Peace on Earth (and maybe a smidge in the classroom)

"Suddenly, a great company of the heavenly hosts (seen here in the form of snow angels) appeared with the angel praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.'"

In the quiet (or first grade version of quiet) of the morning, we light the second candle for peace. So relevant. Lord Jesus may there be peace on earth, peace in our hearts and peace in this journey.

Dan's Pension Talk
Dan would like to update us on the pension and implications during a meeting over the lunch hour. He is planning to come Thursday, January 11 to talk from 12:00-12:30. Feel free to come when you are able. He'll give us the "street talk" version of the webinar that was held on Monday evening (thank you, Dan!)

MACUL
We have no takers on the Apple in Education Summit. No problem. Please talk to me soon if you are interested in attending MACUL this year. We have had many applicable instructional strategies and student learning enhanced due to teacher attendance and implementation of ideas generated at this conference. If you'd like to attend, please talk with me in the next week or sooner.

Christmas Tea
Parent Team would like to offer a Christmas Lunch en lieu of a Christmas Tea this year. They have requested that each teacher put out the all call for classroom coverage on Thursday, December 21 so that you can each enjoy a well-deserved break together.

Maker's Week Sign Up
Our Makers Week this year is earlier. We will lead our students through our SS Makers Week from February February 9. Listed in the link are last year's project sign ups. You may do the same session or edit the document and try something new. Might it be possible to list your idea by January 8? This will give enough time to order and shop for necessary materials (if they can't be dug out of the first grade storage closet 😂)

Winterim Internship
One session of winterim for high school students at Holland Christian is "So You Think You Want To Be A Teacher". Michelle Commeret is leading this session and has requested elementary teachers complete this brief form. At your connivence, would you please answer these quick questions for her? Thank you!

Beautiful Gate Chapel
Our Beautiful Gate combined chapel will take place on Wednesday, January 17. Due to time zone translations, we will need to hold chapel that morning at 8:30. We will meet in the gym. Preschool, you are welcome to attend if you would like.

Kids Food Basket
Would you please be willing to put one more plug in your blog for the Kids Food Basket collection in your blog again?

Items we would like to collect:

• Boxes of Cheerios
• Bulk Pretzels
• Bulk Cheez-It crackers or Goldfish crackers
• Bags of raisins
• Snack Sized Zipper-lock bags
• Brown Lunch Bags

Staff Meeting
Our next staff meeting will be Thursday, December 14 over the lunch hour. 

Secret Snowman
Are you ready?!?! Our Secret Snowman/lady fun will take place next week! 

Here is the scoop on the week:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: secretly stash small items for your happy recipient each day. 
Thursday: Give your secret snowman/lady one final gift along with a pair of crazy Christmas Socks. Our total expense should not be more than $25. In most cases the final gift will be the "nicest" gift...but feel free to take license here depending on your person. No one will get booted from the program for giving a larger gift at the start of the week ;) 

After school on Thursday, the 14h, Lia has graciously offered her house for us to gather. We can start gathering at 4:00 but just come when you are able.  Lia's house can be found:

6529 145th Ave  49423
Food will be provided
Please bring your own drink

Christmas Coverage
I am planning to take each grade level after your Christmas parties in the classroom so you can clear things out, pack up the tree and jot out some thank you cards (or hide in a quiet corner ;) )

Unless you'd like the timeline tweaked (in which case, please talk with me) here's what I'll plan on:

Sarah's class: 12:45-1:45 on Thursday, December 21
Karen and Sandy: 12:45-1:45 on Friday, December 22
1st and 2nd grade: 2:00-3:00 on Friday, December 22