11/3-11/7 Third Grade Highlights

Dear Third Grade Families,
 
 I hope everyone is doing well! Here’s a look at what's coming up for the week of Nov.3^rd-Nov.7^th. Please make sure to read all the important information below to avoid any questions that may already be addressed. If you missed last week’s email, you can find updates on my school blog: Third Grade Blog.

 

Deadlines:

• Nov. 5: AR & ST MATH goals due (students are given time daily to work on these goals)
• Dec. 1: Turkey in Disguise Project (Will be distributed on Nov. 3rd)
• Feb. 16: 2nd Trimester Mass Reflection (7 reflections required) (Will be distributed on Nov. 14th)

 

1st Trimester Grades & Missing Assignments

I will be finalizing our 1st trimester grades by Friday, Nov. 7^th. If your child has any missing homework, projects or classwork that were sent home and not turned in, please turn it in by Wednesday Nov. 5^th. After this day, I will not be accepting any late work. All grades are updated in a daily manner so parents are more aware of their child’s progress. Please check Gradelink for more updated grades. 

 

I kindly request to avoid waiting until the end of the trimester to address any missing assignments or incomplete work. Timely submissions significantly impact my ability to finalize and accurately assess grades within the given deadlines. 

 

Wednesday, Nov, 5^th 

Picture Makeup Day will be on Wednesday, Nov. 5th at 8-10am in Rm 5, if your child missed Fall Picture Day in September. They would need to come to school in their full Formal Mass Uniforms with white blouses/white Oxford shirts and wear their cardigans, vests, and ties. This picture is for the yearbook. Vicki Marsha will NOT be on campus. Please make sure your child is wearing a full Mass uniform for these photos, and have them come to school camera-ready.

 

Sharing Class/Group Photos and videos on social media

Some parents have shared photos from our classroom events, field trips, and class pictures! These memories are special, and I love seeing students enjoying their time at school.

 

As a reminder, I ask that you please avoid sharing whole or group photos of students on social media unless you have consent from all parents in the photo. If you would like to post a picture, please blur or crop out other students who do not have media consent.

 

Not all students have media consent, and therefore some of their photos or videos cannot be shared publicly on any social media platforms. I greatly appreciate your understanding and cooperation in keeping our students’ privacy safe.

 

Focus of the Week

• Math: Understand Division, Multiplications Facts of 2-12
• Reading: What Do Illustrators Do?
• Vocabulary: Week 7 Vocabulary words
• Word Study: Three Letter Clusters (scr, spr, str, thr)
• Grammar: Verb Tenses
• Social Studies: A Changing Landscape
• Science: Does mass affect motion?
• Religion: Lesson 7 (Study guide provided) 
• Prayer: Bless us O Lord (Test on Nov. 14)

Tests

Thursday

• Spelling Test (Phonics & Vocabulary)
• Religion 
• Social studies 

Friday (Multiple Choice)

• Reading Comprehension 
• Vocabulary 
• Phonics 
• Grammar 

Math Ninja

 

Adopt A Family- SAP Christmas Project 2025
 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 35th 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 Shir-Zai Family! The Shir-Zai family is a loving, resilient household doing their best to stay strong during challenging times. Moosa, the father, works long hours to cover rent and bills as the family's sole provider. Despite his exhausting schedule and limited sleep, he remains dedicated to spending quality time with his wife and children.

Taiba, the mother, recently gave birth to their newest daughter. She stays home to care for the baby and the couple’s three other children — including a child with autism, who requires extra attention, care, and support. The family faces daily challenges in meeting his sensory and dietary needs, especially as he is a very selective eater. Still, they do everything they can to help him feel safe, supported, and included.

Though finances are tight and every day brings new struggles, the Shir-Zai family remains hopeful and united. Their dream is simple: to continue living a healthy life together, and for their economic situation to improve.

This holiday season, your generosity can bring warmth, joy, and a bit of relief to this beautiful family. If each SAP family purchases just one item for the Shir-Zai Family, they will experience a miraculous Christmas. Imagine the joy we can bring to this family! 

How Can You Help? 

• Learn about the Shir-Zai Family
  1. Please review the attached Shir-Zai 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
  1. 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
  1. 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 Shir-Zai Family. Thank you for being part of this beautiful tradition of giving!  

2nd Trimester Chapter book

Our second trimester chapter book is, My One and Only Ivan, by Katherine Applegate. It’s a heartwarming story which will be a key part of our reading and discussion over the next few weeks.

I recommend purchasing a copy of the book for your child, as it will be used both in and outside of class. The students will benefit from having their own copy to follow along and engage with the text. Please have your child bring the book by Monday, November 10^th, please consider ordering it from Amazon using the link below: https://www.amazon.com/One-Only-Ivan-Katherine-Applegate/dp/0061992275

Nov. 14^th, Friday - Blue Mass

Every year, the St. Anthony of Padua community celebrates, in a very special way, our brave men and women who serve our communities law enforcement, fire fighters and public safety.
 Friday, November 14, 2025 at 8am is our BLUE Mass.
 Following the Mass, our Hospitality Committee and Student Government will host a Continental Breakfast in the hall for our special guests.
 We would ask you to please share the flier attached to invite your family, friends, neighbors to our annual Mass. RSVP to the school office no later than Friday, November 7, 2025.
 We appreciate your help inviting those in our community to this very special Mass.

Stone Soup

On Friday Nov. 21^st, we will be reading Stone Soup, a story that teaches the value of teamwork, sharing, and community. To bring the story to life, our class will work together to make our own version of stone soup!

The ingredients we will use are:

1.     Shredded chicken (1 cooked whole chicken)

2.     2 Chicken broth

3.     Onions (chopped)

4.     Carrots (chopped)

5.     Celery (chopped)

6.     Potatoes (chopped)

7.     Garlic (minced)

8.     salt and pepper

9.     disposable bowls & spoons

If you would like to donate and prep any of the ingredients, please let me know. If not, I’ll prep them myself. 

If your child has any allergies to the listed ingredients, please let me know as soon as possible.

 

Amazon Wishlist

As we gear up for an exciting school year filled with learning and growth, I wanted to share a wonderful opportunity to further enhance our classroom experience. I created an Amazon Wishlist with carefully selected items that will greatly benefit our students' education journey. You may check out the link below. 
 https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/dl/invite/HDcQP08pX1GHkzR04b5tChfPzNKXlZjflnrVZu4OKtkOdwJ1Uc2EYpKyLoCZPeAU8nRX-JQdh-mTJWgat3sNKWyePb93UTZG4gRe7EU?ref_=wl_share

 UPCOMING EVENTS
School calendar can be found (clicking here)

• November 2 – All Souls’ Day (pray for Holy Souls in Purgatory)
• November 5 – Picture Makeup Day in Rm 5 8am-10am, Detention served, Parent Faith Formation #2 offered
• Nov 14 – BLUE MASS for First Responders, End of 2nd Trimester
• Nov 19 – First Trimester Awards Ceremony in Hall 8:00-8:45, 8:50-9:35
• Nov 20 – Futboleros Chocolate Sale incentive 10:30am-12 noon 
• November 24-28 – Thanksgiving Holiday NO SCHOOL, NO DAYCARE
• Dec 6 – Feast of Santa Maria Kamalen: novena at 11:30am, Mass in Church at 12 noon, and potluck in Hall, all families welcome! SAVE THE DATE!
• December 15 – Christmas Program: Market, Tree Lighting: Holiday Raffle Winners announced outside on blacktop, NOT in Church (more info to come from Mrs. Garcia)
• Dec 16 – Noon Dismissal (NO DAYCARE) last day of school before Christmas break, Staff off campus at 12:15 
• Dec 17-Jan 2–Christmas Break
• Jan 5 –Classes Resume

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