November 27-30, 2012

November 27, 2012

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving vacation and had many opportunities to build lasting family memories together!  We have many great things planned as we begin the four-week stretch leading up to Christmas!  Mr. Heeres and I will be putting together opportunities for service with our students during these next few weeks. We will be sharing these opportunities with you soon! These next four weeks have a way of passing so quickly, so I really want to use these weeks before Christmas to focus on quality instruction and be intentional to focus on Christ’s birth and the true meaning of Christmas!

I also want to take this opportunity to thank you for your incredible thoughtfulness and generosity for  my birthday!  I’ve included the picture above to help you see what fun we had celebrating as a class!  I am truly blessed to have the privilege of working with such an amazing group of students and their families!  

Also, thank you for your support for His Harvest Stand, and Parkview Home in Zeeland.  We, at ZCS, appreciate your support to the community!  Also, thank you for your donations to our prayer partner, Teacher Marlene, in our sister school in the Philippines.  We will be sending a baby gift to her this week, with other donations that were collected by ZCS families.  Thank you for your thoughtfulness!

Our work for this week was included in the blog posted before Thanksgiving, but I wanted to share additional information for this week:

               Thursday: ZCS "Family" Meeting - Nov. 29 - 7 p.m. - Media Center
All parents, grandparents and friends are encouraged to attend an important meeting on Nov. 29.  Principal Bill Van Dyk and the ZCS Board will share information on the amazing growth ZCS has experienced over the last few years.  They'll also talk about the opportunities and challenges that come with that growth.  Special focus will be on building a new middle school addition.  There will also be a Q & A  time for attendees to ask ZCS questions.  Visit www.zcs.org/strong-together for more information!

Things to keep in mind:

Wednesday, Nov. 28:
Students should say Psalm 100 to me.  (Next passage- Luke 2: 6-20)
Book Fair “Shopping” visit-11:00am-Media Center

Monday, Dec. 3:
Students should be prepared to share what they have learned during the Science Weather unit. I can’t wait to see what they have been working on!!
Weather chart is due.

Box Tops:  It’s time to collect Box Tops again.  Please take a few minutes to cut the box tops off of the products you use in your home and send them in to school with your children.  

ZCS Curriculum Connection: ZCS teachers have been learning about
Project Based Learning (PBL). We are looking at how to take the information that
students learn and present it in a new way through a project or problem to solve. PBL focuses on content, but also on real-life skills that our students will need.  If
you’d like to learn more about PBL, check out:  http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=LMCZvGesRz8&feature=plcp. 

As teachers develop the PBL units they are thinking about how to incorporate "21st Century Skills". To learn more about 21st Century Skills, check out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0xa98cy-Rw.

Have a wonderful week!

Blessings,

Mrs. Walters

Nov. 19 and 20, and Nov. 26-30, 2012

November 19, 2012
Monday

Happy Thanksgiving!  I pray that each of your families will experience God's rich blessings during this Thanksgiving week!  I thank God for each of your children that I am privileged to work with each week!  I pray that "The God of hope will fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Romans 15:13  Blessings for a wonderful week filled with gratitude to God.

Here are some things to keep in mind during this short week.  I've included lessons for this week and next week on the blog to give you a bigger overview of where we are headed in the next two weeks.
Lesson materials for this week will be sent home Monday.  Lesson materials for next week will be sent home next week Monday.

I am looking forward to meeting with each of you at conferences this week on Monday after school and on Tuesday during the day and evening scheduled times.  Please take a few minutes to write a special note for your child and leave it in his/her desk!  Your encouragement leaves a huge impression on your child!  Also, I will have a slide show running in the hallway to show some of the things we have done at school this fall.  Enjoy the great pictures of your children!

During conferences, feel free to bring in donations for His Harvest Stand or Parkview Home.  The last day to receive donations is on Tuesday, as they will be distributed after school on Tuesday.  Thank you for your generosity!

Last week Thursday, your child received a friendship bracelet, which needed to be assembled.  Directions were in the bag.  Students are encouraged to wear the bracelet during these next few weeks at school to remind each other that here at ZCS, we are a strong school, with many wonderfl educational options for our children where we can share Christ's love and represent one, strong, unit- called Zeeland Christian. 

This bracelet is a symbol to help us remember the wonderful way God is shaping Zeeland Christian and reminding us how as we continue to grow we celebrate many blessings, and may face challenges along the way.  Parents, grandparents, and the community is invited to attend a November 29 information meeting to hear about the exciting, yet challenging projected growth for ZCS in the few short years ahead.  I hope you can make it to the Nov. 29 meeting at 7:00 in the media center!
See the link to hear Mr. VanDyk explain the significance of the bracelets. 
LINK:  http://vimeo.com/53627644

Students have been asking when we will be having our "Ticket Celebration" at school, which is similar to a store, where students can buy miscellaneous items from our treasure box.  They have been earning tickets all marking period each week for the jobs they do in the classroom.  We will plan to have our celebration next week Thursday afternoon, November 29.  I have gathered a few things to donate to the prize box, but we could use additional donations of gently used toys or books that students no longer use at home, but might appeal to other students.  If you'd like to pick up a couple items from the Dollar Store, that would also be greatly appreciated!  Items such as candy, matchbox cars, books, a can of pop, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, pens, highlighters, etc. are big hits!  Students may bring in their donations anytime before next Thursday.

Also, if students have school pictures that they would like to trade with their classmates, will be sharing pictures next week Monday, November 26.  Students may bring their pictures to school on Monday if they wish to trade with their friends.

Blessings for a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration with family and friends!

Mrs. Walters

November 12-part 2- Concert info.

Dear Parents,

I just wanted to remind you of the elementary concert tomorrow evening at Community Reformed Church.  Students should arrive no earlier than 6:45 in the gym (to find it- from the sanctuary- go out the doors to the left of the stage, cross the hall and enter the gym).  I will have a quiet activity that students may do while they wait for the program at 7:00. **Also, for new parents- the auditorium fills up VERY quickly, so you may want to come early to find a seat. Your children may sit with you if you arrive prior to 6:45, then escort them to the gym, please. Don't forget your camera!:)

Also, I wanted to remind you about the rehearsal tomorrow morning at 10:30 to noon.  Please have students arrive at 10:15 in my classroom.  At 10:25, they will walk to the class that they attend choir with.  They will then be able to be in the bleachers with their class.  I will be in the gym during rehearsal as well.  You may pick up your child in our classroom at noon. 

Mrs. TenHaken told teachers that the rehearsal is very important for students, and she especially asked if the SHC students were going to attend. I'm hoping to see students in our classroom by 10:15 tomorrow for the rehearsal.  Please let me know if you are not able to to come for the rehearsal tomorrow, or the concert in the evening.


Tomorrow, because of choir practice time at school, please feel free to modify the schedule, but make sure you work on math, spelling, reading, and Bible.  Science is next on the priority list and something you will continue working on all week, so if you run out of time, you can continue later this week.  Also, do not worry about Handwriting for tomorrow.

Thank you!

Julie

November 12, 2012

November 12, 2012

Dear Parents!
Welcome to a new week!  Please note that the blog lesson plans for today and tomorrow have been updated, as well as the Bible lesson for Tuesday.  I will post the rest of the week's lessons this afternoon!  This past weekend I shared in my parent's 50th wedding anniversary celebration, hosting a large group for an open house!  What a wonderful treasure their 50 years have been!  It reminds me of the legacy and commitment to sharing our faith with our children!

I am looking forward to jumping into learning this week.  Please look for a letter in your child's notebook today which details some transitions that we will be making in the next week regarding science and social studies, as well as a few other changes.  I am excited about this transition, as I think it will better represent who we are and the collaborative aspect of our program!  You will also see your child's science workbook in their backpack. The book may stay at home, as you will be using it, in addition to other resources, to learn about our weather unit this month as well as future units of study!

Blessings,

Mrs. Walters

News, Notes, and Lesson Plans for Nov. 5-9, 2012

Mrs. Walters’ Blog News for the week of November 5-9, 2012

Dear Parents,

What an amazing celebration of God’s faithfulness through generations as we celebrated Grandparents Day on Friday!  Students, seated in the bleachers, joined the hundreds of grandparents, seated facing the bleachers, singing praises and worshiping God.  God’s Spirit was a definite presence at ZCS!  I loved the opportunity to meet grandparents and see how excited the students were to share about their learning in our classroom!  They are always welcome to visit our classroom anytime!

There are many details about upcoming activities and events in this week’s note, as well as a special note about the elementary choir concert:

• Just a reminder, that because Zeeland Public Schools does not have school this week Monday or Tuesday, there is no hot lunch or bussing November 5 or 6.

• Parent – Teacher Conferences will be held on Monday, Nov. 19 and Tuesday, Nov. 20 from 4:00-8:30 pm. There are additional times available for parents of School/Home Collaborative students during the school day on Tuesday.  You will notice that the time slots online begin at 1:00pm.  In addition, if you would like to schedule a morning conference on Tuesday, please feel free to e-mail me.  

• Scheduling for conferences is open online until November 12. Be sure to sign up by 10:00 pm on Nov. 12 as the system will close after that time. Virtual Paragon (the conference system) can be accessed from a link on the ZCS home page at www.zcs.org. The school’s master password will be mailed to you along with general directions. You will be able to use the same username and password that you used in the spring if you asked the system to save your information. Parents new to the system will have an opportunity to set up an account. If you have any questions please contact Barb Rininger at 879-0301.

• School Picture retakes will be held on Thursday, November 8.  You should have received your child’s pictures last week.  If you would like to have your child participate in retakes, and you are replacing your package, please send your picture packet to school with your child. Additional forms are available in the office.

• Fall Elementary Musical program at Community Reformed Church on November 13-   Students should arrive at Community no earlier than 6:45 in the gym and find their classroom teacher.

• Extra Rehearsal:  Tuesday, Nov. 13 rehearsal for the elementary concert at 10:30 AM until noon in the gym.  We will modify the curriculum expectations on the home day to include the rehearsal time!

• Note from Mrs. TenHaken and Mr. Schonewill:

Dear Parents,

Our fall choir concert is right around the corner! The students have been working hard and are excited to show you what they are learning in choir and music class.  The concert is on Tuesday, November 13 at 7pm  at Community Reformed Church in Zeeland.  All 1st-5th graders need to be in the church gym at 6:50; please do not drop them off before 6:45 as there will not be supervision earlier. Have your child wear a solid, bright colored top and dress pants to the concert (no jeans please).

If you have any questions or concerns check out the music blog at zcsmusic.blogspot.com or email me. Thanks for all of your support! I am excited to see you all at the concert!

Sincerely,
Kelli TenHaken and  Kevin Schonewill
ktenhaken@zcs.org

• First Grade Thanksgiving Feast on Friday, November 16- at school with all of the ZCS first grade students.  Please let me know if your child is planning to attend.  On Monday, November 12, first grade students will participate with Mrs. Zwiep’s class in a Thanksgiving and pilgrim morning of learning.

• Opportunity to serve our friends at Grace Community Christian School in the Philippines:  As a school, we will be collecting several items to send to our sister school in the Philippines.  Our SHC class is going to focus on contributing hygiene items like soap, deodorant, shampoo, toothpaste, and toothbrushes.  I am excited about this opportunity to serve our friends in the Philippines!  In addition, my teacher prayer partner is Teacher Marlene, who us expecting a baby soon!  We will be sending Christmas cards to her class and a small baby gift as well.  If you would like to donate $1-2 towards a baby gift, we will add the gift and Christmas cards to the donated items that will be sent out at the end of November.  If you would like to donate other items, as listed in the Blue Note, feel free to bring them to either our classroom, or the tables set up in the front of school.

• ZCS Town Hall Meeting on November 29 With many blessing come many challenges. The way we teach and the way kids learn is changing. More kids than ever before are enrolled at ZCS. Our school is evolving and our facility needs are too. Join us at 7:00 pm on Nov. 29 in the Media Center for an open, interactive discussion about the urgent space issues at ZCS and our potential solutions.

• Upcoming Dates:

November 9- Report Cards will be posted online
November 13- Fall Elementary Musical program at Community Reformed Church.  Students should arrive at Community no earlier than 6:45 in the gym and find their classroom teacher.
November 19-20- Parent Teacher Conferences- Evenings/ School is in session
November 21-23- Thanksgiving Vacation- No School
November 29- ZCS Town Hall Meeting

You and your families continue to be in my prayers!

Blessings,

Mrs. Walters