As I walk the halls of South Side, stop in classrooms, listen to your lessons, your compassion, your gentle leadership, I am so profoundly grateful. Children are being tended, grown and cared for in every way every day. This is an incredible responsibility and sometimes it requires every last drop of energy we can muster. THANK YOU for walking with God, for calling on Him to give you all that you stand in need of. THANK YOU for finding joy in the journey. I pray a prayer of gratitude each day for every one of you. As we move toward a few days off, may God bless each of you with family, the gift of time and a chance to breathe deeply of His tender mercies. THANK YOU for sharing your gifts and your life with South Siders!
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| What a wonderful team. We're missing a few in this pic...but I am SO grateful for every one of the servants who call South Side their mission field! |
PD
Donuts for breakfast from 8:00-8:30. Learning begins at 8:30. We will close our time at 11:30. Erin will be sending information soon with more details.
Kids Food Basket
We are once again partnering with Kids Food Basket to support children in our neighborhoods who experience food insecurities over Christmas Break. Our chapel will be December 6. The collection of snack bag ingredients will be the week of December 11 (we'll message this after Thanksgiving). Would a packing event (each class for approximately 20 minutes) fit your schedule on Wednesday, December 20th? This would be similar to our assembly line packing last year.
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!
Makers Week Thoughts
South Side Makers Week will take place the week of February 5. I know there is always so much to think of and the to do lists are crazy long especially this time of year...but I don't want this one to feel like it snuck up on anyone. Please start thinking of what kind of Make experience you would enjoy bringing to your learners. Don't hesitate to talk to me if you're seeking ideas or need items approved/purchased. We'll get the online sign up ready after Thanksgiving break.
Secret Sisters & RT & VK
Save the date: let's try to get together after school on Thursday, December 14! We're even upping our game this year by enjoying a Secret Snowman/lady fun in advance of the celebration on the 14th! Let's start here: there is a Secret Snowman "All About Me" form in your box. If you would like to participate in the secret fun leading up to the 14th, please complete the blue form and sneak it into Lia's box by TUESDAY of next week. SO, before you take off for the fun Thanksgiving Break, please complete this form and we'll add your name to the secret exchange.
Poinsettia Sale
We will once again be holding a Poinsettia Sale at South Side. The dollars raised go DIRECTLY to learning experiences here at South Side for our little ones. Would you be willing to copy and paste this one in your blogs as well (they read yours more closely than mine 😂 ):
We will be holding our annual poinsettia plant sale again this year. Order forms will go home with students on Friday, November 17 with a return date of Monday, November 27 this year. Pick up will be Thursday, November 30, 2:00 - 5:00 P. M. and Friday, December 1, 8:00 A. M. - 2:00 P. M. Many individuals use the flowers for home decor and for gift giving. Please think ahead and consider supporting this event. Dollars raised through this sale go directly to the education of our little ones at South Side. More details will follow next week.
Swimming Lessons
Our South Side students have the opportunity to receive swimming lessons at the Holland Aquatic Center this year again. We have a long history of partnering together is this important endeavor. Living near so many lakes, it is prudent to help our young children with survival techniques and build confidence in the water. They have produced this video for parents and teachers to watch to help understand their goals and techniques.
Our schedule will be as follows:
- 2nd grade: December 4-December 15. Pool time from 8:55-9:30.
- 1st grade: December 4-December 15. Pool time from 9:55-10:30.
- 5-day Kindergarten only: December 4-December 15. Pool time from 10:55-11:30
- 3-day kindergarteners do not participate in swimming lessons at the Aquatic Center.
