Kindergarten through Fifth

Kindergarten

Thank you for offering us the opportunity to share with you some of the exciting things happening in our Holy Cross Academy kindergarten program. The learning experience extends beyond our classroom walls into everything we do.

We are very proud of the faith-filled environment that surrounds our children’s learning and development. Our kindergarten children attend weekly Mass with their 8th grade friends, which also fosters an on-going relationship throughout the year. Our religious program focuses on the goodness of God, as well as Mary, the saints, Church celebrations, and prayers. The children enjoy their involvement with our community outreach opportunities by preparing lunches for the homeless, contributing items for needy Moms and babies to the Advent Giving Tree, experiencing an Easter field trip visit to Greenfield Assisted Living Home, and the many Christ-centered occasions that arise throughout the year.

All our children are offered opportunities to develop academically, socially, emotionally, and physically according to their abilities. Learning is always active through structured classroom experiences as well as play. Fine motor skills are practiced through cutting, pasting, coloring, and printing. Table activities and using manipulatives also contribute to improving fine motor skills and social development. Full-time classroom assistants help us to meet the needs of every child.

We provide a strong Reading and Math readiness program through an active hands-on learning curriculum. The use of the ActivBoard provides more interactive classroom experiences in all subject areas. Social Studies and Science topics and lessons are also enhanced by the wide variety of learning activities that are readily available through our school’s additional technological programs.
Our children actively participate in the Fine Arts by class performances as well a variety of after school experiences. Specials in the arts and technology along with a monthly Guidance class complete our kindergarten curriculum.

Additionally, Holy Cross Academy supports good citizenship through the Scouting program beginning at the kindergarten level.
Again, thank you for your interest in our program. We hope to have you and your child as added blessings to our school community.

Mrs. Laura Dunneback & Ms. Donna Godek

First Grade

Upon entering First Grade at Holy Cross Academy, you and your child will begin an incredible journey that emphasizes development in the Catholic faith, academic excellence and diverse activities that address the needs of all learners.The children embrace their faith while discovering Jesus as their best friend through bible stories, prayers and songs.The first grade class adopts St. Francis of Assisi as our classroom saint. We learn about his life and emulate his love for God’s creatures by taking on a project to sponsor a dog or cat from the local SPCA. We learn that we are the heart and hands of Jesus and practice acts of kindness throughout the year. Learning Christian virtues is an important part of first grade as we discover a new virtue each month.Academically, the children acquire the skills necessary to become accomplished readers and thinkers.

Our children learn phonics and reading skills while engaged in a variety of differentiated activities. We use a balanced reading program that promotes the love of reading while addressing individual needs. Each month we feature a very special author to help us connect the reading and writing experience. In math, we will build upon the concepts of addition and subtraction using hands on manipulative and real life learning activities. In science and social studies, we discover our world and beyond through various experiences such as hatching chicks and butterflies, growing herbs, and creating a model community.In first grade we like to celebrate learning through theme-centered events throughout the year. The children’s reading and writing connection is celebrated by an Authors’ Tea at the end of the year. Parents are invited to hear the unique, creative stories the children have written.

We provide many opportunities for parents to become involved in our learning. The Mystery Reader is just one opportunity where parents come into the classroom to read to the class. Of course this is a nice surprise for their child and the rest of the class.We strive to make first grade at Holy Cross Academy a safe, caring, and enjoyable learning environment for you and your child. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact either of us at the school to set up an appointment and hear all about our program.

Mrs. Kim Johnson

Second Grade

When you think back to your year in second grade, what do you remember? Do you remember playing hopscotch on the blacktop or vying to be the first for a shot a tetherball? Do you remember filling out book reports and discovering Beverly Cleary for the first time? Do you remember how it felt to share a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with a friend or a simple smile and know that you’d had a great day? When it is time for your child to enter second grade, what will he remember at the end of the day? The year? Or in a lifetime? Our goal here at Holy Cross Academy is to form your child’s mind, body, and spirit in such a way that when he looks back at second grade, he’ll remember not only the lessons taught but the lessons learned, the hearts he touched and the way in which his was touched by God.

Your child’s heart will be touched by God in extraordinary ways at Holy Cross in second grade. We begin the year by reliving the joy that Baptism brought not only to your family, but to the family of God and the ways in which she became part of a larger community, a community that includes the Church family here at Holy Cross. We delve deeper into the understanding of the sacraments to help prepare your child for the faith-forming sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. We discuss the Ten Commandments and practice the Act of Contrition and the Rite of Penance until your child is fully prepared to meet Jesus for her First Reconciliation. We will love watching your child exit the confessional with a smile of peace upon her face. We will practice receiving Jesus in both our hands and hearts as your child discovers the greatest sacrifice God has given us. The gift of second grade at Holy Cross is a gift laced with the love of God and the ways your child can discover peace and joy on a daily basis. Our children who are not Catholic assist us in preparing for these wonderful encounters with Jesus and share the joy of their faith traditions with us.

Second grade is a building block for the rest of your child’s elementary years. In second grade, your child will learn to read with more fluency and to, more importantly, grow in his love of reading. Here at Holy Cross, we make sure your child reads, reads, and reads, both at home and at school. We keep his interest piqued by ensuring that reading ties in with everything else we are learning and that different reading groups are reading different books to keep everyone interested and reading at his own level. When we learn about fairy tales, our reading groups enjoy reading Cinderella tales from all over the world. When we learn about Native Americans, different groups read a blend of fiction and nonfiction as they share Native American legends with one another or books that describe the history of the totem pole. In addition, we make sure to read to our students daily to remind them that books and reading are essential and fun. We ensure that your child excels in not only reading, but in mastering math. The children will come out of second grade able to add and subtract large three-digit numbers and to understand the relationship between addition and subtraction with multiplication and division. Second grade will also teach your child to move from print handwriting to cursive and to master the formation of those letters neatly and correctly. Your child will be met with an individualized spelling program known as Word Study in which each student is tested on spelling words that coincide with his phonetic abilities.

Although it is important and wonderful for your child to learn to read, write, add, and meet Jesus in the sacraments, it is just as important to us teachers that your child learns all these things with passion and excitement from our end as well. We make sure that we end our social studies units with learning activity days complete with crafts, games, and food. We will eat pumpkin pie and popcorn and try hasty pudding when we learn about the Native Americans and Pilgrims. We will play hockey and make Canadian flags when we visit our neighbors to the north. We will hit a piñata and practice our techniques in futbol when we learn about Mexico and discover its culture. We use skittles and jelly beans to learn about fractions and probability. We watch in wonder and excitement as we see what happens when we mix a solid like Mentos with a liquid like Diet Coke. We eat Root Beer Floats to learn how solids, liquids, and gases coexist and dress up as our favorite Book Characters on a literary dress up day. Your second grader will have memories to fill a lifetime and lessons that will stay with him forever.

Finally, it is important to us that your child grows not only inside the classroom, but outside it. Your child can learn to entertain a spellbound audience by participating in the Drama Club (previous plays include Alice in Wonderland and Beauty and the Beast). She can go camping with the Scouts or earn a badge for citizenship. Her legs can become stronger if she joins the Running Club or signs up for the Great Train Race. Her smile will grow wider as she discovers all the talents she has to share and explore.

When your child looks back on second grade at Holy Cross Academy, what will he remember? Will he remember his First Communion and dressing up on that all important day? Will he remember eating pancakes with maple syrup like a true Canadian? Or will he remember the first time he wrote his name in cursive? No matter the memory or the lesson, we can guarantee it will be one filled with happiness and met with a smile. Please feel free to contact one of us if you would like more information about any of the above opportunities or would like to ask questions regarding second grade. We look forward to hearing from you and building memories with your child!

Mrs. Alli Ennis - & Mrs. Mary Sanger

Third Grade

Holy Cross Academy is a vibrant school and a superb learning environment for your child. Immediately upon entering Holy Cross Academy your child will experience a dynamic world of learning that emphasizes the development of the whole child through the fostering of a deeply held and lived Catholic faith, academic excellence and diverse co-curricular and extra-curricular activities. The way in which Holy Cross meets the individual needs of your child is second to none.

First and foremost is the fostering and nurturing of the Catholic faith. True to our mission and passionate about our calling, the third grade teachers of Holy Cross Academy work diligently to bring a living faith to each child entrusted to our care through

The adoption of a classroom patron saint
Practice of the Corporal Works of Mercy as we sponsor fundraisers for the homeless and disadvantaged
Practice of the Spiritual Works of Mercy through classroom prayer services and devotional prayers

Second, at Holy Cross Academy academic excellence is taken seriously. Mastery is the goal of every teacher here, and we work diligently to ensure each child reaches it commensurate with his or her ability. The third grade teachers realize that no two children are alike and that their readiness levels differ. Therefore, we

Differentiate instructional methods to reach diverse learners
Utilize technologies that encourage mastery in math, reading and writing
Make tutoring available for students who need it
Perform engaging Science experiments that excite and engage all learners like our annual egg drop and roller coaster extravaganza

Third, children at Holy Cross Academy are encouraged to think and learn creatively and become engaged in the learning process. Actively engaged students are students who learn most effectively so we strive to make that possible for every student. Many activities complement the learning that takes place within the traditional classroom.

Fairy tales written in class are typed in technology and illustrated in art
Reading genres introduced in class are further explored in Library
Learning about Ancient Egypt comes alive as students make Canopic Jars in art

Fourth, at Holy Cross Academy our students really do love to come to school, and they become part of the larger school community as they involve themselves in rich and rewarding extra-curricular activities. Students can learn to play the keyboard in third grade, join the running club or become a member of the girl or boy scouts. Drama club provides our students the opportunity to shine and develop their various talents while forging friendships with others that last a lifetime.

Our motto at Holy Cross Academy, “It’s About the Children,” is true. It really is about the students. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss the many exciting opportunities that await your child. Registration is ongoing, and we value the time spent sharing our school with you.

-Mrs. Cheryl Stevens

Fourth Grade

At Holy Cross Academy your child will be part of a wonderful learning environment. Our mission is to help each child develop his or her faith, academic excellence and diverse co-curricular and extra-curricular activities. Holy Cross Academy prides itself on meeting the needs of your child.

Here at Holy Cross Academy, your child’s faith will flourish. Each day the children learn and participate in spreading the Catholic faith.

Daily faith-oriented environment
Service projects
Daily instruction in our faith
Bring Grandparents alive with People Posters

Academic excellence is a high priority at Holy Cross Academy. Our goal is to provide superior academic instruction where learning comes alive with enriching lessons.

Mini-Mall allowing children to become entrepreneurs
Performing in the 4th. grade musical
Technology stimulated learning

Traditional classroom instruction has a definite time and place. Cross and Co-Curriculum activities are instrumental in enriching each student’s formal instruction.

Faculty works closely together to link instruction
Weekly instrumental instruction offered

Lastly, at Holy Cross Academy we want your child to succeed not only academically and spiritually as well. We want your child to love school! Your child will enjoy life in and out of the classroom.

Daily recess
Fun and education field trips – Pamplin Park Historical Park and Old Town Fredericksburg where the students take a walk through history.
Explore Science through Scientist of the Week

Here at Holy Cross Academy your child will not be a number. He/she will be a member of a caring family. We will strive to enrich your child academically, spiritually and socially. We would love to meet with you to share the fun and excitement the fourth graders experience at Holy Cross Academy.

Ms. Lauryn Caiafa - & Mrs. Mary Buer

Fifth Grade

Here at Holy Cross Academy we strive to give each fifth grader a solid foundation in organization, study skills and academics to prepare them for middle school and higher education. Fifth grade is a year for preparing, maturing and growing. We help our students grow into responsible young people by providing each child with instruction that meets their individual needs.

First, we set our expectations high and help students from the first days of school to organize their supplies. Students are assigned a student number which is written on all textbooks, workbooks, agendas and written assignments. Some students benefit from color coding folders and book coverings per subject. Another organization tool is hands-on help from the teacher or a peer helper. Because, we, the teachers are organized, the students’ environment is organized.

Second, fifth grade is a year to learn how to study. Note-taking skills are taught. Study guides are given prior to tests. Interactive games and reviews are used on the computer and interactive whiteboards. After school help is always available.

Third, we believe in working hard when it’s time to work and being rewarded when it’s time to have fun. Homework is given daily and always gone over the following day to check for understanding. We believe students’ questions are important and a vital part of learning. Although we teach geometry and problem solving, our main objective in math is mastery of basic skills. Reading is important in all academic areas and we believe that fifth graders are not learning to read, but reading to learn.

Fifth grade is a year in which to grow physically, spiritually, emotionally and academically. We are with them each step of the way to achieve their goals.

Mrs. Michelle Haywood - & Ms. Dawn Szabo

(PreK-8th)

Forming Saints, Scholars, and Leaders