Santa Clara Catholic Academy

Guadalupe Rodriguez's

Eighth Grade Class

Welcome back everyone! Lets all try to make this even a better year for Santa Clara. This year our goal is to achieve even more academically. Students will be expected to produce more quality work and organizational skills. These things go hand and hand it is a must for all. There will be many activities throughout the year since the schedule for all subjects are daily. The students are expected to have homework assignments completed along with classwork. This is a critically year for 8th grade since they will be moving onto High School. We will be working on more note taking and organization for the completion of having successful study skills. In Language Arts, Spelling Test will be required every Wednesday. In Social Studies, Current Events are to be turn in every Monday and Thursday. There are many other things but so far these are the days scheduled for these activities. Literacy will be incorporated as integrated part of our daily subject matter. Along with reading, the 8th grade will be reading “Animal Farm” by George Orwell. We cannot forget 6th and 7th grades reading novels at a later date.

All middle students will be assigned a project for National Hispanic Month. Students may need to go to the public library for research. Research will be important this year to all middle school students. There will be historical fiction novels assigned for reading.  There will be an  emphasis on writing this year so that this weak area maybe developed throughout the year.

As a reminder, student are to turn in all the necessary emergency forms and handbook forms with signature for students files. There are many students that have not turned in school supplies to their homeroom teacher. Please double check to make sure that everyone has done so. There will be many things to become a part of and involved in activities such as fundraisers, fieldtrips, sports, and small clubs, but it is the utmost important that students are focused with completed assignments. Assignments  not completed will be done after school, during recess, and counted as late work. There are no excuses for incomplete assignments. Lets make this a very successful year at Santa Clara.

       Make sure students be on time in the cafeteria for morning prayer. We must be accountable to begin our day with prayer. It has been observed as well,  that there are too many students tardy for mass on Fridays. Let’s be respectful to our Lord and show him that we appreciate Santa Clara.

       Progress Reports have been issued, so please make sure parents to sign and return to the homeroom teacher. Assignment books play an important role throughout the day in order for students to prepare and keep assignments written down. Let’s keep students focused by using their assignment books in order to keep themselves organized with their assignments. Notebooks are required for middle school students with the proper dividers used for different subjects. This shows organization by having quick access to items needed for class along with a pencil bag to keep sharpeners, pencils, and pens. Students are being taught a lifetime skill of organization. God created order out of chaos.

      Students need to be aware of the dangers of plagiarism. What is plagiarism?  This is when students take other written work and pass it off as their own. It’s very important that students learn to know that they’re able to create their own work. Students should be able to form an opinion, a critique, or a thesis statement to become successful. The year ahead will be filled with book reports, compositions, and research papers. Students are expected to work on the writing process. We’ve already begun with the pre-writing stage.

MIDDLE SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS

6^TH-8^TH

           This month we’re recognizing many events such as Native American Indian Heritage Month, All Saints’ Day, Election Day, Veterans’ Day, and Thanksgiving Day. Everyday we should be thankful unto to the Lord for his mercy...”This is the day the Lord has made and let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

            Students will be focusing on writing a compare/contrast composition between two Native American groups to find out the differences and similarities. There will be many reading selections for Native American Indian  that will inspire the student to appreciate the contributions made by different tribes that were a part of the establishment and growth of the United States. Even American Indians contributed to join the military to fight against the enemy during WWI remembering the Navajo Code Talkers along with many other volunteers. It is a time to pay homage to those that have sacrificed for this ‘one nation under God.’

May God continue to make us better Christians as the end of the year comes to a close. Of course, this is a time for reflection in preparation and bringing in a New Year. There are many things that need to be addressed where students need to stay focused.

• Prepare for Final Exams December 11^th-13^th (Tuesday-Thursday)
• Review Week for Exams December 3^rd
• December 12^th Wednesday is ‘Virgin of Guadalupe’w/Mananitas at 4am/Mass 6am/Mass 7pm
• 8^th Graders Prepare applications to High Schools
• Allow time for Letters of Recommendations
• Continue to work on community service hours
• Parents, Parents, and Parents please get involved with activities if volunteer hours are needed
• Progress Reports will be sent out Dec. 7^th Friday
• Progress Reports need to be signed and returned to teachers
• Make sure to have Avon Product Orders turned in ASAP w/money
• Candle Money is still out
• 6^th Grade students continue to read novel “Where the Red Fern Grows”

Students remember there are many tests ahead and keeping focused in preparing for these Exams are very important. Exams are around 90 minutes with many questions to answer and essays to be written. Good study habits are to prepare ahead of time and look over the material in the chapters. Meaning, go back and re-read, re-track, re-look, and repeat.

Many things are happening with the beginning of a new semester. May the Lord continue to guide us in His direction as many hard decisions are headed our way. Due to entrance exams for high schools, students need to become more serious as time gets closer about the choices that are to be made. There is no room for procrastination in submitting applications and letters of recommendations. Please turn these in within adequate time. Let teachers know ahead of time and not the day of the deadline. Here are some things to think about:

·        Just a reminder to parents to help volunteer time for fundraiser activities (we need parent involvement).

·        Community service for students and parents are recorded

·        *Mandatory Parent Meeting Jan. 24^th Thursday at 7 p.m. for Confirmation and Communion

·        Start application process for High Schools

·        8^th Grade Students must review Math and Vocabulary for Exams

·        Arrangements are being made for caps and gowns

·        Need parent volunteers for the Pines retreat at the end of February

·        Volunteer for 8^th grade Hospitality (short notice for Jan. 20^th

·        Continue to turn in any fundraiser money

·        CONGRATULATIONS AMANDA CANO Our Spelling Bee Candidate on Jan. 23^rd at St. Patrick’s School

·        Pick up applications at Mountain View High School between 9-3 p.m.

·        Bishop Dunne will be hosting an Open House Jan. 17^th 6:30-9 p.m.

·        Report Cards go out Jan. 25th

FEBRUARY ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL

Let us reflect on ‘kindness’ this month in middle school. Let’s ask God to try to give us guidance on how we treat others. Let us put ourselves on the side and think of others by doing or saying something kind. Let’s put in a good deed for others.

In Social Studies, students will be reading selections from different African-American authors. Students will be researching on the history of famous African-Americans. As Valentine’s Day approaches students will be writing poems about the theme of kindness in Language Arts.  Presidents’ Day students are responsible to keep up with the national news regarding the new presidential candidates and a look at the old former presidents as well.

Mrs. T’s classes will be focusing on algebraic equations and fractions in Math classes. Students will be graphing these equations. So have plenty of graph paper on hand. As far as Science, students will be responsible for researching on the different oceans of the world. Students are expected to know the general characteristics of the geographical settings of the oceans.

In Physical Education students are using their motor skills to develop a better grasp of coordination movement. Jump roping is an activity that can also benefit the cardiovascular system of the body. Let’s keep the blood circulating in the system. Good for the health!

Art classes are preparing for Valentine’s Day arrival by demonstrating art projects that are related to the theme of ‘kindness’ for February. Students are taking the ‘love’ of Christ into their art work and showing appreciation. They will take the perspective of sacrificial love for one another and will express it in their work.

MIDDLE SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS

     “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”

      We’ve come to the end of the school year and I would like to thank all parents and students for their diligent work throughout the school year. As the 8^th grade prepares to leave Santa Clara may God richly bless their direction and grant them wisdom to fulfill the will of God in their endeavors. Congratulations!

The Class of 2008 will be moving onto another level in life filled with Gifts of the Spirit as they have received the Sacrament of Confirmation responsibly making a difference to demonstrate they’re witnesses of God’s work.

CLASS OF 2008

Amanda Cano

Gretchen Cardoza

Judith Carrillo

Jasmine Cortes

Jasmine Cuin

Maribel Ferreira

Samantha Garza

Jeniva Morales

Angel Monjaras

Augustine Munoz

Bertha Nava

Johnathan Perez

Sandra Rivera

Jesse Soto

Alexander Valdez

Jorge Villarreal

*Santa Clara of Assisi’s Graduation is Thursday May 15^th at

  6p.m. at Santa Clara Church.

Contact Guadalupe Rodriguez at grodriguez@santaclaraacademy.org