,

Language Arts (Sixth Grade Homeroom)-Mr. Volpi

Middle School Language Arts

“Serve the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful song.” Psalm 100:2

email contact: volpi@blessedtrinitycatholicschool.org

Updated August 2022

Welcome to our class! My name is Mr. Volpi, and my primary concern is to give your child a quality Language Arts education rooted in Catholic values. In our English classes, we’ll focus on proper grammar, mechanics, and spelling; careful and considered writing and essay composition; and creative, fun media presentations. In Literature, we’ll read a combination of Classical and Modern texts (informational, historical, poetical, argumentative/persuasive, short story, novel and play texts–just to name a few!). We’ll engage in respectful, robust class discussions pertaining to our readings, in addition to doing a variety of assignments and projects!

This year’s (’22-’23) Novel List (subject to change):

6th Grade: Refugee by Alan Gratz, Coraline by Neil Gaiman, Grimms’ Fairy Tales (selected tales) by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, and The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

7th Grade: Tex by S.E. Hinton, The Giver by Lois Lowry, Big Fish: A Novel of Mythic Proportions by Daniel Wallace, and The Pigman by Paul Zindel

8th Grade: The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros, Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll (on which this year’s 8th Grade Play is based!), Animal Farm by George Orwell, and The Diary of Anne Frank (stage production/play adaptation of Frank’s diary) by Francis Goodrich and Albert Hackett

Day and Time of Help Sessions:  Help session will meet in the Science Lab on Monday, 2:50-3:30 p.m.  Students not picked up by 3:30 pm will signed into extended care.

Class Rules and Expectations:  Each student is expected to:  1.)  Be punctual to each class meeting.  2.)  Be properly dressed in school uniform; 3.) Have available all class materials (notebook, iPad, blue or black ink pen and/or pencil, etc.); 4.) Participate in class activities (please raise your hand until called on); 5.) Respect one another by being polite, civil and courteous.

 

Assignments and Assessments:  These are accessed and completed via the Schoology app, which is on your child’s iPad.  Assignment due dates are posted therein.  It is the student’s responsibility to stay abreast of all upcoming assignments and assessments via the calendar.

Grades:  Each assignment is worth a total of (see below) points.  The student’s total course grade is determined by dividing the student’s overall earned points by the total amount of available course points.

  • Tests and Major Assignments:  up to 100 points
  • Quizzes:  up to 50 points
  • Class and Homework:  5-25 points

*During the first quarter, late work will receive half credit.  After the first quarter, no late work will be accepted.

Absence/Make-up Work Policy:  Students should have the same number of days that he/she was absent to make up work.  Absent work should be submitted via email instead of Schoology.

Subject Focus:  6th Grade Homeroom, English, and Literature (Section 2); 7th Grade English and Literature (Section 2); and 8th Grade English and Literature

posted 8/10/2022

 

 

/by
,

5th Grade

Mrs. Haynes

email: haynes@blessedtrinitycatholicschool.org

Serve the Lord with gladness: come before Him with joyful song.”

                                                                          Psalm 100:2

Updated: March 24, 2023

After a month of preparation and a practice presentation this past week, the students are ready to present their final speeches for the Tropicana Speech Contest. Each student randomly selected the order in which they will give their final graded speech.  Students will present on either Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday (March 27, 28, & 29) and the top 4 finishers will be announced on Friday, March 31. Hopefully, students will use the weekend to practice and refine what they have already prepared. The top 3 finishers will compete against 4th grade on Tuesday, April 4th at 1:30 PM. Parents of those students are welcome to watch the final competition.

The St. Augustine Field trip is finally here! Students are to wear the school dress uniform with sneakers. DO NOT dress in PE uniforms or Eagle T-shirt.  Students who come dressed like this will wait in the office until parents return with proper clothes. Students may bring sunglasses and hats to wear, but they are responsible for these items during the trip. It is suggested that you might want to apply sunblock on your child’s face before coming to school. The bus leaves at 9:00 AM and our 4 chaperones are asked to arrive by 8:45 AM to sign in to the office and get the volunteer badge. Please be sure to eat breakfast because we will not eat lunch until later than usual.  It should be a fun and informative trip.

Third Quarter Report Cards were made available on Thursday on the Ren Web site. Please take time to look over your child’s grades and the comments. If a conference has been requested or if you would like to schedule a conference, please send an email to let me know what morning at 7:15 AM or afternoon at 3:15 PM works best for you. Please do not just show up.

Help Session is every Thursday immediately after school until 3:30 PM. Students not picked up by 3:35 PM will be sent to extended day at the parent’s expense. The purpose of Help Session is to assist students who are struggling in the classroom and earning a grade of D or F. It will also help those who have been absent and need to make up tests or a Science activity. It is not intended for someone trying to make straight A’s or A/B Honor Roll.

Please remember that cell phones and Smart watches are NOT permitted in the classrooms. They are to be dropped off in the office immediately upon entering the building and retrieved at dismissal. This is a Blessed Trinity policy.  Any violation will result in a Behavior Notice to the Assistant Principal.

Important Dates to Remember:

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2023 —- Third Quarter Awards after Morning Mass

THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 —– St. Augustine Field Trip for 4th & 5th grade Students are to wear their DRESS Uniform. 

TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2023 —- 4th and 5th grade Tropicana Speech Contest @ 1:30 PM

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2023 —- Early Dismissal @ 12:15 PM. Start of Easter Break

MONDAY, APRIL 17, 2023 —— Students return from Easter Break

TESTS, QUIZZES, & PROJECTS:

Monday, March 27, 2023

Math —- Chapter 9, Lessons 1-3 QUIZ

Science —- Air & Atmosphere TEST

Monday, March 27-Wednesday, March 29, 2023

English — Tropicana GRADED Speeches

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

Vocabulary Workshop —- Unit 15 TEST

Spelling —List 17 TEST, e-, nav, -ive    adhesive, competitive, circumnavigate, destructive, eject, elude, emanate, emancipate, emerge, emigrate, erode, evacuation, eviction, exclusive, incentive, naval, navigate, navigational, navy, oppressive, persuasive, reflective, representative

Friday, March 31, 2023

Social Studies — Unit 6, Lessons 3-5 TEST

Accelerated Reader: Students will be required to read and take 3 Accelerated Reader (AR) Tests and corresponding Vocabulary Quizzes (if available…not every book has one) within his/her assigned reading level range, striving for 80% accuracy, each Quarter. Your child’s range is written in the back of his/her Planner. Reading levels will be adjusted throughout the year.  Three AR Tests with a minimum score of 80% are due at the end of each quarter.  Please encourage your child NOT to wait until the last-minute! Be sure to check out `ARBookFind.com for book recommendations and AR levels.

Homework Policy:

— Neatly done and complete.

— If collected, the student’s name must be on the top right corner to receive full credit.

— If there is no name, there is no credit. Students are reminded to write their name before they turn anything in and it is the first direction given for tests.

— All Math homework is to be done in pencil, never in pen. All work must be shown to receive full credit. NO WORK, NO CREDIT.

— A student will complete a Homework Notice/ Sour Note, for any assignment that receives a zero. This notice explains why the assignment received a zero and must be signed by a parent and returned the next day.  If the assignment is attached with the situation corrected, the student will receive 50% credit on that assignment instead of a zero.

Class Rules:

— Have all needed books, notebooks, spirals, and supplies at your desk for the portion of day because you will not be allowed to return to the cubby to get something.

— Respect all adults, faculty, staff, volunteers, and students. Speak kindly and treat each other as you want to be treated.

— Raise your hand to ask or answer a question.

— Pencils are to be sharpened at the beginning of the day OR during classwork time.

— Transition quietly from one subject to the next.

—- Remain in your sit. If you need to use the bathroom or get up for another reason, raise your hand to ask for permission.

Class Rules Violations:

— Verbal Warning

— Name in book

— Lose recess minutes

— Inform the assistant principal: a consequence may result

Resource Schedule:

Monday————- Art

Tuesday ———— PE……..Students come to school dressed in their PE uniform 

               ———— Spanish

Wednesday ——— Music

Thursday ———– PE ……….Students come to school dressed in their PE uniform 

Friday————— Media/Research …….This is taught as one class period block of time.

 

/by
,

4th Grade

“Serve the Lord with gladness, come before him with joyful song.”    Psalm 11:2

March 24, 2023

Dear Families,

Third Quarter Report Cards were posted on Thursday, March 23. As always, please do not hesitate to contact me regarding your child’s progress this year.

Our field trip to St. Augustine is on Thursday, March 30! Students will wear the BT dress uniform with sneakers. I recommend applying sunscreen to faces, necks & arms before coming to school. Remember, Subway will provide lunch. No backpacks, fanny packs, cameras, money, or water bottles are allowed.  Hats and sunglasses may be worn, however, the children have sole responsibility to carry and keep track of them. We will provide extra water bottles for the children during our trip.

CHAPERONES: Please stop in the Office at 8:45 to obtain your volunteer badge. We will board the bus & depart BT at 9:00 and return by 1:45. Remember, Subway will provide lunch. Please wear your sneakers, too! Thank you all, again, for spending the day with us!

EAGLE T-Shirt Days: March 16, MARCH 30 IS NOT AN EAGLE T-SHIRT FOR 4TH GRADE, April 18.

Congratulations! Your child is about to embark upon the exciting and challenging world of public speaking. This educational program, designed to introduce students to the concept of public speaking, is administered by your local 4-H Cooperative Extension Office, and sponsored by Tropicana. All fourth and fifth grade students at Blessed Trinity will be participating in the 4-H/Tropicana Public Speaking Program. It is an English Test Grade.

To prepare your child for this educational opportunity, please review the information in your child’s Red Folder. Your child will need your help at home…from the selection of a topic to the preparation of the 1½ – 2½ minute final speech. Share with them your own public speaking experiences…the good and the bad!

This year’s topic is “A Great Place to Visit!” Grade 4 will choose a place in the state of Florida. Grade 5 will choose a place in the U.S. Keep in mind, a speech is an oral presentation, not a written report. Students may use two index cards during the speech for key notes. The speech IS NOT read!

The timeline is as follows:

Second Round Graded Speeches March 27-31.

Third Round Speeches (if necessary)  April 3.

Final Round Tuesday, April 4.

All students will receive a Participation Certificate. The top three finalists from each class will compete in the Final Round on Tuesday, April 4, in the Blessed Trinity cafeteria.

A Gentle Reminder for our Boys: Per BT’s Dress Code Policy, “Pants must fit properly and not be faded.” If pants are faded, torn, or have worn out knees, it is time for a new pair of uniform pants, and retire the old ones. Dress shorts may be worn beginning April 1.

QUESTION:  Is your child completing the assigned IXL Math & Language Arts objectives each week?

Grade 4 Help Session is held on Wednesdays. Students struggling with Reading and/or Math concepts are invited to participate. Please email me or write a note in the Planner if you would like your child to attend. Students will be signed into Extended Day if not picked up at 3:30.

TESTS:

Math: Tuesday, March 28, Chapter 10

English: Tuesday, March 28, Irregular Verbs & Tenses Test

Reading: Friday, March 31, Survival at 120 Above

Spelling: Friday, March 31

ACCELERATED READER (AR):

Students are required to read and take a minimum of 3 Accelerated Reader (AR) Tests and corresponding Vocabulary Quizzes (if available…not every book as one) within his/her assigned reading level range, striving for 80% accuracy, by Wednesday, May 17. Your student’s new Reading Level Range will be written in the back of the Planner upon completion of the STAR Assessment and is adjusted throughout the school year. Please encourage your student NOT to wait until the last minute to complete this AR requirement. Be sure to check out arbookfind.com for book recommendations and AR levels.

Fourth Graders can check out books from the Media Center every Friday. Students are required to have one AR Book at his/her desk EVERY DAY, or they are not prepared for our day.

Please encourage children to read, read, read….every day! The AR Grade each Quarter is the average of the top 3 test scores.

LOOKING AHEAD:

Thursday, Mar. 30: St. Augustine Field Trip

Wednesday, March 29: Third Quarter Awards’ Mass

Tuesday, April 4: Tropicana Speech Contest Finals

Thursday, April 6-14: Easter Break

Monday, April 17: School Resumes

Thursday, April 27: Fourth Quarter Progress Reports

Thursday, April 27: Spirit Day!

Wednesday, May 3: May Crowning

Friday, May 5: Dismissal @ 12:15

Thursday, May 18: MOSH On-Campus Field Trip

Friday & Monday, May 26 & 29: No School

Friday, June 2: Last Day! 8:30 Awards’ Mass & 11:30 Dismissal

2022-2023 Schedule

Grade 4 Discipline Plan

UNIT 1-6 SPELLING WORDS

The following websites are available for additional practice:

Religion: religion.sadlierconnect.com  *click on We Believe Grade 4

Math: www.sadlierconnect.com  *scroll to “Student & Family Resources”; *click “Let’s Go!” in the purple box; *click Sadlier Math Grades K-6; *click Sadlier Math Grade 4 (orange text)

Vocabulary Workshop: www.sadlierconnect.com  **scroll to “Student & Family Resources”; *click “Let’s Go” in the purple box; *click Vocabulary Workshop Grades 1-12; *click Vocabulary Workshop “orange”

Everything: www.khanacademy.org

ARBookFind.com

Gentle Reminder… Per BT Policy, unless medically necessary, all cell phones,  Smart Watches, and other electronic devices MUST be dropped off to the Office every morning upon arriving to school and picked up at dismissal.  They may not be brought into the classroom or kept in backpacks. Thank you for your cooperation.

/by
,

3rd Grade

Third Grade

Mrs. Renee Bascon

email: bascon@blessedtrinitycatholicschool.org

“Serve the Lord with gladness, come before Him with joyful song.” Psalm 11:2

Updated: Mar. 24, 2023

Dear 3rd Grade Families,

Thank you for sending in the tissues, red pens, and erasers.

Also thank you to those families who continuously send in emergency snacks for those students who forget a snack. Remember your student needs to have a snack every day (even on hot lunch days).

Third quarter report cards were posted yesterday. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding your student’s progress.

The nonfiction book report is due this Tuesday. They must use complete sentences, answer all questions completely, and use colored pencils or crayons for their illustration. Aim for all 4s based on the attached rubric. Remember 11 points will be deducted each day it is turned in late.

The results of your student’s Reading and Math STAR tests (taken this past week) are coming home in your student’s Friday Folder. No need to sign and return these forms. Please keep at home for your review.

This next Thursday afternoon 3rd grade will lead the school’s Stations of the Cross at 2:15pm. Talk with your student and ask them if they volunteered to lead a part and please try to join us in the church that afternoon. 😊

 

Upcoming quizzes/ tests

Tues, Mar. 28:

  • Nonfiction Book Report due!

Wed., Mar. 29:

  • Math Ch. 9 Fraction Test

Fri., Mar. 31:

  • Un. 4 Less. 4 Reading, English, and Spelling Tests
  • Science Mixtures, and Solutions Assessment

 

Upcoming School Info:

Eagle T-shirt days: Mar. 30th, Apr. 3rd

Thurs., Mar. 23: Third Quarter Report Cards

Fri., Mar. 24:  St. Vincent’s Health Screening

Thurs., Mar. 30:  3rd Grade leads Stations of the Cross in the church @ 2:15

Wed., Apr. 5:  12:15 Early Dismissal

Thurs., Apr. 6-14:  School Closed for Easter Break

Mon., April 17:  School Resumes

Thurs., April 27:  Fourth Quarter Progress Reports

Thurs., April 27:  Spirit Day!

AR (Accelerated Reading)-

Students are required to read and take a minimum of 3 accelerated reader tests per quarter within his/ her reading level, striving for 80% accuracy. Your student’s reading level is listed at the back of their planner. Please encourage your child to read 25 minutes daily!

PE-

PE will be on Mondays and Thursdays. Please send your child to school on those days in their PE Uniform with sneakers. No jewelry except small post- style earrings on PE days!

Opportunity (Help) Sessions for 3rd graders are held on Tuesdays afternoons from 2:50-3:30 for students needing extra help with Math or Reading. Please email me or send a note in the planner if you’d like your child to attend.

Students must bring a water bottle (no larger than 2 ½ inch diameter) to school to be refilled daily.

We will be continuing to keep the classroom sanitized and clean our hands frequently throughout the day to help keep the germs away. Please keep your child home if he/ she is sick with a fever!

Each student will be allowed to utilize an iPad in class as a learning tool in the classroom throughout the year. Students will be expected to comply with the school wide rules and expectations for technology use.

 

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

/by
,

2nd Grade

Ms. Behrend

Email: behrend@blessedtrinitycatholicschool.org

 

In addition to checking this website, please sign up for our Class Dojo so you don’t miss any reminders

Spelling Homework Directions 

How to Use the Spelling Choice Board

  1. Pick one of the options to practice your words.
  2. Complete the directions for that option
  3. Put an X on the box that you choose
  4. Repeat on another day for the second practice option
  5. On Thursday night, combine the choice board with your two practice pages (stapled or paper clipped would be preferred)
  6. Student turns in on Friday

SACRAMENTS: IMPORTANT DATES 

Reconciliation Retreat: November 5th at 9am

Reconciliation: December 3rd 11am

First Communion Retreat: March 4th at 9am

First Communion Practice: May 4th at 6pm

First Holy Communion: May 6th at 11am

Class Schedule

Monday: P.E (wear P.E uniform)

Tuesday: Music and Media/Research

Wednesday: Art

Thursday: P.E (wear P.E uniforms)

Friday: Spanish

Please make sure you send your child to school each morning with:

-a full belly (breakfast every day!)

-a full sized water bottle filled with water

-a balanced lunch

-their take home folder

/by
,

1st Grade

Ms. Molly Carlson

Email: carlson@blessedtrinitycatholicschool.org

“Serve the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful song.” Psalm 100:2

 

Hello First Grade Families!

Welcome to a new year at Blessed Trinity. In first grade, we will grow our love of learning, focus on our reading skills, and share our Catholic faith. In this classroom, your children are valued, respected, challenged, and loved. See below for my class expectations, discipline, schedule, and helpful reminders. I look forward to working with you for a successful, dynamic year of learning and teaching!

~May God Bless Our School Year~

Warmly,

Ms. Carlson

 

Gentle Reminder…attendance and being on time is extremely important. Please make sure that your child comes to school ready to learn, in clean, proper uniform attire, and has had a good breakfast to start their day strong!

**Please check binders nightly for homework and any school/classroom information.**

Please encourage your children to read, read, read….EVERY DAY! First grade is a reading year, fine tuning the phonics and comprehension skills necessary for children to become fluent readers. First graders should be reading a minimum of 15 minutes at home daily; this can be alongside an adult, taking turns with pages, listening to a fluent reader, or reading on their own with a parent checking in on their reading.

Accelerated Reader (AR):

Students will use the Accelerated Reader program at school to take comprehension quizzes on the books that they read to help track their understanding and reading progress during the year. First graders are expected to take one, passing AR quiz per week. A passing score is 80% or better, on books that are in the students suggested reading range. Students will complete a STAR assessment during the first week of school, and will receive their first reading range. Families can use these levels to find books for home reading practice; please use the website below to search for books.

First graders can check out 1-2 books from the library each week. Books are due back to the library every Thursday. Students can also borrow books from the classroom library whenever they need.

arbookfind.com

 

Our resource schedule:

Monday: P.E (wear sneakers)

Tuesday: P.E (wear sneakers), Music

Wednesday: Art, Playground

Thursday: Library/Media, Playground

Friday: Spanish, Playground

 

*We attend Mass every Wednesday at 8:30am. 

**We have playground/recess time on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

 

In order to create a loving, safe, academic environment, students are expected to follow our classroom and school rules. Please ensure your child understands what is expected of them, and arrives prepared for learning. Daily uniform checks are included as part of school expectations.

Classroom Expectations:

  • We follow directions and transitions quickly.
  • We use our hand signals and communicate clearly.
  • We stay on task and always try to do our best.
  • We use active listening when a speaker is talking.
  • We keep our hands, feet, and belongings to ourselves.
  • We show respect to our classroom, teacher, students, and selves.
  • We make smart, thoughtful choices.

Classroom Behavior Management:

  1. Redirect (warning)
  2. Sideline (think time)
  3. Skills coaching (Student meets with teacher)
  4. Note home (signed by parent)

 

/by
,

Kindergarten

Kindergarten

Ms. Shea

email: shea@blessedtrinitycatholicschool.org

Hello and welcome to Kindergarten 2022-2023!

My name is Ms. Shea and I am so happy to be here at Blessed Trinity this year. Kindergarten is a very important year of learning for a student. They have a full day of school, lunch and attend mass every Wednesday. A new change this year is that the students are able to wear their “P.E. uniform” all day on P.E. days.

We have P.E. on Mondays and Tuesdays @ 8:15 in the morning.

 

 

/by