On the Way, Pre-K!
 
By Shannon Miekka
Managing Editor
 
            “It seems like the students don’t even know that the year is ending,” Mrs. May said. They are counting down the days to be Kindergartners, but they don’t seem to realize that summer is coming first. 
The teachers are impressed by how much their little Pre-Kers have grown since the beginning of the year! “Most of them came in not knowing how to write anything. Now they can write their names and even more,” Mrs. Weber. For the end of the year, they have studied the rainforest, solar system, the alphabet, dinosaurs, and prehistoric bones. They also “climbed the beanstalk” of sight words.
            The teachers hope that the students take a love of learning from their first year at John Paul II. School is fun! “It is okay to ask questions, no matter how bad you think it may be,” Mrs. May said. Mrs. Weber has really enjoyed her 18th and final year at John Paul II. She will be retiring next year. “I’m retiring, not leaving,” Mrs. Weber said. She plans on substituting at JPII next year. We will miss you, Mrs. Weber!
 
Growing Up
 
By Briana Arevalo
Technology Editor
 
               Kindergarten has been busy, busy, busy! In math, they worked on addition, subtraction, and a few fractions such as halves. To help the students review, they solved simple puzzles and played Addition Bingo, Subtraction Bingo, and Four in a Row. In writing and reading comprehension, they have all improved very much. They practiced reading word families, high-frequency words, writing sentences about the stories that were read to them, writing poems, and learning the vocabulary in a story before they read it so that they can understand the story easier.
               The KIndergartners even grew their own plants for science! They learned about the parts of plants and labeled them and learned about what is needed for the plant to grow. Also, the students in Mrs. Mondelli’s class brought their plants home for Mother’s Day. Lastly, for Easter, they talked about Holy Week, why we celebrate Easter, painted paper Easter eggs, made rabbits and wrote stories about them read from the Bible, reviewed the Ten Commandments, and talked about New Life and symbols. Keep up the good work Kindergarten!



















First graders enjoy looking at pond and plant life at the Arboretum.
 
Lasting Memories
 
By Jacob Yohr
Sports Editor
 
            First grade has had an outstanding year and finished it off very nicely! In math, the students learned measurement, including centimeters, inches, and weights. Also in science, the students learned about different types of plants and how they grow. They also watched caterpillars evolve into butterflies and released them in the garden. In social studies, the students learned about the continents and different oceans. The first graders also made their own maps. In language, the students studied adjectives. The students ended the year in religion by practicing for their Pope Play and performed it during May Crowning.
               Mrs. Clinton said, “Our students have completed all our goals this year, and we are really proud of them.” The first graders have come a long way and are more independent now. The first graders and their teachers had some of their best memories on the Arboretum field trip and reciting their poetry at the end of the year. Mariana Flores said, “I loved the field trip this year!” The first graders had a great year and can’t wait for second grade!
 










On a field trip to George Ranch, the second graders saw how early settlers lived including the farm animals.


Walking in the Light of God
 
By Abby Sivinski
Assistant Editor
           
            The second grade teachers were working hard to get the second graders ready for third grade! In math, the students were working on their multiplication tables, different measurements, and beginning to work on division. In science, they learned about the solar system and everything in it. The second graders completed some projects in the fourth quarter. They made First Communion banners to decorate and hang up for Mass. They also wrote their own comic strips and wrote plays with their classmates. After they finished writing and practicing the play, they performed it for the class. To always remember their second grade year, the second graders made and decorated portfolios for all of their work. They put in all of their writings and different crafty things they made.            
            Mrs. Patronella said, “The advice I give to the students going to third grade is remember to make wise choices and always ask God for help in everything that they do. They should always put forth effort in everything they do and never give up.” Another bit of advice the teachers would give is to keep up with their summer reading and review math. In preparing them for third grade, the teachers have encouraged the use of their planners, helped them be prepared for class, and studied the Boystown Skills. The teachers said the students could also improve by challenging themselves more and taking the extra step in every aspect of their life. Theses second graders are definitely ready for third grade!