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