Our class patron is St. John Bosco, the patron saint of schoolchildren. He stressed a system of education based on reason, religion, and kindness. Through his inspiration, many people became saints, including St. Dominic Savio and St. Mary Mazzarello. His life was filled with works of love and miracles from God.
Our school provides solid, orthodox teaching and practice of the Catholic faith as well as rigorous coverage of all the other academic disciplines. New students that are up to the challenge are always welcome to apply at TCA.
Important Dates:
Monday, November 11--No School-Veterans Day
Wednesday, November 13--5th grade is in charge of the school Mass this week.
Wednesday, November 27--1:50pm dismissal
Thursday & Friday, November 28 & 29--No School-Thanksgiving break
Monday, December 16--Christmas Program 6pm
Quote of the Week: "A man's reach should exceed his grasp or what is Heaven for?" By Robert Browning.
Poem we are studying this week: "Beneath the Dirt" by Edgar A. Guest
Feast Days for November 11-15
November 11: St. Martin of Tours
November 12: St. Josaphat
November 13: St. Frances Xavier Cabrini (Mother Cabrini)
November 14: St. Gertrude the Great
November 15: St. Albert the Great (teacher of St. Thomas Aquinas)
**Week of: November 11-15
There is no school on Monday as we commemorate Veterans Day, previously called Armistice Day. Since the WWI Armistice occurred at 11:00 A.M. on November 11th, students are encouraged to remember 11/11/11 as the origin of this patriotic day which honors all veterans who have served our country from the Revolutionary War until the present time. We will continue to work on our persuasive essay in English.
Our religion Unit this week deals with the Lord's Passion, Death, and Resurrection. We will discuss the reasons for the Son of God becoming a man, starting His Holy Church, and suffering and dying on the cross. We will also discuss why we are not automatically saved by the death of Christ or simply by believing he's our personal savior or by calling Him Lord. "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will. enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." Matthew 7:21" We will discuss the necessity of obeying the 10 Commandments and the precepts of the Catholic Church along with living the true spirit of Jesus Christ until death.
At TCA, we believe that no person can be considered educated if they are ignorant or neglectful of their duties toward God. "For what shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and suffers the loss of his soul?" Mark 8:36 We attend Holy Mass weekly and learn about basic Catholic Doctrine, the Sacraments, the 10 Commandments, Bible History, the Holy Rosary, and the Divine Mercy Chaplet along with other Catholic beliefs and practices. We ask that you encourage regular prayer, Mass attendance, and the reception of the sacraments.
Coursework Information:
Spelling: Each week we study 25 new spelling words as well as phonics and word attack skills in the Journeys Notebook Workbook. Please make sure your child is studying their words and properly completing the workbook pages. There is a test over the words every Friday.
Reading: A new story and vocabulary words are introduced each week along with relevant skills. We also use novels as guided reading in pairs each day. Please encourage your child to read books at their reading level as often as possible at home. We have a reading test every Friday.
Religion: Each week new concepts are introduced from our series and from supplementary doctrinal sources that should be reviewed at home. In addition, we practice and test the ability to recite a growing list of prayers and relevant Catholic information. Please encourage your child to study, master, and use these prayers daily. We also practice locating and interpreting daily scriptural passages. Bible reading at home is certainly to be encouraged. Please be sure to have an official Catholic Bible in your home. There is a test each Friday.
Math: Math instruction is progressive. We have regular quizzes, so please encourage your child to review their skills. Tests are given at the completion of each unit. Mastery of the times tables through 12s should be accomplished as soon as possible if they don't already possess this skill.
English: We study grammar regularly and work on compositions, poetry, and fluid writing. Please encourage your child to study and review these lessons as we have regular quizzes and have a test at the end of each instructional unit. Please encourage free writing at home when time allows.
Science & History: Our class studies various topics in these subjects as well as taking notes over relevant information. Quizzes are given regularly to encourage and assess learning mastery. Encourage your student to regularly review their lessons.
Note: Any missing homework assignments or "D" or "F" grades on tests will result in you receiving a sheet to sign in order to ensure that you are kept aware of your child's progress and academic needs. Please be sure to check your monthly calendar for important information, menus, etc. If something specific for our class is upcoming, you will receive a note via your child. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need to discuss anything regarding your son or daughter's academic progress.
We encourage love of God and Country through teaching respect for our Holy Father and All the teachings of Christ's Holy, Catholic Church as well as for our President and the high ideals of morality, freedom, patriotism, and civic responsibility that our country was founded upon.
“The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained in sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upwards in the night.”
― Henry Wadsworth Longfellow,