STM Seventh Grade

2012-02-08T18:43:00.000-08:00

Times flies when you’re having fun, right? Well, we’ve been having lots of fun and adventures in January!

Our trip to the San Jose Tech Museum was a wonderful success! Students were engaged in the DNA science lab and exploring all the other fun and educational exhibits throughout the museum. A great day all around!

We had the great pleasure of spending a morning at Mercy High School for their annual Dance Concert. The dancers were lovely and the 5^th through 8^th graders that attended thoroughly enjoyed all the colorful and creative performances by these talented high school students. Bravo, Mercy girls!

A visiting artist from the Museum of Craft and Folk Art spent a morning with the 6^th and 7^th graders introducing us to the history and beauty of Grecian pottery. After exploring the various shapes and uses of these beautiful artifacts, students were invited to create their own miniature Greek urns. The variety of vessels is truly exciting, and will be even more unique when we whip out the red and black paint to finish our bowls, pots, urns, and amphorae in the traditional style of the ancient Greek potters.

We enjoyed two “Bees” in January: a spelling bee and a geography bee. The 7^th grade sent six students to compete in these events! Congratulations Sydnie, Daniela, Nizar, Ian, Kevin, and Antoine! You make us proud!

Science Fair projects are here and are truly spectacular! Well done, 7^th graders! A team of faculty, that will ultimately select the top three projects to be entered in the 30th Annual Randall Museum Science Fair, will evaluate all the displays and projects. Stop by the upper floor of the school to see these fabulous projects!

Catholic Schools Week was an excellent week at STM! We enjoyed a terrific Book Fair (and bought many books, too!), welcomed many visitors throughout the week, and played Spanish BINGO with our beloved grandparents. Our family Mass was a beautiful celebration of family and friends gathered to honor our wonderful school! The Kindergarten class did a great job hosting the Mass, and the 7^th graders were honored for their dedication and preparation for Confirmation. Congratulations to all who made this week one for the memory books!

On the horizon, we still have much to do! Beginning this Friday, the 7^th and 8^th graders will embark on a three-week odyssey to recreate the mystical golden doors of Lorenzo Ghiberti. A true Renaissance man, Ghiberti was an Italian designer, sculptor, goldsmith, architect and writer at the end of the 14^th century. He is best known for creating the eastern doors of the Battistero di San Giovanni, or Baptistry of Saint John, in Florence. Michelangelo dubbed these doors "the Gates of Paradise". We are grateful to the Museo ItaloAmericano for providing the teacher/artist and the inspiration to undertake such a challenging task! We’ll keep you posted on our progress!

Ciao!

2012-01-05T20:06:00.000-08:00

We're back!

Sorry for the long delay in posting -- this site was not being too cooperative, but we've ironed out the kinks and we're ready to rock and roll!

Since we last posted, much has happened! The most exciting was our spectacular Christmas show -- We Three Kings. Who would have thought that three rappin' kings could deliver the nativity story so delightfully? I think it was the beat-boxing camels that stole the show... Congratulations to the entire cast and crew, and our very talented student body.

Every class, from Preschool through Eighth grade entertained us with wonderful Christmas songs -- some more traditional that others! The fabulous 7th grade sang their hearts out and sang the blues in "Bells Will Be Ringing"! Oh, how awesome that was! Who would have thought you could all be so melodramatic? :)

For photos of this exciting night of merriment and song, see the school's home page -- very cute!

We all enjoyed a well-deserved break and are now back in full swing!

This month, we are celebrating the life and accomplishments of one of our country's greatest heroes, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We spent an afternoon painstakingly reading and analyzing Dr. King's immortal "I Have a Dream" speech, delivered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on August 28, 1963. His words, filled with powerful and meaningful metaphors, resonate as clearly today as they they did during the turbulent 60's. After discussing this historic and moving oration, we decided that there is no room in our hearts for racism or prejudice of any kind and that it is ignorance that breeds hate and intolerance.

We summed up our exploration of the life and works of Dr. King by watching a video of his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. It is always valuable to read his speeches, absorb the nuances, visualize the scenes he paints with his words, and intellectualize the message. It is an entirely different thing to watch Dr. King give voice to his speech. His passionate delivery inspires an emotional response that tugs at the heart (and your teacher's tear ducts!) and allows us to live in the moment, better understanding the need for civil rights legislation (Civil Rights Act of 1964).

Click on the link below if you, too, would like to witness Dr. King's timeless speech, "I Have a Dream".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smEqnnklfYs

In keeping with our enlightened perspective of respect for the dignity of all people and appreciation for their contributions to our global community, we are excited to visit the San Jose Tech Museum on Friday to tour a very special exhibit, "Ingenious Innovations: Islamic Science Rediscovered". We learned, in our Social Studies curriculum, of the significant contributions made by scholars, scientists, and artists of the Islamic Empire. This exhibit will allow us to further explore these discoveries through interactive displays and hands-on activities.

Next Friday, we will welcome a guest speaker from the Islamic Speaker's Bureau (re-scheduled from November) to share her experiences as a modern American Muslim. We look forward to discussing current topics of interest and exploring the notion that we have more in common with eachother than we have differences. As a Christian community, we embrace the opportunity to learn about other faiths and cultures, celebrating our uniqueness and recognizing our similarities.

We will continue our exploration of the empires of Africa, India, China and Japan beginning next week in our curriculum. The world is ours to explore and admire!

2011-12-02T15:05:00.000-08:00

Hi! Here's our Christmas Song youtube video so you can practice! Good Luck -- sing loud! :)

Please Come Home for Christmas

2011-11-08T19:39:00.001-08:00

Halloween sure was fun! You all looked fabulous and made it a fun and crazy day! Loved it!

Welcome to Conference Week! I am having the pleasure of meeting with students and their parents/guardians to celebrate their accomplishments and form a game plan for the remainder of the school year to continue to ensure success! 7^th grade is such an important year in preparation for high school, and I am so pleased that all our students recognize this and are working so hard to maximize their opportunities. All their efforts show in both their IOWA test scores and their first quarter marks. Congratulations, 7^th graders, you never cease to amaze me! Advice to all of you … READ! READ! READ!

Thank you to all that brought in “Toiletries for Troops". On Saturday, October 29^th, I delivered 13 grocery bags full of items for our troops! Each bag easily weighed 20 lbs! The Blue Star Moms were overjoyed and overwhelmed by your generosity and your thoughtfulness. Many of their sons are serving overseas and they are very grateful for your support. You have made a difference!

Your Dia de los Muertos offrendas (altars) are beautiful -- so carefully and lovingly prepared.

We are enjoying your stories and memories of the people you have selected to honor. Our lives are better for the people who have touched us by their presence on Earth and their guidance from heaven.

Next week: a visit from an American Muslim guest speaker to help us learn more about our Islamic brothers and sisters, a dramatic encounter with “Dracula!” at Riordan High School, and a working field trip to the SF Food Bank! Get ready to have an exhausting AND fabulous week!

2011-10-18T15:48:00.000-07:00

Seventh graders continue to work hard every day as we make our way towards the end of the first quarter (October 28^th). Thank you for returning your Conference Request Form. Master scheduling will begin on Monday and you will be advised of your appointment time shortly thereafter.

Please note that all 7^th graders are required to attend the Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences the week of November 7^th.

Students and parents will have the opportunity to review the first report card, along with the results of the IOWA standardized tests. It is a wonderful opportunity to review our progress to date and plan the rest of the year together. It is essential that students be present – please consider their schedules when making your appointment.

The 7th graders performed their Opera a la Carte rendition of "The Elixir of Love!", by Gaetano Donizetti. This delightful opera, adapted for a children's audience was a great success! The professional opera singers were fabulous and the students actors were sublime! Congratulations to all the actors and chorus members from the 7th grade! You were all shining stars!

The September “Toiletries for Troops” drive was very successful! We have assembled over 16 large shopping bags filled with personal items for our brave men and women in the armed services. Thank you to all who participated and gave generously to support this outreach activity. Thanks also to the 7^th graders who helped to sort and consolidate the items for delivery. I will deliver all these items to the Blue Star Moms collection and distribution center in Lafayette on Saturday, October 29th. If you have any additional items you wish to send, please send them to the office or to my attention before the 29^th!

Our next school-wide outreach effort is the food drive for the San Francisco Food Bank. We will kick it off with a special prayer service for the student body. Look for more information in the next two weeks. The 7^th graders will be volunteering at the San Francisco Food Bank on Thursday, November 17^th from 9:00 to 12 Noon. Parent chaperones are welcome. If you wish to join us, please contact me as soon as possible – space is limited!

Seventh graders are beginning their Dia de los Muertos “ofrendas” or altars. Students are excited to create a living tribute to their heroes – those family members or friends who have passed on, but whose spirits we welcome to visit us and inspire us to be loving and appreciate people. We will celebrate by displaying our altars, sharing our stories and enjoying traditional treats for these special holidays! Visit the upper floor hallways during conference week and see the beautiful altars created by the 7^th graders!

We are also very excited to begin our bake sale fundraiser for “Maria’s Awesome Ride”… you received the schedule of donations per class in the family envelope. The 7^th graders have been assigned specific items and days to bring in their contributions for the bake sale. Please check with your child to verify the date! Our goal is to raise enough funds to help our friend, Maria, to buy a car that will enable her to travel to and from school safely and allow her to care for her son as he continues to recover from his serious accident.

Enjoy the student current events editorials below.

Remembering Steve Jobs

By: Jose

Steve Jobs died at the age of 56. He died of respiratory arrest resulting from pancreatic cancer that had spread to other organs. Steve Jobs designed and developed one of the ﬁrst personal computers along with others in the late 1970s. In 1976, Job’s and others found Apple and invented the ﬁrst Apple computer. The Apple Computer Company was born. In 1977, the Apple 2 was invented which was sold for $1275. Also known as the Mac 128K, the Apple Macintosh was introduced in 1984 on the cover of Byte Magazine. In the 1980s, Jobs created several more machines including Apple 3 in 1983, the Macintosh XL in 1985, and the Macintosh portable in 1989. Apple ﬁred Jobs in the 1990s and Apple goes down, but in 1997 Jobs returned.

In 2003, he created iTunes a place where people can buy music which is still used today. In 2004, he invented the ﬁrst mini Ipod. IN 2007, Apple revolutionized smart phones into a iPhone. In 2010, Job created the iPad and it becomes a hit. A year later he creates the iPad 2.

Many of us feel sad about Steve Job’s death, we are affected by his passing because many of us use his inventions, including me. He was a very smart man. His words were as inspirational as his accomplishments.

Saying Goodbye

By: Christopher

Wednesday, October 5, 2011, the world lost a bright apple, Steve Jobs, at the age of 56. Jobs, the founder of Apple, has been on hospital leave three times since 2004, was

surrounded by family and friends as he passed peacefully in Palo Alto, California. Fans all over the world poured into Apple stores, not to buy the latest gadget, but say goodbye. Yi Ran, from China said, "There are only three apples in the world, one with Eve, one with Newton, and the last with Jobs".

The Mac, iPod, and iPhone, were all Jobs creations, and have enriched millions of lives, improved communication, and connected people all over the world. It is hard to

imagine, that a college drop out had this vision, and was not afraid to fail, not once but twice in creating his Apple Company.

Jobs will be missed with future launches of iPhone 5, and iPad 3, yet I know his dream will live on. Steve Jobs said it best, "You are going to die, and the best way I know

to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason to follow your heart".

Source-China Daily News USA

2011-10-05T15:54:00.000-07:00

We have been very busy around here these past few weeks! Our projects are coming due and new ones are on the way. We are also preparing to perform in the San Francisco Opera a la Carte production of "The Elixir of Love", starring the 7th Grade! Several of our classmates have speaking roles while the entire class provides the backup choral singing. Come see our production on Friday, October 14th in Carroll Hall at 11:00. All are welcome!

The newspaper staff has been hard at work producing it's first issue of the Bronco Chronicles. See the online issue at the school website or pick up a hardcopy in the school office. We are very proud of our students for their hard work and tremendous efforts in organizing, editing, and publishing this fantastic paper!

Progress reports and test packets have been sent home for review. As always, these documents are meant to inform both students and their parents/guardians of their status and to initiate discussions for improvement and celebrations of success! THe 7th grade overall is doing an excellent job of keeping up with the heavy workload and the time constraints inherent in the junior high curriculum. Keep up the good work and please keep an on-going dialogue with your teachers to ensure continued success!

Enjoy this week's student editorials...

What Happened to The San Francisco Giants This Season?

By: Crystal

It all happened when the Giants started the season. They did not know what was going to happen. They had hopes of making it to the playoffs.

On May 25, 2011 this season was over for Buster Posey. He broke a bone in his left ankle. Two other major injuries were that Freddy Sanchez hurt his shoulder 16 nights after Posey’s injury and Pablo Sandoval (Panda) broke the hamate bone in his wrist and was out for 7 weeks.

Another reason Giants did not do so well was that the players were not making runs. Mostly the Giants were being walked. Even after getting some new players like Carlos Beltran, they still couldn’t score – and Beltran hurt his hand, too.

The Giants ended the season with 81 losses to 76 wins. They got to second place. They did well but I think they could win more games and hopefully they do not have as many injuries next season*.

*Teacher’s Note: Despite the disappointing season, the Giants boasted a record setting attendance at AT&T Park. Giants fans are loyal – no matter what the outcome. GO GIANTS!

Bullying

By Paulina

(Based on a Channel 7 News report)

All over the news you have heard of teenagers committing suicide or wanting to move schools because of bullying. Bullying can cause people to go to extremes. Most of this bullying is caused by peer pressure. Many of us have seen on the news all the teenagers taking drugs or smoking because of peer pressure. I am sure many of us have heard these true but horrible stories. Here at school we had a meeting about bullying because teachers and parents are scared this is going to happen here. Eliminate bullying from the world!

My perspective has mostly to do about peer pressure. Have you ever heard of the saying “be what you want to be, not what other people want to see”? Well if you haven’t, this phrase is trying to tell you that you can do whatever you want to do. YOU CAN SAY NO!!! Don’t let yourself fall into peer pressure because you want to fit in. If you do give into this, then you can fall into extreme bullying and get into serious trouble. So remember you can say “no” -- you just have to let that fear go!

San Mateo Police Kill Two Dogs at a Park

By: Vialina

A San Mateo family is very angry at the police for shooting and killing their two dogs. Police say the dogs were very vicious and would not stop barking after being jolted with a Taster Stun Gun.

On Monday at 4:20 p.m. the situation began. The two boxers named Bella and Jordan escaped and started barking at children in a park. They were reportedly threatening small children at a soccer game. A citizen called 911, reporting that two boxer-type dogs were at the park growling at people.

The San Mateo Police show up to the scene and reported seeing two dogs that were, “behaving in a threatening manner.” Officers cleared people from the park in order to use a Taser Gun on one of the dogs. The Taser shock did not work on the dogs so officers then used their service guns to shoot both dogs. This killed Jordan and wounded Bella.

I think that people should keep their pets on leashes when they go outside the house. This way your pet will not get lost or escape. I also think that the San Mateo Police should not have killed the two dogs. They could have tried to move the dogs away from the people or capture them in a cage.

2011-09-22T13:27:00.000-07:00

We are knee-deep in IOWA testing this week but are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel!

Just a reminder, next Wednesday (9/28), the 7th graders spearhead the "Sandwiches for the Needy" collection. Please send in a sandwich or two on that day that can be distributed to the hungry at the Osanam center. Every donation helps us make a difference in the world!

REMINDER! Antiques Roadshow projects are due on Tuesday (9/27)... can't wait to see them!

Monday is "Talk Like a Pirate Day" at STM. Be sure to accessorize with the latest pirate garb and practice your "AARRRGGGs!

Parents/Guardians -- FYI -- Admissions representatives from St, Ignatius College Prep will be on campus Tuesday (9/27) to meet with the 7th and 8th graders to discuss admissions requirements for SI.

Sacred Heart representatives will be on campus the following week (Thursday 10/6). All 7th and 8th graders will attend the meetings.

Enjoy the student blog below!

Two Bay Area men finally released from Iran after 2 years

By Jerome

In 2009 three local people, Shane Bauer, Joshua Fattal, and Sarah Shourd, were hiking in the Kurdistan Region in Iraq and were imprisoned for accidentally crossing into Iranian territory. Sarah was released from prison in one year, but the men stayed in the Iranian prison for two years.

During that time the United States was bargaining with the Iranian government to let Bauer and Fattal go. After two years Iran’s President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, gave authorization to release them. However, the clerics from Iran had the power to set the timing and rules for the men to be released, which left the date of the actual release date questionable. The two men were finally released on Wednesday with the bail set at $500,000 per person.

When asked about the border, Sarah Shourd stated, “that border was entirely unmarked and indistinguishable." I believe the Iranian government should make its borders more defined. If the border was more distinguishable, the whole matter could have been avoided and there would not have been any conflict. As president of Iran, Ahmadinejad, should have the majority of power instead of the clerics. If the president had the power then Bauer and Fattal would have been going to America sooner and the whole ordeal might have ended faster.

The Iranian government captured and imprisoned innocent travelers who were falsely accused of being American spies. They kept Sarah Shourd in prison for one year and Shane Bauer and Joshua Fattal for two. The Iranian government held them hostage and people had to pay money to bail them out.

2011-09-15T12:32:00.000-07:00

Hello all!

This week we started our Spanish classes! We are reviewing the basic conversational niceties and are ready to jump into more complex grammar and conversation. We will also spend time learning about the many Spanish-speaking countries in the world, exploring their locations, as well as their culture and history. Exciting things ahead.

We are also beginning two wonderful 7th grade projects: our Confirmation Saint reports and presentations, and the 7th Grade Antiques Roadshow.

Next week, when we can take a break from our IOWA testing, we will spend some quality time with our computers learning how to create iMovies, podcasts, and Animoto short films.

Please join us for our first Family Mass of the school year on Sunday, September 18th, at 10:00, hosted by our 6th graders. We look forward to sharing this special time with our wonderful friends and families.

Also, please keep those donations of toiletries for our troops coming. We are anxious to send lots of useful items along with cards and letters, prayer flags and prayer beads to our deserving troops overseas.

TTFN (ta-ta for now...)

Enjoy the two student editorials included in this week's blog...

Pipeline Explosion in Kenya Kills 75 People

By Samantha

On September 12, 2011 6:26 PDT a blast took place in Nairobi, Kenya. Reports suggest that the blast may have been caused by a cigarette butt thrown into an open sewer that was filling with fuel. A section of pipe had burst near the river, the river that cuts through the slum, and fuel was pouring out and leaked into a storm drain.

Residents say that many people were near the pipeline when it burst and some shacks were even built on top of the pipeline.
“There was a loud bang, a big explosion and smoke and fire burst up high,” resident Joseph Mwego said.

At least 75 people died and 112 people were taken to the hospital.
“I’ve lost count of the number of bodies.” said police official Wilfred Mbithi as he stood at the scene. Many of the victims were children. More than a third of their bodies are covered in burns at the hospital. Many people were effected by this. Hopefully people in the hospital will survive.

I think people should be more careful with fire, cigarettes, and other things so that this will not happen again. People all over the world should start helping others who are in need right now especially in Kenya. I also find it very unfair that the government will not pay to fix this problem just because this occurred in a poor neighborhood. I hope this event will not happen to any other place in world so everyone can be safe.

iPhone 5 To Be Unveiled In Mid-October
By Sofia

Apple's iPhone 5 is said to make its first debut in mid-October. People everywhere are excited about all of the new features that that are going to be on it. One big thing is that Sprint will be getting the iPhone 5 in October. This is great news because the iPhone 5 can use more help by Sprint.

There are going to be many new features coming on the iPhone. It will have a faster processor, a better camera, more storage, and it will probably be bigger than the iPhone 4. Steve Jobs told ITreporter.com "I'm sure iPhone 5 is going to sell like crazy!" Even though Steve has retired, Apple will probably still make millions. He says "I'll always stay connected with Apple."

Apple reported that iPhone 5 will launch on Sprint, AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. Sprint's users are already consuming more data per month than those using AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile. I think this is great because the iPhone 5 will have more support now. People everywhere will love the iPhone 5. I think iPhone 5 will be a hit!

2011-09-08T10:16:00.000-07:00

The 7th graders are hosting a 9/11 prayer service on Friday, September 9th in the Church at 1:45 PM. Please join us then. Their prayerful presentation not only memorializes this event but also inspires hope for the future and a reminder that God taught us to love our enemies and forgive our trespassers.

In conjunction with the prayer service and the Blue Star Moms organization, we are actively promoting the collection of toiletries for our troops during the month of September. Please help us in our efforts by donating travel-size items such as shampoos, soaps, lotions, etc.

Beginning September 19th, we will be administering the IOWA standardized tests in grades 2 through 8. Students will have a minimum course load so that they may be fully rested and stress-free during the testing week. Please help us by encouraging plenty of rest and good, nutritious foods -- proteins for brain-power, and complex carbohydrates for energy!

Enjoy the two student editorials included in this week's blog...

Wildfire Burned Through a Ranchland In central Texas on Monday

By: Julius

The wildfire destroyed almost 500 homes in Texas on Monday. Officials say that about 5,000 people had to evacuate in Bastrop Country east of the city of Austin. Texas Forest Officials say the fire destroyed a mind blowing 25,000 acres of land! Even that amazed me because 25,000 acres of land is pretty big!

It took almost 250 firefighters to stop the fire from further destruction. On Sunday northeast of Gladewater, unfortunately a 20 year- old woman and her 18 month- old daughter died when the fire burned their home. We should pray for those two people that died and their family. We should keep all those people that were affected by the fire in our prayers.

In my opinion that wildfire must have been scary and a lot of people were forced from their homes. We should pray that a disaster like this won’t happen again. Also that there will be lots of rain and no wildfires. We have to become more aware of the changes in our world because of global warming and pollution that is causing droughts and strange weather patterns.

Source: MSNBC

Ex-NBA Star Convicted for Murder

by Ademir

Former NBA star Javaris Crittenton was accused and arrested for a deadly shooting that happened on August 19. The shooting happened in Atlanta, Georgia and the victim was Jullian Jones. Jullian Jones was a mother of four.

Two teenagers robbed Javaris of $55,000. A teenager had a gun and told Javaris to give him everything he had. He gave the teenager a $30,000 black diamond watch, a $25,000 black diamond necklace, an iPhone, and $25 cash.

Later that evening, Jullian Jones was walking with the group of teenage robbers when a dark SUV pulled over and a person inside shot her in the leg. She later died in surgery. The shooter, Javaris Crittenton, was aiming for the teenagers that robbed him but missed and shot Jullian Jones instead. Javaris was looking to retaliate for the robbery when he fired the deadly shot.

I think Javaris is probably guilty because the police have all the evidence. But more importantly, I think Javaris Crittenton is a disappointment to his fans. He sets a bad example to kids who look up to him and want to be like him. I expect him (and all NBA players) to give back to the community not take a life from the community.

Source: SFGate.Com

2011-09-02T16:26:00.000-07:00

Greetings and welcome back to the new school year! I am very excited to be off and running with the fabulous 7th grade class! The first two weeks have been a whirlwind of activity and we are just settling into our stride!

This is such a fun and enthusiastic class and I know we are going to have an amazing year together! Already, we have created bio-poems, given class presentations, assumed various jobs and responsibilities around the classroom, etc.

Please continue to look to this blog for updates and the latest 7th grade news. Additionally, this year, we will be featuring weekly editorials written by the 7th graders – they have much to say about the state of our city, the nation, and the world. I can’t wait to read them!

The 7th grade is proud to host a special prayer service in remembrance of the events of September 11, 2001. We will be sharing our thoughts and prayers along with meditations and songs. Please join us in the St. Thomas More Church on Friday, September 9th at 1:45 PM. It will be a lovely tribute to the heroes of 9/11.

2011-06-11T12:19:00.000-07:00

As the school year draws to a close, I wish to acknowledge the mighty class of 2012!

The Go-To Crew: Rayna, Dominic, Matthew M., Samantha, Peter, Maopeli, Noelle, Iza, and Katie. The Artists: Josette, Jenyse, Chloe, Melia, Stacey, and Rowby. The Entertainment Committee: Nicholas, Luca, Austin, Mario, and Kevin. The Triplets: Jackie, Roisin, and Pearla. The Twins: Emily and Lidy. The Band: Samuel, Remy, and Matthew S. The Go-With-The-Flow Gang: Mike, Byron, Joseph, Ralph, Ari, Amaya, Anderson, Adrian, and Michelle.

You are a unique and exciting group of eager and insightful students – never lose your enthusiasm and love of adventure!

We have had the pleasure of experiencing this year challenging ourselves and growing both spiritually, socially, and intellectually. Yet, there is still much for you to do! Embrace the future! Look forward to your Eighth Grade year with zeal! But, most importantly, spend your summer months READING!

READ! READ! READ!

The joys of reading are only outweighed by the benefits of how it will enhance your language skills. You will be presenting yourself to the high schools of your dreams through a variety of application questions… and you can “wow” them with your fabulously coherent and flawless essays and responses when you develop those skills and the confidence that only READING can provide!

It’s been a pleasure watching you grow and develop into lovely young ladies and dignified gentlemen. Remember how much you care for each other and the importance of your friendships. Be kind and respectful to each other at all times. Remember that we are all unique and yet, we are a family! Our most powerful bond and most precious gift is LOVE!

Thank you for all your love and know that, along with your parents, I am your greatest fan! Whenever and whatever you need, you can count on me to be there for you!

And to our wonderful and generous parents and families, thank you for sharing your precious ones. Your kindness and your support have enabled us to work in harmony for the betterment of our children.

Have a restful and peaceful summer! I look forward to seeing you all in August, ready and excited to start a new school year and a new adventure! God bless you all!

XOXO,

Natalia Girlich

2011-05-11T09:45:00.000-07:00

So many things to report!

The 7th graders have accomplished so much in such a short span of time! We have been Confirmed, have collected over 1000 pairs of shoes for Sole4Souls, have created magnificent pieces of art for our Renaissance Gallery, have produced another issue of The Bronco newspaper, have started our campaigns for Student Council, have been rehearsing tirelessly for the Dance Festival and Spirit Week Talent Show, and, oh yes, we have been plowing through our studies… whew!

On Friday evening, we celebrated the Mass of Confirmation with our friends in CCD, our sponsors and our families. Archbishop George Niederauer bestowed the holy sacrament to our Confirmandi and gave a very special blessing to our classmates not receiving the sacrament. The Mass was quite lovely – our spectacular Saint banners lined the center aisle like a silent honor guard ushering us into the Church and to our places of honor. The Archbishop’s homily reminded us that we are the future of the Church and that our role going forward is to live the Gospels, and as representatives of our faith, model the life of Christ, working for justice and honoring the dignity of every person we encounter.

We are very grateful to our parents, families, and sponsors for sharing this special day with us. We are especially grateful to our 6th grade room parents, particularly Mrs. Torres and Mrs. Taylor for hosting a beautiful and tasty reception in Carroll Hall after our Mass. We are so grateful to all those who worked on our behalf and celebrated this special day with us.

It’s true! The 7th grade collected, sorted, and boxed over 1000 pairs of shoes and earned over $800 for our Lenten Service charity drive, Soles4Souls! Our hallways are overflowing with shoes and the shipping boxes are stacking up and nearly ready for delivery to those in need of shoes all around the world! We are so happy that our efforts paid off and are so grateful for the participation of all our families, the parishioners of St. Thomas More Church and the residents of Alma Via for helping us to surpass our goal and realize a very successful drive! Congratulations to all participants and supporters – we did it!

Please come to the upper floor of the school building and wander down the St. Thomas More Gallery of Fine Arts! Our featured exhibit, “The Artists of the Renaissance” is currently on display through June 3rd. These magnificent recreations of the original masterpieces are all the more beautiful in their thoughtful and creative interpretation. You needn’t visit the Louvre in Paris, the Ufizzi in Florence, or the Vatican Museums in Rome to enjoy the beauty and majesty of the works of Filippo Brunelleschi, Giuseppe Arcimboldo, Fede Galizia, Raphael, Hans Holbein the Younger, Giovanni Bellini, or Andrea del Sarto – to name a few. Open daily, admission is free!

Finally, please be sure to check out the Spring edition of our school newspaper, The Bronco, for news and information about the happenings within the school, plan to attend the Annual Dance Festival on Thursday evening, May 26th at 7:00 PM in the gym, and, if you can, come to the Spirit Week Talent Show on Thursday afternoon, May 19th at 1:15 in Carroll Hall.

Remember, next week is Spirit Week at STM! Tuesday is Pajama Day, Wednesday is Sports Day, Thursday is Wacky Dress Day, and Friday is STM Field Day (students will be assigned a specific colored shirt to wear as part of their family team!)

Fun things yet to do and, yes, we are still learning the “three R’s”: reading, ‘riting, and ‘rithmatic! – Oh, you know what I mean!

2011-05-01T15:58:00.000-07:00

This is a busy week for 7th grade!

Confirmation is here – Friday, May 6th at 5:00 PM! Students have been working so hard to complete the coursework, make their banners, and contemplate the significance of this wonderful event!

Our Confirmation Retreat was very special – we all enjoyed each other’s company in the beautiful Marin Headlands, and revealed ourselves to each other in new and exciting ways. We honored and respected each other’s thoughts and talents, and came closer to God. What a great experience!

Parents and Sponsors, please remember that our Confirmation rehearsal is scheduled for Tuesday, May 3 at 7:00 PM. If sponsors are not available to come, then a parent or guardian should replace him/her for the rehearsal and relay instructions to the sponsor prior to the Confirmation Mass on Friday. (Parents need not be in attendance for the rehearsal if students are accompanied by their sponsors.)

Students and their families are asked to be at St. Thomas More Church by 4:30 PM on Friday. At that time, a group photograph with the Archbishop will be taken and all students are asked to be there for the photo. Sponsors may arrive with family members or separately no later than 4:45 PM. Please be certain to review the dress code guidelines and direct any questions to me.

On another note, we are looking forward to revealing our wonder Renaissance works of art in the 7th grade! Don’t forget, students – the project deadline in Tuesday, May 3rd!

TTFN! (ta-ta for now!)

2011-03-21T12:32:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to the “Pi Day”
(Pi =3.141592653…) Contest Winners and Participants!

Eighth graders were challenged to memorize at least 40 of the 1.7 trillion digits of pi– the ratio that expresses the circumference of a circle to its diameter. In other words, divide the circumference of any circle by its diameter, and the answer is always pi.

Students gave it the “good ol’ STM try”! Here are the results:

- 1st Place Winner: Angelina Digneo, reciting 401(WOW!) digits of pi
- 2nd Place Winner: Bianca Martinez, reciting 196 digits of pi
- 3rd Place Winner: Sally Ann Hinchion, reciting 176 digits of pi
- 4th Place Winner: Celine Esteron, reciting 66 digits of pi

As a reward, the winners enjoyed multiple, extra-large slices of apple pie a-la-mode, banana cream, Oreo cookie and chocolate silk pie! …burp!

Honorable Mentions: Mallory Yan (51), Monica Madamba (46), Abigail Nepomuceno and Mikaela Castro (41), David Cuddihy and Jordan Batres (26). Other participants included Jonathan Tinetti, Emily Martinez, and Nicollette Notgrass. Congratulations, 8th graders!

The Spirit of the Samurai

On Thursday, March 17th, the 7th graders visited the Asian Art Museum for a morning spent learning about “the Spirit of Samurai” – those fearsome warriors of feudal Japan. In addition to learning about the daily lives of the samurai and the Edo period (AKA the Tokugawa period) of Japan, some of our brave students donned the armor of a samurai while brandishing the “Uchigatana” or “katana” (a curved sword with a single edged blade). They looked fierce!

Before our foray into the museum, we took a brisk walk through San Francisco’s Civic Center where we admired the neoclassical Beaux Arts architecture of the surrounding buildings and stood beneath the mighty rotunda of City Hall. (I think some of us had more fun going through the metal detectors!) Next week, we are off to the San Francisco Superior Court for a “Day in Court”. So exciting!
The 7th graders were absolutely wonderful. They participated fully in the Spirit of the Samurai program and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. “Domo arigato”, 7th graders – you make our school proud!

Souls 4 Souls

During this season of Lent, the 7th graders are spearheading the STM Soles4Souls shoe collection drive each Thursday through April 21st. All students are encouraged to donate a pair (or several pairs!) of new or gently worn shoes or pay $1 in exchange for wearing their favorite non-uniform shoes to school for the day. Students have been bringing in all kinds of shoes – baby shoes, moccasins, athletic shoes, etc., and every pair is very much appreciated! Our goal for this charity drive is 700 pairs of shoes!

All shoes are collected and sorted by the 7th graders and will be shipped to the Soles4Souls distribution center. (Following the recent tragedy in Japan, we learned that our donations to Soles4Souls will be sent to the people who lost everything in the earthquake or the tsunami.) Monsignor Labib and our neighbors at Alma Via are joining with us in supporting this great cause.

During our first week, students donated 82 pairs of shoes and over $100 in cash. This week, students donated 250 pairs of shoes and over $100 again! What an overwhelming response from our loving families and schoolmates! Bravo, Broncos! We may just make our goal of 700 shoes and then some!

Remember, we are accepting adult shoes as well as children's shoes. All proceeds will go directly to Soles4Souls. Please join the 7th graders in making a special effort to think of others during this Lenten season – and wear their favorite shoes to school on Thursdays while donating outgrown or unused shoes to Soles4Souls!

2011-03-01T16:30:00.000-08:00

St. Thomas More Students Excel in Science!

7th Graders produced fantastic Science Fair projects that have graced the upper floor hallway since February 6th. All the boards reflect the hard work and creativity that went into planning, researching, experimenting and, finally, compiling all the data and analyzing the results. Some experiments included testing the most absorbent materials, comparing the reflective quality of colored water, and measuring the distances achieved by modified foam “nerf” gun darts!

Of the thirteen projects, three earned 1st, 2nd and 3rd place at St. Thomas More School:

1st Place was awarded to Jenyse Rojo, Josette Rojo, and Iza Tongol for their project entitled “Hot O’ Meter”. After constructing four thermometers out of plastic bottles and straws, the team sought to test the chemical reaction of sodium acetate with various liquids in a variety of environments. Ingenious!

2nd Place was awarded to Mike Santos for “Dr. Water Cola vs The Chicken Breast”. Mike measured and analyzed the effects of various liquids on raw chicken to determine which liquid would break down the muscle fibers the fastest. And the winner was Dr Pepper. Mike theorized that the high concentration of caffeine, combined with carbonation, sodium, and sugar took the greatest toll on the meat.

3rd Place was awarded to Pearla Lewis, Roisin Quirke, and Jackie Tsodikova for “Pepe Le Pew’s Smell-A-Thon”. The team wanted to see who had the more acute sense of smell, boys or girls. The team assembled 5 samples of odorous materials and asked blindfolded volunteers to identify the scents. They concluded that, overall, girls have a more accurate sense of smell by a margin of 78% to 66%.

These top three projects were selected to represent St. Thomas More School at the 29th Annual Science Fair at the Randall Museum where they competed against more than 130 projects made by students from various San Francisco schools. We are proud to announce that all three entries were among those awarded an Honorable Mention. Congratulations and thank you for representing our school so well. We are very proud of you – and ALL our 7th Grade scientists! Jobs well done!

Confirmation News

Families will be receiving a packet of information regarding our upcoming Confirmation on May 6, 2011. Please take a moment to peruse the documents and return all the completed forms by March 16, 2011.

One page of the package contains a shopping list of items students will need in order to create a felt banner/shield honoring their patron saint to line the center aisle of the Church on the evening of Confirmation. Please be sure to collect the materials you will need and bring them to school by Friday, April 1, 2011 so we can begin working on our projects.

In Other News...

We continue to plug along in our curriculum as expected. Students have been working very hard to film, direct, and produce a "public service announcement" iMovie in our technology class -- look out, George Lucas! Thus far, and with the assistance of our favorite technology guru, Mrs. Wong, students have mastered a variety of presentation mediums available through computers -- podcasts, Animoto short films, PowerPoint, and now, iMovies.

We are finishing up our journey through the Medieval period in history and are heading into everyone's favorite, the Renaissance! Students will be assigned a very intricate and enjoyable project based on the works of Renaissance masters such as Da Vinci, Donatello, Titian, Bellini, Ghirlandaio, et al. Their inner artist is just waiting to burst out! To help them along, we have invited Ms. Coreen Abbott of the Museo ItaloAmericano to instruct us in the fine art of portraiture.

Many adventures on the horizon including a field trip to the Asian Art Museum on March 17, the San Francisco Superior Court on March 24, a musical production at Riordan High School on April 5, a Confirmation Retreat on April 15, and a Youth Mass at the Cathedral on May 5. Please be on the look out for permission slips and requests for chaperones!

Ciao!

2011-02-03T12:09:00.000-08:00

Science Fair projects are in and they are spectacular! 7th Graders worked so hard to prepare their experiments and compile data, culminating in some stunning results. Congratulations, 7th Graders! The next step is the judging phase at STM. The top three projects will then be sent on to the Randall Museum for entry into the 29th Annual San Francisco Science Faire. Winners will be announced February 25th – we’ll keep you posted!

All Science Fair boards are on display in the upper floor corridor. Please stop by during Open House on Sunday to view these fantastic projects! Additionally, the 7th graders just completed individual podcasts on topics ranging from conflict resolution, racism, and human dignity to compassion, and caring for the elderly. Step into the 7th grade classroom to view these podcasts as they stream continuously throughout the morning. A sample of the podcasts will be available to view on our school website in the very near furture!

Our next venture into technology involves an in-classroom, on-going blog that has students contributing their comments on current events and world topics of interest. Students will be asked to “keep up” with news thus staying connected to the larger world. Students will receive their information through the exploration of various media – newspapers, news magazines, radio, television, and internet news services…“Because an informed public is impossible to oppress.”

Our fieldtrip to AT&T Park was a huge success! Students were given a private tour of the facility. They visited player’s clubhouses, dugouts, media suites, and the park’s extensive museum collection. They learned the history of baseball and observed he many examples of geometry at work in the structure of the building as well as on the playing field.

Many thanks to our chaperones and photographers for their valuable assistance!
The Giants were not the only winners at the ballpark!

2011-01-19T08:53:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

We are off to such a busy start with so much to do and so much to look forward to!

As we "toast to the New Year", we will concentrate on all the blessing we have and all the areas in our lives we need to examine and embrace. Our goals are to be aware of the needs and feelings of others in our classroom as well as in our community and to exercise kindness and compassion as we work towards receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Additionally, we are working on building those invaluable skills that will see us through high school and beyond -- creating outlines, building substantive essays, recording podcasts, and preparing our science fair projects for the annual San Francisco Science Fair at the Randall Museum. We are meeting these challenges head-on with a renewed sense of purpose and drive as we delve into the third quarter.

Please note that we have various field trips on the calendar are and looking forward to expanding our experiences through them. We are heading to Mercy High School on January 20th for the "Winter Dance Concert", AT&T Park on January 27th to explore geometry in action through "The Shape of the Game" -- examining the relationships among types of two and three dimensional objects, their angles, perimeters, areas and volumes. In March, we will visit the San Francisco Asian Art Museum to learn about the "Spirit of the Samurai", and later, off to the San Francisco Superior Court to spend a "Day in the Courts". In April, we head to Point Bonita in the Marin Headlands for our Confirmation Retreat. Many things to look forward to this Spring!

Report Cards will be going home next week. Please be sure to review them carefully and contact me if you have any questions or concerns. Students will have the opportunity to review their marks with me prior to taking the Report Cards home so they will be able to discuss their progress with you as well.

Best wishes to all for a happy and healthy new year! The best is yet to come! Cheers!

November 24, 2010

2010-11-24T18:12:00.000-08:00

So much news to catch up on in 7th Grade! We have accomplished so much in a just a few short weeks!

Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences went very well and I am extremely grateful to all of you for being so brave! It wasn’t all that bad, was it? Meeting with you and your families to review your progress in 7th Grade was so valuable! It is always a pleasure spending time with you and your loving families talking about our favorite subject – YOU! We are all very proud of you and how hard you work to be the best you can be, as evidenced by your schoolwork and overall progress. Keep up the good work and, most importantly, READ! (You all know what I’m talking about!)

We had a great time at Riordan High School last week and enjoyed a superlative theatrical performance of “You Can’t Take It With You!” So many talented high school students – including STM alumni – giving us a taste of the wonderful opportunities that await you in high school! So exciting!

This week, we were even more blessed to spend time at the San Francisco Food Bank, helping to sort and package donated foods that will be sent throughout our community to feed those who would otherwise be hungry. Together, you sorted and boxed 2000 pounds of fresh oranges and 1500 pounds of fresh apples – nearly 2 tons of fresh fruit that will be distributed to many families in need this holiday week! (Breaking up and bagging the pasta wasn’t too bad either!) We will definitely make a point to go back to the SF Food Bank in the Spring to volunteer our time and lend our energy once again! PS – Many thanks to Mr. Ali for chaperoning our trip, working along side us the entire morning! We appreciate you!

A special Thank You to YOU! In both of our fieldtrips, you all conducted yourselves with tremendous grace, demonstrating great respect for our hosts. Thank you for representing both yourselves and your school so admirably. You make us all very proud!

Some important dates to remember:

Thursday, December 2, 2010
7th and 8th Grade Fieldtrip to Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep, Choral Concert

Students must arrive to school by 7:30 AM as our bus will depart at 7:45 in order to deliver us to SHCP in time for the 8:30 AM performance.

Sunday, December 5, 2010, 10:00 AM, St. Thomas More Church,
School Mass and Presentation of the Confirmation Candidates, and Pancake Breakfast.

This Mass will celebrate our school and, specifically, the 7th Grade class as it prepares for Confirmation. You will ALL be presented to the congregation, introduced and celebrated for your commitment to your faith and education. ALL 7th Graders and their families are urged to attend this Mass.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010, 7:00 PM, School Gymnasium
“One World This Christmas”.

The STM Christmas program, featuring all students from Pre-K to 8th grade will perform a variety of international Christmas songs and spread Christmas cheer! A perfect gift for our families and friends as we prepare for the holiday season! All students are required to attend – and perform with their class!

Save the date!

Confirmation Mass, Friday, May 6, 2011, 5:00 PM

This Thanksgiving, I asked you to think about those things in your lives that you might not ordinarily appreciate. I challenged you to experience a paradigm shift – to look at things from a very different perspective -- to find the positives in the negatives, and you certainly did! Many of you said you were grateful for having to wash the many dishes your family used at dinnertime because that meant that you had just enjoyed a great meal! You were thankful for your annoying little brothers or sisters because that meant that they looked up to you and wanted to be around you as often as possible. You were even grateful for the large amount of homework you had to suffer through because that meant that you were fortunate enough to be in a school that cared about your education and, parents who were willing to sacrifice everyday to provide you with the best environment to learn… You taught ME so much about yourselves and for that, I am grateful!

I hope you and your wonderful families enjoy this Thanksgiving holiday, always mindful of all the things we have to be grateful for in our lives. Most of all, joyfully celebrate the love of your family and friends! Enjoy!

November 2, 2010

2010-11-04T16:00:00.000-07:00

We have been working hard on a very interesting and informative art project over the past two weeks. The project is based on the unification of Italy, a country that next year will celebrate its sesquicentennial anniversary. Sesquicentennial is a Latin term meaning 150 years (broken down as sesqui, or one and a half, and centennial, or 100 years). But wait! Haven’t we learned about ancient Rome and the Italian Peninsula dating back to the 8th century B.C.! Isn’t Italy older than 150 years? The answer is a resounding assolutamente non! Italy is a relatively new country. We learned that in 1861, Vittorio Emanuele II became the first King of a united Italy and, after the monarchy was abolished in 1942, Italy became known as the unified Italian Republic, or Repubblica Italiana.

With the guidance and inspiration of accomplished San Francisco artist, Ms. Coreen Abbott of the Museo ItaloAmericano, we have undertaken the task of recreating the map of Italy, region by region, representing the essence of each region through artistic interpretation of the area’s archaeology, history, cultural diversity and terrain. The individual regions we have created will then be pieced together to form the complete map of Italy to be displayed at the Museo ItaloAmericano for the museum’s visitors to admire. Bravo, 7th and 8th graders!

Looking ahead, we are preparing for our Parent/Teacher/Student conferences next week. Again, remember 7th graders, you are required to attend this conference with your parents/guardians. All together, we will review your report cards and IOWA Test scores, and discuss overall performance in and out of class! These conferences are so important to all of us and it is an opportunity to review our common goals and achievements. I’m looking forward to sitting down with all of you and your parents/guardians next week!

Field trip permission forms were sent home on Wednesday for our upcoming visits to Riordan High School’s musical performance on November 16th and our visit to the San Francisco Food Bank on November 23rd. Through our hard work at the Food Bank, we will do our part to help the poor and hungry in our City. In the spirit of St. Francis, and all the saints we have honored, it’s the right thing to do! Please return those permission slips ASAP!

2010-10-21T16:19:00.000-07:00

Another busy week and all continues to go very well in 7th grade! Dia de los Muertos altars are gracing the hallway outside of our classroom door and they are absolutely fantastic! The amount of effort and love that went into making your altars is amazing… I am looking forward to hearing the stories you and your altars have to tell!

As the first quarter comes to an end, we are busy turning in assignments and taking exams. Please be sure to observe deadlines very carefully and work extra hard to prepare for tests. We heard from all the high school Admissions Directors we met how important your 7th grade marks are and how closely they are scrutinized when you apply to high school. You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression – always strive to be the best you can be so that you can achieve your goals with confidence and success!

Next week is Halloween week and we are looking forward to celebrating the holiday with parties and parades! Keep in mind the costume guidelines – remember, you set the example for the younger students in our school. Dressing and acting appropriately is a great lesson to share! Also, refer to the 7th Grade Classroom Parties Schedule included in your Wednesday envelope. If you are scheduled to bring treats for the day (Friday, 10/29), please remember to bring them!

A great big thank you to all the Newspaper Team members for working so hard to collect articles, photos, and other items to include in our first issue of “The Bronco” – The Halloween Special Edition, due out next week. It’s looking fabulous, full of fun and exciting things. In addition to the print issue, we are putting an expanded version of the newspaper on our website – can’t wait! Job well done, Team!

Hope to see you all at the Fall Carnival on Saturday! …So many fun things going on at STM!

October 13, 2010

2010-10-13T20:59:00.000-07:00

St. Thomas More 7th Graders support the San Francisco Food Bank

As many as 150,000 San Franciscans struggle each day to feed themselves and their families. Hunger is a citywide phenomenon that afflicts people without regard for age, ethnicity, gender, family size and employment status, and it exists in virtually every neighborhood in San Francisco. Throughout San Francisco, nearly one in four children and one in five adults live with the threat of hunger every day. (www.sffoodbank.org)

On Tuesday, November 23, 2010, from 9 AM to Noon, 7th grade students will be doing their part to help the hungry. You will be assisting Food Bank staff and other volunteers with sorting through food donations, repacking bulk food items, assembling grocery boxes, and stocking pantry shelves in the San Francisco Food Bank warehouse. Helping our hungry brothers and sisters is another way we can do God’s work and honor the dignity of each of His children.

Remember, in addition to volunteering your time and energy to help the hungry, each time you drop a can or boxed food item into one of those large green San Francisco Food Bank collection barrels, you are helping to end hunger in the city of Saint Francis.

San Francisco Food Bank Field Trip Details

When: Monday, November 23, 2010, 9:00 AM – 12 Noon

Transportation: STM will provide a bus to transport students to the Food Bank

What to wear:

• Volunteers should dress in layers as the temperature in the warehouse is often cool.
• Wear casual and clean clothing, long pants, minimal jewelry, comfortable shoes –NO OPEN TOE SHOES!

Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences

Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences will be held the week of November 8th to 12th. Report Cards will be distributed and discussed along with the IOWA test results and general student progress.

7th grade students are required to attend the conference with their parents or guardians!

September 29, 2010

2010-09-30T09:08:00.000-07:00

In Spanish class, we are exploring the rich cultures and many traditions of Latin America, and though we are all looking forward to Halloween, we are even more excited to welcome “El Dia de los Muertos” – a celebration of family members and friends who have gone before us. By observing the Latin American tradition of “Dia del los Muertos”, we will take the time to learn and share stories of our honored dead with each other. You are each constructing a miniature altar filled with offrendas” (offerings) and collecting favorite trinkets and symbols of your honoree. These colorful and very special altars will be on display in and around the 7th grade classroom from October 20th through mid-November. Invite your friends and families to come by to see these wonderful creations!

The “Dia de los Muertos” altars are due Wednesday, October 20th! Refer to your syllabus for project expectations and guidelines.

Remember; St. Ignatius College Prep and Riordan High School admissions representatives will be on campus on October 4th and 8th respectively. You should explore these two extraordinary schools online and be prepared to ask questions of these reps next week!

As we begin to learn about the rise of the Islamic Empire beginning in 630 A.D. in our Social Studies classes, we are taking the opportunity to explore not only the history of this mighty empire but to also delve into the religious and cultural aspects of Islam. This study will lead us to a comparative analysis of the world’s three major faiths: Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. We may discover that we have more in common with each other than we have differences. After all, we are all people “of the Book” – the Bible, the Torah, and the Qur’an). Dare we, therefore, dream of real peace in the Middle East and improved international relations? Understanding leads to peace… ignorance to war…

May God/Allah/Yahweh bless us always!

September 22, 2010

2010-09-22T13:24:00.000-07:00

Happy 22nd of September – the autumnal equinox and the beginning of the fall season! Like the changing seasons, we, too, will be changing gears and delving into the 7th grade curriculum – full throttle!

IOWA tests are winding down and I have to congratulate you, 7th graders, for being such troopers and muscling through these grueling exams! As we discussed in class, these test scores are a vital component of your application for high school. A year from now, Admissions Officers will be looking at both your 7th grade report cards and your IOWA tests scores with great interest and scrutiny. We will be examining the results, along with your parents/guardians during our conferences in November. You all worked very hard this week to perform your best on these tests – be proud of yourselves!

And speaking of high school, heads up! High School Admissions Representatives will soon be visiting both the 7th and 8th grades to introduce their respective schools and the options available to you. 8th graders will be preparing their applications while 7th graders may want to visit the various schools during their Open Houses. Please take advantage of this opportunity and start researching high school options now!

A big “Thank You” for your generosity this week! Not only did we ask you to contribute goodies for the bake sales to benefit our friends and families affected by the terrible events in San Bruno, but also to bring sandwiches for our hungry brothers and sisters who would otherwise not have a meal today. Know that you are very dear in the eyes of God and much appreciated by those who love and care for you – like me!

I am looking forward to hearing you present your Antique Roadshow projects beginning on Friday and receiving your formal (typed!) Saint reports on Monday, 9/27. Remember, your Saint PowerPoint is due on Wednesday, 9/29. Please make sure you have saved it to your flash drive and that the PowerPoint version you use is compatible with the school’s MacBook computers! Please see me BEFORE Wednesday (the DUE DATE!) if you have any questions!

September 15, 2010

2010-09-15T17:24:00.000-07:00

On your mark… get set… go! 7th graders, you are off to a running start with many projects and daily assignments to manage! Pace yourselves and use your time wisely!

You’ve started the year with the “Antiques Roadshow” – an opportunity to investigate and share your family’s history through the many “treasures” you keep. Just as archaeologists and anthropologists reconstruct the history of civilizations and societies, you are documenting a unique “moment in time” for your family. This assignment was due today, Wednesday, September 15th.

In anticipation of our Confirmation, you are preparing a “Saint Report” based upon a Saint whose example you wish to follow and honor. You are preparing both a formal research paper along with a PowerPoint presentation of your chosen Saint. Each of you will present your project to your classmates so that all may learn and appreciate the selfless deeds of these Saints. (Many thanks to Mrs. Wong, our Technology Coordinator for teaching us how to prepare PowerPoint presentations. Pay close attentions as we will be doing many more as the year progresses.) The Saint Report and PowerPoint are due on Monday, September 27th. IMPORTANT: Your PowerPoint must be saved on your flash drive!

Please refer to the project syllabi that you received to accomplish these two very important projects.

Just a reminder, next week is ITBS testing week. Please make every effort to arrive to school on time, well rested and fed! The results of your 7th Grade IOWA tests are carefully scrutinized by High School Admissions Officers. It is critical that you do your best and score well on all your tests.

Also, Wednesday, September 22nd, 7th Grade takes the lead in collecting sandwiches for our hungry brothers and sisters in the community. Please be sure to prepare a sandwich or two (or more!) and bring them to school on Wednesday to fill the boxes and the stomachs of all who need our help, our prayers and our goodwill.

The STM Newspaper Team needs reporters, writers and photographers to contribute their time and talents to the school newspaper. If you have ever had any interest in being part of the exciting world of journalism, then join us on Thursday, September 16th, from 3:00 to 3:45 in the new library. Our Sports, Entertainment, Current Events, Interviews, Literary, Advice Column, and Arts and Games editors want you! Be there to receive your exciting assignment, learn about online and newspaper publishing, and make your mark on the 2010-2011 school year!

Congratulations to the 7th Grade soccer team on their 4-2 victory over St. Vincent de Paul School on Saturday. What a great way to start the season. You are all true gentlemen and represent our school with great dignity! Well done! Can’t wait for the next match! Get ready FIFA, here they come…!

First Post!

2010-09-14T12:14:00.001-07:00

Welcome to STM's seventh grade blog. Keep up to date on events and cool things that happen in our classroom!