Partnership: Truth and Grace

Partnerships flourish with honest conversations. Certainly the partnership we hold with our students' parents is one that we treasure. Working together, we are able to maximize our students' growth. I encourage you to celebrate and converse with parents in a spirit of both truth and grace, as you always do. The above image is simply to be utilized as a reminder reference of the general flow of the conversations. Please don't hesitate to encourage parents to talk with me if there are concerns or comments I can support or follow up with. 

Report Cards

Congratulations!!! They're complete!!! :D Pause to praise!!! Thank you, once again, for your extra hours and diligence that goes into providing parents with a clear picture of students' progress. 

Please include the following in your class blog if it has not yet been published:

"Author Visit April 15!

We are excited to announce that children’s author Nancy Shaw will visit our school, culminating our reading month activities. Ms. Shaw is most renown for seven humorous rhyming books in the “Sheep” series: Sheep in a Jeep, Sheep in a Shop, Sheep on a Ship, Sheep Blast Off, Sheep Out to Eat, Sheep Take a Hike, and Sheep Trick or Treat . She has also written Raccoon Tune, and a picture book for middle grades, Elena’s Story. Parents are invited to join us for this author visit on Wednesday April 15, 12:40-1:25.

A book order form for Ms. Shaw's books was sent home on Thursday, the 26th.  Paid orders received by March 31 will be autographed by the author on April 15. Orders will also be accepted through April 15, but author day delivery is not assured for orders received after the 31st."

Staff Meeting

Our next staff meeting will take place on April 16 over the lunch hour.

Program

Our spring program is going to come flying at us after spring break. Anytime you are choosing praise and worship songs for our students, please consider using the program music in my mailbox or Shelly's. We are waiting for the details on practice times yet on either the 22nd or the 23rd. I'll email you our dates and times as they are available. 

Upcoming Events:
March      27 -   Report Cards Home
March      28  -  Kids' Stuff Resale
March 30-31 -  Parent/Teacher Conferences
April          1 -   Parent/ Teacher Conferences (1-3)/Dismissal- 11:30
April     2-12 -  Spring Break
April         13 -  School resumes
April         23 -  SS/PR Spring Program at Christ Memorial
May         6-7 - Tulip Time (11:30 dismissal)
May            8 -  Tulip Time  (Rain Date)
May           25-  Memorial Day (observed)

Innovative Learning

I'm writing to you from the MACUL Conference. I have had many conversations with educators here desiring to include more creativity and STEM in their students' learning experiences in schools. Once again, I thank you for embracing our Makers Week model. I've been able to share, in practical terms, how South Side was able to infuse a "Make" experience in our South Siders growth experience. If you have a moment, take a look at this site created by a 10-year-old "Maker Expert" who has been busy inspiring many.

Click here to view her ideas

Please include the following in your class blog if it has not yet been published:

Reading Carnival! 
We will have an all-school reading carnival on April 1 to wrap up reading month and send us off on Spring Break.  We are looking for about 12 more volunteers to help the carnival run smoothly.  The carnival will run from approximately 8:30 until 10:00.  If you are able to assist, please call Mrs. Meiste (616-820-3535) in the South Side office or email her at pmeiste@hollandchristian.org Thank you for helping us celebrate our sprouting readers!


Report Cards
Take a deep breath. They are due once again on Thursday morning. We'll start printing your class set on Thursday. Sarah, you'll have your report cards for distribution by 2:00. Everyone else will receive cards by 2:00 on Friday. If you happen to complete your grades and comments before Thursday morning, please let Pat or me know. We'll get your cards printed as soon as possible.

Conferences
Parents have now been invited to sign up for time slots with you. You may take a look at virtual paragon to see what your nights will look like.

Dutch Costume Needs
If you need a dutch costume for Tulip Time, please write your name on the sign-up paper located on the white board in the staff center.


Staff Meeting
Our next staff meeting will take place on April 16 over the lunch hour.

March Madness

March. It's SO good to see the sunshine, hear new birds back in the 'hood and feel the warm breeze. In my prayers, I always thank God for the tangible reminder during springtime that God is ever faithful and strong. Though seasons change and life tosses us inconsistencies, God is omnipresent: forever ahead, forever beside, forever behind. Praise our Almighty God. 

Thank you for meeting today. Most of what we need to know was communicated during our staff meeting. 

Just a few reminders:

Spring Musical

In my mailbox are the songs that Shelly has chosen for our spring musical. More details will be forthcoming. When you are able, please sing these songs with our kiddos. It'll help them sing their praises with confidence at the program. 

Conference Sign Ups

Virtual Paragon will open to parents from Thursday, the 19th, through Saturday, the 28th. 

Report Cards

Grades will be due the 25th of March. We will print and pack them. You'll have envelopes signed, sealed to deliver on March 27th. Once again, in order to best equip our parents for conversing meaningfully with us, please include comments on the report cards.

Fire Drill

As is reflected on the calendar, we will have a fire drill on Tuesday at 1:40. This will lead right into recess. Someone let Dylan know!

Upcoming Events:

March     13  - Family Fun Night at Pine Ridge, 5:30pm

March 15-21-  Cash for Class (Family Fare & D &W Markets)

March 27       -Report Cards 

March     28  - Kids Stuff Resale

March 30-31 - Parent/Teacher Conferences

April 1          -  Parent/ Teacher Conferences (1-3)/Dismissal- 11:30

April 2-12     - Spring Break

April 13        - School resumes

April 23        - SS/PR Spring Program at Christ Memorial

50°!!!!

Aslan is on the move!!! At least that's according to Matt Kirkwood. I'm buying what he's selling this time!

PD Day
Tomorrow morning we will begin at the high school in the auditorium. The following is the schedule for teaching staff:
8:00-8:30 breakfast
8:30-9:00 worship
9:00-9:40 discipleship practices introduction
9:40-10:00 break
10:00-12:00 grade level collaboration
12:00-1:00 lunch in cafeteria
1:00-2:00 educational technology
2:00-2:15 break
2:15-3:15 close reading training

Running Record Day
Next Wednesday, March 11, will be "Running Record"/Assessment day for teachers and STEM/Enrichment Day for students. Rather than allowing our reading workshop integrity to tank over the two week period it takes to assess an entire class, we're going to move our student body through alternate learning stations all day.

Justine, Amy, Michelle, Lia and I will each teach an enrichment/STEM session. I will give you a schedule for your class early next week.

Staff Meeting
Please plan to meet on Thursday, March 12 over our lunch hour. Makers Week now feels like a lifetime ago, but, we're going to brain dump the whole event so don't delete that entire file from your mind until 1:00 on the 12th.

GERMS, GERMS, GERMS
Our germ lady (I better figure out her name before she's on campus!) will be presenting to classrooms on Wednesday, March 18. You will be able to sign up for her 20-minute presentation beginning next week. She will come to your classroom if you have reason to believe your children would benefit from clean patties.

Conferences
Parents will begin their sign up Thursday, Mar 19 through Saturday, Mar 28 on Virtual Paragon. If you would like to offer alternate times for your parents, it may be wise to do so before that date.

Conference Dates:
 #1 Mon, Mar 30, 2015 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM
 #2 Tue, Mar 31, 2015 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM
 #3 Wed, Apr 01, 2015 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Report Cards
Grades will be due the 25th of March. We will print and pack them. You'll have envelopes signed, sealed to deliver on March 27th. Once again, in order to best equip our parents for conversing meaningfully with us, please include comments on the report cards.

Is there a need for us to have Dan Vos give an overview on gradebook so we don't add any inmates to Pine Rest during this assignment? I'm sure he'd be happy to help shed some light on all these itty bitty clicks and buttons to avoid or double check so no work is lost again. We can't redo last marking period's horror stories!

Spring Break
I know that no one really has this on their radar, but I thought I'd mention that there's this thing called spring break from Thursday, April 2-Friday, April 10. It makes me smile to think about each of you putting your feet up and reading a fun book for a few nights knowing that makers week, assessments, conferences, report cards are behind you!!! Job well done South Side!!!