April 29-May 3, 2013

Notes for April 22-26, 2013

Dear Parents:

What a joy it was to see the sunshine this weekend!  I hope you all were able to be outside and enjoy the warmer weather and the feel of spring!  We continue to see God’s hand in creation as HE turns the winter into spring!  The birds singing in the morning and the blossoming flowers continue to remind me that we serve a risen, and ALIVE Lord!

The first grade teachers shared these observations from the field trip last week:  We were blessed with great weather for the field trip on Tuesday.  The rain held off until it was time to leave the Discovery Center and it wasn’t too cold outside! (The children had prayed so hard for the weather to be nice and so they were super thankful to God!) The two guides were great and it really was a fun learning time for all of us. I loved to see the children’s faces as they touched the different animals and learned about them.

We also enjoyed the our last Family Group meeting on Thursday. Students decorated white paper bags for an organization called Kids Food Basket. This organization provides meals for children who need them in the Grand Rapids area. We also had the opportunity to pray a blessing for the eighth graders in our group, since this is the last time that we meet as family groups this year.  See this link to learn more about this ministry:

Link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mKrrGHm_7E

SHC Parent Meeting:  Thank you to all who were able to come to the parent meeting last week Thursday.  I realize it is an extremely busy time of year, as spring sports and activities are underway.  If you were not able to attend, and did not receive the materials we shared at the meeting, please let me know and I will gladly pass that along to you!  

We are thrilled to welcome Miss Jillian Konyndyk and Mrs. Phyllis Patnott into our program, as well as continue to work with Mr. Jim Heeres! Jillian will take on the role as “Lead middle school teacher” and will be teaching science and language arts.  Phyllis will be teaching math for grades 1-8, and  Jim will continue to oversee the social studies curriculum for middle school, and work to develop the unique middle school identity in the SHC program.  Both Jim and I will work to further develop curriculum for students in grades 1-8, specifically with Project Based Learning units of study.  

In the elementary program, parents will continue to be responsible for teaching science at home, and will also begin implementing the Bible lessons at home as well, with the curriculum and a pacing provided,  in a way format to science.  We will continue to have specific and intentional Bible conversations at school, as we work to incorporate God’s word into everything we do at ZCS.  Social studies will continue to be taught at school.  However, specific Bible lessons will be taught only at home.  

In the middle school classroom, science will be taught by Miss Konyndyk only at school.   Mr. Heeres will oversee the home day social studies lessons on the blog to inform students and parents about the “Living History” curriculum which will be taught only at home, with the exception of once a week discussions in class with Mr. Heeres to pull the home day lessons together.  

Upcoming Parent Information meeting for interested families:  We are looking forward to another parent information meeting for parents interested in learning more about the program.  Please share the Tuesday, May 14, 7:00pm meeting date with others who might be interested in learning more.  Also let me know if you need additional SHC brochures.

We are thrilled to see God’s hand in the development of the SHC program.  We covet your prayers and praise God for your incredible support throughout the year!

Here’s our look at the week ahead:  

• Science-  I have materials available to complete the circuit  inquiry lesson that you may gladly borrow to use at home.  Please let me know if you need these supplies and I’ll be glad to send them home on Monday.

• Science Presentations: You are welcome to join us as we hear from students as they share their electricity presentations on Wednesday and Thursday morning.  The times are as follows:
• Wednesday-1st and 2nd grade sharing at 11:10-11:45- 1st and 2nd grade science electricity project presentations.
• Thursday-3rd-5th grade sharing at 10:40-11:20 - 3rd-5th grade science electricity project presentations.

• Market Day:   This week, 4th graders will meet with “Venture Capitalists”, local business entrepreneurs, to share their “Pitch” and describe their market day product.  Market Day will be on Thursday, May 30.  All other ZCS elementary students will be able to “shop” at the 4th grade booths to purchase these products.  Due to our home and school day format, they will also need to work outside of class to a certain degree to complete the project.

• Continue to send in the White Caps reading completed form to redeem an order form for 2 free tickets.

• We will be having another information meeting on May 14 for families interested in learning more about the SHC program.  We would like to have a panel-type discussion at that next meeting and have current families join the discussion. If you would be interested in attending the meeting and sharing a little about your family’s experience, please let me know.  We would like to have a family representative from our class, as well as from Mr. Heeres’ class attend each meeting.  Please continue to join me in prayer for the growth and development of the program! 

• Memorial Day Zeeland Parade:  I have heard from 1 student who will be marching with me on Memorial Day!   I know it is over a month away, but I would like to get an estimated count for how many students will be marching with our class in the Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 27.  Usually each ZCS grade marches together in the parade.  If there is enough students, I would like to have us walk together in the parade.  Also, each grade has a “theme” (bubbles, streamers, etc.) for the parade too, so we’ll need to think about that.  Please let me know if you are planning to have your son/daughter walk with our class in the parade!

Upcoming Dates:

    -May 8- Tulip Time 1/2 Day of School

    -May 16-Postponed from last week’s rainout - SHC trip 

     to DeGraaf Nature Center- Natural Resources; We will leave school at 12:10 and return by 2:30.

     Students should plan to bring a “cold” lunch that we can eat together in our classroom.   

     Drivers:  Mrs. Sal and Mrs. Tucker (Looking for 1 more, if you’re available).

    -May 23- 2nd Grade trip to Frederick Meijer Gardens-all day

    -May 27- Memorial Day Vacation/Parade

    -May 29- 2nd Grade trip to Camp Roger-all day

    -May 29- 4th Grade trip to John Ball Zoo

    -May 30- ZCS Market Day- 4th grade Vendors

    -May 31- First Grade trip to the John Ball Zoo (AM)

Have a great week!  

Blessings,

Mrs. Walters

April 22-26 Newsletter

Notes for April 22-26, 2013

Dear Parents:

Wow!  What an incredible time we had at Central Wesleyan Church last Friday afternoon!  It is such a great blessing to see how the Lord has created a deep sense of community and amazing relationships within our SHC groups!  I heard a couple kids say, “We should have this every Friday!” Thank you to the Spitters family for their generosity to share the facility and coordinate this great time together! I praise God for the privilege of being able to work with such a dedicated group of families this year!

Last week Thursday, we also enjoyed an amazing performance from the Hearts in Hand group from Jamaica.  It was incredible to see how they, being completely deaf, were using their passion for God to share in worship through sign language and dance.

Also on Thursday, Mr. Joel Meyer, our own ZCS teacher, did an a amazing job as he shared his experience as a published author and challenged students to create a drawing that ties in with a songs he has shared with individual classes.

We have another big week ahead, with our final Family Group meeting on Thursday, and Fun Night for the whole school on Friday night.  On Wednesday, I will be attending an iPad training conference, put on by the CLC network.  I’m looking forward to more effectively meeting students' needs using iPads.  Miss Gillman will be subbing in the morning, and Mrs. Senti, formerly a ZCS Spanish immersion teacher as well as a former homeschool parent, will be subbing in the afternoon.  

Here is a peek at we can look forward to:

• Science- Electricity Unit- I’ve noticed several students have begun to complete the checklist of activities for this unit!  Keep up the great work.  Also, I have materials available to complete the circuit  inquiry lesson that you may gladly borrow to use at home.  Please let me know if you need these supplies and I’ll be glad to send them home!   Also see the PDF “books” posted on the blog for additional resources.

• Market Day:   All 4th graders (including our own SHC 4th graders) will be working in small groups to create products to sell at the annual Market Day on Thursday, May 30.  I am working with the other 4th grade teachers to create a rich PBL experience for students.  Our students will work both with the traditional classes, as well as in our own class on school days.  Due to our home and school day format, they will also need to work outside of class to a certain degree to complete the project. Please see the information in your child’s folder for additional information.

• Continue to send in the White Caps reading completed form to redeem an order form for 2 free tickets.

• We will be having another information meeting on May 14 for families interested in learning more about the SHC program.  We would like to have a panel-type discussion at that next meeting and have current families join the discussion. If you would be interested in attending the meeting and sharing a little about your family’s experience, please let me know.  We would like to have a family representative from our class, as well as from Mr. Heeres’ class attend each meeting.  Please continue to join me in prayer for the growth and development of the program! 

• Memorial Day Zeeland Parade:  I know it is over a month away, but I would like to get an estimated count for how many students will be marching with our class in the Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 27.  Usually each ZCS grade marches together in the parade.  If there is enough students, I would like to have us walk together in the parade.  Also, each grade has a “theme” (bubbles, streamers, etc.) for the parade too, so we’ll need to think about that.  Please let me know if you are planning to have your son/daughter walk with our class in the parade!

Upcoming Dates:

       -April 23- 1st Grade trip to the Outdoor Discovery Center and Timber town- leave ZCS at 
        8:40 to ODC, then lunch at Timber Town, weather permitting; Returning about 1:00. 

       -April 25- 2nd Grade walking field trip to the Zeeland Historical museum, 9:00-10:30.

       -April 26- Fun Night

       -April 27- 7th Grade Car Wash

       -May 8- Tulip Time 1/2 Day of School

       -May 16-Postponed from last week’s rainout - 
       SHC trip to DeGraaf Nature Center- Natural Resources; We will leave school at 12:10 and
       return by 2:30.  Students should plan to bring a “cold” lunch that we can eat together in
       our classroom.  Drivers: Mrs. Sal and Mrs. Tucker (Looking for 1 more, if you’re available).

       -May 23- 2nd Grade trip to Frederick Meijer Gardens-all day

       -May 27- Memorial Day Vacation/Parade

       -May 29- 2nd Grade trip to Camp Roger-all day

       -May 29- 4th Grade trip to John Ball Zoo

       -May 30- ZCS Market Day- 4th grade Vendors

       -May 31- First Grade trip to the John Ball Zoo (AM)

Have a great week!  

Blessings,

Mrs. Walters

Blog Notes- April 15-19, 2014

Notes for April 15-19, 2013

Dear Parents:

In spite of the cold and rainy weather, we have been “shining” in our classroom!  It was great seeing the sunshine today!  I’m hopeful we’ll see warmer temps and more sunshine this week!  We had a ball, releasing some pent up energy last week Thursday, singing, “Shake a Friend’s Hand”!  Ask your child to sing it to/with you!! 

We are into our final marking period of the school year already!  We will continue to work on staying focused and productive as we work “full speed ahead” during these last 8 weeks of school. 

Here is what we have coming up this week:

• Thank you to all who came out to the auction last Friday!  The SHC basket earned $50 for ZCS!  Thank  you to your incredible generosity!

• On Thursday we will have a Young Author's celebration and hear from our own ZCS teacher and Michigan author, Mr. Joel Meyer!  We will continue to work on our non-fiction writing to share with our Young 5's buddies after they are published.

• We are excited to be able to enjoy time together at Central Wesleyan Church this afternoon from 1:00 - 3:00!  We so appreciate the Spitters’ generosity to share the facility and this great afternoon with us!!!  We are looking forward to a fun time together with all of the SHC families in our class, and Mr. Heeres’ class too!  Please RSVP by Thursday.

• Continue to send in the White Caps reading completed form to redeem an order form for 2 free tickets.

• We enjoyed meeting two prospective families last week Tuesday at the SHC information meeting.  As we continue to receive inquiries about the program, we will have occasional visitors come to our classrooms, as families appreciate seeing the program “In Action”.  Please join me in prayer for the growth and development of the program! 

• We will be having another information meeting on May 14 for families interested in learning more about the SHC program.  We would like to have a panel-type discussion at that next meeting and have current families join the discussion. If you would be interested in attending the meeting and sharing a little about your family’s experience, please let me know.  We would like to have a family representative from our class, as well as from Mr. Heeres’ class attend each meeting.  

• I will include an SHC brochure in your child’s red folder this week.  Please share this with another family who may be interested in learning more about the program.  If you need more brochures, please let me know! YOU are a strong voice for the SHC program!  Thank you for sharing about the program to those who are interested in learning more!  You are a blessing!

Upcoming Dates:

     -April 16- Middle School Information night

     -April 18- Young Author’s Celebration- K-5

     -April 19 (Friday) 1:00-3:00p.m.- SHC trip to Central Wesleyan Church for a fun afternoon     together!  Thank you to the Spitters family for coordinating this special event!

     -April 26- Fun Night

     -April 27- 7th Grade Car Wash

     -May 8- Tulip Time 1/2 Day of School
     -May 15- 3rd Grade- Cappon House tour

     -May 16-Postponed from last week’s rainout - SHC trip to DeGraaf Nature Center- Natural Resources; We will leave school at 12:10 and return by 2:30.  Students should plan to bring a “cold” lunch that we can eat together in our classroom.

Drivers:  Mrs. Sal and Mrs. Tucker (Looking for 1 more, if you’re available).

     -May 27- Memorial Day Vacation/Parade

     -May 31- First Grade trip to the John Ball Zoo (AM)

Have a great week!  
Blessings,

Mrs. Walters

April 8-12, 2013 Notes

Notes for April 8-12, 2013

      HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED!

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.  Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Matthew 28:8-9

I pray that you have been able to rest and relax over our spring vacation, and that you have experienced a wonderful time of worship, as we celebrate Christ’s resurrection!

Dear Parents,

I’m looking forward to seeing your children on Monday!  Here is what we will be working on this week!

New Science Unit:  I’m excited to share this week’s lessons, as we will together, be entering into a Science unit studying electricity.  Because only the 4th grade text book has a unit covering this material, I have put together a packet for each student, detailing the unit.  Each family also has access to this 4th grade unit using the Science Fusion online site.  We will be incorporating additional writing and reading into the science unit as well as a greater focus on inquiry and wonder!!  Let me know if you have any questions!  I’ll send a copy of the packet home on Monday, but have posted it as well on the blog.  You will also see PDF books, and inquiry lessons, in addition to the packet of information.

DeGraaf Nature Center field trip Thursday!  We are also looking forward to another field trip on Thursday.  We’ll leave school around 12:10 and return about 2:30.  Please send a sack lunch to school Thursday, as we will be eating at school a bit early to leave for DeGraaf Nature Center on time. We will need 2-3 drivers, so let me know if you are available!

Door Decorating Contest! I am very proud of our class, as they won “Honorable Mention” for their hard work to decorate our classroom door for the “March Is Reading Month” contest.    Each of them added a part of the story from our read-aloud book, James and the Giant Peach..  Take a look!!

ZCS Auction on Friday~  Don’t forget the ZCS auction is this week Friday!  Come out for a fun night!  I’m looking forward to spending time with a few students for a pizza picnic at the park with my auction item!!  I can’t wait to see our class “Coffee/Chocolate” basket donation as well!  Thank you to all who donated to the basket, and a special thank you to Heather Dykhouse for coordinating basket donations and putting the basket together!

Book-It and West Michigan Whitecaps Reading Club:  Please send in students completed Book-It and Whitecaps forms as soon as they are completed!  Whitecaps home games began on April 4 and I'd love to give your child his/her ticket order form to receive 2 free tickets!  The completed bookmark should be returned to school in order to receive the order form!

Extend-Ed:  Information packets are still available if you did not receive one during conferences.  Summer activities through ZCS are listed with information regarding types of class offerings, dates, times, and cost.  Please let me know if you need a packet!

SHC Information Meeting for Interested Parents:  I’m also looking forward to meeting with families interested in learning more about the SHC program on Tuesday evening, April 9 at 7:00 p.m.  If you would be interested in attending the meeting and sharing a little about your family’s experience, please let me know.  We will be having another meeting in May if you are unable to attend this week’s meeting.  We would like to have a family representative from our class, as well as from Mr. Heeres’ class attend each meeting.  

If you know of families who may like to learn more about our program, please let them know about the upcoming meeting.  You can pick up an information packet in our room to pass along to interested parents.  We continue to be in prayer about the growth and development of the program!  YOU are a strong voice for the SHC program!  Thank you for sharing about the program to those who are interested in learning more!   You are a blessing!

Upcoming Field Trips:  

-April 11 (Thursday) - SHC trip to DeGraaf Nature Center- Natural Resources; We will leave school at 12:10 and return by 2:30.  Students should plan to bring a “cold” lunch that we can eat together in our classroom.

-April 19 (Friday)- SHC trip to Central Wesleyan Church for a fun afternoon together!  Thank you to the Spitters family for coordinating this special event!

-May 31- First Grade trip to the John Ball Zoo (AM)

Dates to keep in mind:

April 8- School resumes

April 12                 Auction

April 16                 Middle school information night

April 18                 Young Author’s celebration – K-5

April 26                 Fun night

Have a great week!

Blessings,

Mrs. Walters