Week of 3/2-3/6

Dear Fourth Grade Families,

Happy Sunday!  I pray this email finds you well. Here's a look at what's coming up for the week of 3/2-3/6. Please make sure to read all important information to avoid questions that are clearly stated on all emails/ reminders. I would greatly appreciate it! If you missed my last  email, you can check out my school blog; http://www.stanthonygardena.org/fourth-grade/

Deadline 
May 25: 3rd Trimester Mass Reflection (10 reflections required) ( Will be distributed this week.)



Third Trimester: Let’s Refocus on Respect & Kindness
As we begin the third trimester, this is a great time for us to reset and recommit to our classroom expectations. Recently, I have noticed an increase in behavioral concerns in fourth grade. Our school community is built on mutual respect, and that continues to be the most important expectation in our classroom. We must care for one another, speak kindly, and treat everyone with dignity.

No Put-Downs
We follow a strict “No Put-Downs” policy. Jokes or comments that hurt others — even if not intended to be mean — are not acceptable. We are encouraging students to think before they speak and choose kindness.

✋ Hands, Feet & Objects to Yourself
Please remember that any violation of this rule results in a detention, as reinforced by Mrs. Grey in the Student Handbook. Personal space and physical boundaries are essential to maintaining a safe classroom environment.

Social-Emotional Learning Focus
In last week’s SEL lesson, we reviewed three important social cues to pay attention to when interacting with others:

Body language

Tone of voice

Facial expressions

Understanding these cues helps students recognize how their actions impact others. We are especially focusing on respecting personal space and asking for permission before entering someone’s space.

Thank you for continuing to talk with your child about kindness, respect, and healthy boundaries. When we work together, we help create a classroom where everyone feels safe, valued, and supported.Thank you for your partnership and support.

⛪ Mass Expectations
As we continue through this trimester, I would like to remind students about our expectations during Mass.

Mass is a special and sacred time for our school community. My expectation is that students actively participate. This means:

Opening their books
Singing along with the hymns
Responding during prayers
Listening attentively
Connecting with Jesus in a meaningful way
Mass is not a time to talk with friends or discuss what happened earlier in the day. It is a time for reflection, prayer, and respect. We have discussed these expectations in class, and I am asking for your continued support in reinforcing the importance of respectful and active participation during Mass. Thank you for helping us nurture both the academic and spiritual growth of our students.

Read across America:
For Read across America this week, students may  wear costumes representing their favorite characters from literature.
Guidelines: Common rules include no masks, no play weapons, and focusing on book characters rather than just movie/trending characters.

Focus of the Week:

Math: Add and Subtract Fractions and Mixed Numbers with Like Denominators. Test 02/03
Reading : Flora and Ulysses
Reading: U3L15
Writing : Fiction Narrative Essay 
Grammar: Part of Speech / Verbs Perfect Tense
Religion: TOB book 2 L2
Science: Renewable Energy  

Tests

Wednesday
Math Test 
Thursday
Spelling Test
Friday
Vocabulary
Spelling
Religion
Science 
 * Please note that test dates may change.
Awards Ceremony
Our 2nd Trimester Awards Assembly will take place in the hall on Wednesday, March 11,  starting at 8am. Grades K-4 at 8am in the Hall, and Grades 5-8 at 9am in the Hall. Report cards will be sent home that day.
Awards
I will be sending out direct emails to all families of our awardees by Tuesday, March 10. For a student to receive a Citizenship award, a student must earn A's (Outstanding = 92-100%) on both work habits and behavior grades. Therefore, students' daily behavior, participation, attendance, assignments, projects, ST MATH AND AR goals and work habits are IMPORTANT factors in receiving an award.

Students are not eligible for a Citizenship award each trimester if they have one of the following:

5 tardies
5 unexcused absences
5 unexcused early leave
3 conduct slips
3 effort slips
3 detentions
ST Math and AR goals are not reached

Please know that if your child doesn't earn Citizenship this trimester, there's still a chance to earn it in the last trimesters. 

Honors
1st Honors - All A’s including Handwriting, Music, and PE
2nd Honors - A’s & B’s including Handwriting, Music, and PE

Grading Scales (from 4th grade syllabus)- Grades k-8
Subject Areas                                                               Skill Areas
A (93 -100) Excellent                                                    O      Outstanding
B+ (90 - 92)                                                                 G      Good
B (87 - 89) Very Good                                                 S       Satisfactory
B- (85 - 86)                                                                   NI  Needs Improvement
C+ (80 - 84)
C (75 - 79) Average
C- (70 - 74)
D (65 - 69) Poor
F (0 - 64) Not Passing


Spring Fundraiser Kickoff: Hundred X
Our Hundred X Spring Fundraiser runs from February 16 – March 17. Instead of paying the $100 mandatory fee, you can participate by completing quick surveys: https://programs.hundredx.com/impactwithfeedback-b or using the QR code.

Hundred X donates $1.60 per survey

Surveys take about 1 minute

Adults 18+ can complete up to 75 surveys (max 25 per day). Invite friends and family!

IMPORTANT! During registration, please select the Fantastic Fourth/ 4th grade  you are supporting and type the name of your student. This ensures your participation is properly credited. It is VERY important that you allow Hundred X to share your name and email address to the school. This step is essential so we can verify your participation and confirm your Superstar status.
Incentives: 

⭐SERVICE HOUR INCENTIVE: February 28 to March 17

HundredX Superstar Information Sheet due by Tuesday, March 17 no later than by 4:00 pm to the office.

TOP 3 GRADES/TEAMS: Fress dress, pizza, and ice cream party

Lenten Pauly’s Project (attached flyer )
This Lenten Season, the 5th Grade Class, in partnership with Pauly’s Project, will be leading a Donation Drive and Community Service Opportunity to serve homeless individuals in Downtown Los Angeles. We invite the SAP community to help us raise at least 100 hygiene kits for those in need.
Donation Drive: February 11th- March 5th Donation Goal: 100 Hygiene Kits

Class Donations:
4th Grade: Travel-size shampoo
Optional Donations: Toilet tissue, hot packs, nail clippers, gallon-size Ziploc bags.

More Info:
Pauly’s Project Website
Pauly’s Project Instagram
Donations do not need to be branded and can be purchased at dollar stores. Any contributions are greatly appreciated!
Thank you for your support, and may God bless you all!

  
Looking Ahead!
Novel Study: I will suggest few books to the students and will choose one for the third trimesterace.
Passion Project : This project is for the 3rd trimester and the students will learn more about it.
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.  Add your favorite items!
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3OUPUHM2XB902?ref_=wl_share


Upcoming Events
You can find the school calendar here. https://stanthonygardena.org/school-calendar

March 2 – Open Enrollment to the public begins for next year (re-register early or you will be automatically waitlisted)

March 10 – 1st Grade Field trip to Cabrillo Aquarium

March 12 – Santiago Retreat Center 6th grade field trip
March 23-May 8 – ARK testing starts

March 24 – All School Spelling Bee 10:30-12 in Hall, Spring Picture Day

March 26 – Graduation picture day for Kinder and 8th graders (caps and gowns)

April 3-10– Easter Break

April 13 – School Resumes

April 13-April 17 – Washington DC Trip 7th and 8th grade (Ms. Genesis Garcia, Mr. Aguilar, and Veronica Patel out)

April 24 – Mass with Mother Figures in church 

April 30 – 3rd Grade Field trip Discovery Cube

May 8 – May Crowning, led by 8th grade, Adoremus in church with Fr. Paolo as guest speaker

May 11-14 – Whispering Winds 8th grade Retreat in Julian, CA (Mr. Aguilar leads retreat)

May 15-17 – Parish Carnival (NOON dismissal May 11-13, NO SCHOOL May 14, 15, 18)

Thank you for your continued support and partnership. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns. 

Blessings,

Florence Ekindi 
4th grade Homeroom Teacher 
B.S in Chemistry/Master in Education 
St Anthony of Padua School
Tel. 310-329-7170 
 Fax 310-329-9843
1003 W 163rd St. Gardena, CA 90247
www.stanthonygardena.org