Author: Pat Sauchelli

ST. PETER’S SCHOOL
NEWSLETTER
NEWSLET

September 2014

Page 1

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK...

The season of Fall has arrived and the school year is well underway. We welcome all our new families and welcome back our returning school families. At St. Peter’s we are truly blessed to have so many wonderful people as part of our school community. I would like to share a special prayer that is a call to stewardship, which Catholic Schools promote and nurture. There is a mystery surrounding the prayer as the words are attributed to Archbishop Oscar Romero even though they were never spoken by him.
May St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles, bless you as we begin another step along the way.
Archbishop Oscar Romero Prayer: A Step Along the Way
It helps, now and then to step back and take a long view.
The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is even beyond our vision.
We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God’s work. Nothing
we do is complete, which is a way of saying that the Kingdom always lies beyond us.
No statement says all that could be said.
No prayer fully expresses our faith.
No confession brings perfection.
No pastoral visit brings wholeness.
No program accomplishes the Church’s mission.
No set of goals and objectives includes everything.
This is what we are about.
We plant the seeds that one day will grow.
We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise.
We lay foundations that will need further development.
We provide yeast that produces far beyond capabilities.
We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that.
This enables us to do something, and to do it very well.
It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for the Lord’s grace to enter and do the rest.
We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker.
We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs.
We are prophets of a future not our own.-Bishop Ken Untener

St. Peter’s School Newsletter

September 2014

Page 2

AROUND THE SCHOOL NEWS

PRESCHOOL - MS. STEEL
September was a month of welcoming new and returning friends and learning all about each other! We are getting into our morning routine of circle time fun where we discuss the calendar and dress our special frog for the weather. Our friends are learning new songs about the days of the week and alphabet and of course some silly songs that we can dance to.
We are learning how to follow directions and a daily routine each day. We have a color chart behavioral system in which students strive toward staying on green each day by following directions and being kind to one another. They will get rewarded each day they remain on green with a sticker. When their sticker chart is full they can pick a prize from our treasure chest in the classroom!
We have incorporated religion and God into our daily lessons and are focusing on how to be a good friend to each other. We listen to special Bible songs and stories daily that the students really enjoy.
Center time is a favorite where a few different toy, puzzle, and art options are given to them to choose from each day. The students were super excited to learn all about apples and where they come from. Our taste test and apple prints were a class favorite.
In October we are looking forward to going to church on Friday the 3rd as a class! This month we will be focusing on learning all about the season of Fall! Please don't forget to check your children's folders daily for important papers and information.
Thanks!

St. Peter’s School Newsletter

September 2014

Page 3

AROUND THE SCHOOL NEWS

KINDERGARTEN - MRS. TSIKITAS
Mrs. Barreiros
I'm very happy to have been given the opportunity to work with your children. The school year is off to a fabulous start!!! During this month we have been getting used to our new routine, learning about each other, and building new friendships. We have been working hard at learning many different skills in several curricular areas. The class has been doing a great job!!!!
We have learned the sight words I and can, and have been using them to read and write simple sentences. We have also been reading folk tales and discussing the moral of the stories, learning about the authors and illustrators. They love our reading time and enjoy being given the opportunity to read themselves. We have been reviewing the days of the week, and even have tried singing them using sign language! They have learned their four seasons, and we are now working on the months of the year.
In math, we learned about sorting by shape, size, and color. We are now learning about geometric shapes: cubes, spheres, cylinders, cones, and rectangular prisms. The children seem to have a good understanding and are making connections to objects they are exposed to daily that have these shapes.
In science we have learned about the life cycle of apples, and we are now discussing the characteristics of Fall. The children have learned about making friendships and the importance of being kind towards each other.
In Religion we have been discussing the Bible and how God created the world. They have been able to explain ways in which we can help maintain our world clean by recycling.
Please remember to check your child's folder daily. You may also see homework and important notice reminders on our blog!! I'm very excited to be here for your children and to see them grow academically as well as individually. I hope your children are enjoying this month as much as I have!

St. Peter’s School Newsletter

September 2014

Page 4

AROUND THE SCHOOL NEWS

GRADE 1 - MRS. GLEASON
First Graders Off To A Great Start!
The first graders came in with smiles and already are turning those smiles into success. In our Religious studies they have been introduced to the Bible, are aware of God as our Creator, and are beginning to learn the value of family life. They are very responsive and are well aware of their calling to be disciples. We also have been learning some great songs. We all love to sing and dance a little!
Their reading abilities have begun to take root. We spend quite a bit of time learning sounds and blending them to form words ~ both real words and what we call “silly words.” Many of them are developing their comprehension skills and are able to recall story details with ease. So keep reading to them!
Writing is always a challenge for little ones, but we are trying to write about things that are interesting to them. We brainstorm a list. We write together, and then they practice their craft on their own. They are working very hard on this.
In Science, we began learning about living and nonliving things. After spending some time discussing and reading on the topic, they created beautiful projects. They were all given a chance to present their work in front of the class and give us a little explanation on why they had put items on their posters. Some of them were very animated!
In Social Studies, we have a new series entitled “All Together” which is a great text that encompasses topics on community at all levels. We have begun with songs and had some great discussion on the topics we have touched upon.
So, we ARE off to a great start! The children are working as a team and the spirit of a faith filled classroom community is already beginning to blossom!

St. Peter’s School Newsletter

September 2014

Page 5

AROUND THE SCHOOL NEWS

GRADE 2– MR. MORGESE
Welcome back to our little school! I want to welcome all of you to the second grade. This is going to be a fun-filled and exciting year for your child. I will work super hard to make sure that he or she is always learning and happy!
In religion, we will be learning all about God’s love for us. We will talk about how the Church helps us to strengthen our faith and know God better. I plan to take the kids over to the church to introduce them to the confessionals. This way they are not so intimidated when First Reconciliation rolls around.
In math we will be reviewing basic addition and subtraction concepts. The kids rocked out to three-addend and four-addend addition. I am so proud of them. We will begin subtraction functions this week. I like to get them going with the review so I can see where they are at and so I can prepare them for up and coming topics!
We have started out language arts with some basics. Periods, capitals, and types of sentences have been on the menu since day one. The kids are getting the basics when it comes to writing. We have written a couple of personal narratives to get things rolling. I will be introducing new writing styles as the trimester goes on. We will also be working on manuscript writing before we tackle cursive. Stay tuned…
It pleases me to introduce our new science series. I love all of the neat and exciting experiments that compliment each lesson. The kids will even get to work in the science lab this year. We are covering plant parts and seeds at the present time. We will be focusing on earth science for some time.
Social studies is all about our community! The kids brought in photos of their communities and got to make collages out of them. They had a great time! I think it is important for the kids to learn about diversity in all communities. This makes them more accepting and well rounded as they grow up.
Please keep an eye out for an October field trip. Information to follow shortly!
Here are some important “Need 2 Knows”
1) All money should be sent to school in an envelope marked with your child’s name.
2) Children should be playing First In Math on a DAILY basis. They are graded for playing over the weekend. No Exceptions!
3) Homework is a super important part of your child’s learning experience. With that said, homework must be completed each time it is assigned.

St. Peter’s School Newsletter

September 2014

Page 6

AROUND THE SCHOOL NEWS

GRADE 3– MS. TIGHE
Welcome Back!
It was great to meet all of the third grade parents and family members at Back To School Night. We have gotten off to a great start already this school year and we expect to have a successful year ahead. The third graders did excellent work with their Book Report summer assignments. We have enjoyed discussing them and putting them on display outside our classroom. Please come and take a look. Here is some of what we have been working on since we returned to school.
Math: The students have been working on rounding, place value concepts and counting coins.
Language Arts: We have been reading really great fiction stories. We have also been focusing on subjects and predicates in Grammar.
Science: Fossils and Plant life are the focus. The students seem to enjoy this very much.
The entire school is contributing donations to Turtle Back Zoo to adopt an animal. This is exciting and we are happy to raise the funds. Thank you to all of the parents for their help.
Please continue to encourage your children to play First In Math, daily.
Let’s have a great school year!

St. Peter’s School Newsletter

September 2014
mber 2013

Page 7

AROUND THE SCHOOL NEWS

GRADE 4 - MRS. BARTELS
We are off and running, energized and ready for a fresh start in 4th grade! We have been adjusting to our new routine and learning our classroom rules. We made puzzle pieces about all our favorite things, created ‘Cookie Recipes’ about ourselves, and write in our journals every morning. The most exciting thing about 4th grade is that we get to change classrooms (and teachers) for math and science - although we are discovering that it is not easy to stay organized and remember all the books and supplies needed for the switch!
Grade 4
Religion - We are learning how to use the Bible, locate passages, and reading our favorite Bible stories. We can name the authors of the gospels, list stories one might find in the New or Old Testament, and recite several parables. Our project this week is to choose one of the passages and illustrate it, write a short summary, and write the passage numbers where it can be found.
Social Studies is taking us on a tour around the world. We are able to locate information on simple maps, find and read the symbols in the key, and use a compass rose. We created Venn Diagrams comparing Maps and Globes, and are currently learning the names and locations of the 7 continents, the oceans, the Prime Meridian, the equator, and the hemispheres. Next we will be learning to use longitude and latitude. Ask us to sing our song about the continents!
Language Arts - The 5th graders quickly reviewed complete sentences, subjects, and predicates, and common and proper nouns. We are also reviewing all the rules of changing singular nouns into plurals, and using the possessive form of nouns.
Reading - The students are identifying characters, setting, plot, and theme of a story, making inferences in order to better understand the plot development, and identifying similes and metaphors in the author’s writing.
We also began reading our first classroom novel!
Grade 4 is reading ‘Frindle’
Grade 5 is reading ‘The Egypt Game’
Please remember to sign and return all contact information, student handbook, and student contract forms, $10.00 for classroom parties, and $10.00 for Tricky-Tray. A special thank you to Kristian’s mom for volunteering to be our class mom this year.
It was wonderful meeting all of you at ‘Back To School Night’. I am looking forward to a wonderful year ahead!
Get ready, October, here we come!

St. Peter’s School Newsletter

September 2014

Page 8

AROUND THE SCHOOL NEWS

GRADE 5 - MRS. BUBENIK
Welcome Back!!! I hope everyone had an enjoyable summer and are excited to be back in the swing of school. I look forward to teaching and learning with your children as we grow together throughout the school year. Fifth grade is a big year and I want to remind students to make sure they come to school prepared and with a positive attitude. It is important that the students remember their homework planners and copy their homework down each day. The homework is also available on our school website each night; please check the site every night for important information is posted about upcoming tests, quizzes, projects, and events, etc. If you have done so already please return all notices that require a signature as soon as possible. Also, we are collecting ten dollars for our class parties for the 2014-2015 school year and ten dollars for the Tricky Tray Basket that our class will be making to donate. Any questions or concerns please feel free to contact the school.
The students have started Math on a high note with their enthusiastic approach and participation in First In Math. The students are doing great and I am very proud of them, keep up the great work! In social studies the students are studying the ancient empires and will be creating their first project for the school year, which will be due towards the end of October. I look forward to seeing everyone’s project; remember it will not be accepted after the due date. In science we are learning about photosynthesis and the importance of plant life on Earth. The students are working hard in each subject and I am very proud; of them; keep up the great work.
It was a pleasure having the opportunity meeting you at Back to School Night and look forward to working with you throughout the school year ensuring that the students have an academically fun-filled school year. Enjoy the beautiful fall season and God bless!

St. Peter’s School Newsletter

September 2014

Page 9

AROUND THE SCHOOL NEWS

GRADE 6 - MR. SAGARESE
6th grade- The students are studying Ancient Mesopotamian history and culture in order to solve a problem that is occurring in the Middle Eastern countries over the idea of establishing a republic. The students are using the Internet and computer software in order to attain information on important government structures that existed during the Mesopotamian civilization. The students are also writing their own short stories which we have been working on for the past two weeks. They have learned the important elements that compose a short story and why those elements make the short story interesting to read.
7th grade- The students are studying the Thirteen Colonies’ economic, historical and cultural aspects in order to understand the importance of the American Revolution. The students are using the Internet and computer software in order to attain information on important economic, political and cultural aspects that helped to lead to the American Revolution. They are working toward the goal of creating an alternate ending to the American Revolution.
8th grade-The students are studying the results of Reconstruction that took place after the American Civil War. The students are creating skits, political cartoons and propaganda posters dealing with the various issues that faced the United States after the war. They are in the process of writing a five paragraph essay on whether or not they believed the Reconstruction was a successful or unsuccessful plan carried out by the government.

St. Peter’s School Newsletter

September 2014

Page 10

AROUND THE SCHOOL NEWS

GRADE 7 - MRS. PINTO
I am very excited to be teaching at St. Peter's! Thank you for welcoming me into the St. Peter's "family".
This month the seventh graders have been studying the many "jobs" of nouns and working on building their vocabulary in Language Arts classes. They are learning about and comparing the Gospel authors while using the Bible and even enjoy sitting on a soft and cozy blanket during the Family Life lessons.
Every Friday the 6th, 7th , and 8th grade Science classes read current event articles and then present their findings to their classmates. Some were frightened at first, but the "butterflies" lessen each week. All three grades are working in groups on a fun project called "Shortcuts". It is a different way to present information on science topics which includes puzzles, cartoons, and even some jokes. Check them out in the upstairs hallway in October.
May God bless us on our journey through this school year.

St. Peter’s School Newsletter

September 2014

Page 11

AROUND THE SCHOOL NEWS

GRADE 8—MRS. REESE
Welcome back to all families! We are off to a wonderful start!
The 8th graders have been very busy. They have been answering practice questions for the COOP Test, the high school entrance test for Catholic high schools, which they will take on Nov. 7. They have also been getting information on the Catholic high schools in the area so that they can decide which high school they would like to attend next year.
The students have also been working very hard in all academic areas. They have begun a study of Christ in the Liturgy in Religion and have been evaluating algebraic equations in Math. The 8th graders have finished a review of nouns in Language Arts and are beginning to read Flowers for Algernon in Literature. So as you can see, we are off and running!
7th grade students have begun computing integers and are learning new properties in Math. Place value, exponents, and translating words to mathematical and algebraic expressions have been the topics in Grade 6 Math.
Please remember all students must play First in Math every weekend and as often as possible during the week. Grade 6 was the first Team of the Week this year and again the second week. Keep up the good work!

St. Peter’s School Newsletter

September 2014

Page 12

AROUND THE SCHOOL NEWS

Before Care Before Care is available each morning from 7:00-8:00 in the gym. The cost is $3.00 per day, per child. If you arrive after 7:30 there is no charge. A Breakfast of cold cereal, milk, and juice is available daily. The cost is $1.25 (Full Price Lunch Students), 30 cents for reduced price lunch students, and Free for Free lunch students. **** If there is a delayed opening due to inclement weather, there is NO Before Care. After Care PreK-2nd Grade 3:00-3:10 Arrive in Spanish Room 3:10-3:40 Story Time or Educational Video 3:40-4:00 Snack Time (Juice and Animal Crackers provided) or you may bring your own snack. NO CANDY, NUTS, or SODA. 4:00-4:20 - Home work for 1st and 2nd grade. PreK and Kindergarten play on rug or draw pictures. 4:20-6:00 Gym playing with balls or floor toys. 3rd-8th Grade 3:00-3:10 Arrive in Spanish Room 3:10-3:45 Gym play with balls 3:45-4:00 Snack (Juice and Animal Crackers provided) or you may bring own snack. NO CANDY, NUTS, or SODA. 4:00 - 5:00 - Homework 5:00 - 6:00 - Return to gym and play or continue homework at a table in gym. After Care Rules: 1. No cell phones allowed. If you need to call, the After Care Cell# is 973-932-2807. 2. No child is allowed to return to classroom for any forgotten items. 3. No toys from home are needed during After Care. 4. All children must be picked up by an adult each day and signed out. After Care ends at 6:00PM, a late fee of $1.00 per minute is charged after 6:00PM. If you are going to be late picking up your child please call After Care Cell# 973-932-2807. 5. Bills for After Care are sent by Don Thee School Accountant. He usually sends them once a month with the tuition bills.

St. Peter’s School Newsletter

September 2014

Page 13

AROUND THE SCHOOL NEWS

PHYSICAL EDUCATION—MR. LAUDATI
Gym—Physical Education learn with Body & Mind together
Respect: “Give It, Get It”
Presidential Fitness Challenge
Begins Now Grades 3-8
MUSIC - Mr. Gehman

St. Peter’s School Newsletter

September 2014

Page 14

AROUND THE SCHOOL NEWS

SPANISH/COMPUTERS—MS. O’SHEA
Spanish
Bienvenidos to a new school year! The students in Miss O’Shea classes are off to a great start! Here’s what’s happening:
Kindergarten has started learning their shape words in Spanish (and reviewing their color words as well.) They’ve created projects using “circulos” and “cuadrados.” Grade 1 has been learning simple greetings and we can’t wait to greet all of our St. Peter’s School friends in Spanish.
Grade 3 has been learning fruit vocabulary in Spanish and will make yummy “ensaladas de fruta” very soon! The students in 4th grade are using technology to record their “book report” videos using the Spanish emergent reader series! They will now move on to verbs and studies on different Spanish-speaking countries.
Grade 5 is preparing for their “dia de deportes” and will be painting t-shirts to wear on the big day using their Sports vocabulary words!
In Grade 6, the students are working on nouns and the phrases “me gusta/no me gusta” (likes and dislikes.) Grade 7 is working on adjectives and the verb “ser” (to be.) Our eighth graders are presenting their weekly “fin de semana” weekend reports using past tense vocabulary. They are also working in groups with one group working on food vocabulary/er-ir verbs and the other on sports vocabulary/stem-changing verbs.
We can’t wait to share the rest of our “happenings” as the year progresses!
Computers
Technology integration is a major area of focus in the computer lab this year. However, we still need to continue to develop our skills. Here’s what we’re up to in the lab:
The Kindergartners used their Spanish shape vocabulary words to create shapes on the computer. We used the paint program on www.abcya.com , which is a GREAT website to practice with at home! First grade learned all about different fonts and practiced typing their names using as many of those fonts as possible! The second graders practiced their word processing skills by typing words and changing the colors of the fonts. The third graders are learning to make their documents stand out by adding word art! Grade 4 is working on improving their classroom writing skills using Microsoft Word and is using story starter exercises, as well as formatting skills.
The fifth graders had an introduction to Microsoft Publisher and created amazing posters using text boxes, word art and graphics.
Grade 6 took their Spanish “likes and dislikes” and created Microsoft Excel charts with that data during their computer class. The seventh graders have been so busy learning during Spanish class that they haven’t had time to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Therefore, they are doing research and creating posters with information about the event. Grade 8 has been reviewing Microsoft Access and will soon begin a unit on web design.

St. Peter’s School Newsletter

September 2014

Page 15

AROUND THE SCHOOL NEWS

Alumni News
Congratulations!!!!!
Gabriel Cuadrado
High Honors
@
St. Benedict High School
2013-2014 Academic Year

GRANT

SAINT PETER’S SCHOOL ALUMNI NEWS

A NOTE FROM THE SCHOOL NURSE

AROUND THE SCHOOL NEWS

SAINT PETER’S PARISH NEWS

COMMUNITY NEWS