please take a few minutes before we get started to write ... · homework. • study vocabulary and...
TRANSCRIPT
Please take a few minutes before we get started to write your child a note to leave on their desk. They will love finding it in the morning!
Begin with PrayerGod of wisdom and might,
we praise you for the wonder of our being,
for mind, body, and spirit.
Be with our children as they begin a new school year.
Bless them and their teachers and staff.
Give them strength and grace as their bodies grow,
wisdom and knowledge to their minds
as they search for understanding,
and peace and zeal to their hearts.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
thecatholiccatalogue.com
About Me
• Married 14 years• 2 daughters-Ella (8) and
Sophia (5 years)• Bachelor of Science in
Elementary Education from Texas A&M University (Whoop!)
• 7th year at St. Matthew • Family time, reading,
shopping and watching Aggie sports are favorite hobbies
Curriculum
Core Subjects• Religion, Sacramental
Preparation, Ten Ways to Love
• Math• Science and Social
Studies, STREAM projects
• Reading/Language Arts– Spelling– Writing– Grammar– Vocabulary– Handwriting
Special Classes
• Spanish –Tuesday• Art - Thursday• Physical Education –
Monday and Friday• Music - Monday• Computer - Wednesday• Guidance - 4-5 times in
a quarter
Additional Curriculum Information
• Reading/Language Arts– Emphasis on fluency and
comprehension– Accelerated Reader for
help with comprehension– High frequency words and
robust vocabulary are taught in class and to be studied at home.
– Robust Words - meant to expand their vocabulary and the understanding of oral language. They do not need to know how to spell these words. We practice them in various ways throughout the week.
– High Frequency Words are words that are commonly found in grade level text and should be read fluently.
– Lesson tests have several components: comprehension, grammar, vocabulary and letter sound recognition.
– There will not be a spelling contract this year.
– Spelling tests will have two bonus words in addition to the 15 words and a 3 sentence dictation portion.
– New handwriting curriculum-will reinforce print and introduce cursive.
Additional Curriculum Information
• Religion
– Sadlier Religion program includes Sacramental Preparation.
– Mass participation
– Extra projects for Sacraments
• TESTS
– Study guides or reviews are sent home for most tests.
– Open book tests are given occasionally and reviews will not be sent home for these tests.
• Math
– 16 “topics” taught throughout the year
– Facts practice at home is important.
– Timed practice on iPad and paper pencil tests
• Science and Social Studies
– Taught in rotation
– Textbook and iPad in science and social studies
– Grades will vary depending on how many weeks each subject is taught during the quarter.
Accelerated Reader
Goals and Tests• After taking the NWEA
Test, students will have a quarterly AR reading goal.
• Students have the entire quarter to meet their goal.
• A reading log is kept in each student’s yellow folder. They record all books read at school or home and the score on AR tests.
• Tests can be taken in the morning, during car line and when time allows during class.
Incentives• As each child meet their
goal, their name is posted on the AR “Wall of Fame.”
• At the end of the quarter, all students who meet their goal will have lunch and a treat with the teacher.
• Other incentives are offered at different times throughout the year.
• Students can go to the AR store to spend their points in December and May.
Classwork and Homework
Classwork
• Written work• iPad activities• Group work• Oral reviews• Work that is incomplete
after one week is recorded as a zero in grade book. Five points willbe deducted for each day after one week that the assignment is missing.
Homework
• Monday –Thursday• Read 20 minutes each day
in addition to written homework.
• Study vocabulary and spelling words.
• Not all homework is for a grade.
Grading Scales
Students will receive numerical grades in most subject areas.
A = 94-100
B = 85-93
C = 75-84
D = 70-74
O,S,I,U grades given in report card areas of Conduct, Christian Growth, Work Skills, and Penmanship.
O (Outstanding) = 95
S (Satisfactory) = 90
I (Improvement Needed) = 75
U (Unsatisfactory) = 70
Classroom Expectations and Incentives
Classroom Expectations Incentives
• Children earn stickers in class for various reasons –variety of individual rewards
• Class works together for other rewards – movies, ice cream, extra recess time
• Cheers, class games• “Shout Outs”• Accelerated Reader “Wall
of Fame” for each quarter
• Follow directions.• Raise your hand and wait
for permission to speak.• Keep hands, feet and
objects to yourself.• Respect the rights and
properties of yourself and others.
• Be honest and polite• Follow our Cardinal Rules.
Infractions will be recorded on the behavior log in the daily communication folder.
Student Responsibilities
• Try their best!• Complete classwork and
homework.• Write their name, date,
number on paper (5 points deducted for missing heading)
• Bring planner and folders to school daily.
• Follow dress code.• Follow class/school rules.
Parent/Guardian Responsibilities
• Allow your child to pack/unpack their back pack and be responsible for their materials.
• Check homework after your child has completed it.
• Read and review graded work, red folder and class webpage.
• Attend weekend Mass with your child.
Sacraments
• All students must be baptized before making the sacraments!
• If your child is not baptized but you would like them to be baptized in order to make the sacraments, please call Deacon Oscar Vela, Jr. at 478-5013 in the parish office as soon as possible.
Sacraments
Reconciliation• Mandatory Parent Meeting:
February 13th, 7:00 p.m.• First Reconciliation Prayer
Service: March 5th, 7:00 p.m. • Attire
– Girls and Boys: Sunday best, no tennis shoes or flip flops
First Communion• First Communion Retreat: April
15th, parents attend half day• First Communion: April 18th,
9:30 a.m.• First Communion at school
Mass and class pictures: April 23rd
• Special Projects (2)• Attire
– Girls: white dress (no spaghetti straps or backless dress, completely sheer fabric is not allowed), veil optional, no gloves, dress shoes
– Boys: Suit or shirt and tie with dress pants, dress shoes, no tennis shoes
Communion Banner
Other Information
• Mass participation – reverence, even if sitting with parent or other relatives
• Tardies begin at 8:00. • Absences are recorded after 2 hours of the school day
have been missed. • Family trips are unexcused absences.• Class webpage will include important curriculum
information, reminders and spelling/vocabulary words.• Birthday celebrations will be held once a month – only
parents of students with birthdays please.• Please be careful when taking and posting photos on social
media of other children from our school. Not all parents want photos of their child on social media.
• Field Trips: Second grade usually has one field trip. We try to schedule it at the end of October.
Important Dates• September 2- Labor Day - No school
• Sept 27 - Parent Conferences
• October 11 – Early Release
• October 14 – Columbus Day - No school
• October 18 – 1st Quarter Ends
• November 11 – No School
• November 25-29 – Thanksgiving - No school
• December 13 – Early Release
• December 20 – Early Release – 2nd
Quarter Ends (NO AFTERSCHOOL CARE)
• December 23- January 3 – Christmas & New Year Holiday – No School
• January 20 – MLK Holiday – No School
• January 31 – Grandparents’ Day – Early Release
• February 7 – Early Release
• February 13th MANDATORY
Sacramental Meeting in Parish Hall
7:00 PM
• February 17 – Presidents Day – No School
• March 5 – Sacrament of Reconciliation
• March 6 – 3rd Quarter Ends
• March 9-13 – Spring Break – No School
• April 9 – Holy Thursday – No School
• April 10 – Good Friday – No School
• April 13 – Easter Monday - No School
• April 15 – First Holy Communion Retreat
• April 18 – First Holy Communion
• April 24– Battle of Flowers - No school
• May 25 – Memorial Day – No School
• June 3 – Early Release – Last Day of School (NO AFTER SCHOOL CARE)
Thank you for coming!
This will be a great school year!