St. Thomas More Cathedral School

1st Grade

St. Thomas More Cathedral School follows the Curriculum Guidelines of the Diocese of Arlington Catholic Schools. The core curriculum consists of instruction in the following subjects: Religion, Reading, Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies

Students also participate in the following special classes: Art, Spanish, Library Skills, Technology, Physical Education, Music

A variety of instructional methods are used including cross-curricular units, cooperative groups, direct instruction, discovery learning and hands-on activities. Homework is assigned to review lessons and practice skills.

The instructional program is supported through the following: Title I Program, Resource Program, Educational Field Trips, Guest Speakers, Community Service

A word from the teachers about 1st grade...

Ms. Feary	Ms. McGrath
sfeary@stmschool.org Ms. Feary has been teaching First Grade at St. Thomas More Cathedral School for 4 years, but she has been part of the Arlington Diocese for most of her life. She has been a member of Nativity Parish in Burke since Kindergarten, and attended Paul VI High School in Fairfax. She received a BA in Communication from John Carroll University, a Jesuit college in Cleveland. She has completed 10 graduate courses at the University of Virginia, concentrating in reading instruction. Teaching the fundamentals of Reading and Word Study at St. Thomas More has been especially satisfying. “Teaching First Grade has been a special experience for me because I witness the growth of each student both mentally and spiritually. Each year, I watch them blossom from emergent readers into independent learners. I love to see how engaged they are when they’re learning something new and how they are excited by each other’s enthusiasm."
Ms. Rapoza
krapoza@stmschool.org Mrs. Rapoza recently relocated to Virginia from New Mexico where she taught first and fourth grade at Las Cruces Catholic School. She earned her BA in Communications from Westfield State College and completed Elementary Education Certification at Santa Fe Community College. She has taught grades pre-K through fifth for the past eight years in New Mexico, Arizona, and Florida. As a lifelong Catholic, she has taught catechism and served as a lector and children’s liturgical minister. She has been married for eighteen years and has a thirteen year old daughter. “I am pleased to be a part of the St. Thomas More family. Reading and writing are two of my passions and sharing them with my students is very invigorating. I love teaching first graders because they are so naturally curious and eager to learn new things. We have a lot of fun along the way as students learn to challenge themselves and each other. “ “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:2