Welcome to 4th Grade

“The mind of a child is fascination, for it looks on old things with new eyes."

~F. Scott Fitzgerald

Hello! My name is Diana Durkin and this will be my 12^th year teaching at St. Peter’s. This year the students will continue to enhance their reading and writing skills using various strategies. We will also have fun exploring Maryland history, understanding and using the scientific process skills, and yes, even mastering our math skills. In addition, we will celebrate, share, and live our faith as we grow as a community of faith. I look forward to the new school year with enthusiasm and with your support I am confident we will have a great year!

January 16, 2012

When we do the best we can,

we never know what miracle is wrought in our life,

or in the life of another.

~ Helen Keller

· A big St. Peter’s Storm thank-you goes out to our room mom, Mrs. Liberati, for organizing our wonderful Christmas party and especially for helping the 4^th grade make their pine cone Christmas trees. A great time was had by all!

· Biography Book Report: The students are working very hard with Mrs. Dulcey in Art class creating their biography person puppets. They are also involved in some impressive work for Mrs. Godfrey in the Media Center. Each student is doing more research on their person and putting together their own power point presentation which includes seven slides each with specific guidelines & information needed. Finally, they should be working at home on their written assignment (4 paragraphs) plus a creative book cover!

· “PINCH ONTO BOOKS”: This is a reading program sponsored by the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs! Read 4 books to earn a free ticket to a game. After each book is completed, it needs to be initialed by the teacher on their bookmark. The school that reads the most books will be recognized on the cover of the Blue Crabs magazine, “Catch of the Day” and will also be rewarded with a school wide pizza party for all classes that participated. So 4^th Grade let’s READ! READ! READ!

· Catholic Schools Week – Sunday, January 29 through Friday, February 3: The theme this year is “Catholic Schools: Faith, Academics, Service”. Please check the schedule for the many great events planned for the week and join us in the celebration!

December 13, 2011

“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas …”

· Bravo and many thanks to all our 4^th grade parents, friends, and students who helped make the 4^th Grade Thanksgiving Food Drive such a huge success .The students received a wonderful thank you letter from the St. Vincent de Paul Society acknowledging their efforts.

· Broadway here we come!! The students did an outstanding job with their vocal performance of “The Hail Mary” during the Christmas program on December 10. The Nativity scene was also beautifully depicted by the students.

· Reminder: Christmas Band Concert Friday, December 16. Please come out and hear how well our 4^th Grade Beginner Band sounds under the direction of Mr. Petrow. Go band!

· Penance Service – Wednesday morning, December 21.

· Christmas Party – Wednesday afternoon, December 21.

May the love and peace

Of the Holy Night be with you always

Merry Christmas, 4^th Grade

November 7, 2011

“And my God will meet all your

needs according to his glorious riches

in Christ Jesus”

~Philippians 4:19

· Reminder: 4^th grade Parent-Teacher Conferences are this week Monday through Thursday, November 7-10. Information was sent home last week for parents to review and return.

· Many thanks to all our St. Peter’s School families and friends who helped make our “Race for Education” such a huge success. The 4^th grade students turned in over 400 labels and were awarded with a “Jean Day”!

· A “cast of characters” from the 4^th grade enjoyed the Halloween Parade on October 31. Thanks to all our parent volunteers who also helped make our class party such a huge success.

· Accelerated Reader: Congratulations to the 4^th grade for reading and passing over 230 literary selections so far. Way to go 4^th grade!

· Please join us on Wednesday, November 9 for the 1^st Quarter Awards Assembly. 4^th grade is off to a great start!

· “Bullying Awareness Week” is November 14-18. Several events are scheduled throughout the week, and I will be reading the book “Ginger and the bully” by S.E. Simpson to the class.

· “Grandparents & Friends Day” is scheduled for Tuesday, November 22. Please join us for Mass and the wonderful program that is planned afterwards showcasing our students’ talents. 4^th grade will be singing songs in Spanish.

· Finally, the entire 4^th grade would like to wish everyone a very blessed and safe Thanksgiving holiday.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

September 9, 2011

"If we succeed in giving the love of learning, the learning itself is sure to follow."

~John Lubbock

· We are off to a great start in 4^th grade! The students are doing a wonderful job settling in to their new routines and procedures.

· 4^th grade also has a new part-time aide helping us this year, Mrs. Hancher. Mrs. Hancher is well known to the school community having volunteered numerous hours in the media center last year.

· “Race for Education” – This is one of our major fund raisers. Please remember to return all labels to school as soon as possible!!

· “Back to School Night” – On Monday, September 19, 2011 the elementary school level will be holding their “Back to School Night”. There will also be a HSA meeting beforehand. Hope to see you at both!

· Finally, we would like to give a great big St. Peter’s “Storm” welcome to our seven new students – Sean B., Jamal, Keyona, Brittany, Maryanne, Taylor, and Amber, as well as, to all our other returning 4^th grade students. GO STORM!