Love Does. Yesterday after talking with Kurt and Kelly Koops and looking at all the pictures of Dalton's childhood, I realized I was witness to what it is to live out our school theme. Hundreds of photos depicted little Dalton swimming in a pool, riding a horse, and dressed up in costume for Halloween. His bright eyes twinkling in every photo. In many of his pictures he was flanked with his proud Mom and Dad, protective little brother and loving big sister. While he required unique care, Dalton was celebrated for exactly who God made him to be. That's what love does, doesn't it? May we, too, ask God to prepare our hearts and minds to love every one of the children God is preparing for our classrooms and celebrate them for exactly who God made them to be. Yes, Love Does.
Please continue to pray for Kelly as she will be in need of God's peace that passes all understanding.
Staff Changes
It is with selfish sadness but joy in God's great design that we have had to say good-bye to Mary Bronsink. She has accepted a teaching position at Little Peoples' Place for the upcoming school year. I have no doubt that those children will be blessed under her care and instruction. Blessings to you, Mary.
We are excited to welcome Sharon Wayner as our new Spanish teacher at South Side. Sharon will be the Spanish teacher for South Side and Pine Ridge. Last year she instructed Spanish for 3-6th grade throughout HC. She is setting up shop in Tammy Grassmid's old 3's classroom. Tammy has moved to Stephanie Miedema's old young 5's room. Welcome, Sharon!
Love Does
Pat and I will be back in the office beginning Monday, August 4. I want to verify that everyone received a copy of the book Love Does by Bob Goff. If you did not pick up a copy at our year-end meetings, please do take one from the office. While there is no specific reading assignment, our greater Holland Christian community will be invited to read and converse around our 2014-2015 theme "Love Does" stemming from this book.
Teach With Your Strengths
As is reflected on the calendar below, we will have an all-staff retreat on Tuesday, August 19th. All faculty who are involved with the instruction of our children have been asked to read the first five chapters of "Teach With Your Strengths", take the online survey and read about the unique gifts God has blessed you with. If you did not receive your copy of this book, you may pick one up in the office. Please bring this book and your unique survey results to the retreat.
Supply List
Parents are already shopping for their children's school supplies, and Courtney has been fielding questions about our supply list. Does this list, which is taken from the HC website, reflect the classroom supplies which you would like parent to provide? No news is good news. If you're content with the list, no need for action. If you'd like to made amendments to this list, please email me and we'll reflect those changes on the website.
Kindergarten:
Inside tennis shoes, backpack (not with wheels), soft lunch bag (rather than plastic), and a pair of quality ear buds ($8-$10) or headphones with a container for desk storage. One 8 pack washable Crayola fat markers, 12 #2 pencils, one 16-count Crayola crayons, 6 glue sticks, school box (approx. 8.5 x 5.5), 4 2-pocket folders, and a small scissors.
First and Second Grades:
Inside tennis shoes, backpack (no wheels), pencil box (plastic preferred), eraser, pencils (wooden #2’s – at least 6) and crayons (24 count size or larger), 2 large glue sticks, and a pair of quality ear buds ($8-$10) or headphones with a container for desk storage. Second graders will also need a 12-count pack of colored pencils. Convocation
Most of the calendar is self explanatory. However, I'd like to make special note of our convocation. As in the past few years, we are able to come together, stand side-by-side with our parents, students and community members to celebrate the spiritual kick-off to the new instructional school year. I want to thank you for setting aside the time to attend this celebration in the past and request the same for this year. Each Holland Christian faculty member is required to attend. In addition to praise, prayer and worship, several of our school board members will commission Dan Meester at this event as our new superintendent. What an opportunity to show our support and thank God for bestowing upon us the common mission of continuing to transform our world (in big and small ways) for Him at Holland Christian!
Materials
They're coming! Dan Vos sent Writing Workshop ebooks and Reading Workshop ebooks to each teacher in the spring. If you need that link again, please don't hesitate to ask. I'm happy to ship it your way. Rod sent the newest edition of the CSI Bible curriculum. I can forward that to you as well if needed. If you are new this year to Reading Workshop this year, I will place a set of "Launching Reading Workshop" books in your box. This is a great resource to help frame your thinking as we approach and embrace this workshop-based method of teaching reading.
I'm looking so forward to hearing your summer stories very soon!
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