​On the fourth Friday of Lent, Saint Peter’s School participated in a school-wide Day of Service. All students donated items to support the day. In the morning, students in Grades 2 to 5 assembled sandwiches for Martha’s Table, while students in Grades 6 to 8 assembled care packages for the Montgomery County Family Justice Center. Grades PK to 1 created cards to go with the care packages. The school donated more than 200 sandwiches to Martha's Table and 60 care packages to Montgomery County Family Justice Center. 
 
Students began the day in the Parish Hall listening to special guest speakers. Mrs. Linda Ruszkowski from The Academy of the Holy Cross spoke about the many ways in which she has served communities and the importance of serving others. She discussed how when we all work together on something, we can be much more powerful than when we work alone. Next, Father Emanuel Magro discussed the works of mercy we are called to complete.  
 
In the afternoon, students prayed a Living Rosary together. Grades 2 through 8 concluded the day attended Stations of the Cross. Sixth grade homeroom teacher and middle school department chair, Ms. Gallagher, coordinated the Day of Service for Saint Peter’s School. She said the goal of the day “was to aid in forming our students' Catholic Identities and to deepen their understandings of how and why we should participate in works of service as Catholics.” 

By Jane Bornhorst
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In February, the Saint Peter’s School “Green Team” worked with students to beautify the school and to provide habitats for small creatures. Parent volunteer, Margaret Giron, and middle school science teacher, Mrs. Kim Caldeira, led the activities.

The Green Team and the Environmental Club for 4th-8th graders, teaches students about ways they can be eco-conscious and increase their classmates’ awareness of the environment around them, the impact they have on it, and how they can become responsible protectors of God’s creations.

Recently, Saint Peter’s School kindergartners created insect hotels, man-made habitats for insects that help them survive in the wild. The students used natural materials to construct them. 

Remi, a kindergartner, said she enjoyed making a tiny home for ladybugs.

First graders built bird houses and decorated the roofs with finger paints. Taylor Fahey said she enjoyed decorating the project. “We got to hang them up for birds to live in,” she said. P.E. teacher Mr. Rob Carlsen assisted in hanging the habitats.

First grader Logan said, “We painted our house a bunch of colors – green, orange, and white.”
Connor Kelley also enjoyed working to build and paint the houses. “I am going to look for mine on the back field. I hope a bird lives there”.

Another recent project led by the Green Team was the painting of colorful steppingstones for the school’s rain garden, created by the Environmental Club earlier in the school year. The garden reuses rainwater and decreases runoff. Creating an attractive outdoor space helps students to appreciate their environment, explained Marget Giron, leader of the Green Team.

This spring, the club is applying for the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE) Maryland Green Schools Certification. This program gives students educational opportunities that empower them to make changes to reduce environmental impact, practice environmental stewardship, encourage sustainability, and foster environmental literacy.
MAEOE Maryland Green Schools benefit from the instructional support and partnership of Green Centers and Green Leaders. Green Schools have access to an extensive network of partners in their community and statewide resources.
 

By Dora J. Gomes
 
Saint Peter’s School is participating in the Scripps National Spelling Bee for the very first time this year. A healthy competition like the spelling bee is a thrilling and motivating way for students to improve their spelling and vocabulary. The competition began with students from grades 2-8 participating in spelling bees in their individual classrooms. Winners from each classroom then advanced to participate in a school-wide spelling bee held on February 23rd.

The students and teachers were tremendously excited about the contest. The fourteen spelling bee participants took the stage and were celebrated and cheered throughout the competition. After several exciting rounds, seventh grader Su Hlaing became the school champion, and fifth grader Otto Raedeke was the runner-up. Su will go on to represent Saint Peter’s School in the Scripps National Spelling Bee regional competition at Landon School in Bethesda, MD, on March 7.

Sixth grader Dominic said the spelling bee was a great learning opportunity for him and for his classmates.
Third grader Kavi loved having a spelling bee at school, “I had a fun time participating and it's something we can now look forward to each year.” 

The coordinator and initiator of the event, fourth grade teacher Mrs. Eunice Pak, said the contest exceeded her expectations. "My hope from the beginning was for the spelling bee to be not only an academic motivator but also to encourage the students to participate in a fun, healthy competition. I am grateful to our principal Ms. DeZinno for embracing the idea and for her support in making this happen for our school.”
Mrs. Pak especially thanks Ms. Gallagher (middle school English teacher and department chair), Mrs. Caldeira (middle school Science teacher), Mrs. Cotter (school librarian), Mrs. Bottegal (drama director), and Mr. Nguyen (music teacher) along with all the other teachers, students and parents who helped to make the event successful.