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!