Class Schedule

Specials Schedule

Note: School Mass will start Friday, September 13 8:30am

Classroom Procedures

Planner Use:

Please sign your child's planner every evening.
This is a great spot to jot me a quick note, easy communication for all of us.

Classroom Rules:

Make Friends

Act Responsible

Respect Others

Year to Learn

Show and Tell:

Children will have an opportunity to share something special from home. When it is your child's turn, they will be sent home with a letter and a form. I can't wait to learn what is important to your children!

Snack Time (pm daily):

Your children are encouraged to bring in a healthy snack from home everyday. It should be easy for them to open and dispose of when finished.
I will provide pretzels for the occasional snack forgetters, but they will not be provided on a regular basis.

Homework Procedures

Each Night :

Sign your child's agenda

Read the book provided in the Orange Reading Folder and sign the paper.

Practice Rocket Math

Optional Math packets and other papers will occasionally come home. They are optional unless something is written in you child's agenda.

Birthdays

Dress Down

Your child may dress down on his/her birthday. If your child's birthday lands on the weekend, she/he may dress down on Thursday or Monday. If your child's birthday falls on a Friday or a Holy Day, she/he may dress down on the day before or after.

Summer Birthdays

If your child has a summer birthday, we will celebrate his/her half birthday.

Treats

Non-food items may be sent in to share with classmates. We have 25 students.

Singing Happy Birthday

We will sing happy birthday to you child in Spanish, French, Vietnamese, and German

Class List

Girls:

Gabriella, Ava, Libby, Jillian, Evangeline, Abriella, McKenna, Olivia, Evelyn, Melanie, Summer, Lily, Avery, Gwynevere

Boys

Aidan, Zeke, Wyatt, Dominic, Winston, Colin, William, Jacob, Jack, Steven, Emmett

First Grade Supply List 2025/2026

Classroom 1A

Plastic Pencil box approximately 8X5 in. -Labeled first and last name

2 plastic folders with prongs (1 red, 1 blue) -Labeled

30 Ticonderoga Pencil pack-preferably pre-sharpened

1 pack of pencil tip erasers (white Ticonderoga and Pentel are brands that work well)

4 Expo Dry Erase Markers (ultra fine tip) (2 stay home for Rocket Math)

4 Expo Dry Erase Markers (regular marker size) any color

1 small, clean, dark sock (eraser for white boards)

Glue sticks (about 10)

2 boxes of 24 Crayola Crayons and a plastic crayon holding box (maybe a soap dish with a lid) to store the crayons.

1 pack of Crayola Markers 8-10 pack of the classic colors (fat ones)

1 pack of Crayola colored pencils 12 count or less

1 Spiral notebook (one subject) for Spanish Class -Labeled

1- binder 1 inch (any color) -Labeled

2 or more boxes of tissues

Clorox Wipes (if your last name is A-M)

Paper Towels (if you last name is N-Z)

Bring a healthy snack daily (please no chips -too greasy, and definitely no Doritos- orange and greasy!)

Please send supplies to school on the first day or earlier if you stop by in a large Ziploc bag. Brand names are suggestions, but based on experience they work well and will last the longest. If you have any questions please let us know!

Curriculum

For our classroom curriculum, please click here to go to the Diocesan web site.

Academics

Math:

Math is taught daily using Ready Math. Ready Math focuses on real-world problem solving and conversing with each other to enhance Mathematics understanding. Additionally, there is an online element, i-Ready, that we will be utilizing.

Religion:

All children will receive instruction in the Catholic faith. In 1st grade, students will expand their knowledge of the Bible, Mass, the sacraments, prayers, and more! All students will attend Mass every Friday. Parents are permitted to attend Mass with their children, but may not pull their children from the class to sit in a different area.

Integrated Language Arts (ILA):

This year we will be using Rooted in Reading and the Wonders Reading program. Students will read and discuss a variety of reading genres, as well as study vocabulary, grammar, the writing process and phonics.

Handwriting: We will practice proper letter formation daily.

We will also be taking part in FUN (Firing Up Neurons) beginning in October. This is a small group phonics instruction tailored to the individual needs of every student.

Science and Social Studies:

We use Mystery Science to teach Science. This is a series of online lessons and activities that follow the curriculum set by the Diocese of Harrisburg. Science is formally taught one day a week, as well as throughout the week using cross curricular learning activities.

Social Studies is taught formally one day a week, with cross curricular learning activities occurring throughout the week. Social Studies will also be taught using the Junior Achievement program.

Assessments:

Several assessments will take place this year. Three times a year, students will complete the STAR Reading and STAR Math Assessments, a series of online assessments used by all elementary schools in the Diocese of Harrisburg. Students will also complete DIBELS Assessments to assess literacy and math skills. Additionally, students will complete Reading benchmark assessments to help gauge their reading growth. Finally, students will complete three math assessments through i-Ready, the online component of Ready Math. It is important that students know that the purpose of these assessments is for teachers to see their growth throughout the year and for them to do their best.

Wish List

Coming soon!

Our Classroom Saint: St. Dominic Savio

St. Dominic Savio (Feast Day: May 6)

8 Facts about St. Dominic Savio

#1 When did Dominic Savio live?
Dominic Savio was born in 1842 in a small town in Italy. From a young age, he engaged in religious exercises without prompting and was a model student at his village school.

#2 What was unique about his life?
He received his first Communion at the age of seven, much lower than what was regularly permitted by the Church at the time, making lifelong promises he kept in a personal journal. He was also selected by St. John Bosco to attend the Oratory of St. Francis.

Perhaps the most unique thing about him was that he consciously resolved to become a saint, and deliberately lived his life with sainthood in view. While focusing on the highest standards of personal holiness, he also paid close attention to his normal chores and daily life, recognizing that they were an important part of his devotion.

He also founded a group at the Oratory called the Company of the Immaculate Conception, which devoted itself to the then-novel idea that Mary was born without original sin, and encouraged added devotional focus among its members.

#3 What miracles are attributed to him?
He was found several times deep in prayer, almost as if he was conversing directly with God. He called these times his “distractions.”

He also returned home under the impression that his mother was sick; when he got there, he discovered that his mother was pregnant and in labor. He embraced her, and her pain disappeared and the rest of the labor was normal.

#4 How did he die?
His health began failing at a young age, and he was sent home. He died at the age of fourteen.

He felt during his last months that his death was near, and even took great interest in indulgences and penances focused towards the end of a person’s life.

#5 What records of his life do we have?
St. John Bosco wrote his biography, The Life of Dominic Savio, which was a major element of his canonization. The thorough records of his piety and personal pursuits of righteousness included other accounts of holding others to high standards of holiness, as well as the visions that the young student relayed to his mentor.

#6 How does someone become a saint?
After a person has died, their life is investigated by an official expert authorized by the Church. Their initial report is submitted to the bishop of their diocese and further investigation is performed. They may then submit the individual to the office of the Pope for recognition by the universal church. If this recognition is granted, they will have been venerated by the Church, and are given the title “Venerable.”

The next level involves further research, and if warranted the person is beatified and is given the new title “Blessed.”

The final level of investigation determines whether or not miracles were performed. Proof of at least two miracles performed by God through this person must be verified. Once this is proven, the Pope may canonize this person as a saint through a public proclamation.

#7 When did St. Dominic Savio become canonized?
Some years after his death, as he was first presented for canonization, there was some debate that he was too young. However, the papacy thought that his life and experiences were worthy of recognition: he was venerated in 1933, beatified in 1950, and declared a saint in 1954.

#8 What is his patronage?
Some Christian denominations, such as Catholicism, recognize certain saints as able to intercede before God in prayer on behalf of those suffering from a particular ailment or to pray on behalf of a certain kind of believer. Others do not believe that saints can intercede on behalf of the living when they die.

St. Dominic Savio is the patron saint of choirboys, the falsely accused, and juvenile delinquents. The youth-centered patronages are directly related to his experiences in school due to his participation in numerous religious activities, including choir. He also actively tried to reform friends and classmates that he believed were going astray.

Conclusion

St. Dominic Savio is a relatively modern saint, as well as a particularly young one. However, his life and devotion are examples that can teach even the most knowledgeable and experienced believers. His awareness that all people may become saints and his conscious attention to personal matters of holiness can encourage us all to try harder to live for Christ.

“St. Dominic Savio - 8 Facts about the Patron Saint of Choirboys.” ConnectUS, 21 May 2020, connectusfund.org/st-dominic-savio-8-facts-about-the-patron-saint-of-choirboys.

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