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7th Grade Social Studies & READING/ELA

ELA Grade 7- Students at this academic level will continue to build on skills developed in prior years. Skill sets include citing textual evidence to support an analysis of an issue, developing deeper critical thinking skills, and incorporating grade appropriate vocabulary into their work. Selected literary works will include a more advanced focus on non-fiction and informational texts. The academic agenda will also include research and public speaking.

Social Studies Grade 7
In Grade 7, we begin our journey into American History. We will learn the foundation upon which America was built. We begin with the Roots of American People and end with the United States construction after the Civil War. It is here we begin to understand that history repeats itself and it is up to us to make a difference in the world.

We will look at the influence other cultures have had on our nation by examining both primary and secondary sources. We will use Document Based Questions (DBQ’s) and political cartoons to help us analyze the important changes that the United States has undergone. This will allow us to use critical thinking to employ a variety of intellectual skills essential to understanding major turning points in United States history.

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Giving Circle

Every Thanksgiving Holiday our elementary school partners with the Staten Island Giving Circle to collect items to stock their food pantry.

This year, they would like to collect for their "Weekend Backpack" program. This endeavor discreetly packs backpacks weekly in 11 public schools every week and distributes them to those children identified as most in need.

Since these specific families will have their kids home over the long weekend, they are requesting items for the long weekend such as cereal, cake mixes, frosting, hot cocoa mix, pancake mix, microwave popcorn and things of that nature.

Would you please join us in donating these items to the Staten Island Giving Circle.

Donations can be brought in through Friday, November 22nd.

We greatly appreciate your generosity in helping the children of our Staten Island community.

In Gratitude,
Mr. Hansen

Registration for Catholic School Week Event

Students in grades 3-8 must register by 1/22/24

St. Joseph Hill Academy
Catholic Schools Week Schedule
January 29th to February 2nd 2024

Thursday, January 25th: Distinguished Graduate Mass. This year as we begin our celebration
of Catholic Schools Week we honor Mr. John Gustafsson. A proud and loyal 1976 graduate of St.
Joseph Hill Academy Elementary School, John Gustafsson was valedictorian of his class at
Msgr. Farrell, and received his B.A. in Philosophy (magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa) from
Columbia University in 1983 and his J.D. from Harvard Law School (cum laude) in 1987. A
first-generation American, Mr. Gustafsson grew up in St. George and currently resides with his
wife in West Brighton. We look forward to his visit and we welcome him back to St. Joseph Hill
Academy.
As we will be attending Mass all students will dress in their full school uniforms.
Monday, January 29th: Dress like your favorite SJHA Elementary School Teacher. Students
may dress up as their favorite St. Joseph Hill Academy elementary school teacher. Students who
choose not to participate should wear their Full School uniforms. Students in grades K-5 will
participate in a wonderful project hosted by Staten Island University Hospital Health and
Wellness. The Northwell Health Community Service Center Wellness on Wheels (WOW) will
visit with our students. The WOW program provides a free nutritional education program to
students to help them cultivate healthy eating and lifestyle habits. Each grade will receive a
tailored grade level 45 minute session from a nutritionist, public health educator, and community
health educator. This interactive program provides nutrition and healthy hydration education,
importance of physical activities, and mindfulness in raising awareness about making healthy
nutrition choices. Each student would go home with reading material, a cookbook with 15
healthy recipes, and a bracelet that says I AM STRONG. As we continue to promote Early
Childhood Literacy and foster love of reading, the South Beach Librarian Madeline Crosby will
visit PreK3 through 1st grade. Together we hope to lay a foundation for a generation of great
readers.
Tuesday, January 30th: Literary Character or Historical Figure Day. All students may dress
as their favorite literary character or historical figure. Students who choose not to participate
should wear their Full School uniforms. Students in grades K-5 will participate in a wonderful
project hosted by Staten Island University Hospital Health and Wellness. The Northwell Health
Community Service Center Wellness on Wheels (WOW) will visit with our students, as we did
on Monday.
*Pre K 3 and 4 year olds will celebrate Culture Day!
Students may dress in clothing celebrating their culture and bring in nut free snacks to share with
their friends.

Wednesday, January 31st: SJHA Elementary School Spirit Day. Students in all grades may
dress in their favorite Hill Wear. Students who choose not to participate should wear their Full
School uniforms. Students in grades 3 to 8 will have a visit from Inspirational speaker and author
Jordan Toma. Jordan Toma is the author of I’m Just a Kid With an IEP. He has over 3.5
million followers on social media, and over 250 million views world wide. Jordan’s book sales
have exceeded 85,000 copies. Jordan Toma continues to book speaking engagements across the
country. His objective is to create the foundations of the belief, the confidence, the work ethic
and everything that you need to become the best you can be now and not let anything ever get in
your way. Speaking to children, parents, teachers, teachers in training, school faculty. Jordan
Toma is the #1 youth motivational speaker and youth advocate in the country because he teaches
by example, his example. Jordan’s life story, his struggles, his failures, and his realization that his
struggle was his strength will inspire everyone.
Students in PreK3 and PreK4 will learn about nutrition with a visit from nutritionist Bianca
Palumbo, RDN,MS who will come in and cook allergy friendly foods with the students.
Ms. Palumbo is a registered dietitian from Central Michigan University. She has a Masters in
Dietetics and Nutrition. She also has a Bachelors of Culinary Art from Johnson and Wales.
Thursday February 1st: SJHA STREAM DAY & Gym Uniform For All. Students in all grades
may come to school dressed in their gym uniforms. Students who choose not to participate
should wear their Full School uniforms. All Grades PreK to 8 participate in fun STEAM
Activity that focuses on unity, perseverance, determination or teamworks. Students in grades 3
to 5 will enjoy a virtual visit from Brian Yannish the award winning author of SHARK AND
BOT! His presentation will focus on discussing his creative journey from childhood “maker” to
Author/Illustrator. This exciting presentation will take them through designing STEAM Maker
Projects from Recyclables. They will work together in class with Ms. Maresca to build their
designs.
Students in Grade 7 will take part in our Learning with Leaders Workshop as they meet and
discuss a variety of topics with Hill Elementary School Alumni John G. Troiano. Mr. Troiano is
the Managing Partner, CEO and Co-Founder of The Beekman Group. Mr. Troiano has extensive
experience in private equity, finance, and portfolio company management and operations. He is
the Chairman of the Investment Committee and manages TBG’s Industry Advisor network. He is
the Chairman of the Boards of Directors of ABEA Master Holdings, Condado Tacos, TBG Food
Acquisition Corp., REVA, Ted’s Café, Eclipse Fitness Group and is a member of the boards of
Mesmerize Media Holdings LLC, Riccobene Family Dentistry, OneWater Marine, and Marlins
Holdings, LLC. Managing Partner, CEO and Co-Founder of The Beekman Group is a private
equity firm dedicated to partnering with management teams to grow companies into market
leading businesses. Beekman manages over $1 billion in assets and has access to additional
capital through strategic co-investment relationships.

Friday, February 2nd : Comfy Cozy Movie Day: All students (and teachers) in grades PreK to 8
can participate in “Comfy Cozy Day”. Everyone can dress down in any appropriate lounge wear.
No slippers, slides or shorts please. Classes will view an age and grade-level appropriate film
that focuses on unity, perseverance, determination or teamwork. After the film they will
participate in a themed activity. Students who choose not to participate should wear their Full
School uniforms. Students in grades PreK to 8 may donate a pair of socks, pajamas, winter hats,
or gloves for children in need.

You can visit the link to our school store if you wish to purchase any Hill Wear items for
Catholic Schools Week.
stjosephhillacademy.com/store/

Friday January 26th: 8th Grade Senior Night
Please see the school website for more details.
Use the link to pre-order tickets to the game!
T-shirts purchased for Senior Night may be worn on gym days through February
https://register.etransfer.com/cgi-bin/acct/VZQW73F383/displayForm.pl?dir=7DKVFE4R_2024

Angel Tree of Giving Christmas 2023

Please join in making a child smile this year. This is an opportunity to show our children the joy of giving.

Happy Holidays and many blessings to you and your families.

PIE DRIVE

Pie Drive:

The Pie Drive Committee is happy to be partnering with the Staten Island Giving Circle to give back this holiday season. Students are asked to donate $1-$3 of their own money towards this cause. Collection jars are in classrooms. We thank our youngest helpers for their generosity!

Halloween Dress Code

Halloween:

Monday is Halloween. All students in grades 1 to 8 may wear Halloween costumes to school All parents must assure that Halloween costumes are appropriate for school.

All costumes MUST be age appropriate and can not be examples of gore. Girls' costumes must be an appropriate length. Bare midriff, sleeveless, and thin straps are Not acceptable. Students can not wear slippers, sandals, slides or heels. Hats and face paint are permissible but please No face masks. No weapons as decoration or accessories. If students do not wish to dress in costumes they can dress down in orange and/or black.

All grades, especially 1st-4th, should dress in the most appropriate non restrictive costumes possible as it is a full day of school. Please No inflatable costumes. Class Halloween parties should be kept at a minimum of a sharable nut free snack. No Pizza or ice cream

Christmas T-Shirt Deadline Wed. 10/26

SJHA 2022 Christmas T-Shirt Order Form

*One form PER T-SHIRT*
ORDER DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY, October 26^th

Please note T-Shirt orders received after this date WILL NOT be fulfilled.

**T-Shirts may be worn on gym days, Fridays in December, and as free dress down at the Christmas Fair **

For anyone purchasing a shirt that is not a student (ie: parents, guardian, other, they must indicate what class and which student
shall receive the t-shirt on their behalf.

If you have any questions please email [email protected]

* Denotes a required field to fill in

Student First Name *

Student Last Name *

Student Class: *

For anyone purchasing a shirt that is not a student (ie: parents, guardian, other, they must indicate what class and which student
shall receive the t-shirt on their behalf in the Class box.

Parent Name: *

Phone (including area code) *

Email *

Verify Email *

T-Shirt Size:*

	Youth XSmall - $20
	Youth Small - $20
	Youth Medium - $20
	Youth Large - $20
	Youth XLarge - $20
	Adult Small - $20

	Adult Medium - $20
	Adult Large - $20
	Adult XLarge - $20
	Adult XXL - $24
	Adult XXXL - $24

Continue Registration

Bake Sale Donations Needed for Wednesday 10/26

Greetings,

We are in need of items to be donated to our bake sale on Wednesday, October 26th.

We will be accepting NUT FREE baked goods, pre packed or homemade form all grades.

All NUT FREE goods can be sent directly to your child's classroom and bake sale representatives will collect them after morning announcements.

Items will be priced at $1.00.

Wednesday is also our annual breast cancer awareness walk. The walk will take place during the day on campus at Gerardi Field.

All students are asked to dress down and wear something pink with a donation of $5.00.

Please do not send in more than $3.00 per student for baked goods and it often becomes overwhelming for the lower grade students to purchase when they have too much money.

Thank you in advance for your generosity. Although we are only accepting NUT Free items, additional pre packed nut free and gluten free items will be purchased and set aside for those with allergies.

Mr. Lawrence Hansen

Principal, St. Joseph Hill Academy Elementary School

Trunk or Treat Logistics

Greetings,

We are looking forward to our Annual Trunk or Treat this Friday.

Parking passes will be sent home with your child today. If you are registered to host a Trunk you have already received a confirmation email and a parking pass will be coming home today.

Trunk hosts may arrive at 4:30 to begin designing their cars.Trunk hosts must have their vehicles in place by 5:30.

Check in for guests of the event begins at 6pm sharp.

There will be no parking or driving on campus at all on Friday night. (HS bingo)

Please find a legal parking spot off campus and walk in through Columbia gate and up to the main lot.

Keeping in mind the safety of all and guest our Trunk or Treat is only open to St. Joseph Hill Academy students and their siblings who reside in their home.

A maximum of two adults per family is permitted. Please do not bring extra adults or children.

Though we would love to invite grandparents, neighbors, cousins and friends we are simply unable to accommodate that number of people.

Please only arrive with the number of guests permitted.

Mr. Hansen

Breast Cancer Awareness Walk

Think Pink Walk for the Cause:

Our annual breast cancer awareness walk will take place during the day on campus at Gerardi Field. All students are asked to dress down and wear something pink with a donation of $5.00. On that day we will have a bake sale as well. We will be accepting NUT FREE baked goods, pre packed or homemade form all grades. All NUT FREE goods can be sent directly to your child’s classroom and bake sale representatives will collect them after morning announcements. Items will be priced at $100. Please do not send in more than $3.00 per student for baked goods and it often becomes overwhelming for the lower grade students to purchase when they have too much money. Thank you in advance for your generosity. Although we are only accepting NUT Free items, additional pre packed nut free and gluten free items will be purchased and set aside for those with allergies.

Mr. Lawrence Hansen

Principal, St. Joseph Hill Academy Elementary School

[email protected]

T (+1) 718.981.1187

Halloween Dress Down 10/31

Halloween:

In previous years Halloween has been celebrated with students in grades 1 to 8 dressing in orange and black. Last year we permitted students in all grades to wear Halloween costumes to school. This year, on October 31st, all students will again be permitted to wear their Halloween costumes to school with the assurance from their parents that they will all behave in a manner appropriate for school and dress accordingly. Costumes MUST be age appropriate and Must Not be examples of gore. All girls' costumes must be an appropriate length. Sleeveless shirts, bare midriff or thin straps are Not acceptable. No slippers, sandals, slides or heels. Hats and face paint are permissible but No masks may be worn. Please No weapons as decoration or accessories. If students do not wish to dress in costumes they can dress down in orange and/or black.