightweight two-piece white garment worn in judo and other martial arts or a ninja warrior costume. A gi typically consists of loose-fitting pants and a jacket that is closed with a cloth belt. (Presentation time TBA.)
This Friday, the Stations of the Cross will follow right after the mass. Fifth Grade is in charge of preparing for both prayer times. They will act out the Passion and Death of Christ during the Stations of the Cross. Please join us in celebrating the sacrament and in lenten prayer. Dismissal time this Friday is at 12:00 p.m.
It was brought to my attention that there have been incidents of parents of 5th Grade students addressing in a disciplinary manner children other than their own during school hours. If you feel attention to a situation is warranted, please contact school personnel. You may review guidelines set forth on pages 39-40 under Family Involvement of the St. Mary School Parent Handbook.
March 7 - 11, 2016
This week starts the third trimester of the school year, and here is a friendly reminder on obligations due to the school (such as completion of service hours and SCRIP) that might overwhelm you as the we come near the end. Please check with the office for any dues you still have to fulfill.
The Fifth Graders will be celebrating their last class mass on Friday, March 18 and will be leading the school in praying the Stations of the Cross. You are welcome to join us in prayer during this season of Lent. And do not forget to adjust your clocks this coming Sunday -- we spring forward to Daylight Savings Time!
February 29 - March 4, 2016
During Read Across America week, the students may observe the following dress up days:
Monday - mix 'n match Tuesday - black and white
Wednesday - pajama day Thursday - favorite book character
On Wednesday, green eggs and ham will be served during snack time (recess) and there will be a picnic at the field during lunch time. Students bring their packed lunch or hot lunch from the cafeteria to the field. This coming Friday is another no-school day.
February 22 - 26, 2016
Our Fifth Grade Spelling Bee representatives took home the bacon -- or the whole pig-- winning 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in the competition! Congratulations to Jadeene Santillana, Lana Perez, and Jonathan Braganza for an outstanding display of word prowess! Thank you to their parents for extending that support.
Jeans for John Bosco will be observed this Wednesday; please have $1 or an act of kindness commitment by your child if wearing jeans. Friday is a no-school day as teachers will be attending the annual Religious Education Congress in Anaheim. Have another short week ahead...
February 15 - 19, 2016
Congratulations to our Fifth Grade representatives to the Spelling Bee: Jonathan Braganza, Lana Perez, Jadeene Santillana, and Ryan Macias. The school-wide competition will be held this Thursday at the New Hall; times may vary from 12:30 p.m. thru 2:30 p.m. You are invited to watch the students give their best in spelling! Dismissal time this Friday is at 12 noon.
February 8 - 12, 2016
Lunch times will be staggered on Phat Tuesday due to Mardi Gras lunches; Fifth Grade will have theirs at 12:20 p.m. through 1:05 p.m. It is also an observed free dress day: purple, green, and gold are the colors for Tuesday; and if your child attended the Open House mass in their formal uniform, they have another free dress day this Thursday.
On Ash Wednesday, the students need to wear formal uniform for the mass and distribution of ashes. Dismissal time for this day has been adjusted to 11:00 a.m. Please mark your calendars accordingly. Married couples in the Catholic faith are invited to renew their vows during Friday mass.
During the liturgical season of Lent, lunch times have been adjusted to allot sufficient time for Stations of the Cross. Fifth Grade's lunch, along with Junior High, will be at 12:15 p.m. through 1:00 p.m. You are all invited to join us in praying the Stations of the Cross each Friday, a mini pilgrimage and Catholic devotion that commemorates Jesus Christ's last day on Earth as a man. As we enter another season of the church calendar, let us recall the three pillars of Lent: almsgiving, prayer, and fasting.
In observance of President's Day, February 15 is a no-school day. Relax on your three-day weekend!
February 1 - 5, 2016
In line with the activities for Catholic Schools Week, the following dress code will observed:
Tuesday - Disney/Superhero Day
Wednesday - Sports Day
Thursday - Twin Day
Friday - formal uniform for mass
Thank you to every one who came and visited the classrooms during Open House. A special thanks to the group of parents, headed by Mrs. Lozano, who helped decorate our window for Catholic Schools Week. This Thursday, February 4, is the Shakey's school-fundraising event, and Friday is our class Valentine's Day party, which starts at 12:30 p.m. If wishing to complete service hours, sign-up sheets for food donations and parent-volunteers are posted by the classroom window. Next Friday, February 12, the mass will be offered to all couples married in the Sacrament. You are invited to celebrate and renew your vows that day.
Hope to see you in any or all of these school functions.
January 25 - 29, 2016
Please support our school's book fair this year, which starts Monday, January 25 and ends on Sunday, January 31. (Our classroom could use additional AR books!)
Thank you to all the parents who contributed in any way to the success of our class retreat. Needless to say, the students had a wonderful time, in spite of a minimum day.
This coming Sunday, January 31, is our Open-House, which kicks off Catholic Schools' Week. The SMS mass will be at 10:30 a.m. and you are invited to bring a friend, a neighbor, or a relative who would be interested to register their child/ren for the upcoming school year. Classrooms will be open for viewing school work from 12:00 p.m. through 3:00 p.m. In lieu of this event, Monday will be an observed no-school day. Once again, thank you for your continued support of our school activities. Have a great week ahead...
January 18 - 22, 2016
Thank you to all who supported our school fundraising event, McTeacher's Night. This Wednesday night, we will be holding the second General PTO meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the New Hall; pertinent information for the next school year will be addressed in this meeting. Also, please bring your child/ren's emergency bag/s by Thursday, January 21; that is, if one was not turned in yet. Our class retreat is scheduled for this coming Friday, an early dismissal as well. Although our activities will be at the New Hall, please sign out the students from the classroom at 12:00 noon. Once again, I thank you for your food donations and for giving your time to volunteer.
Jeans for John Bosco will be observed on Monday, January 25. Have another great week and see you at the PTO meeting!
January 11 - 15, 2016
Thank you for using the blog page to clarify things with regards our school/class activities. We are sticking to the calendar schedule, which is January 22, for the 5th grade's class retreat -- a 12 noon dismissal. Please disregard last week's posted date for this event. Our room parent, Mrs. Derfler, will come up with a list of needed donations and volunteers for the retreat. This is a good opportunity to complete service hours and to avoid the last minute hassle.
This Wednesday is the school's fundraising event -- McTeacher's Night! Show your support by having dinner with the school community. I will be taking your order, cooking the world's famous fries, and, probably, even grilling your burgers! Hope to see you then.
Enjoy the coming three-day weekend! No school on Monday, January 18, in lieu of Martin Luther King. Jr. Day.
January 4 - 8, 2016
My deepest appreciation and gratitude for all your gifts and wishes for a Merry Christmas Season. I pray that your families continue to be blessed, and your homes be filled with true peace and happiness in this new year.
We finally have a full time P.E. instructor -- Mrs. Perry (HOOORAY!!!). Some of you might know her since she also works at Mission Bell. To fit the demands of her busy schedule, our 5th Grade P.E. class has been rescheduled to Thursdays, from 2:05 thru 2:55 p.m.
The class retreat is on January 15 and starts off with the class mass; you are all welcome to celebrate with us. Since the retreat is scheduled on a minimum day (noon dismissal), there will be NO lunch, but rather, a full breakfast will be served right after the mass. Please contact our room parent, Mrs. Derfler, if you are interested in donating food and/or would like to volunteer your time during the retreat. We will need not more than six parent-volunteers who are Virtus-trained and fingerprinted to participate in this event. As always, thank you for all the support you give to
the 5th Grade class and to the school.
December 19, 2015 - January 3, 2016
Wishes for a most blessed and merry Christmas and a new year filled with peace!
Week of December 14 - 18, 2015
A reminder that the Awards Assembly in the church is this Tuesday at 2:15 p.m. The class Christmas party is this Friday at 12 noon. If in need of service hours, please sign up to help in the classroom during the party or to donate items for the festivity. Also, the children need to come back on Friday night for the annual Christmas Program. Please drop off your child/ren in their respective classroom around 6:30 p.m. and sign them out from the classroom after the program.
We have arrived at the third week of Advent. I hope that you find true JOY in preparing for the coming (advent) of Jesus. From my family to yours, have a merry Christmas and a bright New Year.
Joy to the world the Lord is Come!!!
Week of December 7 - 11, 2015
Thank you for meeting with me during the Parent-Teacher Conferences. I am certain that working together is the key to your child's success. Should you need to contact me, email is the best way to communicate.
The PTO sponsored Santa's Secret Shop will start this Wednesday and stay open through Friday. Also, Breakfast with Santa is this coming Sunday, December 13. In celebration of the feast of the Immaculate Concepcion, the students will be going to mass on Tuesday, December 8 at 8:30 a.m. You are welcome to join us in this Holy Day of Obligation.
Advent blessings to all!
Week of November 30 - December 4, 2015
This week, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday are scheduled days for Parent-Teacher conferences, from 1:00 p.m through 4:00 p.m. As each family has only ten minutes to meet with the teacher, please go through Headmaster Online to look at your child's grades and prepare topics that can be discussed within the given time frame. If you think the allotted time is not sufficient, you may reschedule to meet with me at a different day. Dismissal time on these days is at twelve noon.
I wish to thank all the parent-volunteers who assisted our class in serving at the Grace Resource Center on Friday, November 20. Also, thank you to those who participated in any way in serving hot meals during Thanksgiving Day. Truly, it was a day to be very thankful!
In this first week of Advent, I wish you all a Happy New (Liturgical) Year!
Week of November 16-20, 2015
UPDATED on November 18: The Fifth Grade class is going to Grace Resource Center in Lancaster this Friday, November 20, for their Service-Learning Project. We will need 10 parent-volunteers who can drive the students to and from the Center. If you are Virtus-trained, have been cleared through fingerprinting, and have full auto insurance, please see or contact me through email if you are willing and able. We will leave around 10:00 am and get back by 1:30 pm. Permission slips will be sent home today and must be returned by Thursday, November 19.
If you need service hours, donating $5 or $10 to buy pizza and pasta for the students' lunch during this trip would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your continued support.
Thank you to all who supported our class and participated in the school's fundraising event at Barnes and Noble. The students were eager and excited to perform the Gettysburg Address. Special thanks go out to Mrs. Derfler and Mrs. Braganza for making the children's top hats!
The school-wide Thanksgiving meal is this Thursday, November 19, at the New Hall. Our class is in charge of bringing mashed potatoes. There will be enough food for everyone if each child brings a generous amount (12 to 14 servings) to the table. Come join us in this feast! Also, the Food Drive this Friday takes place during mass. If your child has not brought their pasta and pasta sauce donation, please do so by Friday.
Here's wishing you all a safe and relaxing Thanksgiving holiday.
Week of November 9-13, 2015
We will be honoring all veterans during mass this Friday. Please join us in this special celebration, remembering and thanking the men and women who served and continue to serve our country to protect our freedom.
As Thanksgiving approaches, let us thank God by supporting our brothers and sisters in need. The school's annual food drive gives to families who need our help -- pasta and pasta sauce are items that your child can donate to the food drive. These will be offered during the Friday mass (November 20). In the spirit of the season, let us remember those who are not as fortunate. We have so many gifts to share.
There is a tentative plan to visit Grace Resource Center for our Service-Learning Project this year. I am making arrangements to have this trip happen either this Friday, November 13 or next Friday, November 20. I will inform you when this transpires.
This Saturday, our Fifth Grade class will be delivering an oration of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address at 11:00 a.m. at Barnes and Noble. Please support our school's fundraising event. Hope to see you all there.
Week of November 2-6, 2015
Our 5th Graders, along with the Sixth, Seventh, and Eight Graders, will be taking part in a Christian Service field trip this Wednesday to the Galen Center. In line with religious instruction, they will be learning more about the influence and contributions of Dorothy Day and the path to sainthood. Initially, when this was brought to my attention last Thursday, there was no cost to the trip. There was a decision to provide the students with a continental breakfast and lunch for the cost of $10, and the buses are free of charge. Permission slips will be sent home but need to be turned in by Tuesday. No chaperones needed on this trip as students will be supervised by the teachers and staff. More information are mentioned in the permission slip.
I wish to thank all who contributed and participated in our Halloween Carnival. I hope to see more parents in our next school function -- the Thanksgiving Meal! (Hopefully, for some, your fingerprinting and Virtus-training requirements will have been fulfilled.)
Week of October 26- 30, 2015
Reminder: It is a standard procedure to report to the office and conduct business with the proper staff during school hours. Please do not drop off items in the classroom without stopping by the office; this avoids interruption and confusion. During school hours, the time is spent on teaching the students, with little or no personal errands to attend to. Thank you for your support.
The following dress code may be observed during Red Ribbon Week:
Monday - red shirt and dark blue jeans
Tuesday - pajamas
Wednesday - formal uniform for mass
Thursday - cowboy outfit
Friday - Halloween costume (no masks nor plastic weapons)
Following the regular uniform schedule is the other option, except on Wednesday as mass will be celebrated that day. Thank you to Mrs. Derfler for putting together our Red Ribbon banner!
Special thanks to our parent-chaperones: Mrs. Braganza, Mrs. Derfler, and Mrs. Lopez made the field trip a smooth, fun, and memorable experience for every one. It was one blast of a trip!!!
Also, thank you to all who participated in the Trunk or Treat and the Autumn Festival events. It was such a treat to see your family celebrating with the community! (Maybe next time, we can take Monday off!!!) The Halloween Carnival is this Friday from 12:30 through 1:30 p.m. In line with the archdiocesan requirements, only Virtus-trained and fingerprinted parents and guardians will be allowed to participate in the school event. Lunch will not be served in the cafeteria; instead, we will support the tradition of buying from the 7th grade booth, who will be selling food, to raise funds for the 8th grade banquet.
Hope to see you then. Have a safe halloween and don't forget to set your clocks back an hour on Sunday.
Week of October 19-23, 2015
Reminder: It is a standard procedure to report to the office and conduct business with the proper staff during school hours. Please do not drop off items in the classroom without stopping by the office; this avoids interruption and confusion. During school hours, the time is spent on teaching the students, with little or no personal errands to attend to. Thank you for your support.
Our class field trip is on Thursday, October 22. Please make sure your child is in school by 6:45 a.m. We will start boarding around 6:50 a.m. as the bus is scheduled to leave at 7:00 a.m. Proper uniform -- long blue jeans, Salesian shirt (tucked in), school shoes and white socks -- will be observed, and personal lunch bags must be labeled. Our classroom parent chaperones will be providing the children with snacks to and from the Observatory. We expect to be back by 3:00 p.m. There are no refunds due to absence or tardiness.
Just a reminder that we are a month away from the scheduled presentations of the New England and Mid-Atlantic states project. If your child's turn is coming up, please do a follow up on their work. Check the PROJECTS page, under SOCIAL STUDIES, for the given objectives and guidelines, including grading rubric and expectations.
Help support the school roof-building fundraiser! Come and join the community in celebration with games, food, and performances by your child/ren this Sunday, October 25. And don't forget -- our PTO sponsored Trunk or Treat is this Friday starting at 6:00 pm! Hope to see you in these events.
Week of October 5-9, 2015
Reminder: It is a standard procedure to report to the office and conduct business with the proper staff during school hours. Please do not drop off items in the classroom without stopping by the office; this avoids interruption and confusion. During school hours, the time is spent on teaching the students, with little or no personal errands to attend to. Thank you for your support.
Mrs. Braganza and Mrs. Lopez are the two parents picked to chaperone our class to Griffith Observatory on October 22. Permission slips will be sent home this week, which include information on departure and arrival times, the cost of the trip, and educational objectives. Payment and signed permission must be in by Friday, October 16. (Checks are welcome, make payable to St. Mary School.)
The Family Rosary takes place this Friday, at 7:00 p.m. Students interested to participate in this event need permission slips, which need to be turned in this Thursday. I will be out on Friday, October 9 and Monday, October 12 to attend a training in Boston; in my absence, Ms. Gries will take the class. Also, please have the report card envelopes signed and turned in by Thursday.
Thank you to all who supported the Shakey's school fundraiser! It was great to see you there! Have a nice and cooler (hopefully) fall weekend.
Week of September 28 - October 2, 2015
UPDATE: It is a standard procedure to report to the office and conduct business with the proper staff during school hours. Please do not drop off items in the classroom without stopping by the office; this avoids interruption and confusion. During school hours, the time is spent on teaching the students, with little or no personal errands to attend to. Thank you for your support.
Parents who are Virtus-trained, have been fingerprinted through the archdiocese, and are willing to chaperone the class to Griffith Observatory have until Wednesday to inform me of your interest. Your name will be in a lottery draw for two parent-volunteers. The trip is on October 22.
Help support our school fundraiser at Shakey's this Wednesday, September 30, from 5:00 p.m. through 8:00 p.m. Midterm report cards will be handed out this Friday.
For students to remember concepts and to reinforce new learned skills, it is important to review and practice them. Continuity of learning from school to home is essential and integral to a successful education. Th applications of theory and concepts are challenging to meet in a school setting and every effort is made to bring real world examples. When they are outside of school and opportunities present themselves, please make those connections with your child, as these situations can be more visible, tangible, and real, compared to the staged and artificial settings presented in school.
Have a great week!
"There is no end to education. It is not that you read a book, pass an exam, and finish with education. The whole of life, from the moment you are born to the moment you die, is a process of learning." -- Juddi K.
Week of September 21-25, 2015
Thank you for celebrating mass with us last Friday. As last Friday was a minimum day and Picture Day, there was not enough time for some students to present their explorer reports, so we will continue with their presentations throughout the week. A schedule of events for the months of September and October is listed and posted by our window, thanks to Mrs. Derfler.
This website was created to inform you of announcements, lessons, homework and assignments, projects and deadlines, as well as class schedule and curricula. Please peruse and make use of this medium so as to avoid redundancy. For personal or private messages, send them through e-mail; otherwise, an added blog page is provided should you wish to post questions or comments.
Week of September 14-18, 2015
Life Touch Portraits will be on campus this Friday; please make sure your child/ren bring/s their envelope with the selected package and payment. Our class is in charge of preparing for mass this Friday and we wish to invite you to come and celebrate with us in the Breaking of the Bread. Also, a reminder that some students will be presenting their explorer project this Friday. I am looking forward to their presentations. Dismissal this Friday is at 12:00 p.m. and Monday is a no-school day in lieu of a professional development that teachers attend yearly. Have another long weekend ahead and ENJOY!
Week of September 7-11, 2015
As we approach Patriot Day, let us honor and remember all who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 at the World Trade Center, United States Pentagon, and Flight 93.
We continue to provide support for the Rodriguez family; free dress for $1 or more this Wednesday. Please check the PROJECTS tab for updates on the assigned explorer project and the US state project. Deadlines, guidelines, and rubrics are provided. For questions and clarifications, send me an email ([email protected]). The 5th grade class field trip is scheduled for October 22, 2015. In line with Griffith Observatory's requirements, Mrs. Derfler (our Room Parent) and I can only take two additional adults to assist us in the trip. If interested, please inform us by September 30. The children in class will pick two names "out of a hat." More details about the field trip will follow in October. Have a great week ahead!
Week of August 31 - September 4, 2015
Thank you for supporting our Book Fair. For the next two Wednesdays coming up, the school will be raising money to help the Rodriguez family. Students have free dress for $1.00 or they may donate more to assist the family in their time of need. Thank you once again for your generosity.
Labor Day Monday, September 7, is a holiday; enjoy the long weekend and have a fun and safe celebration.
Week of August 24 - 28, 2015
Last week was a busy one for all of us and I wish to thank everyone who attended the General PTO Meeting and Back-to-School Night events. Your attendance in the PTO meeting made the class win $101.00, which made it possible for the class to cool down with some ice cream last Thursday. The rest of the money will go towards purchasing classroom library books for AR reading as we support the Book Fair, which reopens on Monday, August 24. An early way to acquire service hours is to purchase books from the class wish list at the Book Fair.
Thank you for your support of our school functions. It was a pleasure meeting you all!
,Week of August 17 - 21, 2015
Welcome to St. Mary School! I am thrilled to be your child's moderator in a traditional, self-contained classroom for the current school year. This website provides you with information on lessons and homework, assignments and projects, as well activities and events pertinent to your child in this grade level. I invite you to peruse through the pages to get familiar with the site. Classroom management, routines, syllabi, and expectations will be discussed during Back-to-School Night (August 20, Thursday, from 6:00-7:00 pm in the classrooms).
The First General PTO Meeting will be on Wednesday, August 19, at 7:00 p.m. at the New Parish Hall. Hope to see you then and I welcome you and your child/ren to Fifth Grade.
[UPDATE: The first and second days of school are minimum days, i.e., dismissal is at 12:00 p.m. Please note on your calendar/schedule accordingly.
Second Update (Aug. 17): Class schedule is posted in the Curriculum Tab.]
We have come to the end of the school year and so I would like to thank everyone for all the support you have extended in making this year fruitful and rewarding. It has been both a pleasure and a great merit for me to have had the opportunity to teach your children and, in doing so, serve your families. As much as they have learned this year, I have acquired a lot of wisdom from the interaction as well. I wish you all goodluck in your next adventures, confident that the children will continue with more successes!
June 6 - 10, 2016
Thank you to all who directly and indirectly supported our Annie production. The show was AMAZING! In addition, the Talent Show will be on Monday, June 6, starting at 10:00 A.M. at the New Hall. Hope you can make it.
We have approached the last two weeks of the school year! Please have your child present for the battery of tests they need to complete. All library books and textbooks are to be returned by the end of the week in order to check on obligations that need to be fulfilled.
I will be meeting with parents who are interested in the Washington, D.C, and New York junior high field trip for 2018. A letter of invitation was sent home last week to each child with the date, time, and venue of this assembly. This would be a great opportunity to ask questions and receive information with regards to fundraising, trip schedules, and costs. Right after, Ms. Rios will have the 5th Grade PTO Meeting with you. See you then.
May 23 - 27, 2016
As we celebrate the Memorial Day holiday this coming weekend, let us also reflect on the feast of Corpus Chrisit: the Living God comes down from Heaven and gives us Himself every time we receive Holy Communion at mass. I hope you all have a relaxing three-day break.
May 16 - 20, 2016
In observance of Spirits Week, the students may dress accordingly:
Monday - sports team (professional, high school, or college)
Tuesday - dress as a tourist
Wednesday - blue and gold colors (volleyball game: 8th Gr vs their parents at 1:30 pm)
Thursday - dress from the past decades (but not in the 2000s)
Also, the students may participate in the Spirits games to be held during their lunch recess.
Please check PROJECTS Page for Science project deadline.
May 9 - 13, 2016
During the games, the snack shack will be selling food and drinks after school on Monday and Tuesday. Thank you to the following parents who volunteered last week: Mr. & Mrs. Artiga, Mrs. Simon, and Mrs. Barragan. Please see me if interested to help out this week-- we have started the snack shack as a fundraising for the 2018 Washington, D.C. and New York field trip.
May 2 - 6, 2016
If there are families who need to complete service hours, an opportunity to sell snacks after school on Tuesday and Wednesday this week is open. Come and see me at 3:20 p.m. on Monday. As we approach the other half of the last trimester, please be mindful of attendance and missing assignments your child needs to fulfill. Enjoy the remaining days of the Easter season!
April 25 - 29, 2016
The Art Show has been postponed until further notice; please keep the Chamorro Family in your prayers as well. Mid-progress report cards will be handed out this Friday. At this point, summer school will be recommended and required to those who need assistance in the skills essential for the next grade level.
Our Fifth Grade class won a free drumstick ice cream in lieu of the Title I survey forms turned in last week. Thank you for filling them out, and funding from the school district should be on its way for the incoming school year. Post action plans for the Washington, D.C. trip, which I undertook in April, will be discussed in my meetings with the parent chaperones after school this week; therefore, tutoring will be canceled.
Enjoy a breezy Easter week ahead!
April 18 - 22, 2016
To take an AR test, please use the url: https://hosted370.renlearn.com/306665
Thank you for filling out and returning the Title I survey forms. Earth Day is on Thursday; students may wear earth-tone colors such as brown, green, and blue. We shall have a noon dismissal this Friday.
April 11 - 15, 2016
Please fill out the Title I survey forms and turn them in not later than Friday, April 15, for your child/ren to have a free-dress pass. This survey is essential in allocating funds given by the Palmdale School District for the purchase of instructional materials needed in our school.
Thank you to all the parents who donated and participated in any way to make our class Easter party a fun-filled celebration vis-a-vis the rainy weather. You are very supportive, not only in areas of academic formation, but also in the social arena of their development. I pray you continue to celebrate the good news of Easter now and thought the rest of the season.
(Tutoring will only be on Thursday this week in line with scheduled appointments.)
April 4 - 8, 2016
I hope you continue to have a blessed Easter season. Our class party will be during lunch and all through dismissal time on Friday. If you have extra plastic eggs that we could use for the egg-hunt, please bring them in by Wednesday. Check our window for donations and parent-volunteers for the party to complete service hours.
We will resume with after-school tutoring for the students on the week of April 11 (as I might still have jet lag when I come back), as well as with the parent classes. Again, Happy Easter to all! Rejoice, He is risen!!!
March 21 - 23, 2016
As we approach the holiest days of the year, let us reflect on the Paschal Mystery of Christ. Reminders on the following: Awards Assembly is at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday and the Seder Meal is at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday.
Our Easter break begins with the observance of the Holy Triduum, which starts on Holy Thursday, and ends on the second Sunday of Easter. Have a reflective Holy Week and enjoy the coming Easter season! [No tutoring this week.]
March 14 - 18, 2016
We are celebrating Clergy Day this Thursday and each class will be performing a Disney-inspired presentation. Fifth Grade will be singing "I'll Make a Man Out of You" from the movie Mulan. They may wear a gi, a lightweight two-piece white garment worn in judo and other martial arts or a ninja warrior costume. A gi typically consists of loose-fitting pants and a jacket that is closed with a cloth belt. (Presentation time TBA.)
This Friday, the Stations of the Cross will follow right after the mass. Fifth Grade is in charge of preparing for both prayer times. They will act out the Passion and Death of Christ during the Stations of the Cross. Please join us in celebrating the sacrament and in lenten prayer. Dismissal time this Friday is at 12:00 p.m.
It was brought to my attention that there have been incidents of parents of 5th Grade students addressing in a disciplinary manner children other than their own during school hours. If you feel attention to a situation is warranted, please contact school personnel. You may review guidelines set forth on pages 39-40 under Family Involvement of the St. Mary School Parent Handbook.
March 7 - 11, 2016
This week starts the third trimester of the school year, and here is a friendly reminder on obligations due to the school (such as completion of service hours and SCRIP) that might overwhelm you as the we come near the end. Please check with the office for any dues you still have to fulfill.
The Fifth Graders will be celebrating their last class mass on Friday, March 18 and will be leading the school in praying the Stations of the Cross. You are welcome to join us in prayer during this season of Lent. And do not forget to adjust your clocks this coming Sunday -- we spring forward to Daylight Savings Time!
February 29 - March 4, 2016
During Read Across America week, the students may observe the following dress up days:
Monday - mix 'n match Tuesday - black and white
Wednesday - pajama day Thursday - favorite book character
On Wednesday, green eggs and ham will be served during snack time (recess) and there will be a picnic at the field during lunch time. Students bring their packed lunch or hot lunch from the cafeteria to the field. This coming Friday is another no-school day.
February 22 - 26, 2016
Our Fifth Grade Spelling Bee representatives took home the bacon -- or the whole pig-- winning 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in the competition! Congratulations to Jadeene Santillana, Lana Perez, and Jonathan Braganza for an outstanding display of word prowess! Thank you to their parents for extending that support.
Jeans for John Bosco will be observed this Wednesday; please have $1 or an act of kindness commitment by your child if wearing jeans. Friday is a no-school day as teachers will be attending the annual Religious Education Congress in Anaheim. Have another short week ahead...
February 15 - 19, 2016
Congratulations to our Fifth Grade representatives to the Spelling Bee: Jonathan Braganza, Lana Perez, Jadeene Santillana, and Ryan Macias. The school-wide competition will be held this Thursday at the New Hall; times may vary from 12:30 p.m. thru 2:30 p.m. You are invited to watch the students give their best in spelling! Dismissal time this Friday is at 12 noon.
February 8 - 12, 2016
Lunch times will be staggered on Phat Tuesday due to Mardi Gras lunches; Fifth Grade will have theirs at 12:20 p.m. through 1:05 p.m. It is also an observed free dress day: purple, green, and gold are the colors for Tuesday; and if your child attended the Open House mass in their formal uniform, they have another free dress day this Thursday.
On Ash Wednesday, the students need to wear formal uniform for the mass and distribution of ashes. Dismissal time for this day has been adjusted to 11:00 a.m. Please mark your calendars accordingly. Married couples in the Catholic faith are invited to renew their vows during Friday mass.
During the liturgical season of Lent, lunch times have been adjusted to allot sufficient time for Stations of the Cross. Fifth Grade's lunch, along with Junior High, will be at 12:15 p.m. through 1:00 p.m. You are all invited to join us in praying the Stations of the Cross each Friday, a mini pilgrimage and Catholic devotion that commemorates Jesus Christ's last day on Earth as a man. As we enter another season of the church calendar, let us recall the three pillars of Lent: almsgiving, prayer, and fasting.
In observance of President's Day, February 15 is a no-school day. Relax on your three-day weekend!
February 1 - 5, 2016
In line with the activities for Catholic Schools Week, the following dress code will observed:
Tuesday - Disney/Superhero Day
Wednesday - Sports Day
Thursday - Twin Day
Friday - formal uniform for mass
Thank you to every one who came and visited the classrooms during Open House. A special thanks to the group of parents, headed by Mrs. Lozano, who helped decorate our window for Catholic Schools Week. This Thursday, February 4, is the Shakey's school-fundraising event, and Friday is our class Valentine's Day party, which starts at 12:30 p.m. If wishing to complete service hours, sign-up sheets for food donations and parent-volunteers are posted by the classroom window. Next Friday, February 12, the mass will be offered to all couples married in the Sacrament. You are invited to celebrate and renew your vows that day.
Hope to see you in any or all of these school functions.
January 25 - 29, 2016
Please support our school's book fair this year, which starts Monday, January 25 and ends on Sunday, January 31. (Our classroom could use additional AR books!)
Thank you to all the parents who contributed in any way to the success of our class retreat. Needless to say, the students had a wonderful time, in spite of a minimum day.
This coming Sunday, January 31, is our Open-House, which kicks off Catholic Schools' Week. The SMS mass will be at 10:30 a.m. and you are invited to bring a friend, a neighbor, or a relative who would be interested to register their child/ren for the upcoming school year. Classrooms will be open for viewing school work from 12:00 p.m. through 3:00 p.m. In lieu of this event, Monday will be an observed no-school day. Once again, thank you for your continued support of our school activities. Have a great week ahead...
January 18 - 22, 2016
Thank you to all who supported our school fundraising event, McTeacher's Night. This Wednesday night, we will be holding the second General PTO meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the New Hall; pertinent information for the next school year will be addressed in this meeting. Also, please bring your child/ren's emergency bag/s by Thursday, January 21; that is, if one was not turned in yet. Our class retreat is scheduled for this coming Friday, an early dismissal as well. Although our activities will be at the New Hall, please sign out the students from the classroom at 12:00 noon. Once again, I thank you for your food donations and for giving your time to volunteer.
Jeans for John Bosco will be observed on Monday, January 25. Have another great week and see you at the PTO meeting!
January 11 - 15, 2016
Thank you for using the blog page to clarify things with regards our school/class activities. We are sticking to the calendar schedule, which is January 22, for the 5th grade's class retreat -- a 12 noon dismissal. Please disregard last week's posted date for this event. Our room parent, Mrs. Derfler, will come up with a list of needed donations and volunteers for the retreat. This is a good opportunity to complete service hours and to avoid the last minute hassle.
This Wednesday is the school's fundraising event -- McTeacher's Night! Show your support by having dinner with the school community. I will be taking your order, cooking the world's famous fries, and, probably, even grilling your burgers! Hope to see you then.
Enjoy the coming three-day weekend! No school on Monday, January 18, in lieu of Martin Luther King. Jr. Day.
January 4 - 8, 2016
My deepest appreciation and gratitude for all your gifts and wishes for a Merry Christmas Season. I pray that your families continue to be blessed, and your homes be filled with true peace and happiness in this new year.
We finally have a full time P.E. instructor -- Mrs. Perry (HOOORAY!!!). Some of you might know her since she also works at Mission Bell. To fit the demands of her busy schedule, our 5th Grade P.E. class has been rescheduled to Thursdays, from 2:05 thru 2:55 p.m.
The class retreat is on January 15 and starts off with the class mass; you are all welcome to celebrate with us. Since the retreat is scheduled on a minimum day (noon dismissal), there will be NO lunch, but rather, a full breakfast will be served right after the mass. Please contact our room parent, Mrs. Derfler, if you are interested in donating food and/or would like to volunteer your time during the retreat. We will need not more than six parent-volunteers who are Virtus-trained and fingerprinted to participate in this event. As always, thank you for all the support you give to
the 5th Grade class and to the school.
December 19, 2015 - January 3, 2016
Wishes for a most blessed and merry Christmas and a new year filled with peace!
Week of December 14 - 18, 2015
A reminder that the Awards Assembly in the church is this Tuesday at 2:15 p.m. The class Christmas party is this Friday at 12 noon. If in need of service hours, please sign up to help in the classroom during the party or to donate items for the festivity. Also, the children need to come back on Friday night for the annual Christmas Program. Please drop off your child/ren in their respective classroom around 6:30 p.m. and sign them out from the classroom after the program.
We have arrived at the third week of Advent. I hope that you find true JOY in preparing for the coming (advent) of Jesus. From my family to yours, have a merry Christmas and a bright New Year.
Joy to the world the Lord is Come!!!
Week of December 7 - 11, 2015
Thank you for meeting with me during the Parent-Teacher Conferences. I am certain that working together is the key to your child's success. Should you need to contact me, email is the best way to communicate.
The PTO sponsored Santa's Secret Shop will start this Wednesday and stay open through Friday. Also, Breakfast with Santa is this coming Sunday, December 13. In celebration of the feast of the Immaculate Concepcion, the students will be going to mass on Tuesday, December 8 at 8:30 a.m. You are welcome to join us in this Holy Day of Obligation.
Advent blessings to all!
Week of November 30 - December 4, 2015
This week, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday are scheduled days for Parent-Teacher conferences, from 1:00 p.m through 4:00 p.m. As each family has only ten minutes to meet with the teacher, please go through Headmaster Online to look at your child's grades and prepare topics that can be discussed within the given time frame. If you think the allotted time is not sufficient, you may reschedule to meet with me at a different day. Dismissal time on these days is at twelve noon.
I wish to thank all the parent-volunteers who assisted our class in serving at the Grace Resource Center on Friday, November 20. Also, thank you to those who participated in any way in serving hot meals during Thanksgiving Day. Truly, it was a day to be very thankful!
In this first week of Advent, I wish you all a Happy New (Liturgical) Year!
Week of November 16-20, 2015
UPDATED on November 18: The Fifth Grade class is going to Grace Resource Center in Lancaster this Friday, November 20, for their Service-Learning Project. We will need 10 parent-volunteers who can drive the students to and from the Center. If you are Virtus-trained, have been cleared through fingerprinting, and have full auto insurance, please see or contact me through email if you are willing and able. We will leave around 10:00 am and get back by 1:30 pm. Permission slips will be sent home today and must be returned by Thursday, November 19.
If you need service hours, donating $5 or $10 to buy pizza and pasta for the students' lunch during this trip would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your continued support.
Thank you to all who supported our class and participated in the school's fundraising event at Barnes and Noble. The students were eager and excited to perform the Gettysburg Address. Special thanks go out to Mrs. Derfler and Mrs. Braganza for making the children's top hats!
The school-wide Thanksgiving meal is this Thursday, November 19, at the New Hall. Our class is in charge of bringing mashed potatoes. There will be enough food for everyone if each child brings a generous amount (12 to 14 servings) to the table. Come join us in this feast! Also, the Food Drive this Friday takes place during mass. If your child has not brought their pasta and pasta sauce donation, please do so by Friday.
Here's wishing you all a safe and relaxing Thanksgiving holiday.
Week of November 9-13, 2015
We will be honoring all veterans during mass this Friday. Please join us in this special celebration, remembering and thanking the men and women who served and continue to serve our country to protect our freedom.
As Thanksgiving approaches, let us thank God by supporting our brothers and sisters in need. The school's annual food drive gives to families who need our help -- pasta and pasta sauce are items that your child can donate to the food drive. These will be offered during the Friday mass (November 20). In the spirit of the season, let us remember those who are not as fortunate. We have so many gifts to share.
There is a tentative plan to visit Grace Resource Center for our Service-Learning Project this year. I am making arrangements to have this trip happen either this Friday, November 13 or next Friday, November 20. I will inform you when this transpires.
This Saturday, our Fifth Grade class will be delivering an oration of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address at 11:00 a.m. at Barnes and Noble. Please support our school's fundraising event. Hope to see you all there.
Week of November 2-6, 2015
Our 5th Graders, along with the Sixth, Seventh, and Eight Graders, will be taking part in a Christian Service field trip this Wednesday to the Galen Center. In line with religious instruction, they will be learning more about the influence and contributions of Dorothy Day and the path to sainthood. Initially, when this was brought to my attention last Thursday, there was no cost to the trip. There was a decision to provide the students with a continental breakfast and lunch for the cost of $10, and the buses are free of charge. Permission slips will be sent home but need to be turned in by Tuesday. No chaperones needed on this trip as students will be supervised by the teachers and staff. More information are mentioned in the permission slip.
I wish to thank all who contributed and participated in our Halloween Carnival. I hope to see more parents in our next school function -- the Thanksgiving Meal! (Hopefully, for some, your fingerprinting and Virtus-training requirements will have been fulfilled.)
Week of October 26- 30, 2015
Reminder: It is a standard procedure to report to the office and conduct business with the proper staff during school hours. Please do not drop off items in the classroom without stopping by the office; this avoids interruption and confusion. During school hours, the time is spent on teaching the students, with little or no personal errands to attend to. Thank you for your support.
The following dress code may be observed during Red Ribbon Week:
Monday - red shirt and dark blue jeans
Tuesday - pajamas
Wednesday - formal uniform for mass
Thursday - cowboy outfit
Friday - Halloween costume (no masks nor plastic weapons)
Following the regular uniform schedule is the other option, except on Wednesday as mass will be celebrated that day. Thank you to Mrs. Derfler for putting together our Red Ribbon banner!
Special thanks to our parent-chaperones: Mrs. Braganza, Mrs. Derfler, and Mrs. Lopez made the field trip a smooth, fun, and memorable experience for every one. It was one blast of a trip!!!
Also, thank you to all who participated in the Trunk or Treat and the Autumn Festival events. It was such a treat to see your family celebrating with the community! (Maybe next time, we can take Monday off!!!) The Halloween Carnival is this Friday from 12:30 through 1:30 p.m. In line with the archdiocesan requirements, only Virtus-trained and fingerprinted parents and guardians will be allowed to participate in the school event. Lunch will not be served in the cafeteria; instead, we will support the tradition of buying from the 7th grade booth, who will be selling food, to raise funds for the 8th grade banquet.
Hope to see you then. Have a safe halloween and don't forget to set your clocks back an hour on Sunday.
Week of October 19-23, 2015
Reminder: It is a standard procedure to report to the office and conduct business with the proper staff during school hours. Please do not drop off items in the classroom without stopping by the office; this avoids interruption and confusion. During school hours, the time is spent on teaching the students, with little or no personal errands to attend to. Thank you for your support.
Our class field trip is on Thursday, October 22. Please make sure your child is in school by 6:45 a.m. We will start boarding around 6:50 a.m. as the bus is scheduled to leave at 7:00 a.m. Proper uniform -- long blue jeans, Salesian shirt (tucked in), school shoes and white socks -- will be observed, and personal lunch bags must be labeled. Our classroom parent chaperones will be providing the children with snacks to and from the Observatory. We expect to be back by 3:00 p.m. There are no refunds due to absence or tardiness.
Just a reminder that we are a month away from the scheduled presentations of the New England and Mid-Atlantic states project. If your child's turn is coming up, please do a follow up on their work. Check the PROJECTS page, under SOCIAL STUDIES, for the given objectives and guidelines, including grading rubric and expectations.
Help support the school roof-building fundraiser! Come and join the community in celebration with games, food, and performances by your child/ren this Sunday, October 25. And don't forget -- our PTO sponsored Trunk or Treat is this Friday starting at 6:00 pm! Hope to see you in these events.
Week of October 5-9, 2015
Reminder: It is a standard procedure to report to the office and conduct business with the proper staff during school hours. Please do not drop off items in the classroom without stopping by the office; this avoids interruption and confusion. During school hours, the time is spent on teaching the students, with little or no personal errands to attend to. Thank you for your support.
Mrs. Braganza and Mrs. Lopez are the two parents picked to chaperone our class to Griffith Observatory on October 22. Permission slips will be sent home this week, which include information on departure and arrival times, the cost of the trip, and educational objectives. Payment and signed permission must be in by Friday, October 16. (Checks are welcome, make payable to St. Mary School.)
The Family Rosary takes place this Friday, at 7:00 p.m. Students interested to participate in this event need permission slips, which need to be turned in this Thursday. I will be out on Friday, October 9 and Monday, October 12 to attend a training in Boston; in my absence, Ms. Gries will take the class. Also, please have the report card envelopes signed and turned in by Thursday.
Thank you to all who supported the Shakey's school fundraiser! It was great to see you there! Have a nice and cooler (hopefully) fall weekend.
Week of September 28 - October 2, 2015
UPDATE: It is a standard procedure to report to the office and conduct business with the proper staff during school hours. Please do not drop off items in the classroom without stopping by the office; this avoids interruption and confusion. During school hours, the time is spent on teaching the students, with little or no personal errands to attend to. Thank you for your support.
Parents who are Virtus-trained, have been fingerprinted through the archdiocese, and are willing to chaperone the class to Griffith Observatory have until Wednesday to inform me of your interest. Your name will be in a lottery draw for two parent-volunteers. The trip is on October 22.
Help support our school fundraiser at Shakey's this Wednesday, September 30, from 5:00 p.m. through 8:00 p.m. Midterm report cards will be handed out this Friday.
For students to remember concepts and to reinforce new learned skills, it is important to review and practice them. Continuity of learning from school to home is essential and integral to a successful education. Th applications of theory and concepts are challenging to meet in a school setting and every effort is made to bring real world examples. When they are outside of school and opportunities present themselves, please make those connections with your child, as these situations can be more visible, tangible, and real, compared to the staged and artificial settings presented in school.
Have a great week!
"There is no end to education. It is not that you read a book, pass an exam, and finish with education. The whole of life, from the moment you are born to the moment you die, is a process of learning." -- Juddi K.
Week of September 21-25, 2015
Thank you for celebrating mass with us last Friday. As last Friday was a minimum day and Picture Day, there was not enough time for some students to present their explorer reports, so we will continue with their presentations throughout the week. A schedule of events for the months of September and October is listed and posted by our window, thanks to Mrs. Derfler.
This website was created to inform you of announcements, lessons, homework and assignments, projects and deadlines, as well as class schedule and curricula. Please peruse and make use of this medium so as to avoid redundancy. For personal or private messages, send them through e-mail; otherwise, an added blog page is provided should you wish to post questions or comments.
Week of September 14-18, 2015
Life Touch Portraits will be on campus this Friday; please make sure your child/ren bring/s their envelope with the selected package and payment. Our class is in charge of preparing for mass this Friday and we wish to invite you to come and celebrate with us in the Breaking of the Bread. Also, a reminder that some students will be presenting their explorer project this Friday. I am looking forward to their presentations. Dismissal this Friday is at 12:00 p.m. and Monday is a no-school day in lieu of a professional development that teachers attend yearly. Have another long weekend ahead and ENJOY!
Week of September 7-11, 2015
As we approach Patriot Day, let us honor and remember all who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 at the World Trade Center, United States Pentagon, and Flight 93.
We continue to provide support for the Rodriguez family; free dress for $1 or more this Wednesday. Please check the PROJECTS tab for updates on the assigned explorer project and the US state project. Deadlines, guidelines, and rubrics are provided. For questions and clarifications, send me an email ([email protected]). The 5th grade class field trip is scheduled for October 22, 2015. In line with Griffith Observatory's requirements, Mrs. Derfler (our Room Parent) and I can only take two additional adults to assist us in the trip. If interested, please inform us by September 30. The children in class will pick two names "out of a hat." More details about the field trip will follow in October. Have a great week ahead!
Week of August 31 - September 4, 2015
Thank you for supporting our Book Fair. For the next two Wednesdays coming up, the school will be raising money to help the Rodriguez family. Students have free dress for $1.00 or they may donate more to assist the family in their time of need. Thank you once again for your generosity.
Labor Day Monday, September 7, is a holiday; enjoy the long weekend and have a fun and safe celebration.
Week of August 24 - 28, 2015
Last week was a busy one for all of us and I wish to thank everyone who attended the General PTO Meeting and Back-to-School Night events. Your attendance in the PTO meeting made the class win $101.00, which made it possible for the class to cool down with some ice cream last Thursday. The rest of the money will go towards purchasing classroom library books for AR reading as we support the Book Fair, which reopens on Monday, August 24. An early way to acquire service hours is to purchase books from the class wish list at the Book Fair.
Thank you for your support of our school functions. It was a pleasure meeting you all!
,Week of August 17 - 21, 2015
Welcome to St. Mary School! I am thrilled to be your child's moderator in a traditional, self-contained classroom for the current school year. This website provides you with information on lessons and homework, assignments and projects, as well activities and events pertinent to your child in this grade level. I invite you to peruse through the pages to get familiar with the site. Classroom management, routines, syllabi, and expectations will be discussed during Back-to-School Night (August 20, Thursday, from 6:00-7:00 pm in the classrooms).
The First General PTO Meeting will be on Wednesday, August 19, at 7:00 p.m. at the New Parish Hall. Hope to see you then and I welcome you and your child/ren to Fifth Grade.
[UPDATE: The first and second days of school are minimum days, i.e., dismissal is at 12:00 p.m. Please note on your calendar/schedule accordingly.
Second Update (Aug. 17): Class schedule is posted in the Curriculum Tab.]