The First Day of School is Right Around the Corner!

Hello 2-4 Families,

It was great to see the students and parents at backpack drop off day and the parent meeting night. With the first day of school just days away, we have a few things we want to share with you.

ITEMS TO BRING EVERY DAY

Please remember to have your children bring a snack, water bottle and a mask with them on Tuesday.  Feel free to send extra clean masks in the backpack. Also, remember to sign up on the Sign Up Genius if your child plans to have lunch and/or milk from school.

HOMEWORK SHEET

Your children will be bringing home a "Take Home Folder" every day.  Inside will be a "Homework Sheet."  Often, we will finish our lessons in school and there will be little to no homework (other than reading, practicing spelling words and practice math facts).  When they have homework, your child will write it down throughout the day using this form:

This is the 3rd & 4th grade homework sheet. 
The form for 2nd grade will look very similar.
 

  • Students and parents refer to the homework sheet to determine what needs to be done each night.
  • Students check off assignments as they complete them.
  • Parents initial the form each night.  
  • Students put the homework sheet back in his/her take home folder and return it to school the next day. 
Please help your child become as independent as possible with this routine.  Thank you for your help!

NEW MATH & RELIGION CURRICULUM

We are very excited to begin our new math and religion materials with your children!

Math-We are using the 2019 version of Math Mammoth for grades 1-7. Some notes about our new series:

  • There are two student workbooks for the entire year. Students work out of one workbook until we finish and then we start the other. 
  • The lesson, as well as the student work, are all within the same book. 
  • Typically, students will complete the workbook activities during the day. 
  • Occasionally, students may need to bring home their workbook to finish a lesson at home.
  • Often, a corresponding worksheet will be assigned for homework.
  • Every Friday (or last day of the week), students will bring home their workbooks so that parents can see what students have been doing in math. Looking over your child's work is an important form of communication between school and home. (The pages are not perforated so the entire book will be sent home and will need to be returned the following week.)

Sample Math Workbook 


Religion-We are using the 2020 version of Faith & Life for grades 2-8. Some information about our religion classes include:

  • For 2nd grade, students will use a student book along with First Reconciliation and First Communion materials.  Mrs. Van Helvoirt will host a meeting to explain how these important sacraments will be taught in 2nd grade and how our school families will coordinate with the parish religious education program. 
  • For 3rd & 4th grades, the students will have a student book along with a corresponding activity book. 

Sample Religion Student Book

Mrs. Van Helvoirt had an opportunity to show some of the parents our new materials. Please know that if you would like to discuss these with her you are more than welcome to do so. The materials have been very well vetted and we are optimistic about the success your children will have!

STEWARDSHIP OBLIGATION

Previously, students began doing volunteer work that counted toward "Stewardship Hours" beginning in 4th grade.  With the realignment of the middle school (grades 5-8), the stewardship obligation will be postponed until your children are in 5th grade.

NEW STUDENTS!

We are thrilled to welcome three new students to St. Clare School in our grades 2-4 cohort. Please check out the tab at the top called Teachers & Class Lists for first names.  I have no doubt that our returning families will join us in our efforts to be as friendly and welcoming as possible!

We are very excited to begin the 2020-2021 school year! Enjoy the weekend ahead and we'll see your students on Tuesday! ☺

Mrs. DeGroot, Mrs. Bartosch & Mrs. Van Helvoirt



Welcome to the 2021-2022 School Year


Dear Parents of 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Grade Students,

We hope you have been enjoying your summer with your families. As we plan for the upcoming 2021-2022 school year, we want to assure you that, while no one can predict what lies ahead, we are committed to providing a quality Catholic education for your children.

With that in mind, a great deal of thought and planning has been put into the year ahead. Mrs. DeGroot, Mrs. Bartosch and Mrs. Van Helvoirt will be teaming up to provide a top notch education for all children in grades 2, 3 and 4. 
  • Each grade will have a homeroom and a homeroom teacher that the students will begin and end their day with.
    • 2nd Grade - Mrs. DeGroot 
    • 3rd Grade - Mrs. Bartosch 
    • 4th Grade - Mrs. Van Helvoirt 

Please know that each of us feels blessed to be a part of a fantastic team of dedicated teachers and staff members . For us, teaching is not only immeasurably rewarding and fulfilling, but it is truly a vocation, a calling that we feel is an integral part of our lives.  

Throughout the year, your children (and your families) will be in our prayers, both in our classrooms as well as in our homes. As teachers, we ask that you keep us in your family prayers as well. God's blessings to you as we embark on the upcoming school year. We truly look forward to working with your children!

Sincerely,
Mrs. DeGroot, Mrs. Bartosch & Mrs. V
an Helvoirt

Parents, you have a little homework...

Please take the time to get to know this website. We will use it for weekly parent communications in grades 2-4. You will receive a weekly email from your child's homeroom teacher with a link to this blog. 

Please note that initially exploring this website is best done on a computer.
 Subsequently, weekly newsletters can easily be read on phones, ipads and computers.

Across the TOP you will find TABS with information about: 
  • Calendar
  • Teachers & Class Lists
  • Dress Code
  • Book Orders
  • Snacks & Treats
  • Birthdays
  • Parties
Along the LEFT SIDE you will find LINKS with information about:
  • Our Philosophy
  • Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
  • Reporting an Absence or Change in Schedule
  • Supply List
  • Grading Scale
  • Classroom Photos
    • This will be linked to our shared "Homeroom" photos app.
    • Please note that you will receive a separate email invitation from "Homeroom" to join our Grades 2, 3 & 4 photo album. 

Upcoming Dates


Free Save The Date Clipart Pictures - Clipartix

It's August and that means school is just around the corner!  We thought we'd share a few dates that you may wish to keep handy. The ones in bold pertain to grades 2-4, however in case you have more than one child, we are including all of the upcoming events listed below:
  • Tuesday, August 11 (5:45-6:15) Backpack Drop Off & Get Together for 3K 
  • Tuesday, August 11 (6:30-7:00) Backpack Drop Off & Get Together for 4K
  • Thursday, August 13 (5:45-6:15) Backpack Drop Off & Get Together for Kindergarten
  • Thursday, August 13 (6:30-7:00) Backpack Drop Off & Get Together for 1st Grade
  • Tuesday, August 18 (6:14-6:45) Backpack Drop Off & Get Together for 2nd, 3rd & 4th Grades. Please attend.
  • Thursday, August 20 (6:15-6:45) Backpack Drop Off & Get Together for 5th & 6th Grades
  • Thursday, August 20 (7:00-7:30) Backpack Drop Off & Get Together for 7th & 8th Grades
  • Tuesday, August 25 (6:00-7:00) Parent meeting in school basement for 3K & 4K.
  • Tuesday, August 25 (6:30-7:30) Parent meeting in church basement for grades 3K, K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th.  Parents, please attend.
  • Wednesday, August 26 (6:30-7:30) Parent meeting in church basement for grades 5-8. 
We are looking forward to seeing everyone! Enjoy the rest of the summer with your family!