Primary

TK through 2nd Grade

 

Transitional Kindergarten

Meet the Teacher

I am Sr. Faith Nina Fuertes, an Augustinian Recollect Sister, born in Toledo, Cebu City, Philippines. I am privileged to be part of the wonderful institution of St. John the Baptist Catholic School. It's my 4th year of serving the school and I am currently working toward an MAEd at National University. I love and enjoy teaching the little ones. As the saying goes, "Let the little children come to me and do not try to stop them for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." I feel blessed to be part of your child's journey as they step into the educational world of school. Rest assured that your child will have a remarkable experience at St. John the Baptist Catholic School, whose aim is to form the whole child.

Curriculum and Tools

  • English Language Arts (ELA) - the curriculum includes activities and lessons that promote language development, phonics (sound of the letters), rhymes, syllables, writing skills, and reading comprehension (CVC).
     
  • Math - curriculum focuses on building a strong foundation in number sense, counting, shapes, patterns, measurement, and basic addition and subtraction skills.
     
  • Science - science curriculum focuses on introducing young learners to the scientific method, and basic scientific concepts, and fostering curiosity and exploration. Engaging TK students in hands-on experiments and investigations to develop their scientific inquiry skills (Amplify Science and Mystery Science) Coding: Train’s Coding, Thinker Jr. and Coding safari.
     
  • Social Studies - the social studies curriculum focuses on introducing young learners to basic concepts of community, diversity, Holidays, community helpers, and citizenship.
     
  • Religion - incorporate elements of Catholic teachings and values ; stories in the Bible, importance of prayer and religious activities.
     
  • Writing - the writing curriculum focuses on developing foundational writing skills and fostering a love for writing. Encourage students to write their names, draw pictures, and label their drawings. Gradually introduce letter formation and basic sight words as students progress.
     
  • Field Trips/Experiences
    • Emma Prusch Farm Park Gardens
    • Legoland STEM experience at the Great Mall
 

Kindergarten

Meet the Teacher

Hi, welcome to Kindergarten! My name is Krizia Layam and I have been teaching at St. John the Baptist since 2020. Before working at SJBS I was a preschool instructional aide at a Catholic school in Seattle, Washington, where I also attended the University of Washington for my undergraduate. Go Dawgs! After living in Seattle, I decided to come back home to the Bay Area and received my Masters in Teaching degree from Santa Clara University in 2022. 

In my classroom, students will blossom in their reading and writing skills and build many new math skills. Students will also grow socially, emotionally, and physically, so it is important to me that your child feels safe, cared about, and happy when they are in my classroom. I love having fun in the classroom, but also know the importance of having a structured and organized learning environment. 

Outside of school, I love spending most of my free time outdoors going on hikes, camping, and exploring new places. I also love trying new restaurants. When I’m stuck indoors, I enjoy reading a good book, playing video games and watching the latest movies or TV shows. I am also a huge sports fan and especially love watching the Warriors, Sharks, and Niners! 

Curriculum and Tools

  • Math - students will learn about sorting and matching, writing and identifying numbers 1-20 in different ways, addition and subtraction within 10, 2D and 3D shapes
    • Go Math!
    • SFSD Math
    • Apps: IXL, Moose Math
       
  • Science -  concepts are divided into three units - Needs of Plants and Animals, Pushes and Pulls, and Sunlight and Weather
    • Amplify Science
    • Mystery Science
    • STEM Lab: we go once a week to do a hands-on lab/experiment
    • Coding: Kodable and Tynker Jr.
       
  • Social Studies - students will learn about citizenship, important figures of the past, US symbols and holidays, community helpers, and geography
    • Studies Weekly
    • Little Thinkers
       
  • Religion - students will learn about foundational elements of our Catholic faith and the importance of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph through scripture, art, prayer and hands-on activities
    • Finding God
    • RCL Benziger Family Life
       
  • English Language Arts - through our phonics curriculum students will learn foundational reading skills like rhyming, mastering sounds for every letter in the alphabet, blending CVC words, and recognizing high frequency words; students will learn reading comprehension skills for both fiction and non-fiction texts by identifying story elements, retelling a story, identifying the beginning, middle, and end of a story through our reading curriculum
    • Reading: Journeys
    • Phonics: Magnetic Reading Foundations
    • Apps:  Lexia 
       
  • Writing - writing concepts are divided into three units - narrative, informative/explanatory, and opinion/argumentative; students will learn proper script letter formation in handwriting
    • Lucy Calkins Units of Study
    • Zaner-Bloser for Handwriting 
       
  • Field Trips/Experiences
    • Hidden Villa field trip
    • Legoland STEM experience at the Great Mall
    • Milpitas Police Station visit
 

1st Grade

Meet the Teacher

I am Sr. Charina Mae Ogario, proud to be called a Teacher! I am a member of the Congregation of the Augustinian Recollect Sisters, serving God through a very special mission as a teacher here in St. John the Baptist Catholic School. This is my second year working here in our beloved school. I have been in the world of teaching for over 12 years in many of our AR schools in the Philippines. I am currently working toward an MAEd at National University. Teaching is a vocation, a special call, and I am blessed to be called for this wondrous mission. I am so delighted to journey with the 1st Grade and the rest of the  student body, including the staff and all the stakeholders of the school. My aspiration is to teach with passion in all areas of education so that every child entrusted to my care, develops a desire to become life-long learner.

Curriculum and Tools

  • Math
    • Go Math!
    • Apps:  Mathletics, IXL
       
  • English Language Arts
    • Magnetic Reading Foundation
    • Journeys: Grammar, Vocabulary, Spelling
    • Apps:  Reading A-Z, Lexia, Epic
       
  • Religion
    • Finding God
    • Bible Stories
    • Liturgical Calendar for 1st grade
       
  • Social Studies
    • Studies Weekly
    • Little Thinkers
       
  • Science
    • Amplify Science
    • Mystery Science
    • STEMP Lab
    • Wilbooks: Online Science Books for 1st Grade
    • Coding: Kodable and Tynker Jr.
       
  • Writing
    • Lucy Calkins Units of Study
       
  • Field Trips/Experiences
    • Emma Prusch Farm Park Gardens
 

2nd Grade

Meet the Teacher

Hello my name is Melanie Salgado and this is my 3rd year teaching 2nd grade at SJBS.  I am currently attending classes to obtain my Master’s Degree and teaching credential in Inspired Learning and Teaching.  I have worked with young children my entire career in many different capacities.  I enjoy giving students opportunities for hands-on, project based learning activities.  In second grade, students will practice sign language, build habitat dioramas, participate in class elections to learn about United States government, and so much more!
I enjoy the beach, all things Disney, music, and spending time with my family and two dogs Pixie and Buttercup.

Curriculum and Tools

  • Math
    • Go Math! is designed to fully facilitate conceptual development as students work from introduction to mastery of each content standard listed in the Common Core. Students use manipulatives, models, quick pictures and symbols as they apply Mathematical Practices to build understanding. Students actively engage in reasoning from concept or skills comprehension to solving problems in contextual situations.
    • Apps:  Mathletics, IXL, and Prodigy Math
       
  • English Language Arts
    • Magnetic Reading Phonics Program
    • Journeys provides a strong and comprehensive instructional system for reading both literature and informational texts, for acquiring foundational skills, and for developing mastery of speaking, listening and writing.
    • Apps: Lexia, Reading A-Z, Prodigy English
       
  • Religion
    • Finding God
    • Reconciliation and First Holy Eucharist Preparation
       
  • Social Studies
    • California Studies Weekly is an innovative curriculum program for teaching the California History-Social Studies state standards in Grade 2, featuring an engaging and easy-to-use weekly magazine format.
    • Apps:  BrainPop Jr. 
       
  • Science
    • Amplify Science - Instruction is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), facilitated in our STEM Lab, incorporating hands-on Science activities and experiments.
       
  • Writing
    • Lucy Calkins Units of Study
       
  • Field Trips/Experiences
    • Marine Science Institute
    • Milpitas Fire Station tour