10/12-10/16 Third Grade Highlights

Dear Third Grade Families,
 
I hope everyone is well. Here’s a look at what's coming up this week, 10/12-10/16 Please make sure to read all important information to avoid questions that are clearly stated on all emails. I would greatly appreciate it! If you missed my email last week, you can check out my school blog; http://www.stanthonygardena.org/third-grade/

Deadlines:

• Oct. 26^th - Saint Brochure & Peg Doll Project (All materials sent Sept. 25^th)

Monday, 10/12 - No School

Indigenous people’s day! Enjoy your 3-day weekend!

 

Wednesday, 10/14

I will be out on Wednesday due to a doctor’s appointment. Dr. Vicky Manalo will be substituting for me on that day, and I’ve prepared everything to ensure a smooth day of learning. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email me directly, and I will respond as soon as I am able to. 

Thursday, 10/15- Great Shakeout Drill & Talent Show

On Thursday, October 15, our school will be participating in the Great Shakeout Drill. This is a nationwide drill designed to ensure that we are prepared in the event of an earthquake.

In addition, 10/15 is our school Talent Show! I am excited to see the students share their God-given talents and shine on stage.

 

2nd Trimester Chapter book

Now that we have finished our first chapter book, we are excited to begin our next class novel, The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate! This heartwarming story will be an important part of our reading lessons and class discussions over the next few weeks.

I highly recommend purchasing a copy of the book for your child, as we will use it both in the classroom and at home. Having a personal copy will allow students to follow along with the reading, revisit important details, and participate more actively in our discussions.

Please have your child bring a copy of the book to school by Monday, October 19.

You may consider ordering the book through Amazon using the link below: https://www.amazon.com/One-Only-Ivan-Katherine-Applegate/dp/0061992275

Third Grade Social – October 23 at Lucky Strike!

We are excited to invite you to our Third Grade Social on Thursday, October 23rd! 

This will be a wonderful opportunity for our third-grade families to gather, get to know one another, and have some fun together outside of the classroom!

 Lucky Strike Torrance
 ️ Thursday, October 23rd
 ⏰ 5:00–7:00 PM

Please RSVP by October 16th using the link below or by scanning the QR code on the flyer:

RSVP Here

If you are attending, please send your payment to our Room Parent, Mrs. Nivia Joseph, via Zelle.

For more information, please see the flyer below:

View the Social Flyer

If you have any questions or concerns about the social, please contact our Room Moms, Nivia Joseph or Tammy Tenette.

We hope many of you can join us! We look forward to spending a fun evening together with our third-grade families! 

 

Adopt A Family

The Christmas season is just around the corner, and we’re excited to invite you to be part of something truly special. This year marks the 36th anniversary of the Adopt A Family Christmas Program — a heartwarming tradition dedicated to bringing the magic of the holidays to hundreds of families in the downtown Los Angeles area.

Meet the Villagomez Family! 

The Villagomez family was referred to Adopt-A-Family by a parish serving the community in the Flats, east of downtown Los Angeles. Dolores Mission Church is deeply committed to serving people experiencing poverty, supporting immigrant families, and advocating for social justice.

The Villagomez family has experienced significant hardships and painful losses over the years, which have taken an emotional toll on Mom and Dad and contributed to struggles with depression. These challenges, along with financial difficulties, have made it especially difficult for the family to make ends meet. Mom is currently working on her mental health and taking meaningful steps toward healing and being more present for her family. Through their challenges, the Villagomez family continues to move forward with hope, strength, and love for one another.

This Christmas, the family is incredibly grateful for the kindness and generosity of those who choose to support them. A helping hand during this season will not only provide much-needed gifts, but also remind the Villagomez family that they are cared for and not alone.

Thank you for helping bring hope and joy to the Villagomez family this Christmas.

 

If each SAP family purchases just one item for the Villagomez Family, they will experience a miraculous Christmas. Imagine the joy we can bring to this family! 

How Can You Help? 

Learn about the Villagomez Family

Please review the attached Villagomez Family Profile to get to know this beautiful family and understand their specific needs. Each grade level is assigned to one family member — this makes gift-giving more personal and organized.

Follow the Gift Instructions

Be sure to read the Instructions for Purchasing Gifts so you're fully prepared to participate and help make this experience smooth and meaningful for everyone involved.

Choose a Gift to Purchase

If you’d like to help (and we hope you do!), visit our school wide Adopt-A-Family Sign-Up Genius to select a gift you will purchase:

Here is the Sign-Up Genius to designate the gift you will buy.

For our parents of younger children, this can be a wonderful teaching moment to show how we make little sacrifices to show our love for those in need. 

Let’s come together to make this season brighter for the Villagomez Family.

Thank you for being part of this beautiful tradition of giving!

All Saints’ Day dress-up- Wednesday, October 28
 On Oct. 28, Students may come to school dressed up as ANY Saint. Saint costumes do not need to be elaborate! We will have an All-School mass on this day instead of Friday. Students will process in Mass with their class in their costumes. Costumes should go over your child’s school uniform, as we will be changing after Mass. Dressing up will be part of their Religion participation and work habits grade. 

• Costumes should be child-friendly. No inflatables, gory or scary clowns, devils, or scary costumes. No Pokémon, Harry Potter or witchcraft. 
• Costumes should not:
  • Be obstructive, offensive, or inappropriate for a Catholic school (no skimpy or revealing outfits, gory, evil, or violent themes).
  • Drag on the ground.
  • Contain sharp or pointed objects that could accidentally strike another person.
  • Include weapons that resemble or could be mistaken for an actual weapon.
  • Encourage cross-dressing. Boys dress like boys, and girls dress like girls.

Halloween Costumes:
 To ensure that all costumes follow our school's Halloween guidelines, I ask that you let me know what costume your child plans to wear on October 30^TH. Costumes must be appropriate and pre-approved, or a student may be sent home to change. Please share your child’s costume using the link below:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Jwstjdy-TG8uWUQsCLitNY9RgaKypnBipXY__bQVVR4/edit?usp=sharing

Focus of the Week

 

Tests

Thursday

 

Friday (Multiple Choice)

Math Ninja

Home Language Surveys due by 10/20/26 for every child at SAP

As part of our school’s participation in the Title III English Learner Program, all SAP students are required to have a Home Language Survey (HLS) completed by a parent or guardian. This form on the link below must be completed for EVERY child attending St. Anthony of Padua School, NOT just one form per family.

The Home Language Survey helps our school determine whether a student may need an English language proficiency assessment or additional English Learner (EL) support.

What do I need to do?
Complete the 2026–2027 Home Language Survey by Tuesday, October 20, 2026.

 All parents and guardians, please complete one survey for each of your children at SAP school using the appropriate link below:

 

English:

2026–2027 Home Language Survey – English  Link

OR

Spanish:

2026–2027 DCS – Encuesta del Idioma en el Hogar – Spanish  Link

 

When completing the survey, please make sure that all information is accurate and complete, including your child’s:

 

Important Information

If you answer a language other than English to any of the first three questions, your child may need to complete an English language proficiency assessment. Completing the Home Language Survey DOES NOT automatically mean that your child will be identified as an English Learner.

If you are unable to complete the survey online by 10/20, please contact your child’s teacher or the school office so that we can provide you with a paper copy also due by 10/20/26.

New Requirement for School Volunteers & Chaperones

An important update regarding the requirements for anyone who would like to volunteer or serve as a chaperone for school activities and field trips. In addition to completing the following:

All school volunteers and chaperones are now required to complete a one-hour Mandated Reporter Training. 

 

Please review the SB 848 Memorandum to Schools for additional information:

SB 848 Memorandum to Schools

How to Complete the Training

Please make sure you complete this requirement if you plan to volunteer or chaperone for any upcoming school activities or field trips.

 

How You Can Help Our Class

Any contribution, big or small, is greatly appreciated and goes directly toward supporting our students and classroom.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

 

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out. I look forward to another great week of learning with your child!
 

Thank you & God Bless!
 
 Warmly, 
 Mrs. Do