Thankful Hearts

A Time for Thanksgiving
Our nation and our community have been through much turmoil in the recent weeks and months. No matter what your viewpoints, there has been much pain brought to light. In times such as this, I find solace turning off media outlets and turning to Scripture. James 1:2-3, "Consider it a pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the test of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."  Each day I thank God for choosing to place me here at South Side among you, amazing peers! You bring energy, love, ideas, strength and God's LIGHT to our days. Your consistent countenance is a gift that lifts and holds tight not only the children God has placed in our care, but us as an extended family as well. What a true joy to be called to work this mission field with you. Thank you for your dedicated work. It's not always easy. But it's always God's good work. Thank you for your infectious joy. I'm always proud to tell and show visitors how much genuine enjoyment and enthusiasm you fill our hallways and classrooms with. Thank you for giving your heart to God. He is moving and doing great things through YOU! I am THANKFUL for YOU!

Time Cards
Paper time cards are due to Pat by 1:00 on Tuesday, November 22. For hourly employees, please email Pat your intended PD hours by 10:00 am on Wednesday so she can reflect the addition to your time card.

PD Morning
Here's the link from Dan. Nuff said? See you there. I'm looking forward to a morning of learning and reflecting together.

Christmas Gift Exchange
In light of our ensuing classroom Christmas parties, would you be willing to share this info in your blog this week? You may copy and paste or simply rewrite the message in your own words. Thank you.

As the Christmas season approaches our South Side staff has thoughtfully considered how to celebrate the birth of Christ with our students in grades K-2. In response to the urging of parents, and with the careful consideration of the staff, we would like to again celebrate with each other in our classrooms in the following way: rather than each student coming with enough little "things" (erasers, pencils, stickers, etc) for each student in the class, we ask that each boy come with one wrapped "boy"-labeled gift, and each girl come with one wrapped "girl"-labeled gift. These will be used as a part of games and activities on the last day before vacation. Please limit the value of these gifts to $3 only. Even though you may be able to find a great deal on a higher priced item for only $3, it helps us avoid some difficulty if the value of each item is actually $3. Please don't hesitate to communicate with me or with Miska if you have questions. Thank you!

May you each enjoy a restful weekend and a blessed Thanksgiving break!

BIG WEEK!

Let's bullet list our items for this week! Ain't nobody got time for the long drawn out blog today! Please know the time, work and heart you are pouring into your conference conversations goes a long way. You are loved and appreciated! Keep on keeping on! It's Thursday, but Friday's coming!

Christmas Tea 
WHAAAAT?!?! Yep. Our Christmas Tea has grown into a Christmas Luncheon (boy are y'all every loved by parent team!) Consider yourself cordially invited to our Christmas Luncheon, hosted by the parent team, from 11:45-12:30 on Wednesday, December 14.

Exposure Notification
Just to clarify, there will be no exposure notifications of any sort going home today.

Christmas Outreach
I will look further into Kids Food Basket and "Circles" with Good Samaritan Center.

Pizza For All
Potentially a Reading Incentive for all of our kids? Thank you to little Levi's family!

Work Orders
Paul Klokkert has put together a work order login system online. You can access those steps here: WORK ORDERS

Teachers Pay Teachers
Karen Strikwerda has kindly laid out the steps for ordering via invoice and purchase order with Teachers Pay Teachers. You can access those steps here: TEACHERS PAY TEACHERS

What a Week!

Well...South Side Sisters...it's nearing the end of an epic week! You have led your kids through meaningful learning experiences in the midst of Halloween, too much candy, thunderstorms, indoor recess, World Series excitement...oh my! Well done maintaining consistency, accountability and excellent, engaging learning for your students. It's been another full yet exciting week! Excellent work!

Staff Meeting
Please remember that we have our next staff meeting over the lunch hour on Thursday, November 10. We will circulate a menu for China Inn on Monday if you would like to order a "fun" lunch. Pat will collect the money and we'll make the run for the border (wrong continent) and pick up the goods before the meeting.

Please plan to have chapter 1 of The Differentiated Classroom read. We will talk through the discussion points with our groups.

Election on Tuesday
Thank you Jenna and Bailey for spearheading our exciting election...thank you, too, to Dee Dee for the reassuring devotional regarding this upcoming event. God is already there. We can find deep and true comfort in that fact! 

There is a sign-up sheet on the whiteboard for voting times for Tuesday. The polls will be located in the art room on Tuesday morning. If you are able to help transform the space from an inspiriting art room to a patriotic hub, please join us on Monday after school. Classroom teachers, there will be stickers in your mailbox to offer your little voters upon completion of their civic duty :) Remember, we will NOT be announcing the winner of the South Side election. Rather, we can tell our students that they will learn in the morning who our country has selected to be our next president. 


Delta Math Training 
All elementary staff be trained in Delta math. Years ago we utilized this assessment with our students. It is new and improved! On Tuesday, November 29 from 4:00-5:30 we will get all of the exciting details. Please plan to attend if you teach math.


Footloose

"Kick off your Sunday shoes" and come out to the HCHS Musical Footloose. Show dates are Thursday, November 17 through Saturday, November 19.

As staff members you get a 2 for 1 deal (2 tickets are listed at $5 a piece). Use the code “hsstaff” to purchase the two tickets at $5 instead of the normal $10. Purchase them online at: https://hchs.ludustickets.com/. 

Report Cards
Your students' parents will be instructed today how they can navigate to their child's report card online. If they ask you any questions, please direct them my way. I look forward to helping parents view their child's report :)

OAISD Die Cuts
If you're seeking new die cuts that the ISD has available for your use, Pat has an updated illustrated listing. Come and take a peek.