Prayer

Prayer

Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Do not be anxious about anything... That's a tall order. I'm not always able to live this way very well. But when I see the outpouring of love, prayers, support and commitment demonstrated in times of need, just at South Side over the past weeks in particular, I am reminded that God is here, God is love and God takes care of His people...even in the valleys of life. This song rolls through my mind and heart often. Maybe it will bless you as well if you have time to give it a listen and focus of the lyrics. "Be Thou My Vision...Thou with me dwelling and I with Thee one." it's a promise to claim over those we love as well.

Next week Monday we will begin our coin drive for those in Ottawa County who have received a shut-off notice for their utilities. Children will be able to bring coins to a big jar near the table next to the statue of our friend reading a book.

To alert parents to our initiative, please copy and paste this in your blog:

Every February, the Ottawa County Community Action Agency puts together a fundraising event to help support families who have received a shut-off notice for their utilities at home. This event is called Walk for Warmth and takes place in Zeeland on February 13th. While we certainly cannot bring all of our students to walk the milage at this event, we do put in many miles collectively during our recesses on Wellness Wednesday. We, at South Side, would like to put these initiatives together to support families! What a horrific time of year to be without heat or utilities at home! At South Side we will commit to calculate our miles at recess over the next three weeks. Would you be willing to sponsor your child by sending coins to school? Or allow your child to collect and bring coins to school? Every penny will go directly to the Ottawa County Community Action Agency in order to help families pay the balance of their bill so children can be safe, comfortable and warm in their homes as well. We will begin this collection on Monday, February 1.

Awaiting Confirmation for our Visiting Juniors
I have communicated with Greg Schemper regarding our interest and availability. Based on our rough draft, I have responded with these teachers and times for Tuesday and Wednesday, February 2 and 3:

Tuesday from 8:45-9:15 Karen Strikwerda's class and Amanda Bohle's class

Tuesday from 10:20-11:00 Sheri's class

Tuesday from 2:00-2:45 Natalie Sapp and Jenna Ritsema's classes

Wednesday from 2:00-2:45 Karen VM, Sandy and Sarah's classes.

I don't have a crystal clear picture of what this is going to look like, but I trust that this will enrich our HC Juniors and perhaps our students will recognize steps of "how to" projects that they are engaged in. Thank you for your adventurous spirit in allowing these students, big and small, to engage with one another! As more details are available, I will keep updated and fine tuning. In the meantime, please let me know if your time slot does not work for you!

Makers Week
Rather than trying to get on the same page when we're in the same space (because that is just not coming together!) I will touch base individually with each of you about your experience and necessary materials. Next weekend I'll go shopping for your pieces and parts!

February 12 PD Day
Much of the focus on February 12th will be on Rubicon. Breakfast will be served for us at the high school between 8:00-8:30. There will be a snack break mid-morning. Lunch provided. And our day will wrap up around 3:00. I expect we'll walk away from the day with a feeling of accomplishing a good deal of our Rubicon work!

February SPARK Day
Due to Makers Week, our February SPARK day has been moved to the 17th of February. All the details we need are on the Google calendar. But here's the low down:

Civic Worker Appreciation--Becksfort
Eagle College--Dreyer/Hunderman
Holland Rescue Mission--VanMeeteren (Karen, I'll need to give you details on their specific needs yet)
Military--Sapp
Neighborhood Blessing--Bohle
Preschool Visit--Ritsema
My Brother's/Sister's House--Sandy
Lakeside Vista--Strikwerda

Focusing Ahead

It's no secret that God has set some difficult burdens before us. We have many health concerns of loved ones, both our own families and family members of our students. To be honest, I was feeling overwhelmed with these pains and asking God to please remove the difficulties or guide me in how to help alleviate these burdens for others. I want to be cautious here because I do not claim to speak for God or understand God's path for our lives. But what I have seen and heard in the past few weeks since our return from break has brought me to my knees in gratitude. Comfort is here. Strength is here. Hope is here, both eternal hope for some and for this life on earth for others. GOD IS HERE. IN THESE STRUGGLES. GOD'S ARMOR IS PROTECTING HIS CHILDREN.

Just a few of the moments that cause my breath to catch: God's timing for Kim's talk expressing His message "You are just enough." Give of your gifts and you provide the consistency when a family in your care might not be able. This is partnership. God's hand is holding us and renewing strength!

In writing workshop, Michael shared a story with Karen VM that he had written. She had delivered a mini-lesson about writing a story with a strong lead. His lead was "There are many things you can do if your mom has cancer". Together, they shared with each other their experience in the difficulties in life, an understanding and pain they both know all too well right now. They talked about God's strength and comfort that can be found and shared in His word. They talked about using the words of Psalm 23 to calm the worried hearts of those they love. God's hand is holding us and providing comfort!

Bruce Hekman's wife was given the same diagnosis as Michelle's mom. He stated that he and his wife felt the power of prayer in deep and new ways throughout the trial. He and his wife felt calm in the storm and confidence in His promises. Their faith was renewed with a purpose and their witness to His grace was true. We pray this calmness and confidence over Michelle's family too, and Michelle sees it shining in her mom's eyes. God's hand is holding us and offering hope!

We are not asked to understand. We are asked to trust. How comforting to see that God is here with the ones that we love in the midst of hardships. He answers prayers. He holds His people. I pray that we will always have eyes that are open to see Jesus as we journey through the ups and downs of this life on earth, until we are surrounded with His glory one day in Heaven!

Thank you for the extra hours and work you have poured into assessing, into report cards and into Discovery Night. May God do great things with the fruits of our labor! 

Schedule

Just so we're all living on the same page and because there have been several changes, let's step through the next few weeks, shall we? 

Friday, January 22

Jenna, Sheri and I will be out of the building tomorrow learning more about teach, flip, apply. I hope we come back with much to share with you! I will return for the close of the day.

Monday, January 25

Kindergarten data meeting will take place from 11:40-12:30. Please bring your students' reading levels.

2nd grade data meeting from 1:15-1:45. Please bring your students' reading levels. 

Tuesday, January 26

1st grade data meeting from 1:00-1:30ish. Please bring your students' reading levels. 

Wednesday, January 27

SPARK day! Arrangements for bussing and visitors have been made. Please see the calendar for specifics. 

Makers Week project touch point (kind of like a staff meeting) from 12:10-12:30. Dawn Housekamp has generously offered broccoli cheese soup for the meeting!!! Thank you, Dawn!

Thursday, January 28

Collaboration Day:

7:15-9:15 First grade at admin

9:45-11:45 Kindergarten at admin

Learning Lab in Karen VanMeeteren's Class at 2:00 for cohort #2. Pat has sub details if you have questions.

According to our calendar it's also national kazoo day. Duly noted.

Friday, January 29

Collaboration Day:

7:15-9:15 Second grade at admin

Are we still tracking on the same page?

Monday, February 1

Cohort #1 will take place in Sarah's class at 11:00. Pat has sub details if you have questions.

Time Cards are due on Monday for hourly employees.

Look at that. In the midst of all of these events you are leading your students through a time of the year when learning and growth can really take off for many! My hat is off to you and all that you do. Thank you for touching lives, for modeling God's grace and love, for growing children, for developing your craft and smiling while you do it. You are a gift and a blessing to many! Enjoy the weekend! Karen S, do I need to say it? You and Tom are banned from extreme sports this weekend! Put your feet up and read a book! Learn to knit! Something to help you get out of the fog ;) Blessings everyone!

Learning to Trust...

...because sometimes we just can't understand. Kim so eloquently shared her powerful life story illustrating how God is in control and His will and wisdom lead us through our entire lives until we are called home to Glory. Therein lies our comfort. We are not our own, but we belong body and soul, in life and in death, to our faithful Savior Jesus Christ.

I hope Kim's words stay with you and resonate for a good long while. By following God's call and using your gifts, you have and continue to provide JUST what was needed right when it was needed for her family and countless other families. That has God written all over it! What a humble honor to walk alongside families and gently point them to God consistently, prayerfully and steadily.

The best laid plans of mice and men ;) I can't think of a better reason to set aside a beefy, traditional staff meeting agenda. Let's see how much we can plow through using the blog:

Discovery Night Deets
Please be at school on Tuesday evening by 5:30-5:35. That will give a few minutes to get settled in and warm up our positions. All teachers will be asked to greet parents at the check-in table, introduce yourselves with your name and role here at South Side. If the prospective parents have children along, walk with them to Jamie's room to drop off their children, then bring them to the gym. If they have no children along, they may enter the gym right away. Then go back for more. We're praying for gobs of people! :D Please keep a close eye on the childcare in Jamie's room. By 6:15 if there is a good adult to child ratio in Jamie's room, please feel free to return to your classroom for a few minutes. If it's a bit zoo-y, please stay close to keep the evening structured and positive for the young ones. There will be an informative meeting time in the gym from 6:10-6:40. Please return to the gym by 6:40 for the open house style meet and greet in the gym. Sandy will address the parents during the presentation portion of the evening. Sarah and Karen S. will host a table showcasing makers week type of activities. The evening will wrap up by 7:30. Please don't hesitate to ask questions or ideas if you have them!

Report Cards
Due by next Thursday, please. Pat and I will print them and stuff them. 3-day K sends them home on Thursday. Everyone else sends them home on Friday.

New Lexi Larson
We have a new kindergartener who will be joining us in the beginning of February! Her family is moving here from North Carolina. She will join Sandy's class. If you see a bright-eyed, unfamiliar sweetie (she's very curious and exuberant ;) ) please say "Hi" to our brand new little Lexi Larson!

February 12 PD Day
Much of the focus on February 12th will be on Rubicon. Breakfast will be served for us at the high school between 8:00-8:30. There will be a snack break mid-morning. Lunch provided. And our day will wrap up around 3:00. I expect we'll walk away from the day with a feeling of accomplishing a good deal of our Rubicon work!

SPARK 
I had hoped to talk you through your event for this month, but from speaking individually with a few of you and reading your blogs, I think you have this well in hand! The bus for Life House is arranged. Visiting friends from my brothers and sisters' house are confirmed. Our SPARK program is underway!

Memory work objective has been removed from report cards

Classroom Library Support
Sandy, Sarah, Karen S, Karen VM, Amanda, Michelle and Jenna, you may spend $200 to replace/replenish books in your classroom library. Natalie has start-up library needs that will be supported a bit differently. Place your order however you can get the most bang for your buck and we'll get you covered. 

Pokemon and Sleds
I had hoped to open this up for discussion, but after a good deal of reading, talking with Rod and Tim and speaking a bit to Bill VanDyke about sledding at ZCS, I'll shorten the long story by saying we are allowing children to bring their own sleds to school at their own risk. We are also allowing children to bring Pokemon cards to school at their cards' risk. We are not responsible for lost or damaged items, but they may bring them assuming the risk and responsibility. If you're interested, here is a nice summary of the "why" behind the Pokemon cards.

Makers Week
I will begin shopping for our Makers Week materials. I had hoped to talk through the finer points of our make experiences, but let's do this. How about if we get past Discovery Night and report cards and then have a "Maker Break" during Wednesday lunch from 12:10-12:30 on January 27th.

Phew! That was a lot of information to blog to you. Please don't hesitate to ask for clarification if something feels muddy or you have a suggestion to offer. Thank you for "listening" and for your flexibility with receiving all of this information in this format. As a parent and colleague, I deeply appreciate all you do every day by "just being you". Thank you!

Much To Be Discovered

Resonate with anybody? 

We can either laugh about it...or cry. Misewell laugh. Please know Todd and I are doing the best we can to pursue the mass exodus of our furry friends.

Courtney has requested an announcement about Discovery Nights be published in your class blogs. If you would like you may word your own, or you may copy and paste this announcement:

We are entering a joy-filled, exciting time of the Holland Christian School calendar. Though the ground is still covered in snow and ice, we are busy making plans for the next school year. It is the season of school tours with new families, interviews with prospective parents, Discovery Night experiences and many conversations with folks who are curious to know more about who we are and what we do. Please join me in committing to pray for families who are seeking the educational home for their child where he/she will be loved, known, taught and grown into God. Schooling is a big decision and commitment for families to consider. We claim the promise in Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God's handiwork, created in Jesus Christ to do good work, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Thanks be to God that He holds the plans for our lives and for our children's journey. As parents, we can rest in that knowledge. As a school community, we know that we can be faithful and God will be great!

January 19, 6-7:30PM is the date and time for this very special event held at South Side designed to introduce Holland Christian to prospective parents and students for next year, especially at the Preschool and Kindergarten levels. What can you do?

• Pray for an overwhelming number of new families to come that evening, and for a wonderful experience for all whom God will bring.
• Pray for staff and our volunteers as we welcome and introduce ourselves to these prospective families.
• Help us to create the positive "buzz" for the night by spreading the word and invitation, and by telling your story of Holland Christian and South Side! Think about a family member, acquaintance, neighbor, friend, or colleague whom you could invite to this event. Some of our best advertising is you! 
• Accompany someone to the event. You can greatly alleviate any discomfort someone might feel about walking through the doors of a building into which they've never stepped foot before. Your friendly and welcoming accompaniment may be just what is needed for someone to come and hear our story.

AND....if you're willing...we are putting out the plea for a few pieces and parts for Makers Week but getting very little response from the elementary blog. Perhaps your blogs are better read and therefore hold more communicative power? ;) If you would be willing, and I apologize for sending so much your way this week for your blogs, would you please copy this request for elementary Makers Week supplies?

Makers Week
Human beings are pretty astounding creatures, wouldn’t you agree? (admittedly we may be a little partial!) We are image bearers of a creative God. The Bible opens by detailing the story of God creating and unfolding the world and filling it with a creation that points to His glory. The beauty, intricacies, varieties and delicate balance through which life is allowed to flourish is nothing short of miraculous. Our God of the universe created us in His image. Wow. Astounding.

As a place of learning, it is our responsibility to celebrate this gift of creativity in our children. It is imperative that we do all we can to nurture our children’s curiosity, creativity, and capacity for innovation. By allowing their imagination to flourish we enrich their learning experiences rather than stifling their “outside-of-the-box” thinking. Children have an extraordinary capacity for creativity, and they often use it unabashedly.

During the week of February 22, your child will be engaged in Makers' Week. During Makers' Week, all students will be involved in engineering and/or techological-based projects. Our students will work side-by-side with teammates from all grades that have a common interest rather than a common age. We anticipate collaboration, problem-solving, coaching and encouraging among our children as they build, create, design and publish their work. You will hear more about this opportunity in the coming weeks.

We are in need of a few donations. If you have any of the following laying around the house that you would be willing to part with, we will put these items to sound use! Thank you for taking a look at our list of needs:

• Cookie Cutters
• Happy Meal-type toys and/or trinkets
• Kiddie Pool to borrow
• Small hand-tools such as screwdrivers, pliers, hammer

Wacky Wednesdays
Our parent team is once again sponsoring our Wacky Wednesday fun. Please take a look at the dates and theme as voted on by our sixth graders.:

Pajama Day - January 13

Crazy Hair Day - January 20

Mismatched Day - January 27

Hat Day - February 3

SPARK 
We are finally launching our SPARK events this month. The monthly assignment for your class is noted on the "SPARK" Wednesday on our staff calendar, frequently the final full Wednesday of the month. However, there are some SPARK events that require planning in advance, such as a preschool visit, collections for the Holland Rescue Mission, military collection, etc. Here is a reminder of the assignments for each class for the month of January:

Holland Rescue Mission--collecting Valentine Cards--Amanda Bohle
Preschool Visit--Karen VanMeeteren
Civic Worker Gratitude--Karen Strikwerda
Eagle College Letters--Jenna Ritsema (address found on google calendar notes)
Military Collection--Hunderman/Dreyer (see Pat for contact person)
Neighborhood Blessing--Sandy Johnson
Lakeside Vista--Sarah Becksfort (arrangements confirmed with bussing and Lakeside Vista)
Special Needs Visitors--Natalie Sapp (arrangements confirmed with My Sisters/Brothers House)

Report Cards 
Report Cards will be printed on Thursday, January 21. 3-day K cards will go home on Thursday. All other cards will go home on Friday, January 22.

Collaboration Days
We have a teacher/speaker Dan has invited to speak to several teams of teachers throughout our district on Friday, January 22. Our second grade team will be attending this seminar. Due to this engagement, the collaboration days planned for Thursday and Friday, January 21 and 22 have been moved to the following week Thursday and Friday, January 28 and 29. Here is our new schedule:

Lunch and Learn scheduled for January 28 has been cancelled due to the rearrangement of collaboration days.

Learning Lab
Oh learning labs....with all of these calendar adjustments...we're running into a snag with Learning Lab and Collaboration Days now running concurrently. I will speak with cohort 1 to see how we can best adjust to this conundrum. Thank you for your patience. Just for your reference, here was our original Learning Lab plan.


Notes thus far for January 28's Learning Lab date (subject to change if you so desire!):
Cohort 1 - Lesson at 11:00
Sarah Becksfort - covered by Miska beginning at 10:40 through lunch
Sandy Johnson - covered from 10:40 through lunch
Sheri Hunderman - covered by Michelle starting at 10:40
Amanda Bohle - covered from 10:40 through lunch

Cohort 2 - Lesson at 2:00 (preconference over encore time)
Jenna Ritsema - coverage from 2:00 through end of day
Michelle Dreyer - coverage from 2:00 through end of day
Karen Strikwerda - coverage by Danielle
Karen VanMeeteren - coverage from 2:30 through end of day
Natalie Sapp - coverage from 2:00 through end of day

Personal Day Form
We have an amended form for our new personal days. Pat has copied these forms on salmon colored paper to help distinguish the old from the new. If you have the pink forms, you may recycle them. The new personal day form from this day and forevermore will be on salmon colored paper! ;)

Staff Meeting
Haven't had enough information yet you say? How about a staff meeting! January 14 please plan for a lunch staff meeting. I'll bring a bowl of candy/treats (it's OK...it's a Thursday ;) ) but do you mind bringing a lunch for that meeting. We'll pick up the tab for our next Lunch and Learn date in February.