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St. Philip Neri Catholic School

Second Grade Update

Dear Second Grade Families,

Happy Friday!

This week, Mrs. Serles and I were SO proud of your children as they worked together to finish and present their continent projects! Since, for many of them, this was their first group project, we were impressed by the leadership, cooperation, and hard work they demonstrated as teams. (pictures attached for your enjoyment). 

Also, thank you so much for your generosity with SPN’s Adopt-a-Family initiative. Our second grade box was overflowing with gifts for those in need! Thank you!

Below is our weekly update:

Focus Areas for Our Learning Next Week:

  • Reading – Students will finish our SUPER magazine right in time for the Christmas Break! We will focus on making connections with the text and understanding vocabulary. Fluent reading (reading at an appropriate pace with accuracy and expression) is always a focus for all students. 
  • Grammar/Spelling – In Superkids, students will associate c with /s/ and g with /j/ (examples: pencil, page).
  • Writing – Students will share their creature poems with the class. Later in the week, we will read two different versions of the Night Before Christmas story and students will use their skills of comparing and contrasting. 🙂
  • Math –Students will finalize their Christmas story problems and get an opportunity to solve each other’s problems. We will also complete a review of addition and subtraction strategies.
  • Religion –Students will share ways they have been preparing to welcome Jesus into their hearts. In Family Life, we will review Unit 1 – God’s Gift of Family.
  • Science – Students will preview one of our upcoming units about animal adaptations by exploring why bears hibernate.
  • Social Studies – On the heels of their presentations about the continents, students will reflect on the process of group work, noting what went well, what could have gone even better, and what they learned about presenting.

Other Updates for this Week:

  • Gingerbread Houses: Students will get to decorate “gingerbread” houses this Friday as a fun send off for the Christmas break! Thank you to everyone who has donated (or will donate) supplies for this activity. Please make sure your child brings a can of vanilla frosting by Friday morning! Thank you! 🙂
  • Oratorical Fest – Heads up! We are a little over a month away from our annual Oratorical Fest during Catholic Schools Week at the end of January/early February. Between now and then, students will select their piece to recite, practice at home, and present to the class. Students will receive more information about this in their green folder on Monday. Please be on the lookout for it! 🙂
  • Dates to remember:
    • Tuesday, Dec. 14th: Free Dress for December Birthdays
    • Wednesday, Dec. 15th: Spirit Day – Pajama Day!
    • Thursday, Dec. 16th – Christmas Concert video
    • Friday, Dec. 17th: Noon Dismissal, NO SHARE & CARE
    • Dec. 18th-Jan 2nd: Christmas Break
    • Monday, Jan. 3rd: No School, Staff Work Day

We hope you enjoy the weekend and look forward to seeing our students on Monday! 🙂

All the best,
Catherine

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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

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