Our own TCA 5th grader, Lillian Seibert- Pollnow, was chosen as our class representative in a poetry contest sponsored by Young Writers of America. Her poem, entitled "Trees" was included in their publication for 2019-2020, which features the "Most promising younger writers in America!" Great job, Lillian! We're very proud of you.
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-Friday, January 27-31--Catholic School Week
Monday- PJ Day & Fun Fair $4 Lollipop $1
Tuesday- Career Dress Up Day
Wednesday- Dress Up Day (Sunday BEST)
Thursday- Sports/Team Jeans Day & Jr. High Volleyball game
Friday- Red Cross for Australia Day Red Shirt/Jean Day ($2.00)
Saturday, February 1--Fun Night 6-8pm
Wednesday, February 12--11:30 am dismissal/Teacher Inservice
Friday, February 14--Valentine’s Day- party
Monday, February 17--Presidents’ Day- No School
Saturday, February 22--Trivia Night
Friday, February 14--St. Valentine’s Day & Party. Students are encouraged to bring Valentines for their classmates but should make sure they include all the other students. They may bring any type of Valentine box/bag that they choose. We will have treats and watch "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" from the Narnia series written by the legendary C.S. Lewis.
Quote of the Week: Da Mihi Animas et Caetera Tolle (Give me only souls; keep all the rest). Motto of St. John Bosco
Poem of the week: "The Pied Piper of Hamelin" by Robert Browning
Feast Days for January 27-31
January 27: St. Angela Merici
January 28: St. Thomas Aquinas
January 29: Servant of God Brother Juniper
January 30: Blessed Mary Angela Truszkowska
January 31: St. John Bosco*
**Week of: January 27-31
Catholic Schools Week posters will be judged on Monday. The response was excellent as there are many impressive posters to choose from. Mr. Giacobazzi and myself will judge the 5th and 6th grade posters.
We will complete work on our expository essay dealing with zoos. Students will take a position in their papers based on research and data provided by two (2) opposing articles dealing with the subject of zoos. Since Friday is the feast of St. John Bosco, our class patron, we will have a special reading of his life from Butler's Lives of the Saints along with discussing some of the key events of his life and recitation of the Litany of Loretto in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Dom Bosco always honored our Holy Mother under the title of Mary Help of Christians.
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 scripture 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,