Fifth Grade with Mrs. A

I knew this day would be hard, but I was not prepared for how empty the room would feel once the kids left. The last day of school is officially over, and I am typing this through a steady stream of tears. I feel so incredibly lucky, and honestly overwhelmed with emotion, thinking about the past nine months.

There aren’t words to express how blessed I am to have a job where I get to teach my own children. Please know that when I say that, I absolutely include yours. Long before I was Mrs. A, I was Liam’s mom, so I have been lucky enough to be a part of these kids lives at birthdays and family dinners. I have watched them form a bond that is truly sibling-like. They are so incredibly tight, and I pray they always hold onto that connection and remain in each other’s lives, even if they go separate ways in the future.

In the years leading up to this, the days seemed to drag as I waited for this milestone year to get here… and this school year was gone in the blink of an eye, and it absolutely breaks my heart. More than anything, I just hope I was everything your children wanted and deserved from a teacher this year. Thank you for partnering with me and trusting me. Together, we watched our little elementary baby-faced kids somehow grow up into middle schoolers, and I am just so proud of them. This was absolutely the perfect class to end my time in 5th grade… ending it on a high! <3 (Pray for me and the incoming 4th graders next year!)

From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Enjoy your summer!

Clap Out Speech:

My 5th graders,

Before you walk down this hallway and take your final walk as elementary schoolers, I need you to pause and look around.

I’m going to let you in on a little secret: I have looked forward to teaching this specific group for years. And looking at you all today, (through the cameras now, actually) you proved me completely right. You are, without a doubt, a truly special group of people.

We’ve had so much fun this year… honestly, maybe too much fun, if that’s even possible! I haven’t laughed this hard in a very long time, and that is entirely because of your hilarious personalities. You truly embody the definition of working hard and playing hard.

But what really defines you is your grit. You are brilliant, and you are brave. I have watched you set goals this year and absolutely crush them. Whenever doubts crept in, you didn’t give up. Instead, you trusted me when I said everything would be okay, and you chose to believe in yourselves.

As you head into middle school, keep that same energy. Take the risk. Trust your gut.

You came into this classroom as babies… little kids, and today, you are leaving as middle schoolers. You have blossomed right in front of our eyes into incredible leaders. Time and time again, you did things that amazed me, amazed each other, and I hope…amazed yourselves.

If years from now you don’t remember every single thing we learned in our textbooks, that is okay. But I deeply hope you remember this: Always work hard and bring your best, because your best is better than anything else out there.

You are a kind, smart, and capable group, and you are absolutely going to rule the world. Which is kind of terrifying. Looking out at you right now, I see future presidents… or dictators, pro athletes, dancers, Broadway stars, historians, and above all, fantastic humans.

You are capable of incredible things, and I know you will change the world… because you’ve already changed mine.

Enjoy your summer! 

Love, Mrs. A

8th Grade Graduation is tonight, 6/2 at 6:00. If your child is singing in the choir or serving, please arrive at the church early (5:45?).

Field Day is tomorrow, Wednesday 6/3! Have your child dress in their team color, a bandana will be provided for your child. Remember to give your child cash if they’d like to purchase anything from the snack stand! Parents are also welcome to join us for lunch 11:30. You can bring lunch from somewhere for you and your child(ren) or pack one. Hot Lunch is only available for students.
Teams:
Liam – Yellow
Meri – Pink
Nora – Black
Grant – Orange
Jackson – Green
Ben – Red
Allie – Aqua/Teal
Tommy – Gray

5th Grade Clap Out is on Friday, June 5th at 11:15. It is my favorite tradition and the last year of the kids walking out in this building. Please join us! After school we will be going to the Frosty Tip for a sweet treat… Please join!

Also… If anyone has done some spring cleaning and have extra storage totes (or large sturdy boxes) they are looking to get rid of, I am taking donations! Thank you!!

It finally feels like summer outside! The sun is shining, the days are warmer, and you can practically feel the vacation energy in the air. But to be completely honest, while I’m loving the beautiful weather, my heart is also feeling a little heavy.

As of today, we have just NINE DAYS left together in fifth grade.

We officially started our end-of-the-year countdown, popping a balloon each day to mark the time. I have waited for this specific school year for years, and yet, it seems to have flown by faster than any other year in my teaching memory.

I have absolutely loved my time with this group of kids. We have worked incredibly hard, grown so much, and accomplished things we might have never thought possible back in August. (I can’t forget the fun and laughs… we had so much of that, too!) Over the past nine months, I’ve watched confidence blossom and big goals get absolutely crushed. They have made me so incredibly proud.

Even though we are trying to slow down and savor these final moments, this crew still knows how to hustle! We spent plenty of time outside soaking up the sun today, but just look at what we managed to fit:

• Lead school mass with our buddies by our sides.
• Put the finishing touches on our creative folktales.
• Knocked out a bunch of pages in Other Words for Home.
• Took our Asia Geography Test.
• Finished some pages in our handwriting books.
• Worked on our Tower of Books
• Faced off in an epic Boys v. Girls kickball game.
• Spent some sweet quality time with our PK buddies outside.

Whew! I’m exhausted just typing that, but that is exactly who this class is… full of life, hard-working, and always ready for the next adventure.

Thank you for sharing your amazing kids with me this year. Let’s make these final nine balloon pops count!

~Mrs. A

Check out our Google Drive for more pictures and hilarious videos! https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1MHj-BufEH9zadUZNoKbg3fonE76iA6Y3

It has been an incredibly busy and rewarding few weeks in our classroom! From moving performances to hands-on science, the students have been giving it their all. Here is a look at what we’ve been up to:

Reflecting on Living Stations
I want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who joined us for Living Stations. The class did a truly beautiful job; I received so many compliments on their reverence and hard work. It was an incredibly moving experience for all of us, and I am so proud of the heart they put into it.

Adventures in Madison
Our field trip to Madison was a blast! I am so glad I was able to make it there to meet the students and experience the city with them. It was a day filled with fun and great memories that I’m sure they’ll be talking about for a while.

Science: Patterns in the Universe
We have officially launched our new science unit, Patterns in the Universe! To kick things off, we’ve been diving into the world of stars.

The Constellation Project: Students researched specific constellations and then brought them to life using marshmallows and toothpicks. It was a delicious, creative, and educational way to visualize the patterns in our night sky!

The excitement continues this Tuesday as we take a virtual field trip to the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles! (It’s a place I loved going to from a kid to adult!) I can’t wait to join the video conference with the class and watch them learn expert tips on how to observe the amazing sky above us. It’s going to be a stellar experience!

Writing: Creative Folktales
In our writing block, we are tapping into our inner storytellers. We are currently working on creative folktale writing. I am always impressed by the imagination in this room, and I can’t wait to see the original “how and why” stories their creative minds produce.

Social Studies: From Africa to Asia
We have officially wrapped up our unit on Africa and are now trekking into Asia. To make our study of global landmarks even more interactive, I have requested 3D pens from GRACE Tech! We are hoping to use these to create physical models of the incredible landmarks we study.

Coming Up Next:
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue exploring the universe and traveling across the globe (from the comfort of our desks)! Thank you for your continued support.

Reminder: No school next Friday, 4/24!

Take a look at all the exciting adventures in our Google Photo Drive!
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1MHj-BufEH9zadUZNoKbg3fonE76iA6Y3

As always, it’s and absolute blessing to be your child’s teacher. Have a great weekend!

~Mrs. A

It was so wonderful to see all of those smiling faces back in the classroom this week! Even though we were all clearly still in Spring Break mode (and the short week certainly didn’t help us find our rhythm) it is great to be back together.

Stay in the Loop
I have a polite request for all our 5th grade families: Please try to make it a habit to check our class blog posts and Mrs. Peterson’s Thunderbolt Newsletter at your earliest convenience after they hit your inbox or phone.

We know life is busy, but these updates often contain time-sensitive details. It breaks our hearts when a student misses out on a “Choice Dress” day or a special family event because the message wasn’t seen in time. While I work with the students to write things down in their planners, many of the events and details are only found in these digital updates, so checking them regularly is the best way to ensure you have all the information you need to stay fully connected with our classroom and school. I have always set my email to prioritize/favorite my boy’s teachers and the school (because I would be the one missing things!) This was helpful: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tlkhLUN1e1s&t=62s&pp=2AE-kAIB

Donuts with Dad 3/20
Tomorrow is a very special morning as we host Donuts with Dads. We invite all fathers and father figures to join us for Mass at 8:00 AM, with donuts and fellowship to follow immediately after. I am very much looking forward to seeing all the fathers and father figures there to celebrate with our students.

Madison Field Trip on 4/8
I am looking for two parent volunteers—one mom and one dad—to join us as chaperones for our upcoming trip to Madison on April 8. If you are interested in joining us, please remember that you must be VIRTUS trained; I am more than happy to send over the necessary information if you need to complete that process. Please email me by next Wednesday, April 1, if you would like to volunteer. We hope to have chaperone selections by that Friday, 4/3.

Middle School Mode
As we move into this final trimester, we are officially shifting into “middle school mode” to build the habits your children will need for the big leap ahead. I want for them to feel truly confident and prepared, so we are going to spend these coming weeks intentionally practicing our time management, personal accountability, and the balance between our classwork and homework. We will be sharpening our focus on paying close attention during lessons, completing our work on time, and most importantly- learning how to advocate for ourselves when we need a little extra help. We are also working on tightening up our transition times and being prepared for each subject. My hope is to let them “struggle” through these new challenges now while they are still here in the safety of our 5th grade classroom family. I want them to hit these hurdles while they still have the elementary “safety net” to catch them, guide them, and cheer them on. By working through these growing pains together now, they will head into middle school with the resilience and skills they need to truly shine.

Tower of Books
Regarding our academics, we have slightly changed the reading requirement for this final trimester. Please take some time to look over your child’s Tower of Books packet with them. This project will require the students to stay on top of their time management, accountability, and planning skills to be successful, so a little extra attention now will go a long way. Here is a link to view a digital version of the Reading Requirement. https://www.canva.com/design/DAHEZ6ndL50/Q4kJKrldlR6UoapqABJU9A/view?utm_content=DAHEZ6ndL50&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h1b3e27d1ea

Life Skills with Ms. Daming
We have also been enjoying some wonderful visits from Ms. Daming, who has been teaching our class essential life skills. From learning how to handle stress and leaving a tip to practicing how to take turns talking and resolving conflicts, the students are deeply engaged in her lessons. We are all very excited to continue learning these practical skills with her. Do you have any life skills suggestions? We’d love to hear what YOU think our next lesson should be! Comment below with your ideas. Your child will earn a granny candy for your suggestion!

Living Stations!
Next Wednesday, our students will present the Living Stations of the Cross. We have been working incredibly hard to prepare for this, and the performances at 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM are mandatory for all students. Please plan to drop your child off around 4:30 on Wednesday at the church so we can have our pizza dinner and get ready for the evening performance together. (And for you to snag those prime seats!) We encourage you to share this schedule with your family and friends and invite everyone to come and witness this powerful depiction of the passion and death of Jesus.

A Quick Reminder
Finally, please remember to check your child’s planner every night along with their homework. Once you have verified that their assignments are complete, please sign the planner to help us stay coordinated. Thank you for your continued support and partnership.

As always, it’s an absolute blessing to be your child’s teacher.

~ Mrs. A

It has been an incredible few weeks in our classroom. Between deep rehearsals and celebrating academic milestones, I am constantly reminded of how lucky I am to work with such an amazing group of students.

Our Growing Classroom Family
We have some exciting news to share! When we return from Spring Break, we will be welcoming a new student, Tommy, to our class. I know our students will do a wonderful job making him feel right at home. We can’t wait to have you join us, Tommy!

Reflections on Growth & Conferences
It was a joy to meet with so many of you during conferences! I truly value the partnership we have in supporting your child’s journey. Didn’t get a chance to schedule a time to meet? If we haven’t connected yet or if you have follow-up questions, please reach out!

By now, everyone should have received their child’s Report Cards and Winter STAR reports. I am so incredibly proud of the effort and grit these kids have put forth. I am seeing confident, kind scholars who are proving that their potential is truly limitless!

The Living Stations of the Cross
The students are working hard to bring the story of the Passion to life. We can’t wait to share this with you.
When: Wednesday, March 25th
Performance Times: 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM
Evening Logistics: Please have your child at Holy Cross by 5:00 PM on the 25th.
The Celebration: We will be having a pizza party at 5:00 PM to get ready and eat together!

Please invite your friends and family to attend!

Big Wins & Rewards!
A huge congratulations to Nora for placing 5th in the Knights of Columbus Abbot Pennings Knowledge Contest! I’m a person of my word: since we had someone place in the contest, treats are coming! Between the contest win and a movie day I already owed the class, I’m happily “in debt” to these hard-working students.

Stay Updated
What’s Happening & When: Check that specific page on this blog for the latest classroom updates and special events.

Photos: They say a picture is worth a thousand words! Visit our Google Drive often to see all the fun and learning happening in real-time.https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1MHj-BufEH9zadUZNoKbg3fonE76iA6Y3

I hope everyone has a wonderful, safe, and exciting Spring Break! See you all when we return.

As always, its an absolute blessing to be your child’s teacher.

~Mrs. A

The B.O.L.T. Awards celebrate our Builders of Outstanding Leadership and Tradition—students who strive to live out the Gospel through their daily actions. Each month, we focus on a specific virtue, seeking to grow in holiness and character. Below, you will find our monthly honorees, nominated for being a living witness to these virtues and leading our school community by example.

October Diligence– Ben
“Ben truly shows what it means to be diligent. Even when an assignment is harder or takes more effort, he approaches it with the same care and focus as everything else he does. He works through challenges patiently, takes his time to get things right, and always produces work he can be proud of. His steady effort and dedication aren’t just about completing tasks they show his commitment to learning and growing. Ben’s persistence and conscientiousness make him a great example of the virtue of diligence. Ben, I’m so proud of you! Keep staying confident and giving your best, because your hard work truly shows!”

November Piety– Liam
“Liam shows the virtue of piety through his strong and joyful faith, which is evident in everything he does. He participates fully in Mass and prayer, and he embraced becoming an altar server with true excitement and dedication. He approaches adoration with focus and reverence, fully engaged in the moment. In his saint report, Liam looked to his saint for guidance and showed a genuine love for learning about the role models of our faith. In the way he handles situations-with patience, faith, and gratitude- he demonstrates a sincere love for God and a heart centered on what is good.”

December Cheerfulness– Allie, Grant, & Liam (nominated by Mrs. W)
“Allie is a shining example of cheerfulness and positivity in our classroom. This month, most of her classmates recognized her for the way she encourages others, always reminding people they can do it during challenging times and brightening the mood with her joyful spirit. Allie keeps things light and shares her happiness freely, bringing joy even in difficult moments. She builds strong friendships because she is a reliable, positive friend who brings hope, encouragement, and kindness into the lives of those around her. Her presence makes our classroom a happier, more supportive, and uplifting place for everyone.”

“Grant truly lives out the virtue of cheerfulness in the way he brings joy, light, and positivity to everyone around him. Even in difficult or challenging situations, he chooses to respond with kindness, patience, and a joyful heart, showing a deep trust in God. When friends are struggling, Grant notices, reaches out, and helps them see the brighter side, sharing laughter and encouragement that lifts everyone’s spirits. He looks for the good in every moment, finding ways to turn challenges into opportunities to spread happiness and hope. His joy is contagious, and because of him, our classroom is not only brighter and more cheerful, but also a place where everyone feels supported, cared for, and valued.”

“I always look forward to working with Liam because of his positive attitude, sense of humor, and overall cheerfulness! Working with him is one of the many highlights of my day.”

January Magnificence- Nora
“Nora lives out the virtue of magnificence by choosing not to settle for what is merely good, but by striving for what is great and excellent. She stretches her mind and her abilities, using the gifts God has given her to their fullest in ways that are generous, meaningful, and purposeful. She shares her beautiful voice in Mass through choir, offering her talents wholeheartedly and joyfully. In the classroom, Nora shows up fully, participates in her learning—even in grammar—and puts real effort into growing and improving. She also uses her gifts to help her classmates and support others. By never holding back and always giving her best, Nora does beautiful and meaningful things for God and our classroom community.”

February Zeal- Jackson
“Jackson demonstrates a sincere sense of zeal through the joyful energy he brings to our classroom and Holy Cross community every day. He knows that a positive attitude can truly change the atmosphere around him, and he uses his enthusiasm to lift the spirits of his peers daily. Whether he is offering a kind word to a younger student/his buddy or sharing an encouraging word with a classmate, Jackson’s actions come from a genuine place. By connecting his natural kindness to his love for God, he shows us all that zeal is about the heart and the good intentions he brings to everything he does.”

Dear Fifth Grade Parents,

I am excited to announce that our class will soon begin a short novel study of Katherine Paterson’s Bridge to Terabithia. Along with our curriculum work, I will be reading the story aloud to the students. This book holds a very special place in my heart; I first read it as a fifth grader in Catholic school, and it had a profound impact on me. Its timeless themes of friendship, imagination, and personal growth are perfect for this age group, and I am honored to share this experience with your children. Once we finish the book, we’ll watch the movie together so the class can see the world of Terabithia come to life and talk about how it compares to the story we read.

As we dive into this study, I want to make you aware of a few aspects of the book:

Sensitive Themes: The story includes a significant loss when a central character passes away. While this event is handled with great sensitivity and provides a meaningful opportunity for discussion on resilience, I want you to be aware in case you’d like to discuss it with your child at home.

Language: The text contains some realistic language and mild profanity. Author Katherine Paterson chose this language to ensure her characters felt like “real people.” To maintain the story’s emotional honesty and the author’s intent, I plan to read the text as written. However, I want to be sensitive to those who would prefer their child not hear it. Please contact me as soon as possible if you have concerns.

“Jess and his father talk like the people I knew who lived in that area. I believe it is my responsibility to create characters who are real, not models of good behavior. If Jess and his dad are to be real, they must speak and act like real people. I have a lot of respect for my readers. I do not expect them to imitate my characters, simply to care about them and understand them. I wrote Bridge to try to understand for myself the tragedy of Lisa Hill’s death, and, though I was not fully aware of it, to help me face my own death.”
– Katherine Paterson

For a more detailed overview of the book’s content, including information about language used, I encourage you to view the review on the Common Sense Media website:

Bridge to Terabithia Book Review

I am looking forward to the insightful conversations this book will surely spark in our classroom. Thank you for your continued support, and please feel free to reach out if you have any questions!

Please comment below so I know that you have read this update.

Many Blessings,

Mrs. A

Hello families! We have an incredibly busy and exciting month ahead of us. To start things off, please remember that there is no school this Friday, February 6. I hope everyone enjoys the extra long weekend and gets some well-deserved rest!

When we return on Monday, February 9, we’ll be hitting the ground running with a field trip to NDA to visit the Anne Frank Exhibit. This is also the day we begin preparing for Valentine’s Day. If your child would like to bring in a box to decorate, as well as any special decorations or craft supplies, please send them in on Monday. We will be working on these boxes throughout the week in anticipation of our Valentine’s Day Party on Thursday, February 12. Please have your child bring their Valentines to pass out on Thursday, 2/12! To keep the spirit going, students are invited to wear their favorite Valentine’s-themed outfits for a dress-down day on Friday, February 13. (Please note a schedule change regarding Mass: I will be out of the classroom on February 13, and since I really want to be present to support the 5th graders as they lead, we have moved their Mass date to February 20.)

Looking ahead to the following week, we have a delicious celebration for Pancake Tuesday (Fat Tuesday) on February 17. We will have a pancake feast/breakfast in the morning to celebrate! I will be providing the pancakes and regular syrup, but I’m hoping to get a few contributions for toppings like fruit, sprinkles, flavored syrups, or whipped cream. If you are able to donate, please let me know or leave a comment on this post! That Friday, February 20, our 5th graders will lead Mass that morning, and that evening is the Fast Sledding event! It’s always a fun night, and I hope to see many of you there.

Looking toward the end of the month, we have an Early Dismissal on February 27, followed by Spring Break from March 9–13. Finally, and most importantly, please mark your calendars for March 25 for our Living Stations. We will have two performances at 1:00 PM and 5:30 PM. *All students are required to participate and be present for the Living Stations.*

Thank you for your support… and as always, its an absolute blessing to be your child’s teacher.

~Mrs. A

We came back from a long winter break and jumped right into learning! It has been an absolute joy to see the classroom buzzing with energy again. Transitioning back from a break can sometimes be a challenge, but this class didn’t skip a beat. We dove straight back into our subjects, and I am already seeing everyone settle into a fantastic rhythm.

One of the most rewarding parts of the school year has been watching the everyone’s academic confidence soar. We have been working hard with our Into Math curriculum, and the progress is clear. The students aren’t just finishing their work; they are truly becoming confident mathematicians. I hope you are seeing it at home, too!

I have to tell you, it is an absolute joy to spend my days with this group. They have such a genuine, deep love for learning—they don’t just want the answers; they want to understand the “why.”

But even more than their academics, it’s their kindness and humor that make our room so special. They support one another, they make me laugh every single day, and they’ve built a community where it’s safe to try, fail, and grow. Their dedication to their learning and the way they treat each other makes our classroom a truly wonderful place to be. I feel incredibly blessed to be their teacher.

This week, we completed our STAR Testing, and the results were nothing short of incredible. Across the board, the growth and effort were evident. Every single one of the fifth graders should be deeply proud of the hard work they put in. I hope they shared their successes with you at home—they certainly earned the right to brag a little!

We have a very busy second half of the school year! Please grab your calendars and take note of these upcoming events:

No School Monday! MLK Day.

Field Trip to NDA on Tuesday: We are going to watch The Wizard of Oz! Please have your child pack a cold lunch as we will be returning back to school after lunch service!

Catholic Schools Week (Last week of January): This is always a highlight of our year! Please check the school schedule to plan ahead for the daily themed outfits and various donation opportunities. We are especially looking forward to the Trike-a-Thon!

Living Stations of the Cross (March 25): Please note that this will involve after-school hours for our evening performance (5:30). More details on timing will follow soon.

Madison Field Trip (April 8): Mark your calendars for our big trip to the capital! This trip will also involve an after-school return time. If you would like to be considered as a chaperone for our Madison trip, please email me. Please remember that all volunteers must have an updated VIRTUS certification on file.

I truly can’t say it enough—I am so blessed to be in this classroom. Beyond the daily lessons and schoolwork, it’s the heart these students show that impresses me most. Their kindness toward one another and their constant humor make every day a joy. Thank you for sharing your wonderful children with me!

~Mrs. A

Please take a look through our Google Drive for photos!
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1MHj-BufEH9zadUZNoKbg3fonE76iA6Y3?usp=sharing