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St. Philip Neri Catholic School

Second Grade Update

Dear Second Grade Families,

Happy Friday! 

Thank you to the parents who chaperoned today – Mr. and Mrs. Balster, Mrs. Grant, Mrs. Escobar, Mr. Bright, and Mrs. Laguicao! What a gift to be able to go on a field trip again after two years! It was a delightful spring day at the garden (albeit a little on the hot side!). Our docents shared about extreme environments and how plants develop adaptations that help them survive. Several of them also complemented our students for being knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and respectful. Not sure what the students enjoyed more – the garden or the bus!? Overall, a very nice day! 🙂

Next week, we will revisit what it means to be good digital citizens – being responsible and safe online. Students will get to reflect, share ideas, and even do some singing and dancing along with the digital citizen characters. 🙂 

Also, our SPN community will continue to prepare for Easter with the Stations of the Cross, presented on Tuesday by 5th grade and a celebration of the Seder Meal, presented on Thursday by Kindergarten. 

A bonus will be that second grade students were asked to be beta readers for a new book by an author we’ve read before – Anne Bromley, “The Lunch Thief”. We will get to preview her new book, “Going Home” which centers on ideas of mindfulness and meditation as strategies for dealing with life’s ups and downs. Then we will share our thoughts with Ms. Bromley. This is a great opportunity for students to be part of the writing process!
 
Quick request: If you are a parent of a First Communion candidate and can possibly help at the upcoming retreat on April 30th from 10:30-12:30, please let me know or reach out to Mrs. Bustos (bustosdiane@gmail.com). She did not receive any responses to her initial request for volunteers for this event. 

First Communion Celebration Mass and Brunch – Monday, May 9th
To continue our celebration of First Communion (which will be held on Saturday, May 7th), second graders will attend morning Mass at 8:30am on Monday, May 9th. Following Mass, the third grade is hosting a brunch in O’Brien Hall to help second graders celebrate their First Communion! This is an annual tradition that we are now able to get back to! 🙂 Second graders are welcome to wear their First Communion clothes. Even if your child did not receive the sacrament, they are invited to wear their fancy clothes as well, and all students will join in the festivities. 🙂 Parents are welcome to join us for Mass and the brunch, and you will receive an evite so that the third grade hosts can finalize numbers. Please respond. They want to make sure there is enough delicious food for all! 🙂

Below is our second grade update.

Focus Areas for Our Learning Next Week:

  • Reading – We will continue SUPER Magazine and also have a little fun with Reader’s Theater this week! Fluent reading (reading at an appropriate pace with accuracy and expression) is always a focus for all students. Getting into character is always a helpful way to encourage good expression!
  • Grammar/Spelling – In Superkids, students will decode and encode long “e” words using different spelling patterns (ex. “ea”, “ee”, “y”, etc.). We will also identify long “e” homonyms (ex. heel and heal, tea and tee).
  • Writing – We will wrap up any unfinished alliteration poems/illustrations before break.
  • Math – Students will use math vocabulary to describe 2-D shapes (vertices, sides, types of angles, parallel and perpendicular lines, etc.).
  • Religion – We finish our chapter about the Liturgy of the Eucharist and have some fun recalling our knowledge with a Mass Jeopardy game. 🙂 Also, if you are interested, here is a beautiful series of videos for the Stations of the Cross. They are lovely reflections to share with your children. 
  • Science – Please take a picture of your child’s grass head and either send it to me or print it for them. We will share about them in class this week. Some may have had success and others not – either way is okay. This is part of experimenting! Thank you!
  • Social Studies – We will wrap up our government unit with a game. After the class reviews key concepts and vocabulary, students will get an opportunity to show what they’ve learned.

Other Updates for this Week:

  • COVID Safety– Please continue to be vigilant with the daily health screening. We appreciate your continued diligence – it keeps us all safe!
  • Dates to remember:
    • Tuesday, Apr. 12th – Rice Bowls due back; Please consider writing a check for the total amount your child collected.
    • Thursday, Apr. 14th – Noon dismissal, Holy Thursday
    • Friday, April 15th – No School, No Share & Care, Good Friday
    • April 18th – 22nd – No School, Easter Break
    • Monday, Apr. 25th – Fun Run Kick Off
    • Tuesday, Apr. 26th – Free Dress for April B-Days 
    • Tuesday, Apr. 26th – STEAM Fair
    • Saturday, May 7th – First Communion
    • Monday, May 9th – Celebration Mass and Brunch (First Communion clothes or fancy free dress – students may bring uniform to change into after the brunch, if they wish)

We look forward to seeing our students on Monday!

All the best,

Catherine

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"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."
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— SPN Parent since 2016

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