Newsletter from Friday, April 27th...

This week we worked hard in the classroom!  In Science, we are finishing up our Earthworks unit.  We have assembled as habitats, and today shared the important things we learned with the rest of the class.  Next week, we will be making replicas of our habitats.  We are excited about this, and to share all of our newfound knowledge.

Next week, we will also begin again in our Missouri History books, and finish out the school year learning as much as we can about Missouri.  We will soon have to research a famous Missourian and do a project about that person.  I will send more details home about this as it occurs.  Thank you! 

In Religion this week, we had some amazing discussions.  We talked about the story of the “Rich Man and Lazarus” and talked about how we should live our lives here on earth, because we know one day God will take us to heaven to be with him!  This was timely, as we have been dealing with the reality of this here at school, and we had some very neat conversations.  The children discussed how they plan to live each day to the fullest, that they should strive to keep their faith strong, how to resist temptations, and how to treat others with forgiveness and love.  The discussions turned to questions about heaven, which was neat, and also to questions about suicide.  I wanted to make you aware of this, as they may bring up some of these things at home.  We talked about how God is the only One who knows what is truly in one’s heart.  We shared 1 Samuel 16:7b—“The Lord does not look at the things man looks at.  Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”  I again, want to thank you for sharing your children with me!  They are amazing and I love spending my days with them! 

In Math this week, the third graders reviewed how to use multiplication and division to solve word problems.  Fourth graders learned how to multiply using money.  Both grades will test next week.  I reminded your child to study his or her multiplication facts!  Every year, I take the students that have memorized their facts on a special trip to Winstead’s to enjoy skyscraper ice cream!  This year, some are having trouble and I want all of them to get there!  We will be doing this as an after school event this year!  I told them that their deadline is May 11^th, so we can take our trip that following week.  I will keep you updated as to how they are doing!  Thank you for your support!  They can do this!!!

Book Reports are due soon!  Third graders have until May 16^th to complete their biography book report.  Fourth graders have until next Monday, April 30^th to complete their collage and book report. 

We will be having TimOlympics again this year!  The students in grades 3rd-8^th look forward to this every year!  We form three teams divided among the grade levels and participate in fun games that challenge us intellectually, athletically, and creatively!  It is so much fun!  Each group designs a lip-sync for our final challenge.  They will perform these at our closing chapel on the last day of school, May 18^th.  TimOlympics will be on May 10^th, May 14^th, and May 15^th.  Fun times! 

MUSIC: The children will be practicing their recorders every Thursday during Music.  Please remind them to bring it to school.  Yesterday the received 11 new songs from Mrs. Mundt and she wants them to practice each song at least 2 times before next Thursday!  Beautiful recorders!    We also sing on Mother’s Day in church at the North site.  We will be singing at the 8:00 service and 9:15 services.  A note will be coming home soon with details! 

During the last week of school, the children have the opportunity to participate in a classroom auctions, where they can spend Myers’ money they have learned.  This auction usually consists of things/books we have made in the classroom this year, books, toys, knickknacks….If you have any items you would like to donate, please let me know!  Thank you!  J 

Please Remember: Our Mission Project this year is to raise money to help Martin Luther School in Joplin, MO. April and May’s challenge is to raise $250 as a school, and then the class that collects the most money, gets to take a trip to the park and lunch at McDonald’s!  What an incentive!  

Have a fabulous weekend!  God's Blessings!
Kim

Newsletter from April 20, 2012

As you know, this week has been a difficult one for us. We lost a dear friend, Brent Barnett, who went home to be with our Heavenly Father on Wednesday. We rejoice that Brent is dancing in heaven! We continue to pray for his parents, Rod and Becky, his sister, Briana, his extended family, and all of his friends. I have to tell you, that I have seen such an outpour of love, and caring, and faith from your children and it is inspiring and beautiful… I just know God is smiling down on us as he holds Brent in His arms! We are blessed to be loved and blessed to be here.


We visited Earthworks on Thursday! We had a lot of fun becoming scientists for the day and taking on special jobs of discovering more about God’s earth! I will post pictures to our site very soon, so you can see how amazing it was! I was very proud of our students, as we showed Christ in all of our actions, and were a great witness to those around us. We made some new friends from different schools and learned SO much! Next week, as a culmination activity, we will be building habitats that share what we learned in our corresponding habitats at Earthworks.

In Religion this week, we talked about The Rich Young Ruler, and how he asked God how to get to heaven. The lesson that we learned was that often times, we have things that we value more than eternal life with God. Jesus reminds us: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through ME.” John 14:6

In Math this week, the third graders learned how to divide larger numbered problems and the fourth graders learned how to multiply using 3-dgit and 4-digit numbers. These are taking us longer, and we are putting those multiplications skills to the test!

MUSIC: Tonight is the Spring Musical! We are very excited about our school musical, “Joseph: From the Pit to the Palace”, this Friday! Our students will sing several songs. The performance begins at 7:00pm. Students (K-4) should arrive at 6:30pm. Please meet in your classroom. Students should wear nice Sunday dress. Thank you!

The students are also invited to sing at Brent’s funeral service on Monday, April 23rd, at 11:00. Mr. Kuerschner has sent several emails home with this information. We will NOT have school on Monday, as we are celebrating Brent’s life with our families and friends.

Please Remember: Our Mission Project this year is to raise money to help Martin Luther School in Joplin, MO. April and May’s challenge is to raise $250 as a school, and then the class that collects the most money, gets to take a trip to the park and lunch at McDonald’s! What an incentive!

Brent Barnett

Our sweet friend, Brent Barnett, passed away today. He is in the arms of Jesus! Please continue to pray for his family, Becky, Rod, and Brianna, as well as all of his extended family and friends. We will miss Brent terribly, and his beautiful smile, ornery laugh, and witty sense of humor, but we know that he is happy and at peace, and reaping all the benefits of heaven...

But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. ~Isaiah 40:31

Our Sweet Brent....

Please pray for our friend, Brent Barnett, hospitalized at Chidren's Mercy, and for his parents, Rod and Becky Barnett. We love you SO, SO much, Brent, and are praying for you and your family...

Newsletter from April 13, 2012

We have had a fun, but busy week! Tonight is Trivia Night and you can feel the excitement around here! We have finished our classroom project, entitled “Growing in Faith and Knowledge,” and it is a tree hodgepodge of buttons, ceramics, handprints, and love! Please make sure you come by and see it!

We visit Earthworks next week! If you have not already signed a permission slip for your child, please do so. I have attached one for you, if I do not have one for your child. We do not need any other parent drivers or volunteers, so thank you! The kids have been working so hard preparing for this trip…getting ready for our Earthworks scientist jobs, studying an animal, learning as much knowledge about Missouri/Kansas habitats as we can, and doing fun writing and science projects. We are ready for the fun of Earthworks! I will take plenty of on-site pictures to share with you!

In Religion this week, we discussed the Bible story of The Good Samaritan. We discussed how we are often times like the Levite and the priest, who ignore opportunities to share God’s love, because we are too busy, or think bad thoughts of others, or are just to self-involved to notice when others need our help! We talked about ways that we can take note of others and help in small ways, as well as big ways! I am always encouraged by the children and their strong faith and love for others! If we could all capture that awesome childlike faith, I can imagine what an amazing world we would have…

In Math this week, the third graders learned how to multiply and divide using word problems and fourth graders learned how to multiply 2-digit numbers. We are getting so good at these skills! Please continue to work on facts at home. Thank you!

MUSIC: This week we practiced our songs for the Spring Musical! The children sound fantastic and are doing an amazing job of memorizing the words! We will have two all-school practices next week to get ready for our performances on Friday, April 20th. These will be at 10:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Thank you for all of your help with this!

Please remember that the children are participating in the Flash Mob this Sunday, April 15th, at the 9:30 Service of Joy. Mrs. Burns has asked the kids to be at church by 8:30 to practice. They are to wear jeans, or jean shorts, comfortable shoes, and a solid brightly colored or pastel colored shirt! We are SO excited for this chance to worship God in this amazing way!

Please Remember: Our Mission Project this year is to raise money to help Martin Luther School in Joplin, MO. April and May’s challenge is to raise $250 as a school, and then the class that collects the most money, gets to take a trip to the park and lunch at McDonald’s! What an incentive!
Have a fabulous weekend!
Blessings,
Kim