Second Grade Update

Dear Second Grade Families,

Welcome back! I hope you all had a wonderful break with family and friends, and I’m excited to start the new decade with your children!

January is a great month that culminates with our week-long celebration of Catholic Schools! The Oratorical Fest is part of that week, and there are several assignments leading up to it. Please review the information sent home before break and take a look at important dates below to ensure your child is prepared. Thank you!

January also includes the start of a new social studies unit centered around our government and the change makers who have helped shape our nation. To support our learning, we are excited to welcome Ms. Andie Cultrera again! She visits from the Alameda Public Library and will share a read aloud and activity to support our social studies focus. We are grateful to have her! 🙂

Below are other important updates and dates to remember:

What We Are Learning
- English Language Arts
  - Word Work – reading and encoding pattern words with -ight, -aught, -ought as well as ph/f/ and gh/f/
  - Reading – beginning SUPER magazine; developing skills to support reading informational text (sequencing events, using table of contents and parts of a book/magazine to locate information)
  - Writing – finalizing fictional narratives
- Math – selecting and using the appropriate tool for measuring the length of an object; practicing strategies for addition/subtraction within 100
- Social Studies – learning key vocabulary to support unit on government and change makers (citizen, law, vote, President, Congress, tax, leader, etc.)
- Science – understanding that materials have a set of unique properties that determine their use
- Religion – learning about the Holy Spirit as a helper and guide

Important Dates/Events This Week
- Friday, Jan. 10th – Oratorical Fest selections due
- Monday, Jan. 13th – Free dress for January birthdays
- Friday, Jan. 17th – Staff training day – NO SCHOOL
- Monday, Jan. 20th – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – NO SCHOOL
- Jan. 21st/22nd – Oratorical Fest in-class presentations (all pieces need to be memorized and ready to be presented)
- Sunday, Jan. 26th – Open House
- Jan. 27th-31st – Catholic Schools Week
- Friday, Jan. 31st – Noon dismissal

Weekly Reflections:
- Quote of the Week – “Your success and happiness lies in you.” Helen Keller
- Music Piece of the Week – “Feel This Moment” – Pitbull and Christina Aguilera; “Take On Me” – A-Ha

With gratitude,
Mrs. Suer

What Our Families are Saying

"The supportive teachers at SPN played a big role in preparing me for high school and helping me understand what to expect. They encouraged me to ask questions and seek help when needed, which made me more confident in my learning. Thanks to them, I entered freshman year already familiar with many concepts and effective study habits that have helped me stay on top of my work. SPN also taught me valuable life skills that I still use today, helping me succeed academically, build strong friendships, and maintain my overall well-being."

— Tibby Horvath, SPN Class of 2022

"We are very satisfied with the SPN community, something that is important to our family. My children feel safe and comfortable with SPN. Our family feels connected with the SPN community from parents and families to the staff and faculty. My children and we as parents have made healthy and positive relationships with other families from school. We share time outside of school with other families which brings a level of connectedness I don't know if we would have elsewhere"

— SPN Parent

"My children are experiencing community in other ways than just friends and playdates. Faith Families is an example of community, interacting with students from all grade levels, and learning and creating for others outside of SPN. Field trips to Kids Against Hunger or the Alameda Food Bank where they work and see firsthand how their efforts help others less fortunate, for those who are in need of support. Community is not just our SPN ‘bubble,’ and that is what SPN demonstrates and provides– opportunity to explore a bigger community."

— SPN Parent since 2016

St. Philip Neri Catholic School

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