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:
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
No comments:
Post a Comment