Above: A fifth grade una papa

Below: Fourth grade ready to perform their song.



Fifth grade continues with Unit 4 (Las papas) of the VAMOS Curriculum. This week we did a popular comprehensible input activity called One Word Image (OWI), where students used their imaginations to create a character. Our character for this activity was “una papa” (a potato). Through a series of questions asked and answered in Spanish, not only did students help to create the character, but they also wrote a story about it 100% in Spanish. 

Fourth graders are wrapping up the weather vocabulary unit! We are ready to perform and record! This was a big undertaking for the students, and I am very proud of all the work they have put into this unit!

Third grade continues to work on the pregunta (question), ¿Te gusta? (Do you like….?), and the two different responses¿Me gusta? (I like….) ¿No me gusta? (I don’t like…). We started adding vegetables to our vocabulary list. I hear from the lunchroom staff that the students are using their new words at the salad bar!

Second graders finished their “Oso pardo oso pardo, ¿qué ves ahí? (Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See) libros (books)! We are looking forward to sharing them with a kindergarten or preschool class!

Kindergarten - first grade continue to start every class practicing the “Glory Be.” We also continue to practice counting, colors, answering a question of the day, and the calendar.

First graders are adding some food items to their vocabulary list.

    Holy and Healthy Habits

April 2024

Family Faith Challenge:

April is dedicated to The Eucharist and the Holy Spirit. We also get to celebrate the Easter Season, including Divine Mercy Sunday. Please join us as we pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet this month.

Family Fit Challenge:

April brings the EASTER SEASON!! CHRIST IS RISEN!! Please join us as we rise, make a T with our arms while standing, and do arm circles for 1 minute every day! Offer that 1 minute up to honor Christ’s sacrifice and Resurrection!

K-Third PE Classes:

• Apply the Gospel Values of Respect, Responsibility, Honesty, Compassion, and Teamwork, to spiritual, mental, and physical health while participating in MVPA (Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity) throughout the year.
• Skills will include jumping rope, overhand throw and catch, foot dribble, foot pass/kick, directional cues, relevant vocabulary, locomotors, muscle stretching and identification, heart rate zone concepts, emotional recognition and regulation, cooperation, and various types of fitness circuits (HIIT vs endurance/pacing). Your students will continue using Pietra Fitness throughout the year for our PE cool downs. You are encouraged to have your students show you which movements we did and what the meditation was.
• Mrs. B’s Blessings is half way done for round two! The students have been doing an amazing job, not only for themselves but also sharing in the joy for their peers! I’m truly impressed by their continued commitment to live the Gospel Values as much as possible.

Fourth-Fifth PE Classes:

• Apply the Gospel Values of Respect, Responsibility, Honesty, Compassion, and Teamwork, to spiritual, mental, and physical health while participating in MVPA (Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity) throughout the year.
• Skills: Fourth grade classes finished up creating their own Putt-Putt courses and playing together. They are now ready to participate in the Pacer Challenge. This gives the students the opportunity to challenge themselves, set goals, and learn about the different components of fitness. Fifth grade classes finished their Racquet/Paddle Unit and are now about to participate in their own Pacer Challenge. After Spring Break, students will be working on their skills and knowledge of similar games such as kickball, wiffle ball, baseball, and softball.

For the sake of his sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world! May you embrace the joy of the Resurrection! Have a wonderful Easter and enjoy the time with your family over Spring Break!

God bless, Mrs. Brumbaugh & Mr. Farris

Our kindergarteners are getting ready to start their 2D and 3D projects for the art show. We are making upside down lollipops out of clay. We took a ball of clay and coiled one long piece so we could twist it up like a lollipop. Then, the kids will glaze the lollipop and give it a little ribbon. Your child will also be making a 2D project for the art show. Look out for these cuties on Wednesday May 22nd!

Our first graders are starting their clay projects for the art show, along with their 2D picture. This year the students will be making a piece of pizza out of clay. The kids learned about coiling and how to use slip to fix their cracks in their clay. Who doesn’t love a lollipop? Also, look out for a really tall ice cream cone with some pretty tints and shades of a “HUE” your child picked. Make sure to ask them what “hue” means!

Our second graders are starting their 3D clay projects for the art show. This year they will be making a small pie. The lid will be able to come off, so, they could put something inside of their pie! How fun! We are in the building stages and they are already excited about what colors they will be using to complete their yummy pie! Our 2D project will be a deliciously crazy and big hamburger!! Some kids

may have a few interesting items on their burger! Make sure to ask them about it!

Our third graders are starting their 3D clay projects for the art show. They will be making a cupcake. The icing on the cupcake will come off, so, they will be able to put something inside! They loved that idea! Some students have started that project, while others have started their 2D project. Our 2D project is a super fun gumball machine. Make sure to look for a surprise in one of the gumballs!

Our fourth graders are starting their 3D projects for the art show. They are not making anything out of clay this year, but will be using a new process and a certain material that will turn into an awesome sculpture! Make sure to ask your child what material they are going to use...bet you can’t guess!

Our fifth graders have been hard at work on their next project, titled...One Animal, Four Views. The students were able to pick an animal they would like to draw. Then, we cropped and enlarged and decided on the features that would be the most interesting to draw. Before they were able to start

on good paper, we sketched in our sketchbooks and also did a tutorial on using colored pencils the right way. They also learned some new techniques that should really help them in bringing their animals to life!

Fifth grade students are composing their own recorder compositions in 6/8 time on the treble staff. We are beginning to read 3-5 pitch songs from the staff in the keys of F and G. Students will soon begin building on their rhythmic knowledge using different time signatures.

Fourth grade is learning about the instruments of the Concert Band. This month, students have the chance to try each band instrument to see which one they are interested in pursuing next year. We are excited to take the initial steps toward the formation of the Saint Pius X 2024-2025 Beginning Band. Mrs. Kirkland's class had the pleasure of listening to high school student and SPX Band alum, Declan Gallagher, perform on his Baritone!

Third grade students are composing new recorder compositions in 6/8 time. They are exploring how to make tunes sound like they are at a final ending or sound like they continue to a new section of music. Students have been introduced to reading notation on the staff and will soon be ready to practice reading notation independently.

Second grade classes are improvising and composing simple rhythms in 6/8 time. They are continuing to practice singing in parts using partner songs and rounds such as Music Alone Shall Live, Quiet and May Morning.

First grade students are learning to accompany songs with simple rhythms and how to play different rhythms against a steady beat. They are practicing Call and Response and exploring the stories of Jonah, Daniel and Noah through the song Who Did.

Kindergarten classes are exploring high and low sounds on instruments and in their voices. Students are learning to sing and memorize songs with multiple verses using Psalm 23.

Fifth grade band now has two performances under their belt and they are busy preparing for the final concert of the school year. The students are learning popular tunes that utilize several key signatures and new notes. They are excited to begin learning "Star Wars," "Ghostbusters," and Katy Perry's "Firework." These pieces introduce new syncopated rhythms, multiple-instrument harmonies, and the use of the drum set! 

The kindergarten students received a presentation called The Eucharistic Presence of the Good Shepherd. This presentation helps to provide unity between Scripture (the Parable of the Good Shepherd) and liturgy in a very visible way. At this level, the emphasis is on the complete availability of Christ to us – that the Shepherd is close to His sheep in a most particular manner. We also focus on how He feeds His sheep in a most special way with His love. In future presentations, the children will experience works that help further develop their understanding of Christ’s presence in the Eucharist and their participation in Mass.

The first graders received a presentation on the parable of The Mystery of Life and Death (John: 12:24). After reading the parable, we contemplate Jesus’ love for us in the Paschal Mystery: Jesus’ life and death which is transformed into greater life. In this presentation, the children are shown wheat seeds at several stages of growth, and a sheaf of wheat. We discussed the differences between the stages – how a seed remains just a seed if it is not planted, how the seed must die before the plant can grow; how the seed begins to grow in the dark soil, how it changes from the brown seed to the green plant; and how one seed s able to produce many more seeds and give life to many. Jesus gave this example to help his disciples understand the mystery that His Risen life would produce more life after His death. This is the Risen life that He shares with us through our Baptism.



The excitement is growing for the second graders. They are looking forward to their special day when they will be welcomed to the Table of the Lord to receive the Body and Blood of Christ. As you know, the children wear a white garment over their Communion attire, as a symbol of the white garment that they received at their Baptism when they were filled with the light of Christ. On the day of their First Communion, the white garment is a way for us to see that they will be filled with the light and life of Christ in a new and special way. At the retreat we reflected on the words of the Centurion’s Servant that we pray each time before we receive Jesus: “Lord, I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.” Jesus loves us so much that he continues to humble Himself and comes to us at Mass under the appearance of simple bread. Just as the bread has been transformed into the Body of Christ, we hope to be transformed and united into the mystical body of Christ. That unity is reflected in the white garments that all of the children wear on their First Communion Day.

The third graders have been reflecting on the Paschal Mystery, the greatest mystery which forms the bedrock of our faith. The third graders have finished their posters and prayers for the Stations of the Cross. We will use their work to pray the Stations of the Cross during Holy Week. We have also continued reading and meditating on selections of Paschal Narratives from the Bible. 

Fourth graders have learned praise and worship songs with hand motions. This week we are focusing on the fruits of the Holy Spirt. During Holy Week we will learn about the Last Supper and the students will make a diorama for Leonard Da Vinci’s Last Supper.

The fifth graders are beginning their sacraments unit. We are starting with Baptism and they will work in groups to role play and baptize a baby doll. They are very excited.

When we return from Spring Break I will send out the information about the Vatican Project I know a few students are ready to get started.