At Holy Cross, learning is more than just reading books and taking tests. It’s also about becoming great people with strong, faith-filled values and leadership skills. That’s why we introduced the B.O.L.T. Awards – Builders of Leadership and Tradition. It’s a monthly award where we recognize students for being amazing leaders and for showing the values that make Holy Cross so incredibly special. Each month, we’ll focus on a different value and celebrate students who do a great job living up to it.

Here is a break down of the virtues we will be focusing on this year:

September: Respect and Listening– In September, we started with the value of Respect. This means treating everyone nicely and making sure everyone feels important. It’s also about being a good listener.

October: Compassion and Organization– In October, we’ll talk about Compassion, which means being kind and understanding to others. We’ll also look at the importance of being organized and keeping things tidy.

November: Gratitude and Cooperation– In November, we’ll focus on Gratitude, which means being thankful for the good things in our lives. We’ll also learn about Cooperation, working together nicely to achieve great things.

December: Generosity and Sharing– December is all about Generosity, which is about sharing with others who need help. We’ll also talk about Sharing, which is a simple way to make the world a better place.

January: Perseverance and Problem Solving- When we face tough challenges, we need Perseverance, which means not giving up. We’ll also look at Problem Solving, finding creative solutions to problems.

February: Love and Following Directions– February is the month of love. We’ll learn about showing love and kindness to others. We’ll also talk about Following Directions, which is about doing what we’re asked to do.

March: Forgiveness and Social Skills– March is about Forgiveness, which means being kind and forgiving when someone makes a mistake. We’ll also work on Social Skills, like making friends and being friendly.

April: Integrity and Completing a Task– In April, we’ll talk about Integrity, which means being honest and doing what’s right. We’ll also focus on Completing a Task, finishing our work with care.

May: Service- Finally, in May, we celebrate Service. This is about helping others and making our community better. It’s a great way to finish the school year!

The B.O.L.T. Awards are to recognize students who are not only great learners, but also faithful leaders. We’re super proud of Zita for showing us what respect and listening look like in September. We can’t wait to see who will shine in October as we celebrate Compassion and Organization. Together, we’re building a school community that values leadership and tradition at Holy Cross.

I invite you to comment on this post to send your congratulations to Zita!

~Mrs. A

Remember: you can find all class pictures here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1bouDfu1viz9-IoAsBSQBu4sIvNijL5yc?usp=drive_link

Our fifth grade classroom has been filled with so much excitement and learning! Read below to explore the highlights of the past two weeks, where we not only had some exciting activities but also settled into the routines and expectations that will shape our journey throughout the year ahead.

Balloon Globe Project
The fifth-grade class embarked on an exciting balloon globe project to kickstart their geography exploration. With scissors in hand and an atlas as their guide, the fifth grade explorers carefully cut out the continents and skillfully pasted them onto their balloon globes. The precision was essential, as they aimed to create an accurate representation of our planet. As they glued each piece onto their balloon, they carefully labeled the vast oceans and the equator, connecting their newfound knowledge to the physical world. This hands-on activity was not just a craft project; it was their passport to a world of geographical understanding, marking the beginning of their exciting journey into the fascinating realms of our Earth’s diverse landscapes and cultures.

Mary’s Birthday
Our fifth graders came together to celebrate a special birthday – that of Mary, the Mother of God. We walked across the street to the church were we sang “Happy Birthday”, prayed the Hail Mary, and offered a rose as a symbol of our love and gratitude. It was such a beautiful moment of faith, love, and gratitude, reminding us of the significance of Mary in our faith-filled lives.

Holy Cross Feast Day
Our class had a fantastic time celebrating our school’s feast day, The Exaltation of the Holy Cross! We watched a short video about the significance of this special day, deepening our understanding and faith. But that’s not all! We got creative and made our very own “stained glass” crosses to hang in our classroom. Each one was a unique masterpiece, filled with vibrant colors that symbolized the light and hope that the Holy Cross represents. It was a beautiful and meaningful way to honor this important occasion and to remind ourselves of the values that our school community cherishes.

Social Emotional Learning
We started our fantastic social emotional learning curriculum, Second Step. This week we started a unit that explores Growth Mindset and Goal-Setting. Throughout this unit, the class will discover the power of nurturing a growth mindset, cultivating resilience, and mastering the art of effective goal-setting. This unit will help to empower students to set meaningful, attainable goals, create plans for reaching them, and gain the ability to assess their progress. We will also be equipped with the skills to identify and overcome potential obstacles along the way. As we progress through this unit the class will be developing a deeper understanding of themselves while also building essential life skills that will serve them well into the future.

Preschool Buddies!
Meeting our preschool buddies has been so much fun! As fifth-graders, we’ve had a blast getting to know our little friends and sharing some fantastic activities together. It’s been heartwarming to see how we’ve become role models for them, and watching their faces light up with curiosity and excitement has been the highlight of our days with them. Building these connections with our preschool buddies not only brings joy but also reminds us of the importance of kindness, patience, and friendship. Here’s to many more fun-filled adventures with our youngest buddies!

Remembering 9/11
On Monday we participated in the 9/11 Anniversary Digital Learning Experience through the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. It was an eye-opening journey for our fifth-grade class. Before watching the short documentary, we had a discussion about what we already knew, what we thought we knew, and what we were eager to learn about the events of 9/11. It was a moment of reflection and curiosity. After we viewed the documentary, we discussed the extraordinary heroes of 9/11 and the selflessness they displayed in the face of adversity. Equally significant was our conversation about the importance of 9/12, a day that reminds us of unity, resilience, and the power of coming together as a nation in times of crisis. We discussed the qualities of a hero and wrote a short essay about heroism and wrote about a personal hero of ours. Ask your child who they wrote about! This experience not only educated us about a pivotal moment in history but also instilled in us a profound sense of empathy and the value of unity in the face of adversity.

Adjusting to Expectations and Routines
The transition to fifth grade can be an adjustment, but I am incredibly proud of our students for their hard work and commitment to a successful year. As we settled into the routines and expectations of this grade, it’s clear that our class is making fantastic progress. Their dedication and grit shine through in every task they tackle, and it’s is truly been great to witness. I am so grateful to all of our parents- your support and partnership are invaluable as we guide our students toward success. Together, we are creating an environment where growth and achievement are not just goals but a way of life. I am looking forward to a year filled with continued growth, learning, and success!

A few reminders:
Monday 9/18: Picture Day
Tuesday 9/19: Math STAR Testing & Spirit Wear Dress Day
Thursday 9/21: Packer Dress Day
Friday 9/22: No School

Trivia question: Which country is located directly north of the United States?
For a “Granny Candy” on Monday, write the answer in your planner!
… and don’t forget a parent signature 🙂

Have a wonderful weekend!
-Mrs. A